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Basic Narbonics Trivia Quiz

"Narbonic" web comic fans rejoice! Now you can test your basic knowledge of Helen, Artie, Mel, and Dave and their exploits. Those unfamiliar with "Narbonic" should consider a visit to Narbonic.com.

A multiple-choice quiz by uglybird. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
uglybird

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
292,344

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
206

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Shaenon K. Garrity, author of "Narbonic", has modeled the physical appearance of her main character Helen on which of the following women? Hint

Marilyn Monroe

Hilary Clinton

Meg Ryan

Herself

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The "Narbonic" web comic storyline centers on Helen Narbon's line of work, one that Mary Shelley would no doubt heartily approve of. What is Helen's occupation? Hint

Mad scientist

Senator

Poet

Rock star

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Interestingly, the first "Narbonic" web comic strip does not even feature Helen Narbon. The college graduation of which of Helen's coworkers is chronicled in the inaugural panels? Hint

Dave Davenport

Antonio Smith

Mell Kelly

Artie

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In the web comic "Narbonic", Helen employs Dave Davenport and Mell Kelly in her business. What term is used for their job description? Hint

Copywriters

Publicists

Groupies

Henchmen

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Mell Kelly begins the "Narbonic" web comic strip as a college intern in Helen Narbon's employ. Academic difficulties force Mell to adopt what course of study? Hint

English

Music composition

Law

Political science

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Question 6 of 10

6. Artie's role in the "Narbonic" comic strip might be said to be transforming. Which of the following roles does Artie NEVER play? Hint

Super-intelligent gerbil

College student

Handsome male human

Artie plays all of the roles

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. ANTONIO SMITH (whose name often appears in all caps in the "Narbonic" web comic) is called upon to oppose the machinations of Helen Narbon because of Smith's abilities in what field? Hint

Astronomy

Political consulting

Forensic linguistics

8. Some would maintain that web comic author Shaenon Garrity revels in producing unexpected outcomes in her web comic "Narbonic". What is the ultimate fate of the adorable kitten, Sir Pounce? Hint

Joined a sect of animals dedicated to human extermination

Became the CEO of Microsoft

Sent to hell and subjected to eternal torment

Adopted by Helen Narbon's mother despite her mother's aversion to "cute"

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Lupin Madblood exhibits a number of stereotypic "nerd" characteristics in the web comic "Narbonic". Which of the following typically nerdy traits does Lupin exhibit? Hint

Loves video games.

Lives in his mother's basement

All of these

Is unable to make polite conversation

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Shaenon Garrity's "Narbonic" strip ended in 2006. What led the author to end this popular web comic? Hint

Readers began to object to her treatment of small animals.

She completed her intended storyline.

She lost her creative impetus after marrying Andrew Farago.

She needed to devote her efforts full time to defend against the charges of obscenity leveled at her risqu� strip.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Shaenon K. Garrity, author of "Narbonic", has modeled the physical appearance of her main character Helen on which of the following women?

Answer: Herself

Helen Narbonic bears a striking and intended resemblance to the strip's author. In fact, the author's mother monitored the strip and notified Shaenon when she felt that any particular "Helen" drawing failed to sufficiently resemble her daughter.

2. The "Narbonic" web comic storyline centers on Helen Narbon's line of work, one that Mary Shelley would no doubt heartily approve of. What is Helen's occupation?

Answer: Mad scientist

Mad scientist Helen Narbon is arguably the strip's principal character - arguable because of the central role that Dave Davenport plays. Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, would no doubt approve. One has to wonder whether Shaenon could possibly share the same relationship with her mother that Helen does with hers.

3. Interestingly, the first "Narbonic" web comic strip does not even feature Helen Narbon. The college graduation of which of Helen's coworkers is chronicled in the inaugural panels?

Answer: Dave Davenport

Chain-smoking Dave Davenport graduates in the first "Narbonic" strip. It could be fairly said that the "Narbonic" strip centers on the business of Helen Narbon, but that the storyline chronicles the life of Dave Davenport. Most "Narbonic" readers would probably consider Dave rather than Helen to be the main character.

4. In the web comic "Narbonic", Helen employs Dave Davenport and Mell Kelly in her business. What term is used for their job description?

Answer: Henchmen

Mell and Dave work in Helen Narbon's lab. "Henchman" is their shared title, an apt job description. When computer programmer Dave Davenport begins his work, Mell is already working for Helen. (Note: "Mell" is spelled with two ls in the strip.)

5. Mell Kelly begins the "Narbonic" web comic strip as a college intern in Helen Narbon's employ. Academic difficulties force Mell to adopt what course of study?

Answer: Law

Although ultimately unable to continue her study to become a scientist, Mell ultimately discovers her aptitude for law. Mell's legal expertise becomes an important factor late in the strip's storyline. This parallels the experience of author Shaenon Garrity who was forced to drop a science major because of a low grade in a biology course.

6. Artie's role in the "Narbonic" comic strip might be said to be transforming. Which of the following roles does Artie NEVER play?

Answer: Artie plays all of the roles

A super-intelligent gerbil originally created to do Helen Narbon's taxes, Artie becomes a central character in the "Narbonic" saga. Artie's genetic instability allows him to transform from gerbil to human. His experiences leave him uncertain about his ultimate goals in life. In Artie's final appearance, he is a college student not yet certain of his future role.

7. ANTONIO SMITH (whose name often appears in all caps in the "Narbonic" web comic) is called upon to oppose the machinations of Helen Narbon because of Smith's abilities in what field?

Answer: Forensic linguistics

ANTONIO SMITH, FORENSIC LINGUIST, is initially called upon to identify the author of a threatening polemic written by Helen Narbon. He appears repeatedly in the strip and is patterned after a Vassar professor of strip author Shaenon Garrity. An English professor who specializes in analyzing Shakespearean text, Professor Donald Foster has himself been described as a "forensic linguist".

8. Some would maintain that web comic author Shaenon Garrity revels in producing unexpected outcomes in her web comic "Narbonic". What is the ultimate fate of the adorable kitten, Sir Pounce?

Answer: Sent to hell and subjected to eternal torment

When Sir Pounce is seen suffering the torments of hell, Dave Davenport protests his treatment to a demon. He is informed that Sir Pounce was an evil kitten and that hell makes no allowances for cuteness.

9. Lupin Madblood exhibits a number of stereotypic "nerd" characteristics in the web comic "Narbonic". Which of the following typically nerdy traits does Lupin exhibit?

Answer: All of these

Lupin "Wolf" Madblood is both a rival and a romantic interest of Helen's. Atypically, women seem interested in him despite his nerdish traits.

10. Shaenon Garrity's "Narbonic" strip ended in 2006. What led the author to end this popular web comic?

Answer: She completed her intended storyline.

Shaenon Garrity created her entire plot and had an ending in mind from the outset of her creation of "Narbonic". It took a mere six years to complete her plot. She is now re-running "Narbonic" with director's commentary.

Source: Author uglybird

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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