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Dr. Germahn is a scientist specializing in applications of transformation magic. He heads a lab in Moperville.

In comic publication terms, he was introduced as a non-continuity "stereotypical German scientist" to provide "scientific" explanations[1] and gags. However, he was also established early on as existing in continuity, having developed the radio watches that Tedd, Grace, Nanase and Ellen were using when infiltrating the Nest, which Tedd got hold of via DGB.[2] In the Balance storyline, Dr Germahn appeared multiple times in continuity, working with Arthur and DGB on magical research[3] so it now seems that he can be read as a continuity character with a secondary role as a presenter of Gooniverse lore out of continuity (like Adrian Raven or many of the main cast).

Life and work in Moperville[]

Dr Germahn seems to originate from Germany, describing himself as German and using German words in dialogue. However, he now runs a lab in Moperville (at or connected to the university) and none of his appearances in or out of continuity have suggested that he lives or works elsewhere in the EGS world during the timeframe of the comics.

In Balance, it was revealed that he is working with Arthur.[3] He analyzed Tedd's notes and reported that Tedd had invented a wand-making glove that can be used to program spells[4] but complained about the documentation of the glove being too sloppy to be useful.[5]

Non-continuity Moperville[]

Dr. Germahn also appeared in the NP storyline Respect (which has not been explicitly declared canon, but does not seem incompatible with canon in that it had no consequences or implications that contradict canon and does not break the fourth wall or depart from main story themes). This storyline established Germahn Labs as being sited in Moperville, and employing Dr. Germahn's assistant Amanda and his niece Alice as a receptionist. It also introduced Amanda's roommate Lisa, who in later Q&A strips started working for Dr. Germahn as a lawyer. Amanda was concerned about no one respecting her, partly because Dr. Germahn would use her as a guinea pig in his experiments.[6] When she complained, he tricked her into drinking an experimental potion that turned her into a child[7][8] (it was intended to make people younger but not children). Amanda decided to come up with a project of her own to make him respect her[9] but couldn't come up with one.[10] When she told him how she wanted him to respect her, Dr. Germahn said he did respect her but doing experiments on her was his job,[11] which made Amanda feel better.[12]

Explanation and gag roles[]

Dr. Germahn first showed up, along with Amanda, in a Q&A-like page in Introductions to explain the hammers.[13] Then Dr. Germahn and Amanda hosted the first multi-page Q&A session, Q&A #1.[14] Then they, along with Lisa, showed up in the Q&A-like first page of Grace's Birthday Party to point out that the layout of The Verres' house had changed.[15] While the Germahn Labs cast hosted further Q&A sessions, Dr. Germahn himself didn't; he did not appear in the comic for several years.

For non-continuity gag purposes, Dr. Germahn is implied to be a bit of a pervert, engineering or allowing many occasions when his staff shrink out of their clothes or are otherwise transformed, which he observes either in person or through the high definition cameras which he has installed around the lab.[16] The out-of-continuity appearances of Germahn Labs have been seen as taking up the slack for suggestive content in the main Story comics as it decreased in continuity strips.

Quotes[]

"I'm a mad scientist! Testing crazy things on myself and those who are close to me is my job."
—Dr. Germahn to Amanda on EGS:NP Comic for 2004-09-21

References[]

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