2014-10-16
Explanation
The Joke
Aliens arrive on Earth with a dramatic speech about how they come from a distant planet, how they once conquered the galaxy but now regret the damage they caused, and how they wish to repair that damage. When a human asks if they mean "apologize," the aliens clarify that their previous ruler was a tyrant -- but he was actually a pretty good guy who spent his time fighting supervillains, rescuing orphans, and preventing the moon from being blown up. In other words, their "tyrannical" conqueror was so busy being heroic that the actual governing fell apart. On Earth, they note, the superhero situation has spread even further: every person seems to be fighting supervillains, leaving no one to handle mundane governance. The aliens ultimately decide to leave, telling each other it will be fine and that they are "coming back later."
The Humor
The comic satirizes the superhero genre by imagining what would actually happen to a civilization where everyone is preoccupied with superheroics. The aliens''' backstory reveals the absurd consequence: their leader was so busy doing stereotypical superhero things (fighting villains, saving orphans, dramatic stunts) that he neglected the boring but essential work of governance. Earth turns out to be even worse -- the entire population seems to be engaged in superhero activities, meaning no one is running society. The joke plays on the idea that superhero stories glorify individual acts of heroism while ignoring the systemic, institutional work that actually keeps civilization functioning. The aliens''' decision to quietly leave and "come back later" adds a final comedic beat, suggesting Earth is simply too dysfunctional to bother with.