Bad Machinery #5
In "Babysitter's got winter vomiting disease," John Allison delivers another sharp, heartfelt chapter of Bad Machinery, where Ellen’s enrollment at school sets off a quiet chain of connections and secrets. As she struggles to navigate life on land, the kids rally around her—teaching her, protecting her, and even launching her onto the swim team where her natural talent shines. Meanwhile, quiet sparks fly between Mildred and Lee, stirring tension with Lee’s girlfriend Sasha, all while the selkie father lingers in the shadows, searching for his daughter. Drawn with the same warm, precise hand that defines the series, this issue captures the messy, tender rhythms of growing up.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Ellen enrolls at school, where she and Sonny become attached to each other. She's illiterate and totally lost at life on land, so the kids try to teach her even while they cover for her. Since she's expert at swimming, they get her onto the swim team. Mildred and Lee are attracted to each other, enraging Lee's girl friend Sasha, who is also on the swim team. The selkie father prowls the town, looking for his daughter.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).