Chapter 1: Page 59
Readers can breathe a sigh of relief this week – Hardin clearly doesn’t mean this tribe harm. At least, not at this juncture. We’re still not sure what the ultimate plan is, but rest assured it will be unveiled in time.
Now that the tribe has joined Hardin’s cause, however, our Ermehn warrior has a chance to step away from the action and evaluate his handiwork. He’s got company, too – and we can be sure that it won’t be lighthearted conversation or common congratulations.
Remember that if you have any fan-art or fan-works you want to share with us, just pop ’em over to us at thewesterndeep (at) gmail (dot) com!
I wonder if it’s the elder one (Ashtor?) coming to talk to him.
Almost certainly. In the second panel Ashtor breaks from the group and looks directly at Hardin with a troubled look, and this is obviously meant as a visual cue for the following dialogue. I thoroughly enjoy how the creators add these kind of little touches to their work – they could’ve just shown him walking up to Hardin, but this way the scene feels much more dynamic to the reader.
Exceptionally wonderful shading on this page – love the way Hardin’s legs (and tail?) are visible beneath his cloak in the backlighting of the fire in the bottom center panel. Nice subtleties like that show the care with which this entire comic is being produced.
I’m not sure what Hardin’s crew is going to do to induct this tribe into his group, but I do have a feeling it’s going to involve some dye work on their fur for some reason, or something that shows they’ve changed alliances. I don’t know. At any rate, fantastic job with all the lighting and posing on this page, especially the last three panels. I can’t over how well you do shadows in the snow and dramatic lighting, haha.
Then again none of the Hardin’s bunch have their markings changed, so I’d say that getting the tribe ready involves more packing up and heavy lifting than painting. I wonder if the people in this world use pack animals, or have cattle of any kind? Many of them are carnivores after all.
I don’t believe so. If durable pack animals existed in universe, then the Felis would be able to use them instead of enslaving others to build their towers. (Also, animal people confusion would ensue, and I don’t think Alex and Rachel would write that in.)
I suspect it involves the manufacture of a few dozen matching friendship bracelets.
My Little Ermehn: Friendship (Through Violence) Is Magic
Rarity = a living tribe guardian after Hardin visits.
Bring them on. We’ve survived the Canid Inquisition; a few glares are nothing.
You two are my favorites. Just saying.
oh my god you two, again we badly need a “like” button for these comments
Thank you, Altairey and Laflen! We try.
The dispensers of questionable material and all quotes snarky and bizarre.
Yes… Ponies. :D
Maybe Ashtor is Hardin’s Yoda? ;-)
I can’t wait for the panel in which he teaches Hardin to lift a starship with his mind.
OI beeze joinin’ ah loittle late, bub oi be here’s. ;)
Now wha’ ah like ’bout t’ese vermin are ‘ey get down and bloody.
Oh, and hi Saraa! :D
Boi ‘okey, Quaver.
Wudd you be loikin’ sum ‘o this ‘ere deeper ‘n ever turnip ‘n tater poi? It t’would be a gurt shame t’ be leavin’ leftovers.
Joining in late here, but dear Lord this is probably one of the most beautifully-drawn (and written) webcomics out there. Usually by this point most webcomics devolve into lame attempts at humor/plot, or moral soapboxes, or mindless sex. This is just so professional looking. If I were to buy an actual printed volume of this, I’d say I got my money’s worth. Heck, it almost looks like an actual movie or television show, it looks so good.
Hats off to you, my good sir!
That’s sir AND ma’am, if you please. Alex does the writing, Rachel/Kobb does the artwork – and I’d say they make quite the team indeed! Now all we need is this week’s page … and the one after that … and the one after that …
*admits he’s hooked, and checks every Friday after midnight for the new page*
Not much to say this week. Hardin steps aside to let his recent actions sink in, while Ashtor breaks off the others to have word with him. Still, very good page, as always. Really good lighting on Hardin’s cloak, as Wing pointed out (though yeah, his tail does seem to have disappeared).
And yes, seeing Saraa and VarVau exchange words is always a pleasure :)