Chapter 1: Page 64
Not much to say this week – just remember to swing back tomorrow for the final page of Chapter 1!
As the chapter draws to a close, I have to think back to when we first launched the website – that was way back on January 1st, 2012! We’ll have been posting pages for a year and five months come tomorrow (or, today – when you read this!) and that totally blows my mind.
The support that you’ve all shown the comic, story, characters, world, etc has been beyond our wildest expectations, and I’m humbled to see that Rachel’s and my work is entertaining folks around the globe.
That said, we have big plans for the future of the Western Deep. I’ll talk a little bit more about what’s coming up tomorrow when we post the final page of the chapter!
I love Hardin’s expression in the second panel. He looks so determined XD
“SHF SHF SHF” Love it!
The pawprints in the snow are a nice touch, but … uh, shouldn’t there be more? I mean, in a cold wasteland like this, fires would be built to gather around and keep warm, and except for Hardin’s fresh tracks, that patch of snow looks pristine. Even if the fire’s been burning untended for awhile while everyone was off watching the fight, you’d still have the tracks of those who *built* the fire and tended it. Yes, yes, I know – it’s all about the symbolizing and what works visually in the comic format rather than what’s logical, but still, that was one of the first things that hit me (along with this page’s usual overall excellence, that is!).
And Hardin’s still a bloody mess. Nice. But, cute Ermehn families! Too bad they’re doomed …
Yeah, it was equal parts clarity and “too much pencil mileage makes the page late,” heheh. I’ll make a note, maybe add some more when I go back to tighten things up. Accounting for the fire builders at least seems like a good idea.
(EDIT: Let there be footprints!! Change made.)
No words are needed on this page, and the faces of the worried Ermehn cubs speak for themselves. I’m assuming those behind Hardin are all part of one family? At any rate, I don’t think they’re going to get out in one piece, but it’s nice to see them while they are all still alive… especially the younger ones.
The final page of chapter one is on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to it, ominousness and all. Here’s to the hoping the dawn arrives for Ermehn.
What a great range of emotions! The facial expressions, coupled with the small number of detailed Ermehn, really highlights that this tribe isn’t just a faceless group, but a band of individuals. Definitely one of my favorite things about this comic is that background characters might be throwaway characters, but they certainly don’t come across that way; if any one of them turned out to be an important character, it wouldn’t be at all surprising.
I feel bad for all those Ermehn kids. Whenever I see them, I think of the kids at Helm’ s Deep getting armed for battle. I am beginning to seriously dislike Hardin.
This is otherwise a nice page, but there’s one quibble – the markings (scars?) on the little kid in the right corner make his snout look lopsided, like a drawing fail.
I’ll take a look at it. c:
(EDIT: scars updated!)
Shf Shf Shf Shf Squelch Ewww!
Ddr…ddr…ddr… “It’s slowly coming this way!”
/ten to one I just made an abysmal joke no one else knows/
…speaking of the fact that they don’t want to be there, could they perhaps be Broermehn’s family? I’m not seeing any similarities, but it seems like a possibility.
“Your uncle lies dead in the snow. Unless you wish or your cubs to follow suit, I suggest you don’t try to run. Now move out!”
Something tells me there’s an Ermehn proverb out there that roughly translates to “an Ermehn without brethren is an Ermehn without breath.” In the wastes, someone without family or tribe wouldn’t last long, and to be exiled… well. You stick with your family’s killer, or you head out for the ice and die. Your choice. It’s not any easier on Brea since she happens to be mute on top of everything.
The Canid also probably have a proverb near identical to that of the Ermehn, but they refuse to acknowledge that it’s something they share in common with that ice-slagging filth.
Oh, Wing and your obsession with with proper footprint placement… ^_^
It seems that Hardin’s seeming moment of regret last page has turned into icy determination once again as he strides away from his old companion and past an adorable collection of Ermehn cubs. I think we all found them to be the stars of this page. I definitely agree with PB&J’s comment about how much effort is put into making background characters unique and relatable, even if it’s something you’ve heard a ton of times by this point. I think the ones with white aprons/scarves/thingies in the foreground look like brother and sister (or perhaps a younger sister and older sister), while the ones further to the back are mother and son. Bonus points for the… interesting look on the old Ermehn in the back.
*sigh* Yes, there is a strong chance that these poor creatures will be casualties of whatever plan Hardin has in mind. It is such a sad reminder of the harshness of the world Alex and Rachel have created…