Chapter 2: Page 32
This week, we are finally introduced to General Clovis! As an elite Canid general, Clovis’ responsibilities are to ensure that in this heightened state of tension between the Canid and Ermehn, the soldiers of Aisling are at peak readiness. While this doesn’t necessarily require him to be hands-on with the troops (he has plenty of underlings perfectly capable of this), Clovis is definitely the sort to offer personal, nuanced critique on a bowman’s form, as seen in his introduction.
Originally, General Clovis’ design was quite a bit different than it is today. He was a bit more eccentric, at least visually-so, exhibiting an air of menace that we felt was appropriate for the Canid in that iteration of the story (this would be back in mid-2011).
2011 Clovis
As the storyline matured and we began to delve more into the various perspectives of the story, Clovis’ true nature and history began to take shape, turning him from the leering fellow you see in the above image into a much more refined upper-class general — the type of high-level military leader who could negotiate the shirt off your back (so it’d be easier for him to stab you there later). The newer design for the character is the one we see today: classy, genial (to a point), and ruthless.
Clovis, late 2013
The poses and expressions in the concept pieces for the character are perfect reflections of the changes from old to new. Both pieces show the character reacting to, perhaps, happy news of a victory or some machination going according to plan. Old Clovis would mug for the camera like he was Jenner from The Secret of NIMH, while the new iteration of the character is not so much of a caricature. At the very least, he understands the PR implications of grinning wickedly in public.
This week, we’ve got a follow-up to the wonderful Dakkan piece Jerome Jacinto did for us a few weeks ago! Where there is Dakkan, after all, there must be Quinlan!
During one of his high-flying antics in the treetops of Terria, it seems Quinlan has spied somebody off in the distance and is trying in vain to get their attention. I love the pose and the take on the character — Jerome keeps outdoing himself on these pieces, and I love seeing his approach to the world of the Western Deep.
By the way, not to be too much of a tease, but Jerome’s guest pinup for the Beyond the Western Deep hardcover collection is absolutely fantastic. I simply cannot wait for you all to see it in the book :)
Well, I’m a big fan of the changes you guys made to Clovis. Something I really like about the characters in this comic in general – and Clovis, in particular – is how everyone feels rather generic. And that’s not a bad thing! I suppose I should clarify; there’s no one with ridiculous appearances or characteristics that screams “hey look at me I’m super special awesome. Hurr.” Part of that, no doubt, is the continued care for background character detail.
But yeah, Clovis, if not for his red cloak, could pass off as an everyday Canid. He could blend into a crowd, no doubt, just like just about everyone else. It’s great. I’m loving it.
“there’s no one with ridiculous appearances or characteristics that screams “hey look at me I’m super special awesome. Hurr.””
Apologies, but I cannot help but be slightly concerned about that statement. You speak this in a manner that can be construed as brown-nosing, as if to imply that unique characteristics, something that we humans have in great numbers, is somehow a folly.
I feel the operative word in that statement was “special,” which is to say, there’s no singular person that is so note-worthy in their appearance alone that they simply must be, by definition, the most interesting person in the story. Like a Japanese school kid who’s the only pink-haired person in their class, or a wolf that is albino in a pack of grey wolves. It’s hardly meant as a slight against anyone who happens to look different, whether naturally or by choice, in real life, only perhaps on the silly habit of storytellers to make the main characters the only interesting people to look at.
I think you can lump Western Deep’s school of character design in with, say, Attack on Titan. Everyone’s kept within the realm of reason for the setting, but individuals are easily identified in a group. No pink hair, yeah, but there’s freckles, haircuts, shirts, and such. Here, there’s fur colors, patterning, rank designation, species, etc. At least, that’s what I think.
Hrm, I’m sorry if it comes off that way, as that was hardly my intention. Indeed, Laura has the long and short of it (AoT being an excellent comparison), in much more eloquent form. I don’t mean to imply unique characteristics are a folly, only that obviously-affected ones often come across as contrived and unrealistic. If, for example, Clovis had retained his older, more sinister, design, he would immediately stand out as, if not a villain, at least a key proponent in this story. His current design comes across as less of a caricature, making him seem more of an everyman. On a related note, this comic gives a great deal of attention to background characters. Whereas many comics and cartoons reduce background characters to generic copy-paste characters, every character in this story has felt like a fully realized individual, ready to step into the forefront of the story at any moment. I love minor characters, and this attention to detail is one of the reasons I love this comic. It feels unpredictable; I’ve yet to see a character (based on their appearance alone) who, as soon as I see him or her, I immediately know is vital to the story. That, and as each page is static, these little details give more incentive to spend time examining them.
And I’m certainly not trying to be a brown-noser. It is an important aspect of this comic that I really appreciate, and I know if I was putting this much thought into character design, I’d want to know when and why it was working.
“Old friend” BAD VIBES. The thought of a pleasant, charming yet ruthless Canid is pretty terrifying, I am not going to lie. I’m incredibly happy that we’ve gotten to see our first glimpses of him, however! Hehehe. It’s a pity his brother couldn’t have come along, but that is for another time.
Why would on I? ON MY SIDE, I HAVE THE DAKKANATOR.
But I have the LUTRENA. Aka the Lutren version of the Macarena.
I present to you the Canid “Let’s Go To Camelot” Cancan. Your move.
this is hysterical
I wonder if they were war buddies…
Yes yes, that kind. The best kind to have drinks with.
I had a feeling that General Clovis’s initial character would change from the old blog (I feel like such a tool for drawing him as as cheeky, overconfident yet sophisticated Canid XD) But I digress. I love how friendly he looks yet he still feels intimidating…..would’nt want to mess with that guy.
Also holy cow, Jerome Jacinto…DEM colors! Your rendition of Quinlan is super adorable.
Thanks Veigue. I, on the other hand, enjoy the twists you add to the characters, and the way you draw them!
Kids, kids, you are both right! (Except for Veigue being a tool.)
Is there some kind of story behind those bloody red paw prints or are they there just to look cool (’cause they look pretty cool)?
Dubiously Relevant Fact of the Day:
The Red Hand of Ulster that has become a ubiquitous symbol throughout Northern Ireland (and parts of Eire) hearkens back to an old legend of Irish succession.
In a time when the throne of Ireland lacked a clear heir, the claimants to the crown were taken to a small island and challenged to a race back to the mainland. Whoever first “Laid a hand on Irish stone…” would claim the kingship. As the racers were wading (or rowing) ashore one claimant, on realising that he would never be able to overtake the race leader, drew his sword, sliced off his own right hand and threw it onto the rocks thereby satisfying the terms of kingship and presumably leaving a gnarly crimson handprint.
I echo the others that have already said this: “Old friend.” HA! Half of me wants to be optimistic that the greeting was in kind, but in truth, we all know its for show. If the expression had been genuine, Clovis would not have needed to be prompted by the other Canid – he would have simply seen the trio out of the corner of his eye and turned to meet them. But, such is his character I’m afraid.
You know, I wondered this on the last page, but I think I’ll ask it now. The omega Canids seem to have an earring in their left ears, while the alphas do not. Is this intentional or just coincidence? Perhaps a way of distinguishing between the two without having to talk to any beast? If that is the case, I find it interesting that Clovis has a notch out of his left ear. A battle scar maybe, or perhaps a clue towards his past that would have been ‘removed’ when he ascended into the army?
That is very astute of you to notice the earrings. I hope you are right.
Whoa…yeah you’re right. Clovis should’ve greeted him in that 2nd panel if he really cared……… ah man I smell a Tohru Adachi! I’mma keep an eye on that sneaky dude.
I thought about that.
It seems the initial draft for a stereotypical “deranged evil general” for Clovis was changed for a stereotypical “pragmatic evil general”, heh heh!
He’s smaller than I thought.
Are you sure he’s not just far away?
Coming a bit late to the party here (23 Comments already?!!?) but just have to acknowledge another great page. Clovis looks especially outstanding in that third panel.
And speaking of the Canid Foe (or presumed foe), it’s interesting to hear of his “Jenneresque” origins. When I was writing my Robin Hood fanfic and introduced Guy of Gisbourne as a panther, I remember describing him as a biped version of Bagheera with the personality of Jenner … although my Sir Guy ended up being far more formidable than that scheming NIMH rat – a development I suspect will apply to our dear Clovis as well. Can’t wait to see where this all goes!
Another week, another rat being left behind… :(
Well, it’s a shame we apparently didn’t get so see more of the arrow carrier. Me and my fondness for background characters :P
Also, that first panel… Is it merely some perspective thing, or is Clovis really holding his head that high? If he’s that arrogant, he’s sure to end up with a stiff neck soon!
Clovis: “I smell…underachievement.”
Omega Caste Canid: “Hff…”
I read Clovis with a russian-ish accent… would that be about right? :P
Actually I imagine the canid with American accents in my head, but you’re free to imagine them with any accent you want! :)
Hmm… maybe it’s because the Canid-Ermehn dynamic makes me think more of the relationship between Russia and the Ukraine than Russia and the US.
Well, real-world parallels and how we hear the characters don’t have to jive :) I hear the canid as American and the ermehn as Scottish — no particular reason, that’s just how the characters sound to me!