Chapter 2: Page 42
A nice big update this week! My favorite kind!
In this week’s page, we start to learn a bit more about the Ermehn tribe, the Sratha-din, of which Hardin has assumed leadership.The naming convention for Ermehn tribes takes a little inspiration from the Redwall book “Taggerung,” which combined tribal leaders’ names with the groups they led. The savage nature of the Ermehn culture also has some commonalities with the Juska from that book, though that’s less about us being inspired by Mr. Jacques as it is both us and Mr. Jacques being inspired the ancient Scottish Picts from the Iron/Medieval ages. The battles between the Picts and the Romans also have some similarities in theme and tone to the Ermehn/Canid struggle, as I’m sure more than a few readers have picked up on.
Another fun detail in this week’s page (and future pages) is the content of the banners decorating the interior of the garrison. If you dare to reach back — way, way back — you might remember in the Prologue chapter that the concept of recording historical events was mentioned as an important theme of the story.
In the updated draft of the script, which will be making its appearance in the first printed volume of Beyond the Western Deep, this through-line is called out with greater emphasis. To paraphrase: “history is written by the victor, but truth is written by the observer.” The Canid, being the victors in the Canid/Ermehn conflict, have their own version of history they like to bandy about — though how close it is to the truth we may never know.
Also, speaking of the tweaked script, you’ll soon be able to read it here:
That’s right! The books are COMING SOON! This one isn’t actually the real book, but is a hardcopy proof that we opted in for to help us gauge whether the files were appropriate for printing the main run of 500 books.
This is a fun new piece that Rachel put together for the front of the book.
The careful translation from RBG colors to CMYK took a lot longer than I think either of us would’ve liked, but the colors really pop off the page now. The pages, a nice and heavy 85# stock, give the whole book a substantial heft when paired with the traditional hardcover front and back. Why, it’s almost book-like!
The only changes at this stage will be to tweak the sizing of the art on the pages a little so nothing gets lost in the spine of the book, and to brighten up the cover image a wee bit. Once that’s done, the books will begin printing and the first batch of 50 should be on my doorstep two weeks later. Expect MORE pictures :)
Also, a sneak peek at some of the bonus stuff, of which there is a ton!
The major cast is laid out here with their initial concept art, showing their design evolutions ranging from BWD pre-2010 to BWD 2012.
All in all, Rachel and I are both extremely proud of the book. We spent a really long time tweaking every detail and polishing every minor point to provide both newcomers and day-1 readers with a worthy purchase that encapsulates everything BWD has to offer as a story and a world, and I think we’re going to accomplish that goal with this first volume.
This week, as a bonus-bonus-bonus, we also some AMAZING guest art to share! I present to you, courtesy of Jack McCarthy, Dakkan!
Rachel and I both absolutely adore the picture, Jack! Here we see Dakkan is exuding his usual lackadaisical vibe, using his tail as a support to lean up against. Very cool posing! His physical appearance and demeanor are both portrayed in a very fun way, and we’re both grateful to Jack for sending the piece! Thanks, Jack!
Excellent update! I just finished reading the comic and I am hooked. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! We’ll definitely do our best :)
Ah, I thought the Ermehn and Juska were similar. Now I know why whenever I read Taggerung, I picture Hardin as Sawney Rath. By the way, how much will the book cost when it comes out?
We’re looking at selling the books for around $20 each. There will also be some additional merch (tbd, but we’re looking at stuff like buttons and bookmarks)
Plushies when, Alex?
Haha, plush toys and figurines are PRICY. Believe me, I’ve been helping Dean look into it for Dust-related merch and that’s a big investment. Bigger than the books, really, since it’s a more custom job. That said, I’d love plush toys or figurines someday – just depends on the cost and how well the books/convention showings do.
Well, something tells me the general is telling his kinds side of the story. Which could be entirely different from what Ermehn remembers. Just a thought.
So Hardin really did came from royalty!…or at least is related to one of the Ermehn’s important figure-heads and was not just part of some rag-tag group….or maybe Hardin isnt the successor…..and perhaps maybe someone among the Sratha-Din is actually Sratha’s descedant! OH MAN This speculation train is going at full speed at this rate and I cant get off!
*ahem* I love how the last panel shows one of those awesome historically stylized drawings when Clovis started explaining his side of the Canid-Ermehn conflict. Pretty powerful stuff. It’s too bad that it’ll seem that history is going to repeat itself if the Canid really believe that the 4 Kingdoms will be at peace if they are trying to oppress the Ermehn back for what their kind has done to them before.Thats not how you really solve issues here people! It didnt work when you did that your classmates in Elementary school, it wont work in real life.
And man did I very much giggle-pigged at the Mr.Jack’s drawing. I love cartoonish styles and this version of Dakkan I definitely wouldnt mind seeing him going on various misadventures and hi-jinks with his buddy Quinlan when I was watching Saturday morning cartoons. And I can tell that at the end of it, Kenosh and Caldus will show up face-palming at the absurdity.
Lastly, that BWD book looks so awesome! The art really does pop out in printed form and with the addition of extra bonuses such as guest art and character sketches, I’m super hyped for buying that book! This was a great update guys!
Gotta love the irony in the last panel.
Exactly. And the expressions in panel two. If no Canid has a sense of humor, then Clovis must come the closest, in his own twisted way.
I like panel three the best. It’s fun to compare how Clovis’ expression is more apologetic in the sketch, but in the final version he’s just downright smug.
Also, Ermehn oppression seems to consist of lying on the ground and getting stabbed in the stomach in the most unbelievable show of passive-aggressiveness ever.
Well, it’s not like the Canid are going to hang up pictures of their subjugation on the walls of a military garrison, right? They want images of victory!
…Now that I’m properly awake, I see that I made the juxtaposition hecka ironic. I’ll fix that during the color pass. Clovis isn’t lying, but how honest he’s being is up for debate. ;)
I actually like the way the tapestry contradicts the dialogue here. It really highlights the idea of ‘two sides to every story’ and shows how the Canid respond to supposed ‘oppression.’ It always reaffirms (like you said) that although Clovis is reciting facts, how swayed those facts are in favour of the Canid race are questionable.
I was merely jesting, you don’t need to change a thing. As Freya points out it’s the contradiction between words and (depicted) actions that makes the picture delicious.
I’ve never quite agreed with the frase “history is written by the victors”, if anything, history is written by the ones in charge. The whole “two sides to each story”, as Freya says.
The vanquished always have their own version that they pass on to their children and to everyone willing to hear. Boy, do I know it!
Jest or no, it brought up a good point. The original version made it look like Clovis was either lying or intentionally misrepresenting the past, which really isn’t what he’s doing. He’s merely relating events from the Canid point of view.
Why do I get the feeling that Bevan is going to stab Clovis in this room, and as Clovis lays dying, make a snide comment about the picture? Double irony.
I love the second panel, everyone’s “Gettin’ real tired of your shit, Clovis” looks are gold XD
Everyone simultaneously decides Enough Is Enough, and Clovis’s response seems to be “LOL it was expected but you poor peons didn’t last long, did you?”
First off – the book looks GREAT. Congrats to both of you! :)
Now, to the page!
You know, as much as I LOVE the coloured pages, I do like when a blue-scale one comes into play. It really allows one to concentrate on the facial expressions and mannerisms of the characters without being too in awe at the colouring (props to Rachel); and this is the case for this page.
What can I say, the panels are all GREAT and by the sounds of it, we are about to get an Platonic-type lecture from Clovis on the Canid/Ermehn history. We’ll have to see if Kenosh plays a ‘Glaucon-figure’ to Clovis’ ‘Socrates’ and argues with the great and mighty general. ;)
Oh, and I like Clovis’ small attempt at humour, though a little awkward he should try it now after he just took Dakkan down about ten pegs for it. Though, that is Clovis – he’s in a league all on his own.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Cheers,
FT
Delicious irony of the last panel and all the flack Clovis is giving everyone in the party in varying ways is the best thing about this page, hands down, and I love it.
Amazing work, I’m in awe
You know what I can’t wait for? Still more tension and build-up for the inevitable conflict–I mean, we can all see where this is going and just want to scream at the protagonists “THEY’RE RIGHT THERE! THE ERMEHN ARE RIGHT THERE!”–and more clues as to Hardin’s plan and more information about the Canid garrison, until the conflict seems inevitable with the last panel of that comic a picture of one of the Ermehn whispering “Let’s go.” or something like that, and then the Saturday after that we all flock to the website to see what happens next, and . . .
. . . we get to see Janik embarking on her trip to the Vulpin kingdoms. Perfect scene cut, and a lot of fan rage at the same time. It would be hilarious.
Apologies to Rachel and Alex if I just exposed your eeeeeeevil plans. :)
Don’t give them ideas like that! What are you trying to do?
(Though it *would* be perfect…)
….thank you. So much.
This picture. I am so happy it exists.