Chapter 2: Page 81
The action moves down to ground level this week, with a rather awesome transition page! As per his personality, Dakkan is taking charge and crashing ahead; his mind totally fixated on one single goal: find Kenosh. He’s been acting well above his station, taking charge, speaking up when Quin won’t, and pushing ahead even when he nearly passed out. Ever since the Ermehn bashed their way into the Deltrada guest quarters (which in real-time would have been a mere 5 or so minutes ago!) Dakkan’s been acting almost like a leader of some kind!
Of course, Dakkan is still a son, and his father is somewhere in Deltrada during an Ermehn invasion, and even though Quinlan outranks his friend by a fair margin, this has little to do with protocol. Kenosh is missing, and there are murderous Ermehn everywhere. What friend worth their salt wouldn’t charge forward alongside Dakkan?
This week for guest art, a piece that I’d nearly forgotten I had on my hard drive but was saved at the last moment! Saraa drew up a fun little piece of the Canid soldier who saved Quinlan on the rooftop! While she doesn’t have an official name, Saraa tagged it with the hugely appropriate byline: “She’s beauty and she’s grace. She’s Miss Punch-You-in-the-Face.”
Thanks so much for the wonderful art, Saraa! Rachel and I always love seeing your take on the BWD cast :)
And remember, if any readers out there want to share their work with us so we can post it up alongside new pages, just send it to us in an email at “thewesterndeep(at)gmail.com”!
Second!
No, I mean… Aw, I lost my chance!
I’m really liking this page. And I knew Saraa was up to something lately!
For all the talk about Lady Canid, I never suspected that someone would draw some fan art of her. Don’t I feel silly now.
As for the new page, the style of that first panel bleeds so much awesomeness that I immediately love it, despite it only being three panels long and lacking all dialogue.
Can’t wait until next week!
The silhouette looks more cartoony than rest of the comic, but I still like it. I can practically imagine the Looney Tunes-themed piano song playing during it!
How interesting…. Music was also playing in my head when I saw that 2D section with Quin and Dak running down the stairs. For me it was a fast-paced ragtime song… er, something like that.
I forgot to mention it yesterday, but that sideways look at the two going down the stairs makes me think of the Asterix and Cleopatra animated movie.
will this comic book be a kids book? i think it is a great story.
It’s planned to be a comic collection–in fact, you can buy the first volume in the online store right now.
We joke about it being made into an animated film one day, too. Probably won’t happen, but who knows?
Just don’t let your kids read the comments section. There’s an even-to-high chance they’ll be exposed to an actually illegal amout of grade F puns.
Of course. And her left foot is named “kneecap” while the right goes by “knocks the wind out of you”.
Well it does have action/violence and some blood, but nothing too severe or horrifying. Also there’s no language or sexual content so I think it just depends on the kid and parent’s judgement.
Err, sorry this was supposed to be in reply to Christopher Daniels. Missed the reply button :/
It is okay.
There’s a bit of language. Clovis drops a gem when he is delivering his condolences RE: Caldus.
Since I’m not contributing anything else this page and haven’t been lately, I’ll just leave this here.
Other than the fantastic art and composition this page, as well as Dakkan’s character shift–does anyone feel that Quinlan is a background character in his own story? I mean, I’m fond of him and know he’ll come into own later, but it seems like the spotlight has never been his. He had his moment with Crim and the ermehn, and the Feyn-caused flashback, but it’s Kenosh and Dakkan who have been shining and driving things along.
I’ll probably reconsider when I look back at things, and the plot is shifting up a gear right now anyway, but that’s what I’ve had in my head at the moment.
I kind of see Quin’s role being the spectator right now, seeing how the world outside his home really is and how it effects the people around him.
I understand what you mean…but I kinda disagree. While Quinlan isnt the total driving force behind the plot, the comic does shift into his point of view a lot. It fits with the whole “the world doesnt revolve around you” concept, but just like the rest of the cast, he plays and experiences events within the narrative. For now, It’s easier for Kenosh to pull the Sunsgrovian troupe since the story calls for it but I’m pretty sure eventually the plot will have Quinlan and co. fortify their roles to drive the main story.
That’s because Quin has been mainly reacting on events so far instead of taking action. Kenosh, Clovis, and the entire Sratha-Din are all more experienced than him putting him on the back seat leadership-wise, and he cannot compete with a flashy personality either (the curse of the main character). I hope he will have his own Dakkan moment in the near future!
I think that’s it: the fact that Quinlan has been reacting more than acting. It’s understandable why he can’t, seeing the poor guy is in way over his head, out of his comfort zone, and around far more aggressive people, but it left me with the vague feeling that Quinlan had been wallflowered frequently, and I couldn’t put my finger on why. But that’s it. I wish him the best though, and hope he gets more shining moments in his own Quinlan-y way.
Let’s test this theory. Which characters seem to be more aggressive and/or impulsive than our friend Quinlan?
-Dakkan
-Kenosh
-Janik
-Crim
-Hardin
-Bevan
-Rhosyn
-Rathik
-Clovis
-Lady Canid
That leaves:
-King Dabheid
-Eira
-Ashtor
The news is not good for our Tamian compañero.
Ashtor’s been pretty vocal towards Hardin. I’d say he goes in the other column.
I think it’s also because it’s his natural personality. Taking charge for him is hard, and every time he has attempted, he’s been thwarted. He tried to protest when Dabheid decides Quinlan will accompany Kenosh and Dakkan and Deltrada, and he tried to confront Clovis over the Dakkan Smackdown, only to get overshadowed by Kenosh both times. And then there was the last page, where Dakkan demonstrates his father’s propensity for taking charge, even though he’s definitely breaking rank.
\
Which leads me to wonder if that might be a potential source of conflict later. Maybe not over this incident, but something.
Alex and Rachel had written, when introducing Crim, that he was a bully to Quinlan much in the manner of Biff in Back to the Future. However, unlike Biff, Crim had a big fluffy tail.
Er, I mean a reason for teasing Quinlan beyond sheer jerkyness.
He saw Quinlan as a doubtful, scrawny guy who was unfit to suceed his grandfather as captain, which is no small thing, because who wouldn’t be concerned if the commanding officer of homeland security was a shy, indesicive upstart?
And yet, despite being the most passive character in the story so far, he is our co-protagonist.
Yeah son! It’s serious Dakkan time!
It’s…….amazing seeing him with such fierce determination compared to how he was back many, many months ago. It’s interesting how much of a shift in character he gets when it comes to situations like this, compared to Quinlan’s consistent personality. I like it, it gives contrast to the two.
And we can always count on Saraa for delivering much needed character fan art.
I just checked the archives to see when Kenosh last made an appearance. He walked out the door on page 62 of this chapter. That’s 19 weeks ago. We haven’t seen him since early November 2014.
Now we know why Dakkan is worried.
Geez. It might be only minutes in-world time, but when you put it that way :v I miss the old geezer now; we haven’t seen him in a while.
Hello :) For several months I have been following with bated breath your comic, and just now I found that ask whether “ordinary mortal” and a big fan of your comics may take part in the discussions of the parties of this genius comic ;) ? Can I join to this discusion :) ?
Can you join the discussion, Jakub? I do believe this answers your question! :D
Welcome to the salmon party that never ends!
Ah, thank you :D I feel honored :D
Welcome to the party, Jakub! Trust me, the only immortals here are Alex, Rachel, and Jerome. (We aren’t quite sure what Saraa is yet- probably a demigoddess) We can always use more people in the comment section. Thanks for joining the party!
I think you’re getting pretty close do demigoddess territory yourself, Shield.
As for the rest of us, there are plenty of constant commenters that likely fit the role of “Great Mortal Heroes”. People such as *takes deep breath* myself, VarVau, Veigue, sillyzealot, Highwing, Altairey, ApeSalad, Guest Calypso, miladyscribe, Chris Daniels, Fruitso, Trees, Charrgaff, and a few I’m sure I’m forgetting, so early apologies.
So let’s have a shoutout to not just the people I just named but for everyone that makes this community what it is!
An Old One, you say?
VARVAU FHTAGN!
Impossible, I can’t be a demigoddess- the Salmon Deity has not claimed me as his own yet.
And be sure to check out Veigue’s tumblr at atelier-rudy! He has great art.
Well, I’ll have to make my kid get on that. :T
Haha no need to apologize, robots don’t have feelings!
How did I forget the writer of the most excellent Dakkan and Lady Can I’d fiction? Please forgive me, tronn.
It’s okay, I’m just glad (albeit surprised) that someone liked it!
Great Mortal Hero? Me?
Heh.
Heh heh.
Heh HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAA!!!!!!
If that were true, then it would be no wonder the world is so screwed.
…
Likewise an early follower.
The very first Western Deep related thing I remember setting eyes on was this article from October 2008, back when it was still called The Four Kingdoms. I have no Idea how I stumbled across it but I distinctly remember the little sketch of the cowering proto-ermehn catching my eye.
. . . I think that article gave me a lot to think about.
Alex may be the writer around here, but Rachel certainly has a way with words as well.
I very much hesitate whether to write something – I thought it was such a bunch of closed …. And on the other hand, every week I look forward to Sunday, on another part of this phenomenal work… And then I was sad because I had to pass my emotions and questions related to this … But I hope that if you agreed to receive me into this discussion a lot of my questions and positive emotions will answer :D ;)
PS.: And sorry but I don’t understand – what does it mean to “Salomon Party” ^^ ;) ?
I will also welcome you to our little group here, Jakub. We’d be happy to listen to anything you have to say.
As for the salmon party, that’s a little joke referring to how the Lutren, like Kenosh and Dakkan, like to eat fish, especially salmon.
Well, welcome, sir.
I take it you are from Poland?
And a salmon party is a celebration with salmon.
Salmon is a fish.
Otters eat fish.
Dakkan is an otter-man.
Dakkan eats salmon.
Salmons are sad.
The salmon party is kinda, er, my fault. But the Lutren certainly enjoy it!
‘Kinda’
:D Heheheh :D First of all, once again, many thanks for the welcome :D And so – Mr. thesillyzealot well guessed – I’m in 100% Pole + Krakovian ;) ;) ;). And forgive me for a strange question, but then I realized from my mental dullness… (I do not know why, but for me, it evoked a biblical King as Solomon XD I badly read Word “Salmon” ;) I’m sorry for it ;) )
And I just I’m a foodie, and admittedly I have into the sea far away (I’m from Highlands, from the south) I like fish – and particularly salmon ;) :D Really ;) . + Of course Dakk is my most favorite hero :D, and it even a little bit strange sounds but in the person of Quin, I see little myself… ;)
I think most of us all see a bit of ourselves in the characters of any story that we encounter. It’s one of the reasons that stories are so important to human cultures and why they mean a great deal to many individuals, myself included.
At least, that’s how I feel.
I have exactly the same opinion :)
Besides, it somehow I know what they feel, and with them and I join my support in the fight for freedom – Hardin, and the rest of the Ermehn ;) (Despite the fact that almost have not been accidentally killed by them, Quin and Dakk… )
Yep I agree!!! Also, most of the characters are relatively complex, which makes them more believable.
Exctly ;)
dang.. does it means the General might be dead? thats a dead dead sentry.. D:
DING DONG, THE JERK IS DEAD
(Nah, that’s a guy repairing his spear, he’s not dead)
Third time is the charm. College internet WHY
I love this page. It’ so dynamic! Motion from the first panel to the last- with the unique view down the stairwell, to the silhouette and the angled camera views. Everything about this page is vibrant and I love it.
The details, as always, make the page for me- like the water droplets coming off Dakkan’s fur (hey, they’re out of the rain but still wet) and the background guard fixing his spear (hello Syman~), which is nice to see. Usually, one doesn’t see weapons/equipment break in media unless it’s plot relevant. It’s a nice change.
I think that it’s just adrenaline made that Dakk “took over” the initiative…
Possibly, but Dakkan has a pretty headstrong personality. Quinlan has a far more milder personality, and Quinlan still hasn’t quite mastered the art of commanding the attention of an entire room, let along someone as headstrong as Dakkan. (Or Kenosh, for that matter- not counting here, Kenosh is the one who always cuts Quinlan off) Usually, Kenosh is there to keep Dakkan in check, except now he’s not and Dakkan is determined to find him. Adrenaline might have helped him shake off the fainting, but even without adrenaline I don’t think he’d have acted any different. That’s our Walking Diplomatic Incident!
I just noticed that Quin is a more meek, defers to others’ like me…… …..In turn, must sometimes actually Dakkan under father to subdue, but actually he’s been his behavior and the disputes with his father shows that it has something to do with the leader…. To this Adrenaline allowed to master his fear of blood and a desire to find his father, what triggered it in the sense of the leaders :)
Although I do not know how any of us in the face of such a situation is retained…
I’m gone for a few days and SO MANY new people yay! Also this is just one of my favorite pages now wow. Dat panel. The first one I mean gosh its just cartoony and fun but still urgent and dark and aghhhh. Pretty sure my comment is irrelevant by now, but its great page so yeah.
You are never irrelevant, ApeSalad.
Yes! I love that commentary on the panels, and I couldn’t agree more.
Hmmmm… A strange situation…. At the entrance to my housing block this morning I discovered bloody paw prints, identical to the armor soldiers of Canid …. They Just began at the entrance to my housing block… And I think that picture in the near future I expect big pretty good “jam”….. The Case?…. O.o
(Even for proof I did a photo)