I nearly had a heart attack when I came on here and saw the new page!
Poor, poor Luca. God, you can see how much this is killing him. That’s horrible.
You’re excellent at showing emotion and making your readers feel emotion. Great job!
I have a feeling we’re going to find out a bit more about Dagre in the next page, because I have a feeling that is who is laughing.
Oh god, that fade-to-dark is heartbreaking. Not sure if this was intentional, but I noticed that since Phe began dying, all the reflected light in Luca’s eyes went, like the life was taken out of him as well. Or maybe the lighting in the room is just non-reflection-inducing? Either way, this is AMAZING.
and HEY those are some very Mocheril-esque bubbles in that last panel…
It’s not over the top. The detailed grimace and teeth show the savagery under the angst. It’s well-done, like a fine steak. But I want Peg-legged Stalin there to go insane, disrobe, and molest dead Phe so what do I know?
Like most(?) other readers, I’ve been pretty moved by the massive shifts in Phe and Luca’s relationship, especially ending here. I’ve been pretty curious, however, if the loss would have been as effective if the reader was given the entire chapter all at once? I feel everything may have happened too quickly to elicit the same response, which makes me wonder if there are actually some sort of pre-chapters, giving us more buffer time to love Phe, and therefore feel a greater loss. Of course, that’s thinking in terms of a printed product – I think it’s pretty interesting that this method of distribution actually evokes a greater emotional response out of the same amount of work.
Oh man. My boyfriend and I have been waiting for this page. I caught him checking the page on his own, even.
And I don’t think Phe’s death was too soon. I was attached to her within the first three pages, which means you are, once again, an excellent writer.
Oh man, oh man, oh man.
Luca.
</3
His rageface reminds me of a wolverine! Not sure whether that was intentional or not, but it’s fitting nonetheless. c:
But gosh… Why you feel the need to tear the poor man apart baffles me. You build him up and give him so much development so quickly and then DESTROY HIM :<
And hm, is that Dagre? Or his younger self again…?
It’s like those old cartoons where Tom will start laughing and the laughter turns to uncontrollable crying. Just…man. It hurts seeing Luca go through this.
I didn’t notice until I re-read it that he’s holding her and not just sitting next to her. My heart, it is ripped out :(
I get the feeling that the creepy tiger thing (Dagre?) is about to appear. I seem to recall one of the random Meek sketches from your deviantart account with Luca holding on to Phe’s body and looking up at the tiger and uh oh…..
Also something very strange is going on with his hand. I get the feeling its cursed or is infused with some very bad energy (emotion-reacting?).
This is so unbelievably sad, you made me feel so much for this couple in such a short time. Fantastic original characters, I’m on the edge of my seat with this page as much as I was with the last. And sobbing. Lots of sobbing too.
One of the interesting things about this comic, although not really having to do specifically with this page, is the lack of visible technology.
We haven’t seen a single household appliance, mode of transportation, or weapon so far, so it makes it difficult to determine exactly how technologically advanced the society is. For all we know, they could be flying around in hovercars and shooting lasers, but more traditional in architecture and social customs. This is at the same time interesting and annoying. I’m sure we’ll find out eventually.
Yes, next chapter. There wasn’t much here since we’ve mostly been in jungles and bedrooms and other closed off areas, but we’ll be getting into the “real” world soon.
I always thought it was most closely like a very early 20th century. But I greatly enjoy that this world here is so original that you can´t exactly point at any period in our own world and say it´s like this.
I saw this death coming because I read your old Meek Comic. XD Anyway, his face scareded me. I literally screamed a little when I saw it, so it’s a great effect you did there with his expression and stuff.
You know, at first it looked as if his gloves were ripping, but now I notice that it looks as if there’s some of “distortion” around his clothes as well. It is a somewhat confusing, though very subtle effect that forces the reader to take a closer look at what’s happening. Well done!
Whooa, I was wondering about those fingers of his and what he meant by “What they did to me”! ….Although I still want to know WHAT they did to him! Thems some strange things ah happening!
The last panel just killed me. ;_; Now I’m wondering whether the poisoning was intentionally directed towards Phe (like hardcore Pasori warmongers), since she was the only one stopping him from going Genghis Khan on their asses.
Oh man, I’ve been waiting so long for this. :D Whew! It’s getting a little dusty in here. >_>
I bet you’re pumped for the next few pages. Beautifully done as always. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this despite having billions of years worth of work to do. :X
You… you actually killed Phe? But but… I liked Phe! D: And they had just gotten over a big fight and were happy and dappy again! I know that for a story to… well, be a story, it needs to have some kind of storyLINE as in, something bad happened or at least something to work forward to. *sniffle* If you had taken out the ambassadors, they could still feel righteous anger whatnot, or whatever was intended to make the storyline go forward, riiiight? Go on- just a couple of switched faces to meat-hater over there… NOBODY WILL KNOW. I will keep it a secret, I promise.
That doctor sure gave up fast. o.o From now on, I don’t think the ambassadors will have an easy time to make him agree on peace. Luca deserves a bear hug. <3
This was totally worth the wait, I’m not going to lie, literally every day I go to your website to see if you updated :)
Oh wow, needless to say this is a really powerful page, beautiful to say the least. The fourth panel was crazy, you seriously have a skill at displaying emotion! The last panels are actually my favorite, the lighting and just the emptiness Luca is faced with now that he’s completely alone (referring to 6th panel) and that tear in the last panel, oh god it’s so powerful.
I think I know who’s responsible…
I guess it’s not about ‘switching off’ the light. I guess it’s ’bout passing time. And that suggests that Luca is sitting there with body of his wife for quite some time. Notice that laughter only appeared in something which seems like night-time or late evening.
Also : I said he’ll go berserk. For a while, at least. And pieces of gloves flying around surely say ‘or i’ll burn you with my mind’. Or something similar. Anyway, interesting touch. I’d like to see his hands right now.
The giant tiger is Dagre, a demon that haunts poor Luca. I’m not sure of it’s backstory other than what I’ve read on alexd1’s deviantart, but from what I know he means serious business. Dagre is also refered to Mocherils brother in the first chapter, I believe.
I definitely think Dagre is the one who killed Phe, though I don’t imagine he’d be revealing himself to Luca now. But I could be wrong, maybe he’s just going to play on Luca’s hatred.
Evidence: http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/05/23/chapter-1-page-29/
Here, “Grandfather” states that his brother (who I am going to assume is Dagre in a marvelous leap of faith) is out to get Angora’s people. Assuming Angora’s “people” are either the Carissi or simply live in Caris. So Dagre simply has to take advantage of the unsteady relationship between the Carissi and Luca (who is most assuredly the man who hates in the name of love).
Not to mention that the name of Chapter 2 IS “The Lady and the Tiger”. Worth noting, I thought.
By the way, DOES Luca have powers? I thought that was uncharacteristic of this universe until I remembered Angora controls plants with her MIND.
I love mental characters.
I have to admit, his face in panel 3 turned me cold after all that laughter.
This reminds me of a nightmare I had when I was much younger….
Oh, Luca… poor devil.
Well, now that you’ve ripped out everyone’s heart, what next I wonder? Hmm, I wouldn’t have thought there was anything to learn about his hands shaking. I just thought it was stylized rage.
Huh… Dunno if it’s my imagination, but I was under the impression that Luca was missing his front teeth..? He was show to have a gap, or something, in many earlier pages of this chapter. = Was it a mouth guard, or did he like to keep raisins there as a snack..? Just wondering, because now I’m confused. ><
The part of me that hopes Phe is still alive and this isn’t real is clinging to the fact that the response to her death has had minimal response–she’s the wife of the Emperor, so where are guards and intelligence officers corralling the guests for questioning, making sure no one who was present at the dinner party leaves the palace, etc.? I understand that in theory, these things would be contingent somewhat on Luca’s orders/response, but still, such people would have a job to do to protect their rulers and figure out what happened. Someone already mentioned that it seemed as though the doctor didn’t do a whole hell of a lot–at the same time this would have a nightmarish, surreal quality for Luca, that seemed too much like a vision or a dream to me: those dreams where exactly what you fear happens and there’s nothing you can do.
Mostly I’m just trying to convince myself she’s not dead, just like Sirius isn’t dead. :D
oh gods I love pyschotic break scenes in stories and this one was done SO AMAZING. I shuddered. I would join everyone else in giving hugs but I think Luca would buzzsaw my face and arms tatermitt style
I love the fact that we haven’t seen a detailed image of a person other than Luca (except maybe the doctor’s hands) since he started running to his ailing wife.
Subtle but consistent representation of where his focus is, of everyone else being small and irrelevant to him (even the ambassadors, who many might think would be the focal points of his rage, aren’t seen after she starts choking).
I also check this comic daily for updates. For reasons like this. Excellent work.
Aw, Luca. I’m scared for what’s going to happen next…
Also, thanks for the fave on my napkin pic! It made me laugh! And a quick question, I am really struggling with coloring skin, and I checked out your tutorial. Do you have the shadows on a different layer? If so, what’s your technique for this? I want the family portrait to come out as amazing as possible, so I need all the help I can get!
For that coloring tutorial, yes I had the shadows on a separate layer. I don’t color like that anymore though, I use one layer for skin and do all of the painting on that layer and merge it with other layers as I go. Its more cohesive that way, I think…
i’m pretty sure they’re burning–the shimmery/wavy effects are heat emanating from them, and bits of glove have burned off. Plus, y’know: http://alexds1.deviantart.com/art/I-say-68509505
Hands are subtlely burning in this picture too, and referred to–ever so eloquently–as ‘his whatever deathands’. Which might be my favorite phrase ever now.
Just wanted to say the tears streaming from his eye in that last panel is absolutely heart-wrenching, particularly since it’s at the end of the page and you know he’s held her lifeless body for hours. :(
… I dont like that his hands look like they’re on fire/melting. Like there’s some “source” causing the distortion. Very creepy :< (thinks of the odd ghost in the bedroom) nuuuu~
Oh god, the rage! I’m pretty sure I know what the laughter is coming from but I won’t spoil it! Great job on the emotion here, his anguish is almost tangible.
Okay, I must know – I thought he was missing some front teeth? It totally looks like it during the bedroom scene. Does he have some fake ones to put in for formal occasions OR DID YOU FORGET?
Hahaha, that aside, whoa, anger! I super like the change in colour mood in the last couple of panels, too. C:
Oh, ho-ho-ho-ho, I can’t wait for the other ones. Great job on the effect and that pure rage. Very lovely. I’ve wanted to see Luca’s stuff at full force for a long time.
This is the greatest Web Comic I have stumbled upon by far!
…Well I didn’t stumble using Stumble!. I just clicked links… n such.
ANY way, I loved Phe!!
Poor Luca :(
Poor kids!
Wonderful, wonderful artwork! Makes me want to pick up the tablet again.
man just…now i’m really into that comic…you made me love both the main characters you presented me, the art is amazing, and man the storyline is so cativating so far! you deserve a award…and…
With regards to his dentures, did you purposely colour the teeth in the front to make them look unnatural from the rest? because if you did, you earn a total WIN for thoroughness.
and even if that’s not the case, this comic in all earns a major WIN! :O
also, a question-what were they doing in the last page to her throat? What was their intent for slicing it like that? just curious.
Is it bad that when I look at Luca in the fourth panel, I think of that scene from Lord of the Rings when Bilbo is trying to get the ring back from Frodo? I mean, he honestly does look like a possessed hobbit like that.
The funny thing is, part of me sees Luca turning around to find the Big Black Cloud of Death from Lost lurking behind him.
In all honesty, great stuff. The art constantly reminds me of Penny Arcade (in a fashion) with a greater depth of realism, shading and human proportions. Have you taken many art classes or are you self taught (not asking to be rude or to slight you, just curious)?
You’ve caught me hook, line and sinker; I’m excited to see how your story unfolds.
I’m ‘self-taught,” though I find that phrase to be misleading since I’m constantly learning from other artists in a more informal way. Thanks for the nice words :)
I love his mood shifts in this page. The last panel doesn`t bode much good…I love Luca in it though, I just noticed the tears on his cheek after a second look. His emotions are so extreme and quickly changing, yet it`s very believable in this situation. Poor Luca…
NO! I can’t believe she is dead! I’m as mad as when they killed off Rita in Dexter. However, magic does exist in this world. Maybe a magical resurrection will take place?
Haha, magical resurrection. Taking all meaning out of PC deaths before you can say ‘plot coupon.’
So, half-crazy Emperor whose wife was quite possibly the only thing holding him together. Who was just died (possibly murdered) next to two ambassadors of a country he personally loathes.
Really? I don’t think so… I’ve been keeping it spoiler-free for as long as the comic has been online (unless you saw it when I made it in early 2009 :B)
I kind of saw this coming. In fact, I pretty much saw this coming for a long time.
I greatly enjoy this comic. When I was first introduced to the emperor, I didn’t like him at first but I softened as his wife and their interactions played out. The first thing I thought was ‘ Wow. She’s the only thing holding him together”
and of course the second thought was..
“She’s going to die.”
and this is a horrible way to die. *shakes head*
Wow. Great story. I look forward (Well, maybe not the word.. trepidation?) to how the story progresses, even though I seem always to get attached to characters who are then summarily killed off.
You’ve drawn me in to this story more than I’ve ever been drawn into one before. You make your characters LIVE so vibrantly, and now I feel that a very dear friend has been ripped from me. Irrational of me, yes, but it shows your amazing story telling power. I can’t bear to look at the last few pages. I almost walked away from the comic entirely, but it’s too late to do that. I’ll stay and mourn.
I’m not sure exactly what happened to him when they “stole his body” but I do not think that this human form is quite exactly him… I’m curious to see what lies underneath.
You’ve really captured the emotions of this so well. Great work.
I came to this page expecting to see Phe’s gaping eyes again..phew, I’m glad things have finally moved on a bit :).
I’ve looked at a lot of webcomics, but even with good ones I usually forget or get lazy for a few months and forget where I am. this one really hooked me in! actually, besides Lackadaisy, this is the only comic I make an effort to stay updated with :P. (translation: good freaking job)
Isn’t the entire story taking place in something like post-apocalyptic-California? ‘Cause the map in Pinter’s tent waaay back in 1.17 sure looks like the western U.S. on its side. hmm…
yeah,
it looks like each chapter is showing one of the people in the salamanders prophecy.
Like Soli in chapter 3 could be the woman who cries but sheds no tears.
Maybe, maybe not
I keep seeing everybody say that they cried when reading this page (I’ll admit, I got extremely teary eyed) and I can just imagine your joy.
I mean, as a writer I would be ecstatic to bring out emotion from my readers, it must make you so happy to know that you’re able to cause emotion like that.
[:
Or is that not one of the dinner tables? I am mixing up the furniture placement, and I remember they brought all the food out on an extra table….
…i dunno. Semantics.
ignore me XD
beautiful and scary.
You keep leaving these pages on cliffhangers and its kiilliinngg meee
I am so addicted!
I was just wondering why up until now, it had seemed like Luca was missing some of his front teeth, or at least there was a noticeable gap on the top row of teeth whenever he had an open mouth.
I notice things like this.. I’ve read EQ comics where the elves only have four digits, but have seen a fifth finger occur only once… My funny attention to detail.
I think I read somewhere that he wears fake teeth and pretends to be healthy, when he’s really not so as not to worry anyone(or let them assume he’s weak) which is why he wears gloves to hide his hands and…I guess the teeth bit too to maybe look more decent to people.
If you look carefully, you can see his front two teeth are way nicer and shinier than the rest of his teeth. That absolutely suggests fakes.
I’m sure Luca’s pretty self-conscious about his injuries, hence the gloves, fake teeth, etc. Not only could it be a sign of weakness (like tree said) and it could also be a way to hide the reminders of what happened to him during the war…
what the bloody hell…( youll have to excuse me im not as silly or idiotic as most people who write on threads. im more seriouse so yeah )….are you talking about…..
YESSSHEATRAYDEATHHANDS!!!
p.s. i don’t have an LJ, but i would totally pay actual money for that plushie. it could only be better if you could somehow make it do that creepy barn owl neck thing (but i’m pretty sure that’s not in the reach of plushie science).
251 Comments
Oh no, she’s really dead!! DDD: This is so sad. So, so sad. :C
Poor guy :<
Fantastic facial expressions, both on this page and the previous.
He’s not kidding.
Luca. ;u;
;_____; poor guy
but his leave face is scary o____o
omfg dagger i bet you killed phe why D8 /cries
Oh god, those first four frames are fantastic. The dramatic changes in his expression are really well done.
Can’t wait for the next page!
…wow. O__O
I’m a little scared… you made me shat myself listening to king for a day :(
OH! you gave him dentures! I just noticed
If you look closely they’re a little bit more white than the other teeth XD
Brilliant!
Hmm …
Who is saying that “Ah hah.” at the end?
…
You’re going to make me wait and find out aren’t you? Probably better that way. :D
PS: Poor Phe and Luca. Excellent work on these last few pages they’ve been beautiful.
“Who is saying that “Ah hah.” at the end? ”
I’m thinking maybe it was glowy eyes from http://www.meekcomic.com/2010/02/21/2-26/ ?
I agree.
panel four is really amazing.
i think i might react the same way.
Oh No! Is Phe really dead? This can’t be!
And what jerk is laughing at the end?! Kick his a** Luca!
I nearly had a heart attack when I came on here and saw the new page!
Poor, poor Luca. God, you can see how much this is killing him. That’s horrible.
You’re excellent at showing emotion and making your readers feel emotion. Great job!
I have a feeling we’re going to find out a bit more about Dagre in the next page, because I have a feeling that is who is laughing.
Shit. Mental collapse started.
OHMAN I WANNA HUG HIM SO BAD ;_;
I am so so sad. :( Poor poor Phe.
Oh god, that fade-to-dark is heartbreaking. Not sure if this was intentional, but I noticed that since Phe began dying, all the reflected light in Luca’s eyes went, like the life was taken out of him as well. Or maybe the lighting in the room is just non-reflection-inducing? Either way, this is AMAZING.
and HEY those are some very Mocheril-esque bubbles in that last panel…
Oh yeah. Makes me think of: http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/05/23/chapter-1-page-29/
Holy-fucking-teeth, DS! You weren’t kidding when you said you figured out how to draw them!
Also, my heart is breaking. You are a wonderful story-teller. This whole chapter has been so unexpectedly visceral.
O_O Well, someone’s pissed. What’s up with his hands…? Is he just so pissed that he ripped them through force… or does he have magic hands?
I feel bad, but I laughed at this page. I think his face in the big panel is a little too over the top. Kind of kills the atmosphere D:
What’s happening with his hands? Whoa.
Maybe XD But that’s how I roll, I guess. Oversaturated, overexaggerated, and full of dramas.
I think it is perfect. The incredible outrage in his expression emphasizes the pain-driven insanity.
It’s not over the top. The detailed grimace and teeth show the savagery under the angst. It’s well-done, like a fine steak. But I want Peg-legged Stalin there to go insane, disrobe, and molest dead Phe so what do I know?
Freaky face, very intense.
Are his hands giving off heat?
Is he gripping so hard that his hands are busting out of his gloves?
No!
So..sad.. :(
Like most(?) other readers, I’ve been pretty moved by the massive shifts in Phe and Luca’s relationship, especially ending here. I’ve been pretty curious, however, if the loss would have been as effective if the reader was given the entire chapter all at once? I feel everything may have happened too quickly to elicit the same response, which makes me wonder if there are actually some sort of pre-chapters, giving us more buffer time to love Phe, and therefore feel a greater loss. Of course, that’s thinking in terms of a printed product – I think it’s pretty interesting that this method of distribution actually evokes a greater emotional response out of the same amount of work.
I don’t want to give anything away in terms of how I’m writing this, but your concerns will be addressed eventually :)
Poor Luca. I wants to hug him. I bet the laughter is the eyes and shadow we saw after Phe and Luca did it. Seems plausible to me
This is a much heavier psychotic break than I remember reading in the old version. It’s also perfect.
Oh man. My boyfriend and I have been waiting for this page. I caught him checking the page on his own, even.
And I don’t think Phe’s death was too soon. I was attached to her within the first three pages, which means you are, once again, an excellent writer.
Oh man, oh man, oh man.
Luca.
</3
ahhhh Luca why are you so scary. :(
His rageface reminds me of a wolverine! Not sure whether that was intentional or not, but it’s fitting nonetheless. c:
But gosh… Why you feel the need to tear the poor man apart baffles me. You build him up and give him so much development so quickly and then DESTROY HIM :<
And hm, is that Dagre? Or his younger self again…?
He is from the wolverine tribe :B Ferocious, gluttonous, with a tendency to hoard and value their possessions!
I teared up. Something fierce.
It’s like those old cartoons where Tom will start laughing and the laughter turns to uncontrollable crying. Just…man. It hurts seeing Luca go through this.
Can you explain what’s going on with his gloves, please?
That will be obvious fairly soon! Just be patient!
Nooo. Why are you doing this. I’m crying now.
… This is amazing.
Aaaargh my internet would load only the first two panels!! The rest of the page won’t loooooaaad NOOOoooooooo Dx
Oh no oh no oh no *sob*
I didn’t notice until I re-read it that he’s holding her and not just sitting next to her. My heart, it is ripped out :(
I get the feeling that the creepy tiger thing (Dagre?) is about to appear. I seem to recall one of the random Meek sketches from your deviantart account with Luca holding on to Phe’s body and looking up at the tiger and uh oh…..
Also something very strange is going on with his hand. I get the feeling its cursed or is infused with some very bad energy (emotion-reacting?).
This is so unbelievably sad, you made me feel so much for this couple in such a short time. Fantastic original characters, I’m on the edge of my seat with this page as much as I was with the last. And sobbing. Lots of sobbing too.
stealing your boyfriend’s laptop to view the comic properly, you’re doing it right!
I found your webpage just recently and… whoa! my life couldn’t be more completed than when I saw an update! You are amazing!!
Poor man. Seeing him sad makes me depressed :(
AHURM. WELL THAT WAS. WOW. I FELT MYSELF TEAR UP.
Also, pretty good idea what’s going to happen. >w> Oh ho ho ho….
Oh I just want to cry with him.
What’s happening to his hands in the fourth panel?
:'( WHYY IS PHE DEAD!
fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
“warning gloves may explode when you get angry”
luca should have read the fine print when he bought those gloves.
It’s not the glove’s fault that he’s sort of crazy (or is it)
Oh no, Luca sold his soul for a magic pair of gloves.
One of the interesting things about this comic, although not really having to do specifically with this page, is the lack of visible technology.
We haven’t seen a single household appliance, mode of transportation, or weapon so far, so it makes it difficult to determine exactly how technologically advanced the society is. For all we know, they could be flying around in hovercars and shooting lasers, but more traditional in architecture and social customs. This is at the same time interesting and annoying. I’m sure we’ll find out eventually.
Yes, next chapter. There wasn’t much here since we’ve mostly been in jungles and bedrooms and other closed off areas, but we’ll be getting into the “real” world soon.
I always thought it was most closely like a very early 20th century. But I greatly enjoy that this world here is so original that you can´t exactly point at any period in our own world and say it´s like this.
I made this face
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EVxb0rrAzLk/Sg-yh5PxPwI/AAAAAAAAABQ/q6UEeHEklB0/S660/lolcat.jpg
D:
oooooollllllllyyyyy
WHY?? Who killed Phe?
LUCA, I WILL GIVE YOU A HUG. ;-;
omg i feel like someone very close to me just died D:
fourth panel is scary and why is phe dead :'(
I saw this death coming because I read your old Meek Comic. XD Anyway, his face scareded me. I literally screamed a little when I saw it, so it’s a great effect you did there with his expression and stuff.
You can really feel his insanity.
You know, at first it looked as if his gloves were ripping, but now I notice that it looks as if there’s some of “distortion” around his clothes as well. It is a somewhat confusing, though very subtle effect that forces the reader to take a closer look at what’s happening. Well done!
Whooa, I was wondering about those fingers of his and what he meant by “What they did to me”! ….Although I still want to know WHAT they did to him! Thems some strange things ah happening!
The last panel just killed me. ;_; Now I’m wondering whether the poisoning was intentionally directed towards Phe (like hardcore Pasori warmongers), since she was the only one stopping him from going Genghis Khan on their asses.
Actually Genghis Khan was pretty awesome. He would assimilate his conquered areas instead of… uh wanting to kill them all…
Oh man, I’ve been waiting so long for this. :D Whew! It’s getting a little dusty in here. >_>
I bet you’re pumped for the next few pages. Beautifully done as always. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this despite having billions of years worth of work to do. :X
You… you actually killed Phe? But but… I liked Phe! D: And they had just gotten over a big fight and were happy and dappy again! I know that for a story to… well, be a story, it needs to have some kind of storyLINE as in, something bad happened or at least something to work forward to. *sniffle* If you had taken out the ambassadors, they could still feel righteous anger whatnot, or whatever was intended to make the storyline go forward, riiiight? Go on- just a couple of switched faces to meat-hater over there… NOBODY WILL KNOW. I will keep it a secret, I promise.
Yay! Teeth! (I just think teeth are interesting.)
I like the little people/big room alone-ness of panel 6.
If someone told me to leave with a face like that I wouldn’t just be tip-toeing out, I’d be running as fast as I could. @_@
exactly
My thought process upon looking at this page:
‘Oh god, laughter, he’s snapped- Oh wait a sec- HOLY CRAP….Awww.. AWWWWW!’
Hmmm?
Ohhh no. Is it creepy black shadow thing with red eyes talking (or laughing) in the last panel??
Good question.
Dagre!
That doctor sure gave up fast. o.o From now on, I don’t think the ambassadors will have an easy time to make him agree on peace. Luca deserves a bear hug. <3
Did she…. die? No!!!!
Of course not, she’s fine. :|
My personal conception of the “neutral-face” is that of dry sarcasm, but that emoticon exudes slightly confused concern.
I’m mainly picking up the sarcasm.
<:(
I think Luca is laughing at the absurdity of it all in the first two panels. Then snapping.
Oh and Luca is hugging Phe in panel 3. Breaks me heart.
This was totally worth the wait, I’m not going to lie, literally every day I go to your website to see if you updated :)
Oh wow, needless to say this is a really powerful page, beautiful to say the least. The fourth panel was crazy, you seriously have a skill at displaying emotion! The last panels are actually my favorite, the lighting and just the emptiness Luca is faced with now that he’s completely alone (referring to 6th panel) and that tear in the last panel, oh god it’s so powerful.
I think I know who’s responsible…
Oh man…is the tiger laughing behind him? Did LUCA kill her?! (Only it was really the tiger? Dagre, right?) Oh snap, love this comic!
I CALL DREAM SEQUENCE…
just cuz.
What, when the people left, they also turned off the light?
Hoping to see the giant tiger in the next page.
I guess it’s not about ‘switching off’ the light. I guess it’s ’bout passing time. And that suggests that Luca is sitting there with body of his wife for quite some time. Notice that laughter only appeared in something which seems like night-time or late evening.
Also : I said he’ll go berserk. For a while, at least. And pieces of gloves flying around surely say ‘or i’ll burn you with my mind’. Or something similar. Anyway, interesting touch. I’d like to see his hands right now.
What’s this “giant tiger” people are talking about ?
Also, are his fingers burning through the gloves ? What exactly happened to his hands when he was younger ?
The giant tiger is Dagre, a demon that haunts poor Luca. I’m not sure of it’s backstory other than what I’ve read on alexd1’s deviantart, but from what I know he means serious business. Dagre is also refered to Mocherils brother in the first chapter, I believe.
Here’s a link to a picture:
http://alexds1.deviantart.com/art/The-Dagre-22977695
I definitely think Dagre is the one who killed Phe, though I don’t imagine he’d be revealing himself to Luca now. But I could be wrong, maybe he’s just going to play on Luca’s hatred.
Evidence:
http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/05/23/chapter-1-page-29/
Here, “Grandfather” states that his brother (who I am going to assume is Dagre in a marvelous leap of faith) is out to get Angora’s people. Assuming Angora’s “people” are either the Carissi or simply live in Caris. So Dagre simply has to take advantage of the unsteady relationship between the Carissi and Luca (who is most assuredly the man who hates in the name of love).
Not to mention that the name of Chapter 2 IS “The Lady and the Tiger”. Worth noting, I thought.
By the way, DOES Luca have powers? I thought that was uncharacteristic of this universe until I remembered Angora controls plants with her MIND.
In other words, tl;dr.
For the tiger:
Read the first chapter! D:
Wow, this comic is great. But… what tiger? I read the whole of chapter 2 again and I saw the shadow with the glowing eyes… but still, WHAT tiger?
This tiger:
http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/05/23/chapter-1-page-29/
wow, that expression really rocks you to the core.
i dislike these long waits for updates even though it’s totally worth it :(
Omg, his teeth! You rock at drawing teeth! And those wrinkles around his nose, wow – I love studying how you exaggerate expressions. :)
Also, poor Luca… : ( I’m gonna miss Phe too!
Looking forward to Suda’s and Rana’s reaction.
…wait a minute, wasn’t some blood already on Phe’s neck when she started choking?
I love mental characters.
I have to admit, his face in panel 3 turned me cold after all that laughter.
This reminds me of a nightmare I had when I was much younger….
Oh, Luca… poor devil.
Well, now that you’ve ripped out everyone’s heart, what next I wonder? Hmm, I wouldn’t have thought there was anything to learn about his hands shaking. I just thought it was stylized rage.
You’re putting up a new page just to show another face that’s giving me nightmares? Haha…
This was intense.. At the last two pages I thought I’m going to cry, but this one made me cry for real. And I don’t know what to say now… ugh
does luca put in fake teeth or something when he’s around company?
because i remember him not having the front ones in the earlier ones.
Behold the almighty glove shattering force of my rage! Luca Sadar Duvida Gulo of Earth, you belong to the Red Lantern Corps!
I like that he stays dry-eyed until the people leave the room. Nice touch, and very true to his character.
Huh… Dunno if it’s my imagination, but I was under the impression that Luca was missing his front teeth..? He was show to have a gap, or something, in many earlier pages of this chapter. = Was it a mouth guard, or did he like to keep raisins there as a snack..? Just wondering, because now I’m confused. ><
Ah, nevermind, just checked the Meekipedia and read that he wears dentures in public. =) That explains it!
ohhhhhhhhhh that explains it
He is.
You can see the 2 upper incisivs are more white than the other teeth, also they don’t look attached to the gum unlike the others. Fake teeth ;)
Ok guys, You see that point between the first and fourth panel? That’s the exact point all his sanity was just snapped in two.
AWESOME page. That burning/shimmery/mirage effect on his hands is great.
*sigh* Poor Phe, poor Luca…
This page is amazing. :)
The part of me that hopes Phe is still alive and this isn’t real is clinging to the fact that the response to her death has had minimal response–she’s the wife of the Emperor, so where are guards and intelligence officers corralling the guests for questioning, making sure no one who was present at the dinner party leaves the palace, etc.? I understand that in theory, these things would be contingent somewhat on Luca’s orders/response, but still, such people would have a job to do to protect their rulers and figure out what happened. Someone already mentioned that it seemed as though the doctor didn’t do a whole hell of a lot–at the same time this would have a nightmarish, surreal quality for Luca, that seemed too much like a vision or a dream to me: those dreams where exactly what you fear happens and there’s nothing you can do.
Mostly I’m just trying to convince myself she’s not dead, just like Sirius isn’t dead. :D
I backed away from the screen a little at Luca’s angry face. THOSE TEETH
It’s ok Luca, I cry like that too. (Insane laughter followed by a sorrowful/angry explosion).
she’s gone, isn’t she? :(
FNRGHLLWAHRGHLERRRR GUMS
oh gods I love pyschotic break scenes in stories and this one was done SO AMAZING. I shuddered. I would join everyone else in giving hugs but I think Luca would buzzsaw my face and arms tatermitt style
You…
YOU KILLED PHE YOU BASTARD! D<
what is going on with his hands?
He’s conjuring up some dark magic or something O.O
(you mean the teeth panel right?)
Great dentures. Really.
OAO omygawd!!! this is so sadd!!!
;n;
i could cry omygawdomygawd she not dead right?! right?!…cause..
oh gawd the emperor will go crazy!!!!
OAO FFFFFFFFFFFFFF THE SUSPENSEEEEE *dies*
I love the fact that we haven’t seen a detailed image of a person other than Luca (except maybe the doctor’s hands) since he started running to his ailing wife.
Subtle but consistent representation of where his focus is, of everyone else being small and irrelevant to him (even the ambassadors, who many might think would be the focal points of his rage, aren’t seen after she starts choking).
I also check this comic daily for updates. For reasons like this. Excellent work.
Aw, Luca. I’m scared for what’s going to happen next…
Also, thanks for the fave on my napkin pic! It made me laugh! And a quick question, I am really struggling with coloring skin, and I checked out your tutorial. Do you have the shadows on a different layer? If so, what’s your technique for this? I want the family portrait to come out as amazing as possible, so I need all the help I can get!
For that coloring tutorial, yes I had the shadows on a separate layer. I don’t color like that anymore though, I use one layer for skin and do all of the painting on that layer and merge it with other layers as I go. Its more cohesive that way, I think…
So, I would paint the basic skin color, then on top of that the shading and all that and merge it down?
If you’re following that tutorial, then yes. I’d also suggest doing a color balance once you’re all flattened to make all the colors cohesive.
his gloves look like they are gonna burst into flames
WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! ……….when did he get his front top teeth back? o_o
nvm XD
Hmmm, I don’t really get whats going on with Luca’s hands in that fourth panel…
That last panel is absolutely lovely, and so emotional.
i’m pretty sure they’re burning–the shimmery/wavy effects are heat emanating from them, and bits of glove have burned off. Plus, y’know:
http://alexds1.deviantart.com/art/I-say-68509505
Hands are subtlely burning in this picture too, and referred to–ever so eloquently–as ‘his whatever deathands’. Which might be my favorite phrase ever now.
TL;DR, Luca has thooperpowerth.
Not sure what’s going on in the fourth panel! Did he yell through his gloves? :O
I thought he was missing his two front teef : D
…Same thought for page 33.
But other than those thoughts!
Wow, such emotion… You really captured the ‘crazy’ aspect.
And this not only strikes fear into my heart, but wrenches tears from my eyes… ; _ ;
It is the magic of dentures!
Creepiness ensues.
I hope you did well on your test!
I’m a bit confused as to what happened. Awesome comic so far, though.
Aha, so that’s why the room is so big. This way the tiger will fit in. It’s easier to draw like that.
If I’m correct.
Just wanted to say the tears streaming from his eye in that last panel is absolutely heart-wrenching, particularly since it’s at the end of the page and you know he’s held her lifeless body for hours. :(
i like to think that the crazy laughing from earlier somehow echoed around the building and came back
cuz what else could it be?
:P
Why are his hand and collar disintegrating?? :o
… I dont like that his hands look like they’re on fire/melting. Like there’s some “source” causing the distortion. Very creepy :< (thinks of the odd ghost in the bedroom) nuuuu~
Holy friggin cow. I’d leave. Fast.
Oh god, the rage! I’m pretty sure I know what the laughter is coming from but I won’t spoil it! Great job on the emotion here, his anguish is almost tangible.
:’CCC
That’s just so sad..
Ohmygod, Der-shing, you are made of AWESOME. This is possibly my favorite page ever so far. I want that fourth panel for my wallpaper.
Awe-sum.
Wait till the next page then, haha!
You totally spoil us. <3 I leap with excitement!
That would be a pretty terrifying wallpaper.
lol, I totally want that panel at my front door! XD
Holy damn, Luca, they are called BRACES. o-o;;
So she’s really dead????
She has kicked the bucket, yes.
lol
that’s not funny why you laugh? sad sad sad
She was my favorite character so far. She had balls enough to stand up to Luca and probably is the reason Luca survived this long.
;_____________________________;
Okay, I must know – I thought he was missing some front teeth? It totally looks like it during the bedroom scene. Does he have some fake ones to put in for formal occasions OR DID YOU FORGET?
Hahaha, that aside, whoa, anger! I super like the change in colour mood in the last couple of panels, too. C:
NEVAR FORGET
Haha no he has dentures
Okay, uhhh…. What in the hell just happened?
Sad timmess D:
Oh, ho-ho-ho-ho, I can’t wait for the other ones. Great job on the effect and that pure rage. Very lovely. I’ve wanted to see Luca’s stuff at full force for a long time.
Full force?? haha we are not even close
Awesome page, but isn’t he supposed to be missing his two front teeth? Or did I get mixed up? xD
Oooh…. boy….. the suspense is going to get to me….
This is the greatest Web Comic I have stumbled upon by far!
…Well I didn’t stumble using Stumble!. I just clicked links… n such.
ANY way, I loved Phe!!
Poor Luca :(
Poor kids!
Wonderful, wonderful artwork! Makes me want to pick up the tablet again.
:< but… but…
but……
she ,died…
man just…now i’m really into that comic…you made me love both the main characters you presented me, the art is amazing, and man the storyline is so cativating so far! you deserve a award…and…
can’t wait to see if Luca has some special powers
With regards to his dentures, did you purposely colour the teeth in the front to make them look unnatural from the rest? because if you did, you earn a total WIN for thoroughness.
and even if that’s not the case, this comic in all earns a major WIN! :O
also, a question-what were they doing in the last page to her throat? What was their intent for slicing it like that? just curious.
Haha, yeah, you can tell they are a bit whiter than the surrounding teeth. I figured the denture makers would err on the side of pearly whites.
Its a kind of sugery to help breathing.
You cut holes in the throat to allow accress to the windpipe, I think.
Is it bad that when I look at Luca in the fourth panel, I think of that scene from Lord of the Rings when Bilbo is trying to get the ring back from Frodo? I mean, he honestly does look like a possessed hobbit like that.
aw, now i feel a little bit sick.
Awww, damn. Poor Luca. </3
What a sad, lonely life.
Oh my, Luca is broken.
@ Katherine-they performed a Tracheotomy, to give her a chance to breathe if the windpipe was swollen shut/otherwise obstructed.
The funny thing is, part of me sees Luca turning around to find the Big Black Cloud of Death from Lost lurking behind him.
In all honesty, great stuff. The art constantly reminds me of Penny Arcade (in a fashion) with a greater depth of realism, shading and human proportions. Have you taken many art classes or are you self taught (not asking to be rude or to slight you, just curious)?
You’ve caught me hook, line and sinker; I’m excited to see how your story unfolds.
I’m ‘self-taught,” though I find that phrase to be misleading since I’m constantly learning from other artists in a more informal way. Thanks for the nice words :)
The rage is just…I can’t decide if I like the distortions or the animalistic baring of the teeth more.
Loving the pacing, it’s got me on the edge of my seat hoping that the next click brings me a new update….
:<
I love his mood shifts in this page. The last panel doesn`t bode much good…I love Luca in it though, I just noticed the tears on his cheek after a second look. His emotions are so extreme and quickly changing, yet it`s very believable in this situation. Poor Luca…
what tears on his chee– O THERE THEY RRRRR!!!!
I don’t notice much… XD
NO! I can’t believe she is dead! I’m as mad as when they killed off Rita in Dexter. However, magic does exist in this world. Maybe a magical resurrection will take place?
I really love the first three panels at the beginning of the page, you’ve been able to render Luca’s reaction very well with such a sequence :)
Reading through the comments I am constantly bewildered and amused by the selective amnesia of your readers. X3
Well it helps if it doesn’t take me a year to do one chapter XC
Haha, yes, maybe. Though topics like Luca’s front teeth come up every 2nd page or something. XD
Haha, magical resurrection. Taking all meaning out of PC deaths before you can say ‘plot coupon.’
So, half-crazy Emperor whose wife was quite possibly the only thing holding him together. Who was just died (possibly murdered) next to two ambassadors of a country he personally loathes.
I sense Conflict.
Get me some Claire Bennet blood over here, stat!
Holy sh*t! I didn’t expect her to actually die! I mean, she’s got her own wiki page!
Which, last time I checked (some months ago), referred to her as dead.
:( Poor Phe…
Really? I don’t think so… I’ve been keeping it spoiler-free for as long as the comic has been online (unless you saw it when I made it in early 2009 :B)
This whole scene is so powerful, it takes talent to get this image out in such a way that it still haunts me!
I really wonder how this will effect the plot, I suppose now that his love is gone there’s nothing stopping him from being a true tyrant monster.
Still I hope she’s okay!!
Luca. >:
I kind of saw this coming. In fact, I pretty much saw this coming for a long time.
I greatly enjoy this comic. When I was first introduced to the emperor, I didn’t like him at first but I softened as his wife and their interactions played out. The first thing I thought was ‘ Wow. She’s the only thing holding him together”
and of course the second thought was..
“She’s going to die.”
and this is a horrible way to die. *shakes head*
Wow. Great story. I look forward (Well, maybe not the word.. trepidation?) to how the story progresses, even though I seem always to get attached to characters who are then summarily killed off.
He is totally gonna bro it up with that Tiger amirite amirite.
ha ha.
Aww, poor Luca…He’s crying…I wanna hug him but he’d rip me to shreds most likely…
You’ve drawn me in to this story more than I’ve ever been drawn into one before. You make your characters LIVE so vibrantly, and now I feel that a very dear friend has been ripped from me. Irrational of me, yes, but it shows your amazing story telling power. I can’t bear to look at the last few pages. I almost walked away from the comic entirely, but it’s too late to do that. I’ll stay and mourn.
Omgomgomgomgomg
His anger is sucking the light from the room :o
Nah, he was just holding onto her for a very long time. This is VERY good by the way.
If Luca is going to be the gun, who is pulling the trigger? Someone wants him to go to war.
I am absolutely heartbroken. Congratulations.
Speaking of his hands… Does nobody remember from earlier in the chapter?
http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/12/21/2-17/
http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/12/27/2-18/
I’m not sure exactly what happened to him when they “stole his body” but I do not think that this human form is quite exactly him… I’m curious to see what lies underneath.
You’ve really captured the emotions of this so well. Great work.
But… But… Phe…. *sniffle*
On second thought, I have a feeling that these recent events can’t bode well for our dear Emperor’s sanity, in the eyes of his people.
….Oh, dear.
XD So they just leave the room and turn off the lights while they’re at it? How nice of them.
Fffffff you have captivated me with your story.
Awww man, that´s so sad … panel 5 and 6 … :(
But .. what´s happening to his hands? Magic? Special powers? Just shaking with anger? oO
ahhhg you made me cry :_(
I came to this page expecting to see Phe’s gaping eyes again..phew, I’m glad things have finally moved on a bit :).
I’ve looked at a lot of webcomics, but even with good ones I usually forget or get lazy for a few months and forget where I am. this one really hooked me in! actually, besides Lackadaisy, this is the only comic I make an effort to stay updated with :P. (translation: good freaking job)
….I actually cried. Like, tears. Legitimately.
Thank you.
Hey, I was wondering if you’re planning to make a map of the world that this is set in?
I actually do have one! It is 3/4 done, and I haven’t had time to work on it recently. It will likely show up in the book though :)
Isn’t the entire story taking place in something like post-apocalyptic-California? ‘Cause the map in Pinter’s tent waaay back in 1.17 sure looks like the western U.S. on its side. hmm…
And, awesomely freaky teeth in panel four!
Looks like it. I did an overlay and they were almost exact…I hadn’t even thought of it being in our world till you mentioned that!
This…this is bad. Like, Luca might have pretended to be nice for Phe but now she’s gone and oh dear.
Also, does he have fake teeth in?
Ok, I think I know where this is going:
Phe: “You can have your revenge or you can have me”.
Luca: “Ok, you win, I’d rather have you.”
(Make up sex).
Phe, at dinner: “Oh, hell, I’m dead!”
Luca: “REVENGE, THEN!”
Guests: “Aw, jeez, look at the time.”
Spooky ghost thing: “Schwing!”
Betcha five bucks he boils the ambassadors in fancy olive oil.
(LOVE the comic! It just keeps getting better…)
everyone now wants their 5 dollars.
Oh, and remember the giant Salamander’s warning: “Beware the one who hates in the name of love”?
HMM…
GAH! that was so long ago!
thanks dude :)
yeah,
it looks like each chapter is showing one of the people in the salamanders prophecy.
Like Soli in chapter 3 could be the woman who cries but sheds no tears.
Maybe, maybe not
I think it would be an understatement to say I foresee trouble ahead.
I keep seeing everybody say that they cried when reading this page (I’ll admit, I got extremely teary eyed) and I can just imagine your joy.
I mean, as a writer I would be ecstatic to bring out emotion from my readers, it must make you so happy to know that you’re able to cause emotion like that.
[:
Great job! Can’t wait for the next page.
Just the sixth panel is heart-wrenching. I’d hoped so much that she’d somehow be fine…
i don’t understand what is happening in the middle panel at all. i thought he had no teeth, and what are the squiggly black things?
aha! I just made a comment about this too.
He’s wearing dentures :) As for the squiggles…
One thing I noticed, was that the dinner plates, dishes and bowels disappeared…
Or is that not one of the dinner tables? I am mixing up the furniture placement, and I remember they brought all the food out on an extra table….
…i dunno. Semantics.
ignore me XD
beautiful and scary.
You keep leaving these pages on cliffhangers and its kiilliinngg meee
I am so addicted!
shhhhh XD
I was just wondering why up until now, it had seemed like Luca was missing some of his front teeth, or at least there was a noticeable gap on the top row of teeth whenever he had an open mouth.
Is it just me…? :/
http://www.meekcomic.com/2010/01/31/2-23/
I notice things like this.. I’ve read EQ comics where the elves only have four digits, but have seen a fifth finger occur only once… My funny attention to detail.
http://www.meekcomic.com/2010/01/31/2-23/
Luca wears dentures while in public
I think I read somewhere that he wears fake teeth and pretends to be healthy, when he’s really not so as not to worry anyone(or let them assume he’s weak) which is why he wears gloves to hide his hands and…I guess the teeth bit too to maybe look more decent to people.
If you look carefully, you can see his front two teeth are way nicer and shinier than the rest of his teeth. That absolutely suggests fakes.
I’m sure Luca’s pretty self-conscious about his injuries, hence the gloves, fake teeth, etc. Not only could it be a sign of weakness (like tree said) and it could also be a way to hide the reminders of what happened to him during the war…
GUMZ
Dunno why, this page makes me love luca ;n; i want to draw him again (better than last time cos i failed then)
more comic plz
Whats with his fingers? Are those heat waves coming off of them? Looksl ike he’s literally burning his gloves off
this is the point where the story hooked me, too.
Are his hands doing their magical juju in the fourth cell?
This is so sad, his expression in the last panel just makes me automatically frown, that poor man, he needs her so much :(
I thought he was missing teeth…?
Did he burn his gloves apart with the fire of hatred in the name of love and the power of a thousand suns?
Because I see heat waves.
what the bloody hell…( youll have to excuse me im not as silly or idiotic as most people who write on threads. im more seriouse so yeah )….are you talking about…..
Wow, his hands do heat up O_o, didn’t notice that the first time around :P
YESSSHEATRAYDEATHHANDS!!!
p.s. i don’t have an LJ, but i would totally pay actual money for that plushie. it could only be better if you could somehow make it do that creepy barn owl neck thing (but i’m pretty sure that’s not in the reach of plushie science).
I just realize that Luca is doing the freaking thing with his hands on this page.
ok, i have a question. i thought he was missing some teeth in the front…? :|
great page, though! i almost cried D:
He wears dentures, which he removes when he doesn’t need them (they are sort of annoying to wear)
once you get to this part….he has all his teeth lol before he didnt lol he had a gap :P
Brilliant comic!
Btw, while this page does sadden me, does anyone else find panel 4 to be something hilarious to put on your door or on a private journal?
This is one of my favourite pages, i love it
Coming back to this page, I realize that he kind of resembles the Dagre in panel 4, with his eyes and his mouth.