#Also I was wrong cause I thought it's her mom but reread the comics so I was mistaken because they're so alike

[scandalsavagefanfic]

Hello! I am a huge fan of ur writing. I've loved everything I've read of yours. I've read alot of what you've posted, except for a couple of the tags that are squicky for me (so I'm very thankful you tag very thoroughly). No judgement for the squick, it's just not for me. & when I'm having a bad day, I usually just go thru ur ao3 and find something to reread. I think about Therapy's Bruce & Jason every damn day. While I obvs appreciate ur darker more "problematic" content (I really vibe with some of the themes you write about bc of my own trauma, & so it's very cathartic to read about in a fictional setting), I am truly a sucker for ur more happy content. The Happily Ever After verse also lives in my head rent free. Idk more wholesome stuff just seems more special when you write it. Anyways. I would die for you. But the point of this ask is cause I'm curious as to why you don't like Urban Legends? I'm sorry if you already talked about it here or on twitter and I missed it. I was just wondering because I really enjoy your take on things and would love to hear why you dislike it. I've been enjoying it so far personally, but I am always open to DC comics criticism.

Aw thank you so much! I'm so flattered by everything you just said. You're so sweet ❤❤❤❤❤

I haven't talked about Urban Legends here or twitter (I haven't been very active in either place lately. Just a lot going on and no energy 😔) but I'm happy to do it here.

Before I start though, I just want to add a standard disclaimer and make it clear that if you like it, there's nothing wrong with that and you don't have to let me ruin it for you lol. Like what you like.

That said, since you asked...

I said this when I was talking about it on discord, that there is a difference between hope and expectation. I always hope that a new story centered on Jason (or anyone really, but things have been especially egregious for Jay for 15 years) will be good or at least treat the character with a minimal level of respect (to be honest, the bar is super fucking low). But my expectations always temper my hope, to keep it from getting unrealistic. Because my expectations are based on experience.

The long history of Jason Todd, since even before his resurrection, has been one of retroactively trying to make him "a bad seed" in order to absolve Bruce of any responsibility in his death.

I don't even expect DC or their writers to start honoring the fact that Jason was not an angry, reckless Robin (and less of the later than Dick or Tim and definitely Damian). There plenty of ways that retcon can be folded into his history and be compelling and sympathetic. And if they're going to stick with that retcon, I'm only asking that they do it in one of those compelling and sympathetic ways because Jason was 15 when he died, heroically, in one of the most selfless acts in comics, to save a woman who literally handed him over to be brutally murdered. He was 12 when Bruce plucked him off the streets, he'd been homeless and fending for himself for at least two years. I personally think that Jason's story hits harder for him and Bruce if their original, canon relationship, of Jason as starry-eyed and eager to learn and absolutely devoted to Bruce and Bruce to Jason, is preserved. But Jason's origins does leave room for a meaningful interpretation of him as angry and frustrated at the lack of meaningful results of Bruce's methods.

And that's really where my irritation at stories like Batman: Urban Legends, Cheer and Batman The Adventure Continues has it's roots.

Every time one of these stories comes out, I think (or hope, rather) that this will be the one that remembers and respects the origins of the Jason and the Red Hood, that takes into account the changed sensibilities of comics readers in the 30 years since Jason's death and the subtle, 20 year, retroactive campaign to make him the "bad Robin". The "born bad" trope is played out and literally no one likes the message it implies. That some kids are just bad eggs and there's nothing parents or the adults around them can do. Especially when it's played as the kid's fault. If Jason's time as Robin is going to be characterized by anger, then it should be rooted in anger at the social injustices he witnessed as he grew up in an impoverished, crime-ridden, area and the horrors he faced raising himself when every day was a battle for survival. There are topical, meaningful, stories to tell with that backdrop.

But those are never the stories we get.

⚠⚠ Spoilers for Batman: Urban Legends, Cheer ⚠⚠

I'm particularly disappointed in Urban Legends because for the first issue, it looked like that was the kind of story we were going to get. I was put off by the first flashback of Jason being mesmerized by Bruce's guns, and I got that feeling in my gut that it was a bad sign. Jason depicted as impatient and overconfident and the scene with the guns is heavy-handed foreshadowing that got my spidey-sense tingling. I had a inkling then (in the first three pages) of how this story was going to play out, but it was early and I could still see many narrative paths that could lead to a satisfying story. My concerns were soothed somewhat and the little flame of my hope fanned, with the flashback of Alfred scolding Bruce, with Barbara's concern for Jason. A bit of worry returned with the way Jason ruthlessly pursued an addict who didn't appear to be a dealer and with the ending of the issue. The stuff with the addict sat wrong with me but the ending was tempered some by how despicable Tyler's dad was written. The scene was clearly set so that the reader could sympathize with Jason's decision and the scene with the addict could be brushed aside as a side-effect of comics over-the-top need for constant action, so I still held hope.

Issue 2 made me uncomfortable and it's where my hope starts to take a backseat to my expectations. I can dismiss Jason's self-deprecating internal monologue as unreliable narration, except that the flashback reinforces his thought process to explicitly show that it's not unreliable narration, and should be taken at face value. Jason faces physical abuse at the hands of his mother's drug dealer and when the flashback continues later, Jason kills the drug dealer. To be clear, this is a pre-Bruce Jason. His mom is still alive. He's like... 10. He kills this guy for shoving his head into a wall and implying Jason's mother paid for her drugs with sex. This is a scene that serves a single purpose. To show that Jason has always been prone to violence.

In the spirit of full disclosure, there is the small chance the drug dealer might not be dead. But the story obviously wants the reader to think he is, and it hasn't done anything to change that yet.

Starlin already did this story with The Diplomat’s Son in 1988 and he did it infinitely better. AND that’s still technically canon. So now I’m supposed to believe that Jason lost his cool bad enough to kill two douche bags before his sweet 16? Like it’s totally normal for abused kids raised in poverty, who’ve led hard and heartbreaking lives to just... haul off and kill people? That’s bullshit, and when taken with the Jason in the third issue, who is little more than an idiot thug, this story is really doubling down on some fucked up stereotypes.

Which brings us to the most recent issue. I went into this installment with very low expectations. I thought this story was going to be about Jason, through this experience with Tyler, a young boy with a similar background to Jason's, coming to the realization that Bruce's way is the best way and that Bruce did his best by Jason.

That would be annoying (in no small part because it takes increasingly absurd levels of plot armor to keep Bruce's no kill rule relevant, let alone irrefutably right). But I can probably live with that, if only because maybe if Jason officially falls back into line with the Bats crusade, maybe I'll get stories that treat him with respect, stories that don't relegate him to comic relief, dumb brute, or a background body with no lines in a story about the Joker burning Gotham (like Jason would just fucking stand there quietly for that).

And that may still be where the story is going, Jason realizing Bruce is right.

But holy shit do I not have the right words to describe how fucking insulting and gross issue three is.

From start to finish--including the flashback--Jason is written as cruel and fucking stupid. Like straight up dumb.

The entire issue is Bruce explaining the fucking basics to Jason like it's his first day. And Jason flies off the fucking handle and terrorizes a doctor he knows isn't a part of making the Cheerdrops, beats the shit out of some random addicts, and finally, when he can't accomplish anything on his own because he's a dumb brute he calls Barbara for help and rushes in with no information where he's promptly incapacitated and must now wait to be rescued by Batman.

This panel is the least of the issues sins but I can’t screenshot the entire story but it’s representative of the tone for the whole issue (and retroactively tainted the prior two issues).

This is beyond insulting. The only conclusions Jason comes to in this issue are the ones Bruce leads him to by talking to him like he can’t make the simplest connections. And like... in this story Jason can’t make the simplest connections.

This (and the Jason throughout the entirety of this issue) is a far cry from the Jason we fell in love with in Under the Red Hood, who was competent and strategic and intelligent enough to seize control of Gotham’s underworld from Black Mask (who’s no fucking slouch, he’s the first and only person to unify organized crime in Gotham) AND elude and manipulate Bruce until the time and place of his choosing.

This is a far cry from even the Red Hood and the Outlaws Jason who is competent enough to fight the League of Shadows and Ra’s al Ghul (among very dangerous and skilled others) and smart enough to create antidotes for mind control nanotech viruses.

As he should be, by the way. Jason Todd is one of the best, most comprehensively trained fighters in DC’s stable of non powered vigilantes. He’s not irrational or hot headed. He’s pragmatic, tactically minded, and patient. He’s a detective. Right now. Has been since he was 12. Bruce doesn’t have to make him one because he already is. 

Jason is not a stupid thug who uses his fists because his brain doesn’t work. And I can’t tell you how so very exhausted I am by this narrative. 

This is actually the most egregious example of Jason’s skills and intelligence being not just undermined but dismissed entirely. Even Morrison’s Jason had some degree of competency. 

The one, single redeeming factor of this story is the art. It’s beautiful. And Marcus To is a godsend he seems to be one of only a couple of artists who remember that Jason was a child when he was Robin and I’m literally only buying this book because of him. 

Anyway, I’m sorry. I didn’t want that to come out so... um... passionately lol. I’m just very very tired. My intention with this isn’t to ruin it for you, if you like it, that’s fine. 

But this issue shot this story to the top of my "Vehemently Despise” list. 1) Batman: Urban Legends (Cheer), 2) Battle for the Cowl/Morrison’s Batman and Robin, 3) Batman The Adventure Continues.

I hope the next issues somehow salvage this dumpster fire. But I’m not expecting it.

(Damnit. That sounded harsh again. To reiterate, I’m not trying to judge anyone who enjoys it, I just personally hate it and you asked me why lol 😅)

[ectonurites]

Who's the person in the red robin costume in those panels from robin you just posted?

ALRIGHT I got this last night after posting about this bit at the end of Robin, so the dude in question is Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong!

Originally introduced as 'The General', he's a kid that's super obsessed with military history and tried to take over the gangs in Gotham (after burning down his private boarding school) in his intro story. Bruce in the story describes him as 'can't be more than ten or eleven' and he is DRAWN that tiny, it makes some things very funny

(Detective Comics #655)

From the start, he is like, very willing to do whatever it takes for power and to play out his military dreams, he's very manipulative and murderous.

(Detective Comics #656)

His whole family except his mom... Does Not Like Him, because of ya know the murderous tendencies he's always exhibited. His mom just puts a blind eye to all of it, much to the rest of their frustration.

(Detective Comics #656 + Robin (1993) #19)

After the initial story in Detective Comics, Ulysses mainly shows up as an adversary of Tim's in the Robin book. They end up going against each other a handful of times

(Robin (1993) #36)

Tim also ends up keeping in contact with Ulysses' siblings (mainly his sister, Hillary) since they helped him out a few times and don't like all the stuff Ulysses gets up to either

(Robin (1993) #47)

After the above conflict gets settled (so like timeframe wise post-Cataclysm ish) he just kinda stops showing up and causing trouble for a long while.

Until several years later (Ulysses on page says he spends two years preparing in #179 so at least that much in-universe time which vaaaguely works out) he resurfaces in Gotham to cause problems again!

He first has a cameo (where it's not yet revealed who he is) in Robin #176 as he steals the Red Robin uniform Jason had ditched during Countdown out of a dumpster. Soon after we see him lurking in the uniform, following Tim around, and Jason's pissed someone took his old suit (even though he's the one that threw it away LMAO)

(Robin (1993) #176)

We actually see him as Ulysses (now having had a HUGE growth spurt) before it's quite revealed he's Red Robin, while Steph crosses paths with him. This is when Steph is going behind Tim's back for Batman, creating challenges for him to try to make him into a better hero. She approached Ulysses to possibly work with him on this, but he shoots her, it's a whole thing. Tim figures out Ulysses is the one acting as Red Robin, and this all eventually leads to the situation where Tim gets the very bad burns in the warehouse explosion.

But yeah basically Ulysses decided he wanted to become Tim's personal version of the Joker... so it's a lot. (in rereading stuff to make this post I've noticed it's actually kinda foreshadowed all the way back in Ulysses and Tim's first story together, where Tim initially writes things off as not a big deal and Bruce brings up how the first time he went against the Joker he thought he was 'just another clown' in Robin #19)

After the warehouse explosion stuff when Tim gets hold of the Red Robin costume, Ulysses steals another person's identity- Lonnie's! He becomes the new Anarky, as around this time it's revealed he's poisoned Lonnie leaving him in a comatose state hooked up to a computer. Ulysses basically just wants to make the city burn, and Tim tries to talk him down by bringing his parents to the scene as that's something that had worked in the past... but his police contact had let the parents bring Matthew and Hillary (his siblings) with them and... things went very wrong with the bombs Ulysses had already put in place.

(Robin (1993) #182)

Ulysses blames Robin for his siblings' deaths (and I mean Tim in a lot of ways blames himself too, but ultimately it was still Ulysses' bombs that killed them) and so later during Red Robin he resurfaces and tries to exact his revenge. He goes about killing several boys who fit the description for Robin/Red Robin as he doesn't know Tim's identity, not really caring how many he has to kill until he gets the right one.

Lonnie from his computer grid leaks info about what Ulysses is doing to Tim, to try to help Tim take him down and stop him from killing anyone else.

(Red Robin #16)

But when Tim confronts him, Ulysses threatens Lonnie's life and Tim chooses to go save Lonnie over making sure Ulysses gets arrested, and that's the last we see of him pre-reboot!

The Prime Earth version of him shows up in Tynion's Detective Comics run in Rebirth but I'm out of image space to try to explain that, so maybe some other time.

Overall Ulysses is like, one of Tim's bigger reoccurring villains that I get kinda surprised people don't talk about more, especially since he does show up in Red Robin which I feel is the Tim content that gets read most often by people.

[volucris-liga]

Okay, the book came out in February so it’s been long enough that i assume anyone who cares about spoilers for Pathfinder’s Quest has already obtained Pathfinder’s Quest, and i have a lot of Excited Thoughts to share so I’m rereading the last chapter and writing some notes. I’ll still put it under a Read More in case anyone is still avoiding spoilers for it, but I figured it’s safe to post now at least.

The majority of this post is probably gonna be about Ash.

This post is also probably very long.

Anyway. Let’s go:

First of all, the Project Iris story stuff starts in 2658. Since the current year is 2733 (maybe 2734 by now? idk) and Horizon came back 87 years after she was left at the black hole, that means she disappeared in 2646-ish. So this is around 12 years after Horizon was lost.

Since the last chapter mentions that Project Iris had been around for 15 years, I went back to Horizon’s chapter to confirm that it was already technically Project Iris before she left (it was, yes), and found this bit: 

“Lilian set me up with a laboratory on Olympus to test my theories and find a solution to the crisis. I brought my whole family there… I miss them.” 

She specifically is talking about more people than just her son. I’m so curious about who Newton’s father is lol, and why it’s only Newton that we see in her Story From the Outlands and the rest of her lore.

Okay now I’m finding more stuff in Horizon’s chapter, i’m glad i went back to reread this too.

“Years and years went by with nothing. Financiers were getting impatient; Lilian was kind about it, but I knew even she was doubting in me. My own assistant thought I was failing.” 

Whiiich means before they discovered Branthium, Reid already had sort of an antagonistic thing toward Horizon and didn’t trust that she could succeed at the project (though, as seen shortly, Horizon didn’t realize how bad it was). I’m guessing she was resentful that Horizon was getting all the recognition for the project and she was always seen as her assistant, not an equal scientist on the project. 

And then there’s this bit:

Horizon: “My assistant, Dr. Reid, joined me on my mission.” Path: “The one who thought she was better than you?” Horizon: “Aye. Didn’t know it then, though. She was a good friend. We were close. Came to dinner with my family. Even babysat my son a few times. That’s why it’s so hard to ken what happened…”

Oof. I’ll come back to this point later; there’s some stuff about Newton in the last chapter that’s important. 

As a side note, I think Horizon didn’t know a lot of the people in Project Iris, and most of them were recruited after she was already gone -- she’s not able to tell Pathfinder much about the group that actually solved the energy crisis. 

Anyway, moving on. I appreciate that Reid’s first name is Ashleigh, lol, makes sense why she’s called Ash as a simulacrum later.

I really like that even in this storyline there’s connections to the other legends -- Wattson’s grandmother, Amélie Paquette, and Gibraltar’s grandfather, Aleki Gibraltar, are both on the team. There’s a bunch of other scientists as well, but as far as I can tell they’re all new for this lore with no prior connections. 

There’s a scene where yet another experiment with refined Branthium fails, and Reid calls out Amélie for it -- “Your plan was wrong from the start. I pointed that out, must have been, twenty times?” Reid is clearly quick to judge others’ ideas and shut people down (and has been all along, like when she thought Horizon would fail before the discovery of Branthium). Reid and Amélie also reeeeeaaallly don’t get along. 

There’s this exchange:

‘“Excuse me? And what have you done, Reid?” Paquette pressed, moving face to face with Reid. “Besides stand by and critique our every move while ze rest of us do all ze work. Is zis how you treated Somers?”  “You’re not half the scientist she was.” Reid smirked.’

Even though she was resentful of Horizon, enough so to betray her, she did apparently respect her more than she does the rest of this group, which i think is interesting. She also just… really hates Amélie.

And then there’s Newton!!! aaaaa!!! I love that he’s an intern for the group now that he’s a teenager. And his personality is adorable. 

Newton finds something that none of the rest of them saw, which is that someone needs to be in the refinery to continuously recalibrate the process. Which is impossible. Aaaand then it’s Reid, of all people, who comes up with the idea to reprogram a MRVN robot to do it. Which is painfully ironic, given what happens later.

While they’re trying to figure out how to actually do the MRVN thing, Reid mentions that she has contacts at Hammond Robotics. I’m assuming Hammond are the ones who eventually rebuild her as a simulacrum (though for all I know that’s been confirmed somewhere and I’ve forgotten. I have trouble keeping all the corporations and factions straight in my head, and i’ve barely played any Titanfall, rip). They’re definitely the ones who made Revenant (which has already happened by this point in the lore). 

All the scientists putting part of their personality into Pathfinder is just so good. Especially cause of Newton; I love that it’s Newton’s influence that has Path being so friendly to everyone. Please give us in-game voicelines between Horizon and Pathfinder next season, now that Pathfinder knows Newton was one of his creators.

Aaaand here we go, stuff about Newton. Reid obviously helped raise him after his mom was gone. I wonder if she ever felt guilty about what she did to Horizon? A few interactions that Hurt:

‘Paquette paused and looked at the MRVN. “He’s our fail-safe.”  “Whatever… I’ve got other work to do. Let me know when you’re done fooling around,” Reid huffed as she stormed out of the lab.  “Should I go after her?” asked Newton. “She seems sad.”’

-

‘“A lot of what I have to offer is what my mom had, and I think most of that’s already in here, but there’s one thing that was always important to Mom: she loved her friends. It’s important to me, too. You’re all my friends. But especially you, Dr. Reid.” Newton looked over at her. “You were always there for my mom. Just like this MRVN is going to be there for the Outlands.” Reid did her best to smile, but it ended up as more of a quick nod.  “Thanks,” she said hesitantly.’

I appreciate that Amélie is suspicious of what happened to Horizon. Like, Reid managed to fool most people, but not everyone.

‘As Stay started to pack up the tools, Paquette joined her. “I’m assuming you added some precautions to ze program in case anything was to ‘appen,” she whispered. “He can’t be hacked, if that’s what you’re askin’, P,” Stay assured her as she packed away a welder. “Zat’s not what I’m talking about.” Paquette’s expression showed a deep look of concern and hesitation. “You really don’t trust her, do you?” “Do you? Somers was ze best astrophysicist in ze entire Frontier. It doesn’t make any sense what happened to her. Ze stories don’t add up. I just want to make sure we cover all our bases.”’

More of Ash’s voicelines from the Broken Ghost quest! I thiiiiink this is almost all of them covered now, if not all?

Path says “Who doesn’t like ice cream? Every kid likes ice cream!” when he first wakes up.

Delgado says “All roads lead to Branthium!”

Reid herself says “Fail-safe, fail-safe, who’s got the fail-safe?” during the whole big Thing at the end.

When Reid betrays everyone to try to divert the first Branthium shipment through the Phase Runner to the IMC, both she and Newton disappear from the party first. And she and Amélie have this conversation:

“I knew it. I knew it from ze start. You killed her, didn’t you?” “I did nothing.” “Yeah, right. You killed Somers. You put yourself before every innocent life in ze Outlands.” “Innocent life? Please. The Outlands are filled with nothing but war and greed. No one cares for anyone but themselves. I’m just playing the game.” “Have you told zat to Newton? Where is he?” “He’s not a part of this. Not anymore. I took care of him. Right now, it’s just us.”

So Newton’s fate is a bit uncertain. I’m guessing she got him out of there to save him, actually, which I think is really interesting. 

Anyway, Reid then cuts off Amélie’s hand with a sword cause deactivating the lockdown requires two of the scientists to authorize it. Which I guess explains why Amélie’s arm is in a sling in Pathfinder’s Story From the Outlands video. 

Pathfinder had managed to get out, so Amélie’s able to set the lab to self-destruct with his help. Path’s able to fight the mercenaries and Reid and get to the Phase Runner. And then there’s this that Reid says to Pathfinder:

“No one is your friend. You’re a machine. Nobody cares about machines. Nobody loves machines. You’re no different than that Phase Runner. You’re a MRVN. We use you and turn you off when we’re done. You’re nothing.”

There’s probably a lot she has to work through when she ends up as a simulacrum, oof. 

She almost stops Path, but then gets stabbed in the back with her own sword by Amélie, which is fitting. The mercenaries Reid was working with are attacking so it’s basically impossible for the scientists to escape, but Pathfinder’s able to program the Phase Runner to send the Branthium to all the various Outlands planets instead. And, at their request, to send himself through as well before the self-destruct (and he then eventually wakes up with amnesia). aaaaaa this is so sad

“I don’t want to say goodbye. You’re my friends. I’d be sad without my friends.” “You’ll never be without us. You’ll never be alone.”

I’m assuming that after the explosion, Reid’s body was found and turned into Ash. Also everything about the season 6 comics is so ironic now help. After Hammond Robotics get what they need from her after the Legends find her head, she’s just left behind somewhere deactivated, and Pathfinder finds and rebuilds her. And she has no memory (until Blisk shows up, anyway). So like, it was her idea to create him, and then he completely ruins her plans which leads to her death, and then he saves her life later. Great. When she had no memory and was living with him he called her his girlfriend and everything, he’s gonna be so sad when he finds out who she is, rip.

There’s this bit of dialogue in the intro conversation for the chapter:

Path: “I can’t be weak and the person who killed the people who saved the Outlands.” Blisk: “Heh. Very true, mate. That’s why it wasn’t you.” Path: “Are you sure? How do you know?” Blisk: “Pretty damn sure, because I know ‘em.” Path: “You know my creator?” Blisk: “I know who killed your creator. Or, well… creators.”

This implies that Blisk is fully aware of Ash’s history. Makes sense, and I assumed as much anyway, but given the season 6 comics that means he also absolutely knows that Pathfinder knew Ash and he’s purposefully not telling Pathfinder that Reid and Ash are the same person.

There’s also this part at the end of the chapter:

Blisk: “Oi! One more thing… Did you ever find…? Eh. Forget it.” Path: “What? Did I ever find what?” Blisk: “Actually, I, uh…” Path: “Tell me! Is there more to the story than what was on the chip?” Blisk: “Just one small detail. But why don’t you turn that recorder off. This one’s just between us, eh?” Path: “Okay. You’ll tell me after I turn it off--”

Now, my first thought when first reading this was that it was gonna be about Ash. But I’m sure it’s not, cause in Pathfinder’s last log entry after that he’s very happy and optimistic about finding his creators, and he would have been affected by finding out that Reid was the same person as his missing ‘girlfriend.’ Sooooo I’m still 1) very curious about what Blisk talked about after the recording and 2) very excited for whenever Path finds out the truth about Ash.

On a related note, I am so ready for Horizon finding out about Ash. And to a lesser extent, if Wattson finds out about her grandmother’s role in what happened and her history with Ash (also Gibraltar about his grandfather, but anyway). I’m assuming Ash would know they’re related to her former team, since she’s working for Blisk and likely would know all the basic info about all the legends, including real full names. So Ash interacting with Wattson would be interesting, especially at a point where Ash knows who she is but Wattson doesn’t know about Ash’s history.

Also depending on how things develop with Ash and the other Legends, it’s interesting to think about Loba’s perspective, since it’s technically her fault Ash is back at all. I wanna see a conversation between her and Horizon cause Horizon wasn’t around for the Broken Ghost stuff. Plus, Loba agreed to get everyone to go get the components that turned out to be Ash’s head because in exchange she’d be given the location of Revenant’s source code. With Loba later deciding to send the source code away as revenge instead of killing Revenant, her need for revenge on him is definitely gonna come back to bite her later, now that Revenant’s resolved to destroy everything she loves (maybe he goes after Bangalore?). Horizon’s still definitely very angry at Reid, probably even more so if/when she finds out what Reid did to the Project Iris team, and when she finds out Reid is Ash, well… both she and Loba certainly have strong vendettas against the two simulacrums lol. It’d be neat, though unlikely, if there’s a plotline where Loba ends up facing consequences from the Revenant thing and then because of her own experience she convinces Horizon not to go too far trying to get revenge on Ash.

Oh right there’s also the question of Newton’s messages to Horizon near the end of season 7. He’s still a little kid in those, even in the last one where a future Horizon who got back to him has sent a message to herself. And obviously, that didn’t happen -- Newton’s there, as a teenage intern for Project Iris, and the characters mention his mom being dead multiple times. Soooo then what’s the deal with the messages? I’m thinking there are three options: 1) Horizon eventually going back in time creates an alternate timeline/dimension 2) those messages are for/from a Horizon and Newton in another dimension entirely (look, the Phase Runner is weird, Wraith’s tech is weird, etc.) oooorrrr 3) the messages were faked somehow and are connected to Ash -- some of her voicelines in the Broken Ghost quest were the codes for those messages. 

In conclusion: a a a a a a a a a a

[fleckcmscott]

Watch What Happens - Chapter 7

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Summary: Arthur, an aspiring comedian, has struggled to find normalcy and compassion his entire life. Y/N, a hard-working paralegal and transplant to Gotham, has just been put on a case for the Wayne Foundation. When they meet, unexpected sparks fly.

Chapter warning: Adult Situation, Swearing

Words: 1,927

When Arthur arrived back home, it was nearly seven. He’d gone to Pogo’s, again, to try to get a spot to perform. No money was coming in and he was desperate for a chance. With a sigh, the manager had told him about an upcoming open-mic night for new comics next Tuesday. That gave him almost a week to perfect his set. He hadn’t hesitated when he signed up. Until then, he’d continue to practice his facial expressions and punchline timing in his bathroom mirror.

Penny still didn’t know about his firing from HaHa’s - he didn’t want her worrying. In the morning he’d leave the apartment and search for work a couple of hours, going from business to shop to anywhere. He hadn’t had any success. There weren’t a lot of opportunities for an uneducated clown with an unstable employment history, even if he had a work ethic.

Luckily, he never had to be out too long to hide his unemployment from her. Penny didn’t pay much attention to the exact times he was around and rarely asked questions. As long as he was there to check the mail, get meals, keep her company for a few minutes, and watch Murray Franklin, she didn’t pry. At times he wished she would, but her lack of meaningful attention was currently convenient.

It also meant he didn’t have to tell her that his therapy appointments and medication access had been stopped due to budget cuts. That had been a blow. He didn’t understand how something he’d been court ordered to participate in could be taken away. The appointments weren’t particularly helpful, he thought. But they were something on his calendar, and he hadn’t missed a single one. He’d shifted his work schedule around, missed out on good gigs to get to them. He’d written in that damn journal, the one thing that seemed to do him some good, every day. At least he could continue with that.

Fuck. And to be told right after the first date in his life…

He smiled softly, thinking about Y/N. If the day had ended after their pie and stroll together, it would have been perfect enough to frame. She’d asked him about his condition, seemed to be curious about it in a caring way. At first, he was uncomfortable talking about it. Normally, his involuntary laughter only came up when he was apologizing for it. But she had discussed his affliction in a way that stopped him, at least temporarily, from feeling like a freak. And the way she’d caressed his hand at the diner when she’d noticed his discomfort… It had been wonderful to be touched by someone other than his mother.                        

As they’d walked together, their steps in sync, he longed to put his arm around her waist. To feel the warmth of her body against his side, turn his face into her hair and kiss her head, the way he’d seen in films. And, if he did that, every person they passed would know that she was with him. This city that he hated, its thoughtless inhabitants, would know this beautiful, accomplished woman had chosen to spend her time with Arthur Fleck.

He would never comprehend that choice. But he was grateful for it.

When she had given him a pen and paper to write his address and number, it took him a moment to gather himself enough to jot it down. He hoped he’d been able to keep the look of shock off his face. To his surprise, Y/N had called that night to thank him for taking her out. She’d given him her home number, too, which he’d written on a paper taped to the wall next to the phone, and on a paper that he’d put in his wallet, and in his notebook. The conversation had been short, sweet, and she’d asked if she could call the next night.

Christ, she had to ask? He’d finally have something to look forward to after watching television with his mother.

Since then, they’d spoken for at least a minute or two each night, though their conversations had gotten a little longer with every call. Admittedly, Y/N called him most of the time. He’d been confident enough to reach out twice, though, and he felt good about that. He could tell she’d been pleased, too.

During every conversation, Y/N asked him to tell her a joke. Arthur happily obliged. Her gentle groans and chuckles made him grin, and caused a tight feeling in his chest. More than once, he’d pinched himself to make sure he hadn’t made her up - afterward, she was always still there.

The facts he’d learned about her went straight into his journal, so he could reread them multiple times a day. She recently started work on a case involving the Wayne Foundation. (”Will I ever stop heering that name?”) She lived in Burnley. (”Three train stops or a 40 minut walk away!”) She’d been divorced for over ten years, but it had been mutual, so, in her words, “no baggage there.” That last one made him painfully aware of his own inexperience.

When she pressed him to talk about himself, it was hard to know what to say. He couldn’t tell her he was on a ton of medications, or that he’d been in Arkham. She’d already claimed to have accepted his laugh - he wasn’t going to press his luck this soon.

No one besides doctors and counselors, and occasionally Gary, usually wanted to hear anything about him. And he thought he’d covered everything he didn’t have to hide in the diner. “There isn’t much to tell,” he’d breathed.

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to see you again, Mr. Fleck.” Her voice had dropped conspiratorially. “Can you come by for dinner Friday night? Around seven? I know it’s short notice, but it would be great if you could.”

Oh my god.

His pulse sped up. He pressed his palm against his chest. “Yes. Yes, I think I can. I can.” He wrote her address down shakily, as if he was afraid the pen would stop working.

“Great. I can’t wait to see you, Arthur.”

After he’d hung up the phone, he’d been so thrilled he did a little two-step. Then he went into the bathroom, the only room that would lock and guarantee him a moment’s peace, and turned on the shower. He’d stepped in, taken his erection in his hand, and stroked and tugged himself to completion. Remembering her voice, imagining it was her hand on him, his mouth on her lips, on her neck, between her thighs. The water muffled his cries as he leaned against the wall with his arm.

Now, Thursday evening, Arthur was mopping the kitchen floor, a cigarette hanging from his lips. The radio was on, playing Lawrence Welk, and he swayed to the music. He hummed softly, his movements becoming more of a dance as his thoughts turned to tomorrow night. She’d be cooking for them, for him. Even though he was never hungry, he’d do his best to enjoy whatever she made. He wondered what her apartment would be like, sure it would be as warm as she was. Would there be candles? Did the wallpaper have flowers on it? Should he bring something?

He brought the mop handle up closer and led it around like a partner, feeling a little foolish but also enjoying himself. He closed his eyes. “What, Y/N?” If he concentrated hard enough, he could almost feel her against him. “You want me to do what?” Chuckling, he shook his head. “You don’t mean that, you-”

The door buzzer broke him out of his fantasy. Who the hell would be coming over now? Furrowing his brow, he straightened and leaned the mop against the counter. He smoothed his hair back, plucked the cigarette from his mouth, and opened the door.

Gary stood there, a small smile on his face. “Hey, Arthur. How’s it going?”

“Gary, hi.” Arthur had never had a co-worker over before. He didn’t mind the intrusion, though. “What are you doing here?”

Gary lifted his arm and held out a small plastic bag. “You forgot to take these when you left.”

Arthur took the bag and looked inside it. A couple of pots of blue and red makeup were in it, as well as brushes he’d left on the vanity at HaHa’s. He nodded at the thoughtful gesture. “Thanks.” He motioned towards the apartment with his left hand. “Do you want to come in?”

Gary looked surprised, but stepped forward. “For a minute, yeah.”

“Happy, who’s that at the door?” Penny’s voice came from the bedroom.

Arthur closed the door, then turned and called back to her. “No one, mom. They had the wrong apartment.” He looked down at Gary apologetically. “My mother…”

“It’s okay.” Gary put his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the wall. “So…have you got a new gig yet?”

It felt strange to Arthur to have a conversation with Gary in his own entranceway while towering over him. As there were no chairs nearby, Arthur moved to sit next to him on the floor. “Not yet. I’ve been writing a lot though. Five jokes in a week. Actually,” he brightened, “I’ve got a show on Tuesday. It’s not paying but it’s a start.”

“That’s great,” Gary said.

“Yeah.” There was a long pause, then. Arthur looked at Gary as he took a drag off his cigarette. “And I… I have a date tomorrow night.” He hoped he hadn’t crossed a line. They hadn’t been close, but Gary had never made fun of him. He had merely needed to tell someone besides Penny.

Gary looked genuinely happy for him. “Who is she?”

It was strange but good to talk about Y/N to someone. “Her name’s Y/N. She’s pretty.” Even though he still didn’t understand what she did for work, he said it with pride. “She’s a paralegal.” He laughed softly. “It’s crazy. I met her at a grocery store. Now I’m going over for dinner.” A sigh escaped him, his eyebrows lifting as insecurity filled him. “She’s important to me. And I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Gary pursed his lips. “Did she invite you over for dinner or dinner?”

Arthur blinked at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“How long have you known each other?” Gary asked.

Arthur did a quick count of the days in his head, then shrugged. “Three weeks?”

Nodding, Gary said, “Hm. Just be a gentleman. Don’t try too hard. And be ready in case she wants dessert.”

Arthur caught his meaning then and felt himself blush. A short chuckle escaped him as his hand went to his forehead. He made a mental note to go through all his Murray Franklin tapes and re-watch every Dr. Sally segment he could find.

Gary straightened then. “Well, I gotta go. It was good seeing you,” he said.

Arthur pushed himself off the floor. “Sure.” He reached for the doorknob, thinking a moment before opening the door. “Gary, you were the only one at HaHa’s that was nice to me. Thanks.”

Gary took a step back through the door frame, a small grin on his face. “Take care, Arthur.”

“You, too.” Arthur started to close the door as Gary started down the corridor, but thought better of it and stuck his head out into the hallway. “Gary?”

Gary turned around. “Yeah?”

Arthur paused, then went for it. “You can tell Randall I have a date. If you want.”

Tag list (Let me know if you want to be added!): @harmonioussolve​@clowndaddyfleck​ @stephieraptorr @rommies​

[comicteaparty]

June 17th-June 23rd, 2019 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party week long chat that occurred from June 17th, 2019 to June 23rd, 2019.  The chat focused on Heart of Keol by keiiii.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

COMIC TEA PARTY- WEEK LONG BOOK CLUB START!

Hello and welcome everyone to Comic Tea Party’s Week Long Book Club~! This week we’ll be focusing on Heart of Keol by keiiii~! (https://www.heartofkeol.com/)

You are free to read and comment about the comic all week at your own pace, so stop on by whenever it suits your schedule! Remember, though, that while we allow constructive criticism, our focus is to have fun and appreciate the comic. Below you will find four questions to get you started on the discussion. However, a new question will be posted and pinned everyday (between 12:01AM and 6AM PDT), so keep checking back for more! You have until June 23rd to tell us all your wonderful thoughts! With that established, let’s get going on the reading and the chatting!

QUESTION 1. What has been your favorite scene in the comic so far? What specifically did you like about it?

QUESTION 2. Do you believe Danbi’s mom is at the Heart of Keol? If so, will she even want to see Danbi? If not, where else could she be? Overall, what consequences do you think Danbi will face in his attempts to reunite with his mother?

FeatheryJustice

1. My favourite scene so far from what I have read, is the toilet scene. Glowing toilet moss is the best part about it, who doesn't want to poop into the golden throne XD

AshAngelV

1. I'll have to come back to. 2. I'm bracing myself in case she's dead, or worse. Assuming death or worse doesn't happen, I think she'll be mad that he put himself in danger to find her, but also be glad to see him. I kinda don't think she's in the heart, and I'm sure his looking is going to cause all sorts of trouble for him and the rest of the party.

MJ Massey

I don't think she's dead, but I think something else happened to her that she isn't around anymore, like she went to another dimension or something

keii4ii

(hi everyone)

Tuyetnhi

hewwo~

oh ye, for no. 1...gotta rumminate lol. there's a ton of scenes I liked that I can't call out a favorite just yet lol

kayotics

1. I think I need to go back and reread since I feel like I read it all in a fever dream and went through it so quickly that it all meshed together, but I loved it a lot. I remember Ethan meeting the other earth person really well and loving her a lot, but I also remember liking the scenes with the train. There’s a lot of good scenes and they all pull different emotional chords.

Tuyetnhi

yee I agree

kayotics

2. If Danbi’s mom is there I’d gather that there’s something seriously wrong with the situation. But I think that Danbi’s mom will be at the heart. There’s a lot of themes about parents (lost parents, reuniting with parents, flawed parents) that I think she’ll be there but not what Danbi expects.

Delphina

1. Favorite scene: BIG KITTY HUGS https://www.heartofkeol.com/eng/025-14/

Kabocha

Aaaaah, that's definitely one of my favorite scenes... I honestly love the kitty hugs scene as well as the one that just finished: https://www.heartofkeol.com/eng/028-09/ When I saw this I needed to scream a little because it was just... like.. a "holy shit" moment. THAT EXPLAINS A LOT but now I am extremely worried for Ethan's emotional health :'D As far as Danbi's mom... I... dunno. I kind of had her written off as more of a motivation to start the trip, but not so much a part of the destination. I think she might be dead, or perhaps helping "preserve" Keol. ...So I don't think it's going to be a good meeting as far as "Wtf is going on" but a good meeting as far as seeing how people change when there's a long time.... especially if you think you know them. I'm seriously torn though -- I think whatever's happened to her, we're going to get a hint about it, and it's gonna come from Lu. And it's gonna compound the heartbreak that I see coming on the horizon...

Desnik

Oh I really love this one, but there's a page I remember that has this awesome use of 3-point perspective to insinuate a spiritual journey from one plane to another, let me see if I can find it again

RebelVampire

QUESTION 3. At the moment, who is your favorite character? What about that character earns them this favor?

QUESTION 4. Who or what is the red hoodie kid, and what is their connection to Ethan? What might they have to do with Ethan’s latent Dokkabi powers? What is the significance of their facial mark give it matches the queen’s?

MJ Massey

Crack theory on red hoodie kid they're Ethan's dad from the past but that is probably not at all correct

RebelVampire

1) My favorite scene is the one where Ethan princess carries Lu away from all the octopus being cooked. I enjoy it was partly just hilarious seeing Ethan's overreaction, but also emotionally significant for Lu cause Lu got to see how much the giant doofus cares for him. 2) I think Danbi's mom was at the Heart but is there no longer. And i think Danbi will end up meeting someone who knew his mom instead of his mom directly. Frankly I assume she is dead and that Danbi is gonna have to go through the emotional trainwreck of accepting that the trip and everything he went through was for nothing except for answers. And while I'm sure Danbi will try to play it off as if just the closure is fine, I really don't think it will be. I think it'll be this bottled up thing that eventually explodes into an emotional mess that needs janitors to clean up.

RebelVampire

3) Lushaka. He is a giant cat. I really don't need to say anymore. Cats are best. 4) Assuming Ethan's dad was in Keol and an illegal Dokkabi as was implied, I think the red hoodie kid is a manifestation of the wyrm that the dad ate. And that it somehow passed to Ethan cause there is no illegal Dokkabi lore that says this isnt possible yet. So Ethan always had the powers, he just could never use them. As for the facial marking, I think it's just a mystical symbol of the wyrm's power. And the queen has it cause she was just a super good dokkabi all along or something.

kayotics

3. My fav is Lushaka, but it’s because he’s kind of emotionally constipated and is trying to not show he has feelings and I love characters like that.

4. I’m not much of a theorizer, but if I remember right, there was mention of a king that was supposed to appear? My initial thought on that information was that the kid was the upcoming king

MJ Massey

I think Ethan is my favorite. He's not what I would have expected as a main character for this kind of story, but that's what I really love. And he also has a good heart. He's someone I'd want to be friends with

keii4ii

Emotional constipation and emotional mess janitors... giving a whole new meaning to The Shining Outhouse (HoK's discord server name)

kayotics

Keiiii, I gotta tell you I love emotionally constipated characters

NeilKapit

Great choice for this week. I’ll re-read Keol from the beginning to discuss it properly.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 5. What has been your favorite illustration in the comic so far? What specifically about it do you like?

QUESTION 6. What do you think Adela will do given she just narrowly escaped from hunters? Additionally, who is the woman who saved Adela, and what could she possibly want from her? How will this tie into the rest of the story?

AshAngelV

5. I've really liked the illustrations of Ethan's soulscape (I guess is what you'd call it). They combine Keii's glowy magics with deep symbolism and heartbreaking moments (like when the stump burns). So many levels of epic.

keii4ii

Both of my favorite scenes have not been drawn yet due to Webcomic Time™. But one of them is actually coming up very soon! I'm drawing a set of scenes that lead directly up to it. Among the scenes that have been drawn/posted, I like this one... not so much as a favorite scene, but more like, "this is what HoK is about." https://www.heartofkeol.com/eng/013-04/ And the whole of chapter 25-26, especially Danbi's reaction here. https://www.heartofkeol.com/eng/026-06/ I guess the common thread there is the weaving of love and deep, bitter let-down.

(Just noticed "common thread" and "weaving" ... Pun not intended )

NeilKapit

As I’m reading through it it’s off to a great start. A lot of subtle character works that’s showing not telling, hinting at Ethan’s troubles.

snuffysam

5) Illustrations I like - any time magic gets used, specifically Dokkabi magic. The way the colors play off each other, the way the lighting affects the scene, and the amount of character that gets revealed through the form of the magic... it's all incredible.

surfKraken

Recently I've reread HoK after following it since it showed up on Tapas, and it's a rock solid favorite.

I guess what I like is it's originality #1

and #2 that it moves at its own pace and does its own thing.

I know that sounds generic but that's the best I can do after just getting home from a long day☁️

I don't have the energy to type all the feelings I have about the characters and presentation lol

They are as good as it gets for me in webcomics. there!

Tuyetnhi

5) ahhh I have to say Lu's tenticles lmao. I was caught off gaurd when he just woosh them out. I also like how they're rendered. but I do agree with snuffysam about the magic displayed and used in various instances.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 7. Which characters do you enjoy seeing interact the most? What about their dynamic interests you?

QUESTION 8. Why do you think the queen is hunting for Elyeo and locking them up? Is it for their own good, or is something sinister going on? What might this have to do with her destined mate who is supposedly a red-haired, male Elyeo?

RebelVampire

5) https://www.heartofkeol.com/eng/021-05/ The big second to last panel on this page. I love the lighting and the poses and the details like Ethan's body hair. everything comes together to create a really intimate moment that makes me squee. Especially the lighting though. Like even though Ethan and Lu had special moments between them before, this was the moment that made me tear up on the inside. 6) my crack theory is that its Danbi's mom disguised somehow. And she just magically sense Adela knew where her son is. my more serious theory is that the lady also wants to go to the heart and needs a guide. And ya know, clearly Adela knows the way. Which I think inevitably that's the path. Everyone gotta go to the heart for a "happy" reunion where there will be no drama and everyone will just have tea and cake. happy happy rainbows.

7) Ethan and Lu cause they are the OTP. Cause every part I'm like "how will you should you care about each other this time." and then I'm surprised and cry on the inside. 8) I think the queen has basically gotten impatient and lonely. And now that she knows her mate is a male Elyeo, shes keeping all Elyeo's to watch for his birth. So basically she has a little sinister breeding facility going on.

keii4ii

Been loving reading everyone's thoughts so far! @kayotics mentioned that there's a lot of themes about parents, and it's true! For many characters, a parent is the one person you can expect to love you even when the rest of the world is going bad/crazy. Messing with that expectation, uprooting it, seeing what grows from where it was uprooted... That's a big part of the story. @Delphina I'm so happy to see love for that scene! I think that was where I started feeling more clear-headed about the story. Like the story finally found itself. Maybe not at that exact point, but somewhere around there. @Kabocha Extreme worries for Ethan's emotional health is 100% justified at this point in the story. The characters are gonna run straight through a busy 8-lane highway, metaphorically, and only Lushaka is aware of it. He's hoping they can make it without getting hit by a car........

@Desnik Oooh did you mean this page? https://www.heartofkeol.com/eng/001-04a/ @MJ Massey I can TOTALLY see you and Ethan getting along splendidly!

Kabocha

With the current page that's gone up since chat started... I am screaming. I don't think lu laughing really portends anything good at this point. Aaaaaa But I'm looking forward to seeing the emotional traffic jam that occurs.

keii4ii

Lu worries about cars and trucks, then a freaking Boeing 777 comes crashing onto that highway

...maybe

Kabocha

... oh no. So what you're saying is we're going to end up with the emotional version of that plotline of ghost whisperer, where nobody involved in the emotional 777 realizes that's what happened, so they're trying to be all normal but nothing is right and they're all a wreck

RebelVampire

QUESTION 9. What sorts of art or story details have you noticed in the way the comic is crafted that you think deserves attention?

QUESTION 10. Why do you think the Xi people are so mistreated? Given the dangers, is Ethan’s sympathy warranted, or do you believe he should be more careful? How might all this play a role as the group gets closer to the Heart of Keol?

AshAngelV

Ugh, missed most of the week cause brain dead from work. 9. Keii's use of reflections in eyes is on point and adds a subtle layer to deep scenes. 10. Probably a mix of racism and longstanding grudges. And I think Ethan should be more careful in general. Dude is way too nice/trusting for his own good. It'll probably cause conflict between him and Lu cause Lu is the exact opposite and might end up getting frustrated.

RebelVampire

9) I really love the body hair, I gotta say. Cause usually that's something left out with more painterly styles like this, and yet it's there and I can tell exactly what it is. And I just appreciate that the time is taken to add it in even when it doesn't necessarily add anything to the scenes in question. 10) Probably the age ol' tale of one person did something bad, whole group got blamed, rinse and repeat until everyone hates everyone. Ethan 1000% needs to be more careful. His sympathy is admirable, but it's gonna get him stabbed in the butt. There is just too much hate and past history, and it's gonna take more than Ethan's kindness to overcome that. Cause I don't think Ethan will figure out he needs to earn their trust until it's much too late and just kind of think being kind is enough. As for the Xi people's overall role, I think as they get closer to the heart, they're gonna be in more danger. But more than the risk of danger, I think Ethan is going to be changed and want to talk to the queen or something. And say hey, stop being a dick. And then the queen will be like, who tf are you strange giant man.

MJ Massey

9. keiiii is such a master of light but I also enjoy how her impressionistic brush strokes bring patterns to life as well. Each frame is a masterpiece. I was lucky enough to win a wall scroll from her and it's one of my favorite art pieces I have at home

Desnik

@keii4ii yup!! thats the one

NeilKapit

OK, the Unofficial Voice Casting for Heart of Keol

Ethan is Patrick Seitz

Danbi is Susan Dailan

Lushaka is Liam O’Brian

Hana is Cristina Vee

RebelVampire

QUESTION 11. What do you think are this particular comic’s strengths? What do you think makes this comic unique? Please elaborate.

QUESTION 12. Do you believe the assumptions are correct that Ethan’s dad had been to Keol and was an illegal Dokkabi? If not, what is your alternate theory? If so, how will this revelation affect Ethan’s well-being both physically and emotionally?

AshAngelV

11. Beautiful glowy magics and just under the surface tension/feelings that pop out and murder you emotionally. 12. I do think that's the case. And it could be that it'll send him looking for the piece of his father that didn't come home. (In a literal or metaphorical way.) It'll probably call this world into question, because what kind of world calls his father a criminal? Also it confirms that it is possible to return, but then what if it damages his mind the way his father's was. So, I imagine it'll wreck Ethan emotionally, which then would activate the magic potentially harming him physically.

Respheal

I'm finally catching up so I can answer questions (busy week aaaaaaaa) but the scene with the rainbow right after the Two Fools in the Rain chapter ends......In my heart of hearts I'm hoping Lu is purring so hard in that scene

"I'm not a housecat. -purrrrrr purrrrrrr-"

AshAngelV

Some big cats do pur.

Respheal

ah ha okay I'm caught up now 1. I'm a total sucker for two things: isekai, and characters with hidden powers. HoK tickles those both, BUT it approaches them from an original angle. For one, a significant portion of the world is also a newcomer to the world, so that's neat, and then the hidden powers aren't like.....the big deal. They're more spice in the curry that is the story. That said, I really enjoyed the calming down Ethan part of the train scene because on one hand, hidden powers get hyped and on the other it was one of the first definite "Awwww" moments between Lu and Ethan

2. Heck I have no idea anymore. I just can't even guess at this point xD 3. Ethan? Probably??? He's just a good wholesome boy, and he needs a hug :') 4. aaaaaaaaaaaa I don't knoooooow I had guesses but they keep going out the window so at this point I'm just along for the ride xD I thought the kid might've actually been the queen at one point but I don't know anymore

5. -croaks- so many? The opening illustration is gorgeous so that's one way to start a comic xD Keii4ii's lighting has been phenomenal throughout(edited)

everything is so glowy and shiny

12. And yeah, the idea of Ethan's dad having been to Keol? Hold up. If that's true, I guess that means the gates aren't one-way after all, so that has some interesting implications for Ethan's potential return home in the future (will he take that option if it becomes available? Good question ) But also...I don't think it would impact Ethan's opinion of him all that much? It wasn't what happened to his family, it's that it happened at all, and the way it impacted them. Although yeah for sure it has some scary possibilities for Ethan's own well being if he can't control the Dokkabi power But he's got Lu so it'll be alright.....right?

keii4ii

aaaaaaa

Summary of my feelings:

AshAngelV

Lol

Not really sure what emotion is associated with tentacles.

keii4ii

One way to interpret the tenta is wiggly

AshAngelV

Haha

NeilKapit

Just occurred to me that Heart of Keol is an isekai, even though it predates that genre’s recent surge in popularity

It’s much better than most of what I’ve seen in that anime genre, since the characters are much more complicated and authentic

It’s a story involving a troubled young man spirited away to an alternate fantasy world that prompts him to work through his problems while trying to find his way back

Though I suppose stranger in a strange land stories are far, far, FAR older

keii4ii

Thank you! Yeah, I think HoK is only technically an isekai. While it fits the definition, it doesn't fit the expectations, for better or worse. And it wasn't because I was trying to make "an isekai... but different!" I just made the story the way I saw it, and the similarities as well as differences are kinda coincidental.

The story is what it is.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 13. What are you most looking forward to in the comic? Also, do you have any final thoughts to share overall?

QUESTION 14. Why do you think the Hornets are interested in Danbi? Do you think Lushaka will be able to go through with his betrayal? How will this betrayal affect his growing relationship with Ethan?

ShaRose49

I think maaaybe Danbi is more powerful than he seems? Or maybe there’s another reason they’re interested in him, maybe it has to do with his mother. I’m just spitballing here. I just wanna say that the art for this comic is breathtaking, and danbi’s expressions are so soft and gentle

AshAngelV

13. I'm looking forward to Ethan finding out his Dad was in Keol. Not sure if it's excitement, or dread, though. Lol 14. I think it has something to do with the future king. I don't think Lu would be able to go through with it if it'd obviously hurt Ethan, but if he thought he could get away with it, he might. If he were to kill Danbi and Ethan found out about it, I think that'd end their relationship completely.

Jonny Aleksey

I've just read through every 2019 update. I've most definitely missed important stuff but I really wanted to participate in CTP seeing as I keep missing it. 1. Ch27-9. Post hair cutting. It looks beautiful. Such amazing angles for such an emotional scene. This is a mark of a good comic. They art told me the gravity of what happened even thou I didn't know much about the hair situation. 2. The flashback said that hair dye doesn't work on Danbi's mom so unless she can hide, it's unlikely. Might even lead to an emotional gut-punch. 3. I like Ethan. I guess I like semi-clueless but heartwarming goofs . Also he's from Jersey. That's pretty cool.

Jonny Aleksey

5. Probably Ch27-9 again. The angle and detail is great but it's probably the colors. This comic's bright colors are eye candy. 8. Again, only going from the 2019 pages it seems Elyeo Father King legend is very important to this city, but they seem to hate the blue haired people. Maybe they're hoping to find the next King to get rid of the people they hate/afraid of. Seems like a villain thing to do (if the Queen is a villain that is) 9. I've noticed that red and blue are colors that aren't seen on people but they appear together often in the environment. Not sure what that means but those colors do seem to be important. 11. If I hadn't made it clear, the colors are a huge strength but I think it wouldn't be as good if it wasn't for the storytelling. 28-6 and 28-7 are best examples as this is essentially just two people talking but each panel is unique and flows well so I wasn't bored. The facial emoting is good too tho a few full front faces are strange.

12. Ethan's "dad" in the flashback is wearing an army uniform which I find interesting. I'm not sure where Koel is (I'm sure it's explained in the previous chapters),, it's clearly an Asian aesthetic. Maybe there'll be some Korean War allusions, hinting at some reason the US would be there. I admit it going out there for theories but it's something I thought about.

Jonny Aleksey

13. Seeing Ethan was my favorite character I do want to see what his dad (if it even is him) is like. I did really like what I read because of the art and somber tone. What I read seemed like a down time in the story, a slow burn; so I'm excepting something intense to happen. Maybe someone finds out Danbi is whatever he is and it leads to a chase sequence.

RebelVampire

11) The illustrations. This comic strikes a good balance between painterly and detail that gives it really unique imagery among contemporary comics. In particular, though, the lighting. This comic is a great example of what can happen for your comic when you do lighting really well, cause it creates such much atmosphere you almost choke on it (in the good way). 12) Yes, I do believe Ethan's dad was in Keol. That was my guess even before more recent pages inserted more of the implication. There's too many connected dots for it not to be the case, honestly. XD As for its affect on Ethan, I think at first it's gonna be confusion. Cause I doubt his dad ever mentioned Keol, and I doubt being in Keol explained all his dad's behaviors. Then honestly, probably the 5 stages of grief. So denial it was what happened, angry that nobody magically knew about Keol or something, bargaining that his dad could be fixed from the insight, depression that nothing would be the same like Ethan hoped for, and acceptance that at least there are answers to be had and it makes more sense as to why he got summoned to Keol. Which that last one I think is the one that will hit him teh hardest emotionally. That he is there for a reason and it's not just a coincidence.

13) Lu and Ethan and their continually growing relationship (that I swear I will cry over if their relationship is forever ruined.) 14) Honestly? I just assumed it's some half-baked schemes to defy the queen and keep the king from showing up. Or something like that. Like I really got the impression from the whole reveal scene with Lu is the Hornets really arent thinking their plans through that well and/or are at least poorly organized. I think Lu is gonna have second thoughts and bail for Ethan's sake. And while Ethan is passionate enough to forgive, I think Ethan is gonna find himself in a rock and hard place. Cause Danbi I don't think will forgive Lu. Not after the previous lie Lu told and shit. So Ethan is probably gonna get hurt more by being putting into a situation where he has to choose between helping his giant cat love and helping the dude who first helped him when he arrived and somewhat owes a life debt to.

keii4ii

I super appreciate all the comments here! In the past, some people told me how the art is the only good thing about the comic, haha. I used to get really down about that. It's great to see that you guys appreciate the art not just because it looks pretty, but also because it serves the story. I'm here to tell the story, after all!

Also very happy to see some love for Ethan and Lu's relationship

keii4ii

I'm looking forward to showing all the heartbreaks and their aftermaths (which hopefully include healing and growth)

There's gonna be a lot of worldbuilding info and plotty-ness, like what the Hornets are trying to do and why, but in this story, ultimately all of that is just context for the emotional development.

keii4ii

Also @ the correct and partially correct theories, despite the scarcity of information in the comic so far... I'm not a theorizer myself as a reader, so I'm amazed when people can come up with solid theories!

Even the ones that are going to be proven otherwise have good thought behind them!

ShaRose49

I can give you some constructive criticism if you’d like—though I only read like, 50+ pages and I’m much more of a newb than you are @keii4ii Just some little things I’ve noticed

But I don’t wanna sound like a smartass either it is certainly good quality overall

keii4ii

What kind of constructive criticism are we talking? Like, what topics/areas?

ShaRose49

Probably mostly with the character development

But I can be bad at explaining things

Like I’m bad with words I mean sometimes

keii4ii

Generally speaking, I think "this didn't work for me because [reason]" is pretty down to earth and non-snobby. It acknowledges subjectivity, and accepts that it might work just fine or even great for other readers

ShaRose49

Yeah, something like that! It might help, might not, but you never know

keii4ii

like in the past I... even ran into someone who not only said my writing was bad, but also unintentionally insulted people who liked my story by saying something to the effect of "no one who's looking for a good story would read this."

ShaRose49

Yah that’s dumb, like you can’t speak for every person lol

keii4ii

Also are we talking the first 50 pages?

ShaRose49

Yeah around that—probably more, but I haven’t read all of it, that’s for sure

keii4ii

Okay, what's the thing that didn't work for you? (don't give me like a whole List of All the Bad Things You Did, I don't want to be overwhelmed )

ShaRose49

Yeah don’t worry I get overwhelmed too

So I think one of your biggest strengths is worldbuilding—you’ve built an incredibly detailed and unique world with Keol. So if people are into rich, fantasy worlds, they’d probably adore this story. However I find that we know very little about almost all of the character’s personal lives? They have a few interesting quirks, but it still felt hard for me to connect with any characters because we only see very brief and vague flashbacks of their struggles and whatnot

keii4ii

Oh, I think that auto-resolves

ShaRose49

For me, personally, the characters are usually why I read the story or why I don’t. But it does seem like they’ll get more interesting eventually, it’s just taking awhile I guess

keii4ii

This is a very slow burn story, and the character development isn't meant to hit you like a fire hose.

ShaRose49

Yeah That’s fair. I didn’t mean something super obvious, but perhaps a little more clarity with at least one of the characters might’ve been good, but no worries that’s bound to improve

I can somewhat relate to Ethan having a relative who is so ill they’re almost not the same person anymore. My grandparents on my dad’s side had/have dementia which can be hard and sad

keii4ii

What I'm wondering is what anyone even likes about the worldbuilding in the early chapters It doesn't seem special to me, lol (and this isn't self depreciation; it's not bad, it just is to me.)

kayotics

Speaking as a reader who also likes strong characterization: heart of Keol is very slow burn, but I find that the characters are very rich, just in super nuanced ways

ShaRose49

Oh my gosh, the world you’ve created is so unique! It feels like dreams I’ve had

keii4ii

like I know some people who were interested because it was Asian fantasy that wasn't Japanese for once, but that's not special to me. I'm Korean, I consume Korean media, and I am very used to seeing Korean settings.

ShaRose49

I only have experience with some Korean media, and that’s mostly drama webcomics

keii4ii

I guess though, not every Korean fantasy is as glowy as HoK!

ShaRose49

The world is probably the best part for me so far

I just love the portal thingy

keii4ii

@kayotics Thank you! Nuance is something very important to me

snuffysam

Yeah the characters are my favorite part of the comic. Especially how the relationship between Ethan and Lu develops. In fact, that's my answer to (13). I want to see where that relationship goes. If Ethan finds out about Lu's... shadier outings, how will he handle it? Stuff like that.

keii4ii

Every character's gonna need a special anti-breaking armor for their heart. . . .

NeilKapit

OK, I’m caught up on HoK from start to finish, I’ll start work on the questions

Treating this like an old school assignment because I want to do this right

keii4ii

btw there might be a couple more pages to read on the main site, if you're reading on Comic Fury!

NeilKapit

1.) The recent scene with Ethan and Lushaka, where Lushaka comforts Ethan as he’s recounting his father’s mental illness and the harassment they both got for it, definitely stands out

keii4ii

(Thank you for reading, Neil and everyone. I appreciate this!)

NeilKapit

2.) I’m not sure where Danbi’s mom is and what she’s doing right not and what she thinks of Danbi; honestly I don’t tend to try and predict these large scale mysteries, because anything I come up with as a reader would ultimately be less than what the writer will surprise me with, and I don’t want that surprise poisoned for me by not living up to my “head Canon”

3.) Lushaka, whose personality can be described like a good steak— tough outside, tender inside. Always a fan of A.) cats and B.) stoics, and he’s certainly both. How he’s gone so far with the disfiguring wounds on his feet is impressive but also makes me feel bad for him, on top of everything else he’s been through.

4.) See #2....wherever I think this story is going with all the plot threads set up won’t be as good as the reality. I can say that the twist about Ethan’s dad having visited Keol was shocking, but in a good way since it connected a lot of things

5.) Too many to count, but I did bust out laughing in the Q&A section with Ethan in a dating sim. Some of the scenes with the new woman with the dreads showing off her powers by balancing multiple falling objects at once were especially impressive.

And, at risk of sounding like a broken record, tiger mode Lushaka comforting Ethan

RebelVampire

COMIC TEA PARTY- WEEK LONG BOOK CLUB END!

Thank you everyone so much for reading and chatting about Heart of Keol this week! Please also give a special thank you to keiiii for volunteering the comic and creating it! If you liked Heart of Keol, make sure to continue to support it via some of the links below!

Read and Comment: https://www.heartofkeol.com/

keiiii’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/keii4ii

keiiii ’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/keiiii4

[popculturespiritwow]

THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #28: COMING OUT PARTY

FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY

For me, the beginning of issue 28 especially on reread and knowing a couple of the twists to come is sort of like boxing Ali. Gillen floats around catching you off guard again and again until you’re just sort of dancing there on your own. Not only does David have a son and a long-departed Asian (ahem) wife but his son is Woden (supposedly) (nice job bro) and yet another riff on Larkin playing out.   Oh and all of that is a lie, Woden having totally played the moment (and Cassandra) brilliantly with a classic super villain origin story, complete with school for evil geniuses mental institution vibe. And woven in we’ve got this tremendous argument about identity between Woden and Cass which takes everything to such a deeper place.

Each one of those steps is so unexpected and pleasurable as a reader, I find it leaves me less interested in “figuring it all out” (aka trying to assert control) and more interested in just going with it. Woden’s words to Cassandra really are a challenge to us: comic book-as-puzzle readers, screw you.

There is one mystery I can’t let go of, though. Whose room are we in those first pages?

It’s gotta be Jon’s right? We’ve got that poster of a Transformer type robot, the de rigeur poster of women in slinky outfits (do we still say slinky?) and another of a Terminator-like shirtless sunglasses guy with a gun. It all screams teenager.

But that family photo Cass finds there, Jon as a baby with his parents, I don’t know, it seems much more a “parents remembering the beginning of their family” photo than the kind of thing a kid has in his room. Maybe it’s the last picture before David drove Jon’s mom away? Or the only moment of happy family he has?

Or – and this is a reach – could this actually be David’s room? It seems small, admittedly, again much more child’s bedroom than parent’s. But most of those posters absolutely fit Woden’s gross adult-adolescence. (The Transformer not so much, though it, too, is quite an image of male power.) And somehow the idea that this could be Woden’s room makes him even more disturbing than I already had him at, which makes me think it absolutely has to be at the least a space he spends time in and oh God can we please move on?

PREY-ER...

I go back and forth on what exactly Laura has been up to with Sakhmet. She doesn’t want to talk about her feelings, Laura, why do you keep bringing them up? To me, it reads a little like a false lead to keep “But is she the Destroyer for real though?” alive.

Maybe it’s another form of driving your motorcycle into the embankment – I’ll just keep poking the tiger until it rips my throat out and takes me out of my misery?

In this particular issue, though, it’s clear that Laura is also trying to understand the horror she sees herself as having caused/causing. Who better for the Destroyer to hang with than one who destroys. Some dark dark stuff going on there.

...AND PREY

Meanwhile being an unfeeling sex monster is about not getting hurt. Except as it turns out, it’s precisely in bed–and at the hands of Ammy of all people--that Sakhmet is forced to face her own vulnerability. 

In his Notes Kieron has really interesting things to say about how he and Jamie think about sex scenes.

In part, those scenes are meant for us to observe, they’re about us watching, and all the chars here are POV, we don’t want them to be the objects of our view.

Also, we don’t learn anything from the sex. We learn from the choice to have sex and how you feel afterwards. So do lots of that.

What I love about having sex be the context here is that it is Sakhmet’s seat of power, the place she feels safest: here she is the mirror that prevents her being seen, the hunter surrounded by prey, and it is here that she ends up being hurt. It’s brilliant. Even as she is completely wrong in her judgment that everyone thinks her a fool and has been laughing behind her back (can you imagine ANYONE EVER laughing at or about Sakhmet except maybe Luci? I mean, those claws...) – in fact the scene reveals that she is indeed a fool, precisely because she has thought she was safe.

At least when all’s been said and done and revealed she takes the time to eat a little something.

AMMENTO MORI

Is it notable that this is the first time we’ve seen an Ammy service since the very first issue? Probably, though they don’t make a point of how Laura’s life has changed since. If anything the comparison is more about how Ammy has changed, how much more confidently unhinged she is. Most specifically...

This sequence is such a fantastic contrast with the pure apotheotic godliness of our first experience of Ammy in in issue one.

In fact, it leaves you wondering what did we even see in her back then. Which I guess in a way is what Laura must be feeling, too...

DEAR DIARY

Obviously there’s a lot to consider in the very fact that Ananke precedes her likely death by writing a heartfelt letter. It tells us there’s someone else out there that not only knows what’s going on but has the power to get involved. Someone who seems to care for her.

Knowing what we know as of a few issues down the road, it’s almost certainly Baal, isn’t it? He’s the one she’s told the most, and manipulated the best.

Of course, there’s also the question that has floated through the series all along like oil scum on a pond, is it possible that Ananke is actually in some awful way a white hat? We’re definitely in the realm of both/and here – you can’t do what she’s done to any of these characters and not be a full and total monster. But it’s hard not to see this private moment and not gain some degree of pathos for the lady. (Dagnab it.)

(Just realized -- is it me or is this also the very first time we’ve seen Ananke without some kind of mask? God, she’s actually being vulnerable here, isn’t she? ARGH. LET ME KEEP MY PREJUDICES.)

[sadrien]

goodbyes & hellos

on ao3

im so so so late but hey this is for first day of prompt week for @thinkoutsidethelovesquare​!!!! day one: wrong number

this was a lot of fun tbh and ive been dying to write this ship. alyas texts are italicized, adriens are underlined on ao3, just bold here bc tumblrs a butt. shoutout to @reyxa​ for the title <3

enjoy!

Alya narrows her eyes at the new message that lights up her phone. It’s an unknown number that she doesn’t recognize — not that she’s given her number to anyone recently — and it’s also seven in the morning . Anyone how knows her at all should know that she doesn’t wake up before at least nine on the weekends. (And that has nothing to do with the fact that she doesn’t sleep during the week and tends to go to bed after two in the morning.)

She groans as another message shows up on the screen. She squints and lets the messages flow in, figuring she can tell the person they’ve got the wrong number after they’ve finished whatever they have to say. Or she can decide that it’s unimportant and ignore it and go back to sleep.

She likes her second plan the best.

unknown number: Hi!

unknown number: Just wanted to let you know the start time for today has been moved from 10 to 9:15

unknown number: My father has a meeting at 1300 so he wants to get it all done as soon as possible

unknown number: And I know you mentioned wanting to have him on set yesterday

unknown number: I hope it’s not too much of an inconvenience! Your agent should be calling you soon, but I thought I’d give you a heads up

Alya squints at the screen. She doesn’t want to care but she’s curious. And curiousity killed the cat and all that but she’s used to letting her nosiness get the best of her.

unknown number: agents???

unknown number: 1st of all srry u have the wrong number

unknown number: 2nd of all were u talking to a movie star or smth???????

unknown number: book writer??

unknown number: what kinda person needs an agent

unknown number: Oh I’m sorry! I must’ve gotten the wrong number from someone

unknown number: I’m really sorry if I was bothering you

Alya rolls her eyes.

unknown number: u woke me up but its chill cause now im curious

unknown number: Curious? About what?

unknown number: way 2 keep avoiding the question

unknown number: ???

unknown number: u said the person u meant to text has an agent

unknown number: how fancy r they

unknown number: Oh! She’s a model!

Alya’s eyes widen. The most famous person she knows is that thirteen year old that was in her school who has ten thousand subscribers on YouTube because she makes lyric videos. The second is a boy who has a few thousand instagram followers because he has nice abs and lots of white boy clothing and muscle shirts.

unknown number: u kno a model????????

unknown number: Uhh

unknown number: I’m not sure how much personal information I should be giving to a stranger

Alya sighs. So close.

unknown number: its fine dude (dude? u good w that? lmk if u arent) i getchu

unknown number: u can just stop responding if u dont wanna talk

She locks her phone and slides it back under her pillow. She stares at the ceiling for a few more minutes, wondering if she’ll be able to fall back asleep. As much as she’d like to take the train back to dreamville, she can’t. Because now she’s awake and now she’s wondering. And once she stops wondering, she doesn’t stop.

She’ll probably stop thinking about this random wrong number in a few days and in a few months, she’ll forget about them entirely but…

Ugh.

Sleep definitely isn’t an option anymore.

Leaving her phone in her bed, she pads to the kitchen, twisting her hair up into a messy bun as she does so. No one is up yet — of course they aren’t, it’s seven on a Saturday and everyone is taking advantage of every precious minute of sleep they can get — so she has the run of the house to herself.

So she makes herself some coffee and a bowl of cereal and turns to television on. Her initial plan is to just leave it on whatever channel that’s playing when she first turns it on, and luckily the twins were the last ones to use it. Saturday morning cartoons. Score.

Alya stirs sugar in her coffee as Cyber Chase plays in the background. It’s not much more than background noise, it’s the middle of an episode and she doesn’t really know what’s happening, but she does snort at a few of the bad jokes.

“You’re up early,” her mom says before dropping a kiss on the top of Alya’s head.

Alya hums. “Got a few text messages and they woke me up.” She notes how her mom purposefully avoids eye contact as she opens a cabinet. Alya rolls her eyes and eats a spoonful of cereal.

“School friends?” her mom asks carefully.

“Yes,” Alya lies. Better than her mom asking more questions. The biggest one being why were you talking to a complete stranger?

“Are you going to see them before we leave?”

Alya glues her eyes to the TV. “If they’re around.”

Her mom makes an unimpressed sound and Alya resists the urge to roll her eyes. She texted a few of her friends the other week, but the conversation was awkward and stilted. They all had the same sort of idea about cutting ties.  

Alya sighs and puts down her spoon, twisting around in her seat to face her mom. “I promise I’m talking to them.”

Her mom gives her that look— the one where her lips purse and a crease between her eyebrows that’s becoming more and more permanent; the one that says she wants to push for more details, but won’t unless they’re volunteered first. Which Alya is not doing, thank you very much. “If you say so, honey,” her mom says, turning her attention to the breakfast she’s making.

Alya stares down into her cereal bowl.

Time to evacuate to her bedroom.

She finishes her cereal as quickly as she can without choking and dumps her bowl and spoon in the sink as she passes it, taking her coffee with her to her room. New plan: curl up in bed with her laptop and hope her mom just leaves her alone until they move.

Alya’s almost forgotten about her phone by the time she flops onto her bed. It vibrates almost as soon as she opens her laptop. She frowns as she pulls it out from under her pillow.

unknown number: Dude is fine for me

unknown number: He/him pronouns please

unknown number: Thanks for asking I really appreciate it, actually

unknown number: People don’t always ask

Plan trashed. This is a better plan.

unknown number: she/her for me

unknown number: and no prob man

unknown number: i wasnt gonna assume ur gender

unknown number: ok that mightve sounded bad but i didnt mean it in a bad way like the ‘lol dont assume my gender’ way jerks do sometime i meant it in like a genuine

unknown number: if u have smth u wanna say u should say it because i am very tired and i can go on for a while

Whoops.

Alya can’t say she’s known for her stellar first impressions but she usually doesn’t ramble her way into an awkward corner. She mindlessly flips through apps as she waits for a response.

unknown number: Don’t worry about it! I didn’t take it the wrong way or anything

Alya smiles to herself as she responds. He keeps leaving her openings which is nice. Based off his initial reaction, she thought he’d shut this down as fast as possible.

She realizes this is probably a little weird. But it’s the most exciting thing to happen to her since school let out so…

unknown number: so whats up stranger??

unknown number: b4 u ask im just sitting in my room doing nothing but text u so thats my morning

unknown number: I actually have work soon, so that’s fun

Alya raises her eyebrows. She forgot age was something else she didn’t know yet.

unknown number: oo work that sounds fun

unknown number: what do u do???

unknown number: I work for my dad, it isn’t anything special

unknown number: But it gives me something to do with my time so I don’t mind that much

unknown number: If I randomly stop responding without warning, that’s why

unknown number: good 2 kno

unknown number: can i ask what u do 4 ur dad or is that 2 personal

unknown number: I uh… I just do whatever he needs me to do

unknown number: I don’t get paid or anything but

unknown number: ay it still works as a resume builder

unknown number: Yeah exactly!

unknown number: thats cool that ur dad can get u a job!! my mom and dad could never w their jobs so i just suffer

unknown number: not that thats any different from what i would do anyway as a teenager

Alright, perfect. She’s brought up the age question in a really clunky and awkward way. Better than nothing.

unknown number: Oh how old are you?

unknown number: I’m 15

Alya lets out a sigh of relief.

unknown number: ayy same!

unknown number: just ur fav teenage superhero blogger

unknown number: doing nothing with her life

unknown number: You like superheroes?

unknown number: yeah!! i love comic books. you??

unknown number: I don’t have time to read many but yeah! I’ve always loved Spiderman

unknown number: wonder woman is my g i r l

unknown number: superheroes are just so cool

She waits a few minutes before she decides that he must have gone off to work. Bonding over superheroes, that’s good. A shared interest. She scrolls through their conversation, rereading some of the earlier messages before she creates a contact for him. She makes the name ‘stranger’ and leaves it at that.

It’s not like they’re meeting up or anything. Even if he is an ax murderer, can’t kill her if she never sends him her location.

Alya spends the next couple of hours avoiding her mom as much as possible. She takes her sisters to the park and then goes to the library after she brings them home.

She doesn’t want to talk about it.

She’s clicking through a webcomic that she missed a few weeks worth of updates when her phone buzzes. She glances down, expecting it to be a text from her mom asking if she has any plans or to do chores or something, but is pleasantly surprised to see a message from her stranger.

stranger: Sorry about that, work ran long

stranger: Admittedly, I don’t know very much about Wonder Woman, but she looks very awesome

unknown number: !!!!

unknown number: when ive got more time remind me to tell u all abou t her

unknown number: and to rec some comic books even if u dont have time

stranger: Is she your favorite?

Alya sits back in her chair. This conversation is going to be a long one.

Alya finds herself randomly texting her stranger for the next few days. He doesn’t always respond quickly, but he responds eventually, no matter how weird her original message.

That’s more than she can say for most of her friends.

She texts him as she’s sitting on the counter in her kitchen, stirring a pot.

unknown number: hey stranger whats up

stranger: Just reading, you?

unknown number: making box mac n cheese

stranger: Sounds fun

unknown number: yeah im gonna eat it straight from the pot

The three dots bounce on the screen as the stranger takes his time with the next message. Alya snorts and turns off the stove, straining the pasta and moving to the fridge to find butter and cheese. He’s found his words by the time she’s letting the butter melt in the pot.

stranger: Straight from the pot? Why?

unknown number: because i live life on the edge

unknown number: and also because im too lazy to clean the dish later

stranger: You know what? That’s fair

Sometimes, Alya thinks that she probably shouldn’t think about someone who she doesn’t even know the name of as often as she does, let alone text him as much as she does. But sometimes she’ll see something, and she’ll immediately think of him. Or she’ll just be randomly upset and feel the strong urge to pick up the phone and see if he’s available to vent to.

She knows it’s kind of weird, but she can’t help herself.

One night, at around two in the morning, she finds herself messaging him.

unknown number: hey did i ever mention i was moving

She’s almost asleep, slightly more okay than she was before she sent the text, when he responds.

stranger: You haven’t but we also don’t talk about where we live

Alya stares at the screen for a long moment, the bright light in the darkness making everything on the screen blur into nothing. She just feels kind of numb.

unknown number: yeah

unknown number: like 8 hours away from where i live now

stranger: Wow that’s a big move

unknown number: yeah

stranger: I’m guessing you don’t want to go?

unknown number: not really

unknown number: did u know ur my only friend right now

stranger: I am?

unknown number: me and my other friends sort of cut ties

stranger: The internet exists

stranger: Phones exist

stranger: FaceTime and Skype both kind of suck, but they exist

unknown number: yeah i guess

unknown number: i guess its just too hard for any of us to try

stranger: I have no idea how far apart we live

stranger: We’re doing just fine

unknown number: yeah

unknown number: yeah ur right

One of Alya’s small comforts that comes to mind whenever she thinks about moving is the fact that she’ll have her phone on her and a portable charger. Her stranger will be with her every step of the way.

He’d managed to get her to talk to some of her friends. She doesn’t really think it’ll last once she’s in Paris, but the attempt is nice. And it gives her other people to talk to for the rest of the summer.

It’s too early in the morning when they leave for the last time for her to get really emotional about moving. All she has the energy to do is to take a picture of her old apartment, caption it ‘one last goodbye to marseille’, and save it before sending it to her friends over Snapchat. Before she falls asleep against the car window, she texts it to her stranger.

She wakes up to a new text among the goodbyes from her friends.

stranger: Have a nice car ride! I’ll let you know when I get back from work <3

Alya hides her smile from her sisters and screenshots the text for later.

She texts him from the floor of her new bedroom while her dad starts moving boxes. They’ve been in the process of moving for a while now, shipping most of their things to Paris beforehand. Now all that remains is the actual unpacking.

Alya doesn’t have the energy for that. She just lays on the floor and stares at the ceiling for a while. Then she picks up her phone and sends him a text.

It’s been about an hour since they last talked. She’d talked to him for a good majority of the car ride, only stopping when he was busy and ending the conversation when they arrived so she could get her things out of the car and help her sisters with theirs. She’d sent him a picture of her empty bedroom and said ‘let the unpacking begin :P’. He’d responded with a ‘Good luck!!’ and ‘I’ll let you get to work!’

Alya’s thumb hovers over the send button for a few seconds. She’s never really pushed him for any sort of personal information before.

New city, new Alya. Or something.

unknown number: hey just wondering

unknown number: what do u have me in ur phone as??

unknown number: i have u in here as stranger

stranger: Your contact name?

stranger: Uh awkward but you don’t?

stranger: You’re the only one I just have the number for, so I know who you are that way

Alya reads his texts a few times before she responds. She doesn’t know what she expects in return, but she figures she has nothing to lose.

unknown number: im alya

unknown number: in case u were wondering

stranger: Hi Alya

stranger: I’m Adrien

[comicteaparty]

November 19th-25th, 2018 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party week long chat that occurred from November 19th, 2018 to November 25th, 2018.  The chat focused on The Angel with Black Wings by Mharz.

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RebelVampire

COMIC TEA PARTY- WEEK LONG BOOK CLUB START!

Hello and welcome everyone to Comic Tea Party’s Week Long Book Club~! This week we’ll be focusing on The Angel with Black Wings by Mharz~! (http://blackwings.Mharz.com/)

You are free to read and comment about the comic all week at your own pace, so stop on by whenever it suits your schedule! Remember, though, that while we allow constructive criticism, our focus is to have fun and appreciate the comic. Below you will find four questions to get you started on the discussion. However, a new question will be posted and pinned everyday (between 12:01AM and 6AM PST), so keep checking back for more! You have until November 25th to tell us all your wonderful thoughts! With that established, let’s get going on the reading and the chatting!

QUESTION 1. What has been your favorite scene in the comic so far? What specifically did you like about it?

QUESTION 2. At the moment, who is your favorite character? What about that character earns them this favor?

QUESTION 3. Why do you believe that Ray is able to see angels? Is there something special about him or is it just by chance? Also, what makes him an exception to the rule that allows Big Sis to talk to him directly?

QUESTION 4. Why do you think Big Sis has black wings? What do you think Big Sis’ life was like when she was human? What about her past as an angel? What do you believe Big Sis’ intense connection to Ray is, and do you think that will get her into more trouble?

Climaxstriker

1. My favorite part is when Big Sis caught the apple Danillo threw then threw it back at him. Jerk had it coming, much like the apple that was headed for his face. 2. Big Sis because she's too pure for this world. 3. I think Ray has been given permission to talk to Big Sis after some string pulling on Silver's part. 4. I think Big Sis is Ray's mom due to her saying that Angels can look as old as they want, Cynthia did say that she had a college friend who was beautiful as an angel (So, Big Sis. Don't deny it, she's turn many many heads.) She killed someone with scissors. Could be any reason, dude could've been seriously drunk and would've seriously harmed Ray as a baby had she not have done anything.

Mharz

ends up thinking the exorcist but yeah for sure she totally made a lot of heads turn. That's the only thing I can confirm tho.

Kabocha

1. What has been your favorite scene in the comic so far? What specifically did you like about it? Probably this one: http://blackwings.Mharz.com/comic/309 Things get real for ray after this, and he starts to realize what happens when you poke your nose where it doesn't belong.

2. At the moment, who is your favorite character? What about that character earns them this favor? Mara! She made such a huge change in her attitude and how she was treating people. I'm glad she's a nice girl.... I kind of hope she gets a chance to punch Albert.

3. Why do you believe that Ray is able to see angels? Is there something special about him or is it just by chance? Also, what makes him an exception to the rule that allows Big Sis to talk to him directly? ...Hm. I think Big sis is making up her own rules as she goes. Also, I'm like, 99% sure Ray's blood-related to her somehow, so the whole angel thing might be being sensitive to family - Ray's just more special than Mara.

4. Why do you think Big Sis has black wings? What do you think Big Sis’ life was like when she was human? What about her past as an angel? What do you believe Big Sis’ intense connection to Ray is, and do you think that will get her into more trouble? Big Sis probably stabbed someone.... Probably. Can't say for sure though.(edited)

funakounasoul

I'm doing a reread of this for this week because I love it!but last time, I made it to Ch 11 before life/work got in the way, so my answers today will reflect my previous knowledge :3

1. My fave scene so far has been the fight with some demons just because the action was pretty sweet. With the rest of the comic being more about conversations and mystery, it really stood out and kept me on the edge of my seat

2. Mara is my fave because of personal reasons. She reminds me of a bff I used to have and I wonder how they're doing in life now. I get why she did the things she did despite being great friends with Ray before. Anf her development is really solid(edited)

3. I've always believed that there are just some people who are more sensitive to certain things and in this case, ray is sensitive to seeing angels. And sometimes, these abilities can be both blessings (being able to meet Big Sis) but curses (being seen as odd/bullying...)

4. My CURRENT theory is that Big Sis is related to Ray directly. Mom? Or maybe some otger relation we don't know of? Grandmother?? Especially with the "any age"appearance comment. And i think she may have killed someone. But heaven, being typically seen as Lawful Good, sees all murders as bad even if she was in the right (aka self-defense) and maybe that is the initial reasoning behind her attitudes toward some of the strict rules angels have to follow...

Mharz

@Kabocha you mean the start of Ray's "you had one job" career?

Kabocha

I dunno, his one job started before that.... it just hit peak "Don't be dumb" at that point

Mharz

Also glad to see there are peeps liking Mara (can't say the same for Ray)

Lol Kabocha

Personally, I don't blame Ray seeing how he's been picked on and given false promises. You'll find people hard to trust.

funakounasoul

I do feel like I should be more connected to Ray, but - at least in my read thus far - I'm definitely having trouble doing so at times. I understand he's had some bad history to the point where he has trouble trusting folks, but his moments of abrasiveness sometimes make me wanna go "No. Ray...Ray...shhh...breathe...listen to them."

Mharz

Lol. I have to say Ray is the type of person that once his mind made a conclusion, he sticks to it. Unless this was proven wrong thru action not just words in which it takes a reeeeeeaaaallly long time.

keii4ii

TBH I don't think I would've been any better in his situation, at his age...

I might have been a different variety of bad, but still the same degree of bad

Kabocha

I'm still the same kind of stubborn as Ray, but it doesn't mean I have to like seeing him be that way. All that anger ain't good for him!

Mharz

I'm honestly pretty angsty similar to Ray back at his age. You could say a part of his character is my residual resentment towards my schoolmates for picking on me. I still get a bit angsty from time to time tho lol. I'm just trying to control myself better than I was younger. :v

funakounasoul

We've all had those moments, or knew someone like that. I preferred the company of others, but you know teenagers - we all think we're correct and tough and amazing but we're still learning :P BUT I do think this will set Ray up to have an amazing character development through the rest of the story. We may want him to shhhhh, but I know I'm curious as to how he'll learn to open up a little toward those that mean a lot to him (and learn he has people that mean a lot to him, even if he doesn't notice it yet)

Climaxstriker

Had some "Friends" Pull pranks on me and trick me so I know what Mara went through in terms of having fake friends.

Climaxstriker

after one joke too many. I told them to pound sand.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 5. Who do you believe Silver is given one demon described her as “infamous?” Why do you think Silver cares so much about Big Sis? Also, why do you believe that Silver is so stringent about the rules compared to other angels?

Climaxstriker

I think she cares so much about big sis because she fell for her hard.

Mharz

@funakounasoul lol yes... I hope. XD

I have to say, while it's true Silver had indeed fallen in love with Big Sis there is another reason she's totally vouching for her. Something that she herself only knew. Just ask her.

Climaxstriker

>_>?

I am intriqued

was it the reason Big Sis killed the dude with scissors?(edited)

Mharz

Nyope.

I can't say much more tho. I like to think the reason will come from the left field once it surfaced.

RebelVampire

1) the scene where mara tells off her "friends." that moment felt so incredibly earned and represented a fantastic character arc that had a beautiful conclusion. which leads me into... 2) Mara. of all the characters Mara feels the most developed and the most changed into a better person. her growth is really fun to watch. however, even before her motivations were sympathetic even if severely misguided. and given shes a teen it all made a lot of sense. overally, i like seeing this great girl grow and learn from her mistakes and try to make amends like the beautiful person shes trying to become. 3) I actually think Ray's powers might just be happenstance. And besides that with the current events of the comic I have to assume it's less rare than we've been made to believe. as for the exception, billionthing the assumption that ray is related to big sis, though i would like to add to the discussion that its highly doubtful its his mom. exhibit A http://blackwings.Mharz.com/comic/241 i dont think shed need to ask where his mom is if she is his mom XD unless she doesnt know where she is. 4) she either did the murders or hurt someone. although i think silver mentioned incidents or her self sacrificing nature or something like that. so it might be a compounding issue. where she did this alot because shes clearly not the most...cautious with her powers. and they finally said okay no more slaps on the wrist. i do think big sis is probably gonna get more into trouble cause even this exception thing seems like a huge bending of the rules that every angel is just willfully ignoring for Big Sis' sake. 5) I assume that silver is an archangel or something like that. super high up there in the scheme of things. and i also just think silver is a great girl who understands powers can hurt just as much as they can help. and someone has to look out and enforce the rules cause otherwise we just have anarchy.

Mharz

I have to say I did pick my choice of words in the dialogue especially on the page Rebel mentioned in which no one has noticed something strange about. <.<

RebelVampire

QUESTION 6. Do you think that Ray will learn the power of forgiveness when it comes to Mara? What about when it comes to Big Sis? Will this help him help Big Sis in some way? Additionally, what other ways do you think Ray will grow as a person?

RebelVampire

6) gonna be honest, personally speaking im not sure ray will grow as a person anymore that much XD like theres stubborn...and then theres ray. ray took stubborn and moved the goal post infinitely far away to neverland. i mean i would hope he grows, but idk. it may take a while. maybe when hes 50 and has to walk around with a cane. XD i think hell at least forgive big sis in his own way. and i think that will help big sis forgive herself cause she seems to have a lot of issues with forgiving herself

Kabocha

Ray might grow, but he's going to need to get something to teach him he needs to... Right now everything that goes wrong kind of just continues to justify it.

Mara can be nice all she wants, and Albert can be a jerk... But Ray has learned nothing. I don't think TAWBW is a story about Ray's growth so much as it is about Big Sis learning to forgive herself in the long run. Ray's just the character who we see things through.

RebelVampire

honestly im curious what it will take to teach him. cause it must be grandiose and amazing. but even if the story isnt technically about ray's growth, he does need to grow. because hes the protagonist.

well okay tbf he doesnt need to grow. or more accurately he could technically grow into a worse person? i mean i doubt its gonna go that way, but just clarifying

Kabocha

Ahahaha

He really needs to um... Change a little bit? Not in a good/bad way -- and this could be webcomic time talking for me bc I haven't done a full reread in a while... but like, he needs to be just more observant or mindful. He's kind of stuck in the same place, and that's fine -- it's just more interesting to see other characters progress and change.

RebelVampire

i had to reread it for questions, so its not just webcomic time. he has been stuck for quite a while. and to a degree i get it cause for every step int he right direction, a bad thing reinforces his world views. but i have been waiting for that big thing thats gonna kick that boy in the butt and get him to change just a little.

maybe itll be that nice cop

comes to save ray

ray is like wtf is this

Kabocha

Maybe. But he'll continue to be bitter for a while, haha...

Like, after that angel tried to kill him, I would have been like "wait why does it think I'm a sinner OH CRAP"

but he's not done much introspection!

While Big Sis might be able to be saved and redeemed by Heaven... Maybe Ray's just doomed? Like, is this story going to end up with him ending up damned, or genuinely close to it? I kind of want to see another Angel that Ray trusted "pass judgement" or at least force Ray to examine his behavior bc telling him to behave in real time hasn't worked real well

Big Sis has remorse for whatever it was she did. Ray's just a brat and is going to continue to hurt people.

RebelVampire

ya know thats a great point! it seems like a lot of ray's problem is he does no introspection.

thatd be an interesting scenario

although maybe its gonna take a big time mistake on his part

that forces him to realizes human make mistakes

and he is human

thus he is doomed to the mistakes

Kabocha

I think if he was forced to review his own behavior, he'd probably think twice about how he's behaved. After some defensiveness, of course -- because it's only human to go "but I was justified!"

He might be justified to a degree, but it doesn't make him morally superior!

RebelVampire

yeah.

although now im curious what ray would do if someone died for him

Kabocha

Oh no. :<

That might break him.

RebelVampire

cause at that point it would take some immense logic leaps to still think ppl are awful and the person helped him for selfish reasons

Kabocha

As stubborn as he is, I think that would honestly break him to realize someone cared that much that they'd die for him.

RebelVampire

i think it would actually break him to

cause even if he didnt care about the person i think that is something that would shatter his world view

Kabocha

Yeah. Now I'm trying to think through how he'd probably take it...

It'd probably start off with denying it -- then he'd go straight to anger at himself because I don't think he sees himself as worth protecting to that degree. Sure, he might be salty at Big Sis for "abandoning" him, but... It's easy to be mad for him. Past that, he might spend a lot of time wondering "why" and think about his behavior and try to figure out why he's worth it when he's been such a butt.

...............And then Silver would probably smack him and tell him to do better to become worth it.

RebelVampire

yes i definitely agree about the silver part

cause he seems to listen to silver to a degree

even if silver can be cryptic at best XD

Kabocha

Yeah, ahaha

I would think at that point Silver would just be tired of his shit though, and be like, "Do better, don't make this a waste."

RebelVampire

maybe. although ironically fulfills her duty of guiding humans and such. so good on silver for still doing her job

Kabocha

Somehow, I feel like the exemptions might be slightly more lax in the near future, especially if someone dies for Ray

given what Bnaenae's doing -- shit's about to get bad imo

RebelVampire

yeah this is the prime time for this scenario to play out if it does

although tbf the set up alone might spark introspection

just cause ray hates bad ppl and is now suddenly see what happens when you decide to treat bad ppl badly

Kabocha

True, but he may just say "I haven't sinned"

RebelVampire

maybe albert will disagree O_O

show up to monologue

Kabocha

That would be interesting to see... Although I suspect Albert might end up getting his POV changed a bit.

RebelVampire

tbh idk if i expect growth from albert

tbh i....i kind of expect him to die

die a very bad death

Kabocha

Hm, see, I dunno that he would die -- Serena though? I think that she's likely to get hurt on his behalf.

RebelVampire

that seems likely maybe. idk. i dont feel i know serena enough

what if all the angels on the bad side get black wings O_O at least big sis wont have to feel sad and alone anymore

Kabocha

Hmm, maybe. But it could be a case where as long as they're pure in their ideals and try to do God's work, they're okay

or they have another source for their wholly Holy wrath

RebelVampire

they have to go back to angel boarding school

funakounasoul

For me, I feel he could change at least to a neutral maturation...but he has to experience something REALLY drastic. Something that hits him so hard that makes him re-evaluate himself. He may be an adult when we see a change in him (like an epilogue or something) but I think he can change. People always grow and learn new things even as old folks...if they're not TOO stubborn, though xD

Mharz

I like to think that Ray is a child who has a looooooot to learn and he's not as bad as Shin from Robonoid. <.<

RebelVampire

QUESTION 7. Where do you think Big Sis has been while Ray has been dealing with Legion? Is she being held against her will, or do you think it’s partially by choice? Why do you think we’ve seen her being trained to fight?

Climaxstriker

Tricky, I think she's been tricked by Bnaenae. Prettyboi jerkbag extraordinaire who needs a toaster to swung into his pretty friggin face >=/ I think at first it was because she was lied to. I think she's been set up, the legion wouldn't take in someone who committed a crime in life. So, she's likely a pawn in Bnaenae's plan, likely involving her dying. I can't imagine her being a permanent asset to a group as crazy about perfection as the legion. After Ray accused her of stealing souls like a friggin moron, that's when Bnaenae started holding her against her will. That's when that other mysterious guy I'm calling "Bigger Bro" (or just Big Bro) busted Big Sis out of angel jail.

RebelVampire

(the archive for the chat on fate is ready! @Anthea https://comicteaparty.com/post/180401220340/november-12th-18th-2018-ctp-archive)

RebelVampire

QUESTION 8. What are your theories about Legion? Do you think Lucifer is responsible, or is someone else calling the shots? How do you think that Legion was able to slip under the radar? Who exactly is the man threatening to kill the mayor and why broadcast it?

Climaxstriker

I think believe Lucifer is calling the shots. He must've been the man that sucked out the Mayor's soul. He did some pretty high up in the food chain. As for how they slipped under the radar. I got no clue. >_>

Kabocha

I dunno, if Bnaenae was lucifer, I'd think the other angels would know... Unless they're all about to fall. I wonder if they're working with the demons that showed up earlier in the story >_>

Mharz

So many things I can answer but spoilers lol. <.<

One thing I could say is, I don't think these angels would join the legion if it's not for a "noble cause." >.>

mathtans

Going from memory on this... as far as favourite scenes, two that still stand out without diving back into the archive are ones mentioned by others. The battle in the mall, and Mara kind of coming to her senses.

-Favourite character? Tempting to say Mara like so many others (I also like her visual design), but I think I'll go Silver. She just seems clever and subversive, like trying to do the right thing under the radar. Also, fun times in Ray's dreams.

-Ray sees angels because his father was actually an angel. Or a demon. Something like that. Sure, why not.

-Black wings, still because someone spilled ink on them. Or, okay, it's soot, because she would hang out a lot down in hell, maybe.

-Silver knows that you've gotta have rules, otherwise there's chaos. Also, is secretly God... it's like one of those "HIdden Boss" TV shows.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 9. What do you think Ray’s role will be in dealing with Legion (and can he do anything in the first place)? Will Ray find some way to expose Albert? Also, why do you think Albert is part of Legion in the first place?

Climaxstriker

hmmmm..... Since the legion provided a......rather shitty first impression for angels. Ray will likely have to convince people like Alvarez not all angels are evil. That there are good angels like Silver. Dunno if Albert is really bothering to give himself some cover. As for why he is in the legion in the first place.....I feel like he's been wronged for so long. Like, he feels like any good people he met has suffered at the hands of criminals and they just got off scott-free. That's just a guess tho.

RebelVampire

i like math's theory about the ink. big sis was a prolific angel author, until one day she tripped and the ink just went everywhere. and everyone knows you cant get out those ink stains XD

RebelVampire

7) I think Big Sis' situation may be a mixture of both. IN that she was brought against her will, was told "blah blah blah do this training because it will help you for blah blah blah reasons." and big sis was like "blah blah blah reasons you say? okay i will stay." but they also made a condition she couldnt leave for a long time and big sis was like "hahaha no" and that is where in shes being held against her will. cause while shes pursuing her own goals shes also being given tight restrictions and big sis is not a rule follower. maybe learning to fight will help her protect ray or something tho. cause she does keep getting trounced by demons. 8) It's clearly Lucifer's son who is responsible O_O /shot but more likely i think its someone using lucifer's name to manipulate others. cause assuming lucifer is dead, its not like lucifer can say "hey that isnt me. stawp that." as for slipping under the radar, eh, it was probably easier than they made it sound. i mean its not like theres an angel time clock i imagine. there seems to be a lot of autonomy. so until the soul sucking started there whereabouts and ambitions were probably super easy to hide. 9) i question if ray will even make an effort to stop legion. unless albert directly puts him in danger. and if he becomes involved i think it will be in an effort just to save big sis. as for albert, i assume he was some kid who was like ray and got bullied a lot. and he decided to challenge that and no longer be the victim. and before he realized it he became the bully for "a good cause."

mathtans

-I kind of hope that Ray realizing that Mara is a better person now will lead him to realizing that not everything Big Sis does (or did) was under her control either. But yeah, major facepalm as he goes off on Big Sis for not being around when he doesn't know anything. (I actually thought that was another dream sequence.)

-Big Sis is the nominated champion for the all the angels, because there's a prophecy about black wings. That's why she's training, even though she's not necessarily keen on it. (In all seriousness, I think she may be a champion of sorts because her black wings allow her to not be corrupted or something, like she's already corrupted herself. idk.)

-I don't know that Legion slipped under the radar, I think maybe they were vocal, just not necessarily about how they were going to achieve their goals. There was just this group who were going to make positive change through more tea parties, and then suddenly it was "ok, instead of tea parties, we're Legion and we're taking souls" and everyone thought "huh, that escalated, but the goal's the same, I'm still all in".

Mharz

I wouldn't say Big Sis is a champion of some sorts but there IS something. It's more of "just totally unlucky that it was her" rather than "being the chosen one."

I like the tea party analogy lol.

snuffysam

i feel like it wouldn't be hard for legion to slip under the radar. like let's say every pure-hearted person becomes an angel. and angels on average are able to last one century before getting killed by demons. unless the conditions for becoming an angel are SUPER strict, there are at least a billion of them flying around (and there'd have to be for any reasonable number of people to get guardian angels). that means each archangel is responsible for over 100,000,000 angels i doubt you'd notice if a club of a couple hundred dudes was forming when that's less than 0.0001% of your employees

mathtans

I approve of such mathematical arguments.

Mharz

Add some shenanigans and it's absolutely feasible

snuffysam

shenanigans always make things better

Mharz

Shenanigans make everything complex yes.

Climaxstriker

and funnier

we need more shenanigans in our lives

Mharz

When shenanigans ends up dooming society. Yup... Fun... <.<

Climaxstriker

Not those kinds of shenanigans tho D=

RebelVampire

QUESTION 10. What are you most looking forward to in the comic? Also, do you have any final thoughts to share overall?

Climaxstriker

I'm looking forward to finally finding out Big Sis' past and who that guy was that busted her out and how it all ends. Big Sis' past and that guy's identity is because, if you think hard on theories on what they are, and in the end it proves to be right, it's a really satisfying feeling. More than a simple "AHA, I FUCKING CALLED IT!" It's more like...."Yaaas, I was right all along and I worked so hard to find the evidence for it too!" Last part is because well, naturally I'd want to see how it all goes down. Seriously, what fan wouldn't? >_>

Mharz

What I'm looking forward to is more people theorizing TABW. This is the most elaborated thing I wrote and I did leave lots of context clues for overthinkers to crunch on. At the same time, maintaining the interactions and feels. Well, I try at least.

mathtans

The entire comic is happening in Ray's mind. Everyone is really part of his family, in a "Wizard of Oz" kind of way. That's how Big Sis is his mother.

Mharz

Lol

RebelVampire

10) im looking forward to mara becoming a beautiful angel when she dies while ray becomes a crotchety old man who yells at kids to get off his lawn.

Climaxstriker

That is likely how it goes if Mharz does a bad ending. Thing is, that's actually realistic, considering how much of a jerk Ray can be. >_>

Kabocha

Oh noooo ahaha

How likely is a Ray/Mara ship in the future, ya think?

Climaxstriker

if Ray can stop being an edgy jerk and go through some much needed character development, more likely that we think. XD

snuffysam

kinda surprised nobody's shipped big sis with bigger, cooler sis in this chat yet

silver is mostly enforcing the rules all the time but they seem like they were quite close before big sis did a slip and slide through a coal mine

(like if silver didn't care, she wouldn't bother to stop big sis before she breaks the rules after a few attempts)

Climaxstriker

It's been shipped in Mharz' discord. >w>

Kabocha

They're definitely a ship

100%. Although I do wonder about how much Silver can get romantically involved with the lower ranks lol

Mharz

I mean I am shipping Big Sis and Silver from the get go. <.< She isn't sexually attracted tho. She's fine with fluffy hugs and giving secret gifts.

snuffysam

that makes sense

one thing i hope for the future is that ray makes more friends. like that lady at the cafe.

Mharz

That will be up to Ray. XD

mathtans

Maybe that lady at the cafe is secretly Ray's mother.

Or Big Sis's mother.

Climaxstriker

Who knows >_>

snuffysam

big sis is older than she looks, remember (since she hasn't aged at all since she died). maybe the lady is big sis's little sister, and the lady is somehow responsible for big sis's death?

Mharz

They're not related actually

snuffysam

but the lady IS responsible for big sis's death

Mharz

http://blackwings.Mharz.com/comic/249

snuffysam

well sure. but that all happened before the lady stabbed her

Mharz

I'd totally love to explore this more eventually.

I'm thinking of making a comic about Big Sis' life but it won't be until all spoilers are spilled.

Kabocha

I vaguely recall Big Sis' life previously was quite... unpleasant

so was this lady also doing that unpleasant job

snuffysam

oh so maybe she was a bully to big sis, and that's the sin she's atoning for?

at the workplace

Mharz

It's more along the lines of "getting her to that unpleasant place." >.>

Kabocha

... REALLY

Was she trying to help or was she uh... ....

So basically, this lady's up on Legion's chopping block next

Mharz

S-She was trying to help(edited)

<.<

Kabocha

ahahah

Mharz

Poor Big Sis never caught a break. -_-

Climaxstriker

Not Cynthia D=

she's nice!

Mharz

Idk

Climaxstriker

Is teh cat important?

remembers Bnaenae cat Oh shit

I will give bnaenae fish.

....as it's cooking in the toaster....which I shall promptly swing into his face! as the toaster is cooking the fish! D=<

Mharz

#blameBnaenae

I'm definitely excited for the upcoming chapters

Climaxstriker

Me too. I need teh answers! D=

Mharz

It won't be answered for the next 5 years probably

Climaxstriker

Das ok. I've been waiting for game updates that took a while. >_>

Mharz

<.<

Climaxstriker

I've also waited six months for a golden opportunity to orchestrate a ridiculous and convoluted scheme that was actually a well-thought out plan that would probably take a while to explain. >_> I can wait for a whiiiile like a reeeeeeeally long while for the hyped up stuff.(edited)

Mharz

I've been hyping edgy sis for years now and she still hasnt appeared

Climaxstriker

edgy big sis? >_>

=_= not sure if past Big Sis or future Big Sis is edgy Big Sis

Mharz

The one with white hair.

Climaxstriker

Was wondering why she had white hair >_>

Mharz

There's a deep but shallow reason for that. I will mention when the time comes.

Climaxstriker

Determinedly waits for the time to come

snuffysam

wearing a wig

ez

Mharz

Yasss

RebelVampire

COMIC TEA PARTY- WEEK LONG BOOK CLUB END!

Thank you everyone so much for reading and chatting about The Angel with Black Wings this week! Please also give a special thank you to Mharz for volunteering the comic and creating it! If you liked The Angel with Black Wings, make sure to continue to support it via some of the links below!

Read and Comment: http://blackwings.Mharz.com/

Mharz’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aviMharz

Mharz’s Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/Mharz

Mharz’s Storenvy: http://Mharz.storenvy.com/

Mharz’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/aviMharz