And thus ends Percy Shrugged, the penultimate chapter! Sketchbook Wednesday, then another Intermission Thursday before the final arc begins! We’re so close to the end!
Location: Atlantic Ocean
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AAAAAAAGH!
Ref: Zappy cancels transformations (and can cause clothes rippage)
This comic wasn’t in my script, but I realized I had an extra day and we hadn’t had a good transformation sequence yet. Rather embarrassing when my first webcomic was El Goonish Shive ten years ago. (Yikes, has it really been that long?)
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Ichabod’s Decision
Ref: Zappy undoes transformations | Frizzy Nikki
This comic! Again, been waiting a long time for this, but also this is the happiest I have been with my work in a LONG time. The fact that I managed to get every character save Roark and that other SCR guy into one panel and still make it look good, drawing Nikki in a difficult pose, and Chris throwing the beaker… I am pleased with myself.
I debated about taking Nikki’s growth from elf to human a bit farther and bringing back the anti-fanservice box, but she doesn’t grow as dramatically as Jorocks (remember, the taller you are, the shorter your elf form is, and Jorocks is a giant) and it would have been difficult to draw Matt carrying her. It turned out well, so I am not complaining.
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No
I have been waiting for this scene for YEARS. It hasn’t always taken this form (originally it took place in the Tower Room against the Shadow), but Percy using the zappy to defend himself and his friends has remained consistent.
I went back to hand-drawing the comic, then going over the lines digitally, and I am pleased with the result. It also theoretically takes less time this way. I say theoretically because I got back from Japan last week and jet lag is still hitting hard; I fell asleep at my computer desk twice while inking this comic. Oops!
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Volunteer As Tribute
Ref: The zappy | Last seen zappy | Chris didn’t know about Ichabod’s power | Late to the party
Looks like Percy’s gone full mad scientist! Who says Santa can’t look impressive?
I like Matt’s role in this, limited as it is. Just like the Doctor, he’s looking for another way out without sacrificing his friends. Hopefully he doesn’t have the same luck as the Doctor (and yes, I went there).
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Ichabod’s Origins
Ref: Amnesia about origins | Spy? | Spy again? | Spy still hanging around | Nikki elf, Ichabod human
Raise your hand if you saw this one coming before last Thursday’s comic!
Ichabod primarily looks out for number one. Normally he (she?) would be perfectly happy to leave everyone else to burn. Could we be seeing some *gasp* character development?!?
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The American Flag
*gets on soapbox*
Why no, I can’t think of ANY examples where Percy’s philosophy could be applied in today’s world…
In all seriousness, this is one thing that absolutely drives me bonkers. Just because a person disagrees with some ideas of a group does not mean that ALL ideas that come out of the group are bad. I’m always concerned when I encounter people who brag about how they have NEVER voted for a Democrat or Republican. That tells me volumes right there about how much they actually pay attention to the candidates. This ain’t a sports event, people! (In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit to a dark past: I once rooted for K-State over the Huskers…)
One thing I am really looking forward to when I am in Japan is learning how the Japanese go about sustainable development. I have already gotten some feedback about how their way is not the “American” way. Who cares? If they have something that works better than one of our systems, why can’t we adapt it for our own needs? (Also, fourteen more days until I leave–so excited!) I really like Percy’s line about the American flag; while the color does not necessarily have the same symbolism, it’s okay to have some similarities to other groups.
I could go on, but it appears I picked a milk crate as my soapbox and it is needed to build a tower behind the dining hall at camp. Yes, I actually had a buffer in place before leaving to go volunteer as a camp commissioner for a week! I’m rather proud of that. Now to finish the Japan buffer…
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Seen A Ghost
And we’re back! Complete with saddle sores. Can we just ignore the art in Panel 3, please? I redid it several times and was never satisfied. Unfortunately, the need of a buffer really forced me to push this out anyway.
The story of Matt’s outfit can be read on this sketchbook page.
