I think at some point, I flirted with the idea of including a shot of Grissom here, to show what was on Roka’s mind. But ultimately I felt I built up to this decision enough during the course of the story that it would be fairly clear without having to beat people over the head with a visual.
I’m pretty happy with how this sequence turned out as I think the timing of beats worked out as I hoped it would, focusing enough panels on both the ship and Roka’s decision without making the timeframe seem drawn out. I’m particularly pleased with the fakeout of panels 3 and 4. Something about the thin horizontal panel followed immediately by the thin vertical, with the Brimia the same size in both, I think really helped convey the action and abrupt change of ship direction. It’s one of those rare instances where I used the panel shape itself to enhance the telling the story and flow of action.
Wait, couldn’t he have turned around sooner? Lol
“Yes” to everything in the commentary – good page!
awesome. you had me.
I think it is wonderful how you caught Roka’s mindset in alien features so well. You did not have to have the flashback, it was pretty obvious in the last panel of the last page what he was thinking of.
Thanks Brent! Yeah, every now and then I want to design some REALLY off-the-wall aliens, but I realized that with the main cast, I’d want to stick with some recognizable facial features so that I could convey different emotions. As it is, Bennesaud can be a bit tough to work with at times, but I think everyone else worked out very well in that respect.
I loved issue 1 on free comic book day. Glad to see the series thriving online and in print. Can’t wait for vol 2 hc. Vol 3 perhaps? Or kickstart for vol 1 colored hc?
Thanks Jason! I’d consider a colored Vol 1, but only after I sell through the remaining B&W copies that I have. But once I have the new book in hand, I’ll be hitting the convention circuit again, so hopefully I’ll be able to move them quickly!
honestly Roka turning around doesn’t surprise me at all. Leaving Grissom behind’d tortured him ever since, and while he is a stodgy old bastard, he cares about his crew, even if some of them are idiots at times *eyes Cember*