Chapter 4: Page 39
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Bevan is clearly not comfortable being told to ditch Kenosh, Ashtor, and Hardin. The last time he “abandoned” his people, things did not go well for him–and that trauma, as we saw earlier in the chapter, really doesn’t have anywhere to go. Bevan continues to wear his tribe’s markings to honor their memory, especially when nobody else chooses to remember them.
Kenosh knows what it’s like to tote those kinds of feelings around for years on end. He also knows that the best way people can remember something is to have somebody live to tell the tale–and Bevan survived. I particularly love how Rachel rendered out Bevan’s anxiety in the first panel; Bevan’s hood is a little like his security blanket, a way to hide the physical manifestation of his grief and guilt, so when he’s challenged in a way that directly taps into those emotions, he reflexively pulls down–real tight–on his hood.
While Bevan, Kenosh, and Rathik get the spotlight this week, you can see a little bit of Hardin thrown over Kenosh’s shoulders like a gunny sack of millet. The warlord has no doubt seen better days, as was rendered very recently by new reader Andrew! Check it out!
Hardin looks appropriately imposing, Andrew! I think you captured his look and demeanor very nicely. We’re so happy that you found the comic, and that you found it enjoyable enough to warrant such wonderful guest art! Welcome to the Western Deep readership, and we hope you enjoy all the twists and turns to come.
And for our other readers and creators, if you’d like to share any Western Deep related guest art that we can share with the rest of the readership on new page releases, you can ping us on Twitter via @TheWesternDeep, or you can email us directly at hello(at)westerndeep.net. We’d love to see your Western Deep creations and share them with the community!
Have yourselves a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see you all next week!
Rahik????
Rahik don’t do that …. don’t sacrifice yourself, hardin and Kenosh are both battered.
Poor Bevan, this situation will take its toll on him
Wait ?! Traitor?! What traitor ?! They mean Kenosh?
Yes, I think that they mean Kenosh, Tamian guardian.
Oooh, that speech bubble from Rathik in the last panel. I can just hear the gravel in his voice, just from how that was done. And it looks like we’re leading up to what’s depicted on the cover of Chapter 4, too.
I like that info about Bevan. Very cute! Also, loved how you described Hardin as a gunny sack, filled specifically with millet.
Cool artwork, as always! So many talented artists reading this!!
Evamere basically said everything I was thinking :) I will add this tho, it looks like Bev is in charge of the Eira escort, not Rhosyn. I would have thought of Rhosyn as more of a leader type than Bevan, but I guess not.
At first I didn’t understand why in the second panel, Kenosh is lifting his hand like that, but then I noticed in the third panel that Bevan is mirroring the gesture. I think Kenosh is indicating Bev’s tattoos, reminding him that it’s not only the story of Hardin’s band at stake, but also the memory of his lost tribe.
Nice catch there. I didn’t even notice that until you pointed it out – and even if I had, I might have dismissed it as Kenosh dabbing at his Rathik-scratched face. Good character interplay, of the sort we’ve come to expect from “BWD.”
Wow, great eye, Thanks Birdie for that :D
Heh, I didn’t even think of the possibility that he was touching the scratches, at first I thought it looked weirdly as though he was cupping his hand (paw?) around his mouth to whisper what he said to Bevan. \( )/ I dunno. That’s why there’s loads of us readers- one of us is bound to get it right. :)
Indeed ^^
The “Awooo’s” get me. Every single time.
Another excellent page, as has been commented on and dissected.
And excellent guest art too. Andrew’s stockier, heftier take on the character reminds me a little of the art Tracy Butler did for Volume 2. Good work!
Thanks for liking the art (My real name is, indeed, Andrew)! Hardin’s arm wrappings do make his arms a bit poofy—but you’ve got to insulate somewhere when your entire culture collectively refuses to wear shirts in the cold Northern Wastes—even if it’s snowing.
Ok Alex, I voted for your Webcomic to be one of the best of the best, so I hope that at the end of the Ringo Awards event that your webcomic wins this, So for now, I’ll wish you the best of luck on having a productive day, & keep up the good work buddy. ;)
Although I would reeeealy love to see dramatic Rathick fight with canids, I think that the action will end here soon, without showing the dramatic momentary fight and Rathik’s death – the whole situation preceding this panel just asks to end it here on one or more next two pages, being a great brilliantly composed bracket of these dramatic events. That is why I love this piece of art, know as “Beyond the western deep” webcomic. Rachel and Alex, Thank you that you created it.
Yeah, for you, maybe. But I, on the other hand, would reeeealy love to see some fun hiatus stories, ones that involves Cain & Yurk getting into another wacky shenanigans, due to their thrill seeking exploits, like them ending up at some Ice cave or Crystal cave, while fooling around with their goofy reflections. Believe me, cause a story with a few laughs in-between, is definitely something worth reading about, ya know.
Well, I rather meant not the end of the entire chapter, but the end of this whole dramatic scene, with the action being moved to another place. I also hope that when the whole chapter is over, we won’t have to wait too long for the next one, although everyone needs a break from what they do all the time from time to time, it is obvious. For me Cain &Yurk are okay as kinda of longer intermission, but I am mainly here for the Alex&Rachel BWD webcomic.
True, true Jakub, & since I’m mainly here for the BWD webcomic as well, I can’t argue with that logic. Therefore, you have my respect, bro. :)
Thanks for sharing my art! (Yes, my real name is Andrew) I’ve always interacted with stories I love by making fanart, and it’s a rare privilege to share that with the folks who inspired you in the first place.
Thanks for sharing my art! (Yes, my real name is Andrew) I’ve always interacted with stories I love by making fanart, and it’s a rare privilege to share that with the folks who inspired you in the first place.
(Sorry, getting used to the posting features)
Don’t worry, I’ve done that a few times. ;)
Question for Rachel, how to you go about the color process? I’m begining the color phase of a short comic project of my own, but I’m not very confident with color. any tips or advice?