The Abyssal Dunes: Page 04
Before I talk about Cain’s amazing facial expression, I need to take a moment to broadcast the following PSA:
THE RINGO AWARD BALLOTS CLOSE ON JUNE 20th!
PLEASE VOTE FOR “BEYOND THE WESTERN DEEP” IN THE BEST WEBCOMIC CATEGORY BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: https://t.co/EXCvNsgUKa.
As I’ve mentioned in the months leading up to this final announcement, Beyond the Western Deep has been released steadily over the last seven or so year, and we’ve never really desired any kind of award win. Having readers that regularly enjoyed the comic has and always will be our primary concern!
That said, I think we’ve been putting out some wonderful material across 2018-2019, and we’re going to start pursuing these a bit more. If anything being nominated or winning an award like this would help us gain some more attention and grow the readership, which is always a good thing.
So please, if you have not yet, please fill out the ballot by following the link above. Spread the word to friends and family, anyone who might be interested!
Anyway, that’s the last time I’ll be posting about the Ringo Awards here (until next year)! So, on with the page!
You’ll notice from the thumbnail that the panel orientation isn’t quite the same as it is in the final page. That happens quite a bit, not just in this comic but in any comic. There are plenty of Western Deep pages where the initial thumbnail has a different layout, or additional panels to show actions or movements that don’t work as the details come together.
Sometimes it’s that some actions don’t need quite as much detail as had been planned, and things just work in a single panel. Sometimes it’s the opposite, and an action needs a little more time to breathe; which was the case here. Originally, Cain slamming his poor foot into a rock was a one-panel moment, shown from a distance, from behind.
In practice, breaking that action out into three discrete panels (showing anticipation, action, and reaction) really helped sell the moment much better than a simple trip and fall.
Also, let’s talk about Cain’s wonderful facial expression here.
COMPUTER.
ENHANCE.
HRRRNNNGGG! That’s the look of pain, right there. Sudden, immediate, and unexpected pain. Blow it up to 10 feet tall and hang it in the Louvre, I say.
For guest art this week, a piece by Holt5 that was posted in the community Discord a little while back. Check it out:
Hardin and Ashtor in Wildling-inspired dress struggling against the harsh colds of the Northern Wastes! I love how perfectly this image sells the bitter cold and wind clearly bearing down on them. I’ve been through a few sub-zero New England winters in my time and I can relate to this kind of awful cold.
The feeling of freezing cold is so well-captured in this image that I even buy the two of them putting shirts on. I get it. It’s that cold. Scandalous, I know, but some of those winters can get pretty nasty.
That looks like more than a stubbed toe to me.
I mean, it’s going in a different direction than the others.
“OOOOOUUUUUCH.”
And thus we see the perils of a shoeless society. Wonder if Redwallers or Zootopians ever encounter such problems?
If anyone ever makes shoes in Dunia, they’re gonna be stinking rich.
I’m now starting a GoFundMe for Cain’s stubbed toe. Please donate generously.
Donated already ^^
You’re a saint.
By the way, that’s awesome artwork Holt! I’m getting chills just looking at it.
Btw you are new out there or someone from discord, if I can ask?
I’m kinda new. I found the comic all the way back in April but didn’t make an account until last Sunday. I’m not part of the Discord and, to be fair, I didn’t even know you guys had one!
How about you?
I think I am here around year? Since chapter 3, page 67.
And for discord it is closed for now. People who participated in the kickstarter was given access however.
Still if you (anyone) wanna talk you can write to me ravandel123@gmail.com
Much obliged!
Ouch, even seeing the panel made me wince! Let’s hope he doesn’t need to do any running away in the near future…
Oh God now I feel he’s going to need to run in the near future.
Also, that bit of speech bubble left in your avatar bothered me so I tidied it up: https://imgur.com/gV4cTlY
Wow, thanks! Much appreciated. I gotta say, it looks a lot cleaner. It bugged me a little too when I couldn’t crop it out without cutting off half my snout.
Damn Cain, you’re giving Beck some competition for scariest teeth!
Those are some terrifying gnashers.
I really enjoy the art done in this comic. I find it interesting how they mention “Nash things in the dark” before Cain has his little painful act. It seems to me there about to face some “nasty things.” A definite Chekhov’s gun happening.
Jerome’s art style is really good, isn’t it?
Most definitely. It’s beautiful.
Jerome conveyed Cain’s pain so well that I cringed. That shows it’s got to be good.
Yes, let’s rush into the dark, creepy ancient ruins as night is coming on with no idea of the layout of the place. NOTHING could possibly go wrong. ;) Greedy weasels!