Chapter 17 page 5
posted 18th Feb 2023, 1:53 PM

18th Feb 2023, 1:53 PM
Saeriellyn
First page done entirely on my new mobile studio...there's a bit of a learning curve even though the software is the same, and I feel like it's a little rough thanks to the scale and resolution of the smaller screen. But in keeping with my "just get it done" philosophy, on we go! Doli meltdown in 3...2...1...
user comments
18th Feb 2023, 2:09 PM
Skyboy91
This is great! I love how you give this scene the time and buildup it deserves. The Doli expressions are outstanding, especially how you can feel his frustration building up to the eye-popping last panel, LOL. Can't stand to see a botched job!
Glad you're enjoying the new mobile setup. ;-)
19th Feb 2023, 5:55 PM
Saeriellyn
Thank you! It’s definitely helping me stay a little more committed to the artwork.
18th Feb 2023, 3:35 PM
felixp7
Welcome back! That's so funny. You can practically hear the fuse burning, in the last panel.
19th Feb 2023, 5:56 PM
Saeriellyn
Oh yeah. Like all perfectionists he can’t stand to see anything done /not/ like he would do it.
20th Feb 2023, 6:12 PM
Honzinator
20th Feb 2023, 6:41 PM
Peter Wulfdane
Totally off-topic, but seeing you use 'indubitably' made me grin, and here's why: My older brother has always been in love with words, and the fancier and more obscure, the better. Some time back we started the War of Positive Affirmations, which means that one of us will say, "Indeed."
Then the other will respond, "Yes." (very deep and dignified)
Then, "Of course."
"Indubitably."
"Certainly."
"Without question."
...and my personal favorite: "Incontrovertibly."
And so on, until one or the other runs out of Positive Affirmations and the skirmish is over. :) You'd be surprised just how many ways there are of simply saying 'yes'.
18th Feb 2023, 4:42 PM
StLOrca
“I canna stand t’ see good wood so mauled by yer Golem-like mitts, ye great lumberin’ land haddock! Give over and I’ll show ye how t’ make a proper cage, ye two-legged ox! Crivens!”
19th Feb 2023, 8:44 PM
StLOrca
Have you ever read Terry Pratchett's Wee Free Men? Doli and his brethren have to be cousins of the Nac Mac Feegle. Ah waily waily!
20th Feb 2023, 6:18 PM
Saeriellyn
No, I haven’t. But Pratchett seems to pop up a lot in fantasy lit conversation so I guess I should!
18th Feb 2023, 4:43 PM
Zosia (Guest)
So good to see a new page! I’ve been missing this! Taran deep in concentration is so adorable here, and Doli is as comedic as always. I shall be eagerly awaiting the impending meltdown — heat shield up. 😎
18th Feb 2023, 5:59 PM
Cass (Guest)
19th Feb 2023, 5:57 PM
Saeriellyn
He really can’t. I think it’s one of the reasons the Fair Folk are impatient with Humans. They think we’re a bunch of hacks.
18th Feb 2023, 8:52 PM
Guest
I've always loved Doli in this part of the story, because his actions (probably in the next page) are probably a combination of how he genuinely can't stand seeing Taran's terrible cage, whether he'd feel safer with the "enemy" being in his cage than Taran's, or whether he's also kind of feeling that, despite the group being a nuisance to him and them not making the choices he would've, he likes them enough to offer a bit of a helping hand.
Also, not a big deal, but on the third panel, Taran says "cloaak" with an extra a.
20th Feb 2023, 6:13 PM
Honzinator
Hey, it could have been the Roman disposal river ... "cloaca" ... that'd've been worse.
18th Feb 2023, 9:26 PM
Peter Wulfdane
Heh...just noticed Eilonwy's expression looking over Doli's head, almost as if Fflam can see the things she would LIKE to say and is silently trying to get her to keep her mouth shut :) And Doli's meltdown is gonna be epic...
Fantastic page, I honestly didn't notice any difference in quality so I think your new setup is working fine.
I'm sure this has been said a hundred times before, but one of the greatest things about this comic, I believe, is the attention to all the small details, even with the less refined style, that really makes it feel like you are actually watching the events in real time...if that makes sense? And it is even more remarkable when you consider the extreme sparcity of the original text. Like, you've taken so little in the way of outright exposition and turned it into a full and detailed representation that more does more than justice to the source material. I've been shaking my head lately over the absolute crap that is the Rings of Power series, and so it is extremely refreshing to come back to a fan project that actually respects, and may I even say elevates, the canon from whence it came...and the reaction of the fans says it all. Great work as always.
18th Feb 2023, 9:30 PM
Peter Wulfdane
Also, and this just occurred to me too, I really love the comedic timing in the first two panels, with Doli's angry little face abruptly ruining the moment, or what feels like the 'hint' of a moment, between Eilonwy and Taran... XD
18th Feb 2023, 10:30 PM
Saeriellyn
Yes, you noticed that! I feel like this moment is a turning point in Eilonwy’s estimation of him, and as such wanted to have some subtle tells to that end.
Speaking of, if you haven’t been following, I’m now adapting The Castle of Llyr as one of my Eilonwy-centric rewrites. There are…a LOT of moments. You might enjoy it - hunt up my fanfic account again if you want to check it out.
4th Mar 2023, 7:10 PM
Saeriellyn
Both! Look for “Rising Crescent, Rolling Tide” in the associated sections. (Lloyd Alexander on ffnet and Chronicles of Prydain at ao3)
19th Feb 2023, 8:32 PM
CM (Guest)
Rough or impressionistic?
It looks great!! I can hear and feel the wind in this page: the way you show it in Taran and Eilonwy's hair.
I agree: the attention to these small details makes all the difference! The eye-roll E gives; Taran's wide-eyed gratitude and enthusiasm to her in the first panel; the way Doli looks like his face will explode from anger in the second panel.
Great to have another gorgeous page!
20th Feb 2023, 3:52 AM
CM (Guest)
Also--whoa!! Somehow the lower half of the page got cut off when I was reading it the first time. That half is lovely, as well, and now I get all the "Twitch" comments.
20th Feb 2023, 6:12 PM
Honzinator
20th Feb 2023, 11:17 PM
mvaneerde
21st Feb 2023, 1:16 PM
Gardosh (Guest)
Absolutely love Doli's face in the last frame. Made me laugh out loud remembering the scene. Brilliantly done! :D
27th Feb 2023, 6:22 AM
David Chmelik (Guest)
I'm still enjoying the comic! I started reading in its first year, and noticed its in its eighth year now, which it was one of the larger series I read as a child (apart from Lord of The Rings) but I had hoped it might be finished before so many years... I forgot much the story but guess there's not much longer to go. I hope you'll get to the rest of the series also, even if it'd take a few more decades. Some earlier pages (at least cover, chapter title pages, maybe some older content pages) were more like standard comic book shape, which I think were nicer... I noticed in recent months the pages got much thinner, more like 'webtoons' which are easier to read on pads/tablets/phones but I think standard comic book pages within 11x17" are best for desktop (and would be nicer if ever made ebook).
1st Mar 2023, 2:01 AM
Saeriellyn
I also wish it were finished by now, but alas I have no one to take over housekeeping, childcare, bill paying, appointment-making, exercising, cooking, and the 30-hour work week of “real job” I put in so that I can devote every minute of my spare time to providing a free comic.
I made the switch to a vertical format with some waffling, but in the end this project is not ever going to be printed or published as a book, so it made more sense to take advantage of the endless scroll capability. Most people read on their phones, and I cannot please everyone, so I settle with pleasing myself. I’m glad you’ve followed for so long! And I’m sorry it’s going so slow. Hope you continue to enjoy it despite it all.
13th Mar 2023, 4:29 AM
CM (Guest)
I hope you know that longtime readers are very, very grateful and enthusiastic about this comic, provided completely for free and made with such love, care, passion, and attention to emotional and physical detail and characterization!
3rd Mar 2023, 12:18 AM
Thracecius
Such vibrant colors! It also looks like a subtle style change in the appearances of Eilwony and Taran, almost as though they've grown a bit more mature?
None of that matters though, because Doli is too hammy to let anyone notice anything but him. :D
Nice to have you back, Saeriellyn, and I'm glad you have more (or just different) resources at your disposal! I know you'd like to put out pages faster, but right now I can almost keep up with your update schedule...almost. o.O February was a dumpster fire and March isn't looking much better :D
13th Mar 2023, 8:42 PM
Saeriellyn
Thank you! Life has not slowed down, but I am cruising right along with it. About to finish up some commission work I’ve been tied up in, so hopefully I’ll have some new pages up soon.
13th Mar 2023, 11:40 PM
Thracecius
Once again ComicFury mangled my post. I'll try to clean it up so it's intelligible when I get home.
3rd Mar 2023, 2:33 PM
Tea (Guest)
I have this comic bookmarked, and whenever I remember it's here and open it to discover new pages I am absolutely thrilled with excitement. I've been following this for a while and it's been inspiring for me. It reminds me of my love for these books and characters, of my love for art, and the power of dedication of a creative project. Beautiful pages <3 I adore the opening panel! It's beautiful..
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