Page Commentary No. 232 (Patreon)

Gunwild: Modern ads on the sides of buildings and vehicles that change and move are so showy about it, with big complicated images... I like that this soft drink truck keeps it simple and direct. It's all variations on a very consistent theme.

Psu: It was also easier to draw... This page had a MUCH MORE complicated layout in the original sketch. But I think Gunwild was right, it was pretty hard to read. Do we still have the sketch of that somewhere? Maybe we can upload it here.

Gunwild: I do have it! I'll add it to the post. It's a really good idea that nests one story inside another, but between making it hard to tell what order to read the panels in, and the wrinkle that the inset panels are taking place outside of the space in which the outer panel happens... it offered more concessions to creative layout than rewards to story, I felt.

Psu: Mmm. It's something that calls attention to itself. But I think, if I may reveal this, a place where Gunwild and I differ tends to be that I like non-linear storytelling when it's done well. I think it's an interesting way to explore events according to emotional arcs and stuff. And it's why something like Cloud Atlas super works for me. But I think in this instance, on this page, it might've been more for showing off than adding to the story. Besides, I think people enjoyed the image of three very attractive heroines laying on top of each other in one panel.

Gunwild: I guess that is in there, but I was distracted by imagining Eyebot making diving sonar sound effects like a submarine in a movie. You know the sound I mean.

Psu: The video feed from Eyebot would be like that opening scene in Titanic where it deep dives in and around the ship. Except this time it's sexy ladies in space suits. Hey we should actually talk about the story here. How did we come up with the team's infiltration plan?

Gunwild: I think I was probably remembering the Alex Rider where he snuck a spy-weapon through security by hiding it in a two liter bottle of cola he had with him in a pizza delivery disguise. Cola, obviously, is dark and can conceal many evils, like that it's probably not awesome for your teeth.

Psu: I also liked the idea that, even though this is a super secret "evil" base that there are concessions to getting delivery of creature comforts. Like... how else do you feed the Death Star? Did they have a blue milk facility on that thing? You gotta restock your break room just like any other office space. And with the resources available to Cassiopeia, like calling on some friends, they could find where SO2DA was sending their automated supply.

Gunwild: Yeah, it's a covert paramilitary organization. But have you ever seen how military bases operate? Even their moving bases? There's not a carrier in the U.S. Navy that leaves port without a huge supply of ice cream. Besides, they've got a lot of captive scientists here, and those folks demand caffeine.

Psu: I've definitely seen at least ONE or TWO Food Network documentaries talking about the history of Hershey's Chocolate making sure to mention that they were included as military rations. MAYBE THAT WAS US HINTING TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS PLOT LINE.

Gunwild: I mean the people reading this commentary have already read the comic...

Psu: I should hope... man, that's a good way to end the commentary but I didn't get to talk about the visuals much! The visuals on this page are great. Deciding on the green and purple color scheme really set the tone for the entire chapter too. Also I'm glad the base looked crazy and complicated in that first panel. Oooh, also we didn't even get to talk about how great that Cat Burglar Panel is. It's great. I dunno why he's an 80's cat.

Gunwild: Because  we're still on a pastel-infused HEIST!