Try blocks of ice covered with hay. Vane, is that poor old Diamonds under ice you got there? Ah Erin, I kind a thought the train would be more wreck then that.
Ice and straw… Diamonds? Vane’s posture walking into the cave seems relaxed, like she knows this place well… The instruments are arranged as if for a surgery.
The steam, the clearer air by the time Vane gets down to the bottom, and the lighting in the cave – all well done. The split tree also shows the usual careful observation, too.
And I guess my expectation of an explosion at the bottom made no sense. Nothing explosive about a steam engine (unless the boiler blows from no release of pressure). It would just vent all the steam and then lie there. When I think about it, most of the photos I’ve seen of derailed steam engines looked unexpectedly intact – but they were built to withstand so much force that a fall or crash did comparatively little damage. I’m too accustomed to auto wrecks, and of course cars are built entirely differently.
Exactly, “unless the boiler blows from no release of pressure”. Which is why Vane checked the pressure valve in the last page and released the steam left in the boiler by pulling that handle (you can see the steam billowing out when she jumps). And here I had been wondering why she’d bother to do that before jumping off *facepalm* It’s all so clear now!
I can almost smell or taste the change in the air, how much clearer, quieter,softer it is as she approaches the cave. I do love how you set mood so very well!
Merciful Heaven! you owe us nothing of the sort. If is gives you any measure of comfort, please DON”T concern yourself about “over-sharing.” The pain must go somewhere. You will, I fear, never, be rid of it, but if this helps at all to lessen it, we understand. ___________________________________________ With your permission only, I will post this at Napalm Luck. They are a good group, and have helped me through a deal of pain myself. Th e primay topic on the Forum is Chris Hazleton’s MISFILE Web comic, but a considerable number of them are fans of yours. This is why I ask permission. Many will find their way to you on their own. This will open the flood gates. I also understand with the freshness of the pain, there is a limit to how MUCH you want to share.
I’m sorry to hear about the rough time you’ve been having. I was out of touch with the internet because of travelling the last couple of weeks, so I just found out. Have a belated virtual hug from me as well.
About today’s page, I like the amount research that went into this scene – the locomotive is somewhat mangled but not totalled (except for the wooden cab, I’m assuming, which would have been reduced to splinters) and it didn’t blow up like in a Hollywood movie. In fact, steam engines are quite resilient because of their thick plate needed to deal with large pressures and there are scores that fell from bridges and then were repaired and sent back into service, as long as the boiler is kept from bursting (in this case by opening up the valves, which Vane did on the last page).
And it seems people were right, she does need the parts to fix Diamonds.
Good question – It’d be interesting if Vane accidentally discovered pycrete. I bet it could be useful in her fight against Hunter, considering the fact it melts a lot slower than regular ice…
I’m not sure whether to be happy that Diamonds isn’t completely gone yet or sad that the poor horse just can’t be allowed the peace of a good death.
…okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a bad person. This page has me smiling. Though I do wonder if she realizes the hypocrisy of it all what with the whole potentially-hating-Hunter-for-not-letting-her-die thing (assuming that THAT is what it’s really about)…
I do hope you are taking care of yourself. The comic, as awesome as it is, can wait. Pages like this certainly make it more than worth it.
Good point Annie if indeed that is what Vane is angry about. It’s a real mystery, this web comic is. You never know what’s around the next corner. I’m still wondering what happened to the posse looking for Vane and John Henry?
Now, did I miss something regarding our wonderful artist/writer? Is she sick with something? Erin, if that’s so I wish you God speed and a speedy return to your healthy self very soon.
She’s deleted the post which was personal and something difficult emotionally. I won’t repeat it here, it’s her story but anyway we’re all glad she’s back.
I don’t mind waiting. Gives me a chance to re-read the two issues on my comixology app 😉
Take whatever time you need.
Glad you’re back.
Thanks for the update.
Being from the 21st century as I am, I can’t help but think of that shape in the background of the final panel as a pile of 13 inch TV sets.
Try blocks of ice covered with hay. Vane, is that poor old Diamonds under ice you got there? Ah Erin, I kind a thought the train would be more wreck then that.
Ice and straw… Diamonds? Vane’s posture walking into the cave seems relaxed, like she knows this place well… The instruments are arranged as if for a surgery.
The steam, the clearer air by the time Vane gets down to the bottom, and the lighting in the cave – all well done. The split tree also shows the usual careful observation, too.
And I guess my expectation of an explosion at the bottom made no sense. Nothing explosive about a steam engine (unless the boiler blows from no release of pressure). It would just vent all the steam and then lie there. When I think about it, most of the photos I’ve seen of derailed steam engines looked unexpectedly intact – but they were built to withstand so much force that a fall or crash did comparatively little damage. I’m too accustomed to auto wrecks, and of course cars are built entirely differently.
So good to have you and NTO back this week!
Exactly, “unless the boiler blows from no release of pressure”. Which is why Vane checked the pressure valve in the last page and released the steam left in the boiler by pulling that handle (you can see the steam billowing out when she jumps). And here I had been wondering why she’d bother to do that before jumping off *facepalm* It’s all so clear now!
I can almost smell or taste the change in the air, how much clearer, quieter,softer it is as she approaches the cave. I do love how you set mood so very well!
Merciful Heaven! you owe us nothing of the sort. If is gives you any measure of comfort, please DON”T concern yourself about “over-sharing.” The pain must go somewhere. You will, I fear, never, be rid of it, but if this helps at all to lessen it, we understand.
___________________________________________
With your permission only, I will post this at Napalm Luck. They are a good group, and have helped me through a deal of pain myself. Th e primay topic on the Forum is Chris Hazleton’s MISFILE Web comic, but a considerable number of them are fans of yours. This is why I ask permission. Many will find their way to you on their own. This will open the flood gates. I also understand with the freshness of the pain, there is a limit to how MUCH you want to share.
I’m sorry to hear about the rough time you’ve been having.
I was out of touch with the internet because of travelling the last couple of weeks, so I just found out. Have a belated virtual hug from me as well.
About today’s page, I like the amount research that went into this scene – the locomotive is somewhat mangled but not totalled (except for the wooden cab, I’m assuming, which would have been reduced to splinters) and it didn’t blow up like in a Hollywood movie. In fact, steam engines are quite resilient because of their thick plate needed to deal with large pressures and there are scores that fell from bridges and then were repaired and sent back into service, as long as the boiler is kept from bursting (in this case by opening up the valves, which Vane did on the last page).
And it seems people were right, she does need the parts to fix Diamonds.
Wait she derailed the train to get the spare parts to fix Diamonds?
She never expected Hunter at all?
Might be unrelated, but I wonder if Vane would know anything of the work of Geoffrey Pyke
Good question – It’d be interesting if Vane accidentally discovered pycrete. I bet it could be useful in her fight against Hunter, considering the fact it melts a lot slower than regular ice…
I love being entertained by you, just make sure you take care of yourself and don’t overdo it now, ok?
I’m not sure whether to be happy that Diamonds isn’t completely gone yet or sad that the poor horse just can’t be allowed the peace of a good death.
…okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a bad person. This page has me smiling. Though I do wonder if she realizes the hypocrisy of it all what with the whole potentially-hating-Hunter-for-not-letting-her-die thing (assuming that THAT is what it’s really about)…
I do hope you are taking care of yourself. The comic, as awesome as it is, can wait. Pages like this certainly make it more than worth it.
Good point Annie if indeed that is what Vane is angry about. It’s a real mystery, this web comic is. You never know what’s around the next corner. I’m still wondering what happened to the posse looking for Vane and John Henry?
Now, did I miss something regarding our wonderful artist/writer? Is she sick with something? Erin, if that’s so I wish you God speed and a speedy return to your healthy self very soon.
Look back a page and read her posting.
She’s deleted the post which was personal and something difficult emotionally. I won’t repeat it here, it’s her story but anyway we’re all glad she’s back.
I didn’t actually delete anything; it wasn’t in a comic post so paging back won’t get you there, though.
It was/is on the main page: still the most recent newspost.
Thanks though Karyl – I appreciate the discretion.