Seems more like a pseudo-magical telescope used to detect… something? There’s definitely something shining in the top-right of the view through the device.
MOST ASSUREDLY NOT, SIR/MADAM! There’re no reflective surfaces, and no pump/energy source (which would have to be a powerful light source for a ruby laser).
gold is generally a pretty effective reflector though, (though I’m not sure about specific wavelengths) so he could have used the rest of the necklace for that. but no, now he just has a dirty puddle, soon to be gross blob, of gold.
well…. JHH is a pretty potent energy source himself. if it *was* a laser he could start it. but eh, you’re probably right, does look more telescope than laser.
Infrared is a major producer of heat. With all he’s got (money, majic, flaming horse, a vengeful ex) I have to wonder what in this world he actually wants. Perhaps giant wildfires? Or does his James-Bond-Villainous quest end with something shiny?
So the red stone(s) and the instrument do go together… So when I look at this marvelous (and beautifully designed) gadget I see a finder like on telescopes (which JHH is using with the red stone – which appears to be able to detect what is invisible to the normal eye). I can imagine him then aiming using this side scope. Then the main portion of the instrument will be (I imagine) pointed at what he found with the red stone’s help. Then if a particular sort of light source is needed to power it, there is that blossom he picked up along the way…
It’s been a tiring day for John. I love the way he carefully hangs up his coat – ever the dandy.
I want to reach out and experience the beautiful way the instrument’s purple covering folds down out of the way. I think this device is an imaginative extension of the aesthetics and graceful precision of the science of the time. Our devices today have a seductive elegance (like Apple products – particularly their wireless mice) – but here is an over the top, mahogany and inlay, quilted satin, gold plated, late 19th century magnificence. Did you picture this right away, or did you have to research this to get what you were after? Did it only come after multiple sketches and changes?
Wonderful page. And the juxtaposition of Vane’s and John’s solo work, after assembling the needed ingredients, is thought provoking. In the bound edition I hope these pages end up as left and right leaves facing each other. Vane down in the dark, John up in the light… I can’t wait to see what you do next with this.
I admit it is a little confusing – but the last panel seems to be looking through the oval eyepiece of the main tube, not the round small one. I think the tube with the ruby and the stack of lenses is not a spotting scope, but rather a laser theodolite (a very precise rangefinder/angle measurement device used in surveying). The way everything in the eyepiece is red indicates that the main tube is looking through some sort of filter. Presumably whatever is making that bright sparkle only reflects in certain wavelengths not normally visible to the human eye. So, this elaborate device is necessary to discover the precise location of the Shiny Macguffin (or perhaps, the first of a series of beacons leading to the Macguffin).
Also the symbols on that wheel and his hands have these little red swirls around them, so he’s probably using his powers to use this thing accordingly.
Otookees theory seems pretty legit to me. But do we have any idea what that Macguffin might be?
I was wondering when the necklace would come back into play!!
Has he now got the equivalent of a ruby laser? This could be VERY bad!
Looks more like some kind of viewfinder. I could be wrong, but the design reminds me of a giant sextant.
At least, for the sake of everyone in the NTO I HOPE it’s not a laser!!!
Seems more like a pseudo-magical telescope used to detect… something? There’s definitely something shining in the top-right of the view through the device.
MOST ASSUREDLY NOT, SIR/MADAM! There’re no reflective surfaces, and no pump/energy source (which would have to be a powerful light source for a ruby laser).
gold is generally a pretty effective reflector though, (though I’m not sure about specific wavelengths) so he could have used the rest of the necklace for that. but no, now he just has a dirty puddle, soon to be gross blob, of gold.
well…. JHH is a pretty potent energy source himself. if it *was* a laser he could start it. but eh, you’re probably right, does look more telescope than laser.
Yeah, well, lasers may need all that, but technomagical death rays don’t necessarily.
Definitely not the “allen parson project” :Dr Evil:
Hunter is so handsome. I can’t believe Vane broke up with him
Looks aren’t everything…
Would love to see the look on his face if after all the trouble hes gone to get it, ends up not working.
As I recall, gold is a mirror to infrared. I’m not sure what the ruby like object does.
And now the fruits of his fiendish labors, BIRDWATCHING!
Infrared is a major producer of heat. With all he’s got (money, majic, flaming horse, a vengeful ex) I have to wonder what in this world he actually wants. Perhaps giant wildfires? Or does his James-Bond-Villainous quest end with something shiny?
So the red stone(s) and the instrument do go together… So when I look at this marvelous (and beautifully designed) gadget I see a finder like on telescopes (which JHH is using with the red stone – which appears to be able to detect what is invisible to the normal eye). I can imagine him then aiming using this side scope. Then the main portion of the instrument will be (I imagine) pointed at what he found with the red stone’s help. Then if a particular sort of light source is needed to power it, there is that blossom he picked up along the way…
It’s been a tiring day for John. I love the way he carefully hangs up his coat – ever the dandy.
I want to reach out and experience the beautiful way the instrument’s purple covering folds down out of the way. I think this device is an imaginative extension of the aesthetics and graceful precision of the science of the time. Our devices today have a seductive elegance (like Apple products – particularly their wireless mice) – but here is an over the top, mahogany and inlay, quilted satin, gold plated, late 19th century magnificence. Did you picture this right away, or did you have to research this to get what you were after? Did it only come after multiple sketches and changes?
Wonderful page. And the juxtaposition of Vane’s and John’s solo work, after assembling the needed ingredients, is thought provoking. In the bound edition I hope these pages end up as left and right leaves facing each other. Vane down in the dark, John up in the light… I can’t wait to see what you do next with this.
I admit it is a little confusing – but the last panel seems to be looking through the oval eyepiece of the main tube, not the round small one. I think the tube with the ruby and the stack of lenses is not a spotting scope, but rather a laser theodolite (a very precise rangefinder/angle measurement device used in surveying). The way everything in the eyepiece is red indicates that the main tube is looking through some sort of filter. Presumably whatever is making that bright sparkle only reflects in certain wavelengths not normally visible to the human eye. So, this elaborate device is necessary to discover the precise location of the Shiny Macguffin (or perhaps, the first of a series of beacons leading to the Macguffin).
Also the symbols on that wheel and his hands have these little red swirls around them, so he’s probably using his powers to use this thing accordingly.
Otookees theory seems pretty legit to me. But do we have any idea what that Macguffin might be?