2-3 The Tavern
Sunday, April 22nd, 2007– Commentary –
Craig: I love the misused quotation marks on the sign in panel 1. I can’t count how many “times” I’ve seen signs use quotes for “emphasis”.
J.D.: Instead of italics?
Craig: Instead of anything. Bold, underline, italics, color, anything! Using quotes around the pertinent words make it sound like —
J.D.: — you’re being sarcastic?
Craig: Sometimes. But more like — when I see a quoted word, the phrase that pops into my head is “so-called”. So the sign would read [Payment is so-called “due” when service is so-called “rendered.”] As though we’re not actually rendering any service, but that’s okay, because your payment is never actually due. 🙂
J.D.: Wow. Pet peeve of yours, huh?
Craig: (more rambling and grumbling)
J.D.: I tried a new shading style on this page. It worked well for the car and the bar. But not so well for the people.
Craig: Tell me more about your experimental shading style. What’s the difference?
J.D.: I used a different tool on the computer, called “RGB Tool.” It adds tones of black or white to whatever color it’s swept over. And it works very well for light-reflections on things like glass and metal. But skin and clothing reflect light differently, so the old style of darker or lighter tones with a brush palette is more effective on the people.
Craig: Yeah, I see what you mean. Using the RGB tool on the clothing makes it look kind of plasticy. But it looks great for shading objects and shadows.
J.D.: And since our comic doesn’t feature walking action figures, I figured I would go back to the old style of shading the characters. So now I use an amalgum of the two.
Craig: The Tavern was a new creation for Penance. None of the major roguelikes have anything like it (so far as I know). It’s a safe place where no fighting is allowed, and players can stock up and chat with each other.
J.D.: As far as stocking up goes, it kind of takes the place of the General Store. With a few magic items thrown in.
Craig: Right. That’s why there’s a big “1” on the sign outside in the last panel.
Craig: I take personal pleasure in the gallon jug of “Fine Grade Mush” in panel six. In Moria, there used to be a spell available to paladins called “Create Food.” When cast, an item would appear at your feet, and it was called “A pint of Fine Grade Mush.” It wasn’t particularly filling, but it meant that you could go down into the dungeon without any food. I miss Fine Grade Mush in Angband. Somehow “Satisfy Hunger” seems to… leave me empty. Like, my hunger is satisfied but I haven’t actually eaten anything. It’s like drinking lots and lots of caffeine. I’m really hungry, but I don’t care anymore!
J.D.: I think you’ve just hit upon an Angband weight loss strategy.
Craig: So — I drink Mountain Dew until I can’t blink and I’ll lose weight?
J.D.: Uhhhh–
Craig: I like this diet!
April 22nd, 2007 at 7:11 am
Talking about quatation marks,the first thing that comes to my mind is Dr. Evil from Austin Powers =)
Lucky’s more feminine than ever in Panel 2, it works. I find panel 5 the best in this comic, Maintainer’s wife (That is her right) looks very natural and her expression is like she heard something interesting. Heh, fine wine, rations, all the things general store in Angband sells.
And of course, Leon in the last panel makes me laugh. The atmosphere changes quite radically in that panel.
I kinda agree the new shading doesn’t work on people, Leon looks like he’s dirty or bruised. If that’s not the case, that is 😀
Is it just me or does the shadow in last panel look like an Angel?
April 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Finally gave in to Mountain Dew, eh? 😀
April 22nd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Shadow in the last panel got my attention too. But Lilith is no angel. That much is clear after few more pages.
Think about it: Marcus complains about his mother being cruel to punish him so, and he was in the box in Liliths warehouse. And Lilith was quite aware of what is in the box.
April 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Joel: Mountain Dew is very sweet and smooth, especially when very cold, but Mello Yello’s citrus bite still wins me over.
Unfortunately, Mello Yello is nearly impossible to find around here, so I make do with the Dew.
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:28 am
“Make do with the Dew” sounds like a new marketing slogan. 🙂
April 23rd, 2007 at 10:11 am
Mountain Dew is the perfect breakfast drink….one of the ingredients is Orange Juice (check the label).
I liked Surge when it was around….
Layne