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I have to applaud Gisèle Lagacé today. Her work in Penny and Aggie is usually phenomenal, but today's strip shows the proper use of cut-and-paste work. According to Gisèle, "I drew one panel as a skeleton which contained Penny with no features and the basic background. I then copy pasted it to make my four panels. I faded the art to a 10% gray, printed it and drew my final pencils on top. Meaning, I had to draw each panel... 'cause although quite similar, they are different." If you take a close look at each panel, you can see that they are all different. It's just subtle. Considering how many people use cut-and-paste to save time, perhaps more people should try Gisèle's method. It takes a little extra time, perhaps, but it allows for the artist to keep the characters at similar distances and with other such similarities. And it also lets the artist strengthen his or her skills by requiring further drawing, even if it's inking over existing work.
A quick note concerning "To Save Her" (Jennifer Reitz's phenomenal tangential comic to her original classic Unicorn Jelly, today's update (#50) has an extra feature, a detailed drawing of the Tryslmaistan 'Multiversal Mover' that Kai is using to travel between tangential universes within the Tryslmaistan cosm. The detail of this drawing is absolutely superb, and is truly a work of art. Though I do have to warn you, there is partial nudity in today's update (from behind) for the regular comic.
Also, a chuckle toward OotS with further lawyer hijinks. To think that Sauron would sue Frodo Baggins for the Lord of the Rings affair... or even more amusingly, Voldemort (aka Riddle) would sue Hogwarts is quite delightful. Even better was bringing up the Wizard of Oz, and the Wicked Witch of the East... but not the West. The ending though... this shows that Rich Burlew continues to be on top of his game. Any trial in a comic promises to be potentially boring and clichéd. This one has everything but the kitchen sink. And for all we know, that boot might be holding one.
Robert A. Howard
 (From Red String. Click on image to see it full-sized.)
For the past half year, Red String has been delving in a story that is perhaps one of the richest and most moving of all the stories told to date in this comic. What's surprising about it is that the majority of this story focused on Fuuko, one of Miharu's friends, instead of the love story of Miharu and Kazuo, nominally the stars of the comic.
What's more, this story touched upon a subject of controversy and conflict with plenty of people, homosexuality. But instead of preaching or going for a trivial storyline meant to draw in people who think two girls together is "hot" and all that, Gina tells a story of consequences. (But then, many of the stories of Red String deal with consequences. Indeed, this could be considered one of the comic's themes, as well as the idea of destined love.)
As with most storms, it started so unexpectantly. None of Fuuko's friends had guessed she was interested in Maya as more than a friend. Indeed, they were under the impression that Fuuko had a boyfriend. Still, the scene of her snuggling up to Maya could be innocent enough. It's just a nap.
Unfortunately, one innocent moment was caught on camera, and sent to the school. It started to circulate like wildfire, and not just Fuuko was caught in the whirlwind. Maya also bore the brunt of gossip and derision. (It's a sad fact of life that children, when presented with a vulnerable classmate, tend to lash out and try to tear them down. What's sadder is that they're just modeling what they see in their parents and other adult figures, but it can be truly painful at times. I speak as one of the persecuted here; much of my public school experience was decidedly unpleasant.)
Fuuko was understandably distraught when Maya refused to talk to her, but things would get worse for her when one of her teachers started scolding her in public about "improper behavior." (This is a sticking point for me, as well. Teachers shouldn't do this. Of course, Japan is a different culture than America, and these practices occur over there, and are accepted. But then, Mr. Arata's teaching style is significantly different than my own.)
Even with such pressure arrayed against her, Miharu stood by her friend, and even confronted the person behind the smear campaign. As with many such school incidents, it arose out of jealousy and opportunism (and Miharu herself shows a tendency toward physical bullying of others, though she's stopped before she does something she'll regret).
The natural progression of this type of story would be for the young heroine to persevere. With the presence and acceptance of her friends, she'd slowly prove her detractors wrong, and manage to regain the affections of the one she loved. (And we do learn that Fuuko believes she loves Maya, that this wasn't just her taking a nap next to someone she trusts and respects.) Unfortunately, life doesn't act this way. Instead, Fuuko learns that she and her parents are moving to Tokyo because of her father's job.
There is no perseverance. Instead, there's an abrupt ending. Fuuko won't be going to the same school any longer. She won't be with her friends. She won't be dealing with the snide remarks of those at the school. She won't be with Maya.
But there is closure, as Fuuko's friends tell Maya, and pretty much demand that she say goodbye to her friend.
And Maya comes. It's at the last minute... but she shows up to hug a friend goodbye... and in a truly touching scene, they kiss for the first, and probably last time.
But the story doesn't end there. This is Red String, and Red String is about consequences, it's about repercussions. Because Maya misses Fuuko. She enjoyed being with the girl. And a character who before now had been reviled and despised for her efforts to drive Miharu and Kazuo apart, so she could hopefully get out of her own arranged marriage, steps up to the plate, and is there for her friend. Karen reminds Maya of what's important even before Fuuko leaves. And now that Fuuko's left, she's there for her friend now.
Karen, who we learn is in love with another (and this so explains why Karen was so upset with Miharu singing about Shokujo and Kengyuu, because of the drawing Jun did of those two mythical lovers). Karen, who tried to drive Miharu and Kazuo apart because of her own dreams, her own desires, being taken away from her because of her parents plans for her. This girl, who for so long was struggling to take what she felt she deserved, who looked at herself first... reached out and held a friend in need. She hasn't turned against Maya.
So, what's next? Further fallout, no doubt. This whole situation would undoubtedly have died out naturally within a couple of weeks, except for a couple die-hard tormenters. But with Fuuko vanishing, there will be further rumors and things will escalate. Maya alone will be bearing the brunt of this, and the support that Miharu and her friends bring will no doubt be used against them.
And there's Maya's own feelings here. She does feel something for Fuuko. In time, maybe it would have been love. Or it might have just become a deep abiding friendship. But she's going to be facing the slings and arrows of her rivals, and she's not sure of herself. She doesn't know where to turn or what to do. Because they're right, partly.
It's been half a year now, and one of the three friends is gone. A story of the Red String of Fate, which seemed to be about Miharu and Kazuo, has grown to encompass all of Miharu's friends. Sparks are starting between Miharu's other friend, Reika, and Eiji Hayashihara, who himself has shown he's an honorable sort, even if he often seems irritable. (And Eiji has also joined this coterie of friends, keeping Miharu from striking another girl, or even going with the others as they celebrate one last day together before Fuuko has to leave.) And there's the Red String tying Fuuko and Maya together.
Who else will be entangled in this skein before the story is finally done? (Well, besides the kittens. But we knew they'd get tangled up in this back during my initial review of Red String...)
Robert A. Howard
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