Comic Sketches: December 2019

December was a bit of a rough month production-wise for us on the team, but it also features what I think is one of the most well-directed bits of the comic thus far. Certain pieces of these updates were in development for a long time, and others were more recent developments.

The relationship between Pozzol, Vilcus and Taz was actually worked in since the end of Summer, with a lot of conversations between me, Heather and Donut (who created Vilcus). While VE doesn't usually take reader commands, one thing that we do like to do in the comic in order to further engage the fanbase with the world and cast is to add prevalent characters outside of the main 12. Many of which are created by other members of the team and fans, all of which enrich Repiton and the main cast. 

These updates are a core example of this, on top of being a general background for Taz's personality, relationship with Arcjec and her enforced faith, along with the reason for her actions throughout the story thus far. These really hit me where it hurt, and I felt myself well up many times during writing.

Without lighting effects

Note: The blood of the brownblood turns into Arcjec's cornsyrup blood as Taz looks at her hand. It's subtle, but if you notice it and piece together this fear that Taz has about hurting those around her on top of what we know ended up being the culmination of her friendship with Arcjec? It's not a fun thing to think about. And yet we must.

This is the full design of the bronzeblood victim. He looks very smug here, unlike in his actual appearance. 

The Ferocity Weaver didn't actually have any major significance at first. It was literally only put in as a gag that me and Heather alone found funny near the beginning of the comics run. We weren't even exactly sure what it did until semi-recently, when we decided that in sending the purplebloods chucklevoodoo/psyOP into overdrive that it allows them to basically bypass their own restraint. It doesn't make things pretty, but it makes it quicker and easier to handle in the moment. 

This also adds more weight to Taz's entry as well, not only due to the sentimental value of the object itself but the idea that she needs to be able to rely on others still. Something which she greatly struggles with. Because she's been brought up to learn she can only count on herself, and that anyone who even attempts to aid her pays dearly for doing so. This is what happens to Vilcus, and what she feared with Arcjec.

Originally, Taz was ONLY supposed to pretend that she killed Vilcus in cold blood in order to gain the respect of Pozzol and make him believe that she's turned over a new leaf. So that he'll stop worrying about his life and maybe even go a little easier on her. This didn't really make a whole lot of sense, especially with someone like Pozzol who is already irrational to anything beyond what he believes.

Me and Dee (our editor and notable VE helper) ended up deciding to change it to where instead of simply only pretending Taz killed Vilcus, that motion was only a part of the equation. Instead making it to where she takes a motion of ritual action with his blood, washing it over herself to essentially absolve him of what the creed considers sin. She takes his punishment onto herself, which Pozzol notes is a ballsy move that isn't normally done. And uses this as leverage to work and abuse Taz further by putting her in the big leagues at an age where she is unprepared for such a thing.

You might be wondering why Pozzol also didn't kill Arcjec also; there are reasons for that. Reasons involving Hulk Hogan and Weird Al, and what they wish to gain from The Game's circumstances. That and he also was much more entranced with the concept of taking his old best buddy Vilcus down a peg. Something that he's wanted to do since they first met before Taz even entered the picture, as Pozzol always believed he was of weak mind and soul. This situation just have him a reasonable in to do some potent physical and emotional damage.

Taz's response is probably one of my favorite pieces of the entire section. Arcjec's question is a stupid one because Taz herself wants to believe it can actually be true. That she can be loved and wanted by others without consequence.

That's all for December! A month of genuine pain, heartbreak, and catharsis for one of the most important pieces of this comic and its cast. People were asking for more Taz content and we were more than happy to monkey's paw it into existence. It was something very much needed, as she was the only main character without a moment like this thus far.

As the original VE decade draws to a close I want to say thank you whether you followed and supported us since the beginning, somewhere in the middle of the revival, or only recently. I can't wait to show you what we have in store for the newly roaring 20's.

See you next month!

- Austin