Comments on: Secret of the Beaufort Sea – Page 34

By: ThreeOneFive

ThreeOneFive — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 17:12:07 +0000

Yes, when we were plotting this portion of the story we actually kicked around ideas for more traditional challenges for Joe. None, unfortunately, were as cool sounding as your examples, and we just didn’t feel there were enough pages available to give space to a traditional challenge and the tragedy. At a page a week you’ve got to keep things moving…

Well, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on our work. Real constructive criticism is a tough thing to come by.

I hope you enjoy the upcoming conclusion to Secret of the Beaufort Sea!

Thanks!

By: Olivier

Olivier — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 16:31:45 +0000

I see. Because of the magical background I expected a more traditional, i.e., fairy-tale kind of challenge: blood from dry bones, a seal to catch and kiss, that sort of thing. Forcing Joe to bear witness makes sense, too, but could have been presented a bit differently.

By: ThreeOneFive

ThreeOneFive — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:49:41 +0000

First, I wouldn’t consider watching an entire village die a “pleasurable time”…

Regardless, the Shaman believed that if Joe saw that Armstrong’s punishment was justified (as he says on page 27) then Joe would not seek to release him from the curse. So, Joe’s challenge was to bear witness to the tragedy that befell the Inuit people, which was brought upon them (unknowingly) by Armstrong, and then make a choice to either help him or let his punishment continue. Even after witnessing the death of Inuit children, Joe still chooses to forgive and honor his promise.

Now, you are correct, we did not spell that out explicitly in the text, and we debated whether or not we should do so. In the end, we didn’t want to weigh down the pages with heavy-handed exposition.

On page 33, The Shaman asks Joe three questions that I believe explain the nature of the challenge. In the Inuit graveyard, the first thing that the Shaman says to Joe is, “Now…do you see?” Basically saying, “Now that you’ve seen things from my point of view, do you understand why I’ve cursed Armstrong?” And then in the following panels he asks Joe, “Your answer…does it remain the same? Do you still seek to save the sea captain?”

So, it all boils down to this – the challenge was to witness a terrible tragedy and chose between forgiveness and revenge.

Joe chose forgiveness.

By: Olivier

Olivier — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:38:37 +0000

I don’t understand… What is the challenge Joe completed? He just a spent a very pleasurable time among the Inuit, where nothing was expected of him. How is that a challenge?

By: ThreeOneFive

ThreeOneFive — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:13:21 +0000

Welcome aboard, Timmagio!

Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you are enjoying the Daredevils, and we’ll keep doing our best to keep you on the edge of your seat.

By: ThreeOneFive

ThreeOneFive — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:11:48 +0000

You’re assuming the Custer survives what comes next!

Joe may have completed the challenge, but the Daredevils are not out of the woods yet…

By: TKG

TKG — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:54:17 +0000

Seriously, that has got to be the funniest way to exit a spirit challenge of some sort. I just hope the ritual they have to do works.

By: Timmagio

Timmagio — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:18:27 +0000

This comic gets better and better. It is without a doubt the most suspenseful one I read, I am genuinely excited every Tuesday to see what it happening next. Chapeau, as they say here in Geneva.

By: T. Gatto

T. Gatto — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:04:19 +0000

They are going to need a month in dry dock, just to pound the dents out of the Custer.

I guess Joe and Cup will not need a bath after all, as they just had a nice swim in the Ocean, dodged that bullet!