Say it ain’t so, Deveraux!
I have to admit that I’ve been anticipating this moment for a while now. Though it is indeed a total bummer THIS is the type of incident that can serve to kick off a character-defining story that stands the test of time. Is that the case here? Is this the end of the line for Deveraux or just the beginning? Keep reading, Daredevilers!
Also, the dramatic visual of Deveraux fading into shadows as his DDD patch flutters to the ground along with the line “I be a Daredevil NO MORE” is our humble attempt to pay homage to one of the most iconic moments in comic history…
Trust me, as creators, it is always a blast to put your own little spin on one of the touchstones of the medium. Hopefully, we did it a modicum of justice. Let history be the judge. Ha!
Be here NEXT WEEK for an EXPLOSIVE page! Some of you out there may be thinking, “Enough with the character drama, where’s the frickin’ plot already?” Well, simmer down there cowboy because in just 7 days the plot most certainly thickens!
Oh, and don’t forget (not that I would let you) about the MAILING LIST. Sign-up NOW to receive exclusive Deep Dive Daredevils content delivered DIRECT to your inbox every Friday. If you love the Daredevils there’s content and limited offers coming down the pike that you simply DO NOT want to miss. SIGN UP NOW and thank me later!
Welp, that’s another week in the books. Won’t be long now at all till we start sharing some of the news I’ve been teasing. We just have to get as few more details locked down and then the floodgates are going to open. I can’t wait…
Anyways, till next week!
-Matt-
Great page.
I knew what was coming; I got the mail, ignored the SPOILER label you put on it specifically on my behalf, read the script; total bummer.
Nevertheless, I’m very impressed by the page. The lower half is indeed an iconic image.
But I’m even more enthusiastic about the nice, suptle details:
The chaplain looks great with his spectacles being the most prominent feature. It demonstrates nicely how he is reduced to a mere observer, who knows that any words of comfort would not be listened to. (Humiliating for a preacher)
In panel two we can see Doc speaking to – and trying to convince – himself as much as Deveraux, and with about as much success.
And Deveraux’ process of withdrawel is brillantly illustrated by increasing the physical distance between him and the crew, and by him closing his eyes and averting his face from us.
I loved Guida’s art style in PBD, and was a little apprehensive of the change for EotE, because I found Smilton’s art for CC quite cheesy. Ok, that was par for the course for that story. I still think Smilton’s art is more candy-coloured (like the switch from Win2k to Win XP, back in the days), but he really gets the character moment accross, tense and intense. Can’t wait to see more.
Although I cannot break things down panel by panel, like Timothy, I picked up on all he said (some of it subconsciously). The imagery is indeed very well done!
In the end the page conveys 3 peoples pain, and in fact the entire crews pain, expressed on so many levels.
@T.Gatto: Although I cannot break things down panel by panel, like Timothy,
I DARE YOU!
First, I want to just say how much I look forward to everyone’s comments each week…
But yeah, Smilton knocked it out of the park on this page, and man-oh-man if only you could see the pages he is turning in for EotES Chapter 2 right now. You guys are going to be blown away!
Anyway, the biggest problem with the art on the Cajun Caper was that we wrote the script as if Danilo would be drawing it because we had never worked with Smilton before and didn’t know his strengths. As you noted, Smilton excels at the character moments, especially when we give them a little room to breath. In CC we had too many 6-7 panel pages(which Danilo thrives with), but you’ll notice now and going forward on EotES that the average panel count will be 4-5.
As team, we’re really starting to gel, I think.
I like your reflection about the team gelling. Comparing the current page with its script, I’d also surmise that because Smilton, like all of you, had learned more about the characters and the story he gave himself more leeway. It would be interesting to test this hypothesis by comparing the current page with the CC pages. Could you provide some of the older scripts as bonus material?
Notwithstanding your theorization (is that a word?), Smilton did IMO a really good job with CC page 2, which is a multi-panel action scene, even if compared with the similar PBD pages 9 and 10 by Danilo. (Releasing the scripts for these pages would be very much appreciated.)
Apologies to comic artists, and the rest of the creative teams, who certainly do not have an easy task.
I never before thought of it in terms of fitting the script to the artist.
I just figured they worked with whatever they were given, and tweaked it as needed. I really have no idea how much of the finished page can be attributed to the writer, artist, letterer, colorist etc…
In the end, it seems DDD has hit the lottery for artistic talent on the team.
@T.Gatto: Many webcomics are created by a single person who does everything that needs done, but those that are not definitely depend on excellent communication and collaboration. If you want to know more about the issues involved, I’d recommend the webcomic Spy@6teen (http://www.spy6teen.com/comic-1/page-1/), which has a blog where for many of the pages the process used to create it is decribed in all its glory.
My extremely brief foray into web comics, Called “Milk Carton Theater”,involved photographing some paper craft I designed, and adding captions.
They are a tribute to “Blue Milk Special”, a favorite Web comic that is in turn a tribute to “Star Wars”.
[[http://www.bluemilkspecial.com/?page_id=3017]]
My stuff is not quite as involved or artistic as DDD, but I do highly recommend “Blue Milk Special” for any SciFy or Star Wars fans.
1- I want a DDD patch for my patch collection.
2- Was it the engine/machinery we missed 2 strips ago? Now you have me guessing.
3- I just hope Deveraux finds redemption, and does not return to darker paths.
4- You mean Spiderman will not be joining the crew!? Bummer!
Hmm, Wikipedia tells me that there is a Diving Bell Spider, which lives in an air-bubble that looks conspicously like King Draculas machination to take Doc away from the sub. It could probably live around Fajro Kajpereo.
So if the island were subjected to a nuclear test, somewhat premature (in 1938), one of these spider could get radioactive, bite Deveraux, who would have shunned the evacuation order, and create the DDD’s very own Spiderman …
OOPS, sorry, Spoilers, my bad, …
1. You just never know what might happen…
2. It was. “Guessing” is exactly where we want you right now.
3. As do we all.
4. If Spider-man were to join the crew his costume would change to Orange and Blue and he would wear an eye patch over his costume in solidarity with Joe and Cup.
This may be inappropriate at this particular juncture but….
can I have his patch?
Nice page guys. -v
You know I hear slightly used D.D.D. patches go for HUGE bank on ebay especially if it’s tied to a major name….
The DDD patches are a hit! Who knew?!
Thanks, guys.