First, let me say that I don’t subscribe to Charles’ beliefs.
Second, Charles Bouchier’s yacht, The Thrill-Seeker, is the final location for the story (less a denouement), so I really went full bore in setting up the exterior and interior of the vessel. To do that, I used a wonderful, free tool called Google SketchUp. I’ve used it elsewhere throughout the series, but with the sequence that I have in mind for the climax, I knew it would be difficult to keep the setting consistent from strip-to-strip and panel-to-panel without the use of the three-dimensional modeling tool. I read about SketchUp on Stuart (”New Avengers,” “Nextwave”) Immonen’s blog some time ago, and it’s a great resource.
I really liked the way this strip came out, especially Charles’ expression and body language and Tuck’s impotent rage over Ned’s death.
We’re in the home stretch now, friends. Thanks for sticking around, everyone.
- JEP
the dialogue is also very engaging.. its a nice set up for some gory violence.
Charles always reminds me of Stephen King with his nose smashed in.
Love the detail on the interior, especially the reel to reel player.
Love the details especially the reel to reel. Now I’ll have to go home and listen to “T” Plays it Cool on my reel.
Tracy-
Thank you, ma’am. I re-scripted the dialogue on the fly while I was lettering it. Charles’ original conversation was with his wife, who we learned, was at the Belmont residence to help out Caroline, and maybe some gossip. It made sense that she might be there, but the exchange came out more comical and petty than I wanted.
- JEP
Parker-
Charles is usually pretty fun to draw, because he has such a distinct look. He’s also easy to write, because I just think “mean, pompous, and entitled.”
- JEP
Matt-
I love that the reel-to-reel is getting so much love. I was wondering if it would even come out, so I’m pleased that folks are able to pick up on it. No way do you have the Trouble Man soundtrack on reel-to-reel?! Old school awesome!
- JEP
My dad use to have one of those reel to reel players. Ibet he still has it somewher. Classic 70’s stuff. Ned does look fun to draw and write.
I’ve heard good things about Google SketchUp .. nice to see how someone has put it to good use.
Glad I found WoH even as it is coming to a finale. Are you planning to create new stories with Preacher as the main character? Or, a new series entirely?
AA-
It’s a fantastic tool, so make sure to check it out, especially the warehouse that includes models others have made.
I do have another story in the works featuring Pastor. The scope will be a little bigger than The Thrill-Seekers, and we’ll see more of the city of Pointe Blanc, especially the D’urville District and Pastor’s house. The story doesn’t directly play off the events of The Thrill-Seekers, but Rashid and The People’s Fist organization will play a significant part, and a couple other characters that I introduced in this storyline will also be in it.
- JEP
Title of comic: The Thrill Seekers.
Name of Boat: Thrill Seeker.
Coincidence? Is this where the story takes a right angle turn and we find that it’s actually about a fleet of renegade luxury launches in the vein of Thunderbirds. All these characters have been a distraction to the actual plot…
MAS-
Thrill-Seekers are GO!
- JEP
But is that Reel to Reel(I say it’s a Teac) used for playback or to record/blackmail influential guests(Like the Chief of Police)?
Of course, there would be a perfectly matched panel of that “way out” wallpaper to conceal it.
In the final showdown, I can see Pastor making a garrote out of the tape, both reels tumbling onto the deep shag carpet, unspooling a tangle of tape as his adversary’s face turns mottled shades of blue and red and Pastor growls a classic one liner to him like “Be kind rewind!”, “I just pressed pause on your life sucka!”, “Hi..Fi…DIE!”, ” Press play time is over!”, or whatever groan inducing line.
Gets better and better.
shouldn’t call this, “Things Fall Apart”…look at those shook ones! LOL