I thought I’d bring you a little Hell Up In Harlem flavor as we approach the end of The Thrill-Seekers. Once I decided that Thrill-Seeker was the name of Charles Bouchier’s yacht, I knew I had to have an action set piece occur on it. The set up for it was inspired by Fred Williamson’s daring raid on a mobster’s island retreat in Hell Up in Harlem, his 1973 follow-up to Black Caesar. It was a less than stellar film, but it boasted one hell of a poster (no pun intended).
- JEP
the angle of the 2nd panel is righteous!!! the pier and the goon standing it on it were nice touches to add to the perspective….
Can’t wait to see Pastor in that wet suit! …Assuming that is our favorite hero attaching the bomb to the boat’s hull.
I’m not sure what is better the passion in Tuck’s eyes or the “Oh s***” face his sudden uprising has caused in Charles. Can’t wait to see how this ends!!
Just went back and looked at the whole years worth of strips. And I have to say outstanding job. I am impresssed that you are able to keep the high quailty in every strip. This is going to make one awsome collection when you wrap up this story.
Easin’ In!
Hell Up in Harlem also had an awesome soundtrack too, Jay.
And as much as I’m looking forward to Charles and Tuck’s comeuppance, I’d like it if you played out their confrontation just a tad more, not only to break up all that dialogue, but to also surprise us to what’s coming up in that last panel.
This is where “talking heads” can give the drama just a lil’ more dynamite before a climax. Think Hitchcock meets Sergio Leone.
Just a minor critique on my part, cause I’m loving this tale of Badass Justice with every brush stroke and plot turn.
In the words of James Brown, “Now Take it to the Bridge!!!”
oh, btw—that’s some great character drawing and posing on ol’ Tuck and Charles in panel one.
Somebody’s gonna get HURT!
Mr. Man-
I was worried whether or not that second panel would read correctly, so I dropped a tone on the pier to make it pop out a little more. So thanks for the comment, because it alleviated some of my concerns about it.
Guess Who-
Sshhh! You’re gonna give it away…
Mell M-
I was really pleased with how Tuck turned out. I’ve always had a problem with that lips-drawn-tight-across-the-teeth scowl. Alan Davis (Excalibur, JLA:The Nail) depicts that look really well.
Summey-
Thank you, sir!
“dollar” Bill-
“Quick as a cat, just easin’ in.” It was so ridiculous watching Tommy Gibbs hitchhike into New York to avoid the mob, but that song is so incredible that it just absolutely sold that moment.
Mr. Patton-
Thanks for the critique. You made a very good point. Since I knew I was coming up on the one year mark, I think I was just so eager to reach the conclusion that I compressed some details that I would have let play out a little longer before. However, I underestimated the reader’s investment in the characters. Thanks again!
- JEP
I just noticed the poor bastard standing on the bridge. Who is he? Will he become “collateral damage” from our underwater diver’s work?