First, thank you everyone for your support during what has been a difficult time for my family. I really don’t know what to say. I returned to Twitter earlier this week for the first time in about five weeks. If you follow me there, you know I’m pretty much in the “Anger” stage of mourning right now. However, I don’t want to go too much into my feelings here, because my Mom reads the strip and I hate to think of her being sad, so many miles away. (Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine.) However, I wanted to return the love and respect that all of you wonderful readers friends have shown us, so the best way I know how is to continue with what I’ve done in the past and give you more WORLD OF HURT.
Over time, I’ll get back up to speed with the blogs and whatnot. Thanks again for your patience and support.
- JEP
Look out for the KNIFE RACK!!!!
Always love those foreground foreshadows.
EXCELLENT storytelling in that last panel with the knife block in the foreground. The one missing knife and the knife in Pastor’s hand, tells us everything without having to show Pastor take the knife out of the block. Like the Harry Potter kids would say “BRILLIANT!”
Oh, is that a knife in his hand? I thought he was sliding a glass door shut behind him, and so we were to expect someone else in the house to have a knife.
Maybe a different angle or different style knife would’ve spelled it out more plainly to me. Or maybe I’m dense.
Is Vonetta waiting in the car? Or, did Pastor convince her to go home?
From the looks of things there aren’t any neighbors around for quite a ways. Nobody to get suspicious of Pastor sneaking around means nobody to throw a wrench in the action with an inconvenient three-digit phone call…
Doc,
Did they even have 911 in the 70’s? I know we didn’t get in SC until the 80’s.
Good to see WoH back! Incredible art as always.
Glad to see you back! My Wednesday comic reading just got better!
@Mistah Pete-
I originally had a different pose for Pastor, where it was a little more clear he was holding the missing knife from the rack, but I couldn’t pull it off to my satisfaction.
@Summey-
I made some pretty big jumps in time in this strip to move the scene along, so I’m glad it was largely successful.
@Guess Who-
I think she’s working on another part of the plot. I wanted to keep the lawyer away from a potential Breaking & Entering charge.
@Doc Walter-
Originally, I had other plans for the policeman’s place, but the isolation from nosy neighbors kinda worked. Also you’re right, according to Wikipedia, 9-1-1 did get it’s start as a national emergency number in 1968, but didn’t enter wide usage in the U.S. until the 1970s. But @Summey is also right, because South Carolina can be like it’s own unique little country.
@Marcus Penna-
Thanks. I thought this came together pretty well. It was also unusual, because Pastor seems to be breaking the fourth wall.
@Derk-
It’s good to be back!
- JEP
Your attention to detail reminds me of a director filming a movie. Great work Jay!
Jay, I read where you give props to the two Alex (Toth and Raymond), as well as the unforgettable Al Williamson. Well, I’m giving props to you for not just finding inspiration in their work, but also bringing a quality, commitment, and damn good story-telling to you work. Some may chose to simply imitate — while others choose to innovate. Good work, Captain.
@Alex-
Thank you. That means so much coming from you, Mr. Simmons. You’ve upheld the standard of excellent storytelling and craft much longer than I’ve been at it.
- JEP