#update: theyre on tenor!

[electricmugs]

some chack gifs i did for valentines day! ❤️❤️ i love them a normal amount i swear

[thegeminisage]

sigh it's time for a star trek update. i'm behind because i've been busy thinking about lucanis dragon age. all of these are voyager episodes!! i don't have to separate them anymore :(

i don't remember which days we did what but the lineup is "equinox part i," "equinox part ii," "survival instinct," "barge of the dead," "tinker, tenor, doctor, spy," "alice," "riddles," "dragon's teeth," "one small step," "the voyager conspiracy," and "pathfinder." tragically, these will be short because there's too many and i want to go back to thinking about lucanis dragon age.

equinox parts i & ii:

TEAR THE BITCH APART!!!!!! i have never been so thrilled to see janeway ready to rip into somebody. that other captain was vile and reprehensible

delicious when janeway and chakotay fight. kind of distressing but also very fun and sexy

seven is always so good but she was GREAT in this episode

the doc's ethical program being taken away :( im glad he and seven had that little moment together...ik theyre not canon or anything and it wouldn't be my first pick for seven ships but i wouldn't have been mad about it at all. their relationship is very sweet

survival instinct:

SEVEN OF NINE MY BELOVED

damn she really did drag 3 other people back into hell so she wouldn't be there alone. i love that

the philosophical debate was kind of weak though...like literally nobody is sitting here thinking being alive as a borg is better than being dead. what even was that

also, that isn't how this works. that isn't how any of this works. the borg don't get cut off and develop feelings on the fly. they don't remember who they are when they're magically removed from the amnesia collective. picard remembered who he was and knew what was happening to him the WHOLE TIME. the horror was in not being able to do anything about it! i really and genuinely hate to say it, but tng did it better

barge of the dead:

I LOVE WHEN B'ELANNA GETS COOL STUFF TO DO

she looked hot as fuck in that armor

i do like that in this episode you can hardly blame tom paris for being alarmed. 90% of the time i am like tom paris nobody asked you but if i a hardcore atheist woke up from a coma one day and started talking about how you guys needed to kill me so i could go rescue my mom from hell i would hope someone would have the compassion to hit me on the head again until i went back to normal

i like the idea of jadzia on this little boat until her friends got her into stovokor :')

tinker, tenor, doctor, spy:

this episode was bad when they showed seven's tits but everything else was really good

i wasn't sure about it at first because of all the adoration fromt he ladies but like it's ridiculous on purpose, you know? it was funny.

i liked it! i liked that the doctor got more rights and that he got something scary and dangerous to do

bonus of the borg transformations. hot.

also those little aliens were horrible to look at but i did like that one guy stanning the emh and then realizing he had his shit all wrong and he was cooked. really funny

alice:

this one sucked so bad. like idk there's nothing else to it. it sucked bad. b'elanna, dump him. i could be your man

riddles:

AAAAUGHGHGGH TUVOK

i really like neelix when he isn't with kes. i always forget until there's a good neelix episode and then i'm like oh yeah neelix! he and tuvok make such a good duo sometimes

tuvok in this episode...damn did we know tim russ can act? like he can fucking act

it's v much like the tos episode where spock gets jizzed on by that flower and learns to feel happy...but at the expense of his logic and his duty

the ending KILLED me. tuvok gave him so little except that one pun but thats like all you need

as fun as this was, it would have been even better if seven was the one walking tuvok through it all

dragon's teeth:

i liked the myth this one drew the title from. very fun

but also, What Prime Directive

we DID get good seven of nine content out of it though. i love when she and janeway are gay

one small step:

i started out feeling skeptical about this one because of the 23andme episode. i was worried they were going to be Too excited about history

nonetheless i did absolute shed tears during the funeral section at the end. i get it .gif

are they laying some chakotay/seven groundwork here? i kind of enjoyed it. did not like him telling her to knock off the attitude but it was otherwise very fun. i won't be mad about it

the voyager conspiracy:

i'd heard a lot about people either loving or hating this one before we watched it but i LOVED it

at first i was bewildered but even though the plot is a little weak there were so many good character moments i just can't get mad about it

the j/c candlelit dinner...mwah. they just do this on the reg??

also their mutual suspicion of each other. i would have been annoyed or perhaps distressed if it had gone on too long but it was the perfect amount of time to be just a little angsty and establish how well they know one another and how much they trust each other

AND bonus janeway/seven at the end that had me welling up. OOOUGH i love gay people

pathfinder:

THIS SUCKED SO BAD I HATE BARCLAY WHY WOULD THEY BRING DEANNA BACK JUST TO PROP HIS LAME ASS UP I HATE THE HOLODECK I HATE TNG GET IT OUT OF HERE

TONIGHT: "fair haven" and "blink of an eye."

[juunshua]

it was really cool reading about your analysis of day6's vocals, thank you!! I totally don't have the ear for that so it's cool you can tell apart baritones and tenors and stuff. If you'd like to listen to some live stuff, they used to do amazing covers on radio shows every week where they covered lots of English songs like Sunday morning (lol) and stop and stare :) anyway have a lovely day!! 😊💗

i honestly dont have the ear for it either! its why i have trouble trying to identify the voice type of ppl like youngk and junnie and jeonghan its kinda hard ahhh…gotta say i may be leaning more towards baritone with youngk but ! not 100% sure and laskdj random update but ive heard sungjin support for myself at least up to an e4 while watching some of their videos and it didnt sound too shallow it was a nice and relaxed sound but im not sure up to what point he has that support bc in songs like ‘letting go’ i feel like ive never heard him sing the chorus with support esp on those higher sustained notes like around G#4s so his supported range probably ends a bit before that but who knows he may have gotten better from then and there could be other things im not seeing or hearing but :) i’ll keep an ear out for sure ahaha im also really curious about youngks voice in general bc i really like his approach but im not sure 100% how he handles things technique wise partially bc theyre always singing super high and /if/ he is a baritone thats like SUPER super high for him ahaha i’ll definitely check it out when i have more time! thank you!! i hope u have a lovely day too!

[comicteaparty]

August 31st, 2017 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party chat that occurred on August 31st, 2017, from 5PM - 7PM PDT.  The chat focused on Alec in Wunderland by mintycanoodles.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

Good day everyone~! This week’s Comic Tea Party is now officially beginning. Today we are discussing Alec in Wunderland by mintycanoodles~! (https://tapas.io/series/Alec-in-Wunderland) For those new to CTP, discussions about the comic are freeform, so please feel free to bring up whatever you wish. However, every 30 minutes I will be dropping in a discussion question to help those who would like a prompt. These questions are totally OPTIONAL to answer so pay them no mind if you wish~! Remember, constructive criticism is allowed, but the primary focus here is to have fun and appreciate the amazing comics that the community makes~! Each chat a top comment will be picked and featured on an ad for this chat, so let’s have a great discussion~! With that said, let us begin with this first question~!

QUESTION 1. What is your favorite scene in the comic so far and why?

Tenor

Not fair that's hard to pick xD

RebelVampire

ironically while i usually struggle with that one, this time i know. its the scene where hattie is talking to the dormouse about alec. cause i liked the end to it where the dormouse is like "bro you gonna have to pick one or the other" and then hattie was like "i know"

that was randomly kind of dark

Tenor

Legit tho, there's a lot of scenes I really liked for various reasons. The opening scene for example was an excellent start, really pulled me in and still was well written enough you know there's going to be more and it was less 'random' based based off Lulu's questions about making sure this kid who will be abducted won't be missed.

Oh yes, the dramatic orchestra suddenly played a lower key there lol.

So far anything with Dormouse has been just pure gold for me, I'm absolutely sold with that character I can't stand it.

mathtans

I iz here! My fave scene is when they're arguing and that one guard is running by and pauses like, wait, what's going on? So they say "We're lost" and guard dumps instructions on them. Felt true to the world and characters and all and I found it funny too.(edited)

Tenor

Oh yes, the comedy scenes have been great, too! xD

But I think maybe utmost favorite just because 'why not' would be Dormouse stabbing the rocks from the collapsed tunnel. Just, BABY WHY THAT ISN'T HOW THAT WORKS

mathtans

I'm a Lulu fan myself. ^^ I also like when she just pushed Alec into the hole after making sure he wouldn't be missed.

Tenor

Lulu's ears are so precious. I love how emotive she is.

RebelVampire

i like the little touch of how because Lulu is young she doesnt have the hang of portals yet. that struck me as a little nice character detail that works for the plot. because often i feel stories forget young people are not rando good at everything

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

oh it started and i read this week

RebelVampire

good job delta

Tenor

I think the pressure TO be good at a young age doesn't help, either, in those cases too.

mathtans

Yeah, that's true. There's a nice mix of ages with Hattie being older too.

Tenor

/ Waves

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i think my favorite scene would be when alec questions wether the orphanige is the better place to go back too

Tenor

It was a good question. /nod

RebelVampire

honestly cannot read that scene without picturing the caterpillar getting sassy

Tenor

Sadly I only know of Alice in Wonderland from Disney, I'm not versed in the books, or the other versions the creator is pulling from. So I don't know a lot of the references they may be pulling from so I'm curious how different everything is.

mathtans

Yeah - makes me wonder a bit if time is passing at the same rate in Wunderland? Like, the Alice thing supposedly didn't take much time at all when she returned.

Tenor

I picture the blue caterpillar with the Fairy Godmother's voice from the old Cinderella film <_< Not gunna lie.

mathtans

I read the "Alice" books but it was, like, 20 years ago. x.x

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

same Tenor

mathtans

Do we think there's a caterpillar for each region? I feel like that's a thing?

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

yeah i belive they said that

Tenor

There's concept for a green one I saw so I think so, yeah.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i think there 5 in all

RebelVampire

maybe? i mean theyre certainly all in diff regions but idk if theres only five regions

mathtans

Yeah, the green one is huge. I guess they're all kind of different.... maybe by the end one is a butterfly? ^.^

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i mean 5 catapillars

mathtans

Oh, I think there's 7 regions. (They were on postcards near the start... and I think on wallpaper that was linked to....)

RebelVampire

i know you meant the caterpillars. but im saying you cant have a caterpillar in every region if there are technically more regions

FONCreator the pun king

Fuck I can't remember uhhhhh.....

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

sup zac

FONCreator the pun king

Probably the whole introduction of it

Generic yes, but I like how it was handled

Tenor

Redd also lists the areas.

(I think it was Redd)

(Campfire scene -yanks open the comic-)

mathtans

Rebel - Yeah, I get what you're saying. Maybe there's 5 caterpillars and a couple butterflies. Or maybe some regions are kind of inhospitable (one's a desert).

Tenor

(Yes Redd, 7 total so eeey)

RebelVampire

two regions are just too cool to have caterpillars

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

or hot

Tenor

I'm curious what the roles the caterpillars play. And the Otherlander plays tbh. Since apparently they keep yanking those into this realm to see if they'll live or die /shot

RebelVampire

they gotta continue that alec/alice cycle yo(edited)

mathtans

Maybe it's a bit like chess, you just have to hit all of them in order to be crowned at the end.

RebelVampire

but i also wonder how canon those queen alice the first pics are

mathtans

Oooh yeah, the history! Like, previous people who weren't found worthy or who fled and such.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

yeah that looked like a staute straight out of the time burton version(edited)

Tenor

I'm curious on Alice, too.

Too much curious HNNNG need more updates xD

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

even had the vorpal blade in her hand

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

loves the fact that the creator puts hidden mickeys in the pages

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

WAIT REALLY(edited)

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

LOL

Tenor

I didn't even notice those until I read a comment that called it out.

mathtans

You got slipped a mickey.

Tenor

Then I had to go back- LOL

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

mat please

mathtans

Here's a thought, I wonder if there was someone before Alec who just kind of gave up, and is still living in the world now, and they meet him/her.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I keep messing up the time and now I am ehre

RebelVampire

oh thatd be an interesting plot point

Tenor

Eyy~

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

i noticed that the catepillar said "i hope this one makes it" and automatically made me think "o no is there dead kids before him"

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I want to see a sea of dead kids but I think it's too lighthearted for that

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

LOL

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Or at least a graveyard

Tenor

I'm curious on the foreshadowing/call out about Redd not liking leaving people behind. <_< Curious what's happened there. /dundun dunnnn.

mathtans

Cali - Yeah, I had a similar thought, but then I figured maybe they didn't die they just gave up. Or went native or something.

Tenor

Oh lord.

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

a kid that fell into despair

Tenor

or insanity.

FONCreator the pun king

Yo this is a Wonderland story

Somehow

Tenor

Lets be honest you gotta come to terms with this place LOL

FONCreator the pun king

Someway

It'll get dark

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Good

RebelVampire

@math they couldve faked their death too. been like "haha now i can quit the trial" and then realized they couldnt leave

mathtans

Maybe Redd was left behind sometime. That's how he hooked up with Dormouse.

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

plot twist; previous kid is an antagonist

FONCreator the pun king

Zero to a hundred real fast I bet

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

And then all the callipillars bring out their hoookas and are like "Damm son, this again."

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

only just begun reading it lol

mathtans

Rebel: Oooh, that's an interesting prospect!

Tenor

GO CALI GO

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

omg redd and dormouse is adorable

Tenor

Dormouse is best captain.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I also have an idea that the Hattie character has something to do with the previous children or even Alice

I wonder if Alice is the current queen

mathtans

I don't think she's current because didn't someone else take over? And put Ace in charge of where they're at now?

Hattie could be though. There were pictures of young Hattie at one point.

RebelVampire

do we even know if alice is canon tho? they could just be for funsies images

canon in the sense alice herself is semi in the story

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i don't think they ever hinted that the original story was canon(edited)

Tenor

No clue. I'd like her to be a more throwback, personally, rather than current queen but that's me.

FONCreator the pun king

I think Alice is canon from the Alec in Doodle land stuff

Gotta double chck

mathtans

We don't know. Could be the last person subjected to the trials was an artist and did paintings.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Hmm plot twist, Hattie is the actual queen running from their job and someone else took their job and is making everything crazy

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

well her flashback did show her childhood was a wealthy one

FONCreator the pun king

That twist

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i was dissaponited she didn't have a hat when a child

Tenor

She had to grow into it I'm sure xD

AWH BUT BABY HATTIE IN AN UPSIDEDOWN TOPHAT

Babycarrier/crib lets go.

FONCreator the pun king

Yessss

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

more smol hattie is always good

Tenor

like 99% hair

all sticking out from the brim of the hat

mathtans

I feel like Hattie's too responsible to just up and leave if she was supposed to be in charge.

RebelVampire

maybe the magic is in the hat hence why she couldnt have it as a kid. cant let kids just play around with infinite hat powers

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I would laugh if the hat actually grew from her head

Like no hat, and then a hat sprouted from the head like poof, hat

mathtans

Seems kind of old hat to me.

Tenor

Go home LOL

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm so drunk but not drunk becuase Wonderland don't drink the potion

mathtans

Wunderland you mean?

RebelVampire

QUESTION 2. Throughout the comic it’s hinted that Alec has a larger purpose for being in Wunderland and is participating in some sort of trial. What do you think Alec is meant to do while in Wunderland? What does it have to do with finding the other Caterpillars? What happened to those who came before Alec?

mathtans

Maybe they'll eventually have a trial scene, like they did with the Queen of Hearts accusing the Knave of stealing the tarts in the original.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i think hes meant to bring proper choas, not this orderly crap handed out by royals

RebelVampire

if i assume alice being the queen at some point in the history is a thing, maybe these trials are so alec can become king of wunderland

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

that may be

RebelVampire

cause biological inheritance not crazy enough for wunderland

gotta decide rulers by trial

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

well its a better way than being born into it(edited)

Tenor

I kinda think the same? I do feel maybe Alice might be a hint that the royalty are otherlanders and the first can't leave until the next takes its place.

Which if you pull the Queen of Hearts into the idea from what I remember, Alice being a threat bc noooo I want to keep the throne /shot.

mathtans

So Alec marries Alice? This is a test to find the Queen a King?

Tenor

Oh I'm thinking replacements.

Though that could, too, work.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

maybe?

Tenor

Mine's a bit more dark in the idea that Wunderland doesn't have the same time-span as earth (or maybe Otherlanders are age-lessly immortal here) and Alice can't leave to go home until someone worthy can take her spot.

mathtans

Be interesting if Alice just went mad or something, so they need to get her help. The trials are to make sure her replacement doesn't go mad.

I don't see how the caterpillars fit though.

RebelVampire

yeah regardless of theories on the what im really confused about the caterpillars and what the point of visiting them is

like are they just gonna say hey thanks for stopping by

Tenor

Could still fit alongside it: Like, maaaaybe they want the system to end? Or, darker, they want Alice to stay, Alec to be king with her? Never leave gotta stay.

RebelVampire

its possible alice had a king sadly cause one of the pics she was in a portrait with some guy

mathtans

The caterpillars seem to be evaluating Alec? Like the blue one tried to make sure he really wanted to be there... the green one might wonder if he... eats his veggies...?

Tenor

LOL

Rebel: True, I forgot that!

RebelVampire

https://tapas.io/episode/336206

oh LOL

title is even literally her consort

i have killed a theory

rip

im so sorry

Tenor

-hand over mouth-

That looks like Hattie relative.

mathtans

It's just "Portrait of a Queen" not "Portrait of Alice".

Could be the Queen of Hearts.

RebelVampire

but that is definitely alice cause of a different picture XD

Tenor

There's a picture later that's called Alice the First

mathtans

Ahh, okay.

Tenor

or earlier -looks-

https://tapas.io/episode/381442 Queen Alice the First

mathtans

Too many Queens! (That's a thing in the original, because you get the Chess Queens too.)

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

huh

RebelVampire

unless the queen of hearts and alice are related

or alice is the queen of hearts in this version

Tenor

Could be.

mathtans

The White Queen!

Tenor

Either way can't unsee the consort looking like Hattie now so I'm doomed.

RebelVampire

OH YEAH i forgot that was a character

mathtans

Who lives backwards!

Tenor

Especially since the photos of who may be mom looks less like Hattie <_<

RebelVampire

nah i thought that too. that the consort looks like hattie so i assume its the "original" mad hatter(edited)

mathtans

Oh, that's clever.

Tenor

Alice/Hatter ships are pretty common too so maybe. <<

RebelVampire

plot twist: not even. just some random dude

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

fuckin randy

Tenor

I'll cry LOL

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

is caught up now

Tenor

My heart's set now xD

EYY

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

I REALLY LIKE THIS COMIC SO FAR

RebelVampire

good job cali

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

ITS SO CUTE

i have mixed feelings on the "PROTECT IMPORTANT PERSON VS SAVE FRIEND" thing

mathtans

Lulu for the cute!

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Wait the queen and the consort.....

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

lulu is adorable

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

HATTIE BEING NEXT QUEEEN THEORY MIGHT BE TRUE

Tenor

Depending on why the important person needs protected, I can understand why but yeah, not an easy choice. THEN AGAIN THEM LITERALLY GOING TO GET LULU WOULD HAVE FIT THE FAKE PRISONER PLAN A LOT BETTER JUST SAYIN xD

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

i can totally see the 'alec becomes king' thing

Tenor

But, y'know, one of their main tacticians stabs rocks with a scimitar so /shot

mathtans

I like the little explanations put in too, like how Lulu can't do her portal thing unless she's on ground.

FONCreator the pun king

Yee I can see that thing happening too cal

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

everytime i see the name alec my brain keeps wanting to say alex

RebelVampire

to be fair to their strategy/tactician skills, a guard did question nothing and was like "oh here let me tell you how to get to everywhere in this place"

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

well her portals are rabbit holes

Tenor

Every time I see Alec I see Mandy from Billy and Mandy now thanks to the Halloween special so, fff.

mathtans

Maybe Alec doesn't become King, but he has to be the one to choose the ruler? Like, between Hattie and someone else? They need to test for heart purity to make the decision.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i see that too Tenor

Tenor

Rebel: Yeah but they didn't know that when they built their plan that a guard was a jabberjaw. xD

FONCreator the pun king

True true

Tenor

(Presh button guard too hnnn)

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

alec also totally looks as if he'd be a sibling of rose lalone/dave strider

of homestuck

too

Tenor

Never read it so no idea but I know some comments mentioned it so eeey

Skeleton Honey

I love homestuck

mathtans

I liked how it was totally lucky that they talked to the guard though. Like, he was just running by and "wait, what?".

Skeleton Honey

Excited for hiveswap this september

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

haha i really like that guard they ran into too

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

skelly please this is about a different comic

Tenor

YEAAAH I Screamed at the girls arguing in that panel, too

Deity Cali of BISHIES OF SPEEDS

"OH YOU GUYS LOOK TOTALLY TRUSTWORTHY HERES ALL THE DIRECTIONS"

Tenor

"NOW IS NOT THE TIME GIRLS"

Skeleton Honey

Sorry

Tenor

"LADIES - PLEASE"

RebelVampire

now is always the time for arguing

its part of the masterplan

Tenor

Apparently lmao.

mathtans

They did have to knock him out in the end.

RebelVampire

cause if they get arrested for real theyre sure to find Lulu!

Tenor

TRUE.

mathtans

Rebel: Truth.

Tenor

Well sorta, apparently she's in process of getting moved.

mathtans

But they might miss the caterpillar.

Tenor

Omg that would blow tho - get caught, tossed in the cell, as your friend is getting dragged off

... if her teleporting only works when she's on the ground she has to be carried omg.

mathtans

Well, I figured "ground" was like "earth" so if she's on wood or stones it wouldn't work.

Tenor

That'd explain why she hasn't poofed in the cell actually, good point <_<

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

maybe there needs to be a set ammout of matearil below where the portal has to appear for it to work

FONCreator the pun king

good point

mathtans

If she was upside down with earth above her, would it work?

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

so many questions

RebelVampire

since were on the topic of Lulu, i noticed the ace of spades mentioned that they didnt "think there were anymore white rabbits." does that mean there was a white rabbit genocide? O_O

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

seems like it

or maybe they just left

Tenor

Well if people keep wanting a pocket rabbit for teleporting for world domination, yeah they'd probably die out.

FONCreator the pun king

Probably yeah

The white bun must be protected at all costs

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

yes

mathtans

Wow. Hum. I missed that. Maybe I thought it just meant they all dyed their hare?

Tenor

FFF-

RebelVampire

math plz

thatd be really high maintenance

FONCreator the pun king

XDD

I mean they could've

mathtans

Srlsy though, maybe they're undercover.

Tenor

that would suuuuuuuuck

at the same time imagine an old one in a wagon

traveling sloooowly across the lands

bitching the entire time because he can't teleport or he'll get found out.

mathtans

Maybe they're all in the Otherland looking for recruits.

Tenor

Or just having said "F-Wunderland"

RebelVampire

i think you mean looking for children to kidnap

FONCreator the pun king

XD

Tenor

FFF-

mathtans

That too.

In her time off, Lulu likes to find Lemons.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

kidnap recriut, its all semantics

FONCreator the pun king

xD

RebelVampire

but now i just picture some rabbit standing on the corner being like "Sir, sir! How would you like to experience a land of adventure, magic, and should I say....wunder? Our location is actively looking for recruits to try out our new activities!"

FONCreator the pun king

xDD

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

no they take kids

"hey wanna go a magic adventure"

Tenor

Omg.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

"just hop down the hole"

mathtans

With discounts at Lulu Lemon.

Tenor

Comes off a like a peddling con man.

RebelVampire

"Hey kid get in the portal thats not a white van"

QUESTION 3. Wunderland is not only large, but seems to have its own complicated political system in place (example: the Queen of Diamonds installing her own tyrannical Ace to rule the Land of Rain). Do you think this sort of political conflict will play into the plot? If so, how? Do you think the other suits have their own rulers and various subordinates? Do you have any other thoughts about the world itself?

FONCreator the pun king

Depending on the author's skill I'd say its highly possible

Its a very interesting take on Wonderland so far, it ain't as dark as it has been adapted as most of the time

mathtans

It's all a ploy by the Jokers.

FONCreator the pun king

Its rather cutesy/lineless artstyle helps it stand distinct

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I like the artstyle a lot as well

and also I need to head off to get to work so I hope you guys have fun with the rest of the CTP

FONCreator the pun king

Its very much similar to Samurai Jack and The X's

Tenor

I think it's already potentially showing in the plot. They've taken over a location important to the green caterpillar based off the information in chapter 2. I DO hope there's other rulers, as I like to imagine the 'cards' as houses in particular - gotta follow who holds the seat but everyone wants theirs in head.

RebelVampire

thanks for coming feather~!

FONCreator the pun king

And alrighty Duke

Tenor

Bai Feather~!

mathtans

I didn't even really notice the lineless thing. It's subtle.

FONCreator the pun king

Yeah looking more into it, its not THAT lineless, but it gives the feeling of it

Tenor

The amount of lineless reminds me of papercraft

FONCreator the pun king

It also helps fit with the background, but not be too bleneded in

Tenor

Lineless where it would be 'cut' but otherwise lines to give depth, and I really like that feeling

Yeeees

FONCreator the pun king

Once again like Samurai JAck, but with more lines that are darker shades of their colors

Tenor

I haven't seen Samurai Jack in so long I honestly wouldn't be able to picture it unless I look it up lol

OTL

FONCreator the pun king

But SJ's lines mainly came from helping seperate things like fingers, heads and such

So its not just an abstract mess

Tenor

-Nod-

mathtans

There must be some order to it. The spades were designated green. (Wait, why does the Ace of Diamond have spades working for him? There must be a hierarchy then?)

RebelVampire

yeah there has to be a hierarchy going on. which we can at least assume that the aces are under the royal cards albeit idk where jacks would fall

FONCreator the pun king

Perhaps

If there is a hierarchy, then hearts/diamonds must be on the higher up scale

Clubs and spades being the lackeys

mathtans

It's usually jack-queen-king.

Tenor

Considering the power shift from Hearts to Diamonds in that case would imply lots have changed.

FONCreator the pun king

yeah

mathtans

If we're playing bridge, the order is clubs-diamonds-hearts-spades-noTrump.

Diamond uprising?

FONCreator the pun king

Once again depends

We don't know the full story yet

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

always political upheaval in these settings

RebelVampire

it could just be the suits trade around tho. so the the kings and queens just trade around the lesser cards regardless of suit.

FONCreator the pun king

True

mathtans

They have draft picks.

Tenor

FFF-

mathtans

(Daft picks?)

(Daft punk picks?)

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

yes

thats where you pick your favorite songs from them(edited)

RebelVampire

but maybe in the case of the queen of diamonds installing her own maybe its implied that this ace is a spade but in the queen of diamonds' pocket and the king and/or queen of spades is none the wiser

mathtans

I like the idea of trading around though, it's possible. There's also Anchors and Crowns in the extended card decks.

Or maybe they are the wiser but don't care.

RebelVampire

are like eh

just the forest ppl

they suck

mathtans

There is that underlying thread of darkness, so it's hard to say for a lot of things, could go either way. ^^

RebelVampire

i still dont understand what the caterpillars' role is tho @_@

Tenor

To hide their hookahs from the rest of the world.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

maybe the catapillars are like sages here...kinda like the original

mathtans

I think it's some sort of evaluation? Like they're the judges somehow? They test willingness and strength and stuff like that.

FONCreator the pun king

Give it time

mathtans

Green seems very large. I wonder if Green was always like that or if it was something they ate.

Tenor

Considering the concept I saw I thought the green caterpillar was just using magic to summon a golem type of thing.

But if they can transform that's cool too

mathtans

Ohh, that could be.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i feel like the size has to do with the ace fucking up the forest

mathtans

I admit I'm not that into politics, real or imagined.

RebelVampire

thats okay math

there is a question i want to pose but i need to find the scene to verify

Tenor

I believe in you

mathtans

There was the robbing of that stagecoach. So again, implies people in power and people not.

RebelVampire

ok so the question i want to pose is that when alec sees the blue caterpillar he gets told that if he stays hell find what hes looking for. alec asks what is it hes looking for and just gets told he has to figure that out. so what is alec looking for and why is finding the caterpillars supposed to help with that?

FONCreator the pun king

Because plot convience

Tenor

Caterpillars may be a goal post. Could be a metaphor of "you'll find yourself" through going through these trials, and by finding himself he'll be able to find WHAT it is he wants in life - assuming the caterpillar doesn't already know ofc.

Random option, Alice adopts him rather than he becomes king because he's an orphan and most orphans want families.

FONCreator the pun king

But really I think its because it could be parraleling the actual Alice with Alec having to findhimself like Tenor said

Tenor

(typically)

mathtans

What we're all looking for, a purpose? I'm not sure the caterpillars will necessarily help but the journey might, and I still think they're testing his suitability somehow.

FONCreator the pun king

And finding the caterpillers could be something they told him to do to kick his self discovery journey into gear

mathtans

Or a family, true.

RebelVampire

maybe hattie adopts him instead

mathtans

There's possibly a metaphor in that too. Using caterpillars. Who grow up to be butterflies.

RebelVampire

and alec, hattie, and lulu live a happy family life together(edited)

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

that would be nice rebel

FONCreator the pun king

yee

Tenor

That'd be cute too, Rebel.

Much potential for cute. :D

mathtans

Until the dark times came upon them all.

RebelVampire

part of me feels like telling him that was more just a ploy to get him to stay. cause him passing this trial seems important to them so i highly doubt if he self discovers anything itll matter to them

mathtans

He may discover the power to rule them was in him all along.

Or something. RebelVampire

the way you worded that made me think he becomes a tyrannical dictator XD

QUESTION 4. Given this comic is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, which characters are you interested in seeing in this version? What role do you think some of these yet to be seen characters will play (assuming they do appear of course)?

FONCreator the pun king

Jabberwocky, Queen of Hearts, and Dee and Dum

mathtans

I saw someone mention the Cheshire Cat in comments and the author was vague about it. I played the CCat once in a play. ^^

FONCreator the pun king

Forgot if Dee and Dum were already introduced or not

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i'm curious to see when the cheshire cats comes out

Tenor

Cheshire Cat for me, too, as he was the only prevalent one I remember growing up.

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i don't there were introduced zac

mathtans

Funny thing is how the White Rabbit and the March Hare have kinda been rolled into one character in Lulu? There could be hybrids also.

FONCreator the pun king

True true

Chesire Cat might be a baddie merged with somethig else RebelVampire

i have another vote for cheshire cat. got have the creepy teleporting with a smile going on.

FONCreator the pun king

Could be a great rival to Lulu

If they teleportation is kept

*the RebelVampire

the cheshire cat may at least be a neutral baddie cause generally depictions have the cheshire cat never pick sides. is just there to cause chaos

FONCreator the pun king

true

Even still

with the chesire cat potentially being brought in

maybe certain colored animals can teleport or have dimensional abilities

They did specifically mention they didn't think "White Rabbits" were still around

So maybe Chesire Cats are the only cats who can teleport

again, if chesire cat comes into play

Tenor

I don't think the Chesire Cat can teleport others versus just itself tho? Then again it being a being of nuetral chaos who knows it's potential abilities. <_<;

mathtans

Maybe it's a Kitty. Smol Cheshire.

Tenor

So long as I get to see it fade with random body parts around I'll be happy tbh lol

FONCreator the pun king

yee

SirDelta God King of Mecha, Time

i wonder if the jabberwock is still around, cuase the staute of the queen had her with the vorpal blade

RebelVampire

i want there to be a plot point where lulu messes up the portal again and all alone alec bumps into the cheshire cat. cause then alec is helpless to the chaos. but then hattie and lulu come to save the day and lulu lectures CC

Tenor

I'm sure it'll be an alone-meet up at first, for sure.

Everyone probably thinks Alec is crazy bc that thing should be dead due to age or something but it's really alive and well driving people batty

FONCreator the pun king

yee

mathtans

The Mock Turtle could be fun. Maybe instead of being a fake turtle he mocks people.

RebelVampire

thatd actually be kind of interesting if the cheshire cat was just super immortal

FONCreator the pun king

oh yee

mathtans

Our school put on "Wonderland" a couple years ago. The guy playing the Mock Turtle somehow nailed the inflection. Didn't really talk slow, but you kinda felt like he was.

Tenor

I can't remember any of these characters xD

mathtans

The puns are good with that character.

Tenor

OH LORD

mathtans

"How many hours a day did you do lessons?" "Ten hours the first, nine the next and so on." "How curious." "That's the reason they're called lessons, they lessen from day to day."

RebelVampire

no omg LOL

it hurts

Tenor

kajshdklJAHS

BAD. LOL

mathtans

Most of the Mock Turtle dialogue is like that.

RebelVampire

and its okay Tenor im only really familiar with the disney alice in wonderland and i actually dont even like that movie.

mathtans

Would drive Alec nuts.

FONCreator the pun king

xDDD

I wanna be the mock turtle

Tenor

I can't remember it enough

mathtans

You'd be good at it, FON.

Tenor

I remember liking the Hatter and especially cheshire cat.

And the uhm, dark Alice game's cheshire cat

(Never played it but I had the script read to me and I really liked that version too)

So yeah, really eager to see Alec's translation of the character

mathtans

"If a fish came to me and said he was going on a journey, I'd say 'with what porpoise?'." "Do you mean purpose?" "I mean what I say."

Anyway.

RebelVampire

so do all fish in wonderland have to take journeys with porpoises? important question here

mathtans

I feel like we might get chessboard action too from "Through the Looking Glass", I seem to recall reading an author comment there somewhere.

Rebel: I don't know. Seems fishy to me.

RebelVampire

math no. the chat so saturated with puns now its going to leak

FONCreator the pun king

xDD

Come on, there never be tuna much

RebelVampire

so as a random insert, i like that alec is really practical in a sense compared to other renditions of alice ive seen

Tenor

I think it's a reflection of how times have changed too/their backstory.

mathtans

That's true! Well, also a bit stubborn for walking around on that path and nearly falling off a cliff.

Tenor

Like the Disney Alice was just a well todoish girl bored with her studies.

Screw going around the puddle we'll walk through it LOL

mathtans

Alec follows the rules.

RebelVampire

yeah and disney alice was also....just kind of innocently accepting. whereas alec meets the first caterpillar is like "ummm i was kidnapped wtf is going on"

FONCreator the pun king

Hmmm, maybe this story is about Alec learning that sometimes rules need to be broken and things need to be questioned

mathtans

Oooh, I like that FON.

I don't recall the Disney all that well. I mostly remember the one our school put on those few years back. ^^

Do you think we'll leave Redd and Dormouse behind after this part of the quest is done? New characters every setting?

RebelVampire

i hope redd stays a perma member to be honest

redd a good bro

and cause i could see dormouse being like "redd youre fired"

XD

mathtans

Yeah, he seems to have a good attitude and a past it would be good to learn more about...

He did run off with Alec without permission!

(...someone's probably on board with that ship.)

RebelVampire

gets on board the ship even tho i wasnt but why not sail all the ships create an armada

but yeah im gonna be sad if redd going off with alec doesnt have further significance

Tenor

Redd seems to really care about Alec/the situation so who knows.

mathtans

Oooh, maybe Redd was a former person subjected to the trials? That's why he doens't like leaving people behind.

Tenor

I hope Dormouse sticks around even if it's for selflish reasons.

mathtans

Couldn't have been recruited by Lulu though, or Hattie would know him.

RebelVampire

yes i accept this as headcanon for redd now.

well to be fair

hattie mentions the last trial was like 10 years ago

so even hattie wouldve only be 20 i believe

mathtans

Ahh, possible.

Tenor

And depending on Lulu's age she might not have been involved.

RebelVampire

i think one of the things said lulu is 17?

FONCreator the pun king

Yeah Lulu's like 17-18

RebelVampire

and alec is 14 i remember that

mathtans

Yip. In human years anyway.

Tenor

-NOd-

RebelVampire

but yeah it could work cause hattie and lulu couldve just been too young to recruit

mathtans

Maybe things were less dire back then.

(I mean, I guess so, Green was easier to get to.)

FONCreator the pun king

Alrighty ^^

Can't wait for the next one

Tenor

THIS WAS FUN :D

RebelVampire

yeah that could be

Unfortunately, the scheduled Comic Tea Party is now complete~! Thank you everyone so much for joining this week’s chat~! That being said, if you would like to continue discussing the comic, we encourage you to do so~! We want to give a big thank you to mintycanoodles, as well, for volunteering Alec in Wunderland for our reading queue. If you liked the comic, please be sure to support mintycanoodles’ efforts. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about CTP, please feel free to PM me, or e-mail me at RebelVampire@startfaire.com. Please also check out the current pinned suggestion thread on the channel.

With that said, next week’s Comic Tea Party will focus on Shades of Men by Jrej. Please use this week to read as much of the comic as you would like. Hope to see you next Thursday (September 7th) from 5PM to 7PM PDT~! Until then~! Comic: https://tapas.io/series/ShadesOfMen-Pages

[comicteaparty]

September 7th, 2017 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party chat that occurred on September 7th, 2017, from 5PM - 7PM PDT.  The chat focused on Shades of Men by Jrej.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

Good day everyone~! This week’s Comic Tea Party is now officially beginning. Today we are discussing Shades of Men by Jrej~! (https://tapas.io/series/ShadesOfMen-Pages) For those new to CTP, discussions about the comic are freeform, so please feel free to bring up whatever you wish. However, every 30 minutes I will be dropping in a discussion question to help those who would like a prompt. These questions are totally OPTIONAL to answer so pay them no mind if you wish~! Remember, constructive criticism is allowed, but the primary focus here is to have fun and appreciate the amazing comics that the community makes~! Each chat a top comment will be picked and featured on an ad for this chat, so let’s have a great discussion~! With that said, let us begin with this first question~!

QUESTION 1. What is your favorite scene in the comic so far and why?

for me i think my favorite scene is more a series of scenes where they first meet david and try to teach him the ropes of being on the streets. especially when they hit the moment where they cant get shelter for the night so actually have to sleep on the streets. the contrast really impacted me quite a lot

i also liked how it showed some of the warmer side to lev and ricky since they took it in a rather positive stride. i know if i had been in david's shoes, i wouldve been really hit with a brick of reality in that moment

mathtans

Bit late, as per typical for me. Favorite scene... possibly where Lev sees that fax? It throws everything into a bit of a new light, which I usually find interesting, new perspectives and all.

Though I gather the author hadn't expected it to be that big of a deal from glancing at the comments.

RebelVampire

really? i didnt look at the comments and now im curious

mathtans

Yeah, the ropes thing was well portrayed too. I think the way the artwork is done kind of helps with showing the difficulties, somehow... gritty? Words fail me.

Now I'm double checking... oh, the author said they hadn't thought it would be a key moment of the story when starting, but it is.

I only read on tapas this time, not the author's personal site.

I know Tenor read too, I saw a comment near the end. ^.^

RebelVampire

thats okay i read it on tapas too. i just read via the link i was given unless theres situations like with tangled river where there was that page that didnt load.

idk if id say the artwork was gritty personally speaking cause of seen grittier. but i do think the artwork fits really well and has a dark and bleak quality to it

mathtans

Fair enough. I found myself with less free time this week too. ^.^ Made it to the end though.

RebelVampire

to express the bleak quality of life

mathtans

Yeah, gritty's the wrong word... eugh... like... sombre? Maybe it's the colour choices.

RebelVampire

sombre might be a good way to put it

i do think its the color choices cause something about the pallette makes the world feel....kind of mute

mathtans

Mute's a real good word, considering Lev. ^^

The other thing about that reward for David thing, it actually misdirected me a bit. I thought they guys would be trying to track him down, to get the reward money for him to save Ricky. Instead they did the hotel heist.

Lev's got character, gotta give him that, he hasn't said anything about it yet.

RebelVampire

oh that wouldve been an interesting prospect. i honestly did not consider that. i was waiting for something a bit more cliche. like david showing back up of his own freewill like "im sorry lev i was mad lets save ricky dramatic tears "

mathtans

I was wondering a little about that, but considering what the guy had just experienced, I felt like they'd have to stumble on David. Rather than him seeking them out. And possibly getting a gun in his face again.

I would not like that, but then, I'm really not a fan of guns.

Which makes me kind of torn about the comic, because on the one hand, guns are not tools to solve problems, but on the other hand, the homeless guys are kind of responsible in using them and I liked the acknowledgement about conserving ammo.(edited)

RebelVampire

yeah honestly i kind of appreciated david left and didnt comeback. cause i felt that was a bit more true to life. since its not like ricky and lev are bffs with him just for showing him the ropes. theyre more like helpful strangers. and if you meet strangers who get you beat up, probably best not to hang with those people

mathtans

The other kind of true to life thing was how not everybody was immediately on board with Lev and his plans. Some thought things were going too far -- and even before the casino some thought that. I liked that perspective.

I also suspected they'd have at least one casualty, to keep things realistic. Expectations met there.

RebelVampire

i felt really sad for the guy who died. but on the otherhand it was well-deserved in the sense the hobos were in way over their heads. like that went beyond too far XD the fact any of them survived is a miracle(edited)

mathtans

Yeah... I feel like Lev was once in the military though? Or guerrilla warfare? Like, I wonder if his apparent dementia (seeing people as lions) is related to previous experiences.

He knows things, is what I'm getting at. But he got tired of explaining things to people. Maybe.

Now I wonder how he ended up in Paris.

RebelVampire

i feel like Lev had at least used a gun before. it didnt feel like it was his first rodeo. but then again using a gun isnt rocket science persay if in an emergency situation. not to say theyd be mega skilled in those situations and would understand good gun safety. just guns are still pretty easy to use, so idk how much to assume of Lev's skills.

Tenor

I'M LATE AND ON MOBILE BUT I'M HERE???

mathtans

Yay Tenor!

RebelVampire

welcome Tenor

all are welcome

mathtans

Yeah... maybe it was also the whole "we don't leave anybody behind". I dunno. Just a vibe.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 2. One of the main characters of the comic, Lev, is a very mysterious person. He doesn’t speak much, and nobody seems to know his background story that well. What do you think happened in Lev’s life that made him the person he is? Why do you think Lev lives on the streets? Why would he not speak to anybody for so many years? What inspires his loyalty towards Ricky that he’d go to such extreme lengths to help him?

mathtans

You segued that beautifully

RebelVampire

Tenor

And for question 1: my favorite scene has got to be the rescue scenes, mostly as they are poorly constructed and entirely chaotic - which perfectly fits a band of misfits trying to do things they have never done. It takes away from the cliche of heroes always suceed/are lucky/seem to know what they are doing despite doing it a first time and I really liked that

mathtans

Tenor - You mean like when they saved each other from the gun runners, or when they charged in to save Ricky, or generally...?

RebelVampire

yeah i really enjoy that a lot of the rescue scenes have this vibe of like them saying "i saw someone on tv do it like this yolo"

Tenor

2: my bets is either involved, or blames himself, for the loss of someone. He does seem to show hallucinations and strikes me like he suffers from quite a bit of PTSD.

Specifically the hotel scene

Just "well" lmao

mathtans

As to Lev... darned if I know. I feel like he's got that kind of military vibe (maybe it's a PTSD thing I'm sensing, yeah), and a desire to help people who look a certain way (David) or who are good to him (Ricky). Maybe he'll spill to the person he's sitting with on the bench.

In the most recent update, I mean.

Tenor

I'm betting hell spill after he catches david, persobally

Use yourself as a living example for why shut isn't all roses

mathtans

Like, Lev was all "no problem just get me something like a weapon and I'll pull a spiderman". That comes with training, not watching cartoons.

Tenor

Right.

mathtans

Tenor: Good point. Might be a while before David comes back into it though... looking like they'll have to track him down to clear Lev's name.

RebelVampire

i always wondered if lev was in trouble for not paying those hospital bills.

mathtans

Huh. I didn't even think about that. What is the French medical care system like?

(I've actually been there, but not to a hospital, fortunately. Which reminds me, nice depiction of Paris.)

Tenor

And to address on an earlier point: guns can be harder to use correctly than you'd think. He'd have to have known how to turn off safety on all those weapons, how to put ammo in them, how to reliably aim, some of those weapons depending on make and model you need to KNOW. (Look up the wrist breaker lmao). So I'd say at least an occupation around them, yes.

mathtans

Yeah, it's not like the homeless guys can ask Siri.

Tenor

Bc strength of the knock back can duck you up, dislocated shoulders, etc

Fff

mathtans

thinks A bit of a tangent, but have we seen female characters?

Tenor

Slowly making my way to a pc

I think a few headshots

RebelVampire

but side characters. nobody major i think cause i mean, the comic is called shades of men

so i think its pretty clear what its focus is XD

mathtans

Yeah, good point about the title. Guess I was wondering about females and the military suddenly. There's that new character in the latest update though too.

Tenor

TBF men could imply humanity as well.

RebelVampire

true. that could be a double underlying meaning. like a story focusing on men but also about the condition of humanity as a whole

mathtans

Lev being in the hospital means he must be in a database now?

(Sorry I'm all over the place.)

Tenor

It's ok xD

mathtans

I think some of the humanity thing comes across with how the characters are generally treated too.

RebelVampire

see this is a thing im really curious about. how did the hospital know his name? like is he carrying a form of ID on him?(edited)

cause i dont get the sense he wound up at the hospital of his own accord

Tenor

He was also unconcious at time of 'registration'.

So yeah, he has to have been known if not carrying an ID.

mathtans

No, someone brought him in... I think we saw them in the background as Lev was sneaking out. I guess I assumed he did have some sort of ID. He grabbed his clothes while escaping.

But yeah, three months later and no one's followed up on that.

Goes a bit to the theme of homeless people being treated as "invisible".

RebelVampire

well to be fair its not like they have endless resources to find him. the police clearly cant even find him if they have to broadcast about his being a kidnapping suspect

mathtans

Except the newscasters mentioned Lev. Does he have a police record?

There is that. And he's good at hiding.

What with not making much noise.

Tenor

I figured he might have been seen in the images of David from the ...catacombs?

And there was assumption based on that, since David looked pretty beaten then.

(But they still got his name, so, yeah, maybe still a record)

mathtans

I wonder if Lev has family?? Ricky mentioned family. Maybe Lev's family died, and that's why he's so traumatized and wanted to help David.

Well, when Lev, David and Ricky were doing their singing, people had camera phones. I figured the association came from that.

RebelVampire

oh yeah thats def how he became a suspect. its a mystery how they put a name to a face tho. he could have a record. but its also not like being homeless makes you disappear out of the systems. systems will still show you exist if you know the name or number.

so hard to say

i do think lev's family must of died

thats usually something that tears one apart and puts them on the street

mathtans

Also, not sure if it's a tiny plot hole, but after making a whole deal to David about not sitting in someone else's reserved spot... they go and play somewhere that's off limits. Without kind of giving him the heads up about the running.

Maybe Lev is a version of David back from the future. (Just because we haven't had any theories that are real crazy yet.)

RebelVampire

ah then theres the answer. Lev/David from the future is devastated by the loss of the cat

as a cat lover, nothing better happen to that cat O_O

i will be so sad

mathtans

Hah. Could David's parents be dead though, I wonder?

Like, we don't know who he was actually living with. Some guy who's forgetful about keys, and a cat.

Equally possible I'm forgetting something obvious.

RebelVampire

i feel like they showed david's parents in the broadcast

mathtans

Did they say it was his parents? Or maybe he's adopted?

RebelVampire

hmmm or maybe not

mathtans

Also, why'd the change the locks on the house if they wanted him to come home??

Or was David lying about it being the right key?

RebelVampire

well if they suspected kidnapping thatd be reason to change them

cause they couldve thought someone broke into the house

Tenor

I think it was his dad in the broadcast

mathtans

I suppose that's true. But wouldn't they have an alarm system too after that? Well, maybe not.

I'll buy it; I don't remember the broadcast so well.

Shady David is shady.

Tenor

He could also be from an incredible abusive home.

mathtans

Oh, that's very true.

Tenor

So he ran away but of course to say THAT implies they did something wrong so they're saying he was kidnapped.

RebelVampire

hmmm but maybe not. i cant see anything in the broadcast. i might be thinking of a different scene.

well to be fair now that im relooking at first he was just missing

and i think they changed it to kidnapping

Tenor

Yeah the flyer was missing.

It changed to kidnapping after David 'left" Lev's life.

mathtans

Oh, that's interesting. Scandal!

Tenor

(Which was after the more recent updates)

RebelVampire

but the fact he ran away doesnt necessarily mean his parents did anything wrong. some teens are really dumb and run away for stupid reasons.

his parents were stifling his career of being a rockstar

mathtans

Most don't stick it out as long as David though, I feel. But maybe not.

David's real upset that his guitar's smashed now then.

RebelVampire

most dont but david could be in that minority that are just that stubborn. but to be fair im saying not necessarily

his parents could also be shit ppl mathtans

Yeah, not enough info to call either way yet, really.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 3. In the beginning Ricky, Lev, and the other hobos meet David, a young boy who finds himself homeless. David claims this is due to the fact he got kicked out of his house. However, it is later revealed through his missing posters that David most likely ran away. Why do you think David would choose living on the streets over living with his family? Do you think David will be able to learn to live on the streets or will he find himself in deep trouble down the line?

ah look how convenient

mathtans

Actually, that would be a bit of a twist, if David WAS actually kidnapped now. After trying to do it alone. Maybe someone sent a ransom note and everything. (Unsigned, so people think it was Lev.)

Tenor

One hand I want to say maybe abuse? On the other I think it probably was more likely a fight with his parents. He seemed nearing adulthood, he might have wanted to run off to a more bohemian (sp?) lifestyle they didn't approve of and he dipped.

RebelVampire

yeah i personally lean towards a fight than abuse. just that his parents wanted something for his life he didnt and he wanted to be free and all that.

i have been curious who the heck david went off with

like david baby no, did you get involved with a gang

is it a secret cat cult

and you are caring for their god

mathtans

There is a whole underground. But maybe he found honest work somehow?

(Speaking of underground, kudos to the writer for the research on Paris casinos that I noticed in passing. Due diligence for seeing that they're privately owned.)

Kristin

Hi? Is the chat still happening?

RebelVampire

yes it is~!

Kristin

sweet

Sorry I'm late

mathtans

We all have our own time zones.

RebelVampire

no problem thank you for coming

Tenor

Hi~!

And it's ok Kristin I was late too. xD

RebelVampire

@math i honestly doubt he found honest work. he does not seem to be in the state of someone who found honest work. more like someone who just finally adjusted to living on the streets

Tenor

He might have found a good support group for what he's kinda wanting to do.

RebelVampire

yes a good support group who drive suspicious white vans

mathtans

Yeah, you are probably right on that. (I'm usually more of a cynic... but I also tend to devils advocate a lot, and there's a bit of a cynical vibe so maybe I'm just going counter to that here... hoping for the best.)

Suspicious white vans filled with guns? I feel like there's still gonna be repercussions from them stealing all those things.

RebelVampire

yeah there has to be. gangs usually dont like their stuff getting stolen

let alone finding out their stuff got stolen by a bunch of hobos

but to be fair they gotta get repercussions for shooting up a casino

cause i doubt no civilians got hurt

Tenor

I didn't see the guns fff-

mathtans

The casino started shooting first though. Well, kinda... Lev was a faster draw.

Tenor

Oh wait we tlakin earlier?

mathtans

I may be all over the place again.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm finally home I hope I'm noto too late

I have to quickly say I really enjoy the dreary feel I am getting from the comic, it's very atmospheric

Tenor

Nope yer good JOIN US. :D

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Paired up with some Silent Hill music I been reading it with that music as background

Specially Silent Hill 2 music

Tenor

...

Oh. My. God.

That is brilliant I should reread with that :|

RebelVampire

you do that Tenor. i think ill sit that out. comic sad enough without making it spooky. XD

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm super slow but I really like the stoic main character he looks like he has seen some shit in his life

It's not the spookiness, it's more like the atomshpere

Like not the chase scenes but defintely the town music

mathtans

Oooh, I hadn't even thought about Silent Hill, goodness. Though again, the Paris feel works for me.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I also like listening to some ummmm

What do they call the sounds of people in the streets?

mathtans

I used "sombre". ^.^

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Atomshpere sounds

mathtans

Background noise...?

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Like I like listening to the sound of people talking and moving in a crowded area while reading it and then it clicks me to the location

Yeah I guess

RebelVampire

on a not music note, i do give the creator credit. i really get the vibe from lev in his expressions that hes experienced some shit in life, regardless of what it is

Tenor

Oh yes, def.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Yes I also love the location, I don't see a lot of comics in other locations

mathtans

Agreed.

Tenor

And I like the story does pretty well with a nearly-silent protagonist. That can be pretty hard to show and move stories forward with.

mathtans

Also, for that whole bit where Lev wasn't speaking, still really good at conveying it.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

It's like how I am working very hard to make a comic based in Hong Kong because the buildings are amazing

Also yes, Lev has the face of "I seen shit, don't fuck with me" pardon my language XD

Tenor

/omg so offended. /jkjk

mathtans

Purple lions will do that to you.

Tenor

(My mobile was censoring my cussing so it's ok Lmao)

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Also I haven't read all of it, but I headcannon this is all an artistic dream or vision as a person is looking at a picture in a museum, remembering the past or something

crack theories away

mathtans

There's also some good development with secondary characters. I'm (as always) abysmal with names, but eyepatch guy, I've liked him.

RebelVampire

lol omg. really its just david sitting in a museum thinking the "what if i was homeless" scenario. then he goes home after he realizes it sucks.

Kristin

The art evolution is really interesting. Looking back at the beginning the art was a lot gritier. The new art feels softer and more optomistic somehow.

mathtans

David is staring at a picture of Lev... then he realizes, it's a mirror!

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Ohh I need to read more to see the art change :3

mathtans

I'm not always great at noticing art shifts. I don't binge so much as read bits through the week.

RebelVampire

im torn between thinking the art change was on purpose to express more optimism or if it was just something that happened cause of art improvement.

cause its definitely improved which is interesting to see for sure

mathtans

Why not both?

Tenor

I do feel it's a bit of both. You can see the growth in the artist through the pages for sure at least.

RebelVampire

but then again maybe its the calm before the storm

showing life moves on before it pours again

mathtans

I wonder if they'll have to break back into David's house to track him down.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 4. The comic deals with a lot of themes and issues in regards to survival, redemption, and homelessness. Was there anything that struck you as particularly poignant in regards to this? What do you think about the hobos extreme lengths to survive? Do you think any of them will manage to get off the streets or do they seemed doomed to it? Will they find redemption from their pasts?

maybe they go to david's house to explain lev didnt kidnap david. and then things escalate and suddenly lev is holding them hostage

mathtans

I could kinda see that happening. O.o

There was Lev's collapse, and waking up in the hospital. That was actually an interesting one, because on the one hand, he wasn't left to die in the street, someone helped him... but then Lev didn't even seem to have wanted the help. Like, not wanting to accept charity, even at the expense of his life.

RebelVampire

to be fair tho, i wouldve been none too pleased in his situation. greatful for being alive, sure. but mad i could potentially get situated with an enormous hospital bill

cause even if they have a better healthcare system there, when youre homeless you dont exactly have any money to give in the first place

mathtans

Yeah... I guess I'm kind of spoiled, what with having work benefits and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, I don't think about costs. Unless I'm reading about the US.

It's nice that the homeless guys get together, and even have a system like what Lev used to recruit for Ricky. Solidarity and all. They can redeem each other, in a way.

RebelVampire

maybe. idk about redeeming cause in the same vein they could enable each other to remain in their unredeemed states through encouraging vegetative behaviors

as someone who lives in the US i think about costs all the time

mathtans

Yeah, that's a good point. Though some people didn't necessarily agree too.

I wonder in retrospect what they did with the guns? Sold them? That feels like a bad plan.

RebelVampire

maybe they just kept them. or just dumped them somewhere. i feel like some would just want to throw them away. try to forget all that happened.

mathtans

Yeah.

RebelVampire

cause selling guns just sounds like a recipe for getting into jail

mathtans

Any fave secondary characters? I like the eyepatch guy, as I said... who can apparently see, I didn't expect that little tidbit. (It's nice to have some levity in there at times.)

RebelVampire

that would be my fave secondary character too just for the surprise my eyepatch is fake thing. i really enjoyed the moment in general cause everything was otherwise so serious, so it was good to have something a smidgen light-hearted

mathtans

He helped save them at the hotel too. Nice guy.

Wish I was better with names. (Angus? That feels not quite right.)

Tenor

4: They show Lev's friend is making steps to get clean and hopefully get off the streets. Out of those two he'd def be one to get out. But it's also more complicated than that because if France's homeless situation is any like ours it's not as simple as 'work hard' to get out. Sometimes without the right guidance, resource, will to be helped, or even with all of this you just can't get out. It's a mixed bag, really. Example if this were situated in america Lev, if he was indeed military, would probably be a Vet by the sounds of it and the homeless Vets in our nation is absolutely horrific due to the sheer amount of how the system is out to screw our soldiers.

RebelVampire

yeah i dont think their redemption is solely in their hands for sure. cause even if theyre willing, society is against them from the start. granted i think them being willing is also a big factor too. cause a lot of them do feel like they gave up at this point, which 100% ensures theyll probably not get out. its a sad situation

Tenor

(Also France has a universal health care that's apparently rated one of the best in the world so maybe he won't get sattled with a bill? /yay google)

mathtans

Well, and Ricky's issues with gambling were alluded to... but it doesn't seem like that's a thing he does any more. So that maybe helps him get off the street too?

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Hmm I don't know much about the later part of the story but I like how it seems like all the homeless people have a comunity within each other?

mathtans

Yeah, agreed on that, Feather. They honour their own fave spots and have bbqs and stuff. Nice.

RebelVampire

so with ten mins left, i want to say i didnt realize that the person who sat down with Lev in the latest update was the same person in the bg from the hospital

mathtans

Wait, really? I didn't pick up on that either.

RebelVampire

https://tapas.io/episode/231368

https://tapas.io/episode/819900

unless the clothes are an extreme coincidence XD

mathtans

I'll be darned. I wouldn't buy coincidence, no. But I imagine many people would have forgotten (if I can forget over the 3 days between when I read those, people will forget over 3 months or whatever). So... they know each other. That's all I can think.

Tenor

Considering they're really looking at Lev? Nah I think they recognize 'em.

RebelVampire

maybe theyre the person who helped him to the hospital or something somehow.

mathtans

Well, yeah, but it makes me wonder if maybe that wasn't the first time? Guardian angel in real life sort of thing?

Tenor

could be. Could be someone who knows 'em. Could be a potential major character later.

LOTS OF POTENTIALS

RebelVampire

it was david's sister all along come to ask Lev where the heck david is and why hes getting into white vans

Tenor

Hnn Can't wait to see where it go tho. :D I'm def really eager on seeing where things go with David (because if he's a runaway for being just essentially an unhappy brat I'm gunna shriek because that is a nightmare on a parent /one of my fears, my child is stubborn lmao)

LOL

TBF I did think a relative but only because the blond/light hair OTL

No real backing just a 'huh that'd be funny' xD

RebelVampire

nah that was the only reason i thought of it too

i mean chances are slim but not impossible

mathtans

Maybe she's the reason Lev stopped talking years ago.

He said something he regretted to her and decided not to speak again.

RebelVampire

if davids a runaway for being a brat im just gonna shake my head sadly. cause in a few years hes gonna realize he fucked up so hard.

mathtans

Maybe David reminds Lev of the mystery woman, that's why he wanted to help David.

I dunno. Good catch there though.

Spotting the similarity I mean.

RebelVampire

i only found it during the chat cause i was looking at the hospital scene

RebelVampire

and was like "wait a sec ive seen you before"

Unfortunately, the scheduled Comic Tea Party is now complete~! Thank you everyone so much for joining this week’s chat~! That being said, if you would like to continue discussing the comic, we encourage you to do so~! We want to give a big thank you to Jrej, as well, for volunteering Shades of Men for our reading queue. If you liked the comic, please be sure to support Jrej’s efforts. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about CTP, please feel free to PM me, or e-mail me at RebelVampire@startfaire.com.

With that said, next week’s Comic Tea Party will focus on Nine Twilights by Andrea Rosales, Anne Mortensen-Agnew, and Chris Hansbrough. Please use this week to read as much of the comic as you would like. Hope to see you next Thursday (September 14th) from 5PM to 7PM PDT~! Until then~! Comic: http://www.ninetwilights.com/