Off Hours Chapter 2 Page 48 - Version 2
dueeast on June 17, 2010
And here we have version 2 of Page 48, the final regular page of Off Hours! That doesn't mean it's the last page, because, well, it's not…but isn't it a good page?
Here we take the same subject matter…in a sense, the same scene, with Rose Carpenter (Charna from Nadya) and Violet (Nadya from Nadya)…but take it in a different direction. It's a tad darker and edgier.
Let the comments begin! Let us know a few things:
1. Your feelings about this page.
2. How do the two versions of the page work for you, when compared (the lighter and the darker versions, if you will)?
3. What are your thoughts on Off Hours coming to a close after 2.5 years?
Art by Pam Harrison from House of the Muses and script by me, Allen from Due East.
houseofmuses at 2:54PM, June 20, 2010
Thanks, Jay. I remember after Allen gave me the script, he was telling me Rose was stunned to realize that Violet's ears were actually real, and added in his notes, "Your challenge will be to convey that in the faces." I didn't find that much of a problem, actually. Making my characters come to life is one of those things I'm best at. I'm one of a handful of artists that actually makes use of facial expressions to convey subtle storytelling in what the critics love to call--ugh--Poser comics. Guess you can tell, since 'Poser' also means 'fake', I don't care much for that moniker. But look around and you'll see it's true that 8 out of 10 Poser comics are made up of characters with blank expressions.
artdude2002 at 12:13PM, June 20, 2010
Outstanding page, but I agree with house of muses. I wouldn't call this dark. It is a more genuine look at the reveal of Violet's new true nature. However you look at it, I think it's great. Well done, both of you.
dueeast at 8:29PM, June 18, 2010
houseofmuses: 1. I agree the page looks awesome! 2. Comparatively, yes it is darker...but it's good!! I really like both versions, and both versions will stay up. I'm just curious how people will react to 2 different views of the same scene (with different conclusions). 3. It is interesting to wrap it up, but this is definitely not the end! There's about 5 or 6 more pages coming (but most of those are "deleted scenes." usedbooks: 1. Okay...slacker. ;) 2. As I said before, I will be keeping both, so don't worry, be happy. 3. I'm glad you feel the contribution you made was fun (and actually, you did some coloring less than a year ago, right?). Finally, believe me, Due East is already well into planning stages, with new story, new characters and all kinds of goodness lined up. However, it won't begin until Off Hours has officially concluded...which will be soon. So there!
usedbooks at 7:20PM, June 18, 2010
1. Good. Sorry. I can't think of much to say. :P 2. Either works for me. Keep both. Why not? 3. Must be nice to finish your project. I know my hand in it ended over a year ago, but what contribution I got to make was fun. -- Now get back to updating Due East!
houseofmuses at 6:25PM, June 18, 2010
Comment, you slackers. >:) 1. I think this page looks awesome. But that's just me. 2. This is the darker version? Well, I guess so. Rose feels like she just stepped into the Twilight Zone and Violet seems to have a whole new attitude about her. The irony you wrote into panel 8 is priceless. 3. Only question for question 3 is, what's next? I recently took a look ahead and realized House of the Muses will be ending shortly (December, 2012) but time kind of transcended itself and I went into premature Empty Nest Syndrome. We put so much of ourselves into our work that it seems so final when a series finally has to come to an end. I recently discussed this with Megan Gedris regarding her series Yu+Me also. She's having to wean herself off. Just because a certain series is coming to an end doesn't have to mean it's the end of your creative efforts. Hopefully there are bigger and better things to come. And thanks for inviting me along for the ride.