And we have returned to Zdan in "Triverse: 1980's edition."
2022 Mike thought that was a joke.
Angry teen is angry. Hope he doesn't get himself into trouble.
As Simon noted, it's been a while since there was a good bonus chapter. The handwritten pages are a nice touch.
Simon, special shout out to the doodle of Nigel's head. You've published many (but I doubt all) of your sketches on Substack, but the Nigel head is in a different style from other pieces you've shared. Meaning you gave Zdan a different drawing style to those we've seen you explore. That's detail.
Since you've implied this chapter also covers a small time jump I can assume next week won't be an exciting chapter of Yana reading a book, saying things like, "This guy had terrible handwriting," "He's written in some kind of code," "I'm pretty sure Lola lost a page when she ripped the book in half," and, of course, "Dammit, Lola, your sweaty boobs caused the ink to run on page 215 - and I'm pretty sure that's an IMPORTANT diagram!"
I always had a notion that I might return to Zdan. The original storyline was mostly about his dad, but I rather liked the idea of going back to him to see the longer-term impact. At the time I didn't have the time skip in mind, so I didn't think too much about it. But time skipping from young child to young teen Zdan makes all he difference, and this opportunity popped up to bring him back.
When I wen back to re-read the 'Backdoors' storyline, I was amused to spot your comment from 2022. :) (there's an almost continuity error here, actually: the gym is being torn down at the end of the 'Backdoors' storyline, but Zdan mentions hanging out there with his mates. I decided to leave it, because nothing Zdan says here contradicts the idea of the old gym being a ruin. In fact, it being mostly demolished with the encased portal tear stuck in the middle is a compelling image.
Also, you were right again: the week after this chapter definitely wasn't Yana having a lovely read.
What a great idea to incorporate the handwritten diary! Makes me want to handwrite the letter in the latest chapter of my own serial, although it'd probably have to be in medieval cursive which I decidedly cannot do haha...
The format also serves to highlight the scrappy teenage nature of Zdan's thoughts & emotions! Makes me remember when I was around that age, desperately trying to do something to kick off change but also not knowing what that something might be. Let's hope he can channel it into productive action for good in time.
Thanks! It would have been difficult to capture that scrappy, chaotic brain without doing it by hand, with all the sketches and random asides.
I did make me think that it would be REALLY fun to write an entire book with this kind of ad hoc illustration. My son used to love a series called Tom Gates which was like that — very effective mix of comics and prose.
And we have returned to Zdan in "Triverse: 1980's edition."
2022 Mike thought that was a joke.
Angry teen is angry. Hope he doesn't get himself into trouble.
As Simon noted, it's been a while since there was a good bonus chapter. The handwritten pages are a nice touch.
Simon, special shout out to the doodle of Nigel's head. You've published many (but I doubt all) of your sketches on Substack, but the Nigel head is in a different style from other pieces you've shared. Meaning you gave Zdan a different drawing style to those we've seen you explore. That's detail.
Since you've implied this chapter also covers a small time jump I can assume next week won't be an exciting chapter of Yana reading a book, saying things like, "This guy had terrible handwriting," "He's written in some kind of code," "I'm pretty sure Lola lost a page when she ripped the book in half," and, of course, "Dammit, Lola, your sweaty boobs caused the ink to run on page 215 - and I'm pretty sure that's an IMPORTANT diagram!"
I always had a notion that I might return to Zdan. The original storyline was mostly about his dad, but I rather liked the idea of going back to him to see the longer-term impact. At the time I didn't have the time skip in mind, so I didn't think too much about it. But time skipping from young child to young teen Zdan makes all he difference, and this opportunity popped up to bring him back.
When I wen back to re-read the 'Backdoors' storyline, I was amused to spot your comment from 2022. :) (there's an almost continuity error here, actually: the gym is being torn down at the end of the 'Backdoors' storyline, but Zdan mentions hanging out there with his mates. I decided to leave it, because nothing Zdan says here contradicts the idea of the old gym being a ruin. In fact, it being mostly demolished with the encased portal tear stuck in the middle is a compelling image.
Also, you were right again: the week after this chapter definitely wasn't Yana having a lovely read.
Bit of a shame, that. I think my projected Yana complaints were HI-larious!
There’s nothing like a journal entry to get into the mind of a character. Well done!
Thanks, Shannon!
What a great idea to incorporate the handwritten diary! Makes me want to handwrite the letter in the latest chapter of my own serial, although it'd probably have to be in medieval cursive which I decidedly cannot do haha...
The format also serves to highlight the scrappy teenage nature of Zdan's thoughts & emotions! Makes me remember when I was around that age, desperately trying to do something to kick off change but also not knowing what that something might be. Let's hope he can channel it into productive action for good in time.
Thanks! It would have been difficult to capture that scrappy, chaotic brain without doing it by hand, with all the sketches and random asides.
I did make me think that it would be REALLY fun to write an entire book with this kind of ad hoc illustration. My son used to love a series called Tom Gates which was like that — very effective mix of comics and prose.