Seriousness, and the difficulty thereof
This page was actually quite difficult to do: Not so much because of the content, but because I had to scrutinize every single detail of the art to make sure I was giving the moment the right amount of gravity. One off-model character, one goofy expression, one inappropriate sound effect, and the scene transforms from a traumatic explosion of aggression to a narm-tastic trivialisation of a threat faced by far too many.
It was particularly difficult to get the characters’ expressions right. the most-straightforward was probably Shanna in panel 6, mostly because her face is mostly covered by her hand and her eye just needed to be wide-open in shock. Fliss’ expression in panel 5 was by and far the most difficult one I’ve ever had to compose. The face is a hugely versatile and complex social tool, and even the subtlest modification in the positioning of any of those features can completely change the emotion that we’re representing. In this panel, I wanted to show not just shock, but also physical pain, sadness, fear and betrayal. I can’t tell you how many revisions I made to the pencils on that panel, because nothing I was drawing seemed to do the trick. Eventually, I had to give up and move on to complete the rest of the page before coming back to it and experimenting more until I finally found the combination I felt conveyed how Fliss felt following this unprovoked assault.
As I’ve stated several times before: Shanna is not a nice person. She’s not a BAD person, but this is definitely one of the worst things I’ve had her do. She’s a bully, barely containing her rage and using aggression to get what she wants. However, her natural instinct is to protect Fliss at all times; It’s a very horrific moment, as Shanna’s actions are simultaneously in and out of character for her. This action brings her more into line with her original Prodigy characterisation, and even then she’s still significantly more pleasant a person than Prodigy Shanna.
What’ll happen next? Will things get worse before they get better? Will they reconcile? And just who IS Fliss’ girlfriend? Keep reading, and all will be revealed…
M.
You know. It would be FAR less traumatic for the “gay” people if they stopped trying to shove their sexuality down everyone else’s throats. Was Shana right in shrugging it off as a “phase?” No. Does that mean Fliss gets to shove it into Shana’s face until Shana jumps up and down with joy and does a happy dance? HELL NO! “It’s just a phase” is the security blanket most “straight” people use when a loved one suddenly decides that “gay” is what he/she is. Sheesh. Perhaps the “gay pride” movement might want to consider what life would be like if other “counter culture” behaviors suddenly became “normal.”
Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I just found out I’m a THIEF. I’m really good at it, I’ve got a gang and everything! BE HAPPY FOR ME! It’s really no different than what Fliss is doing here. Just food for thought.
Fuck no, it wouldn’t. First off, your analogy is terrible. Unlike homosexuality, larceny is a choice and criminal. Second, there’s this unspoken rule in our society that it’s perfectly okay for people to shove their sexuality down the throats of others AS LONG AS THEY’RE STRAIGHT. It’s perfectly all right to talk about sex and joke about sex with friends, and comment on how sexy people look, and bring sexual partners home and show them off, as long as this is all straight sex we’re talking about. Moreover, if anyone does not actively participate in this flaunting of (hetero) sexuality, people might start to think there’s something wrong, because everyone ought to have a strong interest in (straight) sex. It’s an oppressive culture for anyone who isn’t heterosexual, especially if they’re not out of the closet. And do you really think gays would be better off just bringing a partner home one day and assuming no one will have a problem with that than they are coming out ahead of time? Yeah, no.
I don’t consider both of you are right or wrong. I think Uhl is right on part Fliss shoving it on Shana’s face. My opinion on the matter is that it still has no sexual conotation yet its just a warning, Fliss sounds determined to make sure Shana knows…. why? I think it could have gone smoother if Fliss gave Shana time to let it sink in.
On the part of people shoving sexuality down people throats, I think you both comments are based on generalizations. I have gay friends that are happy with themself and we can have a drink together chat about anything even girls/guys likes and there is nothing wrong. I have gay people I know that spend every single talking moment talking openly about their sexuality and giving details about their every conquest sexual activities. Seriosly I don’t talk to most my hetero friends about those details on my sexual life, but thats just me. Yet the same distinction comes with strait people there are people that talk too much about their sex life and details even if I don’t. I do belive on respect being the key to solving social problems but one of the biggest no-nos is trying to say one group is largely acting in some way or another. Sorry I don’t want to step on anyones toes but for me it is a sensible subject since I lost one of my best bi friends for making wild asumptions of her actions.
Well, yes. I am speaking in generalizations. We can talk about exceptions all day (and there always are exceptions), but on a societal level, it makes sense to generalize. And in general, heteronormativity holds sway. People are presumed straight until proven otherwise, and that can lead to false expectations concerning behavior. And it is true that it is safe (socially speaking) to be openly and actively heterosexual, whereas that is frequently untrue of being openly and actively homosexual (again, there are local exceptions).
As for Fliss, Shanna is her only family. It’s only a matter of time before she finds out, especially if Fliss has a girlfriend now. Fliss needs her to be understanding, and it does make more sense to tell her now than to try to hide it and set her up for huge shock later. Fliss’s actions here may seem unreasonable but they were not without provocation: remember that Fliss was hesitant and matter-of-fact about it until Shanna invalidated her. (You want to talk about no-nos? There’s a big one right there. You do not tell anyone they’re wrong about their sexual identity. Ever.)
First off, Uhl is right that shoving something someone doesn’t want to hear down their throat is a risky move, and that goes double for anything sexual in in nature. Pushing someone who is already rejecting what you say is asking for a negative response even at the best of times, and Shanna appears to be drunk. Also, she may be drunk in response to the unwelcome news, which makes this the worst possible time to pursue this matter. Let her sober up, then talk sense to her.
NONE of this excuses violence against a loved one, of course. I want that to be *abundantly* clear.
Seth is right about the Heterosexual conversations being oppressive for Straight and Homosexual people alike. Being expected to engage in conversations about subject matter you find unappealing is unpleasant, especially if the subject is a sensitive issue. Personally, the subject matter most people seem to think is okay horrifies me.
As for the choice/nature issue, many “gay gene” advocates claim that “gay” people have chosen to marry a member of the opposite sex and have a family for social reasons. eg: “Are you sure your Grandma’s Straight?” Whether you feel attracted to someone is not under your control, but what, if anything, you do about it *is*.
As for Fliss, she has already informed her sister, who is in a drunken stupor trying to escape what she has been told. Both sisters are behaving unreasonably here, but no-one is trying to justify Shanna’s unconscionable actions. Fliss needs to give Shanna time to remember she cares more about her sister than about a sexual identity.
Chris, I think you’ve achieved what you set out to do.
In conveying all the emotions with the right gravity? Or sparking a debate?
I like to think both 😀
Thanks!
Happy Halloween.
Happy Halloween to you too! Did you get to any parties?
Nah I dressed up as a soldier wearing a gasmask and helped hand out candy to kids/teenagers.