Chapter 2: Page 13 01/16/13

Okay, I seem to have lied again about the exact days, and I again apologize for my tardiness on that. Last page of the chapter, the second version of it! The original, with it's own direction will be included in the omakes for your comparison should you order. Again, though I wouldn't recommend the full hard copy, I ask for your support in at least ordering a download copy. If you order a hard copy, I will thank you for your sacrifice, as most of that money goes into the printing process. I also will make a two-pack with notes on the first chapter. I don't think I'll remaster it in the current art style until the third chapter, just to keep trilogies together. It's a pet peeve of mine, so bear with me. Or chew me out, I may change my mind if enough people want it remastered before I publish the duel volume. It'll delay publication a bit, though. It will also be a better bargain then buying the two individually.

Transcript:

Mason:
You can feel my grip, Shade. I want you, whenever you consider questioning us, to remember that feeling.
It's time for me to go.
D1t0k0: Yes, I believe it is.
That's quite enough bullying of the human, Mason.
Girl, why don't you relAX?

Chapter 2: Page 12 01/06/13

Another page, I apologize for my laziness and delay in getting this up. I'll at least justify the delay if it happens again! Sorry. Anyway, I changed my mind (again) about the last page, so it'll be a bit before I have it redrawn in an accurate style to the story. Thank you those who have in fact stuck with me, and again, please support if you are willing.

Transcript
Mason:
And, just a word of advice before I go, Shade,
Even the fool girl there is older than you, and much more valued. I assure you, she's seen things you would never want to.
Any one of us could snuff you out of existence. For no reason whatsoever.

Chapter 2: Page 11 12/31/12

Okay, new page up, m'peeps. That leaves two left, and I've drawn both. Just haven't polished them. I'll be remastering the first chapter's pages for a new edition of the first issue, and I'll publish a dual issue when this is done as well.
Enjoy!

Mason will have more monologues as the story goes on, he's that kind of character.

Transcript:
Mason: You just slipped into our world, and our disagreement. I can understand your displeasure, Shade, but you have to learn your place.
It's not your fight, and you don't deserve anything but pity.
Pity, which of course, we are willing to give.
D1t0k0, I'm leaving. I have business, and Laus will have arrived by now.
Shade, don't lose heart.
We don't hate you, you just don't matter enough to require our exertion.

Chapter 2: Page 10 12/27/12

New page todays! Been working on multiple at once right now to keep the rate up, and also increase the quality. Sort of, that last one was kind of bad. But yeah, got a clean keyboard now, so it'll make this more fun to type! Wee!

Transcript
Mason: You want an answer?
Girl: Yes, yes I do.
Mason: First of all, always think about what you're asking for before letting a question past your lips, Shade. You have no place here. You're talking to immortal beings here, and you just challenged them to reveal their methods.
It's a simple answer, Shade. You're dead. Less than human. I saw it happen.

Chapter 2: Page 9 12/24/12

Okay, I'm back again, drawing faster this time, I intend to finish this chapter before the next delay, I have the next page drawn, too. Sorry about the bad outlines in this one, I updated Gimp, and am still getting used to the new version. Also switched operating systems, so that's taking some getting used too. As I said, I have the rest of the chapter plotted out, so I actually know what I'm doing this from here in, it is planned. Merry Christmas, I might put some art up for that tomorrow.

Transcript:
Girl: Is someone willing to tell me, please, what's going on?
D1t0k0, Mason: What?
Um...
No, it's not for humans.
Girl:
Really? I think I deserve an answer here! I black out, wake up in a place I don't know, like... like this! And then you get my life story from me... and then go off arguing about something else? What? And you give me "It's not for humans?"

Chapter 2: Page 8 12/16/12

Transcript:

Mason: Oh, ya know. Just wandering around weaking havoc among the lesser mortals.
D1t0k0: You know I don't like having you on my turf, Mason.
Mason: This I know. I wouldn't be here without reason, M'lady.
D1t0k0: Of course, coming here, you are ready to accept the consequences?
Mason: And what, exactly, do you have to threaten me with, D1t0k0?
D1t0k0: You don't really want to find out, Mason. What was it you wanted?

Page 7 11/28/12

New page up today! I'm speeding up the plot arc in the next few pages, I hope that doesn't bug anyone.

Transcript:
And that's all I really remember.... after that it's just a blur...
That's such a sad last memory...
The only thing that cuts through the blur at the end is those tear stained eyes. I don't remember what it means, though... I'm sure it was important...
Telling the human how things work around here, Miss D1t-chan?
I'm sure He wouldn't approve of that sort of exposition.
I'm sure He wouldn't. And we all know how highly you think of Him, Mason. What re you doing here?

Chapter 2: Page 6 11/23/12

New page style, again. After some critical overview I changed it up. I will, probably, include this artstyle across the board in the next compilation. I like the black backgrounds better, but some were saying it got hard to read. Hence the change. Anyway, back to regularly scheduled programming. I'm not entirely fond of changing artstyle in mid chapter, but I decided to throw caution to the wind this time.

 

Transcript:

Girl: I was... I was trying to escape when it... it happened. I needed to escape once in awhile, find a nice place, crash for a drink.

Often the guys would be so sweet there. Not all of them, but compared to... compared to...

My father was a great example of a terrible human being. He did try, he really did, but he would drink, and then.... we would all... wish he didn't....

That's why I would hide in the pubs... I could pretend I was... I was wanted. None of us were, but he still tried to "do his duty", I guess.

I was on one of my escapes. I didn't want to go back, that would have made it so much worse. I had to wait at least until I was sure he had drank himself to sleep.

Not a Page, again.

Okay, I have the first chapter, published on lulu, my spotlight is http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/sydself
Sorry, it's on sale for the massively overpriced amount of $11.00, at least once the volumes get bigger the unit price will go down. Publishing's expensive. And it's still cheaper than doing it myself. I wanted, as I said, a price of $2.00, but that didn't happen. In the volumized version you get a few omake pages at the end, this time it's even worse by me not having much relevant to this project to mock, so I'm mocking projects I haven't even started yet. Oh, and skyborn, I can't avoid a shot at that. But if you wanna support this comic, picking up a copy would be helpful. I won't blame you for waiting until it's cheaper, though.

The text in the volumized is also all redone, because I read something about font copyright in the meantime, and until I pay my dues to the people who's fonts I used, I'm going to use the generic typefaces instead. Sorry about that. Once I buy a license I'll bring them back. I probably should fix them in the archive too. And I added a cosmetic change to page 12, I figured it had more effect.

Chapter 2: Page 5 11/14/19

 New page, I like the art a bit better, but I was having a good art day, got some omake for the first issue done. In this case, this means that I found some sketches for unrelated projects and added a bunch of chibis in, but what can I say? It still's passable, and I wound up making fun of my own art alot. I almost have the purchasable issue system finished, I'm not entirely sure though. I think I will be using lulu, which will make it available on amazon. Not going to worry about a true volumized collection until later, though. This will be the first chapter with a large quantity of omake in the end. Also, any requests, which I am now taking. You will get a separate signed copy of the request, and it will be included in the volume, They will not be in the issue format for various reasons. Unfortunately, I think that issues are going to be running around eight dollars apiece, which is far more than I wanted. In this case, I don't really have a choice, printing costs are much more ridiculous than I had expected when I earlier intended to sell them for a fourth of that cost.

Transcript
D1t0k0: Good job trying to keep UP.
Let's rest a momENT, I have something to show YOU.
This will explain some THINGS.
You were wondering why you were HERE, rIGHT?

Chapter 2: Page 4 11/14/12

Another page. Somewhat bare. Sorry, I've been a bit sick and busy recently, and couldn't think of what to add. I like the first two frames, kinda disappointed in her chin in the last.

 

D1t0k0: Here, come on, get UP!

I'll show you arouND!

We've got so much to SEE!

Hurry, last one back to the tree loosES!

You have a ways to GO!

Chapter 2: Page 3 11/03/12

Okay, another page today, maybe go through some exposition these next couple days. I'm honestly making it up as I go along now, with only a goal to work toward. I think it surprises me that way too.

 

Transcript:

D1t0k0: WelCOME! There you ARE! That was quite a rUN! Do you like it heRE?

We're glad to have yoU! You're welcome to enjoy yourSELF!

Stranger:  Where am I?
Who are you?

D1t0k0: I am D1t0k0, one of the champiONS. This here is my friend Cu LoyAL, another ONE! I shall strive to victORY! No WORLD, perSON, or gOD shall stand in our WAY!

And you're just a human who got killed in the crossfire of the tournamENT.  Sorry about thAT, it happENS.

This here is shRINE, the world of those dead in the gAMES.

Chapter 2: Page 2 11/01/12

Okay, after enough procrastination, another page. I intend to have another one before sunday, sorry for the delay. Leave your feedback as a comment, please. I'd like to know how I'm doing!

Transcript:
D1t0k0: Looks like she finally came throUGH.
 I wonder how she's feelING.
I knOW, we should go meet HER.
There's no way she could be used to thIS.
It's gotta be weird to get stabbed and then fall from the sKY.
She's gotta be wondering what's going ON.

Chapter 2: Page 1 10/22/12

Several things today. First, new cleaning style. After this chapter is done, I'll see which I like better. Second, I hope to get the volume prices locked down by the end of the week. Third. Yes, complete mood whiplash. And yes, it's a sheepdog and a robot girl. Unless you couldn't tell, then for your benefit, it's a sheepdog and a robot girl. *chuckle* 

It'll make sense, but my thing about the chekov's gun that this started out as? Well, I accidentally that. I was thinking last night, and wanted to draw the shot shown in the first frame, and that, plus an unhealthy dose of Mirai Nikki, completely changed the route of the story. Still aiming at a preplanned arc, with many of the same characters, but it's surrealism. I can't just stick to formula.

Transcript:

D1t0k0: Cu! Where have you beEN?
Another one just appearED, and he revealed his mechanic right aWAY!
Mason guided him through IT. Mason's so pushy, thoUGH, I hope it wasn't too rushED. I think that's all of thEM.
Maybe I missed a fEW, but either WAY,
It's about to beGIN.

Page 13, End Chapter 1 10/17/12

And here we are, at the end of the first chapter, thanks to those who bothered to read and support our sponsors, I will start working on the next chapter and hard copies, those who want them will have to contact me seperately for now, selfsyd@gmail.com, and I'll figure out a distribution method when I finish the Omake segments.

Please continue to support my sponsors, they support me.

 

Transcript:

Stranger: Why, then? Why'd you kill her?

Laus: Who are you? Where did he go?

Stramger: What? Someone left? What were you doing?

Why did you kill her?

Laus: I don't know, he told me it was the only way....

Stranger: Come with me, Laus. Laus, hmmm? I honestly don't know where He gets these names. We'll sort it out when we get back. Some one told you to kill someone, and you did? What is wrong with you?

Page 12 10/13/12

I'm sorry, I'm lazy. I've been procrastinating for no good reason. But I got my act together and have the new page. Off to a bad start for a webcomic, eh? Well, I have three points of interest today.

First, I am supported by my sponsers, who you can see on the sides of the page. If they interest you, go ahead and check them out! Keeps them wealthy, and keeps me motivated, and afloat in the first place.

Also, when I'm done with the next page, sometime next week, I'll be working on the first "hard" issue of the story. Dunno how I'll be distributing that, my ad provider contract prohibits me from distributing them here. But I can redirect you later Maybe. I don't know. In addition to the story, it'll have an omake section, as well as some extras.

Finally, I wasn't happy with the turnout of the previous page, so I'll be appending a darkened version of it to the end of this.

Please don't steal my artwork, it's kinda my only income right now.

Today's:

Transcript:
Mason: Congratulations! You did it! You're the big hero!
You've started to fulfill your entire purpose for being here. Who knows, you might even be the best of them!
You'll hate your job, and I don't blame you.
Laus: I feel disgusting
Like an animal. Or worse.
A tool in a slaughterhouse.
Used only to thin herds.
Mason: Ain't it grand?


Also, the optional reupload of last times. Mostly because it looked real faint-like and hard to see.

 

See you next week, I've got Skyborn work to do, and a way to do it.

Page 11 10/03/12

Sorry for the wait, all those fans I have. I could say I've been preparing for hard copies (Incidentally, I'll begin actual production of them as of pg 13's release, as a 17 pg comic,) but I haven't. Rather, I've been absorbed in Dark Souls: Prepare to Die edition. Which, despite the shoddy inexperience of the port, is still fully playable and worth the buy for the fun value, at very least if you aren't willing to get a console for it. But I'm at the final dungeon finally, and scanned up my page.

 

Transcript: Nothing. Do I really need words here?

Page 10 09/20/2012

And here we go, the first new page in a while. The vacation took longer than expected. Had fun though.
Only three more pages in the first chapter!
Maybe I'll have more time to work on it, ragequit a second time in dark souls, and uninstalled it. Reinstalling it now though. Wish I could afford Assassin's Creed III, but can't yet. Need more priorities.

If you like the comic so far, follow this blog!

EDIT:
Should have added this earlier, I've been recovering from the trip, sorry:

Transcript:
Mason: Hey, it's a terrible way to start life, having to deliberately end another one.
But it's not like you could get out of it.
Or...
You could run. Run and keep running.
Run and she lives.
She suffers forever.
But she lives.
Run and keep running.
And she won't die.
Yet.
Laus: No, I'll do it. Someone has to. Someone else will just do it if I don't.
Mason: Not running? Do you need any help, then?
Laus: Just... let me end this quick.

Page 9 9/12/12

Here's the new page as promised. I apologize for the somewhat mind-screwy image-text relations, but I originally planned for this page to be used earlier for more exposition purposes before deciding the ambiguity worked better. Well, if there still is any at this point any way. I'm pretty sure you've figured out what's going on with Laus, anyway. Or at least what his job is.

Transcript:
Mason: You can't run away from this, Fresh. You're one of them. A Pale Angel.
No one else likes it either. I definitely don't.
But you're still one of them, and you still have
a
job
to
DO!

Wait a day. ~9/11~

I changed my mind. Apologies to those who were reminded to check via Criticism (I'm nocturnal, this is still during said day). No story update today. I had the image all loaded up, and decided to do something else today.

You've all heard these before.

But Eleven years ago on this day, an atrocity was committed, one which I would quote Fred Gallagher (if I'm worthy of quoting him, as infantile as my comic is as of yet,) as "Painting with blood."

I bring it up because it must not be forgotten.

It need not haunt us every day of our lives, by any means, and any other day of the year it's more than possible you could catch me make a joke at the occasion's expense! But it was a horrible thing, and said jokes are more for the lightening of the mood than actual disdain for those lost, and it must still be held as an incident which shows exactly how evil mankind can be to one another, for no other purpose than hatred and jealousy.

I hastily drew up today's special page in memorial, and I don't pretend to have the skill of others.

But if every fledgling webcomic from now on devotes just one page in their entire run to this day, the lives lost senselessly will never be forgotten.

It strikes me how coincidentally similar two thirds of the main villains planned for Criticism are to the wretches who attacked New York, striking not to gain land, or to gain wealth, or any conventional motivation. My inspirations for them indeed lay elsewhere, but the connection lay nonetheless.

And there would be a connection, for those villains are evil. It is a sad truth that the world of reality has decided not to differentiate from fiction in this respect.

We shouldn't lose hope, nonetheless.

And pardon the filibuster, and feel free to disagree, it's my opinion, and doesn't need to be shared, but a president, who will remain nameless, who chooses to divulge and leak state and military secrets surrounding the downfall of the monster who attacked us eleven years ago for a petty political popularity ploy seems to have matched himself nicely with the third main villain of Criticism. Note that I designed that character well before the incident. But he deserves no respect for such actions. And I hold no guilt for my alliterating accusations.

Just something to think about.

All politics aside, them being a nasty buisness,

A special page.

 

Thank you for putting up with this today.
Real page will be up tomorrow. <Read: "4 or 5 am."