Page 22 – So, The Imperialists Want To Torture Me?
UPDATE: 4.27.10
Well, a quick pot of coffee and some dental work later, I’m back in fighting shape. I want to add to what I started on Sunday night, by first saying that the SQL hack seems not to have been a systematic thing, but rather a coincidence. A number of blogs I read happen to have gotten hacked or near-hacked in the same week, but it seems that the incidents were isolated. So, call that a bullet dodged – and please, take Douglas Adams’ advice and DON’T PANIC (in big, friendly letters). However, it just goes to show you that these things can happen, so as ever, a little vigilance goes a long way.
As to the page, I have begin to fear that my little graphical experiment is not quite as successful on the web as it would likely be in print. Basically, if you can’t follow it (and please help me out here if I’m off-base), there are two parallel storyline going here, with the simultaneous goings-on on either side of the border, with Major Rucker et al doing their thing above, and Mike’s solo assault on the FSR gradually escalating below. So the top panels are continuous page to page, and likewise the bottom panel, but not the two to each other. I hoped that was clear but I’ve had a few comments to indicate that it wasn’t. At this point, though, I’m committed, and right or wrong, I kind of have to follow it through. And of course, all the more reason to buy the book when it hits print! Wink wink, nudge nudge, say-no-more.
The addition of aircraft was something I’d been wanting to do for some time. Aside from the Howler hovercraft, this has been a world free of airpower so far, and I wanted to indicate that the Federates do, in fact, have the ability to defend themselves quite well, even though they’re using technology that’s somewhat archaic compared to the United Nations. It was also an opportunity to show Mike being effectively blindsided – he’s good, but not invincible. Only nearly invincible.
And I know I keep saying it, but we really ARE getting close to the end of the chapter here. I don’t want to reveal too much, of course, but things are getting pretty out of hand here. And of course, that means it’s getting ever more interesting to draw!
Original Post – 4.26.2010: Mike has been attacked by the Federate Air Force! Oh, boy, I love drawing airplanes. And I finally had a chance to add some into this comic, whichhas until now been mostly tank-oriented. Someone last week mentioned that the artillery shells reminded him of diving aircraft, which was interesting considering this scene, which was already pencilled by then – I kept mum so’s not to ruin the surprise, such as it is! The plane is my own variation on the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter-bomber, for those who are interested.
Aaaaaand… we’re still on schedule!
This week, I was not working overtime, but rather, fighting some form of bacteriological warfare which has been visited upon me. Probably by Communists. You know how those guys are. And so with that in mind, I’m going to abbreviate this week’s post for the moment. There are some things I wanted to add in, but this darned cold/flu/allergies/whatever is weighing on me, so discretion being the better part of valor, I’m turning in for now.
Before I go, though – one important word. There are reports going around of an SQL hack making the rounds on webcomics. I think 6-Commando is flying under the radar for the moment and I keep it under almost constant maintenance, but it never hurts to be vigilant, so a few things: I never send out unsolicited emails without a fully explanatory subject line, and I do not run advertisments or pop-ups on this site. If anyone sees any of these, or gets any other suspicious activity on the site, let me know at once!
At any rate, for all you healthy folks out there, keep on voting, posting and emailing – it’s developing into a lively little community here, and everyone’s comments have been most appreciated. Be well, everyone, and see you next week!
Thanks for the warning about the SQL hack thing. Is there anywhere where I can read up about it so I can be on the lookout myself?
The pages are looking great!
It actually turns out, after some investigation, not to have been a systematic hack but a number of blogs I read that were coincidentally sql-hacked in the same week. A couple were mentioned on Belfrycomics.net (Sister Claire, for one) but it seems to have been pure happenstance that they all happened in a short time. So rather than perpetuate the meme, I’m leaving it at that – except to say that blogs are, in fact, vulnerable to such things and that vigilance is always wise.
–M
How strong is mikes top armor? Or is he vulnerable to a lucky artillery strike/fighter run?
Well, without revealing too much of the story, I can tell you that Mike, aside from his internal drives and weapons systems, is practically solid armor. The material is a multi-layer mesh referred to by UNA soldiers and technicians as “polyalloy.” Structurally it’s the same as carried by all UNA vehicles, but is considerably thicker and denser when applied to Rumblers. Basically it’s alternating layers of dense molydbenum-osmium alloy that resist penetration, and high-hardness heat-dissipating ceramics. The Echo-class Rumblers are known to be marginally vulnerable to air attack – their point-defense lasers are good for shooting at shells and missiles, but aircraft can evade the Rumbler’s sensors with stealth coatings and other countermeasures, making it hard for Mike to lock his lasers until the planes are actually on the last leg of their attack run. However, Rumblers are extremely rugged vehicles, designed to operate as a totally autonomous attack force, and so they can take a huge amount of punishment and continue to function. If all else fails, they’ll try to crash into their targets and pulverize them under their treads – Mike already did this, actually, on page 14. Obviously you can’t ram an airplane, but the armor plates are really, really tough. REALLY.
–M
wow O_o,
I once was playing a game called Panzer Commander, I once accidentally shot down a German plane in an American Sherman with my main gun. The irony is I was trying to hit a long distance target.
Actually! Wouldn’t the lasers present a weak point in Mikes armor? They seem to have been wiped away by the attack run.
They themselves are a weak point (the fighter strike gof one of them) but they’re self-contained and aside from the power lead, don’t connect to any other systems.
–M
Page is looking good!
I went back to page 19 to re-read this action sequence and I have to say that you’re building the tension very well. I really can’t wait to see how this all ends!
Sorry I didn’t comment sooner, it was a bit hectic at work. Also good to see that you’re still on schedule even with working overtime!
Yeah, I actually got ahead this week! Who’d have thought? Thanks for the comments – always nice to have another artist’s perspective on the site!
–M
I’ve found your webcomic by looking at the Webcomics by PJers thread on PencilJack…and even though you didn’t provide a link there, I did some stalking to find this…and I’m glad I did. You have some awesome stuff going on over here!!
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! And thanks for the heads-up: I fixed the post so there’s a link there now. Hope to see you come back again soon!
–M