Ahhhhhh… yeah, some of you called it, last week. I guess you got me on that one! You always surprise me, folks – and let me say, I couldn’t possibly ask for a sharper, more perceptive readership. You’re all awesome. This page, also, was a lot of fun, albeit rather a difficult draw. I’d be a poor architect not to be able to whip up some kind of cityscape, but the reflection in the water was a littler harder than it seems. And finding period photographs of Singapore to at least TRY to make it look like something similar to the real thing, well… not easy to do. So just remember, it’s an alternate-universe Singapore.
On that point, actually, I think I should be clear on something. I really don’t want to sound petulant or disgruntled, because I’m not. However, last year about this time, I got a large pile of very rude comments and emails regarding my use of the Russian language for the Federates in the story. This time, things seem to be on the verge of swinging in a similar direction, so I want to make sure everyone takes a deep breath and realizes that this is just a comic book. I’m quite sure everyone “gets it” by now, but just to be clear: this is not a comic about the relative merits of democracy versus communism, nor am I trying to “push” some kind of agenda on anyone. These are just things happening in this particular “sidewise” version of Earth, and it’s developed naturally according to a few setup rules I made at the beginning of the project. So, I’m not really interested in having some kind of debate about what communists or Western democrats “would” or “would not” do in any given situation in the story, or whether something is “fair” or “unfair” to one side or the other. Both sides are unfair to each other – that’s the point.
I only mention it to head off the fact that last week’s bit of anti-communist rhetoric, which was part of the storyline, seemed to sidetrack people with preconceived notions (in both directions) about this or that aspect of what my supposed political ideology was or was not. It raised a couple of hackles, and I was compelled to perform some rather strident comment moderation, in the interests of congeniality overall, as well as preventing what was clearly some attempts at trolling and counter-trolling. Anyone who has been reading my stuff long enough knows what I stand for, and I’m not going to do any grandstanding about it. Just try to “go with the flow,” here, and enjoy the comic for what it is – and be nice to each other, and polite to us all.
So, all that aside, let me just say that once again, the positive and “on-target” response vastly outweighed the negativity, so to all of you, thanks so much! It’s been an interesting week, and this one promises to be busy once again, but, well… we all just keep on moving, I suppose. So, until next time, all the best, folks!
Beautiful page, I love everything about this chapter so far. If it’s not spoiler territory, who “won” at singapore?
Click on The World of 6-Commando above, I don’t see any blue on the map west of Japan…
Actually, I think that version of the map has been superseded by another, specifically the one back in Chapter 3, on the back wall of Haulley’s office. In that map, the Republic of China still exists in a thin strip along the Chinese coastline, while the People’s Republic of China holds the vast majority of the country. The whole of Korea and Manchuria are also UNA-friendly, having been former Japanese territories.
That being said, it’s possible that the map on Haulley’s wall was outdated or a million other reasons otherwise. Presumably, the Singaporean government allied with the UNA still exists in some form, as evidenced by that one guy with the Singaporean flag on his arm way back in a previous chapter. Whether or not they actually “won” against the Federates here, though, is something I think we’ll get to see later on.
Mike “tapped” into memories before: Sarah’d, that one Russian soldier’s and now Haulley’s.
And all three incidents always circled around loss: Sarah’s father, the Russian’s girl, sister, wife or mother.
And Haulley’s… best friend?
I’m not sure if those plains with broken tanks are Tom’s “dreamscape” or if they are some other manifestation.
“We bring you the democratic right to vote for the goverment you feel is right for you and your people. But just be sure to choose the right goverment, or we’ll have to come back and liberate you to choose the right goverment again. Remember, its not Imperialism, its Democracy through military intervention.”
Peace through superior firepower.
PEACE THROUGH POWER!!!
Sorry, I got some Command and Conquere flashbacks
Well strangly better than what I expected
“You brought me here”, eh? I’m thinking along the lines of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”: “Emissary” (s1, e1); “But you exist here.” In other words, he’s fixated on this place and time because of something very traumatic that happened to him here. Go back and re-watch the episode; you’ll see what I mean.
Maybe. But let me be clear: Colonel Haulley is NOT the Emissary. 😉
Great page, you really nailed it! Can’t wait for the next one.
Despite being a parallel, one of many, One can be surprised by how things change and what remains the same or modified. I take it as it comes. As you know if there are two parallels there is an infinite number. Even if it is only 75 quintillions large as that makes it defacto “infinite.”
I like how all of this has unfolded. The art work is very good. Designs could make it to a movie unchanged.
In our own world we saw coupes in Egypt and Ukraine that violated their Constitutions. True that Egypt has been a military dictatorship for some time. Ukraine on the other hand has a multi ethnic representation and they still deposed a president because he suddenly became unpopular. If the same had been done the same way here without follownig the Constitution how would we handle it?
Replace suddenly with: the reversal on the vote to closer ties with the EU was the proverbial straw. The Western part of Ukraine has long been dissatisfied with the outcome of the Orange Revolution and the political reversals that occurred following that. Add in the sharp East-West divide in the country and the generational transformations and the perceived and actual slights to a more liberal society kept adding up to this point. Add in Russia’s concern about how Europe/the West keeps seeming to close in on their borders and how their elite regard such as a existential crisis and you have the makings for how what happened in Ukraine occurred.
Wow. Singapore’s anti-missile defense system is sub-par. Reminds me of me playing ‘Missile Command’.
I think those are anti aircraft, not anti missile.
You can tell by Haulley’s face that something SNAFU’d big time.
Hostages – hmm…
Yeah I guess I was thinking it was a Vietnam type combat situation
Looks like a cross between the fall of Saigon and D-Day
Might be closer to a Beirut situation.
Whilst the war is waged and unfolds on 6-commando’s universe the political boiling point is in the comments! 😀
I say, Take it with a pinch of salt, when touching matters of ideology and politics conflicts will raise, even when the people discussing aren’t even involved.
Everyone has an opinion and a stand.
In all the facets, is an outstanding but turbulent adventure.
You keep that up.
I am so glad this story and you O’ Author are up and running! ty ty ty