Page Commentary No. 30

Gunwild: I really like the storytelling in this page, the comedic timing in the panels is excellent, good work Psu. Also, I like to imagine that the Vanaa on the PA was referring to some pretty swank adjustable cup holders that tighten up around any size cup, so now he's having to hold his afternoon mug of gootrients in place himself.

Psu: I wonder if our patreons are tired of me saying "god I wish I draw this or that thing better. Because I wish I knew then what I knew now about drawing sword stabbing. Still, we get a lot of story across for sure. And Skwidj at the bottom there just immortalized him and all the Vanaa.

Psu: I think of the many scenes I'd like to see in a Cassiopeia Quinn cartoon, this has got to be in the top five.

Gunwild: Recently Si Spurrier (you'd know him from Hook Jaw and 2000AD) was Tweeting about writing scripts that are 80% characters yelling "YAAAAA--!"

Gunwild: I showed him the last bit there and said I would try to work my way up to that level, and he Liked it, so I guess my path is clear.

Psu: Story telling wise, I know a lot of people complain that our comic "Cassiopeia Quinn" doesn't always focus on the character of "Cassiopeia Quinn." But I think scenes like this show some really neat dynamics. The two crews working together let us tell a lot about each of them. We know a lot about Skwidj, and a lot about Farring, and especially a lot about Maddie by the end of this chapter. And giving each of them their own turn at driving the action was a real pleasure.

Gunwild: Hm, I'll hafta remember to do that more consciously from now on. Characters should all have a chance to contribute, much like the special abilities of the various members of the DK Crew. (Da-da-da-DK, Donkey Kong. DK, Donkey Kong.)

Psu: It's the little things though, like I don't think people like it when in some mangas they'll go off on long tangents for some side character. But say, Star Trek Beyond did an exceptional job of giving everyone on the crew something to do without detracting from the pace of the narrative or ruining the story 

Gunwild: Speaking of studying the writing in Star Trek, I'm going to use this spot to recommend the podcast The Greatest Generation, which takes a look at the stories and writing every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in order. Why? Because that's clearly a huge influence on every story we do, including this one. Without the episode where Riker teams up with a Klingon crew to solve a dangerous situation, there is no The Seat of Your Pants.

Psu: I thought you just wanted to write about piloting a ship with your butt.

Gunwild: That is original to me and nobody better take credit for it!