Annotated 16-21
Scipio’s last line was Phil’s addition, and I think he refined the rest.
Even though E-Merl’s getting some gentle hazing here, Byron’s point has some larger implications behind it: don’t characterize the one you love with some narrow assumptions based on a single descriptor. Even if you’re trying to anticipate their response to something you’re not ready to ask them yet, get to know their complexities before you try.
I’m proud of our whole team for not resorting too much to the “fighting destroys clothing to the delight of the male gaze” trope, after we made such a thing about putting Frigg in armor. But I am prepared to make an exception for uncovering Rachel’s head the way we’ve gradually done through this battle. Done like this, I think it adds to the scene’s impact rather than distracting from it.
Rach ain’t havin’ nun o’ that.
I love Byron and E-Merl in the third panel.
In hindsight, I can’t help but wonder if E-merl subconsciously set himself a ‘Plan B’ in panel 1 without realizing it.
Not to paint him as that shallow in the above comment, but there seems to be foreshadowing in some capacity going on there with the idea of ‘romancing Frigg’. Granted, she would later make a pass at him with all the subtlety and grace that is Frigg, but it makes me wonder if he meant that in a ‘yeah, like that would ever happen’ way or more of a ‘huh, how would I make that happen?’ way, and start considering it.
In post-Altruist Gastonia, Frigg romance you!!! (for a certain definition of “romance”, anyway)
I’m not all that surprised that their clothing is undamaged, but how Rachel’s white hassock doesn’t have any stains on it.
Yeah and considering how hard they’re hitting each other I’d expect no little amount of blood all over that white cassock.
That said the whole clothes torn in a fight thing is a trope for a reason. I have literally seen people half stripped in the act of fighting each other, just because their clothes make for good grabbing, but poor protection. Though it’s been almost exclusively men, and it’s mostly shirts. Turns out most peoples casual wear will not stand up to the rigors of fisticuffs and grappling. Though I expect these two ladies probably wear sturdier gear than the average Joe, considering their profession.
You don’t necessarily want your clothing to be too sturdy though. It’s generally better for your opponent to come away with a fistfull of cloth than to be able to actually throw you by your clothing.
A blunt force impact directly on the nose with enough force can kill. After the last frame, I’m wondering how good Rachel is at resurrection…
It takes a *lot* of force though. The whole thing about shoving the nasal bone into the brain is largely a myth. The actual bone is barely long enough and if you don’t hit it perfectly straight it’ll just crush over to one side.
A crushed nose is a pretty good fight-ender though. Tends to make the eyes water and most people can’t fight blind.