Annotated 46-15
I wrote most of this chapter up to this point; Flo wrote most of the material that came after it. But this is definitely the most “me” page in this chapter: dense and efficient, with a vaguely Alan Moore-inspired layout and narration. All about thoughtfulness right when you’d expect to see some action, or at least heated verbal conflict.
But in this case, that’s the point. There’s no conflict left to have, except the final one. Penk and Gondolessa have both hoped to avoid or somehow avert that conclusion, but Harky knows better. As soon as he heard that the very Peacemakers he killed were now back in his land under flag of truce…he knew what that meant.
So the two trolls argue as little as possible now…there’s maybe a subtle joke about Gram’s stew here, a reference to the Corruptor Beast whom the “enemy” helped kill there, but they’re keeping it civil, enjoying their bond. One of them is a condemned man enjoying his metaphorical last meal, and the other is savoring a few more moments with a loved one before saying goodbye forever. But which is which? Neither knows for sure. In the end, Tectonicus will choose.
FB: Talk is only cheap when you aren’t worried it’s the last real talk you’ll have.
This is a great page!
This was always one of my favorite concepts from the entire comics: two characters who love each other talking with civility and mutually agreeing that the best course of action is to beat each other to death in front of a giant crowd.
Guilded Age was one of those comics that I read off and on through the years — sometimes I really loved it, and sometimes I got frustrated with it and left for a month or three before picking it back up. But looking at it as a cohesive whole, I really admire what you created.
That was one of my favourite page. I love what you lot did here.
All that’s been said above and then some.
Adding to the above, I believe the praise of this page stems not only from the two characters exhibiting mutual sympathy – it’s also (or even mostly) because these two characters feel *real*, their irresolveable conflict also feels *real*, but – and this is the hard part – their motivations into following their paths into said conflict *also* feel real. No McGuffin, no – to dip into the symbolism of American comics – frozen incurable partner, just a simple, but also fundamentally dividing, difference in personal outlook. Which is exactly how real life sometimes operates.
I’m simultaneously in awe and absolutely outraged at what is about to happen.
The fact that they’re about to duel to the death, but still don’t even try to find an agreement. Of course, they tried that before and failed. It’s just… the knowing that I’m about to go to mortal combat with someone else and having a friendly conversation are two things which cannot exist in my head at the same time. It would require me to be some sort of psychopath. Similarly using (mortal!) violence against someone I admire strikes me as completely perverse. “Hey I’m about to kill you, but don’t take it personal, you can try and kill me back, alright? I don’t man that in a bad way.”
Alright, this is of course Troll culture, but they aren’t even trolling each other.
We’ve had fun with the “trolls=internet trolls” joke and will have a bit more before the series is over, but that was never meant to be all there was to Guilded Age troll culture. Both of them are obligated to traditions greater than either of them, traditions rooted in what they know their people will respect.
As for their seemingly not trying to agree, I feel like we can assume Penk tried offering an alternative or three before Harky said to him, “Champion, you know what must be done.” It’s not that these two are entirely uninterested in compromise. Even Harky has had to bend now and again, just to keep Don Gobligno and Iver on board. It’s just that Penk and Harky know each other well enough to know which arguments would be wasted breath, and when you consider what’s been said already and how both of them have spoken with their actions, there’s not a lot left to say on the subject.
I mean, on one level, I don’t disagree with you. It is upsetting, and oxymoronic in certain ways. I tried at one point to write a different ending in which Harky was allowed to survive. But it just didn’t work, and I think the upsetting elements are part of what make this story worth telling.
I think I would agree. I don’t have a better way in mind for the story to go. The way you wrote it definitely had an effect, and the two of them disagreeing but coming to a compromise, brokered by Gondolessa … nope.
It’s just that, if I was in Penk’s shoes, I would be absolutely unable to have that conversation. There’s no way I wouldn’t take “you know what must be done” personal. Very very personal.
This alt text hits like a brick joke from chapter one. gold star