Annotated 46-20
Joys this page has to offer the reader:
Magda gleefully constructing a mobile cage for Iver in the background, and his little crybaby face when he realizes what she’s doing (stellar minimalist expressions from John here).
Harky showing moderation and good sense as he performs his last peaceful political act, an act that will make the Rebellion stronger, no matter who leads it.
Gravedust’s surprise at his new status. He deposed Iver thinking only of what needed to be done for his people, with little thought to what that would mean for him, personally. Contrast with Iver, who never once lost focus on his own self-interest.
Gravedust’s polite parting line, which is pretty ironic considering the first time he (or his body, at least) shared this arena with Harky.
The mostly-troll audience booing and heckling Iver as he’s carted offstage.
The one last warm laugh shared between the troll warchiefs.
And the last panel, where the differences between Penk and Harky reassert themselves. Penk sees Gravedust depose Iver and thinks, Change for the better really is possible. Iver seemed set to rule selfishly for the rest of his life, and look at him now. But Harky thinks, Change must sometimes be defeated for the common good. This dwarf may claim he is no longer a mystic, but he is still an elder who will bring his people back to many of their old ways. The selfish, war-loving Iver brought change to Savasi leadership, and now that change is no more.
What? No Oompa Loompa song as Iver is escorted out?
If Iver was analogous to Trump half the Savasi would claim the fight was rigged and dog Gravedust throughout his rule. Of course not all analogies stand up under close examination.
If there’s a reason Iver got so far it’s the resentment of the Savasi. All the Mystics ever did was preach contentment over what little they had. Little wonder that they sided with Iver. I’d side with Iver if my holy leaders were a bunch of defeatists and peaceniks. Say what you will about Iver, but he got the ball rolling.
Good point, and I think a part of Gravedust’s character development was realizing that Iver was at least partially right.
This is an excellent chapter. Beautiful chemistry between characters.
Wjhat do you think will happen to Iver’s wives, T?
A good question, to be addressed in the next page!
It’s almost kind of adorable how much more pleased Magda is to be doing her duty escorting Iver to whatever punishment awaits him than she was escorting him as his bodyguard.
Didn’t Iver go for some kind of “I was just pretending to concede” backstab in the original run? Or am I misremembering that?
Nope! This is his last appearance!
Perhaps the even more fun part of writing is that your characters always are what you perceive them to be.
“Harky showing moderation and good sense as he performs his last peaceful political act, an act that will make the Rebellion stronger, no matter who leads it.”
Would it? I would think if Harky had won, the new Savasi warlord would be pulling the Savasi out of the World’s Rebellion as fast as he could, before they reach Iwatania and the genocide begins.
…but would that be worse or better then if he had behaved differently now?
If he had told Gravedust to go screw himself, that would also have led to problems in any case. If Harky won, and then a friendly gesture towards the new Savasi leader would make it that much more likely that the split will be peaceful.
E.g.: If there was disagreement among the Savasi about whether to follow Gravedust’s plan to not kill all humans, or stick to Harky’s plan, then his show of respect here would have helped to keep the debate civil (very important, not to add more wars to your list while you’re already fighting another one), and probably also make it less likely that other partners leave the alliance as a result, because they know that Harky has the ability to politely disagree.