Annotated 23-20
Tamara underwent a serious reworking from my original concept, which was a lot closer to the iconography of a traditional dominatrix, complete with whip and obvious leather. On the one hand, I’m glad we made the change, because that original model would’ve been much too close to Alisin, a character I’d already written extensively in Fans. I might’ve had some small point about how those who leave repressive religious backgrounds sometimes swing to the other extreme of sexuality, but it wasn’t really a point worth making, and the whole idea seems kind of greasy and exploitative on reflection.
On the other hand, I don’t think the concept was bad enough to merit a fresh stream of verbal abuse, with the by-now-familiar undercurrent of “Why won’t you take this seriously?” You’re right, Phil, there’s nothing ridiculous about boxing nuns and sheathed ruler-swords.
He was also angry I didn’t make this sequence about two pages longer.
(Again, there were some understandable reasons he was giving me grief. But again, we’ll save that for next chapter.)
“this sequence about two pages longer” meaning… this fight between Rachel and Tamara? Three whole pages?
Yeah. Fight length was a frequent source of conflict between me and Phil, and he wanted to build some anticipation for Chapter 26. Which I get, but the hidden point of this scene isn’t just that Tamara’s surprisingly resistant to Rachel’s power, it’s also that Rachel’s off her game. So making it go on too long and impressively probably wouldn’t serve the story. Plus, y’know, we had other stuff to get to.
This chapter felt so off to me on my first read. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it then, but it makes a lot of sense now, knowing that while writing it, T and Phil were this out of sync with each other with respect to humor vs. seriousness.
Interestingly, now that I can read it with those goggles on, I find myself appreciating individual bits from each approach. Personally, I would have probably enjoyed either of them.
Also: Really liking John’s work with the action sequences here!
Thank you, Zalocin!
Sorry you guys clashed over the comic behind the scenes, the end product was very enjoyable if it’s any consolation. Tamera’s character was pretty cool.
The comic was always a mix of silly and serious. I could easily see someone going, “No, this section is already at its recommended daily allowance of silly.”