Annotated 26-21
Despite her recent difficulties, Rachel understands the power that she, Frigg, and her sisters all wield about as well as anyone. She knows a lot about the different forms it takes, the different things it can do. So she looks at the change in Hestia’s eyes in panel 5 and realizes what is about to happen.
We did our best to leave that ambiguous here. From the script: “Some readers might be forgiven for thinking Rachel’s afraid of losing, afraid that Hestia’s powering up for a final assault.”
We also had a bit where Rachel used her powered-up strength to tear one of her sleeves off before the flames on it could do her serious harm. Ah, trying to balance steady flow, fast pace, and tactical details in fight scenes, always a challenge.
I thought there was just a hint of a tooth gap in Hestia’s earlier appearances, which is nowhere to be seen now. Looking back, it was never really there in the first place: http://guildedage.net/comic/annotated-26-8/
Hestia’s design is interesting because of the irregularity of some of her features. She has large ears and a thin neck. She stands out as an individual. She’s not conventionally pretty, but believably charismatic.
My god the alt-text KILLED me last time, and was no less excellent this time through.
Cheers,
Côté