Strip 3: Diplomacy Has Failed

If the comic had to switch artists suddenly, at least this strip provides a somewhat natural transition point between Dy-Gar’s mindscape and reality. This is the debut of Norberto Oyarzun, my current (very punctual, very professional) artist. He’s got a gift for action scenes, as you will find out in the coming weeks - or the next few minutes if you’re reading through the archives.

We pick up right where Part II left Dy-Gar and Roger: in the sights of Sol and Reikan, these two battleship-looking fellows. You’ll learn more about who they are and what they want in future strips, but for now there are a couple hints. The detail I wanted to talk about here is a reference to everyone’s favorite Shakespeare quote. No, not that one. Or that one. Or that one. I’m talking, of course, about “What, you egg?” In my defense, I wrote this section before that line became an obnoxious meme. I’d already been teaching English for a couple years, and I knew that line stuck out to students as particularly bizarre, and I wanted a bizarre, archaic way for Reikan to insult Sol. I also liked that calling someone an egg had a gooey, organic, inhuman connotation to it, and I wanted to give that impression when it’s still unclear exactly who or what these guys are.

Don’t get your hopes up though, because nobody is called a “saucy boy.” At least not any time soon.

- J.S. Conner

March 22nd 2020