Strip 47: Enter Zal Ke Rem

I can’t say for sure where the idea for the moltec came from (Dark Souls clam enemy perhaps?) but I can say Zal was the first mercenary crewmember that I had a distinct vision for, and he’s also the only one that hasn’t really changed at all over the course of the concept phase. I was afraid that the idea in my brain wouldn’t translate well onto the page, but when former artist Kenan Halilovic sent back the character design, it was exactly what I’d hoped for. He even added the painted on angry face to the front of Zal’s shell - a joke that Cygnus Jones played on his friend while he was sleeping. I wonder if Dy-Gar will get along with this living tank, or if the jealousy will be too much for him…

- J.S. Conner

March 5th 2022