The Webcomics Weekly #64: Ohhhh What a Rush (12/3/19 Edition)

Webcomics are a surprisingly nice thing to have in your hands as you get over the Turkey hangover. This week we have new coverage of “Boxcar City Rush” and “Tigress Queen.” We also have returning coverage of “Agents of the Realm” and “The Otherknown.”

The Agents go on their toughest mission yet, undercover for movie night! Their mission is simple surveil Jordan and try to win them to their side. This is one of my favorite sequences from the first volume of the webcomic, Louis twists a fairly common college occurrence (housing movie night) into a fun little plot that serves as team building for the fracturing Agents.

Formally this is probably the most interesting in the series thus far, most of the comics aesthetic is informed by action-magical girl manga with a dash of slice of life. Their movie night mission changes things up as it consciously plays with the readers awareness of their own position as reader and the Agents position as surveyor. This is a sequence built primarily around close ups and reaction shots as everyone watches A Nightmare on Elm Street parody. As always everyone’s character comes through in these sorts of sequences. Adele is just beside herself when she realizes Jordan is on something of a date with Mackenzie. Kendall is not here for the horror movie. Paige is doing homework. Norah, is surprisingly, having a fun time with the movie. Louis strong cartooning and character acting comes through as you see everyone’s body language change as they are affected by the film in a variety of ways.

I’m not a big fan of horror movies, I respect them academically but there is an obvious level of manipulation that dose not sit well with me. That sort of obvious manipulation comes through in this sequence as Louis pairs Jordan and Mackenzie getting closer, from Adele’s perspective, with reaction shots of Adele going “awe” like she’s found new favorite ship. This manipulation isn’t a bad, this is art it is supposed to manipulate the audience, or in effective. I’m just curious how conscious I would be of this sort of formal manipulation if the sequence wasn’t centered around looks in this way.

Of course Norah messes the mission up just a little bit, stealth isn’t her strong suit. The manner in which she accidentally blows their cover, however, feels true to her character and not contrived. Thankfully Norah doesn’t have to go it alone and Kendall is on the job.

Two weeks ago, I looked at a comic that was 100% my aesthetic. This week, we got another! Meet “Boxcar City Rush,” a comic that’s still in its early stages, so there isn’t much to say as far as story goes, but it’s done what any good comic should: captured my interest and attention. Visually and stylistically, “Boxcar City Rush” is reminiscent of the “Persona” franchise by way of “PaRappa the Rapper.” It’s instantly endearing and sets it apart from many of the other comics we look at. Thick outlines frame the characters, making them pop off the page and, coupled with the copious amounts of speed lines and sharp, angular designs, it makes for an intense reading experience, despite the actions being the most mundane of tasks.

Actually, a fair amount of set-up is done in these five pages thanks to the low stakes mundanity but high energy presentation. We’re introduced to our main character, Charlotte Zapa, and her grandfather, Konstantyn Zapa. Their relationship and personalities are swiftly established, with copious amounts of Nalesnik (pancakes,) and contrasted while the mystery of Char’s dream lingers and fades as she gets ready for her first day of detective work. Economy of exposition is much appreciated, especially in webcomics where we get one page a week, while the abundance of expression bolsters these moments.

I do have some critiques of the coloring and lettering, however. The coloring has a tendency to look washed out, noticeably on page 8, so that, while the limited palette of yellows and oranges works to provide a sunny look, it also means the comic looks like it’s constantly got a light shined on it.

As for the lettering, there are only two places where I noticed issues while the rest retains the bubbly charm and sharp stylization; the balloons are so much fun to look at, especially with the little bubbles that pop off when Char’s sleepy or bulge out when her mouth is full. The bottom left panel of page 8 looks pasted onto the page in a way the rest doesn’t, like it was a fan-sub trying hard not to cover the art but not sure how to remove the left justify and spacing between lines or letters. It’s not egregious but it is noticeable and broke the flow of the page. The other was on page 5, where the stylization made the name introduction kinda confusing. I didn’t even pick up that Zapa was the last name until Konstanyn arrived and I saw it again.

Such is the price we pay for stylization. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t and while there were a couple moments it didn’t work, on the whole “Boxcar City Rush” does what it sets out to do. I’m hooked on where Pancake Grandpa and Detective Char are heading and I think you will be too.

From a grand tour to wholesome vibes it seems “The Otherknown” just about has it all! Even a handy dandy robot that looks like (Batman’s) Alfred! Did I mention the robot is adorable as hell, and its name is Sweeps? Plus it has dad jokes! Well, now I want one!

Fancy dad joke making robots aside, Chapter 1 pages 17-22 focuses on building the relationship between visitor Chandra and Reed. Honestly? I’m all for it! The duo are so wholesome and complement each others personalities, that if they don’t become best friends, or they end up hating each other, I’ll end up rioting!

Each few pages that I cover it seems Merriman adds in hints towards the difference in “rank” between the guest (Chandra, and her Aunt) and the workers. This week it comes in the form of Reed being surprised with her “old junky cleaning robot”, mentioning that she is rich. This may not be as subtle, or reading into the inner lines as the other moments Merriman adds in this “ranking.” Nonetheless, it’s equally effective and makes you want to learn more of what said difference is! Even in a few pages of relationship building Merriman adds hints into possible future conflicts/plot points.

You’d think that two characters sitting down at a lunch table talking for 7 pages would be boring, Merriman has something to say about that! More like show, but you get the gist. By constantly changing the panels size/shape, she is able to control the pacing of the conversation or help a joke land. The pacing isn’t just limited to the differing panels, but can be seen in Merriman’s use of voiding backgrounds or adding effects.

The skill Merriman displays by making a conversation between two characters interacting at a table fun is insane. Building an organic relationship from ground up is hard already. Yet add in 7 pages of dialogue in a stagnant place, it becomes hard to keep your readers interested. But, she does exactly that; keep the readers engaged while making them fall in love with the relationship they see evolve before them.

“Tigress Queen” is one of those rare series that keeps getting more and more complex, and yet clearer and clearer as it progresses. Intentionally starting in the middle of the action, readers had to get invested on this fantastic world and the struggle of two faction on a war that profits neither side.

On this chapter, there is a lot to digest, as new lands, past history, and consequential events to the present time are presented in a fast pace. And yet, the manner that it is done, through conversation and dialogue among characters who are “on the known” works remarkably well.

Part of this has to do with the art as well. There is so much to praise in terms of facial expressions and body languages. Ancient qualms transpire unto how characters from different races and regions clash with one another, the uneasiness that can be seen from hunched bodies, clenched hands, and squinted eyes. Even for the royal family, that share so many familiar traits (all are tall, blonde, with light-coloured eyes), there is plenty in terms of body shapes and proportions to tell them apart.

It all comes together very well, same as previous chapters. Readers will be invested and curious to understand how the war stage has gotten to this point, and the arguments made on how to solve it peacefully, despite years of struggle, is actually very smart and provocative. Taking a page from the centuries-old “the enemy of my enemy…”, but making it its own, “Tigress Queen” is once again a fast-paced read, beautifully illustrated, with plenty of muscle on its plot and arguments.