xylia

[BarbJacobs]

New page.

~B

[Elle]

LITTLE CLAUDE IS THE CUTEST THING EVER OKAY. Eheeeeeeeeee.

Just had to get that out there.

And I think it's spelled "skeptic," rather than "sceptic."


But man is little Claude cute. I just wanna hug him and squeeze him and cause him huge amounts of grief!

[Niko]

I registered on your Xylia forum right after I saw the latest page. I really liked the first few pages -- their ethereal quality, the wonderful colors, not to mention Xylia's pretty face...but this update impressed me enough to abandon my hermit ways for a bit and post my comments! I love that warm, cozy setting you created. I can almost hear the old wood creak as Claude adjusts his seating posture. I feel like I can smell that peculiar odor that only ancient books have. Great work on the environment; the first panel especially.

But the highlight of this page is clearly the characterization to me. Dr. Ambrosia's stern and wise look contrasts Claude's curious and somewhat timid expression perfectly. That last panel, where little Claude speaks in a tiny voice and then adds a resounding "sir" is just plain adorable.

I keep hearing Christopher Lee's awesome accent for all of Ambrosia's lines...anybody else with me on this?

[BarbJacobs]

Elle- thank you for catching that typo. I will try to get that fixed up soon.
Ittle Claude. Hee hee.

Niko, you are WAY too kind. Thank you very much for the kind words- I never feel very happy with backgrounds I do, so to hear you say that is most appreciated! You are most certainly the master of using backgrounds to convey a sense of mood and as you know are actually as much a part of the story as the dialogue, facial expressions, and camera angles. So many things to think about! Gah!

Thank you again. Made my day, Mr. G! ^_^

~B

[Strange Ian]

I WANT TO MARRY DR. AMBROSIA!
I love his cheekbones, his eye-brows, his nose, his jacket, his voice(definitely Christopher Lee!), his office, his look and EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM!!
I love little Claude as well, but at this point I don't want to marry him. That would be weird. He's such a cutie, though! Just want to pinch those rosy cheeks...
Also: That's Medieval Claudes helmet in the back, right?
Also 2: Will there ever be a Malibu Claude?

[Stevenpjones]

Hey, I didn't think Christopher Lee was going to be making his appearance until later in the series! Glad I was wrong, 'cause he's wicked cool! (And I believe I see visual hints in the bookshelf behind him.) And I know you hate drawing backgrounds and rooms -- must be that Chuck Jones influence :-) -- but you do it so well, and this room is a perfect example. It feels like it's as much a charcter, or at least an extension of Dr. Ambrosia's character. (LOVE that name!)

So the Doc knows about Claude's past lives? Hmmm...that opens up a can full of questions. Can't wait to see what the answers may be. I also love the "tease" about the fairy woman. God, you're dialogue is so darn good: rich with character but constantly pushing the story forward. Excellent, excellent, excellent! If I ever get to teach the classes you know I want to teach -- just a little inside-4-1-1 'tween me and Barb, y'all -- I'd give you an A+ on this page, and it would be a pleasure to do so.

Love the dog, too. :-)

[Net]

Hehee, nice page Barb. *sees the comic link in Niko's siggie and clickies it* Ooo, pretty comic. I'll move THAT into my To-read file...

And Heyya Steven!!!

>Net

[Ceridwen]

Dr. Ambrosia!!!!! YAY!! The old professor-dude with knowledge and beetle-eyes that looks so wise and makes the story even better!! Have to agree with what they have said, the atmosphere in that office is really, really cosy. I`d love to be there and hear stories (*hint-hint* - to who I don`t know). I really love this page Barbington, it`s got so much atmosphere and charm to it that I just want to hug it.

[Merekat]

Nice eyes. ;} And I mean that.

[Liria]

Also 2: Will there ever be a Malibu Claude?

You mean pasty white (and it's not all because of the SPF 50 sunscreen)? =)

Claude MUST have a bathroom duckie!! (Like Ernie.)

[Wayfarer]

Okay, you know it's not fair. I look at the page the first time and notice cute little Claude. I come here and read comments, then go back to take a second look, and... I notice something. Something that sends me searching around and looking back at other pages, and that leads to more noticing, and next thing I know? I'm stuck. Excellent job, Barb.

So the first thing I want to comment on for this page is Dr. Ambrosia's "Ah, pity. The watch has started again." Obviously not what you'd expect someone to say, of course, which is what makes it so interesting. That statement made me go back to the first page with the hand and the watch, at which point I realized (for the first time ) that even this page's events aren't in the present; they're taking place eleven years ago. Which already makes me quite curious as to what's going on now.

But that's a tangent, so back to the statement. Aside from the fact that it sends me on tangents, the fun part about that statement is that it also sends me off on wild hunts for double meanings and symbolisms and such. Such as... the possibility of "watch" having the double implication of "lookout": Claude's (at this point, unconscious) watch or lookout for clues concerning the "woman with wings" and the other aspects of his quest, for instance. Though I admit I can't think of why Dr. Ambrosia would be calling this a pity. So maybe it's Dr. Ambrosia's watch of Claude... for some reason.
Of course, I've also got to wonder if the watch is somehow connected to the timeframe within each lifetime during which capable of beginning to piece together the whatever his quest or puzzle is.
But then, on writing it, all of that begins to look quite shaky and full of holes. But then, I'm not really even supposed to be The Speculator (good reasons for that not being my job), so...
*Posts a sign that reads, "Warning. Random and wild speculations. Not done by professionals. May crumble and come crashing to the ground at any moment."*

Then, of course, I have to move on to say I love the fact that the room is candle-lit. That is all.

On that, at least. Because I also can't finish without saying what I noticed that started all this. It was perhaps my favorite feature of this page. It was...
The picture on Dr. Ambrosia's wall. I do believe I recognize that tree and bit of grass. Missing a bit of something... like a young man and a dog, maybe, but... . I've got to say I just plain find that fun. (Of course, I'm going to have to be sorely and heartily embarrassed if I'm wrong about all that... but oh, well. It would just complete the theme of the current post: see how many things I can guess wrong on. Which I normally wouldn't go with as a theme for a post. But do I believe I'm in a bit of an odd mood tonight.)

Claude MUST have a bathroom duckie!! (Like Ernie.)

Except that his would have to be a chicken. (Oh, no! I've just been drawn in! What can I say, I said I was in an odd mood. )

[Lea]

The picture on Dr. Ambrosia's wall. I do believe I recognize that tree and bit of grass. Missing a bit of something... like a young man and a dog, maybe, but... .

Actually, my first thought on looking at that tree was of the Exiles looking out into the valley ... but only Barb knows for sure.

[Silvara_Dragontear]

I am with Elle, Little Claude was so cute.
You have really started this comic in a great way Barb, I am already hooked on this.

[Andromeda]

Can I adopt little Claude? Please?
Awesome page, Barb. The colouring is just wonderful, made me feel all cosy.
Dr. Ambrosia is awesome! He is all knowledgeable and wicked!

[BarbJacobs]

Hey thanks everyone for the uber nice comments. Wow. It really helps pull me out of my self inflicted doldrums, I'll tell you.

I'm glad to see 'cozy' being bounced around for this scene- that was really what I was going for. 'Safe' 'cozy' 'traditional' those things. This is Claude's (actually let me just say it now- his name is Charles- 'Charlie' Ravensdale)Charlie's childhood, so these warm nostalgic colors are as much a part of his memory as anything. It WILL change.

Ambrosia wasn't going to make an appearance this early, but I changed my mind several weeks ago that he would. Actually changed my mind several times about everything. Still changing my mind. Forget about writing an outline- this story is just happening sort of. I know the basic gist of things, but details are just happening. Scary as h**l.

Ambrosia fans will get to see more of him in the future of this story (or the past...). His importance really manifested itself to me a week ago, when the whole thing sort of came together. That's all Ill say about that. To those who were not aware, but already picked up on it, he is very much based on Christopher Lee. Dr. Ambrosia is played by Christopher Lee. But not intentionally of course. Purely coincidental.

Anyway yeah, there's stuff in this here paneled office to look at. The little orb with the sparklies. The ancient helmet. And that picture. Hee hee...
No, you Tali wishers, that is NOT 'the tree' on the Plane of Imaginings. But a different tree. You'll see the picture again. There's somethign else hidden in this office of supreme importance that will play a part in the upcoming chapter. Cant say what. BWAH!

Goodness Steve, thank you for the super nice words about the writing. I'm blushing to my toes.

FWIW, 'that dog' is going to be fun to have around. Livy's role also became clear to me the last few weeks, and she is going to be great. Different from my original plan, but cool I think.

I only wish I could draw faster becasue I am looking forward to doing this story.

THANK YOU!
^_^
~B