xylia

[Elle]

I am starting this page thread because I AM EARLY. And it's the first venture into the double-digits with pages--GO BARB GOOOOO.


Also because I wanted to note how cute Claude looked in his awkward teenage years; his nose is fighting desperately for adulthood, but his eyes just wanna be Toys r' Us kids! Eheehee...


And the schizo-diagnosis was an interestin' turn. Cannot wait for more Barb.

"I'm not crazy--and neither am I!"

[Strange Ian]

I knew there was something about that painting! I'm guessing it will turn out to be a gate, or at least a window into Azloe. Or maybe into the past...
Also: I can see why young Charlie is so depressed. It's that tie. Wear that every day and you're bound to go a little crazy. I think it needs some chickens...

Love the perspective on the shrinks room, and the blurry pill boxes!

[Ceridwen]

I love his tired expression in the final panel. I want to just hug the poor dearie, but you know, that`s what happens when you insist on being a product of mere logic...*scornful look*

Anyway, I love that panel with the paper and the blurry pillboxes too, it`s really setting the mood. And the indignant "No!" at the question about wheter or not Dr. Ambrosia tells him to hurt people made me smile. Albeit a little sadly. All in all, I really do adore this update Barbington. It`s wonderful

[Krozam]

Interesting turn... I have to say I didn't expect Charlie to actually tell people about Ambrosia. As a kid, of course, but at that age! Isn't that a little... uh, stupid? Of course they think you're crazy if you go around telling people about a thing only you can see.

And Ambrosia too, he should've known better. He should've told Charlie not to talk about their meetings.

Well, it's your story. I'm not complaining or anything, just a bit surprised.

Edit:
Oh, and hasn't he asked the old man about this?

[BarbJacobs]

Ah, the limitations of a webcomic.

I was surprised at how many people were questioning this turn of events - but its probably because I have more story in my head that I simply can't put into a webcomic becuase it would take a hundred pages to get out of this expositionary prologue.

The schizophrenia is getting to be a source of more confusion than I thought it would be, so I am going to go into a little explaination here.

As a kid, Charlie is not close to his adopted family, but has two best friends- I had planned on writing them into the story, but then opted to shorten this 'childhood' segment to a prologue and just a few pages. (Perhaps this was a mistake, I dont know) Anyway, these two friends- and their names escape me- sorry- are the ones he told all about this magic room- but over time, it got harder for them to accept, and more confusing for Charlie. Who then began to stop talking about it, or much else- except a few folks saw him jabbering to a blank wall from time to time...

This of course led to the psych assessment.

Yeah, I shoulda put all this in the story, and in the novel I am writing, I will, but like I said- to do that, youre looking at ten more pages of set up, and I didnt want to go that way.

I guess I'm saying - 'lighten up Krozam, it's a comic book.' LOL

The other thing is, you don't really know if Charlie IS seeing that room or not.

No, Ambrosia doesnt say anything to him, because he sees no need. Ambrosia and Azloe are real to Ambrosia so it isnt necessary for him to apologize for his or his world's existance- only to make Charlie understand some things- in his necessarily cryptic way...

Anyway, this only proves this is my first foray into writing, so slap me, I guess I suck at it.


~B

[hothotpot]

Don't feel too bad, Barb. It made enough sense to me. You kind of fill in the gaps where necessary, and I figured there was probably a good reason he had to see psych analysts. I kind of assumed they were from some school he went to or something....but the details don't really matter.

Also, I too love the last panel. He looks so sad and tired and just fed up. I want to give him huggles!

[KEZ]

I'm amazed at how many people are having a problem with the "suspension of disbelief" concept. You'd think they'd get it by now--it's fantasy. Hehehe. I guess the close juxtaposition of faery and science rattled them a bit. I personally hope for more rattling. Fantasy needs a good dose of angsting reality every now and then. Go Barb!

[Krozam]

Ah, now it all makes sense. It's just my opinion, but I think you really should've made it more clear. Or at least you could explain about it later...

Well, it's probably just me being meticulous, as usual. For me a story being fantasy is no excuse for irrationality.

[Strange Ian]

I think it works. It's not irrational, it's just missing information. One can't expect to know everything from the start...
It's funny though, people have no problem accepting other worlds and disappearing janitors, but a psychological diagnosis is a different matter...

I could make a long rant about fairy-tale logic and everyday-logic, but I think I'll spare you.

[Krozam]

Oh no, the diagnosis is completely rational and expected - if you know all the facts. And not even all of them, just the important ones. Saving the right bits of information is a difficult skill, and I think this is where Barb's inexperience as a writer shows.

On the other hand, if I could read the next twenty pages right away, I might think different. You always get a bit different view on things when you can only read one page at a time, once a week.

[KEZ]

You always get a bit different view on things when you can only read one page at a time, once a week.

Vewwwy twwwue.

/Fudd

[Hagar]

It's oh so very late, & it's been such a long day, so I'll just say it's a great, wonderful page- full of sadness & feeling. It even fits my gloomy mood!
My favorite part, for some reason, is Charlie's turned neck in the upper middle panel. I don't know why, but it just is!

Can't wait till next Monday!

[ZealousKnight]

I didn't find this page irrational or illogical. Well, I suppose I might find it a bit odd that he'd be telling someone about his visits at that age, but it isn't a far-fetched thought that somehow the truth would leak out and well-meaning friends or relatives would send him in for an exam. It's believable as far as I'm concerned.

I like that he's wearing two watches. Makes him look a little crazier.

[Coldfire]

I like autumn.

Yes, I think the watches are my favorite part. There was a prelim sketch before Xylia went up that had him wearing two watches, wasn't there? One of the first pics of Claude and Xylia. I might go look. It makes me happy that he wears Dr. A's watch (and from the sketches we know he wears it all the time, and when he's older, and when he meets Xylia, and lots of good stuff ^^. I'm gonna watch out for this watch. ), though I fear that this might be the last (or second to last) time we see the good doctor for a long while . . .

Stalemate is a good word.

[Aerin]

We love you Barb!!

I just love the way Charlie is planning on telling Dr. Ambrosia he doesn't exist