February 19th, 2010
Page 349
Comics for February 19, 2010 - Page 349
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| Erik the Duck |
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| I'm a recent college graduate and majored in animation. Currently I work in an HR file room (I know, kill me now). I've been told I'm funny, so take that for what it's worth. My major geek passions are comic book su....more |
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| so-meta |
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| God, I love being a nerd, and Im pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. I have a knack for storing away technically useless knowledge about the things I like. For instance, my knowledge of Penny Arcade strips is....more |
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February 19th, 2010 at 2:21 am
ah, it looks like mother had the same thought we all did awhile back. since the love song huh. ah man seems like Mentl is in trouble. and with the queen hope he passes with flying colors.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:33 am
I’d say Mama is about to do some digging. . .And Mentl may soon get some intensive instruction in controlling his majik.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:13 am
As she have experience with magic and her dauhter is involved, i do not see why she would not be suspicious after what Zona said. Magic in this world is very powerfull and she is concerned that the love Zona have is only because of Mentl’s magic. Would be intresing if she confronts Mentl about it, talk about awkward. But i have no doubt in my mind that the love they have is true. Hopefully the future will prove me right !
February 19th, 2010 at 3:34 am
IT’s possible that hte feelings are only part magic? I mean, if it were JUST magic and it was this powerful I think things would have progressed much quicker between them. I mean, to see the culture that the Erogenians have, it’s easy to think that, from a real world perspective, that it’s surreal, because it is. In a perfect world that’s how things would be, more or less, so we think it’s not that way.
My opinion is that Zona, (if the song had any real effect that is being implied) without the song, would have progressed a lot slower with Mentl, would have probably shared him also, and there wouldn’t be the copper thingy. Now, I’ve recalled comments from a few people already about how Zona seems to be acting out of character so that might be the magic making her more secure in her feelings, or making her feelings of love and devotion stronger than they already were. It’s like trying to increase the power of a machine that only reaches to 100. If the machine is already at 70, a significant bump wouldn’t be as significant.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:41 am
Heh, more stress in the relationship. I just figured to put the first song down to a really fast icebreaker. I mean, remember what Eddie Murphy said long ago…. wait here it is at 4:08 in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tAK1hvKSso (NSFW)
After all, there is the discussion here with Tula
http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/2007/06/13/page-126/
and the next page. Then Tula has had a lot more interaction with the situation and she still isn’t batting an eye, even after she realized what Mentl could do.
Now, the question really becomes how quickly JED lets it settle down. A one pager could do it, as I’d think less of the Queen’s magical skillz if it went on longer, but then it could be that Tula is the more powerful (or more perceptive) of the two of them.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:45 am
I might have to disagree. Tula herself probably suspected the same and as she’s magically adept she would more likely than not have examined Zona herself.
Remember the love song spurred her to passion that first night (and the other nights he played it :nyuck nyuck nyuck:) but remember it spurred her PASSION. I honestly don’t think Mentl could force anyone to “LOVE” (since everyones interpretation will be slightly different) him with just one song and untrained to boot. I’d say it kick-started it yeah, but not induced full out and out love.
And remember whenever he plays a love song all females (and non-straight males) want a piece of him, but you don’t see every woman from the castle in love with him, or they would likely have pursued him more (ambushing him whenever Zona wasn’t around). I mean the Queen tried that and she didn’t go love crazed or anything (royally peeved perhaps but I think that’s because she doesn’t get refused too often).
Plus there is the fact that Mentl LOVES Zona. I don’t think anyone is in doubt about that. Heck, getting between and Urtt and it’s victim with nothing but a frying pan, your pants (he was shirtless when it happened), and titanium reinforced radioactive HOJOES! of mythical proportions (and yes I laughed when I wrote that).
February 19th, 2010 at 3:47 am
proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Sorry for double posting but had to finish.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Ipola, being quite magically talented herself, has some sort of suspicion about Mentl’s magic. For some reason I am reminded of Tula’s reaction to the relationship back on page 220, where she had some strange doubts while on the verge of passing out. And given the power and unpredictable nature of Mentl’s magic, I can understand their suspicions.
Understand, mind. Not agree with, for I do not. Mentl’s actions ever since he arrived have been fundamentally honest, and I do not think Zona is capable of dishonesty. I do not for a moment believe that their relationship is predicated on a lie, even a magical and unintended lie. But then as a reader I have an advantage of insight in Mentl’s and Zona’s minds that Tula and Ipola do not.
February 19th, 2010 at 4:43 am
I agree, I think it was just the PASSION that was augmented by Mentl’s song. It’s clear the effects of his songs are –temporary– as proven by Queen Yanora’s interest in Mentl sexually, post-song. We know that he has “touched” her twice, emotionally, once the previous night and once the morning after when discussing his feelings for Zona, but that she wasn’t moved by her feelings for *him*, so much as him stirring up the memories of her feelings for her late husband, the second time around. And we know–because JED would’ve shown it otherwise–that by the next day, pretty much only Yanora was still interested in getting into Mentl’s pants.
Additionally, while Tula was nearly overcome by her own song-induced lusts at first, she was able to master them, and NOT by using a spell. (Hell, if she’d had a spell, she wouldn’t have needed the cold stream, right?) So the effects of his love-songs aren’t permanent by any means.
The only question is, will this information–which we, the readers, can figure out through simple deduction–be as easily apparent to the characters within the play? Will Ipola, after talking with both daughters AND Mentl, see that he didn’t deliberately put any intent to “enslave” Zona’s affections behind his songs? (Because I honestly don’t think he did. As far as he knew, he was just singing a song to this really cool barbarian chick who’d just majorly saved his flank steak…er, I mean, his hide…)
February 19th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Btw, JED, that is an exceptionally good rendering of Ipola’s expression in the last panel. You can read EVERYTHING that’s going through her mind at that moment. Concern for her child, worry that it’s all just an enchantment, wondering if at least some of it is real, and if so, how much or how little, speculation about her daughter’s uncharacteristic bubbliness, wanting it to be real for her daughter’s sake but knowing she has to investigate this big potential problem…and disappointment that her own daughter’s confession of WHEN she fell in love…and therefore may have been influenced to do so…seems to be confirming her own curiosity-induced fears.
I wish all cgi artists were as good as you. Not all are. Thankfully, the majority of the ones I find comparable are usually employed by major motion picture studios…so please consider yourself in excellent company.
…In fact, the only way your skills could get cooler would be if you were to animate these scenes. (But that’d take a craptonne of time, money, and resources none of us have, even if such a project is worthy. *sniffle*)
February 19th, 2010 at 4:53 am
(P.S. A note for everyone else, I nominate Sting’s “Set Them Free” song for Mentl to “set Zona free” in such a way that, if she WANTS to come back to him, she can…but at the same time “freeing” her from any possible enchantment he’s laid on her. Anyone got any other possibilities?)
February 19th, 2010 at 4:59 am
Is any potential son-in-law ever going to please mother-in-law?
I think it’s a basic rule of the universe that it will never happen.
Like winning the lottery. Only happens to other people.
February 19th, 2010 at 5:09 am
Well, it’s obvious that Ipola has NOT had a chance to really talk with Mentl yet. Otherwise, she’d know that Mentl is just as hopelessly besotted with her firstborn daughter as she is with him, and she’d be less concerned. Probably.
In any event, I have a feeling Ipola’s going to get a major clue about just how deep Mentl’s feelings for Zona are when she does first dance. When she sees how enraptured Mentl gets, at least some of her concern should be allayed. Hopefully (cause boy does she look worried in that last panel! Heaven help Mentl if Ipola gets the impression that he’s turned her daughter into some magically ensorcelled love-slave!).
Well done introducing some (more) drama into this chapter of the story, JED!
February 19th, 2010 at 5:11 am
I can certainly understand Ipola’s concerns here — but I think the High Priestess and High Priest have enough mojo between them to find out the truth, so I’m not worried. I think Mentl’s accidental enchantments certainly had their effect, but I think it all comes down to just giving Zona a higher level of interest in this funny little guy than she would have normally felt. Kinda like how circumstances can sometimes make friends suddenly see each other in a new way - and think, hey, why haven’t I noticed that she/he’s so hot before. Everything beyond that is purely Zona and Mentl clicking.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Yeah, we’re all thinking the same thing; that Mentl’s magic is responsible for how powerful Zona’s feelings are for him. I would argue that Mentl’s magic depends on his frame of mind though, and while he may have unwittingly zoomed Zona, his feelings for her, genuine and so powerful, are what made the magic possbile. Heck, he may even have zoomed himself! But as reddwarf says, past that initial chemistry it’s all down to the way they treat each other.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:51 am
ahhhh lovely page.
Moox
February 19th, 2010 at 7:39 am
I think this is the reason for Mentl’s initial rejection when the girls first came to the conclusion that Mentl was magic. How he ’screws everything up’. He was almost certainly thinking “Does she really love me?”
And to quote bio-schock. “Love is just a chemcial, no matter the source. It’s our choices that give it meaning.”
February 19th, 2010 at 7:52 am
I have to agree with the others here. Her love is true, but it’s natural for the Queen to have the same thought process we all did. Hopefully she’ll be shown that her concerns are unwarranted.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:13 am
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t let it be magic, it would break my heart not to mention how it would shatter poor Mentl. He loves her with all his heart and feels so lucky if there is even a whiff to him that she might only love him because he tripped her up with his magic without knowing it he’ll feel awful like he magically slipped her a micky or something, at wich point I see him doing the “honorable thing” and trying to leave and get as far from her as possible, even if its not the magic doing it which I don’t want to belive it is
February 19th, 2010 at 8:26 am
I was afraid of this. He enchanted her before he knew what he was doing. The Ergonians aren’t going to be happy with him when they sort it out. Zona may forgive him, but the romance is never going to be the same. I wonder if Vito or Tula can tell him how to safely remove the enchantment?
February 19th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Somebody fails its “saving throw”
February 19th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Aaaaaaaaggggghhhhhh! No. No. No. No. NO! If their love is not real I quit reading this comic! Aaaaaaggggghhhh! You’re killing me! Aaaaagggghhhh! Quick publish the next CHAPTER and put me out of my misery! Aaaaagggghhhh!
February 19th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Just have to say, I love how Ipola refers to him as a boy and Zona corrects her.
Since intent seems to be so important in the use of magic, I see no way that there could be some sort of permanent love spell as a result of recreational, intent-free singing, especially after seeing what happened in Kivalia. The spell always wears off eventually, and, if I recall correctly, Mentl hasn’t sung to Zona in quite a while thanks to everything that’s happened recently. However, seeing the queen be concerned for her six foot, muscle-laden daughter amuses me, so I hope that she remains suspicious for just a little longer.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:35 am
If the Erogenians have some kind of taboo or law against enchanting/ensorcelling someone the way Mentl has Zona, he’s gonna be in BIG trouble…
February 19th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Ipola might be worried (any parent is) but besides the singing Mentl has definitly saved Zona’s life three times — the Frying Pan, Great Balls of Fire, and Shotgun. As Zona says, he has always come through for her. And he isn’t some macho Erogenian looking to compete with her. Mentl can never be the kind of warrior Zona is, and Zona is completely non-magickal.
Since Zona is barren (at least now, she’s in good odor with a couple of Goddesses) Ipola doesn’t have to worry about some baby Menl-Zona screwing up the royal succession.
Which brings up the question WHAT or WHO is the heir to the throne? Zona is barren and an undiplomatic hothead. Tula is a priestess. I can’t see the niece Sheahla on the throne (especially if she has a Kivalian consort:D )
February 19th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Not really that worried about it - Vito wasn’t.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:53 am
I agree with Bobby. Mentl’s magic wears off after awhile. It’s obvious that it did not wear out off on Zona. It seems to be real.
Mom is just being Mom and it adds drama to the story. I don’t have kids, but I do see it with my friends and their daughters. Oh boy! Do I see it!! Soap operas…I could tell you!
February 19th, 2010 at 9:11 am
A wise Witch once said that falling in love is a trick. The right lighting, soft music, fine food and good wine, anyone can do it. It’s maintaining the Love that is the real work. I know I wouldn’t be above a little Magick to catch someone’s eye.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Ipola is no dummy. It’s clear Mentl has had a magical effect on her daughter, and yet she also knows what sort of person Mentl actually is, and he seemed to have passed approval from both sisters.
Even if she decides all is above board and ship shape, there are also the military applications to be considered…
February 19th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Oh wait. I forgot a couple things.
Ipola hasn’t said a single definitive thing since she said they’d be right out for the dance. When she refers to Mentl as a boy, she’s testing Zona’s attitudes toward Mentl.
There is also the question of the effect of this on Zona, who obviously has seen a lot of disappointment in love. Is Zona behaving like this because of some magic (in which case, what are Mentl’s intentions) or is Zona going overboard on Mentl because she’s pinning ‘way too many hopes on Mentl being The One?
February 19th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I actually do not think it matters. Romantic Love is always magical, or at least it feels that way. The fact that Zona can exhibit so much emotion right now, when the last love song she probably heard was “Wild Thing” makes me believe that her love is True Love, no matter how it was initiated. I think the Queen will make sure that Zona is not under a compulsion, and I do not think she is under one.
But remember, even True Love does not necessarily last, and it almost never lasts forever (at least the wild infatuation phase of it does not). But this is a fantasy story. so it could last forever here, and I hope it does.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:56 am
This is worse than just a mother-in-law thing. Ipola’s a Queen. And the big problem with that is NOT the added element of succession, or the tribe’s welfare. The big problem is that a queen deals with a LOT of dishonesty, as a matter of routine. Erogenians are generally honest, but they are not beyond self-deception, ad it’s her job to see through that every day. Hell, it’s how she became queen. She also has to deal with the world beyond, which is not fundamentally honest.
As wise as she is, if any of you know someone who’s a cop, you’ll get this… dealing with dishonesty all the time does something to you. She’s not going to barge into this thing, that isn’t her way. But she isn’t going to let up, either. Now that she has initial confirmation, it will be a long, long time before she really lets this thing go. I think she groks that, and understands what that will mean for her relationship to her daughter, and is resigned to the fact that this will be so for a while.
I suspect the prospect of that long, unpleasant, and potentially explosive task is a big part of what’s driving her inner unhappiness.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Interesting. Back when we were all speculating about whether Mentl had used magic to win Zona’s heart I thought that JE had decided not to pursue that line of thought since it wasn’t explored. Now I know better, he was just waiting for it’s proper place! JE you sly author you. When this originally came up I thought that the idea that he ensourceled Zona accidentally would almost destroy him. But he is so much more confident now that I think he be less “Oh god Oh god Oh god” and more “okay what do I do about that. Not that it won’t be a painful idea for him I just think he will handle it better than I originally thought he would. Now if only I had the income to subsidize a certain web comic author. SIGH I need to be several orders of magnitude richer though. Make that many many.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I must agree with Jean and Woggie. Vito was clear that the intent of Mentl’s magic is the core. The words are secondary.
Way back on page 17, Mentl just wanted to show Zona what a love song was, so he played one of his mother’s favorites. And if you look at the lyrics on page 18, you see that the song is about his love for the girl.
If anything, Mentl has cast a spell that has convinced Zona that Mentl loves her.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:18 am
From personal experience it IS possible to win over your potential mother-in-law, but it isn’t easy or fast. An you have to be painfully honest and enduring, especially if you don’t fit Mom’s preconceived ideas of her baby girl’s perfect mate. But it does happen on a regular basis.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Not for one minute do I think that Mentl ensorceled Zona, and I definitely don’t feel she will be able to think so, no matter who says it to her. Ipola needs to be sure, but it won’t take long….or else EVERYONE will be interrupted by some other commotion and the matter will be tabled for a while. In any case, I feel very strongly that they are well suited to each other and have grown in love for each other from the beginning, singing or no.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:42 am
I just went back and reread the song lyrics he sang. If anything it’s primary effect would be to make Mentl love Zona, not the other way around. “I love her…” is the primary focus. The other would be to bond them both in mutual love.
Also, let’s not forget the power of song just by itself. Zona had never heard anything like what Mentl was singing.
February 19th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Also, Tula joined their travels early on, and has been in a position to see if Mentl intended to ensnare Zona, and even to work to release her sister if there had been an accidental enchantment. Instead, she was there when Mentl found out he has magic, has seen his lack of control, and how he responded to the news that he’d been pitching around love spells unknowingly.
She’s had plenty of time to seek out her mother, or speak to the high priest or priestess if she thought there was actually a problem, and I can’t see an Erogenian family not respond quickly to a perceived problem.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
There’s a dimension to this I haven’t seen considered, and it bears examination. Ipola herself has been in love with an unusual man with extraordinary power, and my guess is it didn’t work out well, either between them or because of that man’s unusual qualities. Now her daughter has fallen for a man who’s even more unusual, more powerful, and, worse, not even an Erogenean, making Mentl even more of an unknown quantity. Ipola knows very well that great power pulls in problems in and of itself. She wants Zona to be happy and safe. Being mated to a world-shaker is anything but a guarantee of that.
I suppose she may be afraid Zona’s been bespelled, but I think these other considerations, either consciously or unconsciously (Given the person she seems to be, I would guess consciously), are fueling Ipola’s unease.
As to an heir, is there any rule that states Tula can’t leave the priesthood to become queen (I always assumed she was the ’spare’ to the heir)? For that matter, Zona, or Ipola herself, could adopt an heir. Both things have been done before in other monarchies.
February 19th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Interesting thoughts, Raoul. I didn’t get the sense that the relationship went poorly with Zonn, but I thought about it and concluded that I don’t actually know enough to say. You could be right.
The part about being near a world-shaker is unsafe is a valid point, too. Then again, if Tula’s reasoning re: the giants is correct, Erogenians seem to believe that those sorts of supernatural wild cards don’t bring situations so much as foreshadow something already developing. In which case, you’ll be a lot happier and safer with the heavy artillery on hand, than without it.
“Also, let’s not forget the power of song just by itself. Zona had never heard anything like what Mentl was singing.”
Ric Ocasek. Paulina Porizkova. No magic that we know of, just songs.
Honestly, i’m more impressed by that than by Mentl melting the cave…
February 19th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Oh dear… I really REALLY hope that their love is true, and not a byproduct of Mentl’s magick before he knew what he was doing. That would make me sad if the latter was the case.
Still, a wonderful page as always, JE! ^_^
February 19th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
…*WAAHH* Thats making me so sad…another great page though, thanks JE *TT_TT*
February 19th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
…It should be pointed out that aaaaall the way back on page 7…Mentl fell in love. LONG before he sang her a love-song. http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/2005/09/10/page-07/
Now when he sings her that first love-song, this is his intent (bottom panel): http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/2005/11/17/page-17/
You will also note that, BEFORE he sings the song (midway up the same page, before he describes what he’s about to do), she offers to make love to him, and does so of her own free will.
Anyway, here’s Zona’s reaction: http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/2005/12/15/page-19/
NOTE: she is NOT instantly infatuated at the end of his song, like all those ladies in the Kivalian court. In fact, she seems to give it a bit of thought. if this were an enchantment, she’d be affected before the end of the song (think of Ginsha and “Body Language”), surely.
While I do think *SOME* magic was involved (and I do think Mentl will have an “oh god oh god oh god” moment of massive guilt, before cowboying up and figuring out how to “fix” the problem), I really don’t think it had as profound an impact as we’re all fearing.
But thats’ just me. JED’s in control of this madly careening stagecoach.
–Giddyup!! WHEEEE!!
February 19th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
RandomnessIncarnate - Would you say “trouble?” Well, maybe, maybe not.
Docsmith626 - Her Majesty has some thoughts on the matter, and with her the thought is usually mother to the deed. Nonetheless, she doesn’t want to spoil the party, either.
Gremalkin - Hopefully, it will. Ooooo, just wait, you’ll see … and then … and like THAT, too, and …
Kamatu - Well, it could all be solved be very simply - or not. I’m reminded of a New Yorker cartoon where a couple is in a grand theater watching the suicide scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” and the lady turns to her partner and comments “All this could have been avoided with therapy …”
Bobby - Yes, he’s got the titanium hojoes! LOL!!
The Old Hack - Perhaps I can best answer this in song:
Doubts and suspicions and disturbing questions
Sly sideways glances, and quiet suggestions
Unquiet thoughts for the queens and the kings
These are a few of my favorite plot-strings ….
Heh-heh!
(A filking I will go, a filking I will go … )
Jean - While I try never to purposely dumb down a character just to drive a conflict, (that’s just cheating and lazy storytelling, IMHO) I believe very strongly in the fourth wall for this strip, and so of COURSE they’re going to take longer to figure it out than you are.
Jim Farris - Happened to me. Both my in-laws liked me just fine. That wasn’t the problem. :/
The MacNut - Theng-kyew. And there will be a talk.
reddwarf - Her Maj will not act without due thought.
firegoat - You’re right - his mental state is Mentl’s state.
Moox - Thanks!
AdamZero - Actually, there are powerful reasons in Mentl’s past for his initial attempted rejection of magick. Though, as Tula pointed out, it’s part of him, whether he likes it or not.
Sockpuppet - *Are* they unwarranted? Hmmmmmm…
Damion Brooks - By no means should you break your heart over this silly little fantasy.
Be patient with the author, and all will unfold in time as it should.
Bill McNutt - How can you safely stop being in love?
shaolin - LOL!
Doc Alaska - Be patient with the author, please. Especially since the pace is going to slow down for at least a month, maybe more. I promise , though, that what you see next will be entertaining.
Ami - She will, indeed, remain suspicious for awhile, but she’s cool enough that she won’t be a buzzkill at the dance.
The MacNut - To intentionally take someone’s free will away is just about as bad an offense against the cha as there can be.
Sarge - Ipola’s already made her decision on an heir. Naturally, regardless of her wishes, it still needs the popular approval and the other kings and queens will need to swear yearly homage, or else give a ritual challenge to it.
Fatuncle - What’s Vito got to worry about, anyway? He’s dead.
Black Ethel - Good soap opera is good. Bad soap opera sucks the brain and soul, grr argh.
Redbeard23 - Ha! Indeed, but it should always be intentional.
woggie - Questions questions questions … I haz anserrs! U haz 2 wait …
Hugh - Actually there’s a lot of time and travel between “Wild Thing” and the trap in the cave that wasn’t shown. So he has been singing more than just “Wild Thing.” As to how long it lasts, well …
Joe - “Explosive?” Zona? Surely you jest. The lass is meek, mild-mannered, shy and retiring. hehehe …
Someguy - yep. I’m a lil devil, I am. )=D And we shall see how confident Mentl is in himself as things progress.
Revwaldo - Intent is most important, indeed. However, the less skilled and experienced you are, the more important the lyrics are, as well. I just want to point out that “She gives me everything and tenderly/ The gifts my lover brings, she brings to me” isn’t just about how the boy feels or acts …
Bilbo - Well, also saving the daughter’s life a couple times and the sister into the bargain don’t hurt.
Karyl - And so may it turn out to be, for the sake of our fictional heroes’ happiness.
MrTodd - It is very true that Zona had never heard anything like Mentl’s music in her life. All in all, though, it was a very magickal evening.
Lictre - Well, how quickly they’d respond would depend on the nature of the problem and the certainty of the threat. Tula’s very smart, indeed, but she also likes Mentl.
Raoul - It is interesting you should suggest that Ipola’s and Zonn’s relationship has a bearing on hers and Zona’s because it definitely does, though not quite in that way. Part of it you shall get a better idea of as I finish “How I Met Your Father” and also there is at least one other flashback to those heady days of the early alliance that I’ve written and will present to you in time that gives an even better picture of the beauty and tumult of their affair.
Joe - No, the relationship never went poorly - far from it. But it was also somewhat stormy, and was interrupted before Zona had even learned to walk, before they’d passed the bronze path. She does not consciously remember her father. As to power, Zona’s a powerhouse of her own - Ipola, too, for that matter. Even now, by herself in her bare feet there’s not a warrior or a priest in the continent that wouldn’t think twice about taking her on.
ladygreensleeves - Well, thanks, lady.
I promise to reveal everything, one page at a time.
February 19th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
zangoules - Be not sad - now comes the happy dance. Literally! On page 350+ … And thank you.
February 19th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
“Hugh - Actually there’s a lot of time and travel between “Wild Thing” and the trap in the cave that wasn’t shown. So he has been singing more than just “Wild Thing.” As to how long it lasts, well …”
Interesting. I would have thought that Mentl would be being pretty darn cautious about continuing to sing (even though Tula did say that that it would probably okay, but to watch the sexy stuff). But under Tula’s supervision, I would be comfortable that Mentl would not continue to be accidently enchanting Zona, and it would probably good training for him in learning to control his gift. i hope the story fleshes that out some more.
When Zona said, “From the first time he sang his love song for me, Mother, I knew that … that there wasn’t anyone else. Ever.”
That statement tripped warning bells in my mind as much as it did Ipola’s. But going back and thinking about that first night, it doesn’t seem to ring true to me. I guess it must be true, somehow, since Zona would not lie, but Zona did not seem to be acting all that love-struck in the beginning of their relationship. Sure, they had sex that first night, but I am thinking that it would be in character for Zona to have sex with just about any man who made pretty music for her (especially after the adrenalin charged rush of combat).
Maybe Zona was completely love-struck from the get-go, but she was cool enough not to show it right away so as not to scare the guy off? But that seems more consistent with real “love-at-first-sound” emotion. I do not think a magical compulsion would allow the target to feel the emotion, but not show it.
“Revwaldo - Intent is most important, indeed. However, the less skilled and experienced you are, the more important the lyrics are, as well. I just want to point out that “She gives me everything and tenderly/ The gifts my lover brings, she brings to me” isn’t just about how the boy feels or acts …”
Cool! More magic rules known! And that makes a lot of sense. I guess Mentl could have charmed himself as well as Zona with that first song, but he had already proclaimed his love even before that on page 7 (of course he may not have been completely serious at that early stage).
February 19th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Well crap. I just went back and re-read the first 22 pages and you can totally see the moment when she goes from being slightly dumbstruck to having hearts under her words. JED, you are a very naughty (but very good) author.
I still think their relationship is too normal (like when she wonders what type of person he is after he says “The clothes make the man,” and when she tells him that she will forgive him if he lied, but that he won’t be her boyfriend anymore, and when she punches him in the arm to balance the cha) to be magically compelled, but I guess we will see.
Great art and great story JED!
February 19th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Joe, I was in Lawenforcement for 30 years and spent the last 18 in prison work. I know what daily contact with the scum of the Earth does to you. Not that all inmates are scum, some are good people who id something stupid. But we learned real quick about “con jobs.” Actually it was kinda fun to go along with the con and then shoot themdown at the punch line.
Hugh, my take on Zona at the start of the relationship was that she was very insecure, having been ‘burned’ a lot. But she sure got all gooey when he refused Yanora and got her the chains.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Looked through the Archives.
First song he sings to Zona isn’t named
also His eyes don’t have that glow.
Tells her it’s a love song in answer to her questions.
by the Beatles - And I love her.
Going by the Lyrics, that song would only have power to make his infatuation with Zona flourish into love.
also at the Time his eyes did not glow,
though on the next page she stares at him then calls him cute.
also remember that he is one of the Few men to think of her as a normal woman. the Song Spoke of his love that is why it was the song that came to his head when she handed him the lute.
Zona may have also mistaken the lyrics of the song as being his actual feelings towards her.
she also asked him to sing more songs to her the next day.
she may not be charmed. there is still a good chance Zona may actually love him.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
The fact that Zonn’s not with Ipola now strikes me as things going ‘poorly,’ even if they parted under the best of circumstances. Does Ipola not miss Zonn, wish he were still with her? Losing one you love generally leaves a hole in your heart, and I know I’d not wish that fate on my child.
Of course, Erogeneans may have a different take on that. As always, you intrigue me, JED!
Kuraimizu, I agree with you about Mentl treating Zona like a woman. And, say what you will, Macca, with the Beatles, in any case, was something of a magician himself. I’ve been listening to the six of the new Remastered CDs I could afford, and that becomes clearer all the time.
February 19th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
man oh man i was waiting for this.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Hugh, excellent points! Yes, she’s clearly not under a compulsion when she warns him flat-out, no hesitations, that if he lied to her, he’s no longer her boyfriend. If she were indeed under a compulsion, she would’ve hesitated. But she didn’t, therefore her Erogenian upbringing is stronger than any enchantment that may have enhanced her feelings for him…
February 19th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I never got the impression that any enchanting Mentl did took away Zona’s free will. And yeah, Hugh points out clearly some of the instances where Zona shows she’s still in control of herself. So it’s clear to us, the audience, that Mentl did not ensorcell Zona into loving him. His non-magickal actions did that quite well, thank you.
The problem is, what’s clear to us isn’t yet clear to the good Queen. And that lack of clarity could get Mentl into some serious trouble. At the very least I forsee some HARSH questioning of Mentl by Ipola when they finally get around to talking. I predict Mentl’s NOT gonna enjoy that conversation, and neither will we! We’ll all be squirming right along with him…
February 19th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
JE, I’ve read the entire comic 4 times straight through, not including my daily checkups. While, as the author you can definitely prove me wrong, as the story IS yours, I don’t think that’s the way it happened. I COULD be wrong, especially looking back at her eyes in: http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/2005/12/07/page-18/
But I just don’t think so
February 20th, 2010 at 12:51 am
I just had to say I really liked the idea that the Erogenians would start fighting for fun. If yo’ve ever read the adventures of Asterix the Gaul, the villagers are just as likely to fight each other if the Romans aren’t around. But just for the practice. The Erogianans have kinds of the same wacky vibe. If you haven’t read Asterix, you’re in for a treat.
February 20th, 2010 at 2:11 am
@Captain Marsupial: I hope to God that they have a better bard than Cacophonix! Or they may have to beg Mentl for his help! *snickering*
February 20th, 2010 at 2:16 am
OK personally, like I said once before, I think the biggest problem coming down the pike is when Mentl realizes his magic might have forced Zona feelings for him. I don’t think that is the case, for one thing Mentl hasn’t been concentrating on any spell and lacked the intent. That leaves just the power he puts behind the lyrics of the song and the lyrics don’t last long once the song is over. But the problem will be Mentl’s mind set and possible feelings of guilt over his magic.
And hey, don’t you people know the oldest and most sacred rule of all story telling everywhere since the beginning of time? True love is magic and magic isn’t true love.
One last thing I wanted to mention, did anyone notice this epic thread and furious discussion was the result of a single panel of this comic? ie the last one and the look on Ipola’s face? It says a lot about the quality of this comic that so many of us read so far into a single look from one character. Not to mention the number of posts or the overwhelming opinion that Zona’s love simply MUST be real. (because we all WANT it to be real) yes there is the whole story leading up to this point but it was the look on her face that started everyone thinking…
I must bow to the author and once again say this webcomic is fantastic. JED your art is without peer. Now draw damn you, draw!
February 20th, 2010 at 3:28 am
Damn, we sure have a lot of romantics reading here.
And now I have to go re-read some archives.
February 20th, 2010 at 4:02 am
I suppose that may be a surprise Ipola has coming. Mentl has seemed fairly confident since he arrived in the lands of the Moon Tribe, but, as we’ve seen before, he has more than a little capacity for self-doubt. What was it? “I always screw everything up”?
You’ve certainly established many ways for this train to wreck, haven’t you, JED? And set your hooks into us, too.
February 20th, 2010 at 5:09 am
Peregrin, I can guarantee there are romantics reading this webcomic. Hell, I *write* romances for a living! (Clickie on mah name if y’all are interested; if not, no biggie!)
February 20th, 2010 at 6:13 am
Ipola looks… concerned(?) in the last picture.
February 20th, 2010 at 8:45 am
I think Ipola has questions for Mentl but that’s it. I don’t think he enchanted Zona with anything but his bravery, good heart and *ahem* “package”.
February 20th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Okay. Seriously.
Do you think Ipola or Tula wouldn’t be able to spot if Zona was under a spell?
February 21st, 2010 at 12:25 am
@Kern: not sure about Ipola, don’t really know enough about her capabilities in the magical area, but Tula definitely should, and the High Priestess and High Priest absolutely will be able to tell the truth of the matter — which is why I’m not really worried for Mentl and Zona. Plus, remember that the High Priestess got a good, thoughtful up close look at Mentl (and Zona for that matter) right before the sword bout — if she felt there was any problem there I’m sure she would have let Ipola know.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:32 am
Actually something else just hit me. It might be a mother’s natural reaction to her daughter having basically the pick of everybody from home and then choosing to run off with some foreign bard. WTF? O.o
So yeah, as has already been pointed out, mother-in-law syndrome.
February 21st, 2010 at 7:05 am
The Old Hack, I do believe some of her reaction is just that, lol. “You’ve casually dated every single cute jock in the whole school, from half the football team to the junior olympics track star…and now you’re telling me you’re in love with that skinny-shhh guitarist from the school jazz band?!”
XD
February 21st, 2010 at 10:44 am
Heh, yeah I’m sure her confusion over that choice has something to do with it, which is part of the reason I’m sure she’ll be giving Mentl the 3rd, 4th and 5th degree soon as she gets him alone.
And as I said above, Mentl’s NOT going to enjoy the interrogation
February 21st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
How the interrogation will be for Mentl depends on more than how concerned queenie is for her daughter. The most efficient interrogations are when the target (A) enjoys himself, and (B) does not understand he is being interrogated. Much of the best intel gathered from downed German fighter pilots in Britain during WWII was acquired that way.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:18 pm
For everyone talking about what Tula would know; she’s already announced her findings to Zona if no one else. Pity we don’t know exactly what she told Ippola.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:20 am
Have to correct something on my last post, he was wearing a shirt.
Also, remember the old magic guy who got knifed (can’t remember his name right now) has told Mentl that Zona is in love with Mentl and he can’t figure out how that came about. Now I’m pretty sure that if Mentl had put a permanent love slave whim-wham on Zona the Old Guy would have been able to spot that a mile away (or a dimension away as it would happen to be). So now worries ‘less plot holes be under way. Then be afraid, be very afraid.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:14 am
@JED:
I wrote: “Only happens to other people.”
You wrote: “Happened to me.”
Isn’t that just proving my point?
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:34 am
Well, if JED has anything other than the first song being an icebreaker, I’ll be in shock. First, we’ve fairly well seen that the idea of Zona not getting some is out the door and even before Mentl sang for the first time it seemed she might be a bit interested in “trying out the new boy” or at least not adverse to the idea, although she was chatting him up first to see what he was.
Second, Zona has shown herself and been mentioned to be too well grounded on the material plane. Effectiveness of magic against her? Depends on JED, but if part of Zona’s “magik” is the unquenchable will to win, then magic would be less effective (although by a “will & intent” system, Zona simply has her own … powers). Although on page 32, we see that she can be affected, at least on the surface and temporarily.
Third, perhaps for some dramatic effect, Mentl shows no real “magic” SFX for that first song. He mentions no real extra feelings (except it was nice to have a stringed instrument in his hands) when he played. It has been mentioned that Mentl needs training to bring out his power and each time we see Mentl getting strong and faster. There is (and will possibly continue to be) some flakiness as Mentl’s will and intent slip some, but that would take a longer post. Note however that he directly used “Great Balls of Fire” first with the full workup. Then he used “Shotgun”, apparently mainly for the first word, although given the fight sequence, I’d say the “twine time” lyrics possibly worked as a partner buff with Zona at the end of the fight. Then, there is the confrontation with Pontagar where in the 5th frame of page 298, Mentl is actually gathering his power even before he started to chant “Saturday Night’s Alright” in the next frame. Note that he picks up the song in midstream. Of course, there is also page 83 where Mentl doesn’t have to chant at all to get his instrument to come to him.
Of course, I think I have the general sequence set out. The “hook” has already been set with the Urrt invasion issue. The “prep” already is commencing with Mentl, Zona, then Tula, now (I think) Yatta and possibly one more (we need a sane Kivalian, Tethik comes to mind). The “reversal” will come when it becomes apparent that it isn’t just some Urrts with a bit of knowledge, it is a drive by Shuach for domination. Then we get the “gathering” where Zonn comes into play as well as any number of assorted players join into the main line for the “finale” to beat Shuach back into his cage.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:37 am
I really hope the Queen talks to Tula before tackling Mentl. I’m sure Tula has already done some checking of her own. At least, I would think she would, considering her own considerable magical abilities and her protectiveness for her sister.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Just to put my oar back in here - There’s too much discussion and speculation for me to comment on each of your posts, but it is very wonderful to have this wee story spark such interest and discussion.
However, to just expand a bit on Ipola and Zonn’s love story, though they were very much opposites and at times came to emotional and physical blows, (In case you were wondering he never hit her, but she sometimes had to get his attention Erogenian-style) they were still very much a partnership when circumstances parted them. It was an accident of the war, and she did search for him for some time before moving on with her other responsibilities.
As to the queen’s look in the last panel - well, all that will come out in time. And if you do or don’t agree with it, I hope I am at least enough of a master rationalizer for you to see how B and C follows from the A that I’ve previously set up. I mean, I do think about these things, most of the time. It is interesting, though, how some incidents that I wrote for a completely different reason initially now seem to fit into the larger narrative of the character’s past history as subsequently envisioned. And stuff.
I will be starting the once-a-week updates with page 350, so you will not be seeing a full page until Friday. However, I will be putting up the first panel as a teaser on Tuesday, which in itself is kind of a fun image. This is all so that I can take care of a little of the backlog of other Zona projects, mainly the print version of the comic.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/2005/12/07/page-18/
See her eyes? Definitely some enchanting going on… And you don’t even think about it until now! THAT is some well planned storytelling.