^ 44 Comments...

1. ladygreensleeves
   August 31st, 2010 at 11:18 pm

   Poor Mentl. :’( He needs a hug (UNDERSTATEMENT). Er, well, probably more like a stiff drink (again, UNDERSTATEMENT). But still. A wonderful page, as always. You show the emotion in each of your characters so well. Keep it up!

2. Sockpuppet
   August 31st, 2010 at 11:51 pm

   going to be honest here….the last pane’s image and text honestly looks like he could be rubbing one out to relieve stress. Even knowing the context it kind of threw me for a sec.

3. LorannaPyrel
   September 1st, 2010 at 12:19 am

   I’m worried. Deeply, deeply worried.

   Yatta-ta looks like he understands Mentl’s situation WAAAAY too well. And he does this, while making that wreath look good.

   Paranoid theories anyone? Yatta-ta as possessed by, or even an aspect of, Vito? Convolute master plan by Shauch (sp) to gain the Erogeneans’ confidence through a Xanatos Gambit of truly mind-boggling proportions? Yatta-ta simply got laid THAT well the night before he’s gained +2 Wisdom and Charisma permamently? (well, at least until someone triggers his usual self once more).

   Quite frankly, I’m most worried that it’s the third. It implies stuff about Erogenean women that make me wonder why they haven’t conquered the world yet ^_^

   Loranna

4. Kris
   September 1st, 2010 at 12:26 am

   Is it just me, or does Yatta-ta look like Crocodile Dundee in that first panel?

5. Raoul
   September 1st, 2010 at 12:46 am

   Somebody better show before he gets himself together, or Mentl will be out of there.
   @Sockpuppet. I agree—needs a tear or tear-tracks or something. Then again, the expressions for the two states can be awfully similar—it’s what’s being expressed that makes the difference.

6. Lora
   September 1st, 2010 at 1:07 am

   Ah, Yatta-ta. Somehow he can totally wear that flower ‘hat’ without it looking ridiculous.

   Aw, poor Mentl. Now it’s time for crying. And is Zona still sleeping under the blankets?

7. JustMe
   September 1st, 2010 at 2:37 am

   @Lora, Yeah, that’s probably Zona. Altough I’m surprised she took off the arm bracers, but on the other hand she did mention that she never took them of while traveling(when she was dressing up for the court dance). That must mean that she feels that she is completely certain of her safety in the Moontribe village.

   Further I love how Mentl is walking dazed with the knowledge he just gained, poor guy, I hope Yatta keeps up the nice guy act, I could see a rift happening between Mentl and Zona, and Yatta might not be completly cured of his crush on Zona.(Yeah, I usually think the worst of people)

8. Valdaire
   September 1st, 2010 at 2:43 am

   I foresee Mentl moving out quietly, and I foresee Yatta-ta following and accompanying him on his roaming. I do so hope I’m wrong.

9. The MacNut
   September 1st, 2010 at 3:41 am

   Nah, Mentl’s not rubbin’ one out, you know he’s not. That would be the last thing on any guy’s (well, most guys’) mind under the circumstances. I see how this is gonna go-he breaks down in sobs, Zona hears and wakes up, and Mentl has to explain the whole heartbreaking situation-after bawling his eyes out in her arms for awhile. Maybe even after making love for what Mentl feels may be the last time.

10. Gremalkin
    September 1st, 2010 at 4:05 am

    Mental breakdown in; 3, 2, 1…

11. Wolf
    September 1st, 2010 at 5:46 am

    I was glad to see Yatta. Honestly, as pointed out during the drinking pity fest at the festival, (and pointed out when Zpna saw Mentl in Kalvaria), Yatta is a lot closer to the same page as Mentl culture wise. Not intelligence wise, or personality wise, or anything, but society.
    Therefore he might well be the only person there who can give Mentl the type of pep talk he need right now. Because honestly, I don’t think anything Zona says will help. He is terrified he enchanted her, and that is the point.

12. Zogzog
    September 1st, 2010 at 5:57 am

    Somehow, I love Yatta-ta’s expression, in the third panel.

13. Kern
    September 1st, 2010 at 7:29 am

    Is that lumpy cover there Zona in bed?

    Jeez… and to think Mentl’s only just got back around to performing after what happened in the caves…

14. Eroginial
    September 1st, 2010 at 8:20 am

    I read that originally as “Uh! Ah! Nuh nah nah nahh!

15. Karyl
    September 1st, 2010 at 8:57 am

    Difficult situation, and perhaps Yatta-ta’s going to finally be a real mensch?
    I do hope Mentl doesn’t try to light out without telling Zona why.

16. Ga'Tor
    September 1st, 2010 at 9:46 am

    Oh-shit-oh-dear. This bodes not well. C’mon Mentl, suck it up and deal with it. Mench up!
    While Zona’s removal of her armbands does leave her in a vunerable position, I can’t see Mentl doing anything harmful (stupid or ill-considered maybe considering his…mental state). On the other hand, those things are supposed to protect her against evil stuff. One would hope that Mentle will notice the bracers and realize that they would have protected her from his spells. But then, Mentl never had any evil intentions toward her. Hurrr, JED, you’re making my head hurt.

17. reddwarf
    September 1st, 2010 at 9:56 am

    If Mentl starts singing some of those old singing cowboy tearjerkers, everyone in that region might start throwing themselves on their swords (and that would just be because of the music, not his magic). Poor Mentl — I’d give it a 50/50 chance that he tries to leave on his own if no one derails his thoughts. Vito - time to give the boy some advice. Or perhaps Serrin (the High Priest) may follow up and help him out.

18. Soulworker
    September 1st, 2010 at 11:39 am

    My first thought was John Cafferty…”Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye”…but the rest of the lyrics don’t quite match the situation…

19. firegoat
    September 1st, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    Waterworks coming down in 5,4…

20. Someguy
    September 1st, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    Of course now that the bracers are off Mentl can really enchant here to be his love slave run off to Sandak build a nice tower for two and conquer the world. I’m sure that’s been his master plan all along. ; ) I kid, I kid.

    @ sockpuppet You bastard that’s all I can think now when I look at this page. XD
    @Kris I was thinking the crocodile hunter myself but yeah I totally see what you mean.

21. Possum
    September 1st, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    LOL, yeah, the last frame isn’t quite up to the usual standards. It really does seem more like he’s taking a crap than crying; maybe it’s just the sound effects that make it seem that way. When I cry, (once in a blue moon). I either growl and snarl or just give it all up and wail. But I’m sure that’s a very individual thing.

    And I’m reconsidering my suggestion of “As Tears Go By”. I think maybe Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Back My Bullets” might be more appropriate. But, there again, that’s me. When people go messing with my reality like that, I only feel sad for a short time, then I get angry as hell and it’s payback time in spades

22. ICWT
    September 1st, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    @Brer Possum - but the person who is messing with his head now is himself. And he is being far harsher than even Karna. She spoke questioningly in probabilities and uncertainties. Michael is about to make statements of fact. So how do you do payback on your own tuchus?

23. Mexico Lindo
    September 1st, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    Ah. It appears that I made a mistake a few pages ago. HERE’S where Mentl’s soul snaps like a Twix bar.

24. JEDraft
    September 1st, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    ladygreensleeves - Thank you - it’s what takes the extra time, though this time I had also to completely re-dress the set from the last scene with Zona and Ipola, and that was a little tedious as well.

    Sockpuppet - Even knowing the context, that was the *first* thing you thought? Really? Wow. okay, one to mark down in my notes, then.

    LorannaPyrel - Yatta-ta is currently having the time of his life. A bit of Tahiti Syndrome, perhaps. In some people it brings out the best in you, (or at least friendliest) and he does honestly think of his drinking buddy Mentl as a “bosom chum,” so naturally he is a bit concerned at his behavior.

    Kris - Apparently not just you. Though, honestly, I understand with the vest and all he kinda gives a Paul Hogan vibe.

    Raoul - Well, tears at this stage weren’t in the script, as he’s actively trying to hold it together and not cry. Will he hold it together? Tune in on Friday and see.

    Lora - You don’t think he looks ridiculous ? hmm … needs more daisies … And it’s the middle of the day. That’s just the covers humped over the end of the bed.

    JustMe - She’s had the bracers off since the night of the dance - check it out. In the Valley Of The Moon she feels safe enough to relax. And actually, when he’s not being a pompous jerk about unprovoked duelling, he seems to actually be a fairly nice guy. Crazy. But nice.

    Valdaire - Maybes you are. Maaaaybes you aren’t. You will see.

    MacNut - Lemme check the script to see if you’re predictions are correct …

    Gremalkin - “Mentl” breakdown?

    Wolf - You’re right. Kivalian society is closer in a very general way to what we’re used to than Erogenia is. So, Yatta-ta would get the notions of marriage, fidelity and modesty in a context closer to what Mentl grew up with.

    Zogzog - Thanks. I liked how it came out.

    Eroginial - Well, it was “Nnh!” not “Uh.” and I distinctly remember putting no “Ah” or “nah!” in it. Are you sure your monitor is working correctly?

    Karyl - It’s a scene I’ve been waiting all year to put up. And I has to wait until Friday … and so do you.

    Ga’Tor - I’m sorry for your head.

    reddwarf - Actually, Mentl knows some Johnny Cash, but Gene Autry? Not so much.

    Soulworker - “Heartbreak Hotel?” Hmmmm…

    Someguy - I dunno. Sounds like a swingin’ plan to me. I mean, if you were gonna conquer the world and all …

    Possum - Well, not every man cries like you. In making this image, I acted it myself, and so when you see the emotions on the page, I’m usually using myself as a model.

    ICWT - Well put.

25. Pat
    September 1st, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    RedDwarf At Least it wont be “acky breaky heart……….Ohh I went there”

26. JustMe
    September 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    @Ga’tor: I’m not worried about Mentl doing anything, I just now noticed that the bracers were of, but as JED said, they have been off since the dance, guess she doesn’t need magical protection in the valley, or her throwing knives for that matter ;p

    Love the character development, can’t wait for next

27. Sockpuppet
    September 1st, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    Sorry JED, I was a bit fuzzy that early in the morning, with very little sleep. Taking a 2nd look, it is a more pained expression, but even a trickle of a tear would have sealed it.

28. Stormhawk
    September 1st, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Yes, they have been off since the dance party, however, he’s been very, very careful about his song magic since right before then and Zona’s sis has been aware and watching all this time too. So between her and Zona’s braclets (if they work as advertised), when he has a “Mentl Breakdown” and tells them all he’s heard, and the two sisters just laugh, think he’ll be pissed and if so, at whom?

29. Midnightwolf
    September 1st, 2010 at 9:55 pm

    Let the man cry in peace!! Or, in this instance, cry himself to pieces… Sorry, going through a divorce right now, and tears sometimes are the only thing to help you through something like this, where everything you thought made sense suddenly doesn’t. He’s going through alot right now, because everything that he thought he knew, and everything he thought was good and solid has just been ripped out from under him. He’s gotta sit down and figure everything out. It may take him some time, but he will do it. We will just have to wait and see…

30. Raoul
    September 2nd, 2010 at 1:32 am

    @JED. I suppose it’s been my experience (watching others whom I’ve made weep, of course) that the tears come first, then those noises and that expression. Your (and Mentl’s) mileage may vary, of course.

31. Emma
    September 2nd, 2010 at 9:10 am

    Actually I thought Mentl was in physical pain… And I think in those circomstances it’s possible for him to feel it like this. Sometimes our emotions are too strong.

    Wonder what happen next, as always! Good job!

32. warnie
    September 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    Paul Hogan is the man. so Yatta-ta is doing something right.

    well , the boy’s world has just shattered , so that last frame , sums it all up. loved that comment about him rubbing the dog though , that was classic.

33. lildirty
    September 3rd, 2010 at 12:11 am

    really though it looks like he’s masterbating in the last panel and what’s that huge lump in the covers is it zona?

34. The MacNut
    September 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 am

    I just finished looking at the “Morning After, Take 2″ page in the Incentive Archives (after the “Freebies” link for those who don’t know), and Mentl’s conversation with Yatta-ta back then is especially poignant now. Mentl’s so content and at ease on that page, that obviously that was before he was summoned to his “audience” with the Queen and her advisors.

    Now it’s Mentl himself who’s worried about a different kind of “faking”. Damn my heart almost breaks for the guy-it would if he were real.

35. Kaila
    September 3rd, 2010 at 12:57 am

    First:
    @LorannaPyrel “Yatta-ta simply got laid THAT well the night before he’s gained +2 Wisdom and Charisma permamently?”
    Lady(I’m assuming you’re a lady, if you’re not, don’t take it personally - I have some interesting gender ideas anyway), I am glad I put my coffee down before I read the comments, or I’d have doused the laptop with a spit-take. I’ve been playing a fair bit of DDO lately, so that comment was utterly HILARIOUS! Made me feel just a little better after empathising with poor Mentl.

    As for what Mentl’s doing - he feels like he could scream, or cry, or I think in his case, sing something. I wonder if he would sing something to himself were he alone, and his music not linked to magic. Just a few lines of something to let it out.

    I think his face needs more tension lines in it, but I could be being picky.

    Also, why is it the last few times I’ve gone to comment, I keep going to spell Mentl with an apostrophe? ie Ment’l? Like he’s a jaffa?

    I want to hug Mentl. And the Queen. Though I think I’d have an easier time hugging Mentl - I’m short. I think my head would come up to perhaps the queen’s boobs. Ooh…there’s an interesting thought. Cushy!

36. Lora
    September 3rd, 2010 at 1:27 am

    Kaila: Mentl the jaffa. Interesting thought.
    Bwahahaha! You have a point on Ipola being tall and hugging her if you are short would probably be interesting. Just like hugging Zona would.

37. LorannaPyrel
    September 3rd, 2010 at 3:07 am

    @Kaila: *bows, my work here done* ^_^

38. Someguy
    September 3rd, 2010 at 8:18 am

    You play ddo too Kaila? What server?

39. AdamZero
    September 3rd, 2010 at 9:31 am

    @Kaila: Ment’l KREE!

40. tricksterson
    September 3rd, 2010 at 9:39 am

    I’m hoping Mentl doesn’t try to “fix” things by magic and end up screwing things up worse. Like for instance a song that “lets Zona go” and winds being a genuine mindscrew whereas her love for him was genuine.

41. Elizabeth
    September 3rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    The last panel looks to me like a guy who in such grief that it feels like a big hook is pulling out his heart and leaving nothing but his shell behind.

    My hat’s off to you JED, for showing that face.

    Now what’s going to happen?!

42. yllwdrgn
    September 3rd, 2010 at 4:05 pm

    Longtime reader, don’t comment much, but, I can definitely empathize wih Mentl…..just waitng to see how it all works out. My thanks to JED for developing such characters! My thanks to the readers that comment, always interesting.

43. Local Yokel
    September 4th, 2010 at 12:35 am

    Yatta-Ta may well have gotten the +2Wis/Cha boost… But Int is still his dump stat. He will forever be the master of the “Derp” face.

44. Kaila
    September 7th, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    …but int is still his dump stat. Yes. Yes it is. Indeedy. Snerk.

    I play thelanis server on ddo. Keep an eye out for the Order of the Silver Hand.

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