Page 1393…
So…I need to explain something here.
As I sat down to work on today’s page (yesterday)…I realized that Nastajia was actually supposed to KISS the Merman back on Wednesday.
She was supposed to show Alex her tail today and he says “oh”.
I thought about going back and redoing Wednesday’s page so that they kiss…but with over 100 comments since that page was put up…I figured you’re all already invested in the “almost” kiss.
So this was a solution I felt worked best.
Nastajia shows that the mer-kiss is non-sexual. And I can continue on with the pages as intended.
Now…while I have the Mer-people VERY flirty. (which leads to these sort of miscommunications)…
I also come from a family that hugs and kisses when greeting.
On my Sicilian (dad’s) side…it’s mostly a hug.
On my Assyrian (mom’s) side…it’s the kiss on both cheeks (not fun with aunts with fuzzy upper lips…yuck).
So these kisses are both a greeting…and a transference of magic to “welcome” you to their home.
You all know that these books are for All Ages…but there are many “deeper” things in this story. And while “sex” will never enter the story…romance and relationship still are a major part of Dreamland.
Thanks all!
See you on Monday!
Scott
Discussion (89) ¬
I think it’s a good lesson that other cultures are different. A lot of people project their own hangups on everyone around them and are offended when they find out the whole world doesn’t fit their own narrow view. It’s a shame, and we’d all be better off it people would realize there’s more to this world that what small slice of it they’ve experienced.
I like Alexander’s eyes in panel 3. It’s like he got hit with the Nerf Bat of Whoa!
Now, the merman he punched should offer to impart his magic on Alex. “Just to show there’s no hard feelings.”
Apparently, Alexander does not remember from his last visit to the merpeople.
That’s a nice, efficient answer, Alex. Then again, what else would one say? Too funny. I suspect an apology is forthcoming for the merman.
I’m a little confused because I thought he’d been on a visit before to the merpeople… wouldn’t he have learned this then?
I’m trying to remember if Alex got kissed the last time they visited the mer-people… and if so, why didn’t he remember that?
So when he heard where they were going he didn´t go “how are we gonna breath under water?”
And seeing that they are going out, she didn´t bother to tell him before the misunderstanding?
… girl, im sorry to say this… but you give Alex WAY to much credit in the brain department.
Yup… not only did he get kissed…but it was a full-page spread. 😉 (Chapter 6) I guess he was unconscious at the time….
Is that how you kiss your aunt? Head tilted to the side, holding the back of her hair and eyes closed? The kiss seems a little too erotic, even with the explanation. I would think that she would have kissed the same guy again instead of a girl. The wide eyes, shows Alex’s arousal at watching his gf kiss another girl like that.
I think Alex enjoyed watching Staj kiss the mermaid more than he would have watching it with the merman. Three cheers for fan service.
Scott,
If the kiss isn’t sexual, then why the held head and closed eyes? Regardless of the in-story explanation, this certainly *looks* passionate. If its a kiss of greeting or peace, then shouldn’t that second panel look much more chaste?
Kind of have to agree here…
I can see why you feel this way, but I have to disagree. I’ve spent half of my childhood, and a good portion of my adult life living among other cultures and adapting to their ways. Kissing on the cheek is one thing, but when you go to something that appears more passionate with someone’s ‘significant other’, sparks are gonna fly, (especially in the proud Mediterranean countries). Rather than a demonstration of misunderstanding another culture, I think this is more an exercise in human nature. A nature shared by all the cultures, and makes it possible for any person of any culture to make a mistake like this.
You might add Staj’s fingers tangled in mermaid’s hair. I rarely run my fingers though someone’s hair at family reunions or casual greetings. Well, there -was- that one time at the picnic when … no, it’s still too painful.
Then sucker-punch him 😀
Love the last panel, Scott! It’s like “see?”
Since she is breathing oxygen above the water, why is there a tail?! The spell breaks when they breath out of water.
I still think Natasha should have kissed Alex to re-enforce their bond (and as a thank you for the efforts toward chivarly).
I also agree with the comments here – the kissing here and with the merman seem too passionate. The customary greeting kiss from other cultures usually has their hands on the other person’s shoulders or holding hands in front of them. I’ve rarely seen a held head, and never seen a tilted held head kiss be chaste (and definitely not chaste while hugged or held around the waist).
The grabbing of the head wasn’t supposed to be sexual. I mean…look at this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcFlp6kl508
….and eyes closed certainly adds to the passionate angle too.
Nope, he was unconcious when he was kissed last time. So he has no recollection of that being how he got his fishtail.
and now alex understands how big a bonehad he just was.. and the im sorry fest can begin…
I’m disappointed in some of these comments. I praise Scott for this comic. We need tolerance in the world, and comics like this is just one step further into it. If we didn’t have so much intolerance in this world then people wouldn’t be having an issue with this comic. I’m sorry you’re getting so much grief for this, Scott.
She hasn’t said a thing afterwards. Therefore, she might just be holding her breath after panel 2. It would only take a couple of seconds.
If the kiss with the Mermaid is to show it’s non-sexual…why the closed-eyes and hands in her hair…if it it a “hello” and utilitarian thing — seems like it would be more ..ahem…business-like.
Yeah, I though the hand on the back of the mermaid’s head would be unnecessary in this situation too. You can kiss someone on the lips without looking like you’re kissing a lover.
Not that I’m offended by it, but it just seems awkward for the situation.
I beg you, Scott, don’t change a single thing for the past few pages!
the comments i’m seeing have nothing to do with tolerance or intolerance, but context, and i kind of have to agree with them, at least a little. I understand and agree with Scott’s intentions here very clearly, and even being the evil conservative that i am, find nothing wrong with Staj kissing a mermaid, especially given the fact that Alex probably broke the merman’s jaw; it’s a matter of practicality.
BUT i do agree that the kiss looks a little on the fanservicey side. There are other ways to portray this kind of thing, having framed it in the way of custom and function.
Also: I love Staj’s expression in the last panel:)
Because none of you took this and ran with it:
She kissed a girl.
And she liked it.
Also, Alex should have to kiss the merman as an apology. That would be great, doubly so when he wakes up and has to explain to everyone eagerly waiting that he had to kiss a dude after breaking his jaw.
You know, Scott, I actually think this way works out better. She gets to explain, AND prove it wasn’t sexual at all. Like I’m sure you’ve found, I think some of the best art comes from happy mistakes like this. It also makes the scene flow better. Good job.
Ohhh… that’s a good example Scott!
Going back to this page, I LOVE the Merman’s expression in the last panel. He’s like “…yeah, see!?!??! You big MEANIE!!!! Damn you and your fists of magical blue steel!”, poor Merman… 😛
Because then it’d be awkward. I don’t think I remember seeing many kisses like that done with the kissers eyes open lol
I actually didn’t take the kiss as sexual, sensual, or erotic, and I can twist almost anything into innuendo. Context is everything, and I think the context shows this isn’t *that* kind of kiss.
Also, the wide eyes on Alex in the 3rd panel, I don’t think everyone’s seeing it right. He’s not wide-eyed thinking “hey my girlfriend just kissed another girl, alright!” He’s wide-eyed because of the transformation taking place “off-panel”. Look at the lighting, the brightness in his eyes and of his hair… there’s a bit of “magic light” going on as Nastajia’s legs are transforming into her tail.
Is Alex going to start humming Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl”?
Thank you all for both being so interested in the comic as well as respectful to both myself and each other as apparently this page seems to be…of interest.
Here’s Alex’s kiss back in Chapter 6…for reference.
Just a footnote.
While there’s obviously (for adults) some “suggestiveness” to this kiss…
Please keep in mind. It was just a peck. And mouths were closed.
The eyes closed were the least awkward (I tried open) and the hand in hair just works better with a kiss. While I’m in NO way “backing up” from what I did…I do want to remind all of you that this IS an all ages book. So really…there’s never going to be any “sexual situations” of any kind (straight, gay, or bi).
My kids read this book (they’re 8) and I’m sure they’ll skip over this kissing just as they would ever OTHER time someone kisses in this book. This book (as I hope to portray it) should always convey both innocence and subtle depth of character.
While my boys enjoy the story now…I want there to be something for them in their teens…and hopefully later on too.
So it’s a tough balancing act to try and layer both story and character development for young and old. I hope I’m capable of achieving that throughout the story.
Thank you all so much for these wonderful comments. And PLEASE…whether you agree or not with how I’m doing this….FEEL FREE TO TALK ABOUT IT.
I read EVERY comment…and I openly welcome everyone to join in the discussion.
Scott
Alex was unconscious. By the time he woke up the kiss was over and he had his tail. He never saw anybody else getting their tail so this is actually his first exposure to the method by which the merfolk impart their magic unto others.
I dunno. It’s mostly the expressions–especially in the previous page. Half-lidded eyes do not seem like a friendly greeting. Of course, if it DID seem like a greeting, Alex wouldn’t be as likely to get the wrong idea, so…
I should read all the comments before commenting–never mind!
Contrary to all the people taking issue with the kissing or with Alex failing to remember something that happened to him days or weeks ago when he was unconscious, I have an issue with Nastajia’s pose in the last panel. It looks to my eye as though too much of her body is above water to be adequately supported by the portion below the water. Unless either A.) Elves have hollow bones or B.) the seas of Dreamland have a much higher salt content than those of Earth it really seems to me like she ought to be floating much lower in the water than she is, especially in that position. Then again this is Dreamland so maybe the physics are different, or maybe it’s Merfolk magic at work allowing her to adjust her buoyancy at will.
I sure hope Scott’s aunts don’t read the comic notes. I’d never get away with a comment like that in my family 😉
Somehow I managed to read a completely different meaning to Nastajia’s hand on the back of the Mermaid’s head, namely it going with the gentle tug of the hand in the previous panel; I’m sure the Merefolk may be now a bit cautious because of Alex’s reaction, so she is simply signaling that she wants to demonstrate. She takes the initiative and shows WHEN she wants the conclusive kiss with that hand on the back of the head.
Yeah, the wordless gesture to her tail there makes me laugh and laugh.
I understand about different greetings in different cultures, and I understand that you don’t want suggestiveness in this comic because it is important that it be child-friendly, but I have a mixed reaction to exactly how this panel came out. Having lived in a country that does the kiss on the cheek, and having American family members who do it as well, I will say that there is a huge difference between a kiss on the lips and a kiss on the cheek, and worry about an aunt’s hairy lip in a cheek-kiss doesn’t even compare. Every once in a while my step-dad will give me an extremely chaste peck on the lips, and it has always made me feel uncomfortable, even when I was a little kid. Those kisses were brief, with pursed lips, no leaning in or hands in the hair, but even as a kid, I still felt they were a little too close to a romantic kiss. Kids may not understand sexuality, but they understand that there is something special about a kiss on the lips. Just think of the significance of the kiss in Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, or even Lady and the Tramp. I like the point about cultural differences and Alex overreacting, but I still think that if the kiss isn’t romantic, it should look as business-like as possible, with no romance at all. It may look awkward, but they are in an awkward situation.
Your video from the Godfather is interesting, but if I’m understanding that moment correctly, that kiss is part of a threat. The situations don’t really compare. I won’t get into what it means to cross personal contact lines as part of a threat, but if you think about it, I’m sure you’ll understand what the implication is. Frankly, I don’t think that blurring or ignoring those lines is helpful for kids. They have a vague sense that a line exists, and that helps protect them from adults who don’t respect their innocence.
Ultimately, it’s your artwork and your choice, but I think that a clear visual difference between a business-like kiss and a romantic kiss is actually *better* for keeping it kid-friendly.
Thanks a lot, Scott. Now I have to buy the Godfather Trilogy so I can watch them all again.
Well, maybe not.
So? If the spell breaks, Nastajia will just have to get it re-done. 🙂
And Alex will have another chance to exert self-control. 😐
Ok, here’s what I think is supposed to be happening here:
Panel 1: A mildly annoyed Nastajia is tersely explaining things to Alex.
Panel 2: She quickly grabs the nearest mermaid (for balance because she’s about to lose her legs) and pecks her on the lips.
Panel 3: Alex is reacting more to her transformation and the shock at being chewed out than imagined sexy-girl action
Panel 4: Q.e.d. by his rather sheepish response.
It is extremely difficult to completely flesh out complex interactions like this in a four-panel comic. I think Scott did a remarkable job considering the limitations of the media. IMO people are grossly overreacting to things.
Scott, I loved this week, keep it up. ^-^
i love the expressions on the last panel of the merfolk. dude and red look cautious, obviously hoping he understands soon. green has the “i just showed it in action, you really should get it now” look and pink has the “come on please get i want to kiss the king next” look on her face.
Scott, I get your line of thinking, but I don’t think you can compare this to Michael Corleone 🙂
Don’t forget Nastajia’s “Behold the evidence before you, puny mortal”-look 😛
Shucks, last page (for now)… But ye gods, what a blast this webcomic has been so far ^_^ I spent the better part of the past two days reading this :3 … At home. Yes. All of it at home *coughs*
Aaaaaaaaaanyway, keep em coming ^_^
+1 for either checking out the link I posted, or +5 for your recollection skills.
One thing you learn about relationships: communicate, communicate, communicate
Also, he may not have told her that he was knocked out when it happened. She may have also assumed (through lack of communication) that he knew this already.
Scott, first of, let me reiterate Livvyrat’s words… I don’t think anyone here is offended… I just don’t think the panel exactly portrays what you are trying to convey. if you look at the “almost” kiss http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-04/page-215/ this was meant to be a romantic kiss but it looks very similar to this one
better example… the real kiss http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/todays-dreamland-chronicles-592/
+1
One way to fix that misconception would be to have a reflection of her transforming off of his eyes.
a handshake, 1/2 hug and a peck on the mouth…
LOL that’s funny
Your children: “Is this a kissing book?!”
Okay, in all seriousness, I get what you’re trying to say, but I have to agree with Joey. It’s not that it happened at all that’s the issue here for me (and I’m a straight laced conservative both politically AND theologically; in fact, my understanding of Bible manners and customs is the only reason why I don’t find this offensive in any way, being as conservative as I am). It’s the way that it seems to resemble other kisses which have taken place in the comic. It seems to have more than just a “cultural context” to it based on how it’s portrayed.
I admit, that’s personal opinion, so you can take that and do whatever you want with it.
just a thought… and I’m sure you tried different ways, but what if Nastajia’s eyes were open and looking at Alex (with probably an annoyed look)?
that last panel is great! I love the looks on everyone… like saying “Dude, you are supposed to be our king?” LOL
+1 😀
Thank you all!
Keep them coming.
It’s rare that my readers disagree like this. And I in NO way ever want to come across as only wanting praise.
If something doesn’t work…I’ll always consider changing it.
The wonderful thing about webcomics is that I get to interact with you all AS you read each page.
I hope when this is all over (this section of the story) we can go back and look at this as a whole.
But over this weekend…I will continue to read all of your comments (and join in where I can) as this is very educational.
Thank you.
Scott: why is that particular mermaid not green any longer, as in last page and the pages before that?
Both ideas are brilliant!
Oh. This is the FOURTH mer-person. The one that’s been hiding out of panel for the last few pages. My bad! 🙂
Alex: Wow, hey can you do that again? =P lol
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Ok, at this point in the comic, I am very happy to have “followed” you on G+. 🙂
How many points do I get for just remembering that it was talked about?
am I the only one who thinks the tail is a bit small? 😛
Welcome on board!
I’m sure the rest of us are happy to see you, too. They’re just too agitated at the moment. 🙂
It’s just a peck on closed lips, innocent and simple. If you look at Alex and Nastajia kissing, their lips are slightly more open and romantic. It still remains a child-friendly image (you can see worse things on TV and Internet commercials, more available to kids’ eyes).
Time for Alex and the Merman to kiss and make-up. 😀
looks like he owes the merman an apology and maybe a free punch
I’d say that the kiss is perfectly innocent and suitable for children and does convey what it was mean to, on the other hand I think most of us adults are going to infer things whether we try to or not… on a more practical level neither elves nor merpeople are human, they are otherworldly, and thus might just be significantly more comfortable with physical contact than humans.
I agree–but in this case there are two further considerations:
1. Not only are we dealing with another culture, but another species. Merpeople may not only have rather different cultural forms, but the whole basis of those forms, such as what is intimate or a “come on” may be shaped by their physiology.
2. Then there’s the whole magic aspect, and the need to be transformed by a kiss to take your undersea form. Perhaps it needs something–and so Nastajia, having gotten used to it, knows that it’s “just a peck”, while Alex is reading into it from his own experience from the Dayworld Earth.
Something just occured to me: it may just be necessary to hold the mermaid’s head, in order to keep her steady, as she is floating, whereas Nastajia is still held up by her feet on the sand below the water… so in order to not kiss her nose, or somesuch, she had no choice but to hold her head. And as Scott already said, it seems that having them with their eyes open looked weird…
But in my defense, in #1392, she IS nearly touching hands with the green-skinned one!
So please check the last panel in 1392, maybe you should replace the mermaid there?
/KRegs
Agreed, eyes open would look really odd. No one gets their faces that close together with your eyes wide open unless it’s a fast peck, and I doubt a fast peck would read well in a comic like this, nor would it potentially transfer what has to be powerful shape-shifting magic.
Fan service! 😀
WTF? seriously… just, wow. eh, what did i expect from reading a fantasy-romance book, not going to suggest the dreamland chronicles to anyone now. I mean seriously, was that really necessary? dude, you really need to stop the ‘fanservice’…
(continued from 1392)
…TA-DAA! All of a sudden, she ends up with TANface GREENhair and locks lips with her instead!
Elven Magic at its best! 😎
O_O dat kiss..
…I think the water came across pretty well in these panels.
+5!
goood