Page 1036…
Wow!
You guys really are wonderful. Over 200 responses yesterday to my question about the dialog.
Thank you all so much!
I loved each and every idea. Laughed at many too (the ones that were SUPPOSED to be funny).
And finally wound up going with the “Now?” “Now.” version.
I hope you have enjoyed this week. I really love this second from the bottom panel. Love the dynamic of it all.
But that’s just me.
🙂
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And I look forward to sharing more with you on Monday.
Thank you again!
Scott
Oo, does Nickey think he sees a threat?
EPIC… WIN!!!
Nice.
Don’t do it Alex! He’s bigger than you!
bigger? he’s got a magic suit of armor and a sword that can cut anything, whats stopping him?
Hmmm. Makes me wonder how many times Nick can “flame on” in a row. Does he need to recharge? Since this is Dreamland, I wouldn’t bet on him having that limitation.
Yeah, Alex. Don’t be a meanie!
he’s gonna wake up! 😛
Like Samurai Jack: XIV all over again.
Jump good.
I like the design. On a basic level it reminds me of a favorite comic from Sluggy Freelance back in 11/21/04.
Can I just say that the whole helmet thing is just too cool? I love it, even if it has been done before. 😉
“Hey guys! Can we get some BBQ over here? I think I see some Dragon Wings about to go on the spit and I’ve always heard they are awful tasty with BBQ sauce!”
Can I have some popcorn? And time-warp so that it is monday morning for about twent minutes?
the size difference really makes me wonder what alex can achieve with his sword. can’t be more than a few scratches, unless a touch alone is already powerful enough to harm the dragon. (that’s the same question I asked myself in all the fairy tales containing dragons and knights in shining armor. 😀 )
nick’s not stupid. he should be able to swat him in flight. (poor alex, but it seems so logical. 😉 )
I’d probably go for the wings. cut those up and nick would be “grounded”. then there’d be a better chance, IMO. 🙂
haha, my thoughts exactly. this is one evil cliffhanger. poor alex having to stay airborne in this position for two whole days… awww. LOL
HAHAHA … this is a REAL CLIFFHANGER ! Alex has to wait two days hanged on … HAHAHA
Staying on topic, I think that the lightning on the last panel are a bit too quirky in relation to previous panoramic scenes : You almost cannot see the pedestal on which Nick is and the low hills in the distance seems out of place. Maybe it could be better if there are no hills and the pedestal is illuminated a bit more … always IMHO.
Anyway, I always enjoy your panels: I think it’s only a matter of taste 🙂
The Protagonist Legendary Oratory Theme, otherwise known as the Plot. Alex can’t just take down Nicodemus, Scott can still milk this bad boy for ages. 😀
Personally I would of went for a driving piercing attack through the wing. rather than an over the top slash.
Alex’s sword is easily long enough to kill Nick – a thrust to his heart would take the sword entirely through the dragon… Anyhow, I just have to say great job, Scott!
Honestly can’t see that happening, as Scott has a finite story planned.
My first time posting, let me start by saying thanks for a great comic!
I think “Now?” “Now.” is a great improvement over the original dialog for the previous page.
Nick’s “No!” on this page seems a bit out of character though – he was looking for a fight already, even baiting Alex earlier in this scene. Acting like he fears Alex’s attack now seems inconsistent with that and with his attitude in earlier encounters. Yes, this is the first time he’s seen Alex flying and that does imply that Alex is learning to use the power he has access to as a human in Dreamworld, but, even if this is enough to make him afraid of Alex’s current power (which I’m not sure he should be) I would still expect some cocky response intended to undermine Alex’s confidence here.
Nick’s “No!” on this page seems a bit out of character though – he was looking for a fight already, even baiting Alex earlier in this scene. Acting like he fears Alex’s attack now seems inconsistent with that and with his attitude in earlier encounters. Yes, this is the first time he’s seen Alex flying and that does imply that Alex is learning to use the power he has access to as a human in Dreamworld, but, even if this is enough to make him afraid of Alex’s current power (which I’m not sure he should be) I would still expect some cocky response intended to undermine Alex’s confidence here.
(Reposting this as my previous submission didn’t seem to show up. If the first one is just delayed and does publish, consider this my permission/request to delete this post. Thanks)
Nicodemus: “NO! It’s coming at me…it’s VERY crunchy…but I have no ketchup!!!”
This is the ultimate showdown…of ultimate destiny.
I am personally excited because I think we’re about to see the power of the sword unleashed. We’ve been waiting for almost 1000 episodes to see what the sword can do. Now we will.
The lighting is well done here. Very dramatic and really adds to the drama of the scene.
ah, c’mon…
stupid cliffhangers…><
What a way to end a GREAT week of pages!!!
I can NOT wait till Monday … kudos again Scott
Hey, Scott, I think that Nicodemus’ line is just a LITTLE bit off. Shouldn’t that be “D’OH!” ?
Go Alex!
I think we’re going to see Nicodemus get HURT here and actually retreat, probably dealing Alex a nasty blow in the process. That’s my guess. This isn’t going to end it — there are a lot of unresolved questions. It’s pretty clear that the Sword is something he’s afraid of, probably both symbolizing the King of Dreamland *AND* being one of the only things that can kill Nicodemus, but Alex hasn’t yet finished his journey, I think. To be a truly strong King I think he has to start moving forward in BOTH worlds, showing his true potential in the real world as well as Dreamland, and that hasn’t happened yet. Plus we have the Nightmare Realm to deal with and so on.
In honesty, given that it’s been shown that more than one thing CAN cross over between worlds, it would be something of a disappointment if nothing ELSE does — including something nasty. Legends talk about things like Dragons in reality, perhaps the ultimate battle has to take place here, with Dreamland, Nightmare, and Reality intersecting.
I think Nic is stunned that Alex can fly at all, much less come flying AT him like a spring-loaded, armor-plated straight razor. Sometimes surprise is the best tactical weapon of all. Go Alex!
And the “Now? Now!” ? Perfect.
We know teh sword can hurt Nic’, we saw Alex do ti once before. On the other hand Nic’ has been fighting knights for a long time, and this has beaten this particular sword at least once. I suspect Alex is in for a rude awakening about what it means to fight a dragon.
The page looks great, the suspense is killing me…
My only critique is that the arch of Alex’s back in panel 3 is a bit overextended. I’m not saying the human back can’t flex that way, (Lord knows I’ve gotten into the pool the wrong way), I’m saying that in mid jump you don’t overextend like that. Go out back some time and take a few swings with a splitting maul at a log. (Best technique, Hold axe over head with one hand on end of handle, other hand most of the way up the handle, bring down with full force sliding the upper hand down to meet the lower hand during swing. Do NOT take eyes off of target.) Even if you jumped foward and swung down the weight of the maul, or sword, would throw your balance way off.
The guy is flying! He can extend his back however he wants!
Anyway, I wonder if we will see a kapow from Nick.
Wow. Great page today, Scott! (And is it just me, or does Alex’s “grr” face, especially in profile in the 2nd pane, look remarkably like Orion’s standard look?)
I think that several people here may be underestimating Alex. After all, not only can he fly now, but (unlike Nicodemus) he doesn’t need to flap wings to do it – so easier hovering and better maneuverability. Also, Alex now has Great Strength (remember him lifting the big rock?). So he may not be so easy for Nick to swat aside. I’m under no illusion that Nick is finished here, but … well, let’s just say this should get interesting!
Don’t forget to VOTE, everyone! http://topwebcomics.com/vote/4274/default.aspx
Wooow! Just…..wow!
last panel is wallpaper material! must… have it… now….!
Scott, in addition to the other “wallpaper” voting incentive I suggested the other day, last panel on this page SERIOUSLY needs to be turned into a full wallpaper version! THIS IS EPIC!!!!!
LOL Guy above me suggested that already, too. lol
Job well done! XD Looking forward to next week, and … you’re not going to be at Mega Con this year, are you?
Alex can do a lot with his little sword! Sword that can cut through anything + Flying + Great Strength (as mentioned by another poster below) = Dragon Nuggets. 😀
I was reading the comments from yesterday… and then looking at today’s one thing popped into my mind in the third pannel after Nick say’s NO! we could have Alex say YES!… just my not so humble opinion…
We know Alex has been waiting for this day awhile now and he can fight Nick on his turf… And now we get to see how well Orion Trained Alex… I can’t wait until monday.
I love how yesterday’s page and this one read when you put them together.
Alex: Now?
Orion: Now.
Nicodemus: NO!
XD
Thanks.
I’d LOVE to come down. But they never invite me.
🙁
I TOTALLY thought of adding that last minute!
But went with the silent panels originally planned.
I may go and add it in later.
🙂
AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! That’s right, Nic! He flies now!!
Great looking page, Scott! And I’m glad you went with the “Now?” “Now” lines on yesterday’s page. 🙂
Sabaac (Terry Willson on FB)
Wow… I feel like I won the lottery!
I can’t see Nick biting it this time, but I’d love the see the “Grumpy Ladybug” response come into play, as Nick flies off after taking a few licks.
Going out on a limb here, but Alex saying “Yes!” is cute, but space opera-ish. (Is there an equivalent to space opera in fantasy?) Anyhow, it depends on how serious Alex is. And I think he’s pretty serious. Or I’d like to.
That last panel would make a great wallpaper! I so love to have that on my desktop! 🙂
Alex’s face looks weird on the first and second top panel.
woow i finally made it to the latest one 😀 wooot
Thanks Terry!
Love the avatar, by the way…
🙂
Thanks again, Jeremy.
Scott, I have been reading Dreamland Chronicles about a year, and I love it!
Rarely, as an adult, do I see a scene in a comic “book” that gives me a rush like I would have as a kid reading a comic book. But this page does it. Amazing, simply amazing!
Sorry… I wasn’t fishing for compliments. I was just shocked!
No thanks necessary. Glad for the opportunity to contribute.
OMG!
I need that last pannel as a dual screen wallpaper!
Nick one one side, Alex on the other.
So awesome.
dragon nuggets, eh?
and the fire for a barbecue is already burning. nice. I say go for it, alex. 😉
😐
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YEAH BABY!
“Achtung, O Red Scaly One. My name is Pain”.
***
I keep going back to the “no!” from Nicodemus. It’s perfect, SO perfect -color, details, intensity of the light needed to pump up the expression. Way up high craftmanship Scott, congratulations and keep safe.
Have a terrific weekend.
Is the old nic fearful of our Alex? I knew he was a wimp. he knows us human are a threat!!
Well, technically if he was smashed to the ground by a certain dragon it would hurt him pretty badly.
I kept thinking of Agent Smith when writing that line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3JDtqHaVM&feature=related
50 seconds in.
It took me a while to figure out why Nic said “No!” He seems to say it in surprise and fear, as if wasn’t expecting Alex to go on the offensive. And then I realized he probably wasn’t: I don’t think he knew until a split second ago that Alex had relearned how to fly.
Which means Nic needs to recalculate a whole bunch of things and act on the newly introduced variables some time in the next second or so. Does he run? Or does he stand and fight? Nic is patient and devious, and most of his plans take time and subtlety to come to fruition. I don’t think he likes having to make decisions on the spur of the moment like this.
Whatever the outcome of the impending battle, Alex has a psychological leg up for now.
Oh, and Scott, good call on the “Now? Now!” thing. I think having Alex suggest the action somehow makes the choice of timing a lot more logical.
I am sure someone has said this…. But… I can’t wait till Monday! Great cliffhanger for the weekend!
And I tend to agree that the last panel would make a GREAT wallpaper.
whenever this gets made into a movie, you better get some epic background music.
Also, why was I randomly assigned an avatar?
Everyone gets a “generic avatar”.
You can get your own free gravatar avatar anytime, though.
Oh. I know you weren’t.
But I can still thank you nonetheless.
🙂
lol. love nic’s face in this page. XD his tongue looks weird though.
is alex jumping or flying? if he is jumping, that is one epic leap. O.o
Time to look again at “The Matrix”? 😉
you gotta love how your avatar goes with ur emotions for this strip!!!
I believe that Nicodemus’ “No!” is in the fact that Alex, an adult, has assumed his powers and abilities as the rightful heir to the throne of Dreamland- something that apparently has not been done since the days of Arthur, if I’m gauging things properly.
That’s too bad. They’re missing out on some great talent! 😉
Ahhhh, yes. That makes perfect sense!!!
Isn’t there another scene where Smith does the same thing only it’s like, “No, no, no, no!”
Agreed; I doubt Alex has ever been more serious in his life (while simultaneously really enjoying himself) as he is right now.
I predict he won’t start cracking jokes until after he strikes the first blow. (Then all bets are off; I’m really expecting him to taunt ol’ Nick at that point, possibly even to the point of overconfidence … with predictably negative results … )
Credit where credit is due, dude: you nailed it.
Nick is concerned that now the prophesies are coming true. You know, the one about the human king returning to the throne of Dreamland and overthrowing the usurper. Now that Alex can fly, that negates one of Nic’s only advantages.
If it makes you feel better, I think Nick is starting to say “No, I won’t allow this” not “No, I can’t stand it and will run away now.”
Welcome fellow Dreamer, and congrats on finishing your Archive Binge! The DLC archive is one of the more daunting webcomic archives out there, and getting through it (while thoroughly enjoyable) is definitely an accomplishment to be proud of!
Did you read the comments as you came through? If not, I recommend a re-read with comments; this community is unique, at least in my limited experience, for a webcomic readers’ community. People here are almost unfailingly polite, intelligent, and as supportive as a close family. Heck, even the spelling and grammar is better than webcomic-comment-average!
😉
Be sure to pop over to TopWebComics and vote for Scott! He only puts the vote button up at the beginning of each month, but you can usually find the link in the comments (mostly in mine, but occasionally someone fills in for me … ). Here’s the link to get you started: http://topwebcomics.com/vote/4274/default.aspx
Again, welcome!
If you have a Gravatar, and it’s not showing up right, check and be sure that you’re using the right e-mail address in the “EMAIL” field, and that it’s not misspelled.
🙂
Here’s a link for various examples.
NOs can be found between 0:23 – 0:50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqjX5VK1B2c&feature=channel
Methinks ol’ Nic is going to be short one limb by the time this battle finishes. Alex may get a little mussed up as well. On the edge of my seat until Monday.
No, you say? Oh yes. Yes indeed. >:)
If the “NO!” had a comma after it instead…
No, I can’t believe he’s actually the one!
No, the gummi-bears in my pocket just melted from all this fire!
No, he learned how to fly?
No, man I hope he hasn’t also figured out how the sword works!
No, it’s not your turn, I rolled a 1 on initiative, you just hang there in the air til I decide what to do.
No, this ain’t gonna happen!
No, I didn’t want diet, take the whole order back, I’m leaving.
No, just freaking no, no, no, no!
No, oh come ON! At exactly what point did I lose control of this situation?
No, you can’t hit me, I have the broken shards of a mystical amulet in my hand which I’m about to smack you down with, so there.
No, it’s probably none of these!
And though panel is pretty cool, just gotta say…
NO! Not panel 5! Make panel 6 my new background!
Yes.
somehow i get the strange feeling Alex wakes up just before he makes his strike.
What is the matter, Nicodemus? Did you not realize that you cannot ‘keep a good man down’? Did you really think your grandiose boasting would change the minds of anybody? Do you not realize that you have less brain cells than teeth? When are you going to accept the fact that you have already lost? Or are you going to fight a tedious battle for the next eight chapters?
Epic Win!
Love that last panel- sets up the suspense – and aptly so, for it’s another cliffhanger!
Alex is looking mighty small in last panel – but that’s a big honkin’ cut-through-anythin’ sword.
He’s gonna need some help from his friends to win, though, I think. Go Crew!
I had a ‘THIS – IS – SPARTA!!!’ moment when Alex was flying up at Nicodemus. That might’ve looked cool for a bit. xD
Well I book I’ve read said you might as well not wear armor when fighting a dragon… it will slow you down and be naught but tin foil wrapping for when it decides to cook you ‘;P
This is great stuff. I just can’t help but see the ending of “Reign of Fire” out of my head seeing the last panel. Epic final charge then gulp down the dragons hatch.
I missed some near the end cause i just wanted to see what happened but I full intend to go back and read them again 😀 the comments are differently priceless material hehe and thank you for the welcome*glomps*
Great week! I hadn’t had a bit of time to read Mon – Fri, so sat down tonight (Sun) and enjoyed every panel!
Can’t wait until the new week begins (in just a few hours, by my clock!) 😀
I was gone from my compy yesterday, so don’t know when Scott loaded it, but if you vote- the last panel is now Wallpaper material!!!
It’s been done! I was away from my computer yesterday, so I didn’t get to vote, but when I voted today, the last panel was the new voting incentive!!
Hi-larious!!!
“I AM SPARTACUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 😉
IF YOU HAVEN’T VOTED YET, YOU MUST DO SO!! LAST PANEL IS NOW WALLPAPER FOR VOTING INCENTIVE. GO THERE NOW!!! http://topwebcomics.com/vote/4274/default.aspx
Good guys, bad guys and explosions… as far as the eye can see.
Nic still thought alex couldn’t fly, right? So the “No!” could be shock over that
woot!
I second that, the last panel would make an awesome background.
Go vote for Scott at TopWebComics (http://topwebcomics.com/vote/4274/default.aspx) and you just might experience some wish fulfillment …
😉
The Sephiroth theme song is playing in my head for that last panel
GET SOOOOOOMMMEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i wonder if alex should name his moves “flying headshot of DOOM!!” or some such.
i kid.
but nick is like “what ho? a foe? oh no!”
DEATH FROM ABOVE!!!!!!
AND SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT!
Aaaand now that I get to today’s comic I see that the helmet does engage.