So Abaddon isn’t just the bad guy/guys, they’re also prejudiced. ‘Too powerful for a mermaid’? What about a mermaid centuries old who was taught by Merlin?
I hadn’t considered it before, but the winged members of Abaddon might not be the best ones to have underwater.
The function of wings in air is not that far removed from the function of fins in water. Wings, if used properly, could be quite efficient for underwater motion. Air and water are both fluids, just different densities.
Okay, the art is just amazing! The background is really advanced, and the entire package is so well balanced. It fits so well with the quality of the story. I am impressed.
Density is the problem. Move your arm through the air, then underwater, and you see the difference. MUCH more resistance. Coming and going: The backstroke of a wing in air won’t pull you back significantly, while underwater it will. That’s why those undersea have fins and flippers they can turn to a knife edge to go forward through the water, then twist to present a broad surface to push against the water. If you have superstrength and endurance – or magic- maybe you could make wings work underwater. But wouldn’t it be better to chose members of Abaddon who wouldn’t have to bother?
That’s why I said “if used properly”. I’m not going to try breaking down all the physics of how wings work, their shape and mechanical motion of folding or retracting varies between many animals as well, but the principle is the similar. The forward stroke drives a certain thrust and motion while the backstroke has to minimize undoing it. (Although some wing systems operate on a distinct hovering principle, Hummingbirds, let’s not even go there but that is fascinating.) The full motion of wings is amazingly efficient for the flying type each animal is designed to do. Even in relatively undense air, animals wouldn’t get far flying if their wings created any significant backstroke impedance to the flight motion.
My arms are not at all designed to be used to efficiently propel my body through any fluid of any density so while I understand your point it’s not really related to how wings would function. By your point, the forward stroke of wings underwater would be incredibly robust, it’s the ratio of the forward and back strokes together that would give the overall efficiency of “flight” motion.
But in any case I doubt the artistry of this comic is trying to properly design wings for flight in any fluid density. It’s just drawing wings that look cool for gargoyle creatures.
Actually, a lot of wings, and flippers/fins, and human swimmers for that matter, use a similar sculling motion for propulsion. If you don’t know what that is, find a slow-motion video of any bird in flight, though as you mentioned hummingbirds are particularly impressive.
The problem, as eee said, is density – not because the motion of a bird’s wing wouldn’t work underwater, because it would, but rather because the structural integrity of a wing with its hollow bones and light muscles and connective tissue would not be able to withstand the strain of operating underwater.
The difference is a matter of biology, not physics. (Well, biology is physics, but that’s another discussion.)
Looking forward to finally finding out what happened to her
Me too!
So Abaddon isn’t just the bad guy/guys, they’re also prejudiced. ‘Too powerful for a mermaid’? What about a mermaid centuries old who was taught by Merlin?
I hadn’t considered it before, but the winged members of Abaddon might not be the best ones to have underwater.
Looks like we’re finally caught up with the rest of the story now.
The function of wings in air is not that far removed from the function of fins in water. Wings, if used properly, could be quite efficient for underwater motion. Air and water are both fluids, just different densities.
I don’t think we’re caught up yet. I remember there being other event that haven’t happened yet.
Okay, the art is just amazing! The background is really advanced, and the entire package is so well balanced. It fits so well with the quality of the story. I am impressed.
*Disney singing voice*
Under the sea….
Hmm the first NEW page? (or 2nd) – me likes! 😀
Density is the problem. Move your arm through the air, then underwater, and you see the difference. MUCH more resistance. Coming and going: The backstroke of a wing in air won’t pull you back significantly, while underwater it will. That’s why those undersea have fins and flippers they can turn to a knife edge to go forward through the water, then twist to present a broad surface to push against the water. If you have superstrength and endurance – or magic- maybe you could make wings work underwater. But wouldn’t it be better to chose members of Abaddon who wouldn’t have to bother?
I think we still have Fel against the Wraiths before we get to the new stuff.
That’s why I said “if used properly”. I’m not going to try breaking down all the physics of how wings work, their shape and mechanical motion of folding or retracting varies between many animals as well, but the principle is the similar. The forward stroke drives a certain thrust and motion while the backstroke has to minimize undoing it. (Although some wing systems operate on a distinct hovering principle, Hummingbirds, let’s not even go there but that is fascinating.) The full motion of wings is amazingly efficient for the flying type each animal is designed to do. Even in relatively undense air, animals wouldn’t get far flying if their wings created any significant backstroke impedance to the flight motion.
My arms are not at all designed to be used to efficiently propel my body through any fluid of any density so while I understand your point it’s not really related to how wings would function. By your point, the forward stroke of wings underwater would be incredibly robust, it’s the ratio of the forward and back strokes together that would give the overall efficiency of “flight” motion.
But in any case I doubt the artistry of this comic is trying to properly design wings for flight in any fluid density. It’s just drawing wings that look cool for gargoyle creatures.
Actually, a lot of wings, and flippers/fins, and human swimmers for that matter, use a similar sculling motion for propulsion. If you don’t know what that is, find a slow-motion video of any bird in flight, though as you mentioned hummingbirds are particularly impressive.
The problem, as eee said, is density – not because the motion of a bird’s wing wouldn’t work underwater, because it would, but rather because the structural integrity of a wing with its hollow bones and light muscles and connective tissue would not be able to withstand the strain of operating underwater.
The difference is a matter of biology, not physics. (Well, biology is physics, but that’s another discussion.)
🙂