Trying a different format and length. I’ve been inspired by the Noble Knight Adventures shorts on YouTube, and while I won’t do any live-action material for TEF (you should be thankful), I feel more confident about continuing this project.
Panel 1
A downward view of the young woman and her tarot reading. She has pulled The Fool, Eight of Pentacles, and The Tower. She reviews The Tower entry in a book.
Barty: (off-panel) Día duít, a stór.
Panel 2
The young woman looks up at the speaker sitting across from her.
Panel 3
Barty is now sitting in front of the young woman, his chin resting on a hand, his eyes lowered as he attempts to charm his new acquaintance.
Barty: Do the cards say anything about a tall, dark, handsome stranger?
Here ends the first flashback of the series and my experiment with a temperamental gradient action I downloaded for Clip Studio Paint. When this action gave the rusty, vintage-y effects I was looking for, it was fantastic. When it gave effects like the one you see now… there were only so many times that redoing the action would produce the kind of colors and effects I liked.
It’s not a terrible action, but the next time I do a flashback sequence, I think I’ll try something that produces more consistent results.
In the coming months, I’m going to do something different with this project. I’ve been toying with the idea of creating an off-site archive for previous installments and decluttering this one to host current scenes.
I don’t plan on using WordPress for TEF forever, so I might as well get started on building a static site rather than rushing to build everything when the project is finished. It’s one less headache to contend with down the road.
Transcript
Panel 1
Barty angrily trudges through the pub, past a table near the door. A young woman is sitting at the table. She’s curvy in all the right places… mostly her hips and her massive, swept-back bangs. She holds a small book in her left hand while her right hand is poised over the table; she’s doing something the reader can’t see.
Panel 2
Barty stops in his tracks and glances over his left shoulder. He spots the young woman.
Transcript
Panel 1
Barty looks with pride at the van off-panel. Finty begins to hand over the bill. His face seems to be saying, This will take the shine off.
Barty: This is beyond fantastic! I can see those shirts’ eyes light up now.
Finty: The bill, lad.
Barty: “This is the show we’ve been needing, lads! Cork’s finally got one over on ol’ Dublin! We’re getting prime programming here!” Maybe not in those words, but something like them. And I feel it in my bones, this very van is the key to–
Panel 2
Barty’s eyes literally bug out at the bill gripped in his hands.
Barty: GET TO FECK!
As much as I like the filter/action I’m using in Clip Studio Paint to give these comics an old, worn look, I don’t really like how the effects differ from page to page. I’m selecting the same action, but the gradients, noise, and dithering seem to vary in intensity depending on… I don’t know, how distressed the art goblins in CSP are feeling at the moment, I guess. I did say I was going to experiment with styles and colors, but I was hoping for some consistency.
Transcript:
Panel 1
Finty begins to raise a hairy arm. He gives Barty a grin, showing his crooked teeth.
Finty: But enough jawin’. You’ll be wanting to see what idea I’ve dreamed up for the girl.
Panel 2
Ribbons and sparks of magic flow from Finty’s open hand.
Finty: I think you’ll love it, lad.
Panel 3
The duo admire the magical preview of Finty’s work. The passenger side of the Westfalia has a poofy, curly, 70s-style font with the logo: The Incredible Journey of Eoin Crilly and the Famous Fellywongers.
Barty: It’s a beaut!
Finty: And the real thing will have a glossy finish. As well as a smaller version on the other side.
Barty: That’ll really catch the eye! Fantastic work as always, Finty.
Finty: Not to criticize your choice… or your lack of funds… but a van without windows would’ve been a better canvas, lad.
I would have posted this sooner, but Clip Studio Paint decided to be a pest and forget that I’m using a two-year free trial on my desktop. Things should be moving smoothly from now on.
Transcript:
Barty struts into the garage, a grin on his face. Finty, a balding ginger half-dwarf, wipes his hands on a clean towel.
Barty: Ah, they were easy! Some packets of Kimberleys, and they were all mouth. They even chatted a bit after eating.
Finty: Careful you don’t give away your secret to the public. There’ll be eejits buyin’ up every last biscuit to give to those blasted gods, and where will us sensible folk be for tea?
Barty: Finty, you’re half dwarf! What kind of talk is that about your kin?
Finty: Sensible talk! Mhhph.
Transcript:
Panel 1
Daytime. A tranquil, open area with a long garage building. The sign on the front reads “Colin Felton’s Conveyance Convenience” with a phone number. A tree stands beside the garage, its large canopy shading the sky, with a lone crow sitting atop the building, observing the scene. Strolling across the dirt is a figure in white silhouette approaches an open garage.
Panel 2
Inside the garage, view facing the door. The figure walks in confidently. He’s dressed in a sweater vest, a shirt with a long collar, and bell-bottoms. His features are pale with bouncy black hair, thick eye eyebrows, and a smile that can slay the ladies.
Barty: Hello, Felty! How’s my favorite artist this morning?
Felty: (off-panel) Barty! Feckin’ hell, ’bout time you showed up! I was beginnin’ to think the fairies got you after all!
The Eoin Fame 