I went to a family reunion this weekend in MI. it was fun, was nice to see some people I hadn't seen in a while! Too bad I didn't get to talk much with them, we had to drive back to Ohio that same night so we couldn't stay. Too bad, i really wanted to go to the beach!
But I didn't get this page done until just a few minutes ago because of that...and because I've been distracted by an adorable scar-faced kitten we adopted. But not much, he's better behaved in my work room than the other 2 kitties we own, whom are larger and hellbent on getting into the windows that are blocked by computer and art stuff which they always nearly knock over! Probably because he's only the size of a burrito right now and can't jump onto these things...:)
Oh, and that's right, I drew this stupid boiler for this thing like ages ago but never got to use it fully. I'm sure like, my mother will probably recognize what boiler it's based on!
Also, even though it's late, a preview thumbnail of this month's donation picture
OMG-ness!!! I had a dream about CTV last night! Usually my dreams are a nonsensical conglomeration of insignificant thoughts, but this was one of the rare exceptions. The gang found a portal to a snowy mountainous world, Zerlocke built a snowman that got its head lopped of repeatedly, Menu was sledding, Zeno was being moody, and Mye was all the while trying to figure out where they were. There was also a hotspring... I think... Anywho, I sure had an adventure in slumberland. Peace!
... Maybe I got carried away... Ah well, I tend to get overly enthusiastic and let my attention to detail run rampant when talking about the things I've researched that interest me. (I could talk for a startlingly long time about the history of Coca-Cola.) Anyway, I hope nobody is annoyed by the monolith of text I have placed before you, perhaps detracting from the humor,although this is only adding, I suppose... >
Ok, I'm back, and your picture's changed into a cat! Nice!
Also, Germany has history, in its origin, as a country, with France, the early Scandinavian/ Nodric region, and the Roman Empire. Perhaps the lemon aversion originates in one of those cultures' mythologies. I looked a bit, but couldn't find anything note worthy. However, lemons are Asian in origin, and Asian and Norse mythology share many notable similarities and these key aspects probably originated from a single original source. The Vikings, in there time were extremely influential, reaching east Asia and having control of northern Germanic territories. I've read a lot on Vikings and Norse mythology, in case you couldn't tell. Perhaps it's worth looking into. I didn't find anything, but who knows, after all, the alp of German lore and the draugr of Norse mythology share some notable similarities (Alp info from wikipedia, which I assume to be correct after your having edited it. Please correct any of my mistakes.), such as the "leaving through the same exit" OCD thing, lying on a sleeping victim and getting slowly heavier(draugr actually kill their victims, though), the ability to enter dreams, being able to turn into a variety of animals, a weakness to iron(or steel as the case may be, which is, of course, an iron alloy), blood drinking tendencies, having a magical camoflauge(though the draugr uses shadows; not invisibility), bringing diseases to a village, tormenting former family, being a revenant, being nigh impossible to kill, and the not-so-unique aspect of being norcturnal while not vulnerable to sunlight. Also, the eyes of a draugr seem to have some sort of power. It isn't revealed in much detail, but may have a link to the "evil eye" of an alp (or mara?).
While these two creatures do have their own distinct differences, it seems probable that their lore was, at the very least, influenced by a common source. It should be noted that old Norse parallels of the legend Nibelungenlied, the source of inspiration for much of the alp's mythology according to wiki, exist in the Völsunga saga, the Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda, the Legend of Norna-Gest, and the Şiğrekssaga.
I've done a whole heck of a lot of research on the draugr and am still looking for unanswered questions, but the wikipedia article should have a lot more info and should be much more accurate too, if you are inteerested. I only decided to update it just now. Luckily I kept my own records of its traits.
Whether or not this will help you with alp research, I don't know, but I thought I'd post this, in case it does.
@smkinoshita: ah, because that is something you only find out from 8 years of obsessive research devoted to a single creature :) I'm not certain what the significance of lemons in Teutonic mythology is yet, but both the Alp and the Neuntoter are weakened by lemons. Off the top of my head, I could link you to 3 sources on the internet mentioning the lemons, but right now unfortunately the book preview (Vampire Universe) cuts off before page 15 where it goes in depth and the others became dead links, taking their precious info with them! The only other thing I can find on short notice is here and other examples are short blurbs not really worth mentioning since they all say the same thing. I totally believe you didn't find anything on the lemons, entries on this creature are notorious for leaving details out for the sake of brevity. The only reason I kept an eye out for it myself is because a reader mentioned it years ago, and sure enough I found enough sources to back that claim up. :)
Ooo, and thanks for bringing that up also, because I just now found a trove of info in a book preview! Interesting new things brought to my attention that I'll have to verify now! :D (and it actually mentions the lemons...then setting the poor alp on fire!)
Blaine is NOT going to be happy when he wakes up with a lemon in his mouth. C'mon guys, it's really me, honest! Although Ame will probably throw in at least one twist we didn't see coming.
These guys might be jerks, but they're good at what they do.
The comic is still commercial quality, we are humbled once again.
Wait, lemon? I actually looked up some stuff on alps and didn't read anything about lemons. I also get the feeling the thugs are about to do something incredibly stupid.
Oooh. Earliest comment. Awesome page. I love the creature design. It looks like something from the Oddworld games. The detail you use continues to mesmerize me. Nice boiler too. Very cool. Well, it's ALL cool, but still... Awesome page... Woops, gotta go! Can't wait for more, as always.
Interesting change in the art...
At least Blaine is safe... If he sn't choked with Lemon...
aww burrito size kitties are awesome
also: oh shoot that's a boiler? I thought it an infernal pizza oven or something
Lemme guess: The unpossessed Blaine doesn't like lemons either. ;D
Cool page again, what with all those details like their using tranquiliser arrows and stuff!
-Posted on Aug 26, 2010
User: Anonymous
5
Great as always. Love the style you use for drawing and coloring!
Stumble It!
Great as always. Love the style you use for drawing and coloring!