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Comic completed on August 19th 2024

furlitz

WOLKE I am so impressed by the story you pulled off, I was interested to see how you'd bring together the elements you brought in with Round 2 and the comic that you brought out of that is so satisfying.

The writing manages to keep the heightened stakes of the last comic up, but still also keeping the overall bouncy fun energy that's really characterized this OCT. I think a big part of that is how effortlessly well-paced it feels - in the first section you strike a really effective balance between the fun, relaxed energy in Jax and BB's scenes and the higher tension between Temptation and the Driver. That section transitions smoothly into the fight, with the fight itself giving an incredibly tightly structured back-and-forth that coalesces around the core beat of Jax's moment with Lotla.

The way you handle the characters like that also contributes a ton to that tonal balance I was talking about, everybody feels so likable and genuine, with even the driver getting one or two moments of characterization. Slight tangent but the driver's character is really interesting to me, there's little element of desperation coloring everything about him that's so engaging for a one-off villain.

Beach Body's characterization is also so spot-on, it's a perfect balance of that attitude that's like, friendly and optimistic and also kind of flippant but ultimately genuinely well meaning, I really appreciate the way you handled her and her interactions with Jax are so much fun. The way you have them hanging out feels so warm and makes it so easy to root for them when the stakes of the Driver's plot come back in. The way you draw her is also phenomenal, your expressions and your posing shine in this, she's so silly in the first half but when she gets serious for the fight, the moment really hits.

Some smaller things I also want to mention - conveying Temptation's message by working them into the elements of the park was really clever and fun, and overall the designs of the park had so many little details I enjoyed, ferris wheel pie is a highlight. The single frame of Temptation in the bus sailing through the air is beautiful it's so funny and it's a very satisfying way to finish off the villain. There are a lot of interesting implications left about the driver's “Employers” that I'm so intrigued to see continued. The way you used the gods was great, them being slightly aloof toward the fight but still watching out for their vessels in their way. I love Sen Sook, they are just a little guy and they feel so right for BB and I absolutely want to use them in the future. And finally the little infinity chasm teaser, small thing but it made me smile.

This comic just made me happy to read, and I feel like it's a really effective sendoff for the roadtrip.

Wolkemesser

Furlitz, this is SUCH a cool ending comic for the road trip. You worked so many elements of the past rounds into this piece ON TOP of making it very much its own thing, and capturing the road trip energy maybe better than any other comic in the tournament.

First off, I adore the design for the Funboland zombies/cultists (Zultists? Funbies? In any case...); properly creepy and their silhouettes really make the visual gag on page 6 hit hard.

Your lighting continues to kick ass - your pages have such distinct moods and its always a credit to the storytelling here. The sickly purples and harsh blacks (holy SMOKES was that nuclear explosion panel cool) of the zombie sequence gives utter brutality, the (relative) brightness of the Denny's and the more levity-filled portions of the drive to Poke land really do tease a hope that things might work for the group, and the duller rain panels work so well as a counterpoint to that hope. The starlight sequence ending the comic has such a longing about it that I adore - an odd combination of hope and sadness that really works (I may be reading to much into it/ projecting my thoughts onto your intent, but I love it nonetheless).

I like and I don't like the mood cultivated in the latter half of the comic. I don't like it insofar as I want our OCs to be having fun, but I LOVE it as a choice for the story - you've captured something that hits deep emotionally. I feel a genuine longing in my chest for our OCs to be having a better time together, and a sadness and resignation that they would splinter apart at the end - it's not easy to evoke those kinds of emotions, but I think you hit a home run in that regard. Ending on Tempy's photo was both such a fun callback and a powerful punch to the gut that I loved being on the receiving end of.

I admire Beach Body's perseverance and sincerity in trying to get the group to still have a good time despite the Funboland disaster (I literal squee-ed at the glasses buying scene). I said before, and I'll say again that she has become my favorite character coming out of this tournament. I think you played her off of Jax very deftly here, which I enjoyed reading as a fan of both characters, and when Temptation came into play I think you really nailed that interaction as well.

Truly superb stuff all around; it was a genuine pleasure to get to make comics with you for the final round :)

Oculama

Round Three's Theme
WELCOME TO X PARK!: Animatronics? Mechanical rides? Or just a walk through a dark forest covered in novelty statues. People come from miles around to enjoy their family here.

Voting is closed.

Prometheus

a good comic with a surprising amout of other characters in it i did not expect any one else to be in this besides our main three but they are humorous, almost makes me forget the lil egg is even here! for better or for worse heh heh

I do like how willing you are to play with the angles in the comic and after hearing about the pretty intense pressure u were under due to outside circumstances, i am happy that we get to see a send off for the egg after all!! Keep it up wolke!! Youre only getting stronger !!!

Prometheus

Prometheus

SEND OFFFFSSS there is nothing better than a comic that can really pull out all the stops and finish off a FUCKING OCT and this one ROCKS IT IM SO PROUD OF THIS RUN LETS GOOO FURTLITZ MY FUCKING GOAT!!

PANELS. PACING. AND COLOR?!?!! AAAAAA I CANT STOP CHEEZIN'. If there is one thing you nailed thru your run in Road Trip its jsut showing a comic that really just nails the feeling of "A Day In The Life Of--" Like the fact that you can have multiple days portrayed in the comics themselves and keep us along for the ride, all in under 10 pages? Pure. Magnificence.

Pengogo

This finale is such a beautiful way to end the Beach Bod series. It raises the stakes in a way that perfectly fits the previous comics, and then brings things back down in such a quiet, dim way. There's a feeling of nostalgia and satisfaction, even as everything collapses into a dark lonely sky. Funny and frantic, the front half is so creative and quick paced, but man. Just sitting outside a broken bus as the sun sets, waiting for something to happen? It's perfect. The formatting brings out so much detail, from environmental storytelling but also just in the way every character moves and expresses themselves. Goodness.

Pengogo

This comic is really good at bringing in elaborate character motivations for multiple people, sweeping multiple scenes together into one big thing. While it feels like the characters take a back seat a bit to the plot, that plot is so satisfying and creative it still works super well. The new god designs are great at mirroring their original characters, and the back and forth of the bus driver is perfectly creepy and goofy. The ending using that bus as one final wrap up is a great way to keep everything in scope, and the Infinity Chasm note is a cute little bit to hang the hat on. Love it!

Pengogo

SupremeKrispyKreme

The comic does a perfect use of in media res, starting right after the climax of the disaster as the last members of the bus flee amidst an already-disaster. The artstyle is creative and haunting, giving it sort of a dreamy -- or nightmarish in this case -- appearance. The action is incredibly tense and well-detailed, and even long after the park is escaped you maintain a sense of hanging dread and anxiety, even in the midst of character interactions and the injections of some mild comedy. The ending is also a bit upsetting, but honestly in a good way, the way it just fizzles apart as everyone goes their separate way, as Beach Body tries to reflect on the fun she's had until then. A good way to end an entire tournament about what was supposed to be a fun road trip yet seems to lose everyone along the way. Honestly fantastic work on the comic!

SupremeKrispyKreme

A perfectly-paced comic! I like how you tied into the setup placed from the last round, showing the latent gods within the other two passengers, in a way that tied into their personalities. The comic had a perfect blend of comedy, tension, and action. The gods presented also made me laugh; I expected Jax's goddess to be the more useless of the two given she's just sitting on her phone, but ends up spurring Jax into action while Beach's god just vibes as a lil' snowman. The combat was really fun too, with everyone getting to contribute in their own way. I also love the casual setup to the next Oculama OCT! Great job and a satisfying way to end the tournament!

SupremeKrispyKreme

Piñata

Your theming throughout your rounds have been such a treat. The photo motifs punctuating not only the locales but the people Beach bod encounters has been such fun to follow. I especially love how this one just begins right in the thick of the action at Funbo land and follows them throughout which ultimately ends on a bittersweet note when our trio finally diverge. Also I think you're the only artists who chronicled multiple days which makes so much sense and inform the distance/time traveled on said roadtrip.
:< Every road trips gotta end somehow and this one came to such a somber end well before the sun went down. I don't think I've read a comic that relays the feeling of a journey wrapping up in the way this did- very nice job.

Piñata

Piñata

Grubland, delicious xD That carnicval prize stuffy was adorable AND handy to relay messages!
I liked The set up and opposition that played a part where the trio had to band together, but like your last round, I feel there were too many new elements and characters introduced that needed time to be established for me to be invested. What I am invested is in Temptation, Beach Bod and Jax. like is Jax catching feelings for Beach? What're Temptations ultimate goals? why are they invested in their fellow roadtrip buddies? There were s many questions as to the unifying dynamic of this trio that weren't answered and I wish they were.
Still, 10+ pages is noting to sneeze at and you definitely show you gave it your all. I commend the effort!

Oculama

This was fantastic, Your story was super interesting and was an immediate draw. It brought me inside instantly. Obviously a zombie outbreak sort of horror, but the idea of these three wandering around on the bus made me think of Stephen King's The Stand. A big part of me wishes that this wasn't the end of the tournament, because this would have been a really stellar set up for a tournament entirely. I don't know if you intend to do more with Beach Body with this story, but I would love to see more of this story. Furthermore, the art was great. You did a really solid job with this comic and you should be proud of yourself for it. Great work.

Oculama

This was a good comic! I like that you wrapped everything with a little bow by having the bus driver have more of a role than initially presented. I think you really used Temptation's storyline in an way that interestingly adapted it for the other characters in the story to latch on to. Your art looked quite nice as well with some very solid character drawings and expressions. I wish we had more solid blacks utilized. While the splashes of colors were very welcome, I think stronger shadows would have helped a lot there as well. On the whole however, this was a great comic and a solid conclusion. Good work!

Oculama

xeno112

FURLITZ! I keep saying it but your style of drawing is just so unique and ingenious! i love how the shading and colors you use make your art look watercolor and paintbrush strokes at the same time! ugh. Also the cool brush used for the radio voice and the murder-matronics was a great touch! On to the story I loved the start up and being mid escape was very cool and no points off the whole but I would have liked to see some of the lead up to it cause it sounded bonkers! I wholeheartedly fell in love with beach body this tournament and I love her personality and how she just wants to keep the adventure going and it works really well with how the trip kinda has an abrupt and sudden end even if we would love for the trip to go just a bit longer and gives such a great ending with her just sitting there looking at the night sky but happy for the memories T_T. I really hope we see more of her someday cause she works so well for this tourney I wanna see more of her! lastly I think you did really good with the remaining cast of players in this comic and they all worked naturally with how they parted ways at the end of the trip and was very satisfying!

xeno112

wolke! you be rockin it with your comics as always! firstly I would like to say bravo on the hand drawn commitment for this finale! You did a great job picking up right where you left off and kept with the tension and slid in the rest of the cast well to the plot and I absolutely loved the gods for Jax and beach body! temptation is always a treat and its nice to see em take central role for this last sprint of the tourney pluses that it was for a nice team up as well! I also like that you got the story to continue into the next tourney that's been setup as well. oh! and I love the action/ comedy throughout this comic which is always on point when you write so no exception here :)

xeno112