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Warren's Pub Table: GRAVEL #5: The Furious Host

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  1.  (3636.1)
    Two consecutive issues of balls-on-fire action. Thoughts? Comments? Spoilers will surely follow, so beware.

    I'm particularly interested to hear any theories on where this is all going and how you see the finale playing out. Warren and I are well into the next story arc, so any hypotheses now will be only that; there's no stopping the inevitable!

    Go.
  2.  (3636.2)
    I won't get to read #5 until Friday, so I can only comment from issue 4. :/

    I think he will end of killing them all, the Major Seven included. Once the Minor Seven are gone (gone as in dead; I can't see anyone else just walking into the moors), there is no way the Major Seven will be able to leave him alone, especially since he will probably have all the parts of the Manuscript.

    The question that comes to mind is, are any more magicians above the Major Seven? And if that will leave Gravel as top magic bad ass in the country?
    (if that was answered in #5, sorry)

    I can't wait to read the issue!
    • CommentAuthorOddcult
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2008
     (3636.3)
    I'm kinda hoping Gravel gets his arse handed to him. He's a great character, but it'll get a tad boring if he can just powergame his way through everything.

    Also, I suspect we may be about to see a bit about the history of the combat magicians. Possibly with some link to the British Cunning Folk.
    • CommentAuthorbuzzorhowl
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2008
     (3636.4)
    I was really surprised by the ending but really liked it. It's good to see Gravel finally encountering something he can't just dispatch without breaking much of a sweat. On the other hand, I have no idea just how extensive the damage is, so I'll be waiting excitedly for the next issue.

    By the way, I was so excited for this issue that I accidentally bought it twice. Took one off the shelf without realizing that another copy was already in my subscription box. I wish the kid ringing me up had noticed, but oh well. Someday I'll trade the extra for something cool at a con or something.
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      CommentAuthorzensurfer
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2008
     (3636.5)
    @MIKE WOLFER-just finished reading #5 and i thought this issue was as good as #4 which was incredible! the wrap cover is stunning as was the battle scene! enough said...no spoilers...just read it guys.Photobucket
  6.  (3636.6)
    i think it would be interesting to seem him lose as well. but that being said he is S.A.S. and they don't lose. "Who Dares Wins" eh?
    • CommentAuthorVaruker
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2008
     (3636.7)
    I really liked the flash backs with Colegrave. The insight that Colgrave brought into Gravels status with the Minor Seven really helped me connect with William. The others distaste with him always seemed to revolve around the fact that he was just a bastard, but his seemingly lower/ working class/ enlisted roots and how they played a role into his entrance into the Minor Seven really opened up an aspect of our favorite Combat Magician that I'd never really thought about. I'm really looking forward to what's coming next.
    • CommentAuthorales kot
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2008
     (3636.8)
    Think you´re gonna turn Gravel into more tragic figure with more depth somehow, in the end of the arc. Think that´s your primary intention. Maybe with showing him win and lose both at the same time, of course leading directly into next arc. Enjoying it very much at the moment, thank you for a ride.
  9.  (3636.9)
    that double page panel was worth the price of admission alone. yet more proof that william gravel is just plain damn good.
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      CommentAuthorthom_wong
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2008
     (3636.10)
    This is the first Gravel I've read, so I have no idea if he's always been this powerful. I agree that the thrill of the action is mitigated somewhat by the fact that he never seems to be in any danger.

    For example, the Colegrave character comes at him with some hunting party from hell shit, but in the end all he can do is run away?

    Maybe this is the difference between a working-class combat magician and these ponces.
  11.  (3636.11)
    Read issue #5 - great stuff. If he's been up for three days, it is about time for him to crash. Given his last gesture, he sealed the gates to keep everything out, right? What about things that might already be on the grounds though?
  12.  (3636.12)
    Second question - any particular reason the horses of the Wild Hunt are wearing bridle with a flash/drop nose band?

    Just curious.
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      CommentAuthorjeremeyes
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2008
     (3636.13)
    gravel is easily one of the comics I'm most excited about right now. The thing I loved about issue five was that there was this great big chunk of the book dedicated to progressing the plot and getting some good characterization in and then it was insane action and ass kicking. The instantaneous change between calm and frenetic shit kicking was incredibly satisfying.
  14.  (3636.14)
    @jeremeyes- I'm glad that you're enjoying the characterization. One of Warren's main goals with doing an ongoing GRAVEL monthly was to provide a more in-depth analysis of who Gravel is, beyond the superficial tough guy we've seen so far. As thom_wong pointed out above, the distinct class division between Gravel and his compatriots, from the days of his youth to his military service and association with the Minor Seven, has played a large part in the development of his personality... And it has most definitely had an effect on his decision-making process and his perspective on the world.

    @spiraltwist- I've read quite a few reviews and comments that indicate that many readers believe that Gravel was incapacitated by the fence, but as you noticed, the "force" emanating through the gate wasn't flowing into him, but rather out of him. Yes, he sealed-off the grounds of Shockham Hall... And yes, you should wonder what could be sealed inside with him, and that, of course, is Issue #6. :)
    • CommentAuthorheresybob
    • CommentTimeSep 20th 2008
     (3636.15)
    I just realized that Gravel is summoning his horse through the use of the clapper.

    Heh
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      CommentAuthorFerburton
    • CommentTimeSep 20th 2008
     (3636.16)
    I was wondering why he was inside the gates.

    This had to be the best issue I've read from any Gravel books. I loved it. Thanks Mike and Warren.

    Also, I've said it before, but I really love this new artist's stuff.
  17.  (3636.17)
    Wow, I'm blind and didn't even notice that he was inside the gates. -1 perception for me! That whole section is a lot more clear to me now that I realize he's inside, the bars weren't glowing at first, and he only collapsed after making the bars go all glowy. I wonder if he'd have collapsed if he'd actually slept once in the last three days worth of fighting.

    I suppose that means it's a bit hypocritical of me to gripe about some fight scene choreography, but what the heck. Gravel is being chased by three huntsmen- one with sword, one with axe, one with double-bladed axe & dagger. He shoots Sword with a magic bullet on one page, and that was both damn cool and worked really well, but the next page kind of fell apart. On the first panel the goat is in front of Gravel, and the next it's chasing him up a tree. I'll assume it circled around for another go but it still feels a bit disjointed. Gravel then takes out the two other riders while jumping off the tree, but then a sword magically appears in his hand from nowhere. It's not the same one that Sword was carrying and it's too long to be Axe&Dagger's blade, so I'm a bit lost as to how he found it.

    And then the scene shifts back into full-bore ass kicking mode. Although leafing through the book again I'm kind of let down we never saw Gravel fight the spear guys. Long pole with sharp bit at the end would have made for a fun fight when Gravel had the reeeeeeeally long flail.
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      CommentAuthorRudi
    • CommentTimeSep 21st 2008 edited
     (3636.18)
    Great read and good concept for an issue of Gravel. FYI, The Wild Hunt by Franz Von Stuck was rumored to be one of Hitler's favorite paintings.

    The part where Gravel summons his horse seems abrupt to me. I kept asking myself why he didn't do that in the first place, but he did have the whole "eternal hunting party of the damned" to deal with at the time.
  19.  (3636.19)
    @Mike Wolfer
    And yes, you should wonder what could be sealed inside with him, and that, of course, is Issue #6. :)

    Of course it is. :)
  20.  (3636.20)
    And we will get to find out next week exactly what's inside the gates with him - GRAVEL #6 ships next week.

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