Whitechapel - FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:04:15-08:00

It be Friday here be FREAKANGELS.

Morning, Whitechapel. Red Bull kept me running just long enough to push all the important FA-related buttons and now I be ded. You folks talk now.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:17:17-08:00

Miki just cemented her position as my favourite. The last panel of page 3 saw to that with a quickness.

Still a bit woozy after yesterday's Thursday Night Drunk. Fun was had.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:31:39-08:00

I think I have the same sense of humour as Kait. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:38:12-08:00

Continuing to grow into something truly great.

"Anyone who tries to hug me will be shot dead." - Warren shares his motto!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:46:38-08:00

all nice and good, but we still don't exactly know why these desperate people attacked whitechapel.... dropping mortar shells seems like a strange way of asking for some aid... *the maggot bunny image still haunts me*

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:50:54-08:00

I have been away for ages so i just had a massive catch up, everytime I read some new FA it makes me think about my own work and improve it so as always cheers Warren; also this is a new account as I forgot my old log on and password don't you just hate it when that happens!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T04:53:39-08:00

@Cat Vincent yeah, that was my favorite line, as well.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T05:20:20-08:00

Great bit of dialogue this week, and the last panel was great... although it doesn't look like Kait actually cares about the whole "two by two" thing, eh?

This week went by extremely quickly up until yesterday, for some reason. I did manage to finish my last 10 pages of script yesterday afternoon, which makes me feel good, but I secretly know that it's utter shit, so that doesn't make me feel so good. I'll be editing next week, to turn it into something that's not loose drivel, and then start artwork. I'm still not sure if I'm going to do it myself or shop for an artist (they really don't like not getting paid, so I've heard). I'll probably do it myself just for the practice, but we'll see.

Might try to see Coraline this weekend, as it's the last 3D weekend in the States, but I don't even know if we have a 3D theatre in town. So wish me luck on that. Hope everyone else has a good weekend, too!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T05:23:57-08:00

I don't know who is my favorite this week, Miki or Kait. Kait has the best line, though! "Anyone who tries to hug me will be shot dead." I'm going to be snickering about that all day.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T05:42:20-08:00

well shit....

how about "anyone who beats me to the whitechapel forum to post about the line 'anyone who tries to hug me will be shot dead' will be shot dead"

@ Cat Vincent
seriously, though, you totally beat me to the punch on that one. who among us did not immediately see and hear that line in warren's voice?

@ warrenellis
congratulations, sir. you've cemented your reputation as an ornery, murderous, anti-hugging genius.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T06:04:37-08:00

ok, now we all love Kait. that's awesome.

i need to sleep now. i've been arguing with a painting all night, and i'm throwing in the towel. YOU WIN THIS ROUND, you 10"x12" piece of garbage, but i will subdue you eventually. MARK MY WORDS.

see, this is the relationship i have with my art. healthy, y/n?

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T06:12:01-08:00

@cat, @budd, @prof, and everyone else who read the hugs line and thought of warren...

he tweeted yesterday that he would enjoy conventions more if he got to brand people with a hot iron...

wow. brilliant.

second best line..."is there any reason...that isn't selfish?" ...words the masters of reality really should consider before they go all lock box and stashed ammunition.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T06:30:37-08:00

"Trust me. I'm a Doctor"

I think I've heard that line or something similar recently... hmmmm

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T06:32:10-08:00

yes; another first thought (was warren) when i read that line. also, the panel 3 page 4 dialog was sort of chilling:

KAIT: REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME WE ALL AGREED ON ANYTHING?
KAIT: WE PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE WORLD, FLOODED BRITAIN AND DID GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

as it should be; only warren knows where we are going in ~~this world~~ what is left of this world.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:03:33-08:00

Yep, that punched-a-hole-in-the-world line really made me sit up. Nice opening up of the wider idea.

The "no hugs" bit was terrific, particularly because I felt, with the art (change of expression) and previous narrative, that Kait's response was directly from mind-reading. No mean trick!

I do feel as though it needs to move along a bit now, though. But maybe that's just impatience!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:36:41-08:00

Excellent writing—especially the hug bit. I was expecting to wait longer after Warren tweeted that gag.

But what really does it for me this week is the art. Paul, those layouts are just sublime. Your handling of running dialogue is cinematic.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:40:37-08:00

I loved the face to face panels on Page 2, and Kait biting her lip and turning away.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:41:08-08:00

Nice. Things are going to get interesting.

Also, thanks for the new wallpaper! :)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:42:06-08:00

Oh Miki! "I know where you go to have sex, after all..."

Miki and Kait started off as my least favourites but they've both won a place in my heart today.

Also, IS THAT A SWAMP MONSTER in the last panel????

@Spiraltwist:
Thank you for the link! I hadn't noticed new wallpaper yet. That's my new background :)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:46:38-08:00

Also, IS THAT A SWAMP MONSTER in the last panel????

I saw that too! I'm hoping it's just a dead tree. Because we'll enter a whole new level of bizarre if they get attacked by an Elder God.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:47:47-08:00

I need an 'anyone who tries to hug me will be shot dead" shirt.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:50:18-08:00

Pure Genius.

@Rootfireember hell yeah the shirt of the year!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:54:01-08:00

Second/third/forth/nth the hug line being genius.

all nice and good, but we still don't exactly know why these desperate people attacked whitechapel.... dropping mortar shells seems like a strange way of asking for some aid... *the maggot bunny image still haunts me*

I'm guessing after being in an almost tribal environment for that long, they thought the only way they could get food is to attack the other village. From what we've seen so far, Whitechapel is the only place that has a still fairly civilized society.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:56:21-08:00

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:57:42-08:00

Coo, yeah! Missed that! Doesn't look overly dead tree to me.....

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:58:31-08:00

I also think it looks like a tentacle out to get us. Or waving Goodbye to the people.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T07:58:41-08:00

Are you talking about that object that looks a little like a tentacle in the "northwest" section of the last panel? Or is the "monster" somewhere else?

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T08:01:01-08:00

I'm loving, "Anyone who tries to hug me will be shot dead."
I still don't like Kait very much, but have a certain respect for her... weird.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T08:06:48-08:00

I need an 'anyone who tries to hug me will be shot dead" shirt.

Fuck yes. But please stop making me want things whilst I remain unemployed.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T08:07:13-08:00

Normally, I wouldn't have expected a "swamp monster" to be in Freakangels, but that picture, along with the "we punched a hole in the world" line, makes it more possible. Maybe they punched a hole in the world that led to (and from) someplace else? Perhaps someplace Bad...

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T08:18:43-08:00

...it lead to my computer room. Which I need to clean.
Trufax.
*headdesk*

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T08:32:07-08:00

@Rootfire

There are many tshirt moments... I think there should be more :)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T08:40:54-08:00

@diello - HELL YEAHHHH I want that shirt!

edit: the tentacle thing looks like a tree or a pipe or something in Issue 0043/pg 4.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T09:30:20-08:00

I agree with Rootfireember shirt is necessary!

Kait is quickly stealing all my freakangel loving from Kirk and Karl.

Thanks Warren and Paul, amazing as always.

Wallpaper is making lappy camouflage with blanket!

I was only halfhoping for some Swampthing, but ya know, beggars can't be choosers. Also... must remember ear plugs at concerts... the muffledness of it all is terribly annoying.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T09:40:22-08:00

It feels redundant to tell you how great it was, Warren and Paul, but it was. I am consistantly pleased with FreakAngels and that is a wonderful new experience in comic/graphic novel reading. I can't wait for the second volume to come out so I'll have more "Staff Recommendations" to give to people. Anyone browsing graphic novels gets told they need to check out volume one... Thank you, and keep up the great work!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T09:41:46-08:00

@diello

I love your tshirt brain. Lets make it real

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T11:12:00-08:00

another great week and thanks for the kick ass wallpaper :)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T11:30:05-08:00

Haha! The 'swamp monster' is a piece of lame modern art that you can find in shoreditch park. I thought it would be amusing to make it survive the end of the world.

EDIT: PS that t-shirt is indeed an awesome idea :D

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T11:39:18-08:00

@Paul
Hahahahaha! Brilliant. Have you had any other little details like that in the comic?

edit:
Well shit :)
http://assets0.qype.com/uploads/photos/0035/0125/shore10_gallery.jpg?21793

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T11:47:58-08:00

Crap! I was hoping for Cthulu!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T11:58:31-08:00

HAH! Interesting to see the photo of the 'real' monster.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T12:42:52-08:00

Hah! The truth about the "swamp monster" is even funnier than the guesses! Paul, that's a great touch.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T13:00:21-08:00

Btw, thanks to Michael Furious and Leslie Powell for helping us out with the Friday reminder post on avatarpress.com this week. CamyLuna, Spiraltwist, and Rootfireember have contributed previous Friday reminders there.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T13:19:24-08:00

That sculpture resembles a certain eel of the arse variety, no?

And the world is covered in water. Punching a hole in it is akin to splashing in a bath-tub. Now we have a vague idea why all the water.

I, too, am also against hugs. I need one, probably, I want one, if you're cute and all but the first person who tries to give me one will go through life with poor depth perception. What with only having one eye and all.

And Kirk is not at all convinced. And our Luke gets a bunch of vulnerable new girls to exploit.

This is a Warren Ellis story. I hardly expect everyone to hold hands and dance around a campfire, singing Kuumbayaa.

Kudos due to Paul as well. And to Ariana for pushing those all-important buttons for us. Y'alright now? Or still be you ded?

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T15:01:56-08:00

And our Luke gets a bunch of vulnerable new girls to exploit.

That was my first thought of them returning to Whitechapel! Luke will be super pissed... until he sees that skinny young thing walk by ;)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T15:10:30-08:00

Got my vote on the hugs business.
Great episode - as always leaves with the hunger for more

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T16:16:07-08:00

And I finish the episode in tears. Again. FUCK YOU ELLIS you wonderful bastard.

Beautiful characters, stunning passion, humor and the what-ifs that recalibrate the reality I look at every day... This is why I read your stuff, Warren. Thank you.

And beautiful work, Paul. The details on the faces of the Angels help me get past the part where I can't read their minds. Fully fleshes out what Warren might be driving at. Excellent.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T18:11:40-08:00

Anyone who tries to hug me will be shot DEAD!

Excellent, sir.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T18:28:35-08:00

Miki is persuasive, but there is something unsettling about her attitude that "We can create a society for people, and if they get out of line, we'll just use our powers to make them behave." I'm not convinced it will lead to a good place ... even after the first few rough weeks.

I do love the look on Kait's face on page2-panel3, though.

PS - for the main site, how about a "Cast" library item that links back to the panels from episode 31-32? Might be useful for new readers who haven't been here since the start like the rest of us. Speaking of which, I just went and re-read that intro panel for Miki in ep31, and Connor's description of her there is pretty dead on in this episode. Well done on the characterization continuity, sir ;).

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T20:34:59-08:00

I like the Angels are going to try. I enjoy the interaction. I don't want it to go all pear-shaped.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-20T23:57:24-08:00

Hey Guys, Kinda new to whitechapel. But I have been reading FreakAngels for awhile now.

Maybe It's just me but does it seem like there is something going on with Kirk and Miki on page 4?
Heh maybe I'm just looking into things.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T01:43:50-08:00

I like the transition in Kait's appearance between pages 4 and 5.

It's like, just for one moment, where no-one other than the FA can see, she's let the mask down. And then she breaks the static line, and Crazy Kait is back.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T06:51:42-08:00

@invisiblej
Even though they're all the same age, I think Miki recons herself the adult in the group. Like, the mom. And I think that was just her being like a mom. You touch someone to re-assure someone that it'll be alright, or to get your point across.
I'm not sure it's 'a thing' though.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T07:18:13-08:00

@ diello - Maybe Kirk & Miki had something together, once upon a time? They seem sympatico - Kirk's the watchman, right? Miki's the doctor? Helping and protection, just like a parent. Continuing your mom analogy, Kirk's the dad, Kirk gave Luke a right kicking. Like dear old dad.

@ invisiblej - Welcome to Whitechapel!

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T08:52:29-08:00

I can't be the only one who thinks Kait is hot, right?

Rereading this episode, Kait really caught my attention. Now I need to go back and reread all the stuff with her, and what's been said about her.

Which means rereading a bunch of Freakangels. Ooh, tragedy.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T10:32:46-08:00

I think this feels like a 'jump moment' coming up. S'what I'd probably do if I was writing it. Which of course I'm not. Because I'm David Darkly; I'm too busy sailing my boat, exploring the world and shagging nymphs. (Actually I have a cold, cough, splurge)

So anyway, what I'm saying is that it feels like a good moment to write 'SIX MONTHS LATER'.

This week, I... ummm, I found a maybe publisher for my anthology. I gave blood. What else? I'm reading 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. Yay.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T10:51:48-08:00

@ cjtremlett - *Looks up previous posts* Okay, see here - 9th Jan 2009,

In addition I think Kait is kind of hot, but that says more about me than it does about her. Oh the ragged trousered antipathists.

Yeah, but only because I once shagged a girl who looked just like her. (Shut up Ellis, keep your dirty comments to yourself). Also I normally go for scrawny girls with tomboy personalities and short hair, because I'm secretly gay, but can't admit it to myself. Therefore, I view it as a compromise. Best of both worlds, eh, eh :D

Oh, just remembered something else that happened this week; I got a press release copy of 'The Other Side Of Desire' by Daniel Bergner (award winning author of 'Soldiers of Light', in the mail. It's not even published until the 5th March. One of the few perks of being a journalist.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T12:36:51-08:00

I can't be the only one who thinks Kait is hot, right?

Nah. Of course, all the Freakangels are hot. It's part of the package, I suspect. Still, the fact that Kait resembles a young Michelle Forbes does add to the hotness factor considerably. I have a thing for smart, tough women - and I suspect that Warren does as well. Otherwise he wouldn't write so many of them so well.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T12:46:55-08:00

@ johnjones - Oh, man Michelle Forbes! One of the best things about Homicide and the best thing about Beige Version Star Trek! Rrrrowrr! Yes, Kait is now Michelle Forbes for me.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T14:28:10-08:00

I love this episode! The tension finally relaxes a little now that a conclusion is reached. How long will the peace last though? And not to mention Luke wasn't consulted on this...and when is Mark appearing?!

And the diello's Kait shirt looks gorgeous... >_< *heart* Kudos!

Rootfireember's poster's really nice too! ^_^ I likes much much.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T15:46:58-08:00

This is going to lead to a split amongst the Freakangels, with Kirk being frustrated with dealing with all the new people and Kait becoming their den mother. Not enough to cause infighting, but they're going to be steaming mad at each other for a while.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-21T17:51:21-08:00

@JohnJones
I never thought of being hot to be part of the package. I think you're right, though ;)

@Mister Hex
I never really thought of Kirk as being the dad, just because of the way he likes to rag on KK. He's more like a big brother. Actually, I kinda see KK, Connor, and Kirk as being the siblings. I thought Karl was more like the dad. He's the one making sure they get fed.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-22T16:38:05-08:00

@ diello - And Karl is the one who wears the tinfoil hat, so he can get a moment's peace from you goddamn kids, for chrissakes! (Much like Our Fearsome Leader. Except, y'know, minus the hat. Can't picture Warren in a hat. I know he hates pants, not sure where he stands vis a vis hats.)

And even though they're all the same age, Arkady's the baby and everybody loves her. (Except Luke but he's a cunt.)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-22T17:11:53-08:00

Yes. Karl definitely acts like an old man. You kids with your TV and your sex...
I think Warren would wear a tinfoil hat if he had such powers. He's gotta keep us out of his head somehow ;)

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-22T18:55:54-08:00

@ diello

I never thought of being hot to be part of the package. I think you're right, though ;)

I wasn't speaking so much about the Freakangels package so much as the "superpeople" package in general. Most superpeople, whether "heroes" or "villains" are physically attractive. They stand out. Even the ones that aren't attractive stand out by being extremely ugly. Try to think of the last time in any medium that a truly plain-looking person displayed superpowers. I can't bring any to mind.

And while Freakangels verges closer to science fiction than to "superhero fiction," the "superpeople hotness factor" remains a viable trope, especially for female characters.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-22T20:50:49-08:00

Ugly people don't exist in any popular medium. Only writers are artists are ugly. Amen brothers.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-22T22:56:48-08:00

Well, it's all relative. Not all the FAs are that attractive (not to me, at least). Karl and Luke are pretty average-looking, if you ask me.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-23T07:44:57-08:00

@ diello

True, though the trope is a little looser for men, just as it seems to be in real life (see Dennis Kucinich and his wife). The girls are all hot, though. The closest one we've seen to being plain (among the main characters, anyway) is Alice, who is still fairly pretty.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-23T12:31:32-08:00

This is a good topic for a 3,000 word essay. 'Do plain looking characters exist in the world of modern speculative fiction? Discuss.'

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-23T14:05:55-08:00

Quote of a lifetime.

Cthulu made me happy.

I particularly like Kirk's downcast eyes. I like the idea that the FA can feel shame.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-23T18:43:38-08:00

@ Daviddarkly

You go ahead, I feel vaguely ashamed at devoting the few sentences I did to the topic.

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-24T17:21:09-08:00

GO KAIT!!!!!!!!!

What a great installment. thanks to Mr. Ellis and crew

FREAKANGELS Episode 0046

2009-02-26T14:36:16-08:00

Re - the hotness of the Freakangels - Oh, grow up. (Kidding! *ducks flying shoe*)

Oh, man. Thursday is bittersweet. On the one hand, a scant few hours until a brand-new Freakangels. On the other, the slow inexorable passage of time, tickticktick like some bizarre torture banned throughout the Multiverse, that Ellis has resurrected for exclusive use upon us. because he loves us and he wants us to feel pain for otherwise, how will we grow? Also, we've displeased him in some way (Hell, in EVERY way) so we must wait and wait and waaaaait until he's good and ready. A happy coincidence is that he enjoys torturing people (or at least obscure torture methods - and who doesn't?) so either way, he'll be just fine, whether or not the web-comic is delivered as promised.

Freakangels will get you through times on no dope and all that. (I only call him Ellis when I'm jonesing. And I SING HOSANNAHS TO THE INTERNET JESUS UNTIL MY VOICE IS RAW AND HOARSE. Don't you?)

I don't get enough sleep these days.