Going to be honest folks, I may not have time to color this one. Sorry.
Today's edition of the Secret Commentary is empty, because Dave failed to come up with something for it.
Going to be honest folks, I may not have time to color this one. Sorry.
When I saw panel 4 I legit thought Todd slapped Selkie. I had just glanced at it and saw their body movements and her ‘Arrgh! and I was really stunned for a moment!
I thought the same thing again so I had to take a second look at that frame. Gratefully he’s just angrily pointing. Still Todd, you need to keep your cool man. Children have a hard time keeping a handle on their emotions, so you have to. Easier said than done, but it’s necessary.
Oh man I’m glad someone else saw it and it wasn’t just me. But yeah, thankfully Todd seemed to realize almost instantly that yelling at her was a bad move. True, he shouldn’t have condoned the screaming or the name calling, but right then and there he needed to focus more on the problem of Selkie is keeping her emotions from him.
His best bet is to come back up with a plate of pepper bacon, fishies, and cheeses, set it down at the door, and knock on it and sit to the side. The smell will get under the door and entice her. He needs to talk to her, he needs to come in with a peace offering since she’s on edge. Bargaining is the best route this time and I rarely suggest bargaining.
You’re definitely not the only one, that was my first reaction, too. Dave, I know you tried to fix it, but the angle is just bad, there. A second look does reveal that he’s just pointing, it’s just that the human brain makes pattern connections faster than logic.
Well, given Todd’s history of physical abuse and his temper problems, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for his character to act out in anger. Well, at THIS point it would be, because it would have escalated insanely quickly, but given the right situation, I would not be too shocked. In this particular situation though, I would have (and was, initially) been incredibly surprised.
It looked worse in the sketched version. I had to shorten Todd’s arm a bit to make absolutely certain he was unambiguously pointing, not slapping.
Pffft, with the finger and her saying “Aargh” it could be that he gouged her eyes out.
AARGH TODD YOU BUTTZILLA
Looks like Todd is mastering the dance of two children…
Well, baby steps, maybe. He’s got to start somewhere. 🙂
Mmmm…. It is a bit more complicated than that (though multiple kids has many challenges one does not).
Miscommunication. I hate that trope. Hopefully this gets resolved soon.
Looks like Todd is trying his best, but let’s face it: Miscommunication between parents and children is not so much a trope as something that happens in reality for probably 90% of all humans on the planet.
I’d venture a guess that children who *don’t* miscommunicate with their parents on a somewhat regular basis are rare enough it’s practically abnormal.
I was talking about the trope in general for general media.
I love that last panel.
And I am REALLY happy this is starting to be addressed ^^
Panel three. *sniff* Those tears. Unbearable.
yeah I saw that too, poor Selkie. I rather hate the “clueless dad” trope too, but Todd does have reason here to be a bit clueless, he’s gotten an already formed child with personality and history, most dads get to start out with a new-minted baby and can sortof figure it out as they go. Glad he’s got experienced parents of his own to fall back on. Remember they got Todd as a semi-grown child with a lot of problems so they know how to handle this and what sorts of problems to look for.
I think “clueless dad” is okay in small doses, in as much as anyone can have “clueless” moments. It becomes kind of toxically un-funny when the buffonish cluelessness becomes their only real trait. Like modern day Homer Simpson compared to the older Classic Homer. Classic Homer had a good balance of dim along with well-meaning. Modern Homer will sell the family home to buy a beer truck.
He’s not even falling into Clueless Dad here. Usually with the Clueless Dad trope he bumbles and says stupid stuff all the time.. This is a guy that has a weakness that got in the way and he’s trying to figure out what’s going on. As long as he doesn’t shout he should be asking questions, he should be investigating like he is. Right now emotions are just coming to a head and he needs help, and let’s face it, we all need help now and then.
As long as I can read the text, color doesn’t matter in the slightest.
At least he realized it quickly.
Selkie’s comments made perfect sense to a hurt and angry child
How dare you not color a strip you draw and provide for us for free!? /s
Actually, I think the black and white fits here. I think of anger and outbursts, not as red but black and white due to the starkness. I think that works out quite well here.
I mean yeah, but coming in and seeing incomplete comics everyday doesn’t make me want to start giving money on patreon.
This is a rare occurence for it to stay black and white however. Usually we get it as part of the creative process which can very much boost money on patreon for many people. I personally like watching the process.