Chapter: Arc III Chapter IX
wave-particle duality. double paths, double truths.
(Roy’s asking Theo because at the time, computer courses were only beginning to be standardised in high school curricula. in 1982, Drexel was the first university to require all freshmen have/purchase access to a microcomputer… a Macintosh 128K, for what is ~$2500 USD today.)
The tarnishing and reclamation/rehabilitation of touch as a recurring theme is appreciated. Not a one-to-one, but I’ve absolutely been Royal here, in a social situation where you’ve finally allowed yourself to relax then suddenly are invaded by the touch of a stranger and the realization that your gender non-conformance is being fetishized and exploited. I hate that it’s probably a common experience.
The paneling is great too, and using Royal’s neon flush to visually tie his physical and mental state is really clever.
(Also, I enjoy Theo and Royal bonding over school woes.)
Oooh boy
An awful uncomfortable moment… yet done with one of the sexiest paneling in the whole comic so far.
That bottom part, hell yeah, does the perfect job at describing what Roy is going thru.
Deep into a labyrinth of memories/echoes/emotions, that the world around him dilutes into a cacophony.
(Is that… the scene where Roy and Rafi shake hands? interesting if that’s included…)
Poor Roy :^(
thank you SO much, RM! i’m grateful to hear your thoughts about this ❤ especially since it was so experimental, i wasn’t sure how it would land.
yesss. i wanted to include those moments with Rafi (gripping hands, being touched on the shoulder after seeing Lobo) for the reasons you said, him working through this labyrinth. Royal is grappling with conflicting thoughts/experiences and trying to hold onto a good thing being quickly overshadowed by badness. “how can that have felt so good– even if it was hard– when everything else burns? i can’t put them together.”
– joe
The good and bad memories of [daft punk voice] Touch™…
O(-<
Royal ;________;