Shadow of a Doubt: Page 19

Shadow of a Doubt: Chapter One

In which Hanna realizes she asked for more than she thought.

One day, Hanna will stop having such bad luck.

Richard continues on, in his true form. Originally, Hanna was going to have blood on her, too, but I figured she would have had more to say about that. Whose blood is that, you ask? Hanna didn't ask, so you don't get to know. Ha.

This page originally had better defined panels, as well. Richard appeared in each of the three top panels, which were seperated by candle smoke. But I didn't like the idea of candles in the ritual circle (for one, it was too cliche. secondly, it wouldn't make too much since to have fire close to what they're trying to politely invite to hang out with them).

I often seek advice from friends, Erin the Black and Brandon. They originally didn't like that last panel, but Brandon warmed up to it. I don't know what Erin ultimately thought of it. I think the coloring job does a world of improvement from the inked original, which I guess could look a bit too cartoony and not snakey/supernatural.

I need to practice drawing infinite spirit things.

The upcoming pages have neat bits revealing about demon behaviors, which Richard knows pretty well for being practically a demon. One tidbit that Richard wouldn't admit to Hanna is: he used bad grammar. It's not that he "can't" contain the spirit he's inviting. It's that he "won't", because he couldn't contain the spirit infinitely. It's the difference between baiting a wild animal with a lot of caution as opposed to catching it in a net that it will eventually chew through. A baited animal is less likely to spring upon you and rip you apart.
He really does mean it when he says he wants to be on the guest's good side.

19 is a favorite number of mine, so this is a good page.