Summer Updates - 002

[HandofShadows]

Yes I like the descriptions a lot also. Seems less ambiguous some how than some of the strips. "Six dwagons," eh? Big big loses there.

Imperialistic Chinese... didn't FAQ have a similar architecture?

Faq was more Japanese than anything. Interesting to see such a clash of styles. Big Ben on the outside, Imperial Chinese on the inside. Maybe not so strange. Both England and China have had huge empires. I hope all the Stanley in Profile artwork will not be around to long though. It will get irritation after awhile. And Parsons has a Corner Office!

[64bitrobot]

Any chance that we'll be able to see the new Gobwin Knob in its entirety? It sounds beautiful and impressive, and a shot of it (sans characters) would make a great desktop or even wall art.

Jamie? Bitte?

I would become a tool for this background.

I've been reading since it started up. This is a great story that's being told.

I'm just new, feel free to ignore me. I don't even have a forum account for Order of the stick.

[Aris Katsaris]

The colors of the dragons returning is inconsistent... In #116 we saw 2 greens, 1 red, 1 yellow and 1 blue. That leaves only one position open, and in #144 we see it clearly as a purple dragon.
But now the text talks about 2 reds, and 1 green: Too many reds, too few greens.

I know it's just a silly nitpick, but I'd prefer it if either the text or the colors were corrected for the purposes of consistency...

(As a sidenote the total number of dragons is 7, since one more (blue I think) popped into existence, but I'm assuming the text only refers to the dragons Stanley returned with, not the total number of dragons)

[Althor Enchantor]

The whole Chinese Imperial thing just got me thinking about "Mandate of Heaven". Definitely a parallel there: the idea that those destined to rule are not necessarily the sons and daughters of rulers, but whoever is chosen to rule by the Will of Heaven.

[Grunthos]

Stanley the Tool as Mao Zedong. That... is a twisted inspiration.

[Toolbreaker]

Is it Moneymancy / Schmuckers alone that defines a cities level? From a porous level 1 city in the tunnels to a smoking crater to a level 5 (8 with bonuses) city with just a thought from Stanley. Once again the "hardest defensive position in the world".

Nice update. I really like the art style.

[seans23]

(As a sidenote the total number of dragons is 7, since one more (blue I think) popped into existence, but I'm assuming the text only refers to the dragons Stanley returned with, not the total number of dragons)

This is covered in the third paragraph:

From the tower office, he watched the new armored blue join the incoming stack with a joyful roar.

[redtophat]

These summer updates remind me of how much a comic can change its style while giving the same story.

[Thydron]

gotta say the omniscient narrative viewpoint is really starting to grow on me - having a much longer piece of text definitely helped.

[Darkside007]

So buildings pop at a particular level on the turn they are ordered. Still unclear if buildings can be upgraded.

Only in the same sense that it's unclear if buildings can fly; there is no evidence of either at all.



002 is win.

I like how the update points out how the old Knob was more of a bunker than a castle, too.

[Darkside007]

These summer updates remind me of how much a comic can change its style while giving the same story.

I wouldn't call these updates a comic, though.

[Ichthus]

These summer updates remind me of how much a comic can change its style while giving the same story.

I wouldn't call these updates a comic, though.

Agreed. We're getting exposition in a serial format that happens to be pretty neat. However, it is still just exposition for book two.

[teratorn]

I know it's just a silly nitpick, but I'd prefer it if either the text or the colors were corrected for the purposes of consistency...

Not silly, it's a good catch. We need a blooper thread in this forum.

[Anton Gaist]

I'm thinking, what new heavy units will Stanley be able to deploy now that Gobwin Knob has a gate?

Loved the update, and I also agree the new Gobwin Knob would make one awesome wallpaper!

[Cmdr I. Heartly Noah]

So buildings pop at a particular level on the turn they are ordered. Still unclear if buildings can be upgraded.

Only in the same sense that it's unclear if buildings can fly; there is no evidence of either at all.



002 is win.

I like how the update points out how the old Knob was more of a bunker than a castle, too.

Interesting POV. From a physical standpoint, the walls got more bunkerish (shorter but thicker). I presume you mean adding the gate etc.

[kreszantas]

The point I find interesting from the update is this: "Stanley was taking his time surveying things"... Is this the same Stanley that we read in Book 1? Nah, it can't be... when did he do such a thing when he was IN GK, I do not recall him doing it, now he DID have a reflective nature about him once he was out on the lamb. Could this be signifying a "change" in the Tool as we known him? Does the new motif signifies the change? It also could have been the style of lego blocks ready to be popped on the next order, not dependant on the side.

[elrod13]

Thanks for the Updates! This is a great addition to the story. It will keep MY interest up. I'm looking for the story to continue to develop.

[SteveMB]

The point I find interesting from the update is this: "Stanley was taking his time surveying things"... Is this the same Stanley that we read in Book 1? Nah, it can't be... when did he do such a thing when he was IN GK, I do not recall him doing it, now he DID have a reflective nature about him once he was out on the lamb. Could this be signifying a "change" in the Tool as we known him? Does the new motif signifies the change? It also could have been the style of lego blocks ready to be popped on the next order, not dependant on the side.

Stanley already knew how the city used to look (he may have been popped with the knowledge, which would still apply if GK didn't change much from then until just recently), so why would he need to take his time surveying things? Now, it's different, and he wants to familiarize himself with it (and, probably, bask in his victory a bit).

[Anton Gaist]

I'm thinking the old GK was the same as what Saline left behind after his, uhm, untimely demise. Maybe then this is what Stanley would have wanted for his capital city. So my guess is this style is a reflection on Stanley's personality.

Mandate of Heaven, indeed.

[teratorn]

One thing we haven't been told but I'd like to know, is about the cost. Was it cheaper than the perfect warlord spell?