Description
Panel One: Wide, low angle of a small sparring area. DJ is on the left, facing towards the Headmaster, who is on the right with his back to the viewer. DJ has his sword in his right hand, and is in an Italian-style stance with one foot forward. The Headmaster, in the right forecround, is using a Destreza stance. His left side is facing DJ, and his left arm is outstretched with his rapier held at a downward angle almost parallel to DJ's blade. His right arm is behind his back, holding his main gauche. In the background, Cal and Zane can be seen watching from the walkway.
Panel Two: Closeup of DJ's face, partially visible through the mask's mesh. He is glaring, and the background is dark. Two white lines by his mask indicate slight movement. SFX: SHIFT
Panel Three: Head and shoulders shot of DJ from the side as he lunges forward, with speed lines in the background and foreground. SFX: LUNGE
Panel Four: Slightly overhead shot of DJ and the Headmaster, from behind DJ. Speed lines and a sound effect (SFX: K-TANG!) indicate that DJ's strike was blocked, and has now been diverted to his left. DJ's right arm and sword are now crossed over to the left hand side. The Headmaster sweeps his sword across, deftly guiding DJ's sword away from him. SFX: SWEEP
Panel Five: Medium shot of DJ and the Headmaster as he goes past. Their backs are to the viewer, and the Headmaster's main gauche, still behind his back in his right hand, is highlighted with a white haze. DJ's eyes are fixed on the blade and lines indicate that he has seen it and is paying attention.
Panel Six: Short, wide frame of Cal's eyes, wide with shock as he watches. SFX: Gasp!
Author Note
Time for the swordfight!
This was my first time drawing a fight in comic form, so it took a bit longer than expected. Also, Real Life was happening here, and ate into A LOT of my work time. Evie's home and everything's fine, so don't worry! ^_^ Better than ever, actually, so that's good. Thank you for being so patient.
Fight Facts:
Evie and our Kiddo are both fencers, and their height difference tracks to DJ and the Headmaster perfectly! Evie did the choreography back in December, and I filmed them going through it for the comic.
The Headmaster is using a fencing style called Destreza, which is a Spanish style known for being practically mathematical in it's execution. It typically uses two weapons, a rapier and something else. Normally, the second weapon is a main gauche (short parrying sword), like you see here. If you've ever seen a Renaissance-era illustration of people fencing with a bunch of circular diagrams drawn around them, that's Destreza. There's a bit of a stereotype in rapier fencing that elitist, snobby types prefer this style, and yes, I'm playing into that. I even had another fencer who reads the comic look at this page's WIP and say, "Of course that guy uses Destreza."
On the other hand, DJ is using an Italian style that's particularily effective against Destreza! ^_^ Evie knows her fencing styles.
Check the Expiration Date on Your Sunscreen,
Bran
