SPQR Blues: CXXI

[spqrblues]

(I was planning to go to sleep hours ago... not sure why I'm still awake... might as well draw.)

Oh, right, we left a stranger wandering around the house. And, the mildly suggestive theme continues.






{{ the archives live here }}

Comments

[redknot.livejournal.com]

First panel: ouch!

[jauncourt.livejournal.com]

Different is good :)

[nezumiko.livejournal.com]

... Why is it my very first reaction is oh sh*t, what's she doing sending messages to Sepudon?

And my second is to feel sorry for poor lovelorn Menander, kicked out of Mus's bed.

Gorgeous illustrations as always. The second and third panels makes me think a bit of Alfons Mucha.

Honestly...

[karisu-sama.livejournal.com]

I'll be sad when SPQRBlues ends (as all good things & finely crafted stories do...). The art is gorgeous, the story is compelling, it relates to one of my earliest enduring loves (studying Ancient History), and I definitely tell everyone I know who may be interested in both History and really awesome webcomics to go check it out... :)

Re: Honestly...

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. Please keep spreading the word :) I can see there are lots of readers out there, beyond the faithful group who comment a lot, and it's pretty nice to get new readers too :D

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

I tweaked the word balloons to make sure they point to the right speaker.

Though that might not make it any less ouchy.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Her mother-in-law's maid gave the girls some very specific expectations in that little talk they had. I am just saying.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

The honeymoon can't last forever--Menander needs to apply some patience to the situation, trust that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and absolutely not plot to sneak back into the house some evening.

I'm a huge Mucha fangirl. I used to draw a lot of Art Nouveau-style watercolours, but it's been a long time since. The influence is probably permanent :)

Re: Honestly...

[shadefell.livejournal.com]

I, also, will be sad when it ends and hope you do something else. :D

I've been recommending this to just about everyone I know, too.

[dirtwitch.livejournal.com]

Luckily for me, your entry is ENTIRELY safe for work! Nay, encouraged, even! (I work with Master Iolo!)
And, thanks so much. SPQR is running a close race for my fav webcomic. It is so well written, and so well drawn. You very much have a talent for the evocative, elegant, and intelligent art of producing an interesting and captivating panel. Thanks!

Re: Honestly...

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

I'm in the middle of a professional (!!) art project right now, but I'm trying to decide which one of my nutty ideas I'd do after that. It's hard for me to resist the ancient world, but maybe I should branch out :)

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

They are such a charming and innocent young couple. Methinks both are better trained for the business world than the bedroom world...

Dr. Phil

[namsab.livejournal.com]

I've been wondering ALL the time why Iusta seems so... familiar to me, and you made me realize. She looks a lot like everything I love from Mucha's paintings.

[(Anonymous)]

... you can't post that reply and not expect us to wish for a Mucha-styled Iusta portrait. The awesomness of her hair would be x5 if drawn Mucha-esque. And her clothing is so appropiate for Art Nouveau drawings! She could be even posing leaning on/holding an octopus jar, like http://www.epdlp.com/cuadro.php?id=1252 or http://www.museum.hu/photo/budapest/szepmuveszeti/images/0077_t8253_med.jpg !!!!
Ohhh damn, now I'm imagining Iusta's face on my Art Noveau posters >__<

Nemo

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, thank you so much! I'm so chuffed I can't come up with anything eloquent to say in return.

Which other webcomics are your top contenders? I haven't been keeping up with other comics lately, shame on me :)

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

POSTER! YES! Definitely need to sell POSTERS like that.

[(Anonymous)]

Hmm. A whole buncha Art Nouveau fans, maybe this is a trend in your readership?
I am one of those non-commenting fans, I found this story I don't know how long ago, read the backstory and became hooked. I have little to no artistic talent, but It is terrible relaxing to colour in your panels.
Though I have to admit, though Iusta is lovely I much prefer Seianti...only chance I get to make olive skin.
~Crazy

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Iusta's Mucha-look probably came out subconsciously. I love having a reason to draw flowing hair. I need to practice those flowing garments!

There used to be a tiny store near Carnegie Hall that always had dozens of original-edition Mucha prints, from miniature to lifesize theatre posters. I'd go in and just marvel at the all detail and subtlety of colours that never reproduce correctly in books or inexpensive posters. The shopkeeper was very kind and indulgent. Eventually I managed to buy one tiny piece for a gift, but I wish I could go back and get one of those glorious Sarah Bernhardt posters.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

I've actually done versions of both of those pieces, one as part of a set of watercolours with a science fiction spin, using characters from a British television series (it was for a convention art show, you see. They actually sold at e auction too. I was thrilled). I have such strong memories of sitting on my grandmother's couch in the bright sunlight, carefully measuring out the tiny mosaic pattern.

Okay. You're on. I'll do some Art Nouveau art again. And I hope folks will remember to remind me now and then to finish the project, as I am very absentminded sometimes :D

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

How neat! I love seeing how others colour the panels, since my digital colouring skills still need practice. Do you have anything you would be willing to show us? (Only if you feel comfortable sharing it!)

Felix presumably has a darker complexion, too, but he doesn't have the lovely flowing hair that the ladies do, alas.

Thank you for commenting today. I hope you'll comment again :)

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

There's the trick--think of it as a necessary business transaction, and handle it briskly and professionally. As no doubt many couples did. How romantic!

[artnouveauho.livejournal.com]

I am the Art Nouveau Ho, and I approve this message.

[(Anonymous)]

YES!!! *hugs tightly* I can't wait to see those =D

Nemo

PS: Just out of curiosity, which British series?

Re: Honestly...

[evilbeej]

No no no! More ancient world please! XD OM NOM NOM.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

This will be dating myself SO badly, but when I was in school my friends and I were briefly fans of an already-old show called Blake's 7. It was full of awesome 80s costumes, weird special effects, and a cavalcade of familiar British actors. We loved that it didn't look all that much more polished than the SF series we videotaped in the subbasement. But some of the actors were really quite talented, and I definitely see its influences on other shows. It was created by the writer who created the Daleks on Dr Who (unless I am completely confusing different fandoms). We did tons of art and cosplay, a flock of young girls and maybe two guys. Then we all became Robin of Sherwood fans... (yes, another old show. But I'm also a huge Rat Patrol and Classic Trek fan, so... old shows are great :) )

Klio's old shows

[(Anonymous)]

She hasn't even mentioned 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea' with Captain Basehart. DRW

Re: Klio's old shows

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

David Hedison as the Spock-like sidekick. Taking place in the far-flung future of 1975! Watch out for giant octopi!

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Love your lj name! :D

Re: Klio's old shows

[(Anonymous)]

Weekly sea monster? No problem. Fire a charge through the hull. If that is ineffective, you can hold the beastie off with fire extinguishers.

[artnouveauho.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've just been singing in an opera about Julius Caesar, and your strip was excellent research reading (though I know it's set more than a century later.) I gave you some linklove (http://artnouveauho.livejournal.com/125926.html) and shall give verbal encomia wherever possible.

Also, if you did do some Art Nouveau stuff, I think that would be gloriously awesome.

[texascarl.livejournal.com]

Lie back and think of sending fish-pickle cargo to Britannia

[tom-gwynn.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping the message to Speudon is actally to Spendusa's sister Cynthia, informing her of the birth. It's a wonderful illustration of just how spiteful, mean and petty Calatoria Themis is, that she wouldn't let Cynthia attend her own sister's labor. Between that the panels where Calatoria is planning on using Cynthia as a broodmare, I hope said Calatoria wakes up on the wrong side of a volcano one of these days. :/

Also, I know this doesn't fit in this thread, but could you please clarify what Spendusa was trying to do in the second strip of these panels?

http://spqrblues.com/d/20070803.html

Was she trying to lose the baby? Obviously that didn't work...

maybe not

[(Anonymous)]

I think Iusta is getting to like her husband. and she's getting to like doing it too.

coloring panels

[(Anonymous)]

I would happily give them to you if you like, honestly I don't really save my work as I'm not an artist and they are of little worth to me. If you like I'll figure out a way to get my email addy to you, we can trade addresses and I'll mail you the colorings. I can try scanning them to, but that requires trips to the library and I'm pretty lazy.
Renee'

[dirtwitch.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry to take so long! Um, Freak Angels, good story, good art, not so elegant as yours, but an entirely different kind of story. I used to read Girl Genius, ah... not so much any more, story never seemed to have a definite end, or cycle of sorts, and I just stopped reading, I like to have some sort of resolution every once in a while... I am blanking on others right now! I go thru phases of comic reading, and, am on an off phase right now. Well. Except for you and Freak Angels!
Take care....

[sforzie.livejournal.com]

I work at a hotel. That makes this fairly work safe. (Oy.)
I was browsing things while doing research on Stabiae, and I found this page: http://ad79.wetpaint.com/page/The+Writing+on+the+Wall
About halfway down, one of the wall quotes is "Marcus loves Spendusa." Made me smile. :)

(Although, the very first one on the list made me laugh.)

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

I was wondering when someone would mention that one :)

I have a few days off work and might have to cancel the trip I was going to take, so maybe I will get back to the storytelling!

[teenagelogic.livejournal.com]

Hello, I recently read through the entirety of SPQR Blues in a day (since then I have been reading over it gleefully) and am in love with it a lot and just wanted to say 'thank you' and 'you are amazing' and generally shower praises on you. It is so beautiful, in many senses of the word! I await further comics with much excitement -- is there any way I can be notified when you post new things, like an RSS feed or something? Or can I friend you here?

When do we get more of the story?

[(Anonymous)]

Is there someplace to go when it has been a month with no updates? I know I am complaining, but I love this comic and hate being disappointed when I check and there are no new ones. I feel like everyone else knows whats going on and I don't. Are you on vacation? Are you in hospital? shall we send you flowers and snakes or something? I want to know what happens!

Patience, grasshopper.... :p

[karisu-sama.livejournal.com]

This sort of thing happens around here from time to time, and then Klio provides updates again, as is evidenced by SPQR Blues' online publishing history now coming up on its 4-year anniversary (11/20!). Our beloved artist has a Life and job obligations and such, and I'm sure those can be very pressing at times, temporarily putting labors of love on hiatus.

It can be frustrating when one has recently discovered the story, and wants to know more ASAP (evidence of how excellent it is!). The "lucky ones" will be those who eventually, upon discovery, get to read it from start to finish in one marathon sitting.

I usually check this site about once a day, myself. Have faith... :)

[barsukthom.livejournal.com]

Just finished Archive Trawling.
Love it love it love it! Art Nouveau! Yum!
Sigh. Life.
Speaking of Dr. Who: Just rewatched the 10th Dr one in Pompeii. yeah. The one where the family they stay with is all named after characters from my 7th grade Cambridge latin texts.
Yup.
Caecillius est Pater.
Matilla est mater.
Quintus est filius.
Couldn't tell if they had good old Grumio, though.

Is the comic ... err ... dead?

[wolfslavegirl.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I had the luck of discovering SPQR Blues in early October of last year. I immediately fell in love with the gorgeous art and deeply moving storytelling. During the course of a few wonderful days, I caught up to the storyline, and eagerly anticipated more strips.

And waited.

And waited.

Did I happen to discover SPQR Blues right on the eve of its demise? Or does the creator of this fantastic strip occassionally have to go on a hiatus?

I'm not complaining, because I understand how life is. I'm just wondering whether I should maintain hope, and continue my daily checking of this site to see each morning whether a new strip has been posted -- or whether I should go on with my life with the realization that it may be a long while until we ever find out how the story concludes.

Thank you.

*smiles and gently sighs*

[(Anonymous)]

Yet another lurker chiming in to say how much I long for more SPQR. Hope the delay is due to happy, or at least neutral, life details.

Recent Geological events reminded me

[(Anonymous)]

Recent Geological events in Iceland reminded me of this comic, but alas still no new postings.