User blog comment:Vorred/Elegy - Feedback Blog/@comment-958607-20141005155750

Well now, what can I even that would give this chapter further justice?

Without looking at other reviews, without giving it a second reading, without putting the chapter under the scrutiny of a hyper-literary, critical microscope I'm going to come out and make a rather bold claim. I think this is my favorite chapter of any comic you have ever made.

The sheer professionality of this installment really blows some of the best moments of Uprising and Patriots out of the water. For the first time, we really get to see the core group of primary characters forming without the cameo cast of other folks. We get to see the team taking shape and suiting up into a capable fighting force. We even get to see a Dikapi, which I will study in excruciating detail below.

First and foremost, Aescela loses her Kanohi. This was excellently done. Having your mask bitten off by a startled Rahi bird-thing is a great comedic turn, but also a nice little reminder of life in the Matoran Universe. Being attacked by Rahi such a wonderful 2001 motif. It really takes the reader back to those nice little farmyard, rural settings and Matoran villages of BIONICLE's origin. It's rather ironic that, in a post-apocalyptic alternate universe populated by undead warriors and weaponized worm robots, she ends up losing her mask in a simple Rahi attack. A nice little reminder that this is still a world governed by the laws of the BIONICLE mythos and that the Toa have an obligation to defend her.

Then, of course, there's the actual characterization. I love how you sent Range and Theran off head-strong, thinking that they would capture Nuva straight away and without consulting the team. Merall certainly seems like the more mature member left over on the Farside Toa and it's great to see her role as the strong, tactical-minded warrior remains unchallenged. I also like how you made her continue to disagree with Theran and how they had that lover's quarrel after she threw his spear. I sense a love/hate buildup of passion. ;)

Then, of course, the comical chasing of the Dikapi. It's rather fitting that Range should manage to capture the Rahi, but it does leave me wondering why Nuva left his weapon behind in the first place. Given his smaller frame, I would guess that he's taking a more down-to-earth approach this time, dropping the enigmatic approach of an all-powerful Dark Lord so as to take up a more practical stance. I suppose leaving his weapon behind could be seen as Nuva saying goodbye to his old way of life in favor of a simpler approach.

I also love how you introduced the new armor, as well as the implication that Brorag should have made it that far. That shot of Vorred standing beside his empty armor was a really astounding image. Even though it was just a fresh new MOC with no head, it looked genuinely like an empty suit of armor. The hollowness of the head was really something and definitely contributed to the overall hollow shell effect. I also admire the inverted Voya Nui symbol on the Inika canister.

In way of my favorite panel, I'd have to go with this one. I can just imagine the armor clicking on and it really creates the image that the team is suiting up for battle, and solidifying into the foundations you have worked hard to set up.

Overall, a very sound launching pad to kick off the story. It was worth the wait to see the Farside Toa in this, so long after the events of Patriots. As I said, I think this may very well be my new favorite chapter. :P