The inspiration for this scene came from a story I had heard on NPR. A group of woman were enjoying a nice lunch when they noticed an older gentleman holding a newborn in his lap. He was just smiling down at the baby, the two of them separated by at least 70 years, grinning at one another. The women swooned at the sight (and rightfully so because, let’s face it, it is rather sweet).
But that’s when I started thinking.
What if the old man isn’t happy because he’s holding his great grandchild in his arms, but because he sees a new lease on life for himself? What if he had found a dark ritual that would switch their bodies?
Thus, that’s how this scene came about. Unfortunately, it’s a bit vague since I don’t come right out and say that a body swap is happening. I thought that having their eye color switch would be enough, but most people would miss that unless they’re looking for it. So, if you look at panel 2, the boy’s eyes are brown and the old man’s are blue. But in the past panel, the boy’s eyes are suddenly blue.
That’s the problem when I try to be clever. It usually doesn’t work.
Well, there’s “works” like, I know exactly what you mean, and then there’s “works” like, I don’t know what the heck just happened, but it’s creeping me out.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
The inspiration for this scene came from a story I had heard on NPR. A group of woman were enjoying a nice lunch when they noticed an older gentleman holding a newborn in his lap. He was just smiling down at the baby, the two of them separated by at least 70 years, grinning at one another. The women swooned at the sight (and rightfully so because, let’s face it, it is rather sweet).
But that’s when I started thinking.
What if the old man isn’t happy because he’s holding his great grandchild in his arms, but because he sees a new lease on life for himself? What if he had found a dark ritual that would switch their bodies?
Thus, that’s how this scene came about. Unfortunately, it’s a bit vague since I don’t come right out and say that a body swap is happening. I thought that having their eye color switch would be enough, but most people would miss that unless they’re looking for it. So, if you look at panel 2, the boy’s eyes are brown and the old man’s are blue. But in the past panel, the boy’s eyes are suddenly blue.
That’s the problem when I try to be clever. It usually doesn’t work.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Well, there’s “works” like, I know exactly what you mean, and then there’s “works” like, I don’t know what the heck just happened, but it’s creeping me out.
This was the second one, for me.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:29 am
That is … AWESOME. I’m glad you pointed out what was happening, ’cause I’m pretty stupid about stuff like that and may or may not have noticed.