Chapter 15 | Page 7
on June 20, 2019
at 12:00 am
Something long overdue.
Thistil Mistil Kistil
by Sarah Schanze
Velkommen!
Thistil Mistil Kistil is a comic about vikings, Norse gods, and their adventures together (or against each other). Updates are on Thor’s Day.
Oh shit, Coal has experienced personal growth!
A good boy!
And his heart grew three sizes that day.
He is becoming a normal human.
Perfectly normal! (except for immunity from injuries, superhuman strength/reflexes, and color-changing eyes)
Coal has learnt one of life’s finest lessons.
Don’t be an arsehole.
A very important lesson for many.
Although I’m sure Coal’s changes are a key story arc, it seems so out of character… I kind of liked that he was a consistent dour warrior type with HIDDEN compassion. And he did save her life, after all.
Awww, but why hide being compassionate? It’s a good thing!
I think it fits in nicely. Since skating with Arne he’s changed a bit. He apologizes (for reals this time) to Ibrahim for being an ass. But unlike Ibrahim, who he can just crack a joke with and wrestle it out, Hedda is very different. I don’t think he knows how to act around her. It’s not only the “girl” thing, it’s the freed slave/Christian//sweetheart/girl thing. I think she might remind him of his moms a little bit too.
Coal, Arne and Ibrahim are all at least well off, Prince-ish characters. Hedda is not (though I have my head cannon until proven otherwise!) so there is also that complication.
Hedda is different because she was brought up to never, ever call anyone out for rude or mean behavior. I suspect Coal has gotten used to relying on other people to tell him when he says or does something inappropriate. Hedda will never do that. It’s entirely on him to avoid being mean in the first place. He seems to have finally figured that out, but it sure did take him long enough.
Yay Coal!
He can be good! He can be taught.
(After)life lessons. Hedda remembers being valued, though, and that didn’t turn out too well. Will she trust him?
After-life lessons, I like that, haha.
Love this little moment they are having forcing Coal to be a better person.
Hah, no one’s forcing him! He feels bad about his outburst but he was going to talk to her anyway (he was about to speak in the previous page before Hedda spoke up first).
Can I just say how lovely and expressive this page is, especially panel 5? Each emotional beat flows slow smoothly, from Coal snapping, to Hedda shrinking into herself, back to Coal realizing what he’s done and hiding in his own hair the exact same way Hedda is. The art style is simple but dynamic and clear–I could practically *feel* the non-existent animation from this scene!
Aw, thank you! Before getting into comics I studied animation and always enjoyed the storyboard part, so that no doubt leaks into how I pace things. I also like expanded storytelling that gives enough time to work through different emotions.
Who are you and what have you done with Coal?
He’s been there all along!
COAL YOU WOKE THE GOAT UP