XaiJu
zpico
zpico

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New pages!


       Hey lovely people! Here are the new pages!

(As always, make sure you properly closed the Patreon app/Safari/Chrome (whatever the PDF opens with, including tabs). If it says the file is now in the owner's trash it means you're trying to open the old link. It can take a few tries but you'll be able to read it don't worry!
Seems like opening it through your mail -> safari (and note the Patreon app) solves the problem.)


It's right here!

I hope you'll enjoy these new pages! As usual, I recommend reading them first and then coming back to read this post.

Their discussion continues to cover other scenes. This really helps to offset, on one hand, a static scene in the psychologist's office, and on the other hand, to dress up a completely silent scene. I preferred that this very clinical dialogue about the Boy's trauma comes after his own version, which is more emotional, personal, and intimate. It's rich in information for the reader in understanding the Boy's PTSD, the brain protecting itself, etc. (these are genuine analyses based on testimonials), and it also helps to demystify the butterflies, so to speak.

You know how much I like to connect things, use foreshadowing, etc., and I was really happy to create an echo between the Boy's illusions and his grandmother's faulty memory. "Like it does with my grandmother" is pretty powerful for the Boy himself. There's also this story about the journal. The first reason I introduced this idea of a journal (you'll see it soon put into practice) was my desire to write. I wanted this comic to contain a poetic and "literary" part that gives us access to the boy's thoughts too. It should be touching and romantic, I believe! But as I didn't want it to be done for no reason, I linked this need for the journal to the story, so it will play a crucial role in the plot. Note the "Seven years ago, I asked you to keep a journal."

Side note: I don't think I'm very show offish about my work; I see the flaws, what I need to improve, etc., but if there's one thing I know how to do, I know it now, it's connecting any ideas together. In constructing this story, I always remembered being able to connect each new element with the rest of the narrative. In fact, I love doing that; it's like a thinking exercise.

You may have noticed that we never see the three shadows that terrify the Boy completely, other than as sketches in his sketchbook (even in the previous pages, there are close-ups but nothing more). It's a fairly recent decision; I was afraid it might seem more ridiculous than anything else, especially since it belongs to the Boy's imagination: manifesting their presence only through the Boy's reactions is quite relevant.

I'm rather pleased with how I've handled the Boy's emotions; we rarely see him have a breakdown. What do you think?

I can't even tell you how much I love the scene with the ray of light when the door opens and cuts through the black wall of butterflies. It echoes the ray the Boy saw on the ceiling previously; however, while the latter is presented rather neutrally (the boy just sees it, expresses little), here there is a significant nuance... I'll let you think about it.

In the last panel, I wanted the Boy to look like an animal caught in the headlights of a car, frightened and dazed. His line itself has something a bit silly and perplexing: "I can't find my keys"


I hope you guys liked these pages, I really like the way this chapter is looking so far, very contrasty with pretty shots! I didn't realize the story went so dark in the latest update, oops-

Have a beautiful and happy New Year's eve <3
Thank you for everything-

New pages!

Comments

Can u post more tutorials plissss

Chrissv

I sooo need this chapters in a physical book. Like right now!

Vendela Bergman Lyck

Hi Rin : ) Happy new year, I hope it has been kind to you so far. I’m still working on sorting my own thoughts about the new chapter and its context. I still don’t believe that Luc is the archery coach – I don’t think it’s a good cover for recruiting or money laundry, and Black Death is a mafia-like huge organization. I’m not even sure what to make of the fact, that the boys brother tried to erase the black cross appearing on their door. I had the theory, that it might have been the boy’s father who had relations to Black Death – not the boy’s brother but that he may have been old enough to get the gist of it, when the boy didn’t – which makes me wonder how old the boy’s brother may have been. I thought something around up to 3 years older than the boy maximum, because otherwise you would hardly stand in for the little things the boy did, but his brother took blame for. He talked about that with Jo and also when he had the monologue in his bedroom, with a cold-out Tera next to him (chapter 6, pg. 3; chapter 9, pg. 24). You can hardly blame a 16yr old for things a 10yr old might do – and believe it. I also try to figure if the boys uncle is the brother of his mom… or his dad. Maybe two siblings who turned out the complete opposite… one with the law, the other on the opposite. One coin, two sides. Kind of like Tera and the boy now. Why would you place someone into witness protection when it is “just” your usual victim/survivor… there must be more to it – which brings me right back to the thought of tighter relations with Black Death by family members of the boy – either through his uncle, who is (and probably has been) actively hunting them or the fact that something else went wrong. Masks are a huge part of their identity. The identity Tera was ripping off of him, when he realized that it isn’t just protection and the one thing that puts them above everyone else. The one thing that makes them free, because the anonymity became their identity (“no name to the fingerprints”). That second face, that second nature which slowly but surely became them. An image in every sense of the word. Jo’s first words in chapter 1 were aiming at that point exactly. The reason on the surface why he wanted to become a member of Black Death. He still speaks highly of the “freedom” he relates to Black Death. “No fear”. We see him miserable and trapped (“Exit”, “Way Out”, chapter 9, pg. 21) and beside missing his brother and even though he fears what Black Death is capable of – he is admiring them. Just guessing, interpreting and going by gut-feeling. And as much as I suspect Bob to be some part of it all – I currently wonder about Mr. Gaston too. He has been there from the beginning and had spent a lot of time with the boy, when he came over to play (chapter 10, pg. 9). His reaction, seeing a 17yr old cowering on the floor, crying, obviously shaken and pretty distraught and getting that reply from the boy… still he doesn’t seem to be too surprised – his main point is more in helping the boy, than arguing about the situation at hand. He’s not questioning it. Maybe he has noticed a few things over the years. He seems to know how to handle the situation – or point things out to the boy. In a way like Lee does, though from a different perspective (like talking about Teras physique, chapter 10, pg. 8). Obviously, the boy does trust Mr. Gaston. Enough to try and set him up with his grandma. As for "mothers" or "the frights" and “the horned one” – I already threw in my two cents about that, so I skip that part to not repeat myself (too much/often). ^^'

Mellowcat

anon

I'm not crying! You're CRYING! Happy New Years! keep up the amazing work!

Aim

Happy New Years! Beautiful new pages. As you pointed out, a favourite is the beam of light from the door splitting the butterfly. Poor fella is so tired and so scared. Wonderful work, as usual!

Melissa Flynn

Stunning compositions! Beautiful work again 😭🖤🖤 so appreciative of you sharing. Happy new years! 🎉

Kay☆

Oh no. This broke my heart. I feel so bad for him whenever the dark things win. Loved this update (like every update) and I'm always looking forward to the next.

Cynthia Wright

I loved this development! I was hoping Tera would appear out of nowhere to "save" the boy lol, but it makes more sense for it to have been Mr Gaston. That scene from the first installment with Tera punching the wall still gives me goosebumps. Hopefully journaling will help the boy.

Emily Hoselton

Great update as always ! Your story is so interesting, so detailed and your art is amazing ! I'm looking forward to see what the butterflies means in these story, in greek mythology they represents the soul, so i'm really curious to discover what meaning you gave them ! The boy is truly touching, I can't wait to see tender moments between him and Tera ! PS: I LOVE the Boy's outfit in these pages ! It suits him so well ! Passe un bon réveillon Pico merci pour tout ton travail ! 🎉🎊

Soso

Once again stunning at how you bring to life the boy’s emotional state to life. It breaks my heart seeing him like this but knowing he has his wolf beside him makes it all worth it and happy new year to you dear creator and I look forward to more of your boys in 2024

Jennifer

When I was younger I used to seeing shadow figures a lot. This chapter makes me feel so connected to Boy fear of the dark and shadow figures. Thank you Z for another great chapter, can't wait for the the next one. Anyway I wish you prosperity, good health and happiness this coming new year, Have a Happy New Year to you Z-Pico 🥰❤️🎊🎉

Ah'Ran

he really looked like a frightened baby deer , my heart T-T anyone who experienced trauma can relate to this darkness crawling in around them when something triggers them and reminds them of this certain thing in the past... such a good depiction ... I'm healed now but i remember those times well too and i learned to fight it off when it creeps in. Hope the boy will learn to do that too someday <3

Mym Phoenix McFly

not me forgetting to breathe when all the little monster moths come out because I can relate to that feeling too much. Damn my fear of the dark. I am L O V I N G how dark the story is getting with each passing update. And not just because dark and twisted stories are my personal favourite, but also because I think in a way when stories get darker they are more relatable and therefore they keep us readers hooked from start to finish. As per usual, thank you so much author for blessing us with such fantastic characters and storyline, and can't wait to see what the future holds for "The Boy and the Wolf". And happy new year ♡♡♡ Ps: shout out to monsieur Gaston for being the gentlest neighbour ever

Jelimel

Such a well written and drawn chapter, as usual

Ada Suokari

I would die for Monsieur Gaston 🖤 the butterflies create such a poignant scene that I was distressed FOR the Boy. I also enjoy the way you always craft your scenes with intention, like stop motion animation in the way that every last detail has your hand in it with its purpose carefully thought out for the reader to notice. I look forward to seeing how it all falls together. (Happy New Year! 🥂)

Dani H

Ahhh I'm so excited to read this update ✨️

Stella


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