Lance and Eskimo’s grand entrance to the ball is the only panel that was in color in the original sketchbook version of this comic, or, indeed, in any sketchbook version of any comic. (It was colored with markers, the same ones I have now, and a silver pen for Eskimo’s tiara.) I decided to uphold the tradition, and to toss you a Photoshop-painted gif since I didn’t do one for the cover this time.

Eskimo is upset that they–the people in charge of these things–refused to address her as “Captain” in the announcement. “Of what country’s armed forces?” they wanted to know. “Eskimo Island!” she declared. Not wanting to be culturally insensitive, they almost put it down, but when they asked Lance if he had a rank on Eskimo Island, and he said “King,” and Eskimo insisted that, in fact, she was king, and challenged Lance to a duel, and Lance relented and asked to be put down as “knave,” they decided to drop the whole thing.

We missed Pickering’s address, but it was probably also just “Miss.” It sort of never came up in the text, but she is supposed to be a grad student working on Professor Higgins’s research. She is the only one who could stand him. He theoretically has some project going, but they prioritize friendly bets.

In the pencil draft of this, Eskimo was leaning on Lance’s arm, but I switched it in inking. You’re welcome!

(more…)