To be continued! In the future. At some point… Bear with me, folks!
The last of the original pages posted down here. It is actually not that very different from the original, except that Arioch has gotten a fresher design. And who is he possessing? That is for me to know, and you to find out!
And so this ghost story finally comes to an end. Of all my stories, old and new, this ghastly tale do hold a special place in my heart. Maybe because it is so straightforward? Anyhow, I like it.
As per tradition, I will post the old version down here. As you will see, it is very cluttered and rushed. No time for jokes or conversations. The new dialogue when the ghost is trapped in the circle is actually closer to the original script then what appeared in the old version of the comic. I still like the “this ring of salt…” line though, might use it in the future.
Will he take the bait? Seal the deal? Consider the offer?
So this is me, trying to balance some funny dialogue (or this time, monologue) with the comics darker themes.
Curly is this kinda dark sad character at his core and ghosts are not much happier. Expect no Casper the friendly ghost types or moments. Actually, that is pretty grim… great, now I am sad! Where is my bottle of poitin?
Those pesky ghosts really like to sneak up on you from behind!
In the old version of the story, this situation was never really fleshed upon. Curly is protected from the Ghost by the salt circle, sure, but he is just as stuck in it. That is a pretty funny moment, for me at least. To add insult to injury, his hipflask lies just out of reach! Oh crap, I just kinda described the whole page here, guess I am out of ideas…
I always wondered where they find all that salt in movies and comics when salting doors and windowsills. Sam and Dean Winchester I can understand, they got a trunk full of useful stuff, but ordinary folks? If my home ever gets haunted, I just have enough salt to cover maybe half a circle around me!
Posting the original down here, for reference. Once upon a time, this page felt awesome, but I do prefer the change to a slower pace. However, in hindsight, the way how the Ghost hoovers in the air at the bottom of the page is a pretty sweet frame.
It does seem like their lovingly tender relationship has turned somewhat sour as of late.
I always felt that the original lacked a bit of banter between Curly and the lonesome ghost. It was there, just not very polished and everything happened so fast and rushed that I never was able to capture the fine line between horror and comedy. I do want to believe that I have succeeded better this time around.
Down below you can see the original, from where Curly searches for the salt to being tossed about as a ragdoll.
Ghosts are surprisingly talkative for being dead, however, they seldom make much sense.
Talk about a messy kitchen. Actually reminds me of my old apartment while in college. Fond memories for me, horror flashbacks for wifey.