#vespio

I love reading a comic and getting that feeling like "Oh this is a masterful effect you've created within this medium"

What first got me invested, of course, was this set of dialogue and expressions from Amy😂

I loved how the art style, mood, and even the writing style changed as each of the Chaotix told a piece of the story of their first ever big case. Vector's style generally has a somber, more dramatic tone. The art itself to me seems like it both evokes the old timey black and white detective movie, as well as having the dramatic contrast reminiscent of when lighting flashes during a dramatic moment in a film. And yet despite this visual style, the dramatic nature of the lighting and the rain (all which also gives an oppressive air to Valdus's office), the characters who appear (their actions and dialogue) seem to be shown without much bias on the part of Vector as a narrator.

As for Espio, the visual style evokes that of a manga (with purples and pinks for coloring). As opposed to Vector's, which sets the mood and presents us the actions and words of everyone involved, Espio's is more introspective and action focused. Although we can see Charmy sleeping and Vector singing, the focus is on Espio's narration of the event as such events play out between our eyes. And because it's done in such a way (with focus on visual actions and the narration), it invites the reader's mind to fill in the audio blanks during such moments as the fight between Espio and Enigma

And the handling of Charmy's portion of the storytelling is perhaps one of the most genius moments in the issue for me. The visual style is objects/characters outlined and colored in with crayon, evoking a child's coloring book. The narration from Charmy himself is sparse, as (more akin to Vector's tale than Espio's) most of the story is told through dialogue. However, unlike the dialogue from Vector's retelling of the story, which is presumably accurate to what actually happened, Charmy's version of the dialogue gets across the gist of what the characters were saying/how they were acting, all filtered through Charmy's pov. This results in a more comical telling of the dramatic moment in which the detectives confront Professor Valdus for his misdeeds and expose him after his bad guy monologue. Valdus is constantly mentioning how he's old (sometimes even how he's rich and mean) and speaks "fancier" compared to everyone else, Espio is presented as being well read/traveled and focused on justice, and Vector not only mentions that he's loud and has a very big mouth, but is also presented as the guy who plays center role in the actual confrontation, calling Valdus out for his misdeeds in a way that makes it clear the truth is out. This section was just doubly made for me by Charmy's attempts to pronounce certain words while imparting everyone's dialogue, and the interjections of Espio and Vector as they correct Charmy or protest his calling them out (specifically for how they were acting). As a writer, it's just so cool to me to read this level of "commitment to the bit" (to the "bit" being the characters telling the stories in their own way colored by their povs, with the visual style also reflecting this)

Also this was just incredibly comical to me😂💖

As for some other parts I liked, I don't think the following image requires too much explanation on my part

"Wait, hold up. What are you guys talkin' about?"

"Uh... Espio's butt?"

"Yeah! I mean, no..."

"...The part about it getting kicked!"

The urge to take that out of context, not to mention just how they get along as detective partners. I see you guys💚💜

Also love the Sonic adventure poses here in the indication that Amy and Sonic split😂

Not only another Sonic Adventure reference but the further comedy of Amy's expressions this issue, I love it😂

I'm a fan of The Odd Couple trope and I think that applies to their dynamic very well. I find it fun how they're friends and partners, but they can drive each other crazy with how loud and boisterous and a little rude Vector is while Espio tends to be more quiet and stoic (though I personally attribute that more to him having a flair for the dramatics). Despite their differences, they trust each other wholeheartedly. I just really enjoy their interactions and I've always sensed chemistry there even if that was not the writers' intentions.

Now that In The Shadows We Will Be is finally finished I can now start posting some one shots I've had stored up. This includes the second winner of the poll I did late last year; the soft Vecpio one. I will be posting them roughly throughout the next few months while I finish a HUGE Shadilver project. I'm extremely excited for it, but I'll post more about it later :)

I will be posting the Vecpio fic sometimes around valentines day <3

After that will be a Sonknux Werehog fic!

Update!!! (2/7/25)