[Mythos]

First of all, I would like to deeply apologize to everyone who enjoyed and praised the first chapter seven months ago. Your support was overwhelming, to say the least, and I didn't mean to leave you hanging for so long, but life got in the way and I only managed to finish the second chapter now. I'm sorry and I hope this is up to your expectations. And also, I'm going to try and turn these into at least bimonthly releases - I can't promise anything, but I'll do my best.

For anyone else who may want to jump in, I suggest reading the first chapter beforehand. It's linked below.

If you like the comic and want to support it, I only ask one thing: please keep the thread alive and spread the word so others can read it. You may also want to subscribe to my blog for further updates on the series, including behind-the-scenes posts.

Thanks for bearing with me. Enough yappin' from my part, onto the main event!

Previously:
Chapter One: The Prodigal Son
























If you're still reading, here's a few notes:
- If you didn't find this chapter as funny as the original, I apologize, but I'd also like to point out that it's not really a comedy. If it was to fall within a genre, it'd be action-adventure;
- Obviously with the exclusion of the brand new characters and scenarios, I'm sticking pretty close to the canon. The surprise appearance of Alyx Vance at the end will make more sense by the third chapter, but, suffice to say, it fits into the timeline of Half-Life 2. I can tell you how if you insist, but I'd rather save it for the next comic;
- Believe it or not, the flare effects are almost always in-game, and not Photoshop effects. Turns out you can make them work in GMod and I think it looked great and helped the comic a lot.

So, what did you think? Post your thoughts below!

[YourBreakfsat]

Didn't even know this existed until now, this is great

[Joazzz]

this is so oldschool holy shit

[AFewOstriches]

Hercule Cubbage is back, praise the Lord.

[theobod]

This is freaking great didnt hear about this until now. Looking forward to the next chapter!

[Arctic Aveng]

I really enjoyed reading that. I hope to see more Chapters from Mr. Cubbage.

also, dat oldschool feel bro

[bloocobalt]

I love the feel of retro here, don't even mind the old looking citizens with mitten hands. This is just fantastic, awaiting the next as much as I have for this one!

[lonefirewarrior]

Nice one.

[Kartoffel]

Glorious.

[Dactrius]

Exceptional and I didn't really expect anything less. Excellent camera work, dialogue and pacing and some great posing and expressions. Only criticism I'd have is that not a whole lot happens in this chapter really, but it is action-heavy and introduces what I assume is a main-character, so it's entirely understandable.

Based off not just this chapter, but both at once, I've come to really like Cubbage and his directness. There's a lot of mean-business protagonists all over the place and it's nice to have a cultured, gentleman badass at the centre of a story. Having read a number of your old comics, I already know dialogue is your strong suit so I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes with Alyx and how this fits in with the canon.

Man, we need way more GMod comics.

[Wizy]

I LOVE YOU!

[Mythos]

Thank you, everyone! Sorry for insisting, but it bears to remember: if you'd be so kind, please post a reply with your tagging (if you do tag, of course). Helps the thread stay active. I'd really appreciate it!

bloocobalt posted:

I love the feel of retro here, don't even mind the old looking citizens with mitten hands.

About that, I understand why people might have qualms about the 2004 models, but it was a very conscious decision right at the start. I'm making this as vanilla as can be, so, besides some custom maps by ErikKiller and obviously some light skinning, it's all Valve stuff. I want it to feel straight out of 2004, not for nostalgia's sake, but just to fit with Half-Life 2 - after all, what's the point of sticking closely to the canon if it doesn't look like it?

[Fort83]

I always love the look and feel of your comics, it fills me with nostalgia. You are one of the folks that have inspired me to go into Gmod comics and why I am continuing to write scripts for some.

[Mythos]

Incredibly sorry for the week-old bump, I absolutely deserve a temporary ban (my actual first) if it warrants it in the rules, but I just thought this was absolutely worth a post: Marc Laidlaw (you know, the writer of the Half-Life series) tweeted that he loves Hercule Cubbage! Could be a fake account for all I know, but if it isn't, it's kind of a big deal.

I just wanna say, honestly, thank you to all the people who supported the first chapter and motivated me to keep going. It's not my accomplishment, it's yours for showing that there's still an audience for comics and letting me know I shouldn't have quit. For you guys, I'll keep going - chapter 3 won't take another seven months to come (hopefully) and I'll keep the series going, as good or better than what's come before in the life and times of Hercule Cubbage, son of Colonel Cubbage!

Okay, now you can ban me for the bump if you think it warrants it. Like I said, I'm sorry, but I thought this was appropriate. Not for me to gloat, I'm not that much of an asshole, but for me to thank the supporters, it's their victory, not mine. Hercule is thankful to them all for knowing he's a hero, not a zero.

[Fort83]

Congratulations man, I'm proud of you for all the hard work you put into your top-notch quality comics that you have produced and allowing us to share an adventure with your characters. You deserve the recognition.

[Géza!]

I'm reminded of the old days. Good one!