Blackwing and Vaarsuvius

[Thanatos 51-50]

So, in the second panel of 673, Blackwing is visible perched on V's shoulder, and he has no impact on the comic, nor does V have any reason to think about Blackwing since the boat trip, unless hes still musing about the planet-inna-planet and Blackwing by extention.

So -we have V remembering his framilar, whom he had continually dismissed as a "Class Feature" before, and V is clearly remembering him.

Can we mark this as positive Character Development for our androgenous, elven mage known as Vaarsuvius?

[Spelling probably incorrect]

[Optimystik]

Can we mark this as positive Character Development for our androgenous, elven mage known as Vaarsuvius?

Yes. V's experiences have taught him to rely more on others, and this is given visual representation by Blackwing's heightened status as a present member of the Order.

Perhaps his change in hairstyle was done specifically to make the bird look better on his shoulder? (On Rich's part as an artist, rather than V's as its master.)

[King of Nowhere]

I think the hairstile was made to mark the distance from the previous V. But giving V a character development was the main purpose of the latest, say, 50 strips.

[dps]

Can we mark this as positive Character Development for our androgenous, elven mage known as Vaarsuvius?

No. It's character development for Blackwing, not V.

[Elfin]

Definitely.
The last story arc gave V a lot of growth.

[Delorges]

No. It's character development for Blackwing, not V.

I'd say it's definitly a development for their relationship that Blackwing is now more permanently visible.

And yeah, it's a quite positive development.

[BatRobin]

No. It's character development for Blackwing, not V.

It's both.

[SeventhCircle]

Not really for both: blackwing finally thinks V is worth talking to - he hasn't changed, just has seen enough positive change in V to feel like he's worth talking to.

[BatRobin]

Not really for both: blackwing finally thinks V is worth talking to - he hasn't changed, just has seen enough positive change in V to feel like he's worth talking to.

V has changed in how everyone sees it. He's more considerate and blahblah.


Blackwing got a story and proved vital in sense of info. That's developement for both.

[SeventhCircle]

I'll agree on development in terms of how we see him, though I think that indications are that Blackwing himself hasn't had an epiphany or changed, just allowed himself to be a little more involved thanks to V's changes and new humility.

[DarkLadyNyara]

Ha. I didn't even notice until you pointed it out. *is half-blind*

I'd say this is definitely character development for V. S/he's treating Blackwing as an ally rather than as a tool.

[TheLogman]

Didn't Elan say something about "Character Art Changes signifying the passing of time and the symbol of character development"?

Yeah, V is defiantly changed from his experiences, and I imagine Halley and Belkar will act differently within the group now too.

[Spiky]

V has changed in how everyone sees it. He's more considerate and blahblah.


Blackwing got a story and proved vital in sense of info. That's developement for both.

Providing info about the overall story (seeing the Snarl's planet) is plot development, not character development (CD). The only thing close to CD is that he is talking in Basic to V, but we already knew his attitude towards V from earlier strips, so this isn't much CD for him.

I would like to see some CD, though. It's always annoyed me that a raven is in the comic and yet not in the comic. Ravens are cool. And Blackwing is clearly interesting for being the one creature willing to stand up to V's dumba** side.

[Puns de León]

I think dps may have been alluding to the fact that Blackwing is now a proper character in his own right (therefore, "character" development), not that he underwent some sort of transformation (which, granted, is the traditional definition of character development).

[Optimystik]

I think dps may have been alluding to the fact that Blackwing is now a proper character in his own right (therefore, "character" development), not that he underwent some sort of transformation (which, granted, is the traditional definition of character development).

He did transform. We can see him!

[Spiky]

I've actually been thinking he deformed a little. That face is pretty odd looking. But I haven't gone back to compare past art to test the theory.

[Delorges]

Given that until recently we barely ever saw him Blackwing has some kind of character development now. Beforehand he didn't have enough screentime to show some developable character of his own.

[Kaytara]

No. It's character development for Blackwing, not V.

V's neglect of Blackwing originates in how it's common for spellcasters to forget that they even HAVE a familiar. Blackwing isn't actually appearing or disappearing or being summoned and unsummoned. He's always there, he's just being remembered and forgotten again. Thus, if we see him, then it's because V remembers him. So, character development mainly for V. Blackwing's willingness to perch on his shoulder is also development, but a reaction to V's development.

[David Argall]

It is a definite point of difference and a deliberate one, but the meaning is obscure. For example, the artist may be just setting up a joke about "He's got a raven on her shoulder, he must be a mage."
It's something to keep an eye on, but it's too early to tell if it has permanent meaning.

[SeventhCircle]

Blackwing has already made major plot contributions AND appears to have forgiven, or learned to tolerate, V. I would be shocked if that is the end of his active (read "non-one-off-joke") participation in the action. Maybe we will even see some character development from Blackwing, but first he has to be established as a character, rather than just a joke device.

Edit: grammar.

[Kaytara]

Now that I think about it, Blackwing is the only person with them who actually knows everything about what's happened during V's trauma arc. That's a lot of plot-critical potential right there.

[Elfin]

You're right...
This could get interesting.

[Spiky]

Blackwing has already made major plot contributions AND appears to have forgiven, or learned to tolerate, V.

See, it's really neither. Blackwing told V to stuff it long ago, before the comic began, before Origins began. (I wonder if V's family even knows about Blackwing) He did this because of V's treatment of him.

To have forgiven or tolerated V, he would have helped earlier instead of saying Screw That or chasing lizard-V.

This is all about V, Blackwing is merely the author's method of showing V's development. Just like V's new (old, actually) hairstyle. So far. As I mentioned, I'd love to see something about Blackwing.