[ORIGINAL COMMENTARY] Just like with Trinity, I really didn’t like the proportions on Ms Shepard. The oval shape on the original sketch page just wasn’t doing it for me. Instead, I kept playing around with different body shapes until I settled on a more regular, husky figure.
The power-armor was a cool idea, but I started to feel like it clashed a bit too much with the Solarpunk aesthetic of the comic. Also it was way too cumbersome to draw in any quick amount of time. Instead, I wanted to go for something more dark and mysterious, more striking. I like her new getup because it’s more immediately closed-off and gives off the impression that she has something to hide.
Ms Shepard as a person is a quiet, no-nonsense woman who has no trouble keeping people in line. She’d certainly like to think of herself as a tortured soul in a way; she knows she has all of the answers, if only people would listen to her.
What’s her first name, you might ask? You don’t get to know. No one knows. She’s mysterious that way. I don’t even know, and I created her. Though I’m willing to bet Trinity knows…
[NEW COMMENTARY] Now THIS is more like the Ms Shepard we all know. While she was technically introduced, briefly, in Chapter 2 (and even eluded to in C1), Chapter 3 is where she /REALLY/ gets to bounce off of the cast.
I hope I’ve succeeded, so far, in establishing that she’s not just a contrarian or pessimist. Even back at the genesis of her creation, I was aiming for someone that was cautious and cognizant of dangers; she knows how things can go wrong, and does her best to ensure that doesn’t come to pass. There’s logic to why she is the way she is, and I can’t wait to see that continue to bounce off of everyone moving forwards…
4 Comments
I didn’t know I needed stout, stern, cautious, history-loving trans woman representation, but I’m glad to find that specific relatability in Ms. Shepherd. Now I just need to find the perfect way to cosplay her.
YESSS, it makes me so happy to know that Ms Shepard’s getting more appreciation!!! I would absolutely LOVE to see anyone doing a cosplay of her. As a matter of fact, I still have the outfit I used as a reference on-hand.
Unfortunately, searching Etsy for that particular shop, I wasn’t able to find the particular coat again among their items, but it’s the last images from above are at least a good place to start!
Thank you for linking the original reference! As a fan of everything dieselpunk (thanks to Dishonored for getting me obsessed with older fashions, painting, writing… more or less most of my core interests) I’m sure I can manage something. I haven’t been on hrt long, but my list of characters to cosplay as I get more confident in my presentation is extensive at this point. I think Ms. Shepherd may be the first I cross of the to-do list. This comic is so full of excellent characters, and I must say, it’s a testament to your character writing! Every one has a genuine, nuanced and real feeling to them.
YOOOOO, I WOULD BE SO HONORED TO SEE YOU COSPLAY MS SHEPARD!!!!! If you do end up getting around to it, by all means feel free to share the results with me (on socials or privately, whichever you’d prefer)! I’ve yet to have anyone do a character cosplay yet, and so much of the cast is begging for it!
And I sincerely appreciate your kind words about the comic so far. Ms Shepard was one I was trying to be especially careful with; I wanted her to be a bit intense, but for everything she says to be /reasonable/. She’s not just some stick in the mud for no reason! Glad to know people are appreciating that.
And just the whole cast in general, yeah! The further I get along the more I find myself getting a fuller understanding of each of them. There have been a great many surprises (Luca developing an interest in wanting to lie more was a fun one for me), so it helps keep my Solid Plans for things fresh.