Happy Motherlover day!! I had a good time drawing this basement and simultaneously hope to never draw it again. That’s comic life.
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TRANSCRIPT
Panel 1 (huge panel; from behind, Alex and Imogen look down at Lucas, who’s stopped playing the video game)
Panel 2, inset (Lucas, close-up, scared)
Lucas: Mom… I…
Panel 3 (textless; Alex and Imogen look stunned)
Panel 4 (faded out, as if a memory: looking over a younger Alex’s shoulder at her stern-looking parents)
Panel 5 (bigge Lucas, looking sad/shy/guilty)
Panel 6 (Alex, close-up)
Alex: Uh… I’m gonna let you two talk it out.
Oh boy, time for THAT conversation. I get why Alex is leaving, even if Imogen’s kid might appreciate some backup right about now.
I love how, even in a dim/slight “flashback” of a panel, I can make out the differences in her parents’ body language. Her mother’s hands are tightly-clasped, fingers-in-fingers, elbows close to the chest, legs tensed; her father has a more relaxed posture, though leaning toward his wife, and with the hand nearest to her covering his other hand, as if he wants it freed up in order to comfort her if necessary. It’s great wordless storytelling!!
As nice as it would be for a Queer Mentor to be there for this conversation, I think Alex recognizes the differences between her circumstances — a lesbian with parents that didn’t approve — and whatever Lucas is going through. Imogen knows her kid better than she does, and Alex knows Imogen isn’t like her own mother, so she CAN step away instead of needing to stick around and offer support/defense. 🥰
(Plus, as far as Alex knows, Lucas is an AMAB kid that got caught wearing heels, so she could either be dealing with a queer boy or a trans girl, both of which are outside of her own experience. Imogen’s got this, though!!)
How much you wanna bet there’s a female character on that screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen
OMG! I don’t know what to think, wouldn’t it be better to be there to help this poor kid? I don’t know what to wish for. I’m sure Imogen is caring and wouldn’t be horrible to her child.
I know exactly how you feel. Imogen *cares* but she’s totally new to this and she’s guaranteed to put her foot in it – hopefully just in minor ways? 😓
Alex, on the other hand – she’s been through this, she wouldn’t have the moments of hesitation Lu will be guaranteed to notice – but partly *because* she’s been through this her own feelings are too close to the surface, and she doesn’t want to do this without regaining some equilibrium (and, possibly, working out what she is to Lu – friend? or landlord? or step-parent?)
I think Alex knows that even if she’s more versed in this stuff, this is a deeply personal conversation to be had, and she is still not really someone close enough to be part of it just yet.
I also imagine she has faith in Imogen’s kind heart to handle this.
Not to sound like a kiss-ass or anything, but I am loving the art this chapter. I know this was a big undertaking, but it’s also gorgeous, some of the prettiest Motherlover has looked to date.
This is so very sweet, thank you so much!! I feel like each chapter break, I level up a little!
Honestly the way I saw “LuLu” just looking constantly uncomfortable and avoiding conversation tipped me off just because it was exactly how I felt in the past, but given the title of this chapter and these latest revelations, now I’m certain. In my professional (transbian) opinion, Imogen has a daughter.
sorry I meant the last chapter lol