Cowboy Bebop: "Pudding Problems"

Author's Notes:

Page 1:

So, since everyone prefers my comics to have color, I'll be sticking to that from now on. I'll admit, though, I've decided to care a little less about "perfecting" the art and all that, so you'll probably see less perfect (but not lazy) lines now and concern about how body parts look when posed. I mean, if I obsessed over how Spike's hands look, in the first and second panels, then I'd probably never get this page done because I'd worry about his hand holding the pot handle and his spoon-holding meant to be palm-upward. Then again, whatever proves you're not AI, right, instead of constantly having to throw in sketches that prove you drew it?

Also, I still love handwriting the dialogue, instead of using an annoying text tool, and drawing the bubbles in a more (literally) "fitting" manner. I'm also trying to work on using as few panels as possible, to make me feel less PO'd about having to draw pages and then color them. Surprisingly, it seems I can have patience for comics, after all, even with coloring involved. As for the "kitchen" area there, apologies if it's not 100% accurate, I just had trouble finding a reference of the entire area where they cook. I'm not even sure if they actually have a stove/stovetop, as I think I recall Jet cooking with some kind of bowl-thing before...? I dunno, I've just now reached the episode with Ed and I usually see them outside the ship (bounty hunters can't catch crooks when staying onboard).

Now, why exactly would Spike suddenly be Faye's new, personal chef and servant? Well, it's not a broken leg, but it'll probably be funnier when left unsaid... So, take your pick: maybe her gambling habit finally paid off, but with Spike, so he's indebted to her or it's your own best guess.

Page 2:

Feehhhh, coloring's starting to get tedious again... Why did everyone have to agree my stuff looks better in color than manga-styled black/white? I really need to do less panels and/or show less in each panel to color. I'm using Clip Studio Paint, in case you've got any suggestions to fix that. Speaking of coloring, there's not gonna be anything too dramatic/complex for this comic because it's meant more to be a "gag" one than anything. For Heaven's sake, it's about distress being induced by pudding, of all things...

I had a bit of trouble with finding angle-appropriate references at times, in regards to the inner sections of the ship, so please forgive any inaccuracies that may pop up. I drew that "engine-thing" behind a rear gate, in the "living room" area, as I couldn't find a reliable reference for the angle I was going for: Faye lying in front of the TV screen, on the couch. Interesting fact: the TV's dialogue was originally meant to be, "W-Wait, I can explain...!" but that kinda made it seem more like Faye was using a communication screen, than a viewer watching a show and chiming in her personal commentary. Speaking of her, she was hard to accurately draw, but I did my best...

Also, you've got Ed sleeping facedown, as I could totally see Ed sleeping that way; although, I'd also imagine with the legs bent upwards and thus hanging the feet over the knee area. I didn't draw my full-on imagined sleeping pose for Ed because I doubted the legs would actually be able to even be visible, with the panel edge likely cutting it off. Of course, wherever Ed seems to be, you'll likely find Ein-- or, as I've gathered, anyhow.

Page 3:

Spike: "--And that's how I went from being a guy who collects bounties, to a guy with a bounty."

Okay, not really, but that face does radiate a prime example of, "This B*TCH..." energy, if I've seen it.

Welp, looks like I've gone back to using the text tool to write dialogue in comics: specifically, "MV Boli," despite having to manually move the periods down myself. For some reason, that manner of text has them floating in midair...? I'm still drawing the balloons, though, than using the automatic tool for that, as well. I do enjoy using the "tail" feature, though.

I also fought a bit with the movement lines for Faye's hand, in the fourth panel, but eventually figured it out in the end. The key here is to NEVER cover the body part or whatever you're moving with the lines, as it looks too busy and obstructing. Always go for the side placement.

I have to admit: this looks like my most professional comic page done, thus far. Perhaps, I should stick to the text tool after all.

I must wonder, at this point: is Faye actually hungry or is she just messing around with her new servant? No, I still won't provide you with the canonical answer for all this, it's still funnier if you use your imagination to answer why Spike's in such a position.

Page 4:

So much for: "In space, no one can hear you scream (or howl)"... Then again, a femme fatale, like Faye, would know how to break a man to the point of defying basic science. No, I don't know what all she did to Spike, up till this point, either... I just know it had to have more than pudding involved, if you're gonna break a calm and collected guy, like Spike. You also know he's feeling pain in his very soul, when Ein has to howl in more empathetic pain. As for Ed... It's Ed: someone on the the quirkier side of things, at times.

No, you're still not getting an answer to Spike's sudden servitude, headcannon your own answer. I, personally, would imagine Faye's gambling habits paying off, with him being the indebted one.

I also need to find an easier way to indicate off-screen speakers, as the mini-heads proved a bit annoying to properly and decently make. Speaking of dialogue and speech/thought bubbles, it seems I really am back to the text tool than handwriting. I just hope Clip Studio Paint updates "MV Boli" to not have its periods floating in midair, thus forcing me to "lasso" them and lower 'em. It doesn't do that with commas nor other punctuation, so I don't understand why...

Boy, here I thought I finally figured out how to do comics, from the practice work with Puppy Eyes and Doll Eyes. It's an Ed Edd n' Eddy one, based on the "Assassin AU" by C2ndy2C1d. It's not as comedic as this one, but it may prove some enjoyment to you.