Moby Dick (or, the Webcomic)

backstory time!!
Hey, here’s a really fascinating paper on Queequeg’s origins for Melville in real-world experiences/real people who he based Queequeg off of (one person, really: a Maori man Te Pehi Kupe/Anglicanized to Tupai Cupa), as well as a wonderful discussion on Queequeg and Ishmael’s relationship and what they mean/can mean for each other specifically within that broader historical context. It’s behind a paywall unfortunately and definitely Do Not message me on tumblr/IG if you want it /s but it’s really wonderful.
I found the essay after writing/drawing the bulk of this scene, but it talks a lot about things I want to be mindful of when writing these two, both here and going forward. Especially considering the original book is written from such a white and Western lens.
Anyway here’s my favorite quote from it: “Each [ishmael & queequeg] is appearing as the extension of the other’s form, the inaccurate replication of the other’s presence in the world”
like isn’t that the sweetest thing? isn’t that the softest loveliest way of describing two people who love each other? GOD

Your page layouts are always so beautiful, everything swirls around and blends together like a dream

I really really like this page! I love the interaction him and ish have in the middle. Just so wonderful.

I like how in your adaptation, you've given Quee the ability to tell his own story from his mouth instead of having it filtered through Ish's storytelling.