The Lonely Man

The Lonely Man

Posted by Brian • April 17, 2017

Original Release Date: April 24, 2012

It's been a rough couple of pages, especially with Mike leaving, so I put a little bit of light-heartedness into panel two to make us all feel a little better about what's going on. Plus, I think it's an effective use of humor: follow-up a significant, emotional event with a small, humorous observation. Mike leaves traumatically...in the wrong direction.

Renee is pretty mad at Mike right now, but the last panel ensures us that Stu still has confidence in him--his expression is one of resolve, not of worry. Stu knows Mike will be okay, which is a tremendous sign that Mike has grown as a character since we first met him. Had this moment happened in Volume One, I don't think Mike would have been able to take care of himself on his own. He would have mouthed off to a trucker or a highwayman and ended up stuffed in a trash can. Now, he's still maybe not the most reliable person in the world, but we know he'll be all right.