End of Melody & Macabre (Memento Mori)

Xiam, 21 Aug 2009 09:56 pm
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Indeed. - I had many ideas on how to do this page. I'd considered either a zoomed up or panned out view of Melody and everyone in the snow, but someone else suggested an image of Melody smiling. I'd sketched it out, then I saw a different recommendation, regarding an old piece of art I did based on the series. I found it very fitting, given the subject matter, and said "Damn the ambiguity" and drew it anyway.

(Incidentally, Freepie, I'd love to hear the musicky goodness when you're finished.)

See... for a while I'd played with the idea of the MM cosmology, and whether or not it should actually be in the story (so as to keep the question of what the afterlife really is like). I'd considered, however, that the universe is not unlike an hourglass (referring back to the hourglass motif within each individual).

I'd assume that in the top of the Hourglass is what some could call Paradise, or Eden, or Heaven. The Origin of all souls. In the middle-ground, the little piece where all the sand passes through, is the world we perceive to be real. But in the bottom...

A vast desert, gleaming with the souls of the deceased. Above in the heavens, the souls of the yet-to-pass shine like stars. And when a soul dies, it passes down like a falling star. So was the art I drew, and so is this new page.

Despite the other bit of the suggestion - that Melody stand with him - I think the original version with him alone is a bit more poignant, and addresses the fact that despite what the Boogeyman may think, she was not special, any more than Samael, or Simon, or Ace.

Remember your mortality. You are but a human, full of faults and not to challenge the Powers that Be. Know your place, mortal, for while you revel in your victory, tomorrow could be your last day in this world.

In short, memento mori.

Advertisement, 24 May 2013 04:40 pm
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Comments posted by:

gizumimipichu, 22 Aug 2009 08:05 am
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- Wow...that's pretty deep Xiam. So touching and such triumph! This is gonna stay in my favorites till I pass away! Also, can't wait for the sequel. Memento mori. ^_^

Freepie (Guest), 22 Aug 2009 08:40 am
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- Now that you mention it it does work well without her. I must admit to being rather surprised that you took my suggestion. lol

Loved it from start to finish and can't wait for the sequel.

Kirlily, 22 Aug 2009 09:04 am
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- -Sigh- Beautiful finish. I will miss this comic dearly, and I will probably re-read this comic often.

Though, now I'm obsessed with the phrase 'Memento mori'.

Armbyorg, 22 Aug 2009 11:45 am
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- Excellent. ^_^ I like to think Melody is that falling star.

kuroi_hitsuji, 22 Aug 2009 11:48 am
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- I'm also addicted to the Memento Mori...;_;

I cant believe this is ending... I support you and hope you do the Ace story! TT^TT

P.S. I love the the whole definition of the pic...<3

tezzle, 22 Aug 2009 12:23 pm
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- I really loved this comic. Shame to see it end, but it was all very fitting.

Kudos.

Loonalily, 22 Aug 2009 01:30 pm
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- This was a fantastic comic. Original, with a good plot. :)
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

jesse1314 (Guest), 23 Aug 2009 02:26 pm
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- wow, such a great ending to a great comic. You know that feeling when you finish a really good book, where you are a little sad? Thats how I feel right now haha

Xiam, 23 Aug 2009 02:29 pm
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- You're sad because you finished? I thought it was because I... well, you know... XD

jesse1314 (Guest), 23 Aug 2009 11:12 pm
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- haha ya, its kinda hard to explain XD

TacoTotes, 24 Aug 2009 07:08 pm
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- Aww... whew, that was pretty sad. This was such a great little story. Think you'd ever consider self publishing on lulu or something? It would be great to have in book form.

Keep up the awesome work, can't wait to see your next project.

Kaiyaweird, 26 Aug 2009 09:49 pm
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- I really love this as the last image for the comic. It seems perfectly fitting. And a bit melancholy.

Xiam, 27 Aug 2009 04:46 pm
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Lulu? - Um... no, I haven't thought of it. Do you think people would buy it?

I'd consider doing it in three parts (one for each Act). How much would that cost, exactly?

lazy_kitsune, 11 Sep 2009 03:39 am
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- This is really a good ending. It really makes me think about, well, everything. I love this story, and I'll definitely check out your other stuff when I have time!

Tailsgod, 09 Nov 2009 11:07 pm
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- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sobbing*

I love this series so much, and the endng was a work of beauty.

please do not continue it. *shot by crowd* Let it be the cowboy bebop of smackjeeves.

Xiam, 10 Nov 2009 02:08 pm
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- Whaaat? But I have so much more I wanna do. Characters I've yet to introduce, elements of they mythology I'm dying to show, loose ends I still need to tie.

Besides, I love writing these characters, and I still feel like this was far too short of a series. Every chapter felt rushed for me, and I had little bits of things I wanted to do but didn't have space.

Now, unless I should have a Melody & Macabre: Extended Edition... I'd rather just make a sequel and put those elements there. XD

(It's more of a spinoff anyway, and I kinda have one of those already, though in shorter form, so a full-out series should be good.)

EDIT: I just realized something, didn't Cowboy Bebop have a movie? So yeah, think of the spinoff as a semi-related movie. Or something.

Tailsgod, 10 Nov 2009 06:20 pm
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- Well good luck, and I hope it keeps in spirit :)

Amante, 01 Dec 2009 12:47 am
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- Ah that was so great. I did not see the ending coming. You should definitely get this published. It's the kind of story that changes how people view life. That excerpt would make a great ending authors not or last line in a book. You are such a great storyteller.

Molly-sama, 07 Dec 2009 11:47 am
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- This was just great. I read this whole thing in an hour, and the ending was awesome. :D

HolyChibi, 26 Apr 2010 02:48 am
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- You should publish this! >u<

IchiruKiriyu, 07 Aug 2010 10:37 am
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- Yeah you should publish this, its really good and touching. I loved it! >w<

PersephoneWatching (Guest), 08 Oct 2010 03:55 am
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*cries* - It can't be over, Noooooo...

Though interestingly, when I reached about half way through this, I was at home and my dad decided to give me a belt buckle he'd found. It was a crim reaper one with the words momento mori written on the sythe.

Spooky

:-)

Xiam, 08 Oct 2010 04:10 pm
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- Ooooh, nice. I wish I had something like that. Though not necessarily in belt buckle form. I'd probably never wear it.

Twentydragon, 26 Mar 2011 04:48 am
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- A very well done comic with a satisfying and touching end. I applaud you, Xiam.

This should be a movie.

Xiam, 26 Mar 2011 07:32 am
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- Thanks! That'd be awesome. o.o

blackmoongirl2424, 12 Oct 2011 07:40 pm
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Late to the party... - its hard keeping up with a large number of favs sometimes but this was a very very worthy and interesting story. I honestly never expected that ending. Awesome job sir. Awesome job.