We continue serialization of Empowered vol. 12, which proved to be the final volume of the series in this specific graphic-novel format, though I was unaware of that unfortunate reality when I started work on the book.

And lo, we're back to the setting of the climactic act of Empowered vol. 5, albeit with a seemingly different outcome! Whatever could this mean, folks?

While I'm glad to have pretty much given up lettering word balloons going forward, note that I still quite enjoy crafting sound FX, and will likely continue doing so even if I'm no longer handling the "body copy" on a page; come to think of it, this is very much a "manga-like" approach, though I'm not pursuing this technique in imitation of Japanese creators.