Panel 2: As addressed way back in Empowered vol. 8, ol' Hardkore was quite the "ladycape killa" while still alive, hence his slightly uncomfortable facial expression here.

Panel 4: Here, 2017-ish Me tried out an unusual but arguably effective visual take on Emp's face and mask reacting to the punch. Worth a try, I say!

Today’s Patreon update: Originally done as a means of scratching out more worktime to complete the long-gestating Empowered vol. 12, I've switched over to a Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday Patreon posting schedule that won't feature the fixed content format I previously used. So, who knows what today's post might feature? Could be Life Drawing or Distressed Damsels content (both of which are featured at least three times per month), or something in the Work Stages, Vintage Con Sketches or Design departments, or possibly something entirely new, such as updates on fantasy test project The Chaste and the Chained. Golly!

-Adam Warren