So there I was, sitting with the Backbreaker Studios folks at the Alternative Press Expo. At one point  baroncoon got up to wander around the expo floor for a while. I was, rather uncharacteristically, seized with an urge to sketch, and grabbed his sketchbook, intending to sneak a quick surprise into it while he wasn’t looking. Alas, it was not to be; it took me a good couple of hours and several false starts. Why? Baron’s method of constructing characters is . . . unique. Several people have commented on it, some of them after giving up on attempts to depict his characters because they simply can’t figure out how he does it.

This sketch turned out fair to middling; I’d be more pleased with it if it hadn’t taken so much time. After his return, Baron, observing my frustration, added his own commentary. He also did a quick reference sketch of Vipera, around which I sketched in a version of an old gag as my response.

The original, at the upper left, depicts a conversation between Vipera and a character version of me about a couple of attractive young ladies that are part of my household in Andur. . . .

Me: “. . . Alia’s sixteen, you letch! Not just no, but hell no.”
Vipera: “Spoilsport! Well, if you won’t let me have fun with her, there’s always that other toothsome young thing. You can’t argue she’s too young, can you?” [The other toothsome young thing is Luaka, a concubine.]
Me: “Luaka? I’m not having you traumatizing that girl, Vipera.”
Vipera: “Well, if you don’t trust me, you can always come along.”
Me: “. . . .”
Vipera: “Heh heh.”
Me: “Damn you.”
Vipera: “Well?”
Me: “If she says no, it’s no.”
Vipera: “I can live with that if you can.”

And Baron’s take . . .

Me: “Damn! That’s not it! Arrgh! This is not working out!”
Vipera: “Well, then try again!”
Me: “I have! This is the fifth time!”
Vipera: “Then try harder!”
Me: “I am, but I can’t capture your likeness on paper. It’s rather odd how you’re put together!”
Vipera: “Now that is no way to talk to a lady!”
Baron [thinking]: I don’t think it’s odd!