SSSS Read-Along: Chapters 0-10 [Finished]

[yuuago]

One of the best ways to survive a SSSS chapter break is to re-read the comic!

How it works: Every few days, a separate subthread will be posted to this entry for each chapter. Read the chapter, post your thoughts! Let's survive this chapter break together.



Read-along schedule:

April 09: Prologue - Thread
April 11: Chapter 01 - Thread
April 13: Chapter 02 - Thread
April 15: Chapter 03 - Thread
April 17: Chapter 04 - Thread
April 19: Chapter 05 - Thread
April 21: Chapter 06 - Thread
April 23: Chapter 07 - Thread
April 25: Chapter 08 - Thread
April 27: Chapter 09 - Thread
April 29: Chapter 10 - Thread


For discussion unrelated to the re-read, head over to the Discussion Post.
Flat view - 1st page: http://ssss.dreamwidth.org/3059.html?view=flat#comments
Flat view - Most recent page: http://ssss.dreamwidth.org/3059.html?view=flat&page=100#comments

Comments

Prologue

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 1-68

Thoughts?

Re: Prologue

[(Anonymous)]

I haven't even started re-reading yet but YES MY PROLOGUE SWEETIES COME INTO MY ARMS

I mean I love our main cast, but I got way too attached to these guys. (Aksel~!)

Re: Prologue

[(Anonymous)]

I'm going to be reading along using book + web version until I run out of book.

One thing I really noticed was that the first page has SO much visual impact in the web version but on the page it's kind of... blah? The sideways layout just doesn't work for me like this.

Come to think of it I feel that way about a lot of sideways pages. And sometimes the full-page spreads.

Re: Prologue

[yuuago]

The prologue gives me so many aRTD vibes. Partly because the art style is a bit closer to aRTD than the rest of SSSS is, I think. But also just in general. ...Especially the Norway segment. (Unfortunately, something tells me that Year 0 in Hokanniemi wouldn't go down quite as well as it does in Dalsnes.) Aaaand now I want to read aRTD again, oops.

Also I really love how much of an adorable failboat Aksel is, like so.

Re: Prologue

[(Anonymous)]

Gunnar's hair is so nice. Dude, those must be the springiest curls.


Also Berit's kitty loving on her. That cat has so much love.


Which reminds me, Magnus is so dour and fluffy. The absolute best. This is how you know Michael and Signe are great people.

Re: Prologue

[shoopzig]

Aw I missed saku and aino bein cute. it's amazing how saku can actually say he loves his wife, considering how emotionally constipated his descendants are :9

Though...every time I read the signe/Michael sequence I wince at the television part. I get that it's an accurate pundit situation but gosh...the way the refuge/patient zero thing is handled has always made me a little paranoid, haha. It's pretty clear that minna doesn't think refuges are the scum of the earth like a frankly worrying amount of people do nowadays, but my heart hurts thinking about how "outsiders" were treated as the illness went on in the Scandinavian countries. Sorry, that's a little sad, isn't it? But I can't help but worry for people that are already dead for 90 years in canon.

Re: Prologue

[(Anonymous)]

http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=13

I see what you did there, Minna. Nice Pandemic reference. (Yeah I know lots of people have pointed it out before but shhhh)

I wonder how the apocalypse went down in Madagascar and Japan. Based on what we know about the illness and its effects, I don't know if Madagascar could pull through - it's warm and close to the mainland. But maybe Japan would weather it a little easier?

Re: Prologue

[yuuago]

"Very funny!"
"I thought so too."
Compare: 12, 17

And that is when I knew these two sasshats were meant for each other. Perfect. Though p23 sealed that more, of course. (...Omg I never noticed Magnus's eyes peeking at her through the kennel, cuuuute.)

Another panel parallel that I liked: 16, 21. Not so demanding now, are you, Michael.... (Though "What's wrong now?" "EVERYTHING!" is definitely something I've felt, ahaha...)

If I start gushing about these two, I'll probably never stop. So. Yeah. (WHY haven't I written a million fics about them... oh yes, it's because effort/laziness/what is plot)

Re: Prologue

[(Anonymous)]

I keep staring at the map on page 24, trying to find Hokanniemi, even though I know it isn't on there.

/SQUINTS

Re: Prologue

[yuuago]

Oh man, I forgot that the part where the expedition is confirmed is part of the prologue. And the budget cutting.

"We definitely don't need a night scout AND a day scout"* ...Thanks, Taru. Thanks. That explains so much. (And the other stuff too, but eesh.)

"Our crew is going to be just a bunch of weirdos, isn't it?"* Yyyyep, Siv called it. The best weirdos, of course.

Chapter 01

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 69-119

Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 01

[(Anonymous)]

Emil u little shit

He is sO RUDE how did I fall in love with this asshole

Re: Chapter 01

[(Anonymous)]

I love that you can see as early as page 71 that Lalli sleeps under his bed. It's such a nice, subtle detail. I wonder if the Keuruu barracks have individual bathing spaces? Especially since it looks like the sink is outside the toilet? Is that a space constraint? Is that a stove in the corner for heating? Does Lalli even know how to use it or does he just take the path of least resistance and huddle up in Onni or Tuuri's bunk to mooch their stove? Is that clothing hanging in the corner? Are all the rooms that spartan? Does he just not keep personal clothes? I have all the dumb, trivial day-to-day Keuruu-life questions.


Also, Jesus, Onni, could you tone down the hostility there?


p. 93: Lalli is so charming in this chapter. "Oh, yes, I can see Sweden from here. There it is." Oh, sweetie.


p. 94: Taru, you square. Top bunks are the best.


You know, when I first read this chapter, I thought Minna was positioning Lalli and Emil to be vitriolic buds/rivals. I am so pleased that this did not end up being the case in the slightest.

Re: Chapter 01

[(Anonymous)]

Reading through some of Minna's comments here makes me feel like I've missed out- are her vote bait pictures, etc kept somewhere for posterity?

Re: Chapter 01

[yuuago]

I have spent way too much time staring at the Map of the Known World. orz I feel like this thing is seared into my eyeballs. (It's for a story that does not involve the comic's cast, set in Kajaani, Finland. Observation: they're super isolated over there. No water route into the Saimaa lake system; only uncleansed overland. Yikes.)

...And I've also spent way too much time staring at Lalli's bedrom in that one panel we get. Totally echoing anon above who wants all the details. FUUUU

Lalli's so adorable in this chapter... The first time I read it through, I thought he was just an unobservant airhead. But this time around, I'm just - oh Lalli, you poor confused sweetie. It'll be okay (NO IT WON'T).

I am very amused that not only does Tuuri think Swedes have only four toes, Taru doesn't know whether it's true or not. "I... don't know, I'll have to check" SHE MIGHT BE JOKING but it doesn't look like it. (...Oh my god, SHE DOES check later: p106)

Lalli's reaction to seeing the Viking Line boat is priceless. ...And I love how he puts his arms out as if to protect Tuuri. Even though it wouldn't do any good if it were something to be worried about. xD

The bunk area of the Viking Line ship (94, 95) doesn't look like the cabin areas as I remember them when I was on one. Could be some modification. Which makes sense, since they overhauled the rest of it. ...I wonder how they even get enough fuel to power that thing, anyway.

...Oh my gods, Emil is such a pompous snoot. ADORABLE pompous snoot, but I kind of want to give him a kick in the ass.
Also, his geography skills are terrible. "Yes, I've seen a map" well if you've seen a map, you must have also seen the scaling on it, FINLAND IS NOT THAT CLOSE oh my gods, this dork. xD ...I only realize just now that his character description box says "Joined the army for all the wrong reasons". Sounds about right. (Well, clearly he wasn't any better at being an academic, so...)

Lalli on the subject of getting along with Emil: "As long as he isn't a weird person." ...Lalli, what, exactly, is your definition of weird? Because IT SEEMS TO BE RATHER BROAD though to be fair the entire team is full of weirdos.

Aaaand to add to the stuff I never noticed before: "I'll go get us some more of those." (115) AKA "If this guy wants to steal my lunch meat, fine, I'll get him some of his own." Aww, how nice of you, Emil. :D

Re: Chapter 01

[aguacatillo]

p. 79 implies Tuuri got her current hairstyle less than a month before joining this expedition :o She's cute both ways! But I've spent all these months imagining her with short hair for life, only to now notice how recent a change it is for her (maybe even an impulse decision during her excellent packing job?)

I'm trying to pick a favourite Lalli moment and it's difficult but I'll try sleeping, /slides under table is pretty great

Chapter 02

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 120-141

Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 02

[(Anonymous)]

- 124: Emil, you idiot. PERMIT. I do hope all those chemicals are relatively stable...


- 128: This makes me wonder, how common are horses in non-metropolitan areas? Seems like there aren't many in Keuruu, enough that Lalli doesn't know what they are (I mean, trains too, but still) and Tuuri is excited to see them. Phone lines and radio system. I wonder what kind of pop culture they have. Do the Västerström kids listen to radio serials? omg. Interesting moment of sensitivity from Emil there, too.


- 130: And now we see just why she quit, jesus shit.


- 131: ...no children around? I thought there were civilian portions of Keuruu?


- 132: Emil, no. They can't even afford equipment that isn't broken! Bosse's resting bitchface sure is something.


- 135: I do hope we get to see more Emil-Tuuri goofing around, they're so great.


- 138: EARLY SGRU


- 140: I am in love with how much Emil's cousins love him. So sweet.

Chapter 03

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 142 - 178
Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 03

[(Anonymous)]

Eeeee
http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=155
EEEEEEEEEE

Chapter 04

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 179-222

Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 04

[(Anonymous)]

SIGRUN SIGRUN SIGRUN
AND MIKKEL TOO
but
SIGRUN!!!
basically sums up this chapter for me tbh

Chapter 05

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 223 - 276

Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 05

[(Anonymous)]

This chapter has the highest quality Sigrun content of all Sigrun content.


Also, I am so impressed by Lalli's memory, god damn.

Chapter 06

[(Anonymous)]

277-300

Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 06

[(Anonymous)]

My thoughts are: REYNIR!!!!

http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=287

Look at that poor lost puppy

...Will report back after I actually re-read the chapter.
(But seriously look at him)

Chapter 07

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 301 - 363
Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 07

[letizia]

It's been a year since I started reading SSSS! And it was during the early pages of ch. 7 so this is very good timing for a re-read. :D It was probably the previous day when I started but caught up on pg. 304, I remember staring at the tile floor when I realised there was no next page.

This is a melancholy chapter, but it always feels a lot warmer than the themes and the colours suggest. I like the "quiet rainy day" feeling of it, even if their quiet day does include dreamworld horrors and an encounter with a dog beast.

311 - I really like Sigrun's expression reading the map.

313 - Feel free to shoot if you see one. A beast, that is. So, it's okay to use firearms because it's daylight and because they're in a crap building where trolls won't nest? The situation was different in ch. 5 when shooting was the last resort. There has to be some solid logic behind this.

315 - And I used to think I liked intelligent women. :P

316 - But she knows the important stuff in their world.

330-334 - This is probably still the most we've ever seen Lalli talking. Maybe. I like his attitude...

Then there are the sad dog scenes and the sad cat scenes, and fine soldiers who all care about the cats (and even the dog) each in their own way. I tried so hard! A lot! Earlier! Oh Emil.

I'm still wondering what's going on in Lalli's head on the last page, the only time ever he seems to be loss at words. :>

Chapter 08

[(Anonymous)]

364-412

Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 08

[(Anonymous)]

- This was chapter where I started reading! Yay!


- With a gorgeous first page. Gorgeous color scheme. *A* Gorgeous foreshortening on the second.


- 369: Yes. This is why I love Sigrun. Also mage stuff. If all Lalli needs is the skull, the, er, full arrangement there seems a little excessive...


- 371: Lalli looks so charming here, it's great when we get to see him in his element.


- 372: Mikkel's posture screams "--FUCKING HELL." and it is amazing. Mikkel did not sign up for this gross mage shit.


- 373: I do hope we get to see more Tuuri and Lalli doing their thing.
- 374: Oh! Hey! I never noticed Sigrun was there on the bench behind them!


- 378: And there are exactly 6 exclamation points. Bravo!


- 383: Now that is loaded as fuck.


- Flashback: Christ, this must not be that uncommon. Also interesting to know that all scouts are prone to the same quirks as Lalli. Working in isolation from a young age must do that. Impressed by Lalli's bread swiping skills, though. Love Onni, but this is not how one deals with a child, yikes. Granted, most children don't have to worry about getting four soldiers killed, but still...grandma, you hecked up real bad.


- 389: God I love how the last panel is done.

Chapter 09

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 413-437
Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 09

[(Anonymous)]

- 414: Ya little tourists. Then again, working electricity! Flushing toilets! Nab a candlestick, Reynir, do it for the family outhouse.


- 418: ...EMT, maybe? Maybe he's like an EMT?


- 420: I do love watching everybody serious the hell up. Especially Mikkel's switch to caretaker-role. That is the look of a man who has wiped a great many noses.


- 422: And that's why she's the queen. I do love her fight strategy of "grab it and start smashing". And good going Reynir, you fucking dropped the baby.


- 423: The first time I saw these pages, I could not get over how weird it was to see a bare arm. Everyone's been bundled up since chapter....what, 5? Arm freckles!


- 424: Fucking incredible. Good job, everyone.


- 425: The gasping ("hhhh", "hrrhh") noise infected creatures make is so sad, I think. It reads like they're rasping for breath.


- 426: "Sad. Time for food?" Fffffff--


- 428: And I hope she is scarred as shit. Only the best for the queen!


- 429: At least Reynir knows how in over his head he is. Also, Emil, rude.


- 430: EYYYYY. Now you're thinking with portals, farm boy!

Chapter 10

[(Anonymous)]

Pages 438-509
Thoughts?

Re: Chapter 10

[(Anonymous)]

IT'S SO BIG
(the chapter that is)

killed me with feelings and mood whiplash

YOU KNOW I find it funny how before I was like "Oh Onni/Reynir haha well that would be cute" but then

http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=478

this chapter is a fucking gift my god