Looks VERY promising, doesn't it? And I FUCKING LOVE the throwback to the slightly older, Ch.47-Ch.65 art style. Goddamn, it is nice to see it again...
Intermission: Volume 2 Preview
I've never started one of these before. Since it's not really an official chapter per say, I hope I can still make this thread.
Looks VERY promising, doesn't it? And I FUCKING LOVE the throwback to the slightly older, Ch.47-Ch.65 art style. Goddamn, it is nice to see it again...
Looks VERY promising, doesn't it? And I FUCKING LOVE the throwback to the slightly older, Ch.47-Ch.65 art style. Goddamn, it is nice to see it again...
- #1
- 20 August 2012 - 05:22 PM
We can use this thread to talk about volume 2 and the pages being previewed from it, as I doubt we'll be getting the entirety of the new "Up to Bat". If I recall correctly, volume 2 will cover chapters 48-60 inclusive, plus some extra book-only chapters. It's nice that Taeshi is using the same style for the extra chapters too.
Athletic cats are awesome, and Jasmine sure loves her softball. Since she's in a batting cage, I presume the thing in the upper-left corner is the arm mechanism of a pitching machine.
BCB trivia: Jasmine's favourite position in softball is pitcher, followed by outfielder. She's happy playing any position though.
Athletic cats are awesome, and Jasmine sure loves her softball. Since she's in a batting cage, I presume the thing in the upper-left corner is the arm mechanism of a pitching machine.
BCB trivia: Jasmine's favourite position in softball is pitcher, followed by outfielder. She's happy playing any position though.
- #3
- 20 August 2012 - 06:44 PM
- MintyFishbowl
- Member
Jasmine has been juicing. The big thighs and the small bulge just give it away.
I do love the art style throwback. However, the watercolors look great for when the comic is in "super duper Lucy angst mode", so I hope to see that return when the next pregnancy arc/Lucy chapter is made.
I do love the art style throwback. However, the watercolors look great for when the comic is in "super duper Lucy angst mode", so I hope to see that return when the next pregnancy arc/Lucy chapter is made.
- #4
- 20 August 2012 - 07:37 PM
wacko, on 20 August 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:
It's nice that Taeshi is using the same style for the extra chapters too.
Athletic cats are awesome, and Jasmine sure loves her softball. Since she's in a batting cage, I presume the thing in the upper-left corner is the arm mechanism of a pitching machine.
Athletic cats are awesome, and Jasmine sure loves her softball. Since she's in a batting cage, I presume the thing in the upper-left corner is the arm mechanism of a pitching machine.
She is? Oh, thank fucking Christ! Thank you, Taeshi, for returning to your best art style ever!
I almost feel like the new "Up to Bat" is inspired by some of Ace's stories. I know that's terribly presumptuous, but Jasmine in a batting cage doesn't lie...
- #5
- 20 August 2012 - 07:43 PM
Now now, it's mentioned twice within the comic that Jasmine plays softball, so we need not necessarily look to Ace. 
Interesting that Jasmine plays softball in the fall. It's typically a spring sport in high school, although a few states do have it in the fall.
Interesting that Jasmine plays softball in the fall. It's typically a spring sport in high school, although a few states do have it in the fall.
- #6
- 20 August 2012 - 09:36 PM
- Meowth
- Please go easy on me. I don't like critique. Or my title.
Member 
NintendoSegaSonyGuy, on 20 August 2012 - 07:43 PM, said:
She is? Oh, thank fucking Christ! Thank you, Taeshi, for returning to your best art style ever!
You seem really emotional about this. Did you not like the other styles?
- #7
- 20 August 2012 - 10:00 PM
- RagtimeCat
- Member
I'm hoping there might be some kind of special deal if volumes 1&2 are bought together.. I still don't have vol. 1 yet so that'd be awesome. C:
- #9
- 21 August 2012 - 01:12 AM
Meowth, on 20 August 2012 - 10:00 PM, said:
You seem really emotional about this. Did you not like the other styles?
Not really. I thought this style was the best. I'm kinda critical about art, especially when it changes constantly. Don't know what else to say.
This post has been edited by NintendoSegaSonyGuy: 21 August 2012 - 09:51 PM
- #12
- 21 August 2012 - 09:45 PM
This page doesn't seem to follow on from the previous one, so I suppose it's another random page selected for the preview.
One can probably figure that Paulo would appear in a Jasmine-centered storyline. Also this seems to be a lighter storyline, proving that it's not all drama and angst in BCB.
Don't distract Jasmine when she's practicing, Paulo!
- #14
- 22 August 2012 - 03:57 PM
- Cavara
- BCI Member
wacko, on 22 August 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:
This page doesn't seem to follow on from the previous one, so I suppose it's another random page selected for the preview.
I think it does follow the previous one. In the first page Jasmine was just swinging the bat around to warm up, and when she is done, in this second page, she goes for some knock. Head-shot knock.
The first page could have been a bit misleading though, because it looks like she is standing still and we don't actually see who is swinging the bat; the fact that she is staring to the cage does not help either, since it enforces the illusion that there is someone else.
- #16
- 22 August 2012 - 05:36 PM
- Taeshi
- one hot bitch
Administrator 
Cavara is correct.
Though I can see why Wacko thought that, doesn't help that the colours suddenly changed. I told Souppy I wasn't fond of the colour choice he picked (I was napping at the time he posted it) and we agreed on a more green-ish colour theme.
Though I can see why Wacko thought that, doesn't help that the colours suddenly changed. I told Souppy I wasn't fond of the colour choice he picked (I was napping at the time he posted it) and we agreed on a more green-ish colour theme.
- #17
- 22 August 2012 - 07:31 PM
The previous page seems like Jasmine is in the batting cage facing a pitching machine, with the lower-right corner signifying she's about to smack the ball being launched at her. Today's page shows her with ball and bat, but no pitching machine; instead, she throws up the ball herself to hit. Not only that, but her statement in the first panel indicates she's only just begun hitting. So I think these two pages must be from different points in the chapter.
Edit: Taeshi beat me... and apparently I'm wrong.
Edit: Taeshi beat me... and apparently I'm wrong.
This post has been edited by wacko: 22 August 2012 - 07:34 PM
- #18
- 22 August 2012 - 07:33 PM
Well, what is that thing swinging in the upper-left corner of the previous page? Because it doesn't look like a bat at all. I assumed it was the arm of some sort of pitching machine, from the way Jasmine looked ready to smack a ball.
- #20
- 22 August 2012 - 07:42 PM
Well, I'll give you points for attempting an action sequence. Though as a general rule, solid objects like bats aren't going to bend and distort like that even when swung.
- #22
- 23 August 2012 - 12:07 AM
- LackLuster
- Moderator
wacko, on 23 August 2012 - 12:07 AM, said:
Though as a general rule, solid objects like bats aren't going to bend and distort like that even when swung.
In reality yes but animators and artists show distortion to assist the illusion of motion. It looks better and more action-y than it does with a straight bat with wind lines.
I think the problem with the first comic lies in that Taeshi drew the two bats twisting in the wrong opposite direction from which they're moving, it looks confusing. If the bat is in motion it needs to twist from the direction it's swung. If it's slowing down or stopping, it returns to its normal state.
- #23
- 23 August 2012 - 12:19 AM
I think there's too much distortion though. Frankly, the first time I saw the bat in the upper-left corner of the previous page, I thought it was a weirdly-drawn hockey stick. That's what came to mind first.
- #24
- 23 August 2012 - 12:26 AM
- LackLuster
- Moderator
wacko, on 23 August 2012 - 12:26 AM, said:
I think there's too much distortion though. Frankly, the first time I saw the bat in the upper-left corner of the previous page, I thought it was a weirdly-drawn hockey stick. That's what came to mind first.
It's hard to say unless the bat was coming from the opposite direction. Although if the tip of the bat could be seen it'd probably assist showing its most definitely a bat. Jasmine's hands aren't anywhere on the handle either.
- #25
- 23 August 2012 - 12:46 AM
- Flyboy1945
- Member
Pow! Right in the kisser. I can somewhat tell where Paulo's been, I've been hit square in the nose with a soccer ball, a kicked soccer ball from 5ft away mind you.
And yes, the person who kicked the ball was indeed on the high school soccer team and was one of the best. Still, I wouldn't want to find out what it's like to get hit in the face with a baseball.
And yes, the person who kicked the ball was indeed on the high school soccer team and was one of the best. Still, I wouldn't want to find out what it's like to get hit in the face with a baseball.
- #27
- 23 August 2012 - 08:46 AM
- Shada
- BCI Member
Flyboy1945, on 23 August 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:
Pow! Right in the kisser. I can somewhat tell where Paulo's been, I've been hit square in the nose with a soccer ball, a kicked soccer ball from 5ft away mind you.
And yes, the person who kicked the ball was indeed on the high school soccer team and was one of the best. Still, I wouldn't want to find out what it's like to get hit in the face with a baseball.
And yes, the person who kicked the ball was indeed on the high school soccer team and was one of the best. Still, I wouldn't want to find out what it's like to get hit in the face with a baseball.
Survey says that it doesn't tickle.
Also regarding the first page, it definitely would have helped to see hands on the bat, but hey, I still loved the panel and so far this entire intermission. It's got Jasmine, what could possibly go wrong?
- #28
- 23 August 2012 - 09:54 AM
Well, Jasmine is certainly making an effort with Paulo. ^_^
- #31
- 24 August 2012 - 06:14 PM
- MintyFishbowl
- Member
Since nobody has posted them yet.
I think Paulo's reaction is justified. What Jasmine was doing I'm sure is considered date rape in several countries.
This post has been edited by MintyFishbowl: 27 August 2012 - 10:58 AM
- #32
- 27 August 2012 - 10:56 AM
Doesn't take much to pull him out of a possible coma. :3
- #34
- 27 August 2012 - 01:30 PM
At least Jasmine now knows how to resuscitate Paulo. I guess she felt she needed to do something, and Paulo enjoyed it a little too much, and thus awkwardness. It's early in the relationship though, so it's natural the two aren't yet ready to get too close to one another.
David, though. David's not helping. He expressed disbelief that Paulo didn't bang Jasmine on their first date, and then later did the same thing regarding Tess and Lucy. Man, I don't get why Paulo thinks he needs to please such an immature friend, or have him look up to him (even if David is Paulo's best friend). In a way, Paulo needs to stand up for himself, just as Mike did with Lucy. I wonder if down the road Paulo might get mad at David's peer pressure and finally tell him off? That might be the one thing that'd actually force David to grow up.
I guess she felt she needed to do something, and Paulo enjoyed it a little too much, and thus awkwardness. It's early in the relationship though, so it's natural the two aren't yet ready to get too close to one another.David, though. David's not helping. He expressed disbelief that Paulo didn't bang Jasmine on their first date, and then later did the same thing regarding Tess and Lucy. Man, I don't get why Paulo thinks he needs to please such an immature friend, or have him look up to him (even if David is Paulo's best friend). In a way, Paulo needs to stand up for himself, just as Mike did with Lucy. I wonder if down the road Paulo might get mad at David's peer pressure and finally tell him off? That might be the one thing that'd actually force David to grow up.
- #35
- 27 August 2012 - 05:14 PM
- Leaving_a_Comment
- Member
Wacko blows my mind by actually suggesting David could be developed more in a realistic situation. 
- #37
- 28 August 2012 - 01:18 AM
- Flyboy1945
- Member
"That's the Power of Love." -Huey Lewis and the News.
- #38
- 28 August 2012 - 04:26 AM
- falconboy99
- BCI Member
If the positions were switched, I wonder how long it would take for someone to hit paulo with the pedo stick.
- #39
- 28 August 2012 - 06:51 AM
That would be about as accurate as Paulo hitting Mike with the cheater stick.
- #40
- 28 August 2012 - 07:32 PM
- Flyboy1945
- Member
Naw, remember this is a webcomic, Taeshi will make it magically disappear in the next page.
- #44
- 29 August 2012 - 08:32 AM
I believe in the last panel, Jasmine is starting to feel guilty for not spending more time with her faithful lap dog cat.
- #48
- 29 August 2012 - 07:06 PM
