I'm so glad there's a recent comment to this, cuz I totally missed it. This is- wow. WOW. I friggin love stories that Tarantino their order of events. Way to snag your reader with that opening sequence and build off of not only the routine Merrick went through, but his relationship with his bug pal. This is such a neat peek into Merrick and Trixie's backstory that left me with an odd feel good melancholy about it. The two of them come from such grim beginnings, but came together in such a beautiful way. I really want more of these comics. I really want more of these comics outside the void universe as a series for me to follow and purchase. This has such potential to turn into some great sci fi dystopian adventure I'm itching to see it expanded upon further.

Yowsers. Thank you all so much!!! I'm really lost for words, thanks for your kindness and pointers ♥ it's hugely appreciated.

Just to answer you question Flutter, it's on the top of page 19. He has two second halves of the core chip and plugs the decoy into the wiper, keeping the real Trixie secret.

I'm hoping to go more into this with other comics, but it felt too exposition-y and clunky for that point in the story for this one

I didn't want the opportunity to pass without saying how much I enjoyed this comic holy shit. I wasn't fully caught up with previous comics but your writing was solid so I could read this and follow it without needing to. It left me craving more so I did end up doing just that haha

Wow, this was a great short story. I got introduced, up to speed, pulled in, all the things that are hard to do in only so many pages woth no prior context. Although... what was the workaround he found? Was that in a comic I haven't read?

MAN. This is one of my favorite comics I've read on the site since I've been here. I mean it.
This comic is visually striking with a compelling story that kept me super interested the whole way through! I love the setting and how you handled it artistically; I think the line work is easily readable for the most part and in many of the scenes I adore your color choices.
Again, the story was entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed this bit of backstory. The cut at the end was also very sweet and felt genuine. I love the whole dang thing.
You've done a truly amazing job here and to me, this feels professional. If I saw this in a comic shop this is something I would absolutely pay for.

Damn, this was good.

The things I've wanted to say have already been said so eloquently by the previous commentators. The story is beautiful and I really feel for all the characters involved. The artwork and coloring are superb and I found myself continuously awed with each page.

Congratulations on finishing this comic. I know it took quite a bit of time and love and it really shows with each page. I can't wait to see what you put out in the future!

This is a very nice comic.  It's always a real pleasure when you come back to dazzle us with your skills.  

Now I'm no color expert but I can only comment on what I like and see.  I'm not real fond of the coloring on the first few pages, I find it a bit dull.  Though the cover page on page 2 is the real exception, it's a beautiful page.  There's just a lot of little things that clash to me on the first few pages.  It's real small and nitpicky but like some of the linework seems messy, not intentionally so.  I think page 3 is the weakest of all of them in these terms.  Though I say weakest, there's already a high bar here so it's by no means bad.  There's just little cleanup things here and there that I'd watch out for.  Like that goat guy at the bottom page, does his weapon glow?  Doesn't seem like too much of a glow.  

It's after page 3 that your colors start to really shine and get a bit stronger.  I'm not sure if this was intentional on your part.  A sort of contrast between the inside, the outside and beyond?  For me, my favorite parts are in the cave with the limited palette.  I think you are strongest with limited palettes and I'd love to see you experiment more.  

The only thing that comes to mind with reading this, is some slight perspective issues.  I'd like to see you try something bolder with perspective.  There are some slight bits here and there that could use more practice and emphasis on your part.  

There's nothing to say about the writing because it is a great story.

Otherwise this is a truly excellent comic that stands out on Void.  I hope to see more from you soon and to see how you evolve.

this really is phenomenal. congratulations!

*slow claps*

oh maaaaan i'm a sucker for some heartless gamification-based dystopia. this story was SUPER GOOD! everything was super well presented with such a nice flow. it's just very professionally written and investing from start to finish with a real good synthesis for merrik's current time and i love it!

and vladi's GREAT!!

This, to me, is deserving of a MG grade. Your story telling is beyond incredible and your art matches that. You really killed it hard on this one, Pomo. Holy shit, this comic was just fucking fantastic. It brought me through a mess of emotions and conflict, that's what a comic needs to do! Good work!  

This is such an incredibly perfect story I couldnt begin to critique it, wonderful action and drama and sci fi, Incredible artwork, impactful emotions, amazing insight into Merrik and trixie's past and i love the juxtaposition at the end of their current, much more modern problems compared to the ordeals they had to endure in the past I just love merrik and trixie so goddam much You did AMAZING!!

I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Its so good to finally see the fruits of your labour. I love everything aboyt this I JUST LOVE IT.

Finally maybe you will be quiet about finally killing off bugboy Vladi <3

This is beautiful! I loved your writing. Just, all of this is so good.

I had just finished rewatching the Tachikoma focused episode of GitS:SAC so I was ready and on board for this kind of story

Thank you for this great comic

Ok. Wow. This was some proffesional level writing and art baked into some goodness I was not ready for. I don't really have any complaints in either art or writing department. I just want to say A+ stuff.