Both of these were such super amazing reads, and I loved both scar ideas so much!

OKAY I've spent some time thinking about this comic and I have a lot of positive things to say! Your lineart is clean and textured as always and your use of spots blacks draws the eye to where its needed, to the point that I straight up didn't notice the sketchy backgrounds during my first read. Loved the character acting, and the pops of color make this comic that much more horrifying, too.

I think my main critiques are in regards to the writing; You mentioned before that this isn't edited, so I wanna give you some pointers as to how to improve your dialogue:

The characters talk *a lot* in the middle part of this comic, using way too many words than they need to to communicate a point that has already been made before. There's also little parts where the wording is rather... Strange?

As an example, from page 4:

MAYUMI: I'm only here to expand our wonderful sisterhood! It's an... honor! Yes, this new world is terrifying and gorgeous, but... My dedication earned me this responsibility.

this bit of dialogue establishes what mayumi thinks of her cult, what she thinks of the world, and why she thinks she was given the role of recruiter. But then in the fourth panel of this page she says

MAYUMI: Well! They would never do that! They sent me because they knew I could handle the responsibility.

The dialogue comes across as repetitive because we have already established the "Why" Mayumi feels like she was given her role as recruiter. And the use of the word "Responsibility" twice. I think it would've been better instead of adding that "but my dedication earned me this responsibility" after mayumi expresses her concerns about the world, you ended it with Mayumi's concerns. Because then it would seem more natural for Carver to dig into that uncertainty.

Another example from page 5:

MAYUMI: Sister Elmira will hold a prayer for you, and you'll forget who you were before.

MAYUMI: All memories of the past, erased... Your present self is the only you that matters. Who you were before is irrelevant

CARVER: So you don't recall who you were before? You could have been a human in your former life, and you wouldn't know?

MAYUMI: I... I Suppose anything is possible, but what's relevant is the present, not the past.

There's a few issues with this exchange. In the first and second lines Mayumi establishes what happens to the memories of those who join her cult, and what she feels about that practice, then Carver takes that and spins it in a malicious way, and then Mayumi states what she thinks of that practice again, both instances using the word "irrelevant" and "relevant". Once again, this comes across as repetitive.

I feel like it could've worked a little better if there was more left unsaid. Have Mayumi linger on that "All memories of the past, erased..." to show uncertainty that Carver can dig into, so then she can attempt to refute Carver's point with "I... I suppose anything is possible, but your present self is the only you that matters".

Carver's subsequent line "Is there any way to see into these old memories? Recall your former self?" is also phrased a little strangely. I feel like it would be more punchy without that second question.

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Writing critique aside, I wish the institute was more detailed. The establishing shot for it is a little too sketchy and subsequent panels show an empty background that makes it hard to tell where the characters are situated. There's also a lot of close-up and medium shots throughout the whole that make sense for such a character-driven story (especially during Carver's conversation with Mayumi), but I Implore you to explore with more kinds of shots and compositions to communicate your ideas in more interesting ways.

ANYWAY that's all I have to say. I know it's a little lengthy but just 'cause I had a lot of things to say, doesn't mean I dislike your comic. I enjoyed it plenty and the art was scrumptious as usual. Love the story you're building up here

I need to scream about this comic a bit because honestly I think you made some really genius storytelling decisions here! The way Carver externalizes his own issues by projecting them onto Mayumi and using that as a sort of justification for his actions against her is DELICIOUS. Genius storytelling! I was a little worried that Mayumi would be difficult to work with because your world tends to feel much more grounded in reality, but I think you did an amazing job of using her otherness as a way to drive home all of the themes that Carver and the inquisition bring to the table. Your body language and expressions continue to be top notch, and that limited use of color will stick with me for a long time. Amazing work!!!

AYOoooo!!

As an intro to Carver and a taste of the Inquisition, this was well, well done!! It’s great to finally see him in action, and he did not disappoint. The intensity really came through, as well as his obedience at the end. Mayumi ended up being a great opponent for him.

I really liked the consistent heartbeat throughout the comic, and I loved that, within your writing, a lot of what he said to her ended up coming full circle at the end when he had to repeat those lessons back to his handlers. So tasty!!

Just!! Such a great comic ❤️

This is delicious, I have been looking forward to your comics a lot with all the inquisition hype lately! Its fascinating how in techno's comic carver and mayumi fulfill different needs in each other, but here you highlight their surprising similarities. I like how you used mayumi's own mechanics against her, it was a smart way to kick off the drama and reveal the inner turmoil of both characters. Despite what carver says you can still tell he holds on to his humanity, when he parrots mayumi's line at the end it feels more like regret than simple obedience. Win or lose, I look forward to more Carver!

side note, this is true of all your work but your art is very good and i especially like your ability to do expressions, there is so much tasty emotion given to your characters

Both of these comics were so stunning! They were heartbreaking and jarring in such different ways. I know I’ve said it in Discord, but I love that we see both sides of Carver’s personality in these comics— both the unhinged and the curious. Mayumi is adorable and I love her and her curiosity and optimism.

These comics were both outstanding!! Congrats to you both!

BADGERRRRRRR your spot blacks here are so TASTY. The constant (and escalating!) ba-dumps in the background gave me real Telltale Heart vibes >:) also, the whole argument between them was so juicy; it often felt like it shifted back and forth between them trying to convince each other to them trying to convince themselves, and/or just straight-up talking to/about themselves rather than the other. And, damn, what a scar. Going for the one thing that is most important to Mayumi and making her into a quite literal symbol of the Inquisition's power. I know we've talked a lot about Carver in the Discord, but, damn, this showed off a whole different side of him. like yeah he's miserable but! he's also Unhinged :) delicious.

hahaha ok im normal im normal im nor (blows up and dies five million times)

I know that this is probably more than obvious at this point, but I absolutely LOVE this comic!!! You did my girl so well, omg,,, <3

Honestly, a part of me really hopes that I end up losing this match because her scar and arrest are giving me so many IDEAS AAAAAAA!!!

Honestly, I just really love thinking about Carver and Mayumi in general. Both Followers, one for a loving and oppressive family that forgets, rushing to help and please lest she be a burden, and the other for constrictive and organized corruption, reducing him from a person to a mage to a hound to a mere object, barely capable of either cowering in fear or lashing out to one of the only few people who would've been willing to listen. Their dynamic depicted here is so unbelievable fascinating - it really makes me want to see and make more stuff between the two of them in the future.

ALSO UHHHHH YOUR ART AND COLORS ARE SUPER GOOD AND YOUR ANATOMY AND ART STYLE ARE GREAT AND I LIKE YOUR STUFF uhhhh ok thank you and goodbye :D

Carver terrifies me in the best way possible. I love how you really don't know what the fuck he's up to until he's doing it and you're sweating BRICKS hoping it doesn't end up with someone dead - but we all know most times it will. Like I mentioned in Techno's comments, black and white and red is my fave style or aesthetic, you two cooked something fierce. The scar you inflicted on Mayumi was INSANE, I really enjoy how it changes her in just such a way as to make her look less trustworthy. A master at their craft you are, Badger, SALUTE!