Chapter IV: CCXXXXVII (row 4)
As scientists in a report from the Vesuvius Observatory put it, the initial collapse of the volcanic cloud “billowed through the evacuated town of Herculaneum” at 500°C (about 930°F). Other scientists describe it in much more violent terms than “billow,” especially when the cloud reached the drop-off at the shore.
Several years ago now, I went to a lecture at South Street Seaport where a volcanologist and archaeologist described the passage of the pyroclastic cloud surging through the narrow streets so dramatically, before sending the audience back out into the narrow, cobblestone-paved streets of lower Manhattan, that I’ve had the vision for these panels in my mind ever since.
Death arrives, driving a giant chariot of fire.
The breath of his burning steeds brings agonizing death.
As swift as it is terrible, Death’s only mercy.
And then a shroud of ash, softly covering
Protecting the city-tomb for hundreds of years.
Chilling.
Aiyee! Spendusa, NOOOOOOOO!
I knew from even before I introduced her character where she’d end up. But I had to steel/force myself to carry it through.
Did they leave behind that unpleasant old lady?
Last seen locked in a room.
Highly likely to remain there for very many centuries.
Oh, no! It seems that Spendusa, Elisa and Elisa’s family will all die in the eruption. So far only Felix, Iusta, Felix’s daughter and Damon are out in the bay where it is safe.
If Felix hadn’t gotten distracted by the sudden arrival of his adopted son, he could have checked on Spendusa, Elisa, and the family. But, I’d say that without Damon, Felix would have ended up staying on the beach, directing people, until the very last moment.
Did Felix get his brothel friend onto a boat?
He did. He ushered the denizens of the brothel to the shore
Iusta let them onto the ship
She’s probably even still wearing his blue cloak.
Arrrgh! The flames of death sweep all (or most) before them. Poor Spendusa: I’ve always liked her, but she can’t seem to catch a break! But at least we’re assured of the bear!
In the end, it’s rotten in every way to be a slave… She did get a few days of freedom and a new name, at least.
I’ve been reading the archives but i can’t figure out how or why Menander and the girls got to be at the beach.
Oh Klio made that clear enough: Josephus led his family down to the boat houses, hoping to get a ride off the beach. I intuit they’ll be there a very long time.
then how is Josephus back at his houe?
Here’s where Josephus decides to leave the house; and now they’ve gone down to the shore and commandeered a space. I should squeeze some more people into the panel showing them there, to make it clearer where they are, and roughen up the walls.
i get it now., But i still don’t understand how they got split up into 2 groups.
.
Hi – Found it: Josephus sends Menander ahead with the girls.
AH! thank you again!
Love the detail of the little dude getting skeletonized. Kinda horrifying and intriguing at the same time!
I wanted to show what happened and that it happened quickly, without being too horrific, but he might be easy to miss. The next comic probably goes too far in the other direction.
Poor little dude. At least he never knew what hit him.
That sad, resigned little frown on Spendusa’s face reminds me of the pot of petunias from Hitchhiker’s Guide: The ones that say ‘oh no, not again’ Spendusa is an old soul, watching the reaper come round once more, just when things were looking up.
Getting to reincarnate (like the pot of petunias) would at least be a good thing… Though such bad timing…