Panel 2: Oddly enough, the "thicc"-er approach I would begin to use to depict Emp's physique as softer, heavier, and fuller-figured started to appear on Spooky at the very end of Empowered vol. 8, as you can see in this shot. (Doesn't quite fit the "physique continuity" of Spooky's magic-sculpted body as opposed to Emp's gradually "thicc"-ening natural bod, but what the heck; too bad, nitpickers.)

Panel 4: As you'll see, starting with this panel I made the storytelling choice to integrate Spooky's "COUNTER-FACTIONAL SCENARIO" monologue with the real-time action. A fine narrative choice, if I do say so myself!

Today’s Patreon update: In an attempt to scratch out more worktime to complete the long-gestating Empowered vol. 12, I've switched over to a Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday Patreon posting schedule that won't feature the fixed content format I previously used. However, my vast archive of years of Patreon posts—extensive Empowered previews, vintage con sketches, work stages on covers, "damsel in distress" commissions, life drawings & much, much more—remains available for Patrons' perusal.

-Adam Warren