Panel 3: This is somewhat at odds with vol.6's oblique reference to Deathmonger's origins, but I like the idea that assumptions and perceptions of what the hell's going in the Empverse are not always 100% on base. In fact, I've long wanted to explore the concept that there's no g-d way that heroes (or villains) in a superhero universe would have a "reader's eye view" of all the complex and deeply weird goings-on in their f**ked-up milieu. (In fact, that's the actual point of the Empverse's "HeroNet," though I've never quite gotten around to clarifying that issue in detail for the reader.)

Panel 5: Uh oh! Note that this cliffhanging moment is why we saw that Scythebot blade in foreground close-up back in panel 1.

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