As mentioned last week, I only recently remembered that this Ghost Writer story was written and drawn not only well before the rest of Empowered vol. 9, but also well before vol. 8 as well! Gotta say, up until that recollection, I was wondering why the hell this episode seemed to have so g-d many Big Pouty-Lipped Emp shots, as the trope had already started to fade in frequency back during vol. 8.

"Power Stripped" was what I've come to refer to as a "traction story," if you'll pardon the awkward if not problematic phrasing. See, in order to generate interest and/or momentum for myself in the task of drawing this g-d series, I often start out with a relatively easy-peasy scene intended to get Empowered's Minimum Volume Requirement of "damsel in distress" imagery outta the way at the start. That kinda material I can draw in my g-d sleep, as opposed to leaping headlong into depicting a demanding cityscape shot or exotic new location or the like.

More on this matter in tomorrow's commentary!

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. So, who knows what today's post might feature? Could be Life Drawing or Distressed Damsels content (both of which are featured at least three times per month), or something in the Work Stages, Vintage Con Sketches or Design departments, or possibly something entirely new. Golly!

-Adam Warren