Sometimes when we throw an idea out it turns out in a way that really surprises us. We threw out this idea of Grant turning into a selfish and materialistic prick as part of his nightmare, but it wasn't until we did this page that it sank it just what that meant. When Nicky brings up the subject to Nightmare!Grant, he not only gets defensive or shocked, he gets PISSED. Look at the level of disgust on his face in the second panel. I meant to imply that Grant understands deep down that his parents are bad people, but this implies that Grant not only knows that but, on some level, he hates them for it.
Speaking of those first two panels, someone on the Discord suggested that the reason Nicky picked up on Grant's feelings so quick was because at one point Grant might've vented to him about it. I really liked the idea and threw it in, but wasn't really a vent, just him trying to make excuses for his parents. Which again, I like, as it implies these feels are something that Grant's been hiding for a really long time. And it makes a great contrast to see Grant and Nicky in flashback (both looking more innocent with their earlier haircuts) and them in the present, with Grant's nightmare self dripping with disgust.
The idea for Grant snapping out of it was always going to be Nicky saying something to tap into his sense of justice and make him step up to fight bad guys again. Again, Nicky's his best friend and just gets what makes him work. ^^ And Grant does genuinely love his friends, so the first thing he does is apologize to Nicky. It's a quick little moment tacked on at the end to cement their friendship.
Little touch, but even in his nightmare state, Grant understands Nicky's powers enough to drag him out by his clothes. He can't stretch those the way he can his limbs, so it's harder for him to wiggle out of it or control the grappling, especially when he's wearing something like a jumpsuit.
I do tend to really like stuff with these two's relationship; Nicky really does kind of feel like Grant's little sidekick with the way he's kind of endlessly enthusiastic compared to how much more nervous and shy Grant is. Kind of getting a chance to examine that dynamic a little bit with Nicky having to drag him out of this, and I do like kind of putting over just how goodhearted Grant is that being like this is apparently the worst nightmare he can think of.
Grant's issues are something I really look forward to examining further down the line; I think he probably has a lot of hang-ups with his parents that he hasn't even identified himself yet, and I'm pretty eager to see how kind of being made aware of some of that here weighs on him going forward.
Wonder when we're cutting back to the glowy ball of angst.
These nightmares are bringing everyone's insecurities and suppressed emotional turmoil straight to the surface, what in the world is going to happen now.
Speaking of those first two panels, someone on the Discord suggested that the reason Nicky picked up on Grant's feelings so quick was because at one point Grant might've vented to him about it. I really liked the idea and threw it in, but wasn't really a vent, just him trying to make excuses for his parents. Which again, I like, as it implies these feels are something that Grant's been hiding for a really long time. And it makes a great contrast to see Grant and Nicky in flashback (both looking more innocent with their earlier haircuts) and them in the present, with Grant's nightmare self dripping with disgust.
The idea for Grant snapping out of it was always going to be Nicky saying something to tap into his sense of justice and make him step up to fight bad guys again. Again, Nicky's his best friend and just gets what makes him work. ^^ And Grant does genuinely love his friends, so the first thing he does is apologize to Nicky. It's a quick little moment tacked on at the end to cement their friendship.
Little touch, but even in his nightmare state, Grant understands Nicky's powers enough to drag him out by his clothes. He can't stretch those the way he can his limbs, so it's harder for him to wiggle out of it or control the grappling, especially when he's wearing something like a jumpsuit.