Glassblower45

While the setup of conflict is emotionally gripping and there is potential to the story, I currently find On the Emperor's Lap an okay work that needs some commitment from readers to see the end of the story.

While the color and line work is done quite well, the drawing itself feels static and awkward when it comes to communicating complicated emotions in characters. There is no comedy to give breaks to the story's web of hardship, betrayal and scheming. And the story does not need comedy. But it feels like the framing of scenes and the drawings need to communicate more depth and uniqueness to characters. You create more memorable characters through little details of expressions drawn uniquely to the character as well as mannerisms that remain consistent to specific characters. I specifically would have liked to "read" more of the story from the art and illustration standpoint. Things do get communicated. Just not as much as I would like to keep me interested in this story.

Complicated things have happened to the characters. This is a great setup for complicated emotions and political posturing. However, some of our important male characters--like Kiris (probably Chris)--come across as shallow and weak in the intentions that guide their choices. This is where the ability to communicate complicated emotions more is desired in the art. I want to see something more than what comes across as a plot choice without compelling support in story and character development to Kiris' abandonment of the main lady (and, now later in the story, the decision of a neighboring kingdom's king upon learning of the main lady of the story).

On the Emperor's Lap is loosing my general interest. But I am also curious as to the potential of the work. I've read other works that have great ideas and events, but are boggled down with too much fat (like repetition or "tell" instead of "show") or need more believability to support what are obvious unique traits to the story's plot and/or a character(s).

My point system ranks as such:

1. Awful
2. Poor
3. Not Bad
4. Ok
5. Average
6. Above Average
7. Goood 
8. Very Good
9. Great 
10. Outstanding

In this case On the Emperor's Lap currently receives an overall rating of "Ok." Reflected as 2-2.5 stars.