Chapter 1, page 19

Velma's Journal--June 3, 1932

June 3, 1932


Read a review of the new Garbo film. They say it may be her last on the American screen. It's called "As You Desire Me." An adaptation of a Pirandello play. She supposed to be a cabaret entertainer in Budapest. I'll try and convince Dottie to see it with me. Maybe even Sarah if she's free. I just love Garbo's style. The way she speaks and how she carries herself. Such a class act in my book. Somehow I strongly doubt it's her last role. She's still quite young. 

Regardless, it is warm day today and I have no work to speak of. Monday I start with Mr. Rapalje's library and it seems most of my days will be filled with dusty old books. Heaven really!

Inky Fingers

Just in time for the start of manicure/pedicure season, I begin inking The Wonder City once again!

After a little practice with my nibs (it's been 9 months since I inked pages 1-21!), I worked up the confidence to start on page 28. Despite my shaky caffeine hands, things were going pretty well until I got a nice smear on the word "Plunk" and a big splotch of ink on my elbow. After I finish inking, I'll go through with a tiny brush and white paint and fix boo-boos and lighten up some spots to create texture. Then the page is ready for Photoshop.

Here are photos of my progress and my tools. With 80 pages to go, it's going to be a busy spring and summer!

Page 18

Velma's Journal--May 20, 1932

May 20, 1932


Finals are over!! Most of the girls are packing up to return home or travel to more exotic locations. I've decided to stay in New York and not spend the summer in Saratoga. I was told that there would be plenty for me to do at my post and Mr. Rapalje has offered me side work at his home for the summer. Apparently I'll be organizing his library.


Barnard said we all have to leave the dormitories for the recess so the Cento family was gracious enough to offer me a home with them in Brooklyn. Dottie and I will be sharing a room so not much will change in that regard. Sarah also has an aunt on her mother's side who owns a house down in Far Rockaway near the beach. Needless to say I'll be taking her up on that offer at least once or twice as I've been told summers in New York City can be quite brutal. 


Been keeping track of our Mayor's corruption trial. I still don't quite understand the Tammany Machine, but I've heard it's the most vile thing going in city politics. The misdeeds go one for pages. This judge Seabury and Governor Roosevelt will not rest until Mayor Walker is removed from his office. 

Adventures in Lettering the Wonder City

Justin here! So I'm the guy who's lettering The Wonder City and I thought I would give you little taste of how it's going.

Yeah so it's going.

In the bottom left-hand corner is my trusty ames letterer. It's the preferred draftsman's tool for making straight, evenly spaced lines (this one was a birthday gift from Courtney). Basically the comic needs to be lettered before the panels are detailed and inked. Then once we're positive they're in the perfect spot, the words themselves are inked and the bubbles are crafted.  And I say crafted because I am NOT coordinated enough to do that. It's all Courtney.

I am still very new at this and just now, feel confident enough to say that I almost understand the mechanics of the process. There's been a ton of trial and error. In this panel you see the outline of Velma emphatically trying to get her point across to her associate Jack Rapalje (more on him later on). I apologize for the photo quality. My phone isn't the best.

Velma's Journal--May 13, 1932

May 13, 1932


After Meeting Tobias Finch I was convinced I wandered into one of those detective novels that are all the rage. 

He was a tall man, gruff voice, dressed in an olive trench coat and matching hat. When I first saw him at track 16, he was standing under the far staircase just as he said he would. There were no trains on either track and that end of the concourse was quiet. Obviously he planned it that way. Our dialogue was quick. When I walked up to him he was smoking and staring down at the tracks.

"You're right on time." He said flicking his cigarette down to the tracks. "Cigarette?" He pulled another one out of his breast pocket. He lit it.

"No."

"I didn't think so. Tobia Finch." He held out his hand.

"Velma Graydon." I shuck it.

"I know."

"So I've gathered." I said mocking confidence. "You've been following me."

"You're a smart girl."

"You made yourself obvious."

He chuckled. "Well played. So without further ado I'll get to my point."

"That's much appreciated."

"Miss Graydon my client is interested in what you know about the theft of his most precious collectible."

"It would help if I knew who your client was."

He continually took drags off his cigarette. "You mean you don't?"

"Not at all."

"Didn't you go asking about me at your hangout uptown?"

"Didn't you ask about me?" I was starting to have fun with this.

"I did. Talked to two twin genius's. Said you were a cold fish working for Look. A gal Friday. That was all. Then I talked to the bartender and he had nothing. Went back cause I got a tip you went in asking and one of the geniuses Rick, I think, said you were asking about me."

"Well it's good to know they're looking out for me."

He smirked, "One is a dumber stump than the other. Flash 'em a note and they'll say whatever you want to hear. Somehow I think you're a little bit smarter than that."

"That may be the case, Mr. Finch, but I that doesn't buy me a clue as to who your client is."

He took a long drag off his cigarette and blew it in the opposite direction. "A Mr. Fitz Roy. You've met him twice. Delivered something of interest to him."

"I remember. An antique quadrant ruler"

"Well it went missing."

"What a shame." I just don't know where I was coming up with this stuff.

"Do you know who may have it?"

"No, Mr. Finch, not in the slightest."

He stared straight at me and flicked his second cigarette out onto the track. "No. I guess you don't." He knew just by reading the expression on my face that I wasn't lying. He looked down the tracks a little defeated. I could have been his only lead. "Sorry to take up your time, Miss Graydon."

"Are you going to keep following me?"

"Not unless you need to be followed."


"I'm fine all on my own, thanks."


He looked me over and headed for the stairs. "You're a smart dame. Smarter than most that run through Look's fingers. Make a damn fine gumshoe if dame's did that kinda thing."  


"Who says they can't?"



"Not me. They just don't want to, is all. But you. I've been watching you. You got the eye for it." He took out his third cigarette and started walking up the stairs. "A good evening to you, Miss Graydon." And he was gone.