Hector's Tragic Flaw

[tealin]

This drawing was first conceived several years ago, when the Unauthorized Autobiography made it clear that Hector had been a member of VFD and almost certainly knew Jacques. This added a whole new psychological layer to the scene in the Town Hall of the Village of Fowl Devotees. Surely he would have recognized Jacques? They practically grew up together, if we are to believe the image of pre-schism VFD as some sort of intrepid mobile underground boarding school. His skittishness lands the Baudelaires in prison but he at least tries, in his ineffectual way, to help them after that, and we can kind of forgive him because his heart's in the right place; the fact that Hector doesn't do a thing to help an old friend and colleague, when he is in sole possession of knowledge that can attest to his innocence, 'gives him rather a darker edge,' as octaveleap succinctly phrased it.

So, here is a little sequence illustrating the scene with this character background in mind. Since it's written from the Baudelaires' point of view, all we know of Hector's reaction is that when they look back to him for support he 'continued to sit in his folding chair with his eyes cast downward.' Doesn't say anything about his expression or what might be going through his mind ...

Comments

[ks-claw.livejournal.com]

I need to get off my ass to read those books.. Only got as far as read *half* of the first one XP

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Advice: Tough it out at least until the end of The Austere Academy. They get a little formulaic at the beginning (though I'm listening to The Miserable Mill at the moment and I think it's probably the goofiest one, so there is that to look forward to) but the whole VFD thing gets introduced at the end of Book 5 (A.A.) and the following five books are great fun. The series kind of peters out, in my opinion, but the world it sets up is entertaining to roll around in one's head.

I may be biased because they were my introduction to the series, but the audiobooks are fantastic. Tim Curry does an amazing job of bringing humour and character to lines in which such things might not be so obvious in text, and even Daniel Handler himself (he reads books 3-5) brings his own sort of absurd charm to things.

[iseepurplehair.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I haven't read that book in years but this still really depresses me. *goes to dig out Vile Village*

[(Anonymous)]

good god. all of your drawing are so inspiring. You give such depth to the characters

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

The depth is there, you just have to dig it up. That's what's so great about these books: the situations and events are completely ridiculous but the people placed in them act and think realistically enough that they stand up to more serious scrutiny. It's all written like a simple superficial kids' book but there's good writing behind it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/__lys_fleurx__/]

I meant in the drawing, but, yes, there in the book, too. I just love your mad skills.

[sydpad.livejournal.com]

Cooool.Wonderful acting!

I felt a strange compulsion to read that series this last couple of months, and you know, I found them weirdly comforting. The only thing that could make me laugh! I must write a letter to the guy. Totally agree about the depth-- don't know of characterization, necessarily, but I can't remember the last modern thing I've read that has a genuinely tragic sense of life. I loved the final book. Really brave series, altogether, light as they seem.

[ardys-the-ghoul.livejournal.com]

Is that a mouse in your icon? I love mice!

[sydpad.livejournal.com]

Yup, that's my main mouse, Nietcheese! Lord Volemort's spiritual adviser, lol.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Wow – I am deeply flattered by your compliment of the acting as yours is impeccable. Thank you so much!

I seem to remember Mr Handler mentioning in some interview or other that he was surprised how many of the fans of his books were kids who had actually lost one or both parents ... I don't see why that shouldn't extend to adults as well. <:)

[danicarip.livejournal.com]

Something about Hector's expressions (...maybe the mouth?) remind me strongly of Michael Palin.

The dark curly hair helps, too ^^

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

You know, that might not be entirely coincidental, as I was half-watching his series on the Crusades last week. But it's definitely subconscious.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Never mind, I'm an idiot, that was Terry Jones. I haven't seen Michael Palin in quite some time.

[moonmystique.livejournal.com]

These are super nice 8) Lovely expressions in the last drawing.

[pippins-nose.livejournal.com]

you make me nostalgic for my Series of Unfortunate Events. I've been meaning to listen to the audiobooks since I've heard such good things about them.

[(Anonymous)]

esme is fabululz. BD you are also crazy good at drawing the backs of people's heads. All those bus people, eh? x)

-salamandersoup, incognitooo ... execpt not.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Haha, yeah, if you spend seven years drawing the backs of people's heads twice a day, you'll be good at them too. :)

[proceeds to completely blow your cover]

[meganphntmgrl.livejournal.com]

D: