Rain
Comic 1439 - Dad and Mom
Author Notes:
To be fair, though, I know a lot of people would've preferred Rain being able to tell off the real Marcus Flaherty in person. But throughout the story, I've considered a lot of options for that, and it never felt natural to me. Like, no matter what he wanted or hoped to achieve, he abandoned his young child and dying spouse. I just couldn't envision a scenario where he could return into the story, and he would legitimately think it was a good idea where things would work out in his favor. He's a bastard for sure, but he's smart enough to know it wouldn't end well for him.
So, instead I opted to wrap up Marcus' role in the story by focusing on what he's actually been to the story all along: a painful memory that's haunted Rain. He's never physically appeared in the comic, but we've seen how his actions have continued to hurt and frighten our heroine without him ever being actively present. From the nightmare she's had, to her meek and quick-to-crumple disposition at the start of the story, his effect on her has always been there. But we've also watched her grow over all this time, becoming stronger, and distancing herself from the one who hurt her, and instead surrounding herself with those who care. So in a way, I think it's actually kinda fitting that rather than telling off the real life Marcus who already wasn't in her life anymore, she's telling off the nightmare that's been plaguing her for years instead.
As for Marcus himself, who knows where he is. You can headcanon whatever you want for him, but he's got no power over Rain anymore, and won't be coming back. ^_^
And as for Rain's real parents, the person she thought was her mother has been the real father figure all along (the one true dad, as some readers are saying). I stand by that this information has already been revealed to us, but I know some of you are still feeling a bit skeptical about the whole thing. Please don't forget there's still one more page of the letter that Rain has seen but we haven't, which I've withheld for now. We will see it, but only when it's time to show it. Until then, I'm going to continue to refer to him as "Mr. Bryer".
And Rain's mother is... Aunt Fara? Obviously, this one is a bit more symbolic. But Fara has raised Rain during very formative years of her life. She took her in when Mr. Bryer passed and Marcus was nowhere to be found. She accepted Rain for who she said she was, and aided her in her transition. She was always there, taking care of Rain to the best of her ability. Fara wasn't always perfect, but what parent is? But I think we're seeing here just how much her efforts have meant to Rain.
©2004-2021
Rain, all characters and all other aspects of the story are copyright material belonging to me.
Thus ends the second-to-last chapter of Rain. We are going to take a short hiatus (that I didn't want to have to do, but is kind of necessary this time). I'd like to be back to posting before too long, so I'm aiming for about late December or so. I'm hoping to drop a few Rain Delays and fillers and stuff in the to lead-up to Chapter 44, so I hope you won't go too far in the meantime.
Following that, because people keep asking, there'll probably be another break after the final chapter wraps up. And yes, I said break, not "drop off the face of the internet forever". Because yes, more is coming! If you've enjoyed Rain and are interested in seeing more queer/trans-positive comics from me, I'd like to ideally not keep you waiting too long. We may be coming up to the last chapter of Rain, but this is not necessarily the end. ^_^
So, join me next month when we begin the final chapter of Rain. And then stick around, because I still have so many stories I wish to tell!
Mr. Bryer gets to claim his position as Rain’s father. And along with Fara, Rain and Mr. Bryer tell Marcus off? YES I LOVE THIS PAGE
Also @Jocelyn, when Rain is finished, are you going to be working on Magical? It seems like such an interesting story!
Rain is definitely about 5'5" now. I think Fara's probably about 5'7" or 5'8" or so.
(I have Fara's height written down somewhere; I'd just have to find it.) ^^;
is a google search. Thanks for this wonderful comic.
If I'm incorrect, just don't pay attention.
Just to be clear, what I was doubtful of, up to this point, was that _my fellow readers_ could be so sure that Mr. Bryer was definitely exactly a binary trans man who would've wanted to be referred to in exactly these ways, etc. based on the limited information the _readers_ saw. I never doubted that he could be/do those things, and I never doubted that Rain would know what's correct. This page is, essentially, the confirmation I was waiting for: a fairly clear depiction from Rain of who her real dad was.
Huh? Different guy? Are you sure? Huh.
BTW, Edward Verres is the father of the main character of El Goonish Shive. I think most people who like Rain will also like the web comic El Goonish Shive. (The early pages are only so so but the artwork and story telling rapidly improve.)
Thank you so much for this awesome comic. I look forward to the final chapter and your future works.
The currently available books (Volumes 1-5) can be found right here.
https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/LittleLynn84
Ideally, I'd like for Volumes 6 and 7 to come out shortly after the story is done. There's still a lot that needs to be done, but I don't want to leave them hanging too long. I don't have an exact timeframe, but I'd like to see the last books both come out next year. ^_^
I don't necessarily know if this is an option, but I will say I get asked this a lot. So I will definitely see what I can do. I unfortunately can't promise anything, but I'll try to do what I can. :)
Firstly, if volume 7 is happening (which yeah I have to admit if all this fit into one volume it'd be a *wide* volume), what colour will the spine be? (I'm super jazzed about the pride colours in case you couldn't tell)
And secondly, the volume one was really blurry, which isn't a big problem for the parts I was able to read online I already knew, but I had some trouble with the bonus chapter.
Huge fan of your work and this page emptied my box of tissues so I have to go get some more.
For the last two spines, I'll be going with traditional rainbow colors (ROY G BIV style). So Volume 6 will be indigo, with Volume 7 in violet. ^_^
I'm really sorry about the blurry Volume 1. There's a lot I'd like to fix about the first book - the blurriness, the only book with no editor, my name is wrong on the cover because I hadn't legally changed it yet at the time and I ended up going with a different middle name when I did. Someday, I'd like to get around to fixing that. I was just responding to someone else about color books some, and unfortunately, because I no longer have the editable files, it'll probably take a bit of time to fix/make changes. But maybe hopefully someday I'll have time to make that happen. :)
My heart and mind exploded here. ❤️
Readers of Rain's journey may speculate on what happened to Marcus after he left, but since Rain has dismissed him, I shall too. I don't give a flying fuck at a rolling donut what happened to him.
Marvelous job, Jocelyn. Thank you so much for all you do <3
Also, "The One True Dad" made me laugh
If you can’t solve relationship issues with someone in person, doing it in a dream or some spiritual session can be even more powerful.
this page is both empowering -and- some of the best work you've done, absolutely beautiful🖤
I can't believe Rain is about to enter the final chapter
This story has been so important to me in the past decade
It gave me the confidence to become the woman I am today
Thank you Jocelyn
I can't wait to see how you end the story
It can be so powerful to throw away the name given to us by those who didn't bother to stick around! You continually write story arcs that I can see parts of myself in..
Also when Rain wraps up, any chance of a color physical book or color pdf version of the whole comic? (maybe complete with those Rain extras from the black and white physical books?)
It may yet happen, but it'll be a timely, costly project that's hard to fit in right now (especially for Volumes 1 and 2 which unfortunately don't have the editable PSD files anymore). So don't wait up for this; it may be a while if at all. But I do hear people asking for it, so I'll keep it in mind. ^_^
Thank you for making this wonderful series.
:)
"he abandoned his young child and dying spouse."
When I read that, I had this fantasy of Marcus showing up in person and Fara hitting him with a child support judgement for the years since he disappeared.
Mriel?
Mr. Iel?
Duderiel?
I've got Marcus and Piggy so far. Any other wearers of symbolic glasses I should consider?
Good work. Please give yourself a pat on the back for the good work!
Now then, sappy speech all said and done, returning late December, mmm? Sounds suspiciously like a Christmas gift ;3 (I'm joking you don't actually have to do that)
But it's not the end and I eagerly await the final chapter (and that last page of the letter!)