I’m puzzled by Mark’s motivation about getting justice for Rusty. I mean, it seemed he was initially concerned about the source and effects of pollution on the lake, itself, which is proper, not so much assuaging Rusty’s feelings. I must have missed something along the way. As for any influence of an article published in an online teen magazine, who knows, in spite of Happy’s optimism. Shouldn’t Mark also be sending his research on to the regional and state pollution boards (or whatever they call it over there)? Well, the comic strip world and the Trailverse have their own laws of reality that we, in the real world, can only marvel at. Or laugh at.

Art Dept. I think the composition in panel 1 is an interesting departure from the closed-in, eye-level layouts we’ve been seeing. Having Mark talk a walk outside with Happy behind him is a cinematic trope that reinforces Mark’s doubts as he airs his feelings. It would have also been nice to get some advice from his old confidant, Ralph the rat snake.

On the other hand, I am physically put off by Happy’s facial expressions in panel 3 and panel 4. The “smile” looks positively lecherous, and the heavy-handed inking of the mouth doesn’t help.