It's been over two years since the last update to Pandora's Tale by @comicsbyxan . That means it's time for me to do a reread with live commentary! Spoilers incoming! If you've read any of my previous rambling reread commentaries, you might notice something a bit different this time. In the past, in addition to my opinions on the comic, I include lots of notes of what's happening in the story. I make those notes as reminders of things I expect I'll want to reference later in my reread. I also sometimes note plot points that I forgot about since my previous read through. For Pandora's Tale, I probably don't need to make any reminders to myself about the plot or character details as I read. I've reread Pandora's Tale many times since it ended, and it's pretty short, allowing me to keep most of the details in my head. If I want to find the page where a specific thing happens, I can navigate the archives to find it pretty quickly without notes. Moreover, I have already organized summaries of the plot and all the characters into a wiki, so I don't need to do it again during this reread. When rereading parts of the comic to edit Pandora's Tale Wiki, I usually used the online version of the comic. For this reread, I am going to use the ebook (for the parts that are in the ebook.) So, without further ado, let's start. Chapter 1: Broken, Part 1 After all these years, the cover page remains beautiful. Maybe it's just my own difficulty reading most Helpers' gender presentation, but I think it's nice that Pandora gets feminine hair here while the other Helpers don't. And who are these other Helpers? We'll never really get to know them, because they have their own Tales, and we just get to see Pandora's Tale. I also really like the effects of the inner cover (which I think is book-exclusive?) The cold-open of the first chapter always stands out to me, because it's one of the very few times in the comic we see events out of chronological order. I also love how the world slowly becomes clearer as Pandora opens her eyes, literally and figuratively. Pandora's opening question to herself hits me particularly hard right now, as I lost parts of what I thought made me myself, and keep asking myself who I am. I love how Pandora and her friends keep smiling through most of this seen, even as the events are horrifying. It makes it extra strong when she drops her smile. The wide shot of all the Helpers is really really cute, especially the one leaning against the wall with their leg up. Also, the signs in the background feel like the natural endpoint of the kinds of signs I see hanging in public schools. I have the ebook magnified more than I would normally have the web version, and Pandora's eyes are so much cuter in large size. I should reread zoomed in more often. Pandora looks so much more attentive at the doctor's office than a cat would be: a reminder that Helpers are not actually cats. And yet, I always get a smile out of her playing with the roll of bandages. Oh hey, that sleeping Helper in the background looks like she's in an uncomfortable position, but maybe being cat-like means she can handle it. Wow, the effect of Pandora going from super smiling to sad to terrified to running in a few panels is incredible. I felt energized as I see Pandora's face turn towards determination. As the rest of the main cast enters, I like the shift from how everyone at the Helper Corporation facility acts like they're okay with what's going on, to the resistance members (well, most of them) seeing Helper slavery for what it is. After getting to know Pandora during her escape, the climax of the first chapter is the perfect introduction to the rest of the main cast. I can feel Isabelle's naive benevolence, Con's jaded pessimism, Veronica's thoughtfulness, and Zero's assholeishness from just a few pages. The dynamic between them is so different than it was during the equivalent scene of A Portrait from Space, and I think it flows better this way. Hey, I forgot about the cute book-exclusive drawing in between chapters. Chapter 2: Broken, Part 2 I'm like Isabelle, trying in vain to assure myself I can do something really hard. Except she can actually do it. It always feels bittersweet to read the main duo's mutual coming out, as Pandora has learned she's a girl, but still thinks she has to feel bad about it. Pandora's innocent, smiling "no" always feels like a gut punch. Catgirls manage to be cute even when in pain. I love the effects in Pandora's eyes when she tries to think of a name. That was me coming up with my own name. Also, Pandora managing to (albeit momentarily) startle Veronica will always amuse me. Also, I like that Xan managed to get "people wear masks" a year in advance. The pollution and the signs on the buildings clearly establish this world is a dystopia for humans as well as for Helpers. (Also, they are a lot less blurry ) I always get a laugh out of the juxtaposition of Isabelle saying Noor is "super nice," with Noor's initial attitude towards Isabelle. Also, Noor's office has our first non-dystopia wall signs in the comic. I'm not sure if Xan intended it that way, but I like the tone shift it gives. No Noor! Don't tell Pandora she's broken! I really appreciate that one of the first pieces of worldbuilding we get is "what are Helper endocrine systems like, and how does that affect HRT." The kitty eyes gag gets me every time. This comic always astounds me with how quickly it oscillates between sweet and dark. Oh yeah, the lollipop caused me to go down a rabbit hole awhile back trying to figure out what a Helper diet is like. Isabelle's apartment feels so nice. Messy, cramped, but home. Panicked Isabelle happens a lot this storyline, and seems to get rarer after this. I like how Helper training didn't take into account the possibility that someone might live in a really small cramped apartment. Isabelle may be naive in some ways, but she's an expert in making sure everyone is comfortable regarding touches or the lack thereof. Oh yay, more book-exclusive bonus art. The ending of Chapter 1 was intense and shocking. The ending of Chapter 2 is so sweet. No matter how many times I reread this comic, it never stops hitting me just as hard. Come back next time for Sisters in Arms! #PandorasTale #Webcomics