#the linework >>> so worth it looks amazing

[toast-tales]

okay. so. this might be a bit out of nowhere, but i think it's important for people to know the impact that their creations have, when they're brave enough to release them into the world.

so i discovered ITWOM roughly a week ago, and i honestly couldn't tell you precisely why, but i haven't been able to stop thinking about it. i have it pretty much permanently open on an AO3 tab, i've re-read it (+CC and the one shots) multiple times and it's never lost its luster, and i really have no idea what about it appeals to me so much, but i just wanted to let you know that it's honestly become a new hyper fixation? like, i've literally scrolled through almost all of the posts under the tag for it. your writing style, the plot, the arcs, the amazing characters and their development / relationships with each other—i love it all.

i eagerly await the return to this world, any AUs/new plots (that one snippet of danny and christopher stuck in the human world seemed so interesting), or even little head canons or details you post, because above all, i think one of the best things is that it's so clear just how much you care about this world and these characters you've created. that's an incredibly admirable and inspiring trait, and it shows in your work: which makes it that much more enjoyable to read.

tl;dr i like ur stuff a lot!! + can't wait to see what else you do ^^

Believe me when I say I nearly started crying when I read this. This is so sweet you have no idea 😭

It really means a lot to me that you like what I've made! Over the years the story has meant so much to me to write, and by this point the characters feel like real people I just catalogue the lives of, lol. For other people to find some meaning or worth in what I do as well, it's still amazing to me.

I wish I could tell you what I've got coming up, but I've honestly been pulling back a bit lately as real life has been catching up to me. Cursed Cravings is still on hiatus - not given up on! I will return to it eventually!

HOWEVER, I have an actual bazillion AU ideas, some of which I've enlisted the help of some of my close friends to write with me (looking at you, @luckyshotwrites ). While most of this writing is currently just for my own sake, or kept private, I do hope to share some of it in the future. For now, all I can do is share a collaborative drawing I did with @luckyshotwrites of a scene from one of those stories...one that I hope will be shared whenever we end up finishing it.

And, even if I'm not super active on Tumblr anymore, my ask box is always open and the ITWOM discord is still up and running. Headcanons, writing requests with my characters, questions about them or the world of ITWOM, anything - I'm more than happy to do any of that! I've expanded my worldbuilding a lot since finishing ITWOM.

And, again, THANK YOU so much for this. It really means the world to me. ❤️

(Sketch was done mostly by Lucky - she's super awesome with people and faces! She also helped with the shading, which again, she's super awesome at. I did the linework and coloring. This is Christopher, obviously, and her main character Lynette...though what's happening here, I can't quite say. Maybe one day 👀)

[grumpy-gamedev]

First 100 boxes...

It's been a bit of time since I last posted, but rest assured, I've been hacking away at the draw a box course like an animal. I managed to pass lesson 1 and got amazing critique through the official critique program (absolutely worth the patreon membership). And I got great pointers on what I should focus on going forward.

My linework needs a lot of attention, and my ellipses are in dire need of love, and by looking at the curriculum I will get grinding on both throughout the course, so that feels comforting now that I'm in the thick of it!

As of today I finished my 100th box for the 250 box challenge! So I'm through the 2 first parts of the exercise, now it's the rest 150 of them and then I'm totally ready for lesson 2!

(Page 1 with the first box and page 20 with the 100th)

I've also started some sketchbooks, one for general sketching and one for anatomy studies. I've gone through periods of anatomy studies in the past, but I hope getting a better go at it this time around when I can add spatial reasoning into the mix and think more about the form side of things. I try to keep away from just digging into the details and something I will force myself to do is to apply lighting from imagination instead of just going with the reference (this will be hard at the beginning, but I hope I will get better at it throughout the DaB course).

Here's a sneak peak at what I've been cooking in the sketchbooks thus far:

(First out the anatomy sketchbook page 1 and 2)

(The general sketchbook, some orcsesses, goblins and Guts from Berserk, also tried Griffith, but I need to redo him as it didn't really translate here)

For the sketchbooks I go for the ballpoint pen as it's a good medium to do sketching, but still works similar to the fineliners I use in the DaB course in the way that I can't erase what I put on paper. This so I force myself to pay attention to the marks I put down and use the amount of focus needed to progress with my drawing. I expect the sketchbooks will have various quality which is absolutely fine.

Now I'm off to do some more anatomy studies! I will try to keep the blog updated as I progress, it's a great journey and after the first critique received I'm psyched to go through the rest of the course in the coming year!

Cheerioz!

/ Glenn the Grumpy Gamedev

[amimiru]

your art style is literally so yummy! it looks like traditional paper art with a pencil but it isn't( I think) What brush do you use?

Hello!! sorry for the late response 😭 I usually start with a pencil-on-paper drawing which is mostly finished and redraw or retouch stuff digitally. I especially work like this on black and white drawings, the ones that are colored are painted with charcoal and inking brushes that you can find on the graphixly ultimate brush pack, those are sadly not free but very worth it, they are my favorite charcoal brushes ever and used them for everything ❤️‍🩹 as for free brushes I use a lot:

this one i use for details, the texture is amazing!

https://assets.clip-studio.com/en-us/detail?id=2049613

this one is a chalk pencil that has a great texture as well

lastly, this 6b pencil blends really well with traditional linework!!

pretty long-winded answer 😅but hope it helps!

[nnmdraws]

Hi!

So I recently downloaded Webtoon and of course the first thing I searched for was your adaptation of the fic, ‘A Horrific Fantasy’! I didn’t realise it was a fanfic, so I might wait until Alastor is introduced in the comic before reading as I really don’t want to be spoiled on what he’ll be like in it.

So, I started reading the webcomic and I was just in absolute awe of every single thing about it. I’ve reread it multiple times now because I just love your art style so much. The colors, the linework, the beautiful detailing on the text boxes, all the textures in the backgrounds, the composition (I especially love the start of the Prologue and how the text box drips into the present day), the amazing human designs of all the characters — IT’S ALL AMAZING!!! 🌟

I loved it so much that the first thing I did when I saw my friend today was show the comic to him, and then I did the same thing when I called my family from home today — I was just showing them all like LOOK AT HOW AMAZING THIS IS!!

Besides me being an art student who loves to fangirl about these things, I also wanted to ask if you have any art advice for people who want to make comics or just any general advice that helped you improve as an artist? No worries at all if not, though!

I also always like to ask people who their favorite artists are as I find it interesting to learn about other people’s inspirations, so if you’re happy to share about that as well I’d love to know!

I hope this ask wasn’t too long, but I’ll finish it off by saying I’m really looking forward to future chapters (no rush at all, though — I understand these things take a lottt of time and effort to make) as well as all the artwork you post here on Tumblr because it’s all incredible! Hope you have a nice weekend! :D 💖

I don't think it's worth waiting for the comic to check out the fanfic, because it will take me a long time to get to the chapter with his first appearance (and my work schedule + additional art for the soul is not helping with this, haha)

Well, considering that I'm just self-taught, I can only advise a lot of watching and practicing. This is how I learned: I didn’t have any special courses or training (although that’s obvious, I guess xD), I just found cool guys and tried to adapt some their details to my art - sometimes it worked, sometimes not, and in the end we have what we have now.

Favorite artists… Pixmilk (his Inktober art is absolute gold), Piсolo-kun (or rather his challenge 365), Thomas Fischbach and his comic "Twokinds" (love how simple and harmonious his style looks), Nicholas Kole, Glen Keane and his sketches. I also really adore the old stylized cartoons like "My Life as a Teenage Robot" and how the designs don't even try to be realistic but are still expressive.

Aaaand thanks for the feedback! ~<3 This is my first comic where I do both the storyboard and the art myself (in my previous comics I was just an artist, the layout was done by the author), and such a high rating motivates me to continue trying (◕‿◕)

[green-cat-com]

Child laughter, time butterflies

By Gaya Cajzer

Look around you,

Don't just look, look and see,

behold, take in, appreciate.

Wonder at these great little things that surround you

that you take for granted and overlook, discard without a second though.

Stand amazed at their simplicity, the complex,

absurd easiness with which they come and pass:

A breeze, a sunset, horizons painted with swathes of colour,

fingerprints on pottery and imperfect dumplings,

slanted cakes, wobbly linework, crooked ribbon bows tied with little fingers.

Dust in the air lit up by the sun shining through your west facing window,

And when you see these things,

Time slows down, the rapid current of adulthood slows to the mellow childish pull of “why’s that”s and “how come”s,

The colours don't pass by in a blur but mull around you, opening their wings and fluttering before your face in a languid dance,

Just because, just because you looked to see,

They catch your eye and wink, mouth pretty little nothings at you

So you stay a little longer, walk a little slower, breathe a little deeper

Inhale consciously, exhale even more so, match your pace to the sound of the wind in the trees, close your eyes to see the red of the sky through them, to hear the birdsong just a little clearer.

Let time slip through your fingers, gently guide it down your palms

to the warm, warm ground.

Revel at the bittersweetness of it all and look back on those moments you had that you miss, and forward to those you will come to see

And when they come, look at what is around you, and see

that it was worth slowing down for.

[pravindave2307]

Tattoo Trends for 2024: What's Hot for Women

As the world of body art is constantly changing, tattoo trends are always fascinating and motivating because they give people a number of ways to expose their personality and talent. 2024 provides plenty of fresh and distinctive choices for women who wish to decorate their bodies with significant tattoos. Let’s dive into the most popular tattoo trends and find out the best tattoo ideas for women this year.

1. Elegant Minimalism: Less is More

2024 is the year of the “less is more” mantra in the tattoo world. Elegant minimalism is becoming more popular, where women prefer small-scale, subtle designs that convey deep meanings. To appreciate the beauty of simplicity, delicate symbols such as hearts, moons, or a simple word with deep meaning would be perfect. As far as women are concerned, sometimes the subtlest touch can make a great statement when it comes to choosing the best tattoo for women.

2. Nature-inspired Beauties: Embracing the Elements

2014 is the year of nature-inspired tats, with designs that revel in nature’s beauty. It ranges from complex representations of flowers themselves to calming illustrations that depict their connection with the Earth. Imagine a gentle wildflower on your wrist or an impressive mountain range along your collarbone for an amazing nature-inspired design.

3. Watercolor Wonders: Vivid and Vibrant

In 2024, watercolour tattoos will take centerstage for those who are desperate to have a splash of colour. This is the practice of seamless blending shades so that they create painterly skin. Visualize a bright, hot hummingbird or an ethereal galaxy, each brushstroke resembling watercolour. Although searching for tattoo designs for women, don’t miss the opportunity to be impressed by watercolour wonders.

4. Fine Line Femininity: Embracing Intricate Details

Fine line tattoos are very fashionable, enabling detailed designs highlighting the skill of an artist. Women select designs with dainty linework and create very appealing, sophisticated works of art. A fine-line floral arrangement or an elaborate animal portrait completed by your collection may represent the spirit of refined female fragility.

5. Symbolic Sisterhood: Tattoos with Meaning

Women’s tattoos in 2024 are taking on even deeper levels of personalization with designs that mean a lot to them. Nowadays, symbolic sisterhood tattoos celebrating the bonds between women are becoming more popular. Play with the idea of matching tattoos with your best friend or sister, each design based on some shared experience or a symbol to underscore the bond that will never be broken.

6. Vintage Vibes: Nostalgic Tattoo Choices

Vintage-style body art seems to be gaining its popularity again, with all the charm and timeless appeal, radiating old-school attractiveness. Celebrating the beauty of nostalgia, women revel in the inclusion of classic elements such as pin-up girls, retro florals, or traditional anchors showing their way onto the skin. When looking for the best concepts of female tattoos, do not disregard the classicity of vintage accents.

7. Celestial Beauty: Stars, Moons, and Beyond

And women prefer celestial tattoos, which symbolize the majesty of the endless enigmas of the universe. Drawing stars, moons, and planets using inks on the body creates a genuinely celestial and magical look. And so, if you opt for a small crescent moon on your ankle or a constellation of stars across your back, that cosmic beauty will never fall out of fashion for the soulful-hearted.

2024’s thrilling world of tattoo artistry floodgates are wide open to women who have a burning desire to turn their feelings into something of real worth. Every trend has something unique to offer, such as beautiful minimalism and watercolour wonders. Those who embrace these trends can find a lovely way to decorate their body with a beautiful piece of art that truly reflects their personality. When thinking about which tattoos are best for girls, do not forget that there is nothing more important than finding something that means a lot to you.

[duskkodesh]

The Absolute Best Morbius Comic Art

So since I did that post on my least favorite artists that have drawn Morb I have to do the opposite and show my absolute favorites. This sadly will only include comic art which means three of my favorite artists will be excluded as they’d only done covers but I doubt you all want to hear me gush over Kyle Hotz, Ryan Brown, and Ivan Shavrin, for hours with like one or two jpegs to show you. Also not included are my mutuals because Oh My LORD is some of the fanart on Tumblr fantastic! Nope, have to stick to official comic art only. Maybe later I’ll do a post of my favorite standalone pieces of comic art but I would feel weird reposting fanart (even with links and credits of course) Also this was SO hard to put into an order. I wracked myself over the numbering. I’m still leaning towards going back and changing it I love these artists so much!

10: Larry Lieber. I absolutely fell in love with the way he’s drawn in the newspaper strips and while the artist for the Sunday strips is also amazing it was Larry Lieber’s art that really got me. It looks vintage but is pretty damn new (2011), has great lines, perfect face, emotion I just *Chef’s kiss*

9: Max Douglas. Remember that I said one of my fave Morb short stories in both art and content was in Morbius #25? It’s this story: Drainage System of which Max Douglas did the art. It’s gritty but clear, the backgrounds are full of details. The art carries the exact mood of the story and I have been rereading it fondly since 1994. The main story of this issue is.... ehhhhhhh but it is worth picking up just for Drainage System. 

8: Marcelo Ferreira. Artist for most of the 2019 series and an absolute talent! His work is gritty and makes Morb ugly in the best most apropos way. Love his heavy use of thick block shadows to define form, and he’s a genius when it comes to fabric folds and hair. This is one of two artists on this list I own a piece from (A page of the 2019 series issue 5) and I wish I could have gotten more.

7: Ron Wagner. Needless to say his art absolutely made the 1990′s series (up until he split due to conflict with the writer) and it was one of the big reasons I initially picked up the comic. If Marvel had picked another artist i don’t know if nine-year old me would have put that book in my arms and marched to the register. I do own a piece from him too. A page of the 90′s series, Human Morb getting mugged because that page was one of my favorites. Hoping to see him at a con one day so I can bring it to him.

6: Tom Reilly: Artist of the 2021 issue Bond of Blood. Retro style again, very much inspired by Gil Kane’s original work and I love it. This is a pure winner of a comic with so much drama in it and they found the perfect artist. Morb is all lean lines here which is my preferred frame for him, large red eyes, stark detail. It’s just a visual treat!

5: Tony Moore. Oh Tony Moore of the Punisher Frankencastle arc how I love your art, let me count the ways! 1. Amazing details in every inch, 2. Crazy crammed backgrounds, 3. Perfect facial expressions, 4. Style that harkens back to old school horror, 5. fluid motion, amazing lighting details, 6. The hatching! The shading! I have to stop or I could gush forever.

4: Guiseppe Camuncoli of the ASM No Turning Back arc. This man. This man right here! Everyone he draws. EVERYONE is a visual feast. He cuts back on the shading I normally crave but makes up for it in starkly contrasted linework with full detail. The way he draws Morb’s eyes is so unique but it works! The facial lines, the fabric folds, and the facial expressions are so perfect! 

3: Gil Kane. I know, making him #3 when he invented the aesthetics of the character is me being harsh. It’s just that there are two artists I love so very much in style just for my tastes. Still Gil Kane is arguably the basis for all good Morb art and his splash pages are so amazing that I own three wearing copies of that T-shirt with one on it. I wear them to work. I have no shame in my love for Morbius or for Gil Kane.

2: Kev Walker, the artist for Marvel Zombies 4. This was a hard decision but I love his style on Morbius so much. The glowing eyes, the formation of his cheekbones. His claws, teeth, expressions they are just perfect to me. He’s a bit buff in this series but I chalked that up to ARMOR actually feeding him regularly instead of him skipping meals. This entire four part story is great, and it’s worth it on art alone even if zombies aren’t your jam.

1: Without a doubt in my mind ‘Slammin’ Sonny Trinidad. A Filipino artist who worked for Marvel in the 70′s he often inked others work but he penciled my favorite comic of all time and in my opinion he did it better than anyone could have hoped to. This is my favorite Morbius, with Kane’s eye style but soft pencil detail, hatched shading, and so much emotion in every single panel you see him in. This beats out every dead stare sarcastic tone rendition of Morbius I have ever seen. Celso ‘Sonny’ Trinidad passed in 2009 and will forever be missed. 

[falling-pages]

The Sweater: KyoHaru

You didn't think I'd let the faves get off without any angst, did you?

-

Kyoya Ootori x Haruhi Fujioka

Genre: Angst

Warnings: Parental fighting, arguing

-

Haruhi paced the length of her bedroom, cold carpet crunching beneath her feet. Despite the heat blasting through the house, she shivered, running her hands up and down her arms, the cashmere sweater a lying temptation on the bed. She had bought it for this very purpose, to keep her warm when snow fell briskly outside, but despite the goosebumps racing up and down her spine, she couldn’t bring herself to put it on.

Burning guilt washed over her, flooding through her veins. A weight settled against her stomach, almost forcing her lunch back up. This was wrong and ridiculous, stressing out so much over a sweater. She’d just return it and get it out of the way. Hands washed, end of story. Easy fix.

But as she touched it, ran her fingers over the silver stitching along the collar, she felt that same wonder creep up on her like it had in the store, in the dressing room, when she saw it on the manican and when the attendant said she looked like a star. The feeling of beauty when she saw herself illuminated under showroom lights came back like a headrush. Normally, black tended to wash her out; but with the intricate linework and beading stretching down the fabric and along the puffed sleeves worked wonders on her figure, ruffling the area near her chest so that she didn’t look as flat as a black hole. Despite her adult womanly figure, she needed all the help she could get.

Still, some pretty patterns couldn’t justify the sheer amount of money she dropped on the thing.

“Shouldn’t have even gone in the damn store,” she muttered, carefully wrapping the sweater back in tissue paper and lowering it into the gift box it came in. It was more than six months’ worth of groceries when she was a kid thrown away on a piece of clothing just as functional as the other fifteen sweaters she had in her closet. Granted, money wasn’t an issue for her anymore, but it was the principle of the matter. Plus, Kaoru always insisted on gifting her the first of everything in his new collections, so she had closets and drawers overflowing with the finest designs.

“You’re returning it?”

The voice of her husband startled her, sending her hand flying to her chest as she spun around to face him. Nothing had changed since his high school years--he still lurked around every corner, silently lingering in conversation, watching and listening. It was smart business, sure, but right now it only enhanced her bad mood.

Haruhi rolled her eyes and closed the box, leaning against the edge of the bed. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling less than amused. “It’s too expensive. I can’t justify the cost.”

Kyoya chuckled, crossing the room to look into the box. He had caught a glimpse of it from the doorway, but now that the light hit it, he was awed by its beauty. “It’s beautiful,” he whispered, tracing his fingers over the pattern. “Especially with the holidays coming up. How much was it?”

Her timid, “45,000 yen” was certainly not what he was expecting.

“Only that?” he asked, genuinely surprised. He gazed down at her, having grown only a few inches since they met, and tipped her chin in his hand. “Haruhi, we spend more on a night out to dinner.”

Her eyes were blown wide, eyelashes black and fluttering against her skin. It amazed him how she always had this air of innocence concerning finances, despite how long they had been together. “Yes, but that’s for all of us. It’s a gift. We spent that money feeding ourselves and Chikao. This sweater would just be for me, and I already have more than enough. It’s wasteful.”

Kyoya’s eyes landed back on the sweater as his mind began to wander. “This sweater would be a gift for me as well,” he whispered, sweeping his wife’s hair to her other shoulder to expose her neck to the chilly November air. She may not have understood the intricacies of the pattern, but he understood very well exactly what the lines and stitches accented and how they led the eye to all the right places. “My pretty wife wearing this, and letting me look at her? Enjoying her beauty and warmth? Getting to enjoy unwrapping this gift for myself? Worth the price, in my opinion.”

He began kissing her neck, but she shrugged him off, leaning away to focus on the packaging. He frowned but obeyed, laying off and letting go of her waist to lean against the bed. “Haruhi, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“I told you, I spent too much money,” she grumbled. “I’m going back to return it.”

“Darling, my family is among the wealthiest in the world. You needn’t ever worry about that.”

Haruhi snapped, slamming the box closed with her fist and whirling around to him, eyes shining with fury. “Our family, Kyoya. Ours.”

“Yes, ours.” He knit his brow together. Is that not what he said?

She scoffed and shook her head. “Apparently not, from the way you talk about them. There’s always been a divide between me and them. And I know it’s because I’m a commoner, I didn’t grow up with the money and power and influence that you did. I’m sorry I had to work for everything instead of being handed it on a silver platter.”

Kyoya opened his mouth, but she kept going, knocking his attempt aside.

“Because you were. I know you had to go to college and grow up like the rest of your siblings, but you didn’t earn your spot in your father’s company. He gave it to you. And even if he didn’t, if he didn’t give you a single cent, your last name is enough to get you the top spot at any place of work in Japan.” Her breathing was ragged, unkempt, hair falling back into place. “So forgive me, Mr. Ootori, if I use my own money to buy things and then regret them and then return them so I don’t have to owe you anything.”

“You don’t owe us anything, you’re my wife--”

“But I do!” She threw her hands up in the air, laughing at the insanity of it. How could he be so smart, but still not understand? “I do! Nothing is mine anymore. I can’t make any of my own decisions because yes, it is our bank account, but most of the money comes from you. Everything I have comes from you or your father. My job, my house, my livelihood, even my son. My own son, Kyoya, because he bears your last name, and will grow up in your house and will receive your inheritance, and despite the fact that I carried him for nine months, he’s more your child than mine.”

Kyoya’s jaw snapped shut at the mention of his son. “Leave Chikao out of this,” he seethed. “He’s from the union of our love, not a pawn to be used in an argument.”

“Yes, he gets the luxury I could never afford,” she said, humorlessly. “Don’t you remember when we were in school, Kyoya? How yours and Tamaki’s fathers bartered for my hand in marriage? How my dad sat cheering on the sidelines of the debate as he watched the brideprice rise higher and higher, while the three of us sat by helpless?”

Yes, Kyoya remembered. He remembered the contract his father signed with Ranka, ensuring his daughter a place of power and wealth in marrying an Ootori son. Barely of legal age, yet their lives already decided for them. The thrill of winning the woman he loved still nettled beneath his skin.

“We were lucky it was each other,” he said. “We were lucky we were already in love.”

Haruhi dryly responded, “Yes, we were. We were kids. Are you going to do that to Chikao? Make him sit there silently as you haggle with another poor man over the price of his daughter like you’re debating an estate sale?”

The insinuation stung. “Haruhi, you are not an object,” he said, unable to keep his tone from rising. “I thought I made that clear! I thought you knew how much I loved you, and that I wanted you to make that choice! Marry me, marry Tamaki, marry someone else or never marry, it was up to you. Once we were of age I found a way to let you out of the contract to do whatever you wanted. You refused.” He clenched his fists in his pockets, the cool metal of his wedding band digging into his skin. “So don’t tell me you had no say in this. Before we walked down that aisle I made it abundantly clear you could leave if you wished. But you stayed. You stayed because you said you loved me, and I love you. More than anything on this earth.”

Haruhi always had a very bad poker face. From the look in her eyes and set jaw, he could tell the gears were spinning in her head--trying to see if there were still a loophole she could exploit.

But before either could come up with another biting remark, a small, singsong voice sounded from the doorway.

“Why are you fighting?”

Both adults turned to see their little Chikao, barely five years old, peeking his head in. Their figures reflected in his large brown eyes, reminiscent of the eyes that Kyoya had fallen in love with, yet now looked at him with so much heated anger, brimming with tears.

There was something in the way that Haruhi ran to him and scooped him in her arms that made him feel alone.

“Don’t worry, sweetie,” she whispered, gently smoothing over his hair. “Mommy and Daddy were just having an adult conversation.”

Whatever her true thoughts, she played the part perfectly: a wife he adored, a mother he could depend on to keep their child safe. Kyoya approached them, pretending to ignore the way her body tensed when he wrapped his arms around them both, enveloping their son between them.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered in a way that was meant for both of them, as he kissed each of their brows. “We’ll work something out. I’ll do anything to make sure we never argue again.”

Haruhi stiffly leaned into him, tucking Chikao’s head into the crook of her chest as she rested against Kyoya’s neck. Their little boy chirped, “Can I see the sweater, Mommy?”

Both adults met eyes, swallowing in alarm at the thought of how much he had heard. So he had taken after his father, lurking in the silent places and keeping track of conversations. “Sure, honey,” Haruhi whispered, carrying him over to the bed.

She propped him up to allow him a look in the box, where his little hands smooshed and traced over the stitching of the sweater. His little face alight with wonder, so much like his mother’s, that Kyoya wondered why she could ever think he was more his son than hers.

“It’s pretty,” he said, and that statement alone moved a mountain.

“You think so?” Haruhi asked, and when their son nodded his head, she looked back up to Kyoya with an odd sort of smile on her lips. “Then I’m keeping it. I’ll keep the sweater.”

Kyoya swallowed his grief. “Thank you, Chikao.”

-

Kofi

[yurimother]

LGBTQ Comic Review - Amongst Us Book 1

A masterful combination of comedy, subtle romance, and incredible sensuality

I make no attempts to hide my complete admiration and infatuation with Shilin Huang's Yuri webcomic Amongst Us. The slice of life AU featuring reimagined versions of the lead characters from fantasy series Carciphona as a lesbian couple has held a special place in my heart for a long time. I named the series one of the best Yuri works of the past one-hundred years, can frequently be found lurking in the author's Twitch streams, and even have a wall in my office dedicated to the artwork of the main couple (or I did before my office became a remote classroom). So, when a Kickstarter by Shilin and Hiveworks Comics launched promising a print version of the work, I was eager to support it financially and promote it with my humble platform. The Kickstarter took place in March, and books were initially estimated for release in May of 2020. However, as you have probably realized by the dates alone, the world went very South around this time. A combination of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, a healthy amount of bad luck, and what I am inclined to believe, for various reasons, was some awful mismanagement by Hiveworks led to numerous delays. Indeed, by the time the book finally shipped, I had moved, so my copy arrived a little later as it had to be forwarded. But, at the end of this frustrating and anticipation-building event, I finally have the volume in my hands, and it was worth the wait. While I adore the webcomic, this gorgeous print volume completely enthralls me. The book is absolutely the preferred way to read this spectacular comic.

Before getting into the exquisite details of Amongst Us Book 1: Soulmates, I need to take a minute to praise how well this book is put together. The paperback binding is thick and features amazing spot glass that sparkles in the light. This feature only accentuates the fantastic and bright the cover illustration of main characters Veloce and Blackbird loving holding each other is. The back cover has a simpler but more imaginative illustration of the two flying through the sky, and the character's expressions tell you everything you need to know about this fantastic, odd couple. There are a few things you will notice upon opening the volume. The first is how well Amongst Us made the challenging transition from vertical webcomic to the page. The assembly and paneling are fantastic and clear, and chapters feature stylized illustrations and title cards. You will then see the inside cover, a powerful display that perfectly contrasts the front's glowing and tender love. Finally, there is Shilin's presents moving forward and dedication, where she lovingly dedicates the book to her partner, Kristen.

I assure you, as good as the book's presentation and assembly is, the contents within are even better. Amongst Us follows Veloce and Blackbird's bombastic relationship. The two women are eccentric and striking musicians in their early twenties, and I swear you will never forget them. The slice of life storylines are, per the genre's definition, mundane and include events like shopping at the mall, riding the train, and having lunch with a friend. The charming simplicity of the story serves well to the reactions of the characters. Shilin effortlessly transitions from adorable moments of affection to explosive and hilarious comedy and irresistible and delightful moments of sexual tension; Veloce's neck and jawline alone could topple a monarchy. Often, slice of life works can become dull or repetitive, but these stories and the frequent changes in tone help the reader stay engaged and excited.

Putting slice of life aside for a moment, it is also important to note that Amongst Us is also has an interesting place within the Yuri genre, or "Girl's Love/GL" as it is often called in webcomic circles (originally an analogous term of Boy's Love). Webcomics have often been a bit more adventurous with their storylines and styles than Japanese manga. While the genre rose to popularity in the space thanks to digital manhwa and manhua, some (not all) of the Yuri tropes did not carry over between the similar mediums. Many modern webcomics and webtoons take their inspiration more from manhwa and manhua GL, which has developed its own canon and tropes over the years. However, even for a webcomic, Shilin's work feels somewhat divorced from most other worlds of Yuri. This first volume exists mainly against the Yuri genre's expectations. However, the next book, which flashes back to the couple's origin, undoubtedly is more in line with convention, for better or worse. It feels like the author decided to screw the norms and write a work that she would enjoy, and I am so glad that she did. Veloce and Blackbird are young adults, out of school in an established relationship with no drama. This (sadly) unconventional setting is made all the more irregular because of just how distinctive, and unwonted Blackbird and Veloce are.

Blackbird and Veloce, originally from the fantasy world of Carciphona, take on a new life, literally, in this wonderful modern reimagining and homage. You do not need to be a fan of the original work to enjoy their bizarre and larger-than-life personalities. Indeed, when I read Amongst Us online for the first time, I had not ever even heard of Carciphona. Veloce is the quieter and more stoic of the two, although she is not afraid of showing a more relatable and human side as she reacts to Blackbirds wild antics. Veloce's (not)straight man approach is hilariously sobering. But, her best moments are in those when she lets loose a little bit, like when she is rendered drooling by the promise of her favorite smoothie or in her stoic yet alluring flirtations with Blackbird, only to get close enough to steal a healthy chomp of ice cream.

Blackbird, on her part, is completely insane. She continuously pulls of wild antics like jumping on Veloce to surprise her or singing an especially threatening song after a glorious battle over lunch. However, she is perfectly capable of showing her love and admiration for Veloce in her own cheeky way. However, true to form, each softer or more personal moment between the two is often immediately and perfectly juxtaposed with comedy, with the apparent exception of the book's touching and thoughtful finale. Veloce and Blackbird will both more than please readers individually, but you will fall in love with them as a couple. I must have read this at least a few dozen times between the webtoon and the book, and I am just as enchanted as ever by their loud and unapologetic love.

The ordinary misadventures of Blackbird and Veloce are accompanied by genuinely astounding artwork. No, that statement does not do Shilin's illustrations justice. Veloce and Blackbird lead from the page thanks to stunning, full-color illustrations that detail every moment of hilarity. Every movement from the slightest smirk to the over-the-top dramatizations of regular events thoughtfully and beautifully sprawl across the pages and invite you to stare for hours. Shilin is the only person possible who could make something as simple as someone softly singing Happy Birthday so epic and sultry. Speaking of which, my goddess of Yuri is this work titillating. No, there are no gratuitous scenes, but just the characters leaning over each other or touching the other's chin makes my hands shake. My only small complaint is that some early chapters show their age slightly with noticeably lower quality linework and flatter colors than the dazzling and dynamic work demonstrated towards the end. Still, even on its worst day, Amongst Us looks better than most of its peers and the entirety of its many inferiors.

Amongst Us is nearly the perfect work. It has a uniquely compelling and mirth-inducing way of displaying a young yet very unordinary couple's everyday life. Its characters, from design to personality, are instantly memorable and striking. Despite being ready to rip each other's heads off at the drop of a hat, or rather because of it, Blackbird and Veloce feel the perfect and natural couple we so rarely witness. Shilin's masterful combination of comedy, subtle romance, and incredible sensuality is astounding. This book is worth it for the outstanding and vibrant artwork alone, but its combination with excellent writing create a sonorous and majestic modern romance unlike any other. I believe that Shilin has created something genuinely special here, and I can confidently say that out of the hundreds of webcomics I have read, this one is the pinnacle of its kind and my absolute favorite.

You can purchase Amongst Us book 1: Soulmates exclusively on Shilin's online shop and read the webcomic now for free on Twitter, Webtoon and Tumblr​ @okolnir​.

Ratings: Story – 9 Characters – 10 Art – 10 LGBTQ – 8 Sexual Content – 5 Final – 10

[eregyrn-falls-art]

Tagged by @fordanoia​ (thank you!) - I did a 2020 summary of art, and now it’s time for some self-positivity!

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 8 (ish) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, crafts, projects, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome work!

I don’t know if I’ll do 8?  But here goes.

1. Ford as King Bacchus (for JK Simmons birthday, Jan 2020) - while not the most sophisticated painting job, I still feel okay about the work I did on the clothes and the crown especially (gold is hard).  It was good practice for experimenting with painting techniques in CSP.

2. Trust/Paranoia (for Forduary, Feb. 2020) - one of those instances in which the dynamic of the poses and expressions really came out the way I wanted them to.  I thought this had some good drama to it.

3. Six Characters Fanart Challenge (May 2020) - actually completing this felt good!  And it made me feel good to do a set of mostly non-GF characters and remind myself that I can, in fact, still draw other faces and so on.  (Listen, don’t get me wrong; I have drawn the grunks So Many Times over the last few years because I wanted to, because it brings me joy!  But I do worry about getting in a rut sometimes.)

4. Childhood (June 2020) - first time trying just some straight-up painting for the background here, based on photos of my childhood home on the Jersey Shore, and memories of those magical dusk hours playing on the beach.  I’m usually a linework kind of person, but I think I just had a sketch for this background and built on it.  It’s always still a learning curve, but it came out well enough that it makes me feel nostalgic.  I look at it and can almost feel the coolness of the sand. I miss it.

5. Stan Twins’ Birthday (June 2020) - look I just thought these little tree-octopi were the cutest things.  Overall I still like these two pieces; I like the mood of the landscape I did for the top piece, too.

6. Dipper & Mabel’s 21st Birthday (Aug 2020) - I really liked how the mood and lighting of this one turned out as well.  (Even though I like the expressions I did for the sequel with Stan and Ford better.) This became by far the most popular piece I’ve ever done, like, it’s not even close.  I think that has mostly to do with timing, but I’m also glad that happened with a piece I genuinely feel good about.

7. The Mystery Trio in: Not, In Fact, a Ghost Story (Oct 2020; also on AO3) - the thing I’m proudest of this year, by far: a comic 2 years in the making (off and on, but mostly in 2020). Thank god for CSP.  (In a lot of ways it’s better that it took long enough for me to get CSP and become comfortable using it, because I think it made it better, and in some ways flat-out made it possible. I could have done it without, but it would have been SO much harder and would have taken longer.)  I learned so much doing it. I still feel pretty good about it.

I’m coming in pretty late with this so it’s hard for me to know who’s done it and who hasn’t. So I’m going to tag a few people, and feel free to do it, or not; and if I miss out anyone, please know that if you want to do it I would genuinely love to see it!  Even if you can’t list 8.  Even if you can only list 1 thing you did in 2020 that you feel good about, that’s worth it!  Be kind to yourself for whatever you managed this year.

Tagging:  @gruvu​, @anistarrose​, @marypsue​, @smudgethistle​, @sightkeeper​, @thelastspeecher​, @rum-and-shattered-dreams​, @pirably​, @scribefindegil​

[mellowswriting]

Congrats on 100! For the requests can you write something with Marcus Pike where he never knew the reader had tattoos because her ex hated them so she covers them up with their clothing. I hope its not too specific or odd ❤ (Sorry if this sent multiple times, im having internet issues)

Ink

pairing || Marcus Pike x Reader

summary ||  Marcus discovers your tattoos - and why you hid them from him.

word count || 1,546

warnings || shitty ex, kinda hurt/comfort

Main Masterlist  |  Join the taglist

Your day, put simply, was going absolutely shittily.

First, you woke up feeling amazingly well rested. Sounds like a great thing, right? No. Unbeknownst to you, your phone charger became unplugged and your phone had died overnight. Without your alarms to get you up and caffeinated, you were left to scramble into your office attire and out the door with a frazzled mind and zero coffee in hand. You knew better than to try to tackle what was starting as a difficult day without the energy boost, so you bit the bullet and stopped at a café on your way to work. 

Foolishly, you thought your morning was looking up when you made it through the line in record time - until you took a sip of your coffee and simultaneously burned the everloving hell out of your tongue and learned that your order was not only incorrect, but entirely undrinkable. The attitude in which you dropped the to go cup into the trash outside of FBI headquarters could’ve brought the entire building down, but that was neither here nor there. You couldn’t find it in you to be frustrated with the sweet baristas at the café - they were overwhelmed with the morning rush, after all. No, your frustration was placed solely on the universe.  

In a last ditch effort to save your morning, you stopped by the break room for a cup of shitty office coffee to take back into your little office. You were frazzled enough that the team didn’t stop you on your march through the bullpen. With the blinds open to let the early morning sunshine warm your back, you settled at your desk and finally took what felt like the first somewhat calm breath since you opened your eyes. You grabbed your worn notepad and began jotting down the list of tasks you had to get done that day, grateful that it was mostly humdrum paperwork and not anything grueling. You wouldn’t have had the spoons for that. 

There was something about having each of your responsibilities laid out and ready for you to tackle that made you feel much better. A small light at the end of the tunnel. You took a deep breath and began filling out your latest case reports, your practiced fingers flying over the keys of your laptop. Of course, in true fashion, the universe decided to put you in your place. You reached for your coffee, eyes still on the laptop screen, and severely misjudged the distance and managed to tip the cup over. 

“Son of a bitch!” You hissed, shooting out of your seat at the bite of hot coffee dripping down your front. Instinct had you ripping your blazer off and pulling at the buttons of your blouse, desperate to get the soaked fabric away from your skin. At least you were wearing a tank top beneath it, even though it was thin enough to be almost see through. “You have got to be kidding me.” 

Three quick knocks rapped against your door and you didn’t even have to guess who it was - Marcus Pike, your coworker, good friend and his latest title - boyfriend. He never strayed in his little patterned knocking, something you found endearing even when you were having a comically bad morning. 

“Come on in, Marcus!” You called out as you dug around in your drawers for the wipes you kept there. Marcus entered with a bright smile that faltered slightly at your disheveled state. Your tone is almost sarcastic as you continue. “Good morning.” 

“Oh, honey.” Marcus said, quickly closing the door behind him before anyone could catch a glimpse of you sliding your blouse off. The dark, intricate lines inked into your skin caught his eye immediately but he didn’t let his gaze linger. 

He couldn’t lie - he had noticed the constant long-sleeved blouses and sweaters you wore, but didn’t pry. If you had something you wanted to hide from the world, Marcus was sure you would tell him when you were ready to. But now that he knew it was just what appeared to be some amazing tattoos, he was a bit confused. They were beautiful. Why would you want to hide them? 

You were obviously having a hard time. The hard set of your jaw and scrunched state of your eyebrows would have been enough to tell him that even if he wasn’t watching you try to clean the coffee from your skin with a pack of wet wipes. Your hair wasn’t tied back like it usually would. Instead it hung loose around your shoulders, falling in your face every now and then and making you huff in annoyance. 

Annoyed, sticky, and absolutely over the day, and you still looked god damn ethereal. How did he get so lucky?

“How can I help?” Marcus asked as he rounded your desk and you gave him a grateful smile. 

“Can you grab the extra shirt from the cupboard? Thank god I have a back up at least.” If there was one thing you could always count on, it was Marcus Pike being the best man on Earth. You smiled when he handed you the clean shirt before he began wiping your desk clean. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

“Of course,” Marcus tossed the soiled wipes into your trashcan, grinning and pumping his arm animatedly when they went in. What an adorable dork. He ran his hands up and down your biceps gently and you almost shivered at the warmth of his palms. “What happened?”

“Coffee has betrayed me at every turn this morning.” You pouted again as you leaned into his chest. The sight of Marcus staring down at you with that concerned, loving gaze made fluttering erupt in your belly. 

“So I suppose I shouldn’t ask if you want to get some with me for lunch, huh?” Marcus asked with that breathtaking mischievous smile and you couldn’t help but crack up at him. His thumbs rubbed circles into your skin and you glanced down, watching his fingertip run over the lines of your tattoo. You realized with a jolt that he had never seen them before. 

Your body art was something you loved - you didn’t spend endless hours in a chair getting stabbed with needles a million times for nothing. The dark swirls of ink were intricate, something that you used to be complimented on often. Until your ex came along, of course. It wasn’t as if you hid them from him. No, he was well aware that you had tattoos and planned to get more, so when he asked you to cover them up before going out one night you had been confused, and then pissed. 

Who the hell had he been to tell you to hide a part of yourself that you loved?

Those subtle requests morphed into small jabs and complaints. Over time, you began covering them by habit, trying to avoid the whole mess altogether. It wasn’t worth arguing about, you convinced yourself. Once he tried to convince you to get them removed? No, that was the last straw. Even though he wasn’t even a blip on your radar, you still found yourself keeping them covered, a small, insecure voice in your head warning you of a threat that was no longer there. 

You held your arm out, giving him silent permission to openly follow the linework, and Marcus took the opportunity with a smile. His touch was as gentle as ever, up and down your arm from piece to piece. “Sorry, I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea,”

“Do you like them?” The question catches you off guard but you nod immediately. There wasn’t a doubt in your mind about their importance to you or their beauty. Marcus shrugged. “Nothing else matters then.”

Tension you hadn’t even realized you had been holding melted away from your chest. The way he looked at you… it was the same appreciation and intensity he reserved for the artwork obtained by the team, his gaze hungry for every detail he had the honor of seeing firsthand. 

“Do you like them?” You whispered, your curiosity getting the better of you. 

“They’re beautiful.” Marcus doesn’t miss a beat. “I’d love to hear the stories behind them, if there are any.”

“Yeah, there are a few.” You guided his hand up to press a kiss to his knuckles before settling back on your arm, your chest thick with an emotion you couldn’t quite name. Marcus immediately began following the lines again and you chuckled. “You really like them, huh?”

“Honestly? I think they’re sexy.” Marcus murmured as he pulled you against his chest by your waist and you positively flushed. The image of Marcus’s tongue tracing your tattoos enveloped you unbiddenly. You bit back a groan - that man was going to be the death of you. 

You pressed up on your tiptoes and kissed him. The woes of your morning faded into the background at the delighted sound he gave against your lips, one hand abandoning your waist to hold you steady at your jaw. You draped your arms over his shoulders and lost yourself in his warmth, his comfort. There wasn’t a thing in this world that Marcus couldn’t make better with a few soft words and a gentle touch.

[docgold13]

Hello, opioid user returning. Thanks as always for your great, thoughtful response. Basically I’ve suffered from bad depression for a long time and I noticed when I was prescribed these meds I felt happy/at peace for the first time in years and nothing I’ve tried before has ever given me so much relief.

I can sympathize. My wife had a minor surgery a good while’s back and they gave her a number of pain killers to deal with the recovery. The Oxycontin made her feel just awful to her stomach so she was like ‘just chuck these in the garbage.’ And, being kind of a nitwit, I was like ‘well, if we’re throwing hem out I might as well try one and see what all the fuss was about.’

It was amazing. Never has my mind been so at peace. I was just drawing in my sketchbook, chilling with the cat, happy as a clam and blissed out of my melon. All my troubles felt a million miles away and my linework in the sketchbook was on-point.

It was fun, but also trouble. And I flushed the rest of those pills down the toilet because that is a drug I could get hooked on in a heartbeat.

But I digress… I suppose the deal is that opioids are a dopamine agonist. This means they facilitate higher levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine throughout the brain. Regular antidepressants mostly work on the serotonin and norepinephrine systems. And it may be that your depression is based around a lower than average baseline for dopamine, not serotonin nor norepinephrine… which would explain why more traditional antidepressant medications have not worked.

Levodopa is a medication primarily prescribed to patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. It’s an amino acid that helps elevate dopamine levels. Although it’s off-label, I have heard of individuals with atypical depression being treated with Levodopa and it may be something worth looking into.

Other treatment modalities that have shown positive results for atypical depression include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy and medical ketamine. I’ve even heard about treatments that utilize micro-dosing with hallucinogens. I’m not an expert in any of these methodologies, but have heard promising things about them for individuals who don’t react favorably to the more common medication approaches.

Please keep in mind that I am not your doctor and none of my comments should be considered official medical advice.

Of course, as I psychotherapist, I remain a big proponent of talk therapy… particularly the kind I employ that combines interpersonal insight therapy with CBT. I feel confident that this can be helpful for you if you can find the right clinician. There are lots and lots of headshrinkers out there and a good number of them aren’t all that great. But if you can find a good one, it can make world of difference.

In any case, all of these options are worth checking out over continued use of opioids. Because, as previously stated, it’s a dangerous proposition that almost never ends well.

again good luck and please send more asks if there are any follow up.

[mark5349399]

Wk06 Tutorial

In my Pinterest board this week I've been mainly influenced by 2 designers - Thomas Feichtner and Begum Tomruk (which Rob linked to in an earlier post on Tumblr). Both designers are really fascinating. Thomas has a huge range of drawings available on his website (really helpful, definitely worth a look, way more available than I could find on Pinterest) and most of his work is completed in pencil. His linework is amazingly expressive and accurate, in particular when describing difficult curves. It's clear he's practiced an enormous amount and I find his work really inspirational. It's beautiful and accurate all at once, and his feel for proportion is exceptional. I discovered him in our communications class last semester and I've been a fan since.

Begum is a new discovery, and her skills in rendering are amazing (so much more work on her personal instagram than Pinterest). She's able to convey so much detail about curve / texture / material / surfacing, it's really impressive. She seems to utilise a combination of regular and wide copic markers to great effect, her sense for composition and reflections is excellent and she also has an interesting choice of angles, some of which I haven't seen too much of. The main thing that really impresses me though is how she's able to have so little bleed despite how much she uses markers in her work. I have no idea how she does this, whether she draws first with markers then later with pen, or if she has another approach altogether. I need to figure this out.

The biggest takeaway from looking at the work of these designers is the reminder of just how good their sketching abilities are, and it's also a reminder it's no accident. Clearly they've spent so much time honing their skills, and it really resonated with me this week. If I want to get anywhere as a designer I really need to focus on practicing drawing. I want to challenge myself to draw every day for a week, with the hopes of turning it into a long term habit. I need the practice, but also I really want a career as an industrial designer and it's such a competitive industry. If I'm not going to give it everything then what am I doing?

Further comments - I prepared the digital composition this week in Procreate, like many of my classmates. I've owned the app for about 6 months but never spent the time learning the software, but after this week I'm hopeful this will change - even over the course of this week's exercise I learned so much about the app's ability to use layering and grouping, brushes / text / colour selection and colour library management, and just how powerful it is. It's seriously impressive. I was happy with my linework this week, and some of the curves came out ok but with practice I'm hopeful my ability will really improve in this area. I feel like I learned quickly, especially regarding the advantages of layering and keeping linework on one layer and different colours etc. on other layers, making for a non-destructive workflow and ease of changing at a later point. Also I need to learn how to render light, curves and materials more accurately. My final work is still very basic and not particularly accurate, but I know I can do better

[smokeybrand]

This is the Good Life

I read a ton of manga. I find the content coming out of Japan to be far more genuine and creative than the sh*tshow comic industry we have here in the states. I’m not saying there isn’t good content to be found in the massive annals of Marvel and DC, i am in particular love with whatever the f*ck is going on with the X-titles right now, but that is the exception, not the rule. Japan is different. Even the most blatant shill of a cash-in has a unique spin to it. When the moe boom happened and we were inundated with slice of life fodder for a decades, shows like Higurashi, Toradora, Haruhi, Lucky Star, and basically anything out of Kyoto animation, were absolute masterpieces. Each tells a distinct story, adapting that cutesy art style to their respective strengths, and it worked beautifully. The homogeneity of formulaic content here in the US, isn’t really a concern overseas and that is a wonderful thing. It makes for amazing storytelling and a creativity freedom, even when awash in trend or fad. I say all of this to preface the fact that Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life is chef kiss levels of shine, even if it is a manga staunchly entrenched in the grating isekai fad.

Now, i say “grating” in the glib sense because i genuinely love the isekai genre. I have for decades, going back to Escaflowne, El Hazard, .Hack, and Rayearth. What i think most people are frustrated with, is the OP protagonist in these stories. You can only identify with some, overwhelming, power fantasy, so many times going into these tales. How do you frame that narrative? how do you keep it compelling? You don’t. Entries like Overlord and Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken do a great job avoiding that stagnation by building out the world around their ridiculously plot-armored mains but that doesn’t work all of the time. If you want a character driven narrative, you have to build great characters. You have to make your principal cast affable, flawed, and fun. I think that’s the strength in Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life. You almost immediately fall in love with the cast you’re going to sped all of your time with and that’s absolutely necessary because this story is as much about the world building as it is about the main cast, themselves.

Slow Life follows Eizo Tanya, who is hit by a truck in the process of saving a cat, who turned out to be an inter-dimensional god or something. Since the Kitty deity f*cked up and was almost “killed’, causing Eizo’s death in turn, it offers to reincarnate him into a brand new world with a mad overpowered cheat skill. Eizo gives it a thought and chooses - blacksmithing! You see, Eizo was a salaryman, bitterly unhappy with his life in the old times. He wanted, more than anything, to be able to work with his hands in the new world so, instead of asking for he power to be a Hero or some vicious Demon Lord, he just wanted the ability to make dope sh*t in the woods. Kitty Deity is a little surprised but grants Eizo his wish and, boom! We have the foundation for a pretty delightful romp. Stuff happens, Eizo gets a tiger wife and a dwarf apprentice. His craftsmanship is the best in the world and his tale toward legendary status begins.

The simplicity of this narrative is one that has a level of accessibility not found in most isekai. The simple desire of a man, overworked and looking to be fulfilled, to find value, in what he does with his life, really resonates with cats like me who have been in the workforce for decades. I left my job a year ago to pursue my dream of crating so i identify with Eizo’s passion to be more than just a cg in a machine. More than that, i love the way he is written. Eizo feels real, like a proper person lost in a world of fantasy and magic. The supporting cast is also amazing and decently developed. I immediately fell in love with tiger waifu, Samia. She is capable, tenacious, curious, and f*cking adorable. There isn’t a ton of groundwork about her past being laid but i have a feeling we’ll definitely get into that as the narrative develops and i can’t wait to see where that leads. Newcomer to the story is the dwarf apprentice, Riku Moritz. We haven’t had a great deal of time with her so far, but she comes across as a studious, knowledgeable, junior who yearns to be the best at her craft. She reminds me of Miles Morales from Into the Spider-Verse, to Eizo’s Peter B. Parker and i adore that type of dynamic. We are only a handful of chapters in, but this story seems like it has legs and i look forward to where it goes in the future. I’d say it’s a slow burn, but it really isn’t.

I was hooked from chapter one and a lot of that, aside from the great writing and developing character work, stems from the artwork. My, goodness, is Slow Life gorgeous! There is a purposeful elegance to how these lines and strokes come together. The line work is clean and precise, granting each panel thjust the right amount of detail hile staying true to the artist's personal vision. It's actually very refreshing to see. The style is very distinct and carries it's own, unique hallmarks, similar to Toriyama or Oda, but slightly more relaistic than those. I am absolutely in love with it. Like, i follow a few trash rags because the art is dope and immediately hooked me. Isekai Meikyuu de Dorei Harem Wo, Gunbured X Sisters, or Kouya Ni Kemono Doukokusu immediately come to mind, all decent in their own right, but it’s very obvious the strength of these entries lies in the art. True to form, it took a while for me to get into their respective narratives and, in all honesty, they’ve gotten pretty good but those first few chapters were a bit rocky. The art kept me coming back and now, these three are some of my favorite titles to read. Slow Life did not have that issue. The art immediately took my breath away. It felt like cracking open Tsugumomo, BLEACH, Lv2 kara Cheat datta Moto Yuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life, Gleipnir, Meikyuu Black Company, or Isekai De Skill Wo Kaitai Shitara Cheat Na Yome Ga Zoushoku Shimashita: Gainen Kousa No Structure. That’s a lot of titles but i am a slut for great, unique, artwork and these entries hit my sweet spot immediately. I’m just lucky that the narrative accompanying them was enough to do the linework justice because it would have been a shame to abandon these titles over sheer ugliness. Slow life definitely dodged that bullet. It is, without hyperbole, some of the best looking manga I've seen in years.

Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life is absolutely amazing. It’s an easy read filled with exceptional art, deft character work, and a world that is both compelling and growing steadily. Eizo is a great protagonist, easily to identify with and none of the edgelord OP, baggage most Isekai protags tend to have. Samia is a delightful love interests who carries a quiet strength and enjoyable naivety, which immediately endears and Riku is just plain hilarious. This laid back narrative of a smith who just wants to make dope sh*t, while being dope to his tiger wife and faithful apprentice is an distinct palate cleanser in a world of power fantasy saturated, isekai, trash. I love this book and feel like more people should have eyes on it so, you know, got put your eyes on it. You won’t be disappointed. Also, all the other titles i specifically mentioned. They’re worth a gander, too, especially Isekai De Skill Wo Kaitai Shitara Cheat Na Yome Ga Zoushoku Shimashita: Gainen Kousa No Structure and Lv2 kara Cheat datta Moto Yuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life. Them sh*ts is just plain lovable and have two more of these objectively bias essays forthcoming. But that’s for later, for now, go read all of Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life, right now! Is totally worth! Plus, Samia is f*cking adorable, man. Seriously, tiger waifu is best girl!

[smokeybrandreviews]

This is the Good Life

I read a ton of manga. I find the content coming out of Japan to be far more genuine and creative than the sh*tshow comic industry we have here in the states. I’m not saying there isn’t good content to be found in the massive annals of Marvel and DC, i am in particular love with whatever the f*ck is going on with the X-titles right now, but that is the exception, not the rule. Japan is different. Even the most blatant shill of a cash-in has a unique spin to it. When the moe boom happened and we were inundated with slice of life fodder for a decades, shows like Higurashi, Toradora, Haruhi, Lucky Star, and basically anything out of Kyoto animation, were absolute masterpieces. Each tells a distinct story, adapting that cutesy art style to their respective strengths, and it worked beautifully. The homogeneity of formulaic content here in the US, isn’t really a concern overseas and that is a wonderful thing. It makes for amazing storytelling and a creativity freedom, even when awash in trend or fad. I say all of this to preface the fact that Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life is chef kiss levels of shine, even if it is a manga staunchly entrenched in the grating isekai fad.

Now, i say “grating” in the glib sense because i genuinely love the isekai genre. I have for decades, going back to Escaflowne, El Hazard, .Hack, and Rayearth. What i think most people are frustrated with, is the OP protagonist in these stories. You can only identify with some, overwhelming, power fantasy, so many times going into these tales. How do you frame that narrative? how do you keep it compelling? You don’t. Entries like Overlord and Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken do a great job avoiding that stagnation by building out the world around their ridiculously plot-armored mains but that doesn’t work all of the time. If you want a character driven narrative, you have to build great characters. You have to make your principal cast affable, flawed, and fun. I think that’s the strength in Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life. You almost immediately fall in love with the cast you’re going to sped all of your time with and that’s absolutely necessary because this story is as much about the world building as it is about the main cast, themselves.

Slow Life follows Eizo Tanya, who is hit by a truck in the process of saving a cat, who turned out to be an inter-dimensional god or something. Since the Kitty deity f*cked up and was almost “killed’, causing Eizo’s death in turn, it offers to reincarnate him into a brand new world with a mad overpowered cheat skill. Eizo gives it a thought and chooses - blacksmithing! You see, Eizo was a salaryman, bitterly unhappy with his life in the old times. He wanted, more than anything, to be able to work with his hands in the new world so, instead of asking for he power to be a Hero or some vicious Demon Lord, he just wanted the ability to make dope sh*t in the woods. Kitty Deity is a little surprised but grants Eizo his wish and, boom! We have the foundation for a pretty delightful romp. Stuff happens, Eizo gets a tiger wife and a dwarf apprentice. His craftsmanship is the best in the world and his tale toward legendary status begins.

The simplicity of this narrative is one that has a level of accessibility not found in most isekai. The simple desire of a man, overworked and looking to be fulfilled, to find value, in what he does with his life, really resonates with cats like me who have been in the workforce for decades. I left my job a year ago to pursue my dream of crating so i identify with Eizo’s passion to be more than just a cg in a machine. More than that, i love the way he is written. Eizo feels real, like a proper person lost in a world of fantasy and magic. The supporting cast is also amazing and decently developed. I immediately fell in love with tiger waifu, Samia. She is capable, tenacious, curious, and f*cking adorable. There isn’t a ton of groundwork about her past being laid but i have a feeling we’ll definitely get into that as the narrative develops and i can’t wait to see where that leads. Newcomer to the story is the dwarf apprentice, Riku Moritz. We haven’t had a great deal of time with her so far, but she comes across as a studious, knowledgeable, junior who yearns to be the best at her craft. She reminds me of Miles Morales from Into the Spider-Verse, to Eizo’s Peter B. Parker and i adore that type of dynamic. We are only a handful of chapters in, but this story seems like it has legs and i look forward to where it goes in the future. I’d say it’s a slow burn, but it really isn’t.

I was hooked from chapter one and a lot of that, aside from the great writing and developing character work, stems from the artwork. My, goodness, is Slow Life gorgeous! There is a purposeful elegance to how these lines and strokes come together. The line work is clean and precise, granting each panel thjust the right amount of detail hile staying true to the artist's personal vision. It's actually very refreshing to see. The style is very distinct and carries it's own, unique hallmarks, similar to Toriyama or Oda, but slightly more relaistic than those. I am absolutely in love with it. Like, i follow a few trash rags because the art is dope and immediately hooked me. Isekai Meikyuu de Dorei Harem Wo, Gunbured X Sisters, or Kouya Ni Kemono Doukokusu immediately come to mind, all decent in their own right, but it’s very obvious the strength of these entries lies in the art. True to form, it took a while for me to get into their respective narratives and, in all honesty, they’ve gotten pretty good but those first few chapters were a bit rocky. The art kept me coming back and now, these three are some of my favorite titles to read. Slow Life did not have that issue. The art immediately took my breath away. It felt like cracking open Tsugumomo, BLEACH, Lv2 kara Cheat datta Moto Yuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life, Gleipnir, Meikyuu Black Company, or Isekai De Skill Wo Kaitai Shitara Cheat Na Yome Ga Zoushoku Shimashita: Gainen Kousa No Structure. That’s a lot of titles but i am a slut for great, unique, artwork and these entries hit my sweet spot immediately. I’m just lucky that the narrative accompanying them was enough to do the linework justice because it would have been a shame to abandon these titles over sheer ugliness. Slow life definitely dodged that bullet. It is, without hyperbole, some of the best looking manga I've seen in years.

Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life is absolutely amazing. It’s an easy read filled with exceptional art, deft character work, and a world that is both compelling and growing steadily. Eizo is a great protagonist, easily to identify with and none of the edgelord OP, baggage most Isekai protags tend to have. Samia is a delightful love interests who carries a quiet strength and enjoyable naivety, which immediately endears and Riku is just plain hilarious. This laid back narrative of a smith who just wants to make dope sh*t, while being dope to his tiger wife and faithful apprentice is an distinct palate cleanser in a world of power fantasy saturated, isekai, trash. I love this book and feel like more people should have eyes on it so, you know, got put your eyes on it. You won’t be disappointed. Also, all the other titles i specifically mentioned. They’re worth a gander, too, especially Isekai De Skill Wo Kaitai Shitara Cheat Na Yome Ga Zoushoku Shimashita: Gainen Kousa No Structure and Lv2 kara Cheat datta Moto Yuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life. Them sh*ts is just plain lovable and have two more of these objectively bias essays forthcoming. But that’s for later, for now, go read all of Kajiya De Hajimeru Isekai Slow Life, right now! Is totally worth! Plus, Samia is f*cking adorable, man. Seriously, tiger waifu is best girl!

[rayne-storm]

50 Word Prompts - Malcolm Astr, Martin Esmer

Hands

"Surgeon's Hands" have never been so literal, or so beloved. At least, that's what the younger man thinks as he feels them caressing his body with expert care.

-

Sleeve

The first time Malcolm sees the fairie without his arms covered - since the Incident - he has to remind himself that maybe the man is sensitive. He stares, but in simple admiration.

"Do they hurt?" He asks, cautious as ever with his fragile lover.

"Not any more."

And like that he's touching and kissing, pressing adoration into the marked and starred limbs.

-

Rescue

"I'll get you out for good some day."

Well, it was some day. The sirens blaring and the riots diverting most of the attention, it's a simple thing, really, for the changeling boy to slip in, pick a few locks, and slip right back out with his beloved in tow.

-

Opera

Martin never heard his boy sing before, he realizes, as a lovely tune floats from down the stairs where Esmer is making breakfast. He doesn't recognize the words, but it's all in French anyways.

Mostly he's amazed at how well it carries. A miracle they haven't gotten noise complaints. He'll have to try harder, then. And maybe introduce his boy to Mozart.

-

Water

It very quickly becomes apparent to Malcolm that the childhood "game" Astr is describing is straight up torture.

"And your father told your 'friends' to play this with you…? Even after you asked them to stop?"

-

Shopping

Martin immediately notices the unconscious longing Esmer holds in his gaze as they pass the baby clothes. Suddenly envisioning his lover plump and round and full of his legacy, he can't help but long as well. Soon, he resolves, they'll be adding that aisle to their weekly outing.

-

Street

"Astr, I told you, it's a grid system."

"And I told you I don't know what a grid is."

-

Window

He found glass markers in a discount bin and has been painting the windows for an hour now. It's the only part of Notre Dame that he misses, and Martin has been such a help, printing photographs and using those surgical hands to do the intricate linework.

-

Cooking

"And you're sure this one won't poison me?"

"My love, I can't even tell with you any more. But no, I've let other human people try this and no one's died yet."

-

Quiz

"And this is..?"

"The… the hippo… hippocampus?"

"Very good, my boy! You're doing great."

He is so grateful he decided to try and understand Martin's passions. It's only fair.

-

Storm

Malcolm had thought the faerie would be afraid of thunder, but it's adorable to see him running and dancing in the rain. He hasn't really been… joyful, since Malcolm saved him that night. It's a sign of healing. And, he idly thinks, he has a part in it.

-

Time

"It doesn't really mean anything to me any more."

Go figure. Allegedly a thousand years of living will do that to you.

But he does see the need to spend as much of it with Malcolm as possible.

-

Picture

Martin sketches and paints the young man constantly. He cannot help but be offended when he learns Esmer has never seen himself in a photograph, and several tasteful shots (and a brief break with a decidedly un-tasteful couple of shots), and a small pack of photo paper later, Esmer really can appreciate how accurate the art is.

-

Blanket

When it starts to tatter, Astr gifts Malcolm with a new, larger weighted blanket for their cuddle sessions.

-

Light

Martin had never really appreciated the rainbow of colours different times of the day could have on skin until he had a darker lover. Blues and purples dance in the moonlight, followed by hours at an easel trying to mix the paints just right.

-

Shade

"I burn easy. Even easier now," the faerie mutters from beneath the parasol. He however will force Malcolm out to get some sun. It's good for him.

-

Pool

Large bodies of water frighten him, but if Martin gets in, he can too. He feels safe, knows he won't drown, knows Martin won't shove him down until he passes out. So he can get in, can also enjoy the sight of his lover's body, which seems like his reward.

-

Leaves

"No way. No. No. You're kidding."

Cronch cronch.

"Delicious."

He really just ate a leaf. Was he taking a joke too far? He won't tell.

-

Sweet

Strawberries taste much better stolen from his lover's lips.

-

Color

"So, are all faeries as colourful as you?"

"My brothers are, yes, but we come in all shades and palettes, really."

Malcolm finds he likes a little more blue in his life.

-

Phone

"Do I really need this?"

"Yes. I need to be able to reach you if I need to."

He didn't expect the addiction to bejeweled, and maybe he regrets getting his love a smartphone.

-

Race

"Okay so you're a faerie. But you have a brother who's an elf?"

"Half-elf. He has a tail and pointier ears and no wings, and he's a lot more muscled than me or our youngest brother, but he's also a lot more colourful than most elves and his skin takes tattoo ink very well."

"So is this a distinction in species or…?"

"No, it's more like how you humans are all different colours."

"But it's more dramatic than that?"

"A little. But thinking about it now I think it's a lot of political nonsense."

-

Stroll

Walking in the forest beneath a full moon, he can see the ethereal beauties of his lover.

-

Film

"Okay so you call picture-shows what now?"

"It depends on the length."

Human technology is so confusing sometimes, but definitely worth it to watch "Great British Bake-Off."

-

Bottle

"Is that the green fairy I spy? My dear boy I didn't know you had a thing for absinthe..."

"Not really. I just like the colour of the glass."

There are more valuable liquids to fill it with anyway.

-

Art

It unites them, in its way. Though they may not share a common medium, they're happy to create in a shared space.

-

Cork

"Much nicer than rocks," he murmurs offhandedly. Malcolm has no idea if he's serious. It's one of the things he loves the most.

-

Grasp

"I have you. I promise. I have you." He clings to his lover and bawls, finally safe enough to feel the anguish before he loses his mind.

-

Space

"Do you believe in aliens, or is that just a human thing?"

"It would be silly if anyone looked up there and didn't wonder if we're really all alone. Though interpretations differ."

"So just like humans yet again."

"You say that like it's surprising, my love."

My love.

To think the first time he said that would be looking up from the roof of the precinct during a five minute break.

-

Dream

His sleep looks more peaceful now. Good. Martin idly wonders if he comforts Esmer in there too.

-

Scare

When he sees him standing over… something, covered in blood, face snarling and… fangy, Malcolm can't help the adrenaline that shoots through his veins.

-

Mask

"I'm Fine."

Martin knows what it really means.

-

Thrice

Three is the number of times he makes Astr come, minimum, before he'll let himself.

-

Adventure

"Don't drink the wine, or you'll be stuck forever."

"Promise?"

-

Risk

He knows Martin is dangerous. An apex predator, and he might as well be a fluffy little lamb.

-

Security

Malcolm's arms are the safest place he's ever known. Strong enough to help him lift the world from his shoulders, but soft enough to absorb his tears.

-

Hold

With the gentlest touch, Martin realizes, he's more powerful than anyone in Esmer's life.

-

Lie

"I'm fine."

Malcolm doesn't let the hurt show. He knows he has to let him grieve. At least for a while.

-

Chill

"It's so cold…"

The Romani boy is burning up, and Martin knows that this isn't just a cold.

-

Plant

"I think it'll help. Give you something to love while you recover."

Astr's never loved a succulent so much.

-

Door

When Esmer brings home the sonogram, they don't even make it all the way into the bedroom. Martin's so much stronger than he looks, and a doorway is sturdy.

-

Boat

Esmer talks in his sleep. When it isn't about a red room, he whimpers about the rocking.

-

Pet

"Hello my love, how are we today?"

Malcolm never says "Disney Princess" out loud, but he always thinks it when he sees him interact with Sunshine.

-

Embrace

To look at Malcolm, you wouldn't think he would give such incredible hugs. It's Astr's best kept secret.

-

Run

It's thrilling to play predator and prey, to see how fast his lover can go, and the sweet sensation of catching him, making love on the ground, knowing how fully he possesses him.

-

Rest

"Sleep. I'm here. I'll stay here. You can't hurt me."

Malcolm eventually learns to trust that promise. Sometimes he gets 5 hours a night.

-

Break

It hurts it hurts it hurts!!

Nothing has ever hurt more than his heart at this moment. To see his lover, the man he trusted his whole self to, whispering sweet nothings into some woman's ear. Taking her back to their home.

He knew he would never be enough. But he didn't realize how painful that could be.

-

Check

They argue over who pays for dinner more than most couples. But when you're both that rich, and that dependent on being a caregiver, that's only natural.

-

Song

He may not understand the words, but Martin knows the grief. He wonders what died, and has no idea it's Esmer's heart.

-

Night

It takes all night, but he has his Esmer back. His beautiful boy won't ever have to feel insecure again.