#batim thomas

[raven-anime]

Thomas Connor beloved 💛

[salpho]

We need to talk about what happened with Mike D.

For those who don't know, Mike D, co-creator of Bendy, has stated that Thomas Connor is a white man. He's done this before with Norman Polk, too. Because of this, drama has arose which led him to make his account private, and shortly after, deleted.

This thread on Twitter gives details of what happened, screenshots provided for those who can't view it below-

I must state as a disclaimer that no matter what he's like, past or present, we should not seriously be wishing death on him. The person who said they wished death on him has since retracted their statement, as said and shown in the thread above.

The two characters, Thomas and Norman, were nearly universally agreed upon to be black men, and have been implied and coded to be black through their voices, their interactions with other characters (especially in the books) and likely many more things I've missed, only to then be revealed to be canonically white.

Mike D has also stated (correct me if wrong) that he believes minorities are forced, unless the character's identity helps the story. Think of Buddy from Dreams Come To Life being Jewish, and how his religion effected his story.

This is erasure. The fact they decanonised the books that show these important interactions, the fact they led us on, being told your identity or race must serve a purpose in fiction, is all erasure. If you are part of a minority and see a character like you have that part of them stripped away or forgotten, it sends the message that people like you must be censored and eradicated, especially knowing how many minorities were treated historically. Being told minorities are forced unless given a greater purpose in storytelling reinforces the idea that being part of any minority is abnormal and thus, wrong.

TheMeatly has recently addressed that the cutouts used in all games post-BATIM had (accidentally) stolen fanart and plans to use a new texture in future games. This is proof that he has improved as Bendy merchandise has used fanarts without permission years ago.

In contrast, I have yet to see Mike D improving on any of his past actions. I really do hope he does, but right now, things do not seem hopeful. He must understand the messages he's spreading, intentional or not, and improve.

EDIT - There are actually some signs regarding his improvement in other areas. When the KindlyBeast team was laid off, he did make an apology post for them, and his "We make stupid games for stupid kids" quote doesn't seem to apply seeing the M ratings newer games are getting. Courtesy to the other Bendy wiki staff to giving me these points.

However, I do think there's still an issue with how he views minorities. Here's to hoping for the best.

[himbo-artist]

My favorite gent boy!

[thefinalpages]

This image refused to leave my mind when I was showering so I drew it cause I think Sammy saying "Figaro" in place of "Fuck" is hilarious </3

[eyep0calypse]

this is how negotiations work right

also live wally reaction

[skxllbxnny-arts]

napkin drawings, anyone?

[howdy-folks-its-showtime]

Thomas Connor, the most reliable engineer and one of the wisest souls in the studio, you would be a fool to not respect him for the important work he has done. The man who helped create the infamous ink machine while not as much of a character as a lot of his coworkers, still has his rather interesting aspects. One of the most obvious being his lack of an arm, the amount of people who underestimate him due to being disabled always has Connor shaking his head but you can all rest assured he does his job just fine without the extra limb. To those who are more invasive about the lack of an arm, “I was born this way” is the only answer that awaits them.

Despite the rough exterior, Thomas is a very soft spoken man, he rarely raises his voice even when mad and his calm attitude is surprising, considering what he deals with on a daily basis. He may grumble and complain, but not much else, even when being prodded for a reaction. There’s few things that get on Thomas’ nerves enough for him to voice frustration, one of which is being disrespected and another is disregard for safety regulations. It’s no wonder with that knowledge that Thomas and Wally have butted heads quite a few times.

The old mechanic has been trying to lend Wally a bit of advice when it comes to dealing with the pipes of the ink machine. Though it seems all the knowledge given has been in one ear out the other, considering the amount of times the stairwells been flooded alone. Connor rolls his eyes and tells everyone that kid is hopeless, but half an hour later he’ll be doing his best to teach him again, which is either very kind or very stupid of him. The two of them have their problems with each other sure, but their care for each other is strong and they’ll always have each other’s backs. Even as Norman jokes about Thomas having adopted himself a son in Wally, Connor will huff but leave his response unsaid.

Norman can think what he wants to think, so can Scott for that matter.

Yes Scott is an interesting character in Thomas’ story. An old friend of his, back from when the war was raging on and they were both brought on board as mechanics for it. The two quickly found themselves gravitating towards each other when they had off time, chatting and joking amongst themselves. Scott always loved hearing about what Connor had on his mind and Scott’s jokes were needed to take their minds off the reality of the war around them. When the war finally ended the two men met again working under the elusive and powerful Nathan Arc or at least his company Gent.

The two were happy to catch up on what had been happening in both their lives, Scott bouncing from job to job but hoping to stick with Gent as long as he could and Thomas had mostly found himself struggling for work until he found Gent, but the reason why was so obvious neither men said it out loud. No reason to rub it in after all... Hoping to put their struggles behind them for the night the two hit up a bar with a friend of Scott’s. The oh so bright accountant and occasional office worker; Grant Cohen.

The chemistry between the two was instant and Scott could tell, he had a bit of a feeling they would get along but he had really outdone himself this time. Grant and Thomas loved to talk to each other, even the most mundane of conversation topics became fun to discuss when it was with each other. Thomas’s grumpy but caring nature endeared him to Grant a lot and Thomas was surprised by how bold Grant could be in admitting his attraction to him. When Thomas ended up as a mechanic in Joey Drew Studios, Grant found the strange stories he would come home with very entertaining and when it became clear Joey needed someone to help him both manage the finances and legalities of the studio, Thomas knew exactly who to suggest for the job.

With a good head on his shoulders, his wonderful husband and a love for the studio and the people in it, Thomas is one of the best employees Joey has. His loyalty should never be questioned and despite his gruff nature, he cares deeply for his friends and the family he has made in Joey Drew Studios. Anyone who underestimates his strength, his care or the great work he does is simply foolish. He’ll go to hell and back for this studio and if anyone’s gonna be giving up on it anytime soon? It sure as hell ain’t gonna be him.

[hunter-the-sad-skeleton]

Listened to my youtube mix and a song came up that reminded me of this fucker. The Connor.(Y'all don't get to see under the boxers unless you pay me or are Miss Allison herself.)(Reblogs appreciated, and if ya want, feel free to draw him, just tag me please lmao)

[strawoa]

Makes them all tiny

[doberart]

Doodle dump time! Took some character suggestions on Twitter for some warm-ups.

[raven-anime]

JDS Employees request from Twitter Part 1 those designs are based on 1920-1940 fashion and also the bendy novel description as well if one exists

[lunaticpebble]

do you have a take on what thomas connor would look like?

yea :)

The darn thing is broken again!

[toonyangel]

More doodles + The Projectionist! :)

I think I'm going to be designing the toons more thoroughly next! I've got a few doodles of them but nothing super final!

[xxwildarcherxx]

Bendy and the ink machine content whaaaat!?

Allison and Thomas had to be part of this funny trend xd

[skxllbxnny-arts]

LET THOMAS FREAKING CONNOR BE SILLY AS A TREAT (he wouldnt do any of this but shut up. it is just fun to draw ok)

[ink-incorporated-official]

How would a studio drinking party end up? Who’s sober who’s lost a shoe who’s so drunk there making out with the plant thinking it’s somebody else?

(I reckon no one here has had alcohol in decades so if they ever did find some, it would not go well.)

Hour One

Hour Two

Hour Three

Lesson learned: Do not peer pressure the near all-powerful man who has never had alcohol into chugging one

(I spent like 10 days or something procrastinating on this even though it was fun. Thanks for the ask!)