(2)

Sometimes I forget that a lack of money and ability doesn't mean you can't make comics (Ingra meets a tree devil in the woods. Why doesn't anyone ever believe Ingra) (1/2)

And last but certainly not least, Journey to the Heavens! This one is also by Kai (or so I believe) and was another story that premiered on Bilibili (also gone with the english version of the site). The art is gorgeous and the story compelling, and I pray for a fully translated english version (8/?)

Like Song of the Sky Pacers, it also premiered on Bilibili, and also like Song of the Sky Pacers, the english version was removed with the english portion of the site. Also locked up in a copyright dispute, but if it's ever released from limbo, I hope to see the artist continue it (7/?)

Next up, Heresy, by the artist Kai (凯). Vastly different art style, but whew does it impress. Features a young cultivator named Mo Lianjian who has the immense misfortune of being a somewhat caring person in an extremely cruel world. (6/?)

The art will immediately hook you, Xia Da is a master of her craft. The story follows 2 twins separated at birth, one raised by a wandering swordsman, the other raised by a very prestigious cultivator sect. Unfortunately the english version on Bilibili was deleted so we may have to wait (5/?)

Okay with that criminally reductive introduction out of the way, here are the 3 cultivator stories that got me into the genre. First up, Xia Da's Song of the Sky Pacers! (Sometimes translated Song of the Sky Walkers). The story, like the other 2, premiered on the Chinese manhua site Bilibili. (4/?)

A cultivator is trying to break out of the cycle of reincarnation and ascend to heaven as a godlike being, which is incredibly risky but grants immense power. I won't go into too much detail but there are literally thousands of cultivator stories as it's a hugely popular genre (3/?)

First, what is a cultivator story? It's genre name is xianxia, and to borrow heavily from wikipedia, it's Chinese fantasy inspired by taoism and other philosophies. You might be familiar with the movie 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon', which is another genre called wuxia. Xianxia is similar (2/?)

I've always bounced off cultivator stories as the power-fantasy/wish fulfillment aspect has been a bit too much for my tastes, but by chance there are 3 that have sucked me in (yes this is another chance to promote Xia Da's work). I'll detail them below (1/?)

I know I've been posting about Xia Da's work a lot but I cannot speak highly enough of it. This is the epitome of cultivator stories, but even beyond genre staples it's a beautiful tale about family and perseverance (and what it means to care about the world). If only it had an English release...

bad photoshops while I wait for my car to be repaired

Decided to use my lunch to turn it into a comic

The Nia before the Midea arrived

(in the age of ai slop I've given myself permission to learn drawing) Sketched out some beings from my fantasy setting. Nia are like river nymphs but armed and eager for battle. Behind them is a Midea, a sort of witch-harpy with immense power. Less eager for war, but does like hanging out with Nia

Also finally finished Garden of Spheres by Linnea Sterte and GAWDAM is it good. I thought I was rooting for the unmaker but then I switched to the prince/princess but now I think my fav is the immortal hunter

Rereading my copies of Maria Llovet's Eros/Psyche and Porcelain. So good. I'm not smart enough for Eros/Psyche but it is beautiful and heart wrenching. And Porcelain is basically tailor made for me

Had a epiphany that the last 5 years of my life have been an unconscious attempt to recreate the feeling of playing Omori for the first time

The demons are another mystery of Mannon, appearing after the Hives. Demons kill anything they sense and exhibit baffling metamorphic behavior when alone. The variations of their forms are endless, with each specializing in specific methods of destruction. Their groupings are highly coordinated.

Nobody knows the origins of the hives or their queens, but they appeared shortly after the sealing of Mannon and quickly spread across the planet. They do not communicate with those outside their hive but are in constant mental communion with each other. They are aggressive and highly adaptable.

The subjugators are weapons created by a mad sorcerer who implanted his mind into an artificial dragon. The dragon believes it is the inheritor of Mannon, being the only surviving member of the previous hegemony. Its monstrous creations are fabricated in colossal pits across the planet’s surface.

Knights are cybernetic and synthetic beings who follow strict creeds and are fully optimized for combat. All order members endlessly augment themselves and prize fighting, skill, and weapons above all else. Once prolific across the stars, the last knightly orders survive isolated on Mannon .

Courtesy of the always amazing @zeiame.bsky.social, a page from the world of "Don't You Dare Kill It A Living", a setting that explores the struggle between heroes and monsters after they've been co-opted by the entertainment industry

Cold open stories is turning my #drukhari story into an audio book! Very excited to see who they get to voice my dark eldar diva

Reposting the gals from the story "Don't You Dare Call It A Living", which is set in a world where the entertainment industry has co-opted the age-old battle between mortal heroes and immortal demons. (Artist: @/zeiame.bsky.social)

My 3 favorite demon hunters taking a break after a job well done, courtesy of the always amazing @zeiame.bsky.social

My three favorite hunters are back courtesy of the amazing @zeiame.bsky.social (follow and commission her) Some days you find yourself in a corporate public bathroom pulling yourself back together after some absolute bullshit

6/? "Finder" Illustrator: Carla Speed McNeil Writer: Carla Speed McNeil Who will enjoy it: those who like captivating characters and worlds that draw you in and never let you go Plot Snippet: a man undaunted by a cruel world finds a place for himself and those he loves

5/? "Monstress" Illustrator: Sana Takeda Writer: Marjorie Liu Who will like it: those who enjoy beautiful characters hurting each other but also finding hope in a hostile world Plot Snippet: a former child soldier finds herself bound to a godlike entity and chased by powerful forces

4/? "Cursed Pirate Girl" Illustrator: Jeremy Bastion Writer: Jeremy Bastion Who will enjoy: Pirate lovers of all ages and fans of hyper detailed art reminiscent of 19th century illustrations Plot Snippet: the daughter of a legendary pirate searches for her father in a dangerous magic ocean