I love a character in an ensemble cast that runs counter to the rest of the people around them.
Really, it's the best way to make a character stand out. The one who has some kind of contrast to everyone else, in terms of their priorities, or beliefs, or ...

Against the Grain
Banes at 12:00AM, March 13, 2025Quackcast 730 - Lighting by The Doodler
Ozoneocean at 12:00AM, March 11, 2025 LISTEN on our player!
Or Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com.au/podcasts/24f85853-5d63-44ac-885f-da23db0a53ad/the-quackcast
-Art by The Doodler-
Today we have on a super special guest, The Doodler! This is another on our technical series about art making and this time we're talking about lighting. Tantz suggested we ...
FAFO Reveal
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, March 8, 2025
So you might have a character that's generally very calm or stoic. They may appear weak, or just not intimidating. They may be the right gender, class, age, or any other parameter for their peers to assume they are easy pickings and thus a great target for harassment. Initially ...
Nature As Antagonist
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Feb. 22, 2025
There is nothing more humbling against human hubris than Nature herself.
Even at humanity's peak expansion, technology, sophistication, education, or intelligence, all it takes for its eradication is for the earth to sneeze in just the right way.
Nature cannot be beaten or tamed. It can only be appeased ...
Creator Interview: Genejoke
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Feb. 15, 2025
We are finally back with interviews, and who better to kick it off than with Genejoke, one of the most prolific, helpful, and active creators in the Duck!
Genejoke is invaluable in many group projects, including our top event, the Drunk Duck Awards, and its side event the Red Carpet ...
Art For Art's Sake
Gunwallace at 12:00AM, Feb. 13, 2025
I was tempted to write about something easy and non-controversial this week, but then decided I would just keep being me. At least this post has something to do with comics, and current news. I'm genuinely interested in what people have to say on this topic, as it it ...
Dude in Distress Catapults to 300th Comic Strip Milestone!!
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, Feb. 10, 2025
Photo: “Dude in Distress Strip 300”. Dude in Distress created by EssayBee. (February 2025)
EssayBee writes:
“Hi,
Just wanted to announce that last Wednesday (February 5th), Dude in Distress published its 300th story strip.”
Dude in Distress Comic Link
https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Dude_in_Distress/
From the “Dude in Distress Strip ...
What Will Happen Without the Barbarians?
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Feb. 8, 2025
There is a poem by one of the most interationally famous Greek poets, Konstantinos Kavafis, called Waiting for the Barbarians. I invite you to give it a read (I've linked its translation) but here's the gist in a nutshell: It's about the Romans waiting for the Barbarians ...
A Fair Playing Field
Gunwallace at 12:00AM, Feb. 6, 2025
Picture credit: Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire
Today (Thursday 6th February) is Waitangi Day in New Zealand, although due to the nature of time zones you will probably be reading this after the day if over for us.
Waitangi is a place in NZ, the name meaning ...