The sheer power of a good team is so defining that it's a trope. Some of the most iconic characters and beloved personalities have emerged from stories featuring teams of main characters.
Each of them are vital to the story, each of them contribute both in terms of the ...
Strong and Powerful... Together
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Sept. 9, 2023Writing Strong Characters of Any Gender
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Aug. 26, 2023
Last time I'd written about gender toxicity and what a trap it can be for creators seeking to write powerful characters. It is not something that only plagues the “strong female character” attempt, but also the “strong male character” and definitely the “strong LGBTQ+ character”.
Too many of these ...
They Make You Believe
Banes at 12:00AM, Aug. 24, 2023
A long time ago I read something, I think an interview with a respected screenwriter or something, where he brought up the movie “Rain Man”.
If you haven't seen it, it's about a struggling wheeler-dealer type guy, played by Tom Cruise, who goes on a road trip with ...
Gender Toxicity
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Aug. 19, 2023
The debate on what constitutes a “strong female character”, whether having “strong female leads” or “feminism” is tanking “woke” films these past few years, is ongoing. There's accusations of toxicity on both sides. Misogyny, misandry, wokeness and brokeness, all of these terms and hot takes are fired and take ...
Character Deep Dive: Grenadine Luncher
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Aug. 12, 2023
In this month’s installment of Character Deep Dive, we’re looking at Grenadine Luncher from the comic Ripping Off King Arthur by Arthur Spitzer!
Before I do any dive, I have to say that due to the unique concept and approach of this comic, I had to really think ...
Character Analysis: Levana from Vampire Girl
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, May 27, 2023
It’s been quite a bit since I last made a character deep dive, but since I got a bit more time on my hands, here we are! Today’s Character Analysis is about Levana from Vampire Girl by Marie Kerns and J_Scarbrough!
So, first things first! Vampire Girl is ...
The Slippery Slope (Or How to Make a Great Villain Origin Arc)
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, May 6, 2023
Villains are tremendously important for a story. They set the framework and standard for a lot of things in an unsaid but definite manner: how far your villain is willing to go sets up audience expectations for how big and how dire the stakes will be in the story.
If ...
A Sense of Entitlement
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, April 8, 2023
Entitlement. Privilege. Obnoxiousness.
We all deal with these things every day, whether we want to or not. It comes in all shapes and sizes. From the kid that throws a tantrum if they can't take some other random kid's toy to the adult that is pissed they stole ...
Planning for the 2023 Drunk Duck Awards is Underway
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, April 3, 2023
Photo: “Casual Group Photo (Right Side)”. 2022 Drunk Duck Awards Community Project. (2022)
Niccea has spoken—The planning for the 2023 Drunk Duck Awards began last Friday, March 31, 2023. The two categories currently accepting volunteer sign-ups and art submissions in April 2023: Planning Committee and For Your Consideration (FYC ...
Character Analysis: TK from Typical Strange
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, March 25, 2023
Ok so here we are! Let’s get down into the weeds with Typical Strange’s TK!
…did that come out wrong? I’m sure TK would have a thing or two to say.
So, first things first. Typical Strange is the lovely creation of Banes. It’s a comedy ...