One of the most prevalent motifs in fantasy, science fiction/ space operas and similar folklore style genres is that of the Chosen One- the one character (99% the main character/protagonist) that is destined to save the world from the big bad- the evil sorcerer, the overlord, the empire, the ...

The Chosen One’s Origin
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Dec. 2, 2017Net Neutrality: last-ish stand?
Banes at 12:00AM, Nov. 23, 2017
On December 14th the FCC will vote on removing Net Neutrality protections for the Internet.
The vote happens near the Christmas holidays, and the announcement was made just before the U.S. Thanksgiving holidays - this is one of those tactics that is used to push through unpopular legislation - and this ...
Diminishing Returns
Banes at 12:00AM, Sept. 28, 2017
Emotional Charges and Diminishing Returns
Many writing methodologies suggest mapping out the emotional change of each scene. The scene either starts positive, and goes to either negative or “extra positive”, or starts negative and goes to positive or “extra negative” by the end of the scene.
So if a lovelorn ...
Psychopomps and Death Personified
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, Sept. 18, 2017
Chihiro and No Face from Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away and Studio Ghibli
I was driving home from work this evening and an unusual, rather old fashioned looking car with bright high beams began following me on my route. When I made a turn, I looked in the side mirror ...
Single pages, larger issues and archive panic
Banes at 12:00AM, Sept. 7, 2017
SINGLE PAGES vs. The GREATER WHOLE
I'm at a nice place in my webcomic right now. Well, it's nice as the writer, at least.
The characters have a nice history now, with some adventures behind them, some established relationships, and a stable of supporting characters who can be ...
Jack Kirby
Banes at 12:00AM, Aug. 31, 2017Just the other day was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jack Kirby (Jacob Kurtzberg, originally).
Jack “King” Kirby drew comics from the 1930's for various companies and co-created many characters for Timely Comics, notably Captain America (co-created with Joe Simon). Cap was one of the few Marvel ...
The Ripple Effects of Forum Discussions
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, Aug. 28, 2017
I check the DD forums pretty often even when I feel more in the mood to be a lurker than say anything. I might even check the forums at the same rate that I check hs my email.
A long time ago, I thought the forums were reserved for people ...