When my writing partner and I were penning the beginnings of issue 0 of The Constellation Chronicle we designed two characters Marcel and Wainwright. We wanted to introduce the looming threat that was barreling towards the main cast and the most convenient way to do that was through these two ...
Minor characters are people too
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Aug. 30, 2019On Spoilers
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Aug. 17, 2019
So, full disclosure: I am spoiler immune.
I don't really care if I know how a story ends, or where the twist is. I might even enjoy it more as I anticipate it. I will watch the movie without issue and still enjoy it just as much.
Granted, when ...
Whitewashing, Blackwashing and all that Jazz
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, July 6, 2019
So by now, anyone who is on Twitter (and possibly other social media I dare not touch) is aware of this whole kerfuffle over the newest Disney live action remake, which happens to be The Little Mermaid. It has been announced that Ariel will be played by an actress who ...
Working with Political Agendas
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, June 15, 2019
Lately more and more comics and animated features seem to consciously, and more importantly loudly, incorporate political messages in their stories. From feminism to social stratification and discrimination, to racism and xenophobia or even depression and psychological trauma.
This is by no means a new thing, to incorporate themes and ...
The Oversimplification of a Child Hero's World
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, June 1, 2019
Happy June 1st everyone!
I have been youtube-crawling today around the cinema pop-culture side. And as I was watching assorted comments and commentary on a whole lot of YA (i.e. Young Adult) and children's books and TV/film/animation series, from Harry Potter to The Last Airbender to ...
Character voice
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, May 31, 2019
If you want to design a memorable character it doesn’t just stop at their looks. How they speak, write and use body language is integral to who they are as a person as well as how other character’s may react to them. When you read a comic or ...
Realistic Escalation
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, May 11, 2019
There comes the time when you may have a scene that starts off quite innocuously. It might even start all fun and games. But sometime during it, the atmosphere changes drastically, and things escalate, seemingly out of nowhere.
What used to be a chill scene, now is suddenly a strife ...
The Use of Nightmares
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, March 30, 2019
When they happen, nightmares can be anything from a terrible experience to a nuisance that can be settled with a warm cup of tea or chocolate. And while they harp on our peace of mind and our precious time asleep, the general consensus among psychologists is that, if it isn ...
5 great comic book slots
Ozoneocean at 12:00AM, Feb. 21, 2019
Comics have always had a special hold on people’s imaginations, with stories immersing readers in fantasy worlds where literally anything is possible. And, unlike books, comics combine the power of words and pictures. The skills of the artist mean that those worlds and other phenomena are there for all ...
Hate: Raising the Poison Tree
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Feb. 16, 2019
With Valentine's day just behind us and a lot of talk of love, I thought I'd take a look on the exact opposite of love and affection- how do we write and display hatred in characters? How do characters hate, and what's the difference from rage?
In ...