devilrose

Rosangela Ludovico, at glyph limit

illustration, comics, writing...
and then what next, plague of locusts?


webcomic / The Gifts of Darkness
fansites etc. / Rigelatin
anything else / link page


devilrose
@devilrose

Today is Webcomic Day: read and love webcomics! With our webcomics, we try to make art and tell stories that are fiercely earnest and come from our true unfiltered passions, even in the face of (gestures) everything that would want us to stop. But we don't stop! And you don't stop caring about webcomics either!

As for what concerns me, I wanted of course to show you my webcomic, The Gifts of Darkness. I'll once again paste in one of my plot blurbs:

The plot: At 23 years old, Adrien is quite late to become a sorcerer's apprentice - but that's where his life has led him, and he intends to try his best. He travels far from home and to an isolated tower in the wilderness to meet his new mentor, the sorcerer Valerion. The two strike an important connection: Valerion guides Adrien's chaotic personality with infinite kindness, and Adrien brings companionship and a long-forgotten joy to Valerion's lonely life. Yet, each is holding great secrets from the other, which threaten to destroy all they've built together.

...but honestly, I believe that in the case of my story, it's not as much about the plot as about the themes. The Gifts of Darkness is about changing, how much change can a person go through until they are no longer themselves, how much can a person change for another. And as the title implies, it is about the darkest parts of one's self, the ones that move you, for better and for worse. Yesterday when I was at my table at Taranto Comix, and I was at one point asked about the themes of my comic, I think I conveyed what I wanted to say for the most part, but I thought later - there is a part of the comic so far published that shows this theme in its most essential form:

The Gifts of Darkness - Chapter 14, page 19 Transcript: "Val...", Adrien whispered, "...to be honest, I am a bit scared". Val turned around. He said nothing, but the caring light of his eyes forced Adrien to escape his gaze. "You said that Darkness magic is about looking within yourself", Adrien said. "I did that just now, and what I saw was someone I didn't know myself to be". Adrien's eyes lost focus over the uneven texture of the stone walls. "Who else am I? What else am I capable of that I don't know yet? I have already changed much; how much do I want to change? Do I want to be who I can become? Do I even want to know? Am I moving towards myself, or away from myself?".
The Gifts of Darkness - Chapter 14, page 20 Transcript: There was another long pause. "Adrien", Val then said in his soft voice, "I won't claim I can answer your questions. However, I want to tell you... I've seen you change a lot in these months. Yet, you will change more. Change is unavoidable and relentless... At times, you may find yourself far from where you thought you would be. On some days, you may not recognize yourself at all. On those days, try to remember... try to hold the threads of your fabric. The memories that you cherish the most, the words that most describe you, the flaws that are most yours. All that makes you yourself". He paused. "You have changed a lot, and still, you are the same person who came to my door on that late summer evening - the same bright, sincere, beautiful person". Tears welled up in Adrien's eyes. "Sometimes I am none of those things", he cried. Val shook his head. He set one hand on Adrien's shoulder. "You are always yourself", he said, his voice breaking. "Even when you cannot see it".
made with @nex3's grid generator

Well, I suppose for now I've said enough - if you aren't already reading it, go read The Gifts of Darkness at thegiftsofdarkness.com. Later I'll also republish some of it in here, I think.

Since all the pictures of the comic I've attached so far are very character-centric but my art is most known for insanely detailed backgrounds and whatnot, I'll send you off with that picture with Val and Adrien at the window, which anyone who follows my work has probably seen a million times already, but even there, see it again - it's one of my favorites for a good reason.


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