Creator’s Commentary: So, yeah, reference to ‘The Hobbit.’ They sure seem to like their plaits in Middle Earth don’t they?

Michael Balistreri, my friend and fellow member of United Webcomics, is endeavouring to fund his Graphic Novel ‘Black Snow: Two Drink Minimum.’

It’s a combination of gritty superhero drama and dark humour. Black Snow is the name of the chain-smoking, alcoholic “superhero” who aspires for fame, but has settled for greed, as he has turned helping people in trouble into a business. He has an incredible variety of super powers, but can’t manage to control any of them.

Michael’s goal is $4000 to make it happen! Rewards include up to three separate volumes of comic books between aproximately 100 – 200 pages each, custom art commissions and the opportunity to design a character for the series. Other rewards include hats, T-shirts, bottle openers and more!

Support Black snow and get this Graphic Novel printed.

Creator’s Commentary: Personally I’m against censorship (now’t wrong with a bit of nudity) but I’m quite happy to use it as a joke because I think it’s something a Paladin would entirely approve of.

From an art perspective I’m quite pleased with the water pouring down but the background is poor. It looks like they’re floating somewhere in the planets outer atmosphere :s Sorry… will fix at some point.

While you’re here let me draw your attention to United Webcomics Walpurgisnacht Project, a sort of webcomics art swap themed around “Witches Night”. Great fun, check it out!

Creator’s Commentary: I like the visual humour in this one a lot. The dialogue is not particularly amusing but the visuals make me chuckle. At least I’m making myself laugh with these comics!

It’s interesting using the night-time color palette. Is it too dark or can you see everything okay?

Well at the moment Moonhawk Studios is running a Kickstarter to try to raise $300 for new microphones and software to make the podcast better and also produce two holiday specials. In return they are offering their eternal gratitude and various levels of exclusive involvement with the show, like questioning guests (such as your favorite webcomic creator!), writing gags or even taking over the whole show for an episode as guest-host! Check out the Kickstarter for more details.

It’s a great show but the quality is suffering due to lack of new equipment which this fundraiser could provide making it more enjoyable for all. And it is really enjoyable. Even if you don’t back the project just have a listen. Support them if you can.

Creator’s Commentary: No it’s not an April fool – it really is a new update! My first night-time scene; I hope you like the color palette.

I’m very sorry for the long wait, I know it’s even worse than my usual ‘schedule.’ I have been having big problems with my Graphics Tablet & Windows 8 that just don’t seem to play nice together. I’ve already changed my tablet once, because the old one would not work at all, and would consider doing it again only I hear very good, expensive tablets are having similar troubles so I’m just not sure if it’s worth it – there’s a good chance it would not solve the problem. At the moment my mouse is more sensitive than my tablet, which is a sad state of affairs to be in.

Hmm, perhaps I should just upload in black & white for a while until my Tablet problems are sorted out. I have 3 more pages inked. I dunno. I don’t like doing half a job.

Sexy Bunny Day is a cross-webcomic celebration of Easter – with sexy bunnies! 21 webcomics are participating by posting images of their characters dressed in a bunny costume for easter. A list of the participants is below; visit each to see their awesome bunnies. This is the first annual Sexy Bunny Day (SBD) as organised by United Webcomics.

(FYI – vote image is used as a TWC vote incentive).

So which of Epic Fail’s characters bravely donned a pair of rabbits ears and a fluffy tail? You must be wondering. Is it Amuletts, the red-headed rogue? Or Tinuvielle, the sexy spell-slinger? Maybe Martin the muscular man-muffin? Or Dirk, the attractively brooding Paladin? Why no! It is Clodin, the dare-devil dwarf! He’s short, he’s hairy and he’s dressed as a bunny for your pleasure! (You may argue this doesn’t fall under the remit of ‘sexy bunny’ but he’s trying, okay? And theirs going to be some pervert somewherethat finds him attractive!)

Remember this is an international event so participants may be in different timezones. If someone has not posted their sexy bunny art yet please check back later. A list of all participants is below.

1. Amy Lets – Epic Fail (No need to click this one – You’re already here!)
2. Byron Wilkins – 1977 The Comic
3. Cihan Sesen – Spine
4. David Shirley | Fera
5. Hiro Odan – Bridge University
6. Hushicho – Incubus Tales
7. J. E. Flint and Eric Flint – The Chronicles of Loth (Maybe)
8. Jerry McMasters – Webcomic Pete
9. John Kratky, Tobias Gebhardt, and Stephen Yan – Tales of Hammerfist
10. Liz Staley – Adrastus
11. Mark Egan – Back Office
12. Melissa Stone – Children Of The Tiger
13. Michael Balistreri – Black Snow Comic
14. Mike Aston and Shaun Nicholls – Lacey investigations
15. Nate Hammond – Jazz and Jess
16. Niauropsaka – Raspberry rain
17. Nick Gonzo – Execution Day
18. Peter Anckorn – By The Book
19. Phil and Max – Indifferently Evil
20. Uncle Greedy – Steampunk Gorgon
21. Yellowgerbil – Zoe The Vampire

What happens if the person simply won’t open up? Can sitting in silence help? Perhaps but a more effective approach towards opening up has been found through art therapy. Quite often the simple act of sketching or painting can open up a new line of discussion. Chalk it up to the power of art in its many forms.

 Art Is Easy

When presented with the option for art therapy, the first response to a patient in recovery is usually, “I’m not artistic.” That’s missing the point. There is no need to self-edit or think of becoming the next Picasso or DaVinci. Instead, a patient is encouraged to just do what comes naturally. They are given the typical tools of an art student such as paint, colored pencils, clay, charcoal and plenty of blank canvas.

The first exercise is a simple one: Draw what you’re feeling. As with any type of art, it’s best not to think but to just dive in. A person suffering from substance abuse could have many scattered images floating around in their head. Getting them down on paper in any form is what matters because this will be used to provoke those important follow-up conversations about what is going on inside.

Another effective exercise is to ask the budding artist to create some type of self-portrait. Again the goal isn’t to achieve artistic perfection but to simply express what is being felt. Throughout these types of sessions, trained art therapists will be on hand to interpret and guide the individual through their creative process.

What a person draws can give clues to what they are thinking not unlike recalling images from a dream. For instance, someone who draws a serene meadow with butterflies flitting about could be searching for peace. On the other hand, someone who draws fire or plane crashes could have pent up rage that needs to be vented. The hope is that the person can “leave it on the sketch book.”

Replacing the Triggers

Most problems with substance abuse come with a set of triggers which are unique to the person going through these struggles. Once those triggers are identified through therapy the goal becomes finding ways to deal with those issues with behavior modification. With art therapy, reaching for the sketchbook instead of the drug of choice during a stressful episode can be a big help. As the person gets comfortable with expressing themselves through art they could end up opening up a whole new avenue of communication. There doesn’t have to be just a single sketch but a series of drawings that when combined could become a personal comic or graphic novel. The art world is littered with masterworks born of pain.

Working the Recovery

Art therapy sessions can happen anywhere be it at a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic or recovery facility. As with any type of treatment, the first step should be to clear the body of whatever toxins might be flowing inside. This means cutting off from the substance and going through drug withdrawal. Sadly, it’s the fear of withdrawal pains that keeps many sufferers from ever seeking help. While it is true that this can be physically uncomfortable process, the worse of a withdrawal will happen within the first 72 hours. During that time it’s best for that person to be under medical supervision. This is the big benefit of starting a recovery journey at a certified recovery treatment facility. For instance, there are dozens of qualified treatment centers throughout Washington. Each one offers their own treatment programs that can be adjusted to the individual needs whether that means in-patient or outpatient care. As soon as a person is sober they can begin the introspective work where art therapy comes into play. Art therapy won’t hold all the answers but instead it can serve as component in a comprehensive treatment program. The real shame would be not getting the help that is so readily available.

- This guest post was kindly donated by Jennifer Lewis to raise awareness about drug addiction & the help available for addicts.

Click to go to the Nudity! 

NSFW, rather obviously. I’ve used it as a TWC vote incentive so there’s a confirmation you wish to continue (and because I can use all the votes I can get). Sorry for the lack of background, but I don’t suppose you’d be looking at that anyway!

There are 48 webcomics participating in the Valentines Day Sex Drive, meaning 48 webcomics have drawn pictures of their characters naked! Below is a list of all of them. Have fun checking them out.

• 1977 The Comic – Byron Wilkins

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• Ada Lee Comes On! – Jack Munroe

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• Adrastus – Liz Staley

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• After the Dream – Jeremy Begin

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• Agents of the Endtimes – Maxwell Vex

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• Alone in a Crowd – Tom Szewc

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• Ardra – John Peters

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• Back Office, Bata Neart – Mark Egan

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• Beep Club – Owen MacRae

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• Bridge University – Hiro Odan

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• By The Book – Peter Anckorn

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• Children of the Tiger – Melissa Stone

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• Chimneyspeak – Jack Cayless

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• The Chronicles of Loth – J. E. Flint and Eric Flint

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• The Code Crimson – Elizabeth and Lisa

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• CyBoar – Lou Graziani

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• Epic Fail – Amy Letts

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• Execution Day – Nick Gonzo

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• Fera – Davy Shirley

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• Flipside – Brion Foulke

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• Grrl Power – Dave Barrack

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• Incubus Tales – Hushicho

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• Indifferently Evil – Phil and Max

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• Instructapals – Lee Nathan

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• Jazz and Jess – Nate Hammond

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• Lacey Investigations – Mike Aston and Shaun Nicholls

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• Lovefeast – Miluette

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• Mozhaets – J. Mackenzie Graham

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• Nikki Sprite – TK Doherty

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• Prepare to Die – Mike Delheim

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• Raspberry Rain – Niauropsaka

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• Rasputin Barxotka – Rev. Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz

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• Sarah Zero – Stef Marcinkowski

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• Silk & Honey, Locus, Kiss 4K – Adam Black

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• Sister of Infinite Mercy – Doug Jacobs

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• Spine – Cihan Sesen

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• Spying With Lana – Sean Harrington

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• Star Cross’d Destiny – Juno Blair B.

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• Steampunk Gorgon – Uncle Greedy

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• Steel Siren – Foust

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• Strange Aeons – Nocturne City

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• Tales of Hammerfist – John Kratky, Tobias Gebhardt, and Stephen Yan

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• TDUGN – Chella Morgan

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• Threads from the Blue Rock Tapestry – ellejohara

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• Trying Human – Emy Bitner

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• Webcomic Pete – Jerry McMasters

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• Woohooligan! – Samuel Isaac Dealey

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• Zoe the Vampire – Yellowgerbil

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In the Shadows is a love story between Raven Lockleare, an ordinary 17-year-old girl, and Errol Richmond, a 150-year-old vampire. It’s not just their love story, however, as Errol also has a relationship with Jezebel, daughter of the original Vampire Lord Malroch. Errol fell in love with Jezebel as a mortal but this turned to hate when she killed and ‘turned’ him. You also learn about relationships between the other characters. The overarching theme is love and how it can conquer anything. Even death.

Photo by Cavin on Flickr

The vampires in this novel are classic vampires – monstrous blood drinkers that are truly dangerous. I think what Dixon does very well is create a history for them, and a culture. She takes all the questions about how and why vampires might exist in the real world and answers them, so there’s a believability to her fiction. She also doesn’t pull her punches so be prepared for a bit of an emotional roller-coaster.

What I particularly liked is that In The Shadows isn’t inward-facing; the characters have lives around them and relationships with other people. Raven has family, friends, and hobbies which are important to her and make their presence known. You get a sense of every-day minutia carrying on around this extraordinary romance, making it more believable and also acting as an important contrast between the world of humans and the world of vampires. In The Shadows is a fantasy firmly grounded in reality. Dixon really understands how people think and channels that into her characters. In The Shadows is written as a first-person narrative that switches between characters, showing you different perspectives at different parts of the story. You even get to see events from the antagonists point of view so even they are relatable and you understand their motivations. Individual’s personal narratives interweave to create the overall story.

Photo by Juliana Coutinho

I know the vampire-romance genre is a bit of a cliché but Dixon does a good job at making it fresh. In The Shadows is a very easy book to read; it compels you to keep reading and find out what happens next as a good novel should. It is very romantic with some beautiful visuals including a Ball and a balcony scene reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. It also utilises one of my favourite kind of endings, which I obviously cannot describe for fear of spoiling it. If you want to find out what it is I guess you’ll just have to read the book! At only $2.99 USD there’s really no excuse not to.