Gauntlet's goofy artblog⚡

I was inspired 👉👈

Original Comic ⬇️

(I remembered that art you posted with multiple Jesse’s from other aus and I think the regular Jesse thought forest deity Jesse was cool? idk, gave me an idea that sometimes Jesse wishes to look more intimidating for people to take him more seriously and to sort of “back up his heroics”)

Oh absolutely.

I like to personally think that Jesse’s been self conscious of his looks and characteristics since spawn. The concept of feeling uncomfortable with oneself didn’t really dawn on him until very soon after he came into the Overworld and instantly received weird looks for how short he was. In a world where people dedicate themselves to heroism, they saw this squishy little newspawn and instantly judged him, thinking he likely wasn’t going to last.

Jesse ended up feeling like an outcast and put himself separate from groups of people until he found other outcasts like himself. Axel and Olivia. They shared some of the same feelings of low self worth due to looks or characteristics. It gave them something to bond over and become the best of friends. One of the reasons I like to think their bond is so strong is because they’ve seen each other at their most vulnerable, whether it be tearful confessions towards the fears of failing, or after hitting a rough spot out in a public setting with those who don’t hesitate to hold back their negative opinions. They are always there for each other because each of them know just how cruel the world can be.

Jesse never saw himself being a hero, because he was the opposite of everything a hero represented. At least in his eyes. And I personally think he was okay with that. He just wanted to be himself.

Just like he said, he never wanted to be a hero, but he was willing to do the heroic thing in a moment where no one else was willing to put themselves up to the test. I feel as though Jesse always prioritized his friends’ lives over his own. Putting himself into positions which he was essentially sacrificing himself so that they could continue to live on was a daunting ideal, but one he was genuinely willing to make.

In his mind, he wasn’t ever destined for greatness, but he made it in the end and he became the hero he’d convinced himself he would never be. The true testament to all his actions will always be his friends. He doesn’t see himself as this great heroic figure. It’s his friendships alone that give him the strength to protect what matters.

At the end of the day, even after all his fans cheered him on and expressed their love and devotion for him, he always knew in his heart that it was all for his heroic acts alone. If he weren’t this flashy, showboaty hero, he’d still be the same sad, little lonely Jesse he always was since the beginning. He knows he’s not intimidating to real threats, as they make it so clear to him with their harsh words and criticism.

One thing I always wanted to touch on is when Romeo took the form of Jesse himself and how sick to his stomach Jesse probably felt about it. With just how much self hatred he’s always experienced towards himself, the thought of someone else using his body was nauseating. Something I feel like Romeo would absolutely use against him and would not hesitate to make fun of is Jesse’s body dysmorphia. He’d probably point out all the things about Jesse’s body that repulsed him and force Jesse to just stand there and listen to him just because he enjoys seeing how distraught and helpless Jesse becomes about it.

Of course though with all this self hatred comes the self love that follows after Jesse retires to full time mayor once season 2 has ended. I love writing Jesse’s struggles with his self image and him gradually finding love in himself no matter how many imperfections there are. Lukas is there to help him through it and show Jesse that there is just so much to love about himself and his body, no matter what anyone has said about it in the past.