godspeed, middle schoolers

this was a fun one because while eridan isnt quite anywhere near my favorite homestuck character, it sometimes feels like im the only mf with reading comprehension in regards to how hes not only written, but how hes presented as well.

homestuck's colorful cast of characters is definitely one of its greatest strengths, and i think eridan is an incredibly well-written character. he practically exemplifies troll tradition; kill with no remorse (pre-game with fef's lusus especially but also u know. feferi and half-dead-sollux) and pursue filling quadrants. the dude is drowning in upholding tradition (and im not surprised reading military history is listed as one of his hobbies). he goes on and on about his genocide complex and hating land dwellers, but when the chips are down he doesnt mean it and he doesnt want his land-dwelling friends dead at all. the dude bottles up so much and refuses to talk to his own moirail about his problems. hes just. an incredibly grumpy, sad boy, and i can see how he appeals to people, especially to fans who also feel suppressed in some way. lastly, i dont think eridan is a creep. everyone who disagrees can go back and read kanaya: return to the core. like. hes just a kid in his feelings and hes an ass most of the time but he doesnt keep pushing it with fef like everybody thinks for some reason lmao.

ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, while im here i want to say that karkat is the fucker that eridan actually talks with about his feelings and not even feferi time and time again, and honestly brings out the actual best in eridan. i would have really liked to see them go pale in canon, because karkat being burdened with gamzee as a moirail kind of just breaks my heart, but act 5 was a little too short for that. by homestuck standards i guess.

cosplayers at the homestuck cafe what will they draw??

TWO additional vriskas for me after one was VICIOUSLY ripped out of my fingers by a so called friend

theres PLENTY to critique about homestuck, and common complaints include both things it consciously improved on over its run and things it got more egregious with over time

but for fucks sake if nothing else its worthwhile for looking at the ways in which storytelling can interact with its own medium