Media hell

I also feel the need to say, that any and all commentary of mine has been exclusive to here. Though a few people have parroted some of my points in the CF comments, I haven't actually said anything there. So do with that what you will.

This is a newer ask, and I'm going to try to go through more soon but it felt relevent right now so yeah!

I know this ask was made before the latest page, but I was right there with you and also hoping this next page could have been whisper getting called out on his beleifs and actions by people who he will actually listen to and not disregard. Though now it seems like we aren't getting that.. at least not right away. I think there's still time for that, however.. Whisper is running off, assumedly to kick the climax into motion. Oh boy.

Same. I haven't been very invested with Whisper either due to a lot of the points you've mentioned. Its really weird how Songdog seems to treat his character, too, seeing as if anything, he is ironically a LOT like his father in his own righteous beleif that he has the right to decide whether someone "should" live or die, with his beleif in the forest's will almost feeling like a parallel to his father's religious self-justification. But I highly doubt this was intended, despite it having it's own narrative opportunity- Song has gotten very defensive of Whisper in the past and someone (leaving them anonymous) told me they also made a comment about the possible parallel of Whisper and his dad, and that it was deleted. So yeah. I don't fully know what to think either!

It really does feel that way, huh? I was expecting the scene to go on a little longer.. maybe get some input from Ashwood herself would have been what the story needed. The way she was killed off doesn't feel right, even from a narrative standpoint.

Agreed, I also really do hope this is just setup for deconstructing Whisper's dangerous ideology, but we're only getting it a page at the time so not only is it hard to tell where it's going exactly in that aspect, Whisper also seems to really be Songdog's darling of a character and that is also concerning to me. Like, it feels in the latest page Maple is being framed as being too harsh/reactive, like "Oh no look poor Whisper he's sad he's being yelled at he didn't mean anythinggg he was just doing what he was told🥺" instead of "Maple is right to be upset that her friend since childhood was just 'mercy killed' against the will and wishes of everyone involved, Whisper's insistence that she had to die is not okay". But no, instead of that we have to have him run off looking frightened without actually facing why what he's doing is wrong because.. I don't know, assumedly more cat-church-cult-related drama. How much you wanna bet on that though? That's where I'm putting my twenty bucks anyway!

Hm. Interesting, I know of that comic but I never read it beyond a page or two. Might be something to look into eventually.. thanks for the ask anon!

Yes, it's just as confusing to me, ESPECIALLY considering another comic they wrote for- "Rabbit on the moon", drawn by Nitteh which is a gorgeous comic.. but long story short that comic is actually ALL ABOUT disabled characters and death. And while reading it there were some iffy decisions I think, the main sentiment they pushed in the narrative was "dont let others tell you when to die, YOU decide whether life is worth living. We don't go quietly." With "we don't go quietly" being something one of the main characters actually says outright. so. The fact Ashwood died without ever getting to have a say in ANY of it is jarring in comparison.. even if Whisper is given a strong talking to about his flawed views, it'll feel like too little too late. I really have to wonder on whether what he has done UP TO this point is even forgivable. Narratively if it's touched on, it probably will be- however Song writes it. But it just seems like a lot. Like, I dont care if he's a teenager when he mocks then kills a disabled person because he thinks they should die, he still did that! That's beyond just having an abelist view. That's acting on avleist rhetoric with murder!! And now he's killed another, even if he approached it more gently. I need to think on this and wait to see where the story goes.

🫩

I have a weird relationship with that comic lol. I have read a LOT of comics beginning to end but the exiled is one of the comics I didn't actually get into, but am still aware of MOST if what happens due to pages having shown up intermittentling back on my DA for you page. I don't think I ever read it from the beginning though so it's on my list of "to-read"s! Might make a review on it in the future perhaps. The author's own troubles with responding ti negativity and their part in the Sleepy situation is definitely something that makes me raise a brow, but whether or not that has any reverence to their story I can't say in confidence. Something to go back to later I suppose!

Got this a few days ago, sorry for not responding right away haha! Yes I feel like if anything, analyzing all these situations going on in the comic community can be useful when it comes to examples for would-be comic artists. Look and you'll find plenty of examoles of good and poor behavior, in both the audiences and manner which authors respond. I'm glad to hear you could find some value in this blog of mine, I do very much feel flattered every time I hear that! I've been meaning to branch out a bit and make commentary/reviews of other comics in this genre, like a sort of "pick one to read and say something on it" sort of deal! So who knows- maybe I'll see yours one day haha! I think so long as you remember to research sensitive topics, approach them respectfully and keep open to change and improvement, you have far less to worry about. Even if you slip up somewhere on the way, it's not unrecoverable! I know it's easy to be discouraged but if you do the research then you are FAR less likely to fall into missteps in the first place. The fact that you're noticing these issues and taking the time to think on them in regards to your own work, I think, is a fantastic sign that you're willing to be considerate in your art. So good on you for that!! I hope you have a wonderful day/night too, thanks for stopping by! <3

Yes, this exactly. I'm going to withhold any hard judgements until there's more context because I suspect and HOPE Miss Maple will be able to provide the nuance this scene and theme needs. The one page at a time format has it's pros and cons and this is a great example of that lol

..I don't want to share too much on my personal life but I feel like it is worth mentioning that I work with disabled people as my career. I have training in it. I have advocated for persons with disabilities my entire life and have my own neurological and physical disabilities so I'm not just talking out of my ass here. These topics are VERY important to me and I do not appreciate nihilist arguments against disabled people's rights, in a fictional narrative or otherwise.