Inspirations
This part of my About Me got so long that I felt compelled to split it into its own page.
Click here to return to the main About Me page.
Webcomics
I was inspired to become a webcomic artist because of the incredible boom in indie comics that took place online in the mid 2010s. I firmly believe that some of the greatest writers of our generation are posting their work for free in comic form. I would highly recommend any of the following:
FreakAngels
by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield
I sometimes joke that every story I've ever written is secretly a FreakAngels adaptation. It was immensely inspirational to me in my teenage years.
(I don't think you can find this one online anymore, unfortunately. You can try to track down a physical release or unofficial reposts.)
Digger
by Ursula Vernon
Every character has a unique voice and the world itself is meticulously constructed. Another deeply influential comic for me, although more subtly.
Gunnerkrigg Court
by Tom Siddell
Yes, it's long, but if you want to get into webcomics, I consider it required reading. And maybe it'll finally be complete soon! Maybe!
Cucumber Quest
by GG DG
Another piece of required reading, especially the Rosemaster arc.
Demon Street
by Aliza Layne
The art is gorgeous, and some of the writing is downright poetic.
(The site was broken when I last checked. I'll link it again if/when it comes back online.)
Sleepless Domain
by Mary Cagle
The conflict is fantastical; the characters are very grounded and believable.
Laika's Comet
by fourleafisland
A new addition to my roster, but no less compelling than the classics.
Video Games
I've never had much interest in making games myself, but I grew up playing them, and was always drawn to the ones with unconventional narratives. My early taste in games was very indicative of the stories I would go on to write, in comics and in prose. I would highly recommend any of the following:
Portal (NOT Portal 2)
by Valve
Sorry for being a Portal 2 hater, but the original completely changed how I thought about storytelling when I first played it in 2008. The efficiency of Portal's restricted narrative scope and the deliberate ambiguity of GladOS's dialogue is unmatched in any game since, including its own sequel.
Bastion
by Supergiant Games
This game's appeal is hard to explain without spoiling the plot. I've always loved a story whose context completely changes once you know how it ends.
Ghost Trick
by Capcom
Another game that's impossible to talk about. I love a good mystery, and this one is full of fun characters and surprising twists from beginning to end.
OFF
by Unproductive Fun Time
This game is so weird. More people should make more weird stories. I played this game in French, which I am not fluent in, because I am pretentious.
I Am Your Beast and
El Paso Elsewhere
by Strange Scaffold
Two incredible games about how to heal from trauma and emotional abuse. Play with caution if those concepts are triggering for you.
Crow Country
by SFB Games
I don't usually like horror, but this game stuck with me. The way the protagonist's character is revealed through her dialogue and narration is masterful.