I never post on bluesky because I'm too busy making dumb shit like this.

The shitty 21st century remake of Operation Paperclip nobody asked for

My interest in #DoctorWho has waned, but I still treasure my memories of the show, particularly the Tom Baker, Christopher Eccleston, and Peter Capaldi years.

I also love the early Big Finish stories — Rob Shearman the GOAT.

Anyway, here's my old tribute:

It's difficult to express how much Spawn by the legendary @toddmcfarlane.bsky.social— both the comics and especially the action figure line— meant to me as a kid (and even now). Todd is has been an artistic idol of mine for longer than I can remember.

#Spawn #comics

Jack Staff by the brilliant @mistergrist.bsky.social is one of my all-time favorite comic series. Still holding out hope for a proper conclusion, all these years later @imagecomics.com

(Although Kane coming back is nice too)

#JackStaff #Comics

This is The One Electronic from "Rice Boy" by the amazing @evandahm.bsky.social

I discovered Dahm's work in college; it was foundational influence as I was figuring out what I wanted to do in life. "Rice Boy" and T.O.E. in particular really mean a lot to me.

#Comics

A few years later I did this one, showcasing even more of Fiffe's wonderful character designs. With the end of the series looming (RIP), I'm overdue to draw another.

#COPRA #Comics #DeathOfCOPRA

This "COPRA" piece was graciously included in issue #32 by the incomparable @michelfiffe.bsky.social

#COPRA #Comics #DeathOfCOPRA

The broader story of kingdoms and war is pretext; in the end, the battle is won... but the system remains.

That IS "the point."

We love the characters, learn to understand them, and our hearts break for them because we recognize their potential for goodness, forgiveness, and change — but they live within a system that will stop at nothing to keep them in their place.

The Dogman's growth into a leader, Jezal overcoming his selfishness, Glockta's reconciliation with West — these developments matter, even if the world as a whole has no regard for them. It's bittersweet to realize that these beautiful, personal changes have no broader social effect.

The only true victories are small, personal ones that come at an enormous cost. It's essentially the fantasy equivalent of The Wire in terms of theme (and the empathy it miraculously holds for even the most loathsome characters)

There's no quick fix in the world of The First Law — no magical solution that, if accomplished, would suddenly make the world a good and just place.

I feel the core theme of the First Law trilogy (and really, Abercrombie's larger body of work) is the way in which institutions, traditions, and societal structures are largely set in stone after generations, and are nearly impossible to change as a result.

My problem with this line of thinking is the assumption that the protagonists achieving their goals is what gives a story "a point," which is certainly not the case. Sometimes failure is more interesting.

Occasionally I'll see people saying Joe Abercrombie's #FirstLaw trilogy is "pointless" because the world fails to change and the main characters don't really succeed. 🧵

Some thoughts (with mild spoilers)

#books #fantasy #writingcommunity