Smokey

CMSN: Astro Comics

Added 2023-10-17 20:07:02 +0000 UTC

This was a commission for A-5013!

Specifically, this is the last commission from the long batch I've been doing. I've been so glad that people enjoy my writing enough to commission me, and I feel bad for having to essentially close commissions for the next few weeks, but I've got some stuff irl that is going to be taking my time until at least November, and it comes first. Don't worry about stories though, because I've got multiple stories scheduled out until late November/early December, and I do still have time to keep writing my regular 2 updates a month.

As for this story, I'm very happy with how it turned out. It was fun getting to deal with things like how a Stepford-adjacent community would deal with censoring outside material, and the sort of things they'd allow published in their town, as well as how they'd subvert the intentions of an edgier writer. I didn't reference any real life indie comics, though there are a few I considered tossing in before deciding against it.

And with regards to the protagonist, it was a specific request from the commissioner to have her be totally subdued by a town's capable subliminal messaging campaign, and I loved that idea. There's no struggle, no chance to fight, because when you move to this particular town, they're just going to get in your head and make you part of the community, and you won't see it coming.

Hope you enjoy!