This isn't a question, but I just wanted to say that I'm loving the way you're writing Shadow in your webcomic! I appreciate how you've shown his humanity and vulnerability so far. Even though this story from the premise alone would basically demand that (Our boy is NOT having a fun time), I will always be glad to see this sort of characterization versus him being an ice cold, self-centered edgelord. Can't wait to see how the rest of your tale unfolds!
Hey Anon! Thanks for reading Infested!
Believe it or not, this more vulnerable sorta writing for Shadow is actually because this is Archie's version of Shadow! Ian Flynn was doing it first!
If you like this specific sorta characterization for the little dude, DEFINITELY check out Archie Sonic (#160+) and Sonic Universe, both of which were mostly written by Ian Flynn when he had the most freedom over how he could write the characters. His take on Shadow in Archie remains my favorite version of the character.
On this day, 7 December 1928, Avram Noam Chomsky, legendary activist, linguist and author was born to a Jewish immigrant family in Philadelphia. Chomsky came to prominence as an activist as an outspoken critic of the Vietnam war, for which he was arrested several times and placed on President Richard Nixon’s official list of enemies. He has since become one of the world’s leading critics of US foreign-policy, and one of the most cited scholars alive. Politically Chomsky usually identifies with currents including libertarian socialism and anarchism, stating: “I was attracted to anarchism as a young teenager, as soon I began to think about the world beyond a pretty narrow range, and haven’t seen much reason to revise those early attitudes since.” And despite dark times, Chomsky believes that we have to face our challenges with optimism: “Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, it’s unlikely you will step up and take responsibility for making it so. If you assume that there’s no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, there are opportunities to change things, there’s a chance you may contribute to making a better world. The choice is yours.” Yesterday, WCH was very happy to host the launch of Chomsky’s new book with author James Kelman, Between Thought and Expression Lies a Lifetime: Why Ideas Matter. You can get it, along with our book for which Chomsky contributed the foreword, in our online store: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/all/noam-chomsky https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1871057279746080/?type=3
oh my god guys i'm actually really writing the time travel au i could cry. i finished the draft of chapter one i started writing back in 2020. never give up on your dreams.
choking on water is the worst because how do you stop choking? drink something? well ive got some bad news for you
my dream as a fanfic writer is for one day, one of my fics to be someones comfort fic. like the fic that they reread when they don't feel good and want to be happy. i want my words to comfort someone one day
The Silver Swan, built by John Joseph Merlin and James Cox, 1773.
Source: Mechanical Marvels, Clockwork Dreams (BBC)
*Waves in greeting from across the Internet*
(Don't know if you've gotten questions like this before but wanted to see what you'd think, considering how much you seem to like Shadow.)
Q: Concerning Shadow's title of Ultimate Life Form, do you think that it is something empowering he should wear with pride, or a curse/burden to be freed of which, among other things, shackles him to horrific and unrealistic expectations?
I feel like this question is kinda like a litmus test for why a person may like Shadow.
Personally, I think there's nuance to be found here. To me, Shadow feels both those ways about being "The Ultimate Lifeform," but how he feels about it bounces between one or the other depending on his mood. He is The Ultimate Lifeform, a being of great power that demands respect when he's trying to intimidate someone or achieving his goals -- Goals only he is capable of achieving, with what he is and all that. Obviously. He's the Ultimate Lifeform, so of course he should be the one to step in and solve the problem. He was designed to be an unstoppable force...
... So when he fails, he has to mentally come to grips with that failure in a way that, I feel, is more difficult for him than, say, if Sonic fails. Sonic is natural. His failures are natural. Shadow is unnatural. His failures. Are. Unnatural. They are not meant to happen. It's arrogance until it's not. His status is just as much a rope he holds to climb a mountain as it is a noose around his neck. A source of confidence, and Gerald Robotnik's judgemental gaze.
He's proud. He's an achiever. He's a pillar of strength. Until he slips.
So, how he (may) feel is how I feel. Depending on his mood, Shadow's Ultimate Lifeform title is both a boon to him and a great and terrible weight. He draws strength and self-loathing from it in equal amounts. That's simply how I interpret it, anyway.
The first 'real' episode of my Let's Play is now up!
Chapter 2 will be posted on the 23rd if nothing interferes.
These posts are hosted on Dreamwidth. You do not need a DW account to read them, and you shouldn't need one if you want to comment directly on the post, either!
Chaos control trend 🫡