Things I Would Have Liked To Seen Explored In The Metal Virus Arc: Espio Dealing With Not Wanting To

Things I would have liked to seen explored in the metal virus arc: Espio dealing with not wanting to be “lead detective.” Not because he’s incapable, not because he wouldn’t be amazing at it; but because of the finality of the loss that would come with it.

Had this conversation in another post: when Vector said that line, it really had a vibe of a father passing on a position to his eldest son…a son who doesn’t feel ready for it despite being plenty capable.

What I would have loved to see in the comic; Espio grappling with the weight of that and maybe just having a moment where he feels his age. Just a little moment, at least.

I mean, the comics do a great service in letting the younger characters have moments of being young…but sometimes it feels a little disproportionate because, well…Sonic and everyone but Vector and Vanilla aren’t exactly all grown up either. Sometimes it can just come off a bit patronising/infantilising…but that’s a whole different conversation.

You have no idea how much this has touched me 😭

Thankyou! This is exactly what I wanted from my artwork; but don’t you worry, I’m having too much fun drawing the Chaotix and their chaotic family dynamic, and as long as I’ve got an idea they’re gonna have a piece!

Been so overwhelmed with all the notes, re blogs and wonderful tags I’ve been getting lately that I just had to draw my favourite found family as a big old THANKYOU!!!

It just…means so much to me that this one little thought has been shared by so many of us. I don’t know -why- it means so much to me, but I’m treasuring it; just like I’m treasuring every single like and tag and comment these pieces get.

Thankyou: not just for that, but for reminding me what art can do and for keeping me so inspired! I can’t wait to get started on my next piece with these guys!!

Know what? Same. 😭 That’s why I had to make a sequel!

It’s nice to know I’m not alone in feeling that Espio isn’t quite so above it all. Yes, he is an undoubtedly talented and capable ninja, dedicated to his craft and proud of it…but he’s also still sixteen years old.

And I mean that in the best possible way! I would not have been this zen at sixteen!

Also, head-canon that because he’s basically the team dad/dad friend/promoted to parent, Vector hears a LOT of “Bo-oooss” being called like that whiny “Daa-aaad” noise and can do zippo about it.

Oddworld: The Promised Neverland Homages (pt. 5)

Aka: my excuse to finally abuse the light pens in the name of art!!

I still can’t get over how well The Promised Neverland’s imagery lends itself to Oddworld…quite possibly because they’re pretty much the same concept, but still. I mean, fundamentally, Abe is absolutely a different character to Emma: he’s more reluctant in some respects and clearly doesn’t relish any of the danger he has to face…but he still loves his family. That moment where he hears gunshots and worriedly murmurs “The others…” is proof enough of that and it’s still as effective and powerful as Emma declaring that she never wants to lose another sibling to shipping.

That’s what I was hoping to convey most in this image—what the portal represents. Freedom, relief, safety; not necessarily for Abe, but for all the Mudokons we’ve helped him ferry to safety…or lost in one misstep.

More Chaotix family shenanigans!

Dya think Espio ever uses his invisibility to just “nope” on out of embarrassing situations?

I’ve re-discovered Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the realm. Cheesy? Yes, undoubtedly. Lovable? Oh absolutely. In terms of character chemistry, it’s got that hint of found-family that pretty much drives me and severely untapped comedy potential. (And weirdly, that carries over into the main game narrative, which I’m absolutely delighted to find out?? Ya know, considering what Mortal Kombat is most renowned for??)

Anyway, Nightwolf has always been my absolute favourite out of the roster, but more so in the cartoon. He’s just got “team’s tech-head little brother” vibes that I can’t NOT build on here! …And I just love the idea of Kiba getting into mischief on Nightwolf’s behalf.

…Not sure if I just wanna go full throttle and create a whole little series of doodles in the same vein as what X-Men: Evolution was to the X-Men series. Really tempted.