On Comic Concepts (Patreon)

Creative writing bit here, news below:

In the not too distant future, humanity is on the brink of self-annihilation. Despite the existence of a true global network and futuristic technologies that allow universal communication, fear and hatred have been steadily building for years.

It is in this climate that the Architects appear; terrifying beings of formless mass with seemingly omnipotent powers. In a proclamation upon their arrival they assert they are the creators of Man, which has been labelled a failed experiment.

The godlike beings allow a single defense. If it can be proven that fifty percent of mankind’s population is good, they will be spared. Mankind pales at the impossible task. Year by dwindling year, emissaries of humanity entreat the Architects to lower the threshold. First to forty percent, then thirty, then twenty, and finally ten. In stunning magnanimity the Architects accept each time.

Upon the Day of Judgement Earth’s population stands at only seven percent good, still a hopelessly failing grade. It is proclaimed that Judgement shall be dispensed forthwith.

The Architects open the door to Tartarus from which crawl an endless army whose ranks are composed of the Architect’s previous failed experiments. It becomes clear that if humanity wants to survive now, it must be ruthless enough to incorporate itself into the ranks of Tartarus.

Even those previously judged to be good succumb to utter barbarism.

It is in this dark hour the Therians arrive; a race of anthropomorphic animals previously judged to be good and spared by the Architects. In defiance of the very godlike beings who spared them they also re-enter Earth - a world they left long ago for paradise - to protect anyone who fights against the Tartarans.

This is the world in which our hero finds themselves. Depressed after having been judged to be insufficiently good, they have lost nearly all hope. Despite this, they are saved by a Therian. The hero is unable to accept that they deserve rescue, but when their rescuer is nearly killed, something awakes inside them...

I'm not sure of the best way to say this, so I'll just lead with it. It's been really difficult for me to work lately. I've been obsessing about deadlines and what has to be done and it's left me sort of paralyzed. While I know that's how a job works sometimes, I've felt for a long time like the quality of my comics is suffering for it.

I hope you'll forgive this detour. I had an idea that I liked and I just wanted to chase something that I felt like doing. So this is nothing more than a flight of fancy; a short bit of writing that I liked enough to concept a bit for. I hope it's something other people like too.