The Messenger

The Messenger - UPDATE!

tech@thehiveworks.com — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:27:10 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

Hey all, been a while :"D

Finally a long overdue update. A lot has happened.... I'll try not to get too rambly.

Since I posted the last page, my mom passed away. Having lost both my parents now, things have been difficult both emotionally and ... organizationally. Lots of big things have had to be sorted out. But, while I haven't had time to do anything substantial with the story, I've still been thinking about it in that time.

And... I've settled on taking a different direction for how I tell the the remaining story of this comic. My life and mindset has changed so much since I first started this project. Including my mindset on how/why I create art. It's now less about going for styles/formats that are known and accepted in this storytelling landscape (here: webcomics in the rendered cell shading style and with thoughtfully structured paneling that show every action/word etc), and more about exploring: messing around with ways I can express my interest in what I see when I wander somewhere. After a long time mulling over things, I think I'd prefer to tell the rest of the story in this kinda way. If you follow me on twitter/tumblr, this is the art style I've been working in the most lately. Something like "sketchbook journal pages." Not only is it more enjoyable to me, I feel my art style just works a lot better aesthetically in those.

The picture I posted above is one I've completed already. A few more examples below to give an idea of what this style is :"D

So yeah, my plan is doing that sort of thing along with general journal pages/mini doodly comic snippets, due to the above reasons, plus because of how many insane roadblocks this story has hit (making it way beyond the timeframe I wanted to finish it anyway) this more shorthand format will feel a lot better in finishing this story...

So those are my thoughts... :"D I do apologize to the people who were following this comic for the specific art style/storytelling before. I know this comic wasn't huge, but there were certainly people who continually left their support and I really appreciate it. Even though the rest of the story won't be told that way, hope there's still a solid "ending" that at least wraps things up.

As far as schedule for when I'll start posting...

I've got a 3 week trip to EU, then when I'm back home, 2 weeks left at work, then I'll be quitting. With the extra time I'll have in the coming months, I'll be hard-focusing on my art projects, this one first and foremost.

Anyway, thanks for the patience for the update/hope it isn't disappointing to hear :"D I'll be back in a few months with a good chunk of pages to share c:

Hope you're well ~

The Messenger - 073 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:46:46 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

Oh my gosh, made it ;b; chapter two is complete!

Now the REAL adventure begins........

But until then, I'll need a little break. A lot of big, personal tragedies happened irl over the course of posting this comic, as I think several people know.

It's been very difficult. This comic deserves much better. I kind of phoned-in a lot about this chapter, and also haven't had energy to interact more with folks here, or do *anything* to express my excitement about it on social media. i want to put more love into it all the parts of this story, and have the energy to be excited about it along with people who have been showing their enthusiasm this whole time! please know I appreciate your comments so much, they've been so fun to read. Thank you.

The break won't be indefinite, if anyone is worried. I have all of chapter 3 roughly thumbed out, so imo the hardest part is done at least. I'll try to make more updates over twitter if anyone is interested, little wips as i continue to progress n such.

But for now i need a break, appreciate the time i have left with my mom, be with my fam, my wife, try to figure out how to enjoy creating again, etc

thank you for the patience and take care

The Messenger - 072 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:59:02 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

The Messenger - 071 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:02:29 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

The Messenger - 070 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:43:47 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

Live Kai reaction:

The Messenger - 069 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 25 May 2023 12:25:25 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

The Messenger - 068 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 18 May 2023 20:19:46 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

The Messenger - 067 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 11 May 2023 14:33:11 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

The Messenger - 066 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 04 May 2023 11:02:04 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

He's better :)

The Messenger - 065 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:13:48 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

Someone help him they took his eyesight!!!!!!!!�😭😭😭

The Messenger - 064 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:30:42 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

He is beauty, he is grace....

Surely this will end well :)

The Messenger - 063 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:32:49 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

*calls upon the power of the First Gods to get some cake*

Sounds about right...

Thank you for reading <3

The Messenger - 061 062 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:18:49 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

AYO Surprise double-page update!!! (if it's too small to read, here's the full-view)

….Because this would be a bit incomprehensible if I posted one page at a time here, I imagine >.> heh.

Admittedly, I’m not a fan of this composition…, there’s a lot that bugs me D: along with the fact my double-page spreads are too small to read on this site ;; was still a lot of fun to make as a whole though~ hope you like et too!! :D�

And have fun Kai :) I’m sure he has No Ragrats about his agreement from 3 minutes prior to this moment \o/

Btw Heads up: because this is a double page update, the next page will be posted the following week instead. AKA: Page 63 will be up April 13th 🙂

(I was wondering if I should take that week break or not, and yeah I think I’ll take the chance. Am currently working on a second lil comic right now too, for an awesome zine!!!– it’s “only” 15 pages, but still quite an extra load when you already work a regular full-time job on top of that.)

The Messenger - 060 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:28:29 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

The Messenger - 059 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:23:14 -0700

New comic!
Today's News:

Character lineart and base colors by my wife, Ned C:

The Messenger - 058 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:22:00 -0800

New comic!
Today's News:

:DDDD There they go~ bringing inspiration and awe to all in their wake ~

This page was def one of my favorites to work on, of this chapter.

Trivia: it was actually the first page my wife and I collab'd on! (yes we work a bit out-of-order). In fact, it was our test run page. Needless to say, it was a success :3

The Messenger - 057 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 12:26:58 -0800

New comic!
Today's News:

:DDDDDD

Character lineart and base colors by my wife, Ned C:

The Messenger - 056 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:19:16 -0800

New comic!
Today's News:

Won't you???? *pleady eyes emoji*

omg sorry I almost forgot to upload today!!! We got a TON of snow last night, and it's so fun and makes everything so cozy! ... came completely out of nowhere tbh. Thankfully my "fridays" are wednesdays, so I'm able to enjoy it without stress c:

Hope you're all well <3

Character lineart and base colors, as usual, by my wife, Ned !

The Messenger - 055 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:39:19 -0800

New comic!
Today's News:

Character lineart and base colors by my wife, Ned C:

The Messenger - 054 - Chapter Two

tech@thehiveworks.com — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:17:48 -0800

New comic!
Today's News:

False alarm... this time.

Early-ish update (1am rather than a normal hour, like, noon) so that I don't forget during my actual Thursday! It'll be busyyy @.@

As usual: lovely character lineart and base colors by my wife, Ned C:

Take care, and thank you for reading!!!