I can't believe it, almost 15,000 views. Been an interesting run I've had here on DA. Even though I seldom post any of my own art, its been nice hanging around here. I figure showcasing pics of my OCs is good enough until I decide I want to post portraits of Edgar Allan Poe and what not.

So updates... VA is on hiatus, though I've been working on the designs of the Season 1 villains and the rival team, Doblestnyy Vityaz. In the meantime, I'm working on some stories and comics revolving around my original character Malaya. Already I've gotten a number of pics featuring her, so she's gaining popularity.

I'm also in college now. Yay! Hard work, but sure worth it.

Anyway, if someone wants to send me a pic of the 15,000th view, go ahead. Not sure I can do anything for you except write a story maybe, or have do a picture for you or something. Just an optional thing.

Alright, I've started a kind of blog/online bible/social group of sorts on a website I frequent, specifically devoted to my superhero serial fiction setting/universe, Vigilant Alliance. If you wanna know more about it and what the big deal is, go here:

[link]

You might have to sign-up, I don't know for sure. If anyone can tell me, it'd help.

UPDATE: Added a bio for the DS. Supporting characters are next!

UPDATE 2: Added the supporting characters!

UPDATE 3: Veeeeeeery belated update, but tons of other bios. I've started a series on the various VA characters, superheroes and villains, divided by countries and then by teams. So far I've finished Egypt and Germany, but am not stuck on who to do next: the United States, Great Britain, or Japan. All are favorites. Hmmm, tough one tough one...

Yeah, I guess I'm not good at blogging. Last entry is almost a year old, and I've averaged a little over three journal entries for every year I've been here. Am I really *that* lazy?

Aaaaaanyway...I suppose I should put something of substance in here...well, I've been home alone for about two weeks now, just me and the animals. Aside from the guys working on refurbishing the house, I've had some really nice, quiet days without being really busy, and lots of free time. This, despite the fact that I have over twice the workload I had when the parents were here. Been using that free time to get a few things done, like my summer reading and more work on VA (Vigilant Alliance, my lil' superhero fiction project), which is expanding rather rapidly in terms of scope and characters. Prolly likely I'll end the focus on the DS with Season 2, and maybe branch off into a spinoff about its resident Chinese superhero organization, which right now has about 25 characters total. Between them and the shenanigans of the Middle East and the UN superteam (the Consortium, which is another group likely to get its own limited spinoff series), I've got ample material for all sorts of stories. Who knows, maybe I'll launch a VA Bible here or as a set of deviations...

Still waiting on Pyras to finish that pic so I can commission him some more. *grumble* Doubtless I'll have all the info on the VAverse up by the time he's done, then it'll be poll time to decide who gets the next set of pics...

This year has been pretty active as far as my moviegoing experience is concerned. There are a number of films I'd like to see, and several that I want to see in theaters. So far, out of the list I've seen "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk," sadly missing out on the first one on my list, "Cloverfield." Which brings us to the next film on my list, "Hancock."

For those who haven't seen it, "Hancock" primarily centers around the eponymous character, a homeless drunkard who just happens to possess awesome physical attributes akin to Superman. He is a 'superhero' only in the sense that he rescues people and takes down criminals; in the process, however, he causes mass destruction without so much a care in the world; during the opening sequence. he flies through a large sign that causes a pileup of police vehicles, tears gouges in a highway, and smashes several buildings before dumping the SUV the criminals are in onto a building spire. Its this carelessness and lack of respect for anyone and anything that gives him a less than stellar reputation among both the public and government.

Enter Ray Embrey, a public-relations expert who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when it comes to a train. Hancock arrives, and he witnesses first-hand everything; what Hancock does, the consequences of his actions, and what people think of him. Embery constantly strives to improve the world, continually (and unsuccessfully) pushing for corporate sponsors to donate to a charity. In Hancock he sees a chance, at the very least, to turn a man's life around.

The rest of the film centers around the change in Hancock, and his relationship with Embery and his wife. There's more to it than that, but I can't spoil much. There is a superpowered psuedo-antagonist (part of an out-of-left-field twist) and a villain of sorts. But unlike some superhero flicks, this isn't about the hero and the villain. Hancock is more of a drama than action film, so if you are an action nut then it really isn't for you. Some aspects of its plot may also strike viewers as odd, especially the backstory given to Hancock and the mid-way twist. Overall, its a well-made, enjoyable flick.

Pros:
-Good acting. Will Smith and Charlize Theron play off of each other very well throughout, and it works immensely well. Most of what makes the sizeable character moments work is because of the subtle nods and nuances given to each one. Smith is in typical mode, but Theron's character helps add a bit of depth to his performance, and the chemistry that results aids both.
-While I mainly watch superhero flicks because I love the clash between villain and hero, I can applaud this film for largely not following the basic gist most seem to follow. Its character driven, and while parts of this are questionable, its definitely not brainless.
-The SPFX are decent. More consistent than "Incredible Hulk," though not quite up to the level of "Iron Man." Likewise the action sequences are all very well done. Notable is a tense confrontation mid-way through between Hancock and a bank robber with a detonator to a bomb.

Cons:
-The twist will have some folks scratching their heads. It completely changes the entire tone of the film and story, and beyond a certain vague hint you won't see it coming. Likewise, Hancock's backstory is a bit on the odd side; its not unnecessary, but doesn't exactly feel 'right.'
-The 'villains' are really side characters simply added to give Hancock something to fight (or crush/smash, as is often the case). While the confrontations themselves are well executed, the characters are rather negligible and unimportant. Aside from standard motivations, like greed and revenge, they aren't more than cardboard cutouts. Of course, the film isn't about them, so this lack of development comes as no surprise.
-The humor falls flat in almost every scene. If you came thinking this was some comedy, you got duped by the ads. There's little except in the firs-half, and what is in there really isn't all that funny. At best, you'll chuckle. Thats it.

Overall Rating: Good
Would I see it again?: Nope

Demolishing trolls...

A certain individual has recently decided to attack one of the people on my watchlist, claiming that a certain piece in his gallery is not his original artwork. His only evidence? That he's known about it "for years" and seen it on 4Chan. Otherwise, he has barely bothered to provide any other evidence except his word, which is a lousy way of defending one's self and made of fail.

Anyway, while the folks defending this artist have gone about it the standard way most internet troglodytes do (no offense folks), I decided to step in. Normally I don't do this, as these things tend to get massive and out of control very quickly, but I made an exception here. This guy offended my sensibilities like no other, and damn him if he were to get away with it. So I posted something completely tearing apart every one of his statements and affirming the credibility of the artist while showing how little the troll has. And of course, instead of being a man and actually providing raw hard evidence to counter my points, he avoids them and falls back on his unsupported claims as all the evidence he needs. Sorry Charlie, not gonna cut it...

I haven't felt this good in a LOOONG time. So nice just to tear into a person and reduce them to quivering ribbons. Blood tastes so good...