An anthropomorphic otter woman points her camera at the viewer. She is taking a photo of someone she cares about a lot indeed.
"Lilian II" | After a protest turns violent, Lilian and Eddie run off to escape the turmoil. A photo is taken. One that has was referenced all the way back in Chapter 1 | Chapter 7 is in production. I'm taking my time <3 | Read Chapters 1-6 now at gemstoneheroes.com
A slender otter in a grey supersuit looks right at us. The tone and mood are a little confrontational.
"Not My Son" | Chapter 7 starts where the concurrent narratives of Chapters 5 and 6 ended... Will finally coming face to face with Diamond. This is going to be quite the conversation | Read Chapters 1-6 now at gemstoneheroes.com
A slender otter in a grey supersuit looks right at us. The tone and mood are a little confrontational.
"Not My Son" | Chapter 7 starts where the concurrent narratives of Chapters 5 and 6 ended... Will finally coming face to face with Diamond. This is going to be quite the conversation | Read Chapters 1-6 now at gemstoneheroes.com
I am slowly chipping away at illustrations, but readers will really have to bare with me. I am not sure when I will finish yet. I foresee more free time from February onwards, and a little time over new year perhaps. It'll be worth it though, I promise <3
Front cover artwork for Gemstone Heroes Chapter 7: The Letter. Every chapter's illustrations feels harder than the last. The last two chapters are written, but it's about finding the time in my busy life to get this thing through and done.
"Taking Flight" - I can't remember if I uploaded this before, but it is one of my favourites from Chapter 2. I won't say what's happening here, but the energy of it has always stuck with me.
You can read the first 6 illustrated chapters of this screenplay project for free at gemstoneheroes.com
...but all of them would work toward a bigger story that wraps up a second volume. Suffice to say, while some arcs close at the end of Chapter 8, there will still be questions that remain thematically open, and huge swathes of time and realities that will be entirely worth exploring.
I think if I do continue with a volume 2 of Gemstone Heroes, the ideal format would be to write 2 episodes at a time, and illustrate them as I go. Instead of writing all 8 and taking years to illustrate them in one go. I like the idea of a series of two-parters that feel somewhat self-contained...
I suppose it's a luxury problem to have, right? Every idea that pops up for continuing stories just has to be written down for later. Though I do see Chapters 1 and 2 of Volume 2 in my head as clear as day. At this point it might only take a month to get first drafts out for development and proofing
I've had these 8 episodes of Gemstone Heroes written for so long, that the urge to write more in this world just continues to rise. With every episode I illustrate, it just makes me want to write more, and more, and more...
As a sweetener. I can reveal the title of Chapter 7:
"The Letter"
Those who have read Chapter 6 know what this means~
I know. I have been quiet...
Life has thrown me some curve balls since the new year. Family illness, moving apartments... But I can assure you I am picking things up with Chapter 7 this summer.
Chapters 7 and 8 are written and are waiting for my illustrations.
There are twists yet to come!
V <3
To anyone reading: I cannot encourage you enough to read
@gemstoneheroes.bsky.social
How do I express it? Maybe like this:
HO
LY
FU
CKING
SHIT
An advertisement for chapter 6 of Gemstone Heroes. It features five artwork illustrations from Chapter 6. The story is available to read at gemstoneheroes.com
Chapter 6 "Grip The Rope" is available to read now at gemstoneheroes.com. It features 74 pages of screenplay, 15 illustrations and elevates the previous five chapters to new heights as we zoom forward 20 years into the future. Let's open up this story as it becomes truly unpredictable. Enjoy~ JV.
An advertisement for chapter 6 of Gemstone Heroes. It features five artwork illustrations from Chapter 6. The story is available to read at gemstoneheroes.com
Chapter 6 "Grip The Rope" is available to read now at gemstoneheroes.com. It features 74 pages of screenplay, 15 illustrations and elevates the previous five chapters to new heights as we zoom forward 20 years into the future. Let's open up this story as it becomes truly unpredictable. Enjoy~ JV.
Chapter 6 introduces a story mechanic that many other narratives treat as a solution to a story... time travel.
However, in Gemstone Heroes, I have tried to treat time travel differently.
It's nihilistic, existential, punishing, emotional, regretful, extreme... selfish.
Thank you for the very kind review, and I am so glad that you're connecting with this story deeply.
I started this series with fairly traditional superhero narrative structure. But gradually, that traditional linear narrative has fallen away as we explore the truly unpredictable and existential <3
Hey @gemstoneheroes.bsky.social, I loved Chapter 6. My review is long, but here it is:
Okay everyone, if you want a really good emotional rollercoaster that has plenty of things to blow your mind as you read it, do read Gemstone Heroes!
Gemstone Heroes Chapter 6 "Grip The Rope" is now available to download and read.
If you're enjoying this story, please consider a small donation when you download.
Thank you to my readers for your patience. It's worth it, I promise <3
www.gemstoneheroes.com/chapter6
Gemstone Heroes Chapter 6 "Grip The Rope" is now available to download and read.
If you're enjoying this story, please consider a small donation when you download.
Thank you to my readers for your patience. It's worth it, I promise <3
www.gemstoneheroes.com/chapter6
Christmas is coming~
The wise vulture stands over Will. Her eyes glow. She reminds him that he knows who she is.
You Know Who I Am - Ooooo... Scary... It feels appropriate to release the final preview artwork for Chapter 6 on Halloween. As the chapters roll on, we're getting closer to finding out who The Wise Vulture is, and what she wants.
The wise vulture stands over Will. Her eyes glow. She reminds him that he knows who she is.
You Know Who I Am - Ooooo... Scary... It feels appropriate to release the final preview artwork for Chapter 6 on Halloween. As the chapters roll on, we're getting closer to finding out who The Wise Vulture is, and what she wants.
In the three years that I've been illustrating the chapters so far, I can see a marked improvement in my artwork quality. Looking back on Chapter 1, I can see so many things I would do differently. I really feel as if my artwork has reached a new height with Chapter 6.
An illustration from Chapter 1. Will checks out a local market with his friend Toby, but goes off on his own. He meets a mysterious vulture woman in a shop of antiquities, and discovers something very interesting indeed... Did time just... stop? Start reading now at gemstoneheroes.com
An illustration from Chapter 1. Will checks out a local market with his friend Toby, but goes off on his own. He meets a mysterious vulture woman in a shop of antiquities, and discovers something very interesting indeed... Did time just... stop? Start reading now at gemstoneheroes.com
All illustrations for Chapter 6 are now complete :3 Time to build the PDF and then the final proof read by another set of eyes. Almost there!
One more illustration to go… Almost there folks~ (apart from a final proof read, of course)
This has been the hardest chapter to get done so far. Just two chapters left after this :)
Two more illustrations to get done for Chapter 6. Exciting~