#Tess Fowler Gutierrez

[thehauntedrocket]

Martok

Art by Tess Fowler Gutierrez

[maxbegone]

I want us to support artists and creatives more than ever right now.

But for those of us in the Critical Role community, I really want us to support Tess Fowler. If you don’t follow her, she’s a brilliant character artist who has multiple pieces in the CR art books, is a total badass is a friend of the cast, and is the lead illustrator/co-creator for the comic book series Kid Lobotomy. I believe she’s working on a graphic memoir as well.

Tess Fowler started her first round of chemotherapy today. She’s in high spirits and is keeping a very positive outlook which is great, but she’s also being very open about it all.

I’m going to link her store and her partner, Chris Gutierrez’s store below. Be safe, be well, and don’t forget to love each other.

Tess: https://tessfowler.storenvy.com/

Chris: https://www.mkatstudios.com/

[davidmariottecomics]

It's All in the Execution

Hello again! 

Today is the Trans Day of Remembrance. It caps off Trans Awareness Week. It's a somber occasion. And, content warning for gun violence, hate crimes, injury, and death, this year it is particularly somber as we're reeling from the tragedy at Club Q. It is doubtless that these two incidents are connected. And so today we remember Daniel Aston, as well as the others who were killed. We remember the countless other trans lives that've been ended prematurely. This is going out awfully late into the evening, but please take some time to mourn and grieve and hope for peace and justice for those we've lost. 

In terms of practical action, tell a trans person you love them. Maybe send them some money. You can also donate to the Colorado Healing Fund. Or Trans Lifeline. Or the Transgender Law Center. Share this map of informed consent HRT facilities. Follow up with your representatives on any anti-trans legislation in your area. Advocate for your communities and be willing to protect the people in them, by force if necessary. 

To get the other serious matters out of the way up top, there are a few comics creators who could really use your help right now. My friend Jeffrey Veregge was diagnosed with Lupus last year and is still hospitalized and his family needs assistance. Tess Fowler and Chris Gutierrez are currently dealing with their own medical emergency. And those are just the ones directly on my radar. 

And, finally, our attention turns to Owasso, Oklahoma, where a public school library did one of the dumbest things I can remember hearing about in recent memory: at one parent's complaint about one book, Blankets by Craig Thompson, the school pulled ALL the graphic novels from the shelves for two months and are planning on returning them and adding new ones, but only after every single book is examined page-by-page by an adult who can flag any possibility of sexual or other offensive material. I can only hope that Tim Reiland's daughter grows up to be a more thoughtful individual than he is and that the people in charge of this library are reminded of their duty to present challenging material. 

With that all said, I'd also still like to talk a bit about the execution of thematic goals in your work, but if you're too drained, I get it. You can come back later. 

This year, Becca and I have been seeing a lot of horror movies. In college, I started getting more into horror and now it's probably the genre most likely to get me into a theater. So far, the two best horror movies we've seen this year are neck-in-neck: Pearl and Barbarian (with X, the other movie in Ti West and Mia Goth's trilogy landing as a solid 3rd, and TBH, we still haven't seen Nope though that's on the agenda for the coming week). I could and will gush about Pearl and X at some point soon. I'll also throw in a good word for House of the Devil, which I feel is a very closely related movie, also by Ti West. Sorry, getting distracted already! Anyway, the point is that A LOT of the movies we've seen this year have been thematically very similar, including those two. But the other three perfectly illustrate a sort of Goldilocks scale of execution of an idea. 

The Poppa Bear of the group is Men. I know this movie's very divisive. Some people quite like it for reasons I can't explain. Like Poppa Bear's soup which was too hot or his bed which was too hard, Men was an unpleasant experience. The premise is Alex Garland read a couple articles about feminism and decided he should make a movie about how scary men are to women, forgetting that he already made that movie, Ex Machina. A traumatized woman working through a violent incident in her life goes out to a small English town and all the men in town are portrayed by one actor (an actually impressive feat, but not so much so as to outweigh the movie's flaws) and she thinks she's going crazy because they're all one guy and then the last third gets supernatural, but more importantly, super stupid. "Men are scary" is a really simple theme to build a story on and a worthy one because they are (see above). But one of the things that makes men scary is that they are capable of so much in the real world. That's what Men forgets. Sure, it recognizes that men abuse women physically and emotionally, particularly through gaslighting, but one of it's biggest failings is that as the story continues, the horror becomes removed from that reality. Is it gaslighting if all the men look the same because they're actually played by one guy and also are after you personally? What's the deal with the big "horror set piece" of the story being all the men who are the same guy birthing each other out of the mouth and other assorted made-up holes? It's clearly chosen because there're historically strong connections of womanhood and childbearing (reinforced by the ultimate arrival of the pregnant friend), but uhh... other than her friend being pregnant, it has no bearing on the main character's lived experience. It's just seeing a man do a "womanly" thing like giving birth that's "scary". And that's not scary, nor is it particularly smart commentary because it doesn't actually have anything to do with why men are scary. Anyway, do yourself a favor and don't watch Men. It's the pits. You can watch Ex Machina instead. Or maybe you could watch...

The Momma Bear of the group is Don't Worry Darling. Another divisive movie. This one's debatably a "horror", it's more psychological thriller, but I think those're inter-related enough to count. Like Momma Bear's bed, it's not firm enough. The premise is Harry Styles and Florence Pugh live an idyllic 1950s-esque planned community, organized by the mysterious Chris Pine. While Harry, Chris, and the other men go off every day to work on a mysterious project, the women are restricted to the community and to lives as housewives. But all is not what it seems... Spoilers: The men? Slightly scary. Unlike Men (BTW, hate that as a title because it makes talking about other men in the same analysis so hard), rather than turning the systemic oppression of women into a tête-à-tête between one woman and one many-man, it actually explores things on the levels of real communities and the power dynamics that men have both historically exercised and that many men seem to still fantasize about. Genuinely, the highest praise I can give this movie is that the female-gazed horror is a male-power fantasy. It indulges in the reasons why men act the way they do and in doing so actually gives it a reason to be scary. In terms of it not being firm enough, it's a bit unevenly paced and toned, so the stakes don't really feel material for most of the movie--there's too much mystery about what's going on that even when the audience knows something is wrong, they don't feel that the danger is imminent. It's a solid 6.5 or 7 out of 10, but again, you'd probably be better off watching the director's other movie, Booksmart. Or, you could watch... 

Barbarian is a movie you should go into with very little knowledge. The Baby Bear of the group all you need to know is that it is just right. Nah, but like, if you usually check content warnings before horror movies, do that, otherwise, the only description you're getting from me is a woman of color shows up at her AirB&B only to find that it's already occupied by a man claiming he rented it who invites her in to sort things out and from there things happen. And, hey, that premise--already more realistically scary than either of the other two because that's shit that could actually happen. It is a complex movie that manages to actually have something to say--and was written and directed by one of the Whitest Kids U' Know (which I just found out, the twists keep coming with this one!). But, suffice to say, by the end of the movie, you'll get that men are scary and why and have that layered with so much more. It's a masterpiece of filmmaking and of using your story--the location, the cast, the pacing, the plot elements--to tell a cohesive story that not only covers the thematic message you want to convey, but embodies it and grows into something more as it continues. 

This is going awfully long again, so let me conclude with two last things. 

1. The live reenactment of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip by Alec Robbins, Grace Freud, and friends was AMAZING. Some of the funniest comedy I've ever had the pleasure of seeing live. If the TV show had been half as good as this one-off reenactment, I actually think it would've lasted more than a season. I don't know that anyone will ever be able to see it if you weren't there, but it was magical! 

2. Becca's got their last artist's alley of the year on Tuesday. It's NiteNite Night with Biz Baz Club and New Motion Brewery. There'll be artists selling cool stuff just in time for the holidays and karaoke! Becca's going to have some new merch debuting! It'll be a good time! I'll be there too, but only to help Becca. More info in the image! Hope to see you there! 

Pic of the Week #2: As promised with the other post this week, here's a not great picture I took of Tiansheng and I cuddled on the couch when Becca was out of town earlier in the week. He's cute! 

[hattedhedgehog]

I GOT TO MEET TESS FOWLER AND CHRIS GUTIERREZ! IN PERSON! They were SUCH lovely people and it was so cool to spend time with them and talk about Critical Role and cosplay and comics <3

[davidmariottecomics]

Pacing Yourself-Part 2?

Tumblr was giving me a hard time putting this all in one post, so the last one's all the really handy advice and this is mostly my shameless plugs!

Shameless Self Promo Did you know that right now, I've got new stuff in the shop on this very website?! It's true! For the holiday season, I've got bundles of comics I wrote, collections, and a print version of my Jimmy Squarefoot story with Becca! All stuff comes signed and personalized if you want. Some rare, harder-to-find covers are included in some of the bundles. I'm also throwing in some free gifts with every order! It'd be rad if you could buy some stuff particularly because both the cats are due for their annual wellness appointments/vaccine updates! 

You can also grab a digital copy of Jimmy Squarefoot at my Ko-Fi! Or you could get it from Becca, as well as a digital copy of their NSFW 18+ comic "Rivals" at their itch page! I think their Genshin zine's going to be up there before too long too. 

Or you can support Becca's post-con-season shop update! We're both clearing out a lot of our stuff from this year's convention circuit, but this is their first full on shop opening! Through tomorrow (maybe Tuesday) they're doing two exclusive pre-orders so you can get stuff this year that otherwise won't be on sale until the 2023 con-season begins. It's a sticker of Anya from Spy x Family and a print of Rika and Satoko from Higurashi: When They Cry - GAO. Pre-orders on their Pochita keychain are still open too, as well as literally like a ton of other keychains, stickers, prints, zines, and maybe even some other stuff? 

Even if you aren't in a position to buy something, it'd be cool if you could let your friends who might be interested know. 

Giving Tuesday As a reminder, we're also coming up on Giving Tuesday. It's a day for charitable action. You can donate money and time and resources and give back on a local level or a national one or an international one. Just to spotlight a few people and places who could use your help: the Colorado Healing Fund is a direct response to the Club Q shooting. Trans Lifeline is a peer-based support and resource center that helps trans people with emotional and financial support. The Transgender Law Center provides legal aid, resources, and advocacy. You can check out your local mutual aid network. Or your local abortion right advocacy organization or your local racial justice organization or your local domestic violence support center or your local LGBTQ community center or your local homeless shelter or just, y'know, like help a person in need in your neighborhood. I mentioned last week that Jeffrey Veregge's family and Tess Fowler & Chris Gutierrez both have ongoing GoFundMes for their current medical emergencies. Just try to do something. 

Which finally brings us to this week's regular features.

Things I've been enjoying this week: The first person to buy something from my shop! Thank you! Honestly, just like, some time off. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (This year was a little lacking, but I love the parade). Making a dope turkey! Becca's last little show of the year, which was on Tuesday. Having Anoosha Syed wrapping paper for gifts this year. Candy canes. Honkai Impact (Video game). Sonic Frontiers (Video game). Chainsaw Man (Anime & Manga). 

New Releases this week (11/23/2022): Transformers: Shattered Glass II #4 (Supervising Editor) Special shout-outs to G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #300 (the final issue with a new record-breaking cover), Earthdivers #1's second printing (releasing the week before Columbus Day and having the second printing out for Thanksgiving is very apt), and Dark Spaces: Wildfire #5 (the final issue of the launch title of both the Dark Spaces line and the new IDW Original initiative). 

New releases next week (11/30/2022): Godzilla Rivals: Vs. Gigan (I didn't actually work on this, but the team that did is awesome and you should check it out)

Final Order Cutoff--Last chance for your store to guarantee release day copies for you (11/28/2022): Canto: Tales of the Unnamed World (Editor) Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors--All Hail the King #4 (Editor) Godzilla Rivals: Rodan vs. Ebirah (Editor) 

Pic of the Week: We put up our Christmas tree over the weekend and I got this very cute picture of Nadja sleeping under it. Also, some of the cool stuff up at Becca's shop!  

[maxbegone]

Hey folks!

Tess is headed for two surgeries in the coming weeks, the first one being next month. Her last chemo is in a week, and she recently posted this comic on her Instagram page about her breast cancer diagnosis.

The links above to Maurader Collectables and Tess’ shop still work!

If you’re able to support her and her incredible art, please do! If not, I hope you share this post as a way of sending a wonderfully strong woman some love.

I want us to support artists and creatives more than ever right now.

But for those of us in the Critical Role community, I really want us to support Tess Fowler. If you don’t follow her, she’s a brilliant character artist who has multiple pieces in the CR art books, is a total badass is a friend of the cast, and is the lead illustrator/co-creator for the comic book series Kid Lobotomy. I believe she’s working on a graphic memoir as well.

Tess Fowler started her first round of chemotherapy today. She’s in high spirits and is keeping a very positive outlook which is great, but she’s also being very open about it all.

I’m going to link her store and her partner, Chris Gutierrez’s store below. Be safe, be well, and don’t forget to love each other.

Tess: https://tessfowler.storenvy.com/

Chris: https://www.mkatstudios.com/

[jessnxtdoor]

Tess and her husband Chris are the nicest people and I think about them often.

Tess has a unique art style, the way she draws eyes haunts me. And Chris does awesome sculptures.

I want us to support artists and creatives more than ever right now.

But for those of us in the Critical Role community, I really want us to support Tess Fowler. If you don’t follow her, she’s a brilliant character artist who has multiple pieces in the CR art books, is a total badass is a friend of the cast, and is the lead illustrator/co-creator for the comic book series Kid Lobotomy. I believe she’s working on a graphic memoir as well.

Tess Fowler started her first round of chemotherapy today. She’s in high spirits and is keeping a very positive outlook which is great, but she’s also being very open about it all.

I’m going to link her store and her partner, Chris Gutierrez’s store below. Be safe, be well, and don’t forget to love each other.

Tess: https://tessfowler.storenvy.com/

Chris: https://www.mkatstudios.com/

[jessnxtdoor]

She’s going in for her final chemo treatment tomorrow! Her scans are looking good. Here’s hoping she’s cancer-free by the end of the year!

I want us to support artists and creatives more than ever right now.

But for those of us in the Critical Role community, I really want us to support Tess Fowler. If you don’t follow her, she’s a brilliant character artist who has multiple pieces in the CR art books, is a total badass is a friend of the cast, and is the lead illustrator/co-creator for the comic book series Kid Lobotomy. I believe she’s working on a graphic memoir as well.

Tess Fowler started her first round of chemotherapy today. She’s in high spirits and is keeping a very positive outlook which is great, but she’s also being very open about it all.

I’m going to link her store and her partner, Chris Gutierrez’s store below. Be safe, be well, and don’t forget to love each other.

Tess: https://tessfowler.storenvy.com/

Chris: https://www.mkatstudios.com/