#they bite! a ballad of vampiric disease

[sentimentalkeyboard]

"I mean, if anything... Who would you be today if it weren't for me? If it weren't for Shaveene? She made me... And I made you. You can always try to run away. Who you were before is long gone, baby... You're one of us, and you always will be."

Credits to @lordfreg for helping and adding a more retro look/filter to this peice! I think she really pulled it all together adding the charm! 🩷

[hypocriticaltypwriter]

So... I've been thinking lately, I've wanted to do this for a while, and been taking it into consideration...

If anyone is curious about what exactly 'They Bite! A Ballad Of Vampiric Disease' Is about, check out my sideblog! @sentimentalkeyboard

Basics: Charlie and Teyo Salamanca are two siblings who move back to there sketchy hometown, Disturbia, after Charlie's vampire hunting work and Teyos hunting school lands the siblings right in the middle of Vampire city and freaks. Familiar faces, new friends and enemies, all can be found throughout this grimy, retro, bloody and sexy adventure!

[jamesv-t]

2018 Best Songs

As per last year - a round dozen songs, with a bonus thirteenth track for the deluxe edition. One song per artist, “featuring on” doesn��t count towards that one per artist total - although I’m limiting myself to one “feat.” as well.

13. Dagny - Love You Like That

Youtube // Spotify

I’m taking some liberties with these songs, as while they were all new to me this year, this song (and one other) were released late in 2017. However as most Best Of Year End lists are compiled in November for press in December, and it’s my list so it’s my rules, I’m bending things in this new age of streaming services where most songs don’t have a release date - or even a physical release. Dagny came to my attention late this year, as one of her songs was played before Sigrid came on stage and I liked it enough to Shazam. Scandanavian pop became my niche interest this autumn and Dagny filled that with aplomb.

12. Anavae - Afraid

Youtube // Spotify

Bit of a year for the London based duo, after the highs of their first headline tour in the Spring to parting ways with their absolute dicks of a label, to successfully launching a PledgeMusic campaign that, it’s probably fair to say, was more overwhelmingly positive than expected! This is the first song publicly released from the Pledge EP and demonstrates the growth the band have gone through over the last few years. If this is the direction they’re going in I’m all aboard the hype train!

11. Pale Waves - Red

Youtube // Spotify

I heard a lot of buzz about Pale Waves’ album from friends on Twitter when it was released in October so I figured I’d give it a listen. I wasn’t disappointed with what I heard, but oddly the song that stuck out to me was an album track rather than one of the singles. A band who’ve built on Chvrches’ synthpop and made something better (it’s telling that this makes the cut while nothing from the Glasgow band’s third album does), this is one of those songs I can listen to on repeat without getting bored of it.

10. Troye Sivan ft. Ariana Grande - Dance To This

Youtube // Spotify

The first male vocal on this list, and also the first instance of me cheating my own rules to squeeze in an artist who’ll appear later on, using a “feat.” credit. While she’s not been brutally eviscerating sentient ham Piers Morgan on Twitter, Ariana’s steadily rolled out some bangers throughout the year, and this guest appearance just adds a lovely air to a genuinely nice song. While some pop songs conjure up images of a thrilling romance, this is a cozy afternoon on the couch, and all the better for it.

9. Avril Lavigne - Head Above Water

Youtube // Spotify

A bit of a departure from my other favourite Canadian singer. Rather than coming out swinging for the fences with a bratty pop-punk belter leading off a new album, as she has done since bursting onto the scene in 2002, Avril launched this new era with a hopeful uplifting ballad. A more mature sound (it’s tricky to pull off a defiant teenage punk act when you’re 34) no doubt influenced by her issues with lyme disease, it’s got me looking forward to the new album.

8. MNEK ft. Hailee Steinfeld - Colour

Youtube // Spotify

Thanks to seeing both artists in support slots, and copious showings of the video before Little Mix, I managed to hear this song at three separate gigs this year, which may be some form of record for me. Another nice, lovely song that won’t storm the charts or break the internet but it will make the day seem a little less grey when you listen to it - and isn’t that the point of pop?

7. Lena - Thank You

Youtube // Spotify

The artist with the most scrobbled track in my 13 year Last.fm listening history, Lena came back this year with a wonderfully sarcastic peon to an ex. A slow-burner, this song was initially written off by me as a passable single unfortunately overshadowed by Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” released a week beforehand, but it burrowed deep into my skull and became a track I frequently returned to, discovering new things each time. I just wish she’d tour in England!

6. K.I.D - Boy (reprise)

Youtube // Spotify

Like the Dagny track I’ve fudged the timeline slightly for this song as well, as this was released in November last year but I only discovered it in July on a Spotify playlist. That was overshadowed by the discovery of Poppy, a sentient singing Siri, but this track kept reappearing on Discover playlists until the raw emotion and yearning of Boy became something I made a note of. A beautiful ballad of teenage lust, the acoustic version has a bit more passion than the original, and I can see this being a random deep cut I return to in years to come.

5. Sigrid - High Five

Youtube // Spotify

Sigrid won the BBC’s Sound of 2018 poll at the start of the year, and has been pushed heavily since, with tours increasing in venue size throughout the year. With a debut album next year she’s poised to break through into the mainstream; given the rate of bangers she’s put out (and the newer songs she played on the autumn tour) it’ll be justified. Scandinavians just do pop better than everyone else and this is the perfect example of it - a frothy fun song that seems pleasant on first listen, until you realise how biting the lyrics are.

4. Ariana Grande - God is a woman

Youtube // Spotify

It’s a long journey from the third female in a kid’s TV show to being the first person ever to be named an honorary citizen of Manchester after her response to the bombing after her gig, to having to publicly deal with one actual and one threatened suicide of her ex-boyfriends. In between all that Ari released several bangers. While No Tears Left To Cry had a cathartic energy to it that launched a new era while still paying tribute to Manchester, this track was a statement of intent that blew me away. I do love me some big epic tracks and this is no exception!

3. Carly Rae Jepsen - Party For One

Youtube // Spotify

Carly continues to tease us with the promise of a new album, but in the meantime she gives us little droplets of single releases to tide us over in the long droughts. After Cut To The Feeling last year we got this infectious poppy single about being able to support yourself, not needing anyone else, how it’s ok to spend some time on your own...ok it’s about wanking, but like the Hailee Steinfeld track of three years ago it’s a great song regardless of subject matter!

2. Selena Gomez - Back To You

Youtube // Spotify

My love of this song is frequently used against me in arguments about my bias towards female singers, as “if Ed Sheeran sang it instead [I’d] hate it!” Well, probably, but as it was released by a different friend of Taylor (a description that sounds vaguely euphemistic, like “friend of Dorothy” but less stigmatised) it’s regularly made it onto my playlists this year. A lovely, pleasant acoustic ballad that’s good enough to make me forget that it’s probably written about Justin Bieber. Video’s good, too.

1. Hailee Steinfeld - Capital Letters

Youtube // Spotify

Hailee has been quietly putting out some bangers throughout the year, and coupled with a stellar performance supporting Katy Perry makes me think she’s not just doing this music career as a side gig. Despite being released at the start of the year this song has a nice uplifting vibe that would’ve made it a perfect summer song, so I kept listening to it throughout the year to fit it in with the seasons. It’s also another example of a film soundtrack that’s far better than the film it’s promoting (see also: the other 50 Shades films, Vampire Academy, Twilight, Hunger Games...I’m not sure what it says about me that YA adaptations have soundtracks that really click with me).

[sentimentalkeyboard]

Dimitri is the leader of a very high esteemed Coven in Disturbia, known for their thirst of causing trouble and terror and ruling the city once the sun sets and the creatures of the night take over. Rumor has it that the little eye candy sat on the back of his motorcycle- also know as miss Becky Callistor [Or referred to as 'Angel'] is more than just something for him to show off on the boardwalk... And wedding bells are set to go off in the distant future.

Surely nothing could go wrong before then... Right?

[sentimentalkeyboard]

I was asking some friends for art requests and one of them suggested a character before and after. So here's Dawn from when I had originally made her [left] and my Dawn design now! [right]

[Iykyk Dawn's original origin... *Shudders.*]

[sentimentalkeyboard]

Official They Bite! The Ballad of Vampiric Disease release date!

The official first chapter of They Bite! Will be queued and posted onto Tumblr by August 31st! I'm still considering an official site and or a Webtoon as well, and if so there scheduled release dates with be updated and posted then too. But as of now, my focus is on working out the story boards and comic pages.

If anyone would like to be tagged in the first pages leave a comment, reblog, or message me, and you'll be added to the list!

[sentimentalkeyboard]

*looking at you with the biggest, wettest pathetic puppy dog eyes*

...Wanna leave me doodle requests and asks for They Bite??? Pwetty pwease???? 🥺

[sentimentalkeyboard]

Some sketches I made as reference to this post I made a while back for vampires in my graphic novel universe!

Hands

•Vampire hands are much larger in comparison to humans... If the four fingers didn't already give that away. And unlike human digits, their fingers [minus the thumb] are all equal in length, and also double jointed for easier grip to smaller crevices in treets and caves.

•They also have some killer sharp nails that are just as touch and sturdy as they are strong. Good enough to impale and grip prey and to tear through thick fabrics and metals.

Feet

•Now feet are much more different in comparison of humans, as they appear almost batlike. Their joinetd as hands, and are considered 'double paws' for how they work just like a second pair of mits in the bottoms of their legs. They're mostly used fir hanging from high places or climbing, but they can also be used as a way to grab food or bodies from places.

•Not only are they built for grabbing, these babies got a death grip. Besides the jaw, Vampires strongest body function is their feet, having to hold weight from upside down, or during mating/holding lovers or baby bats bodies, they need the strength relied in their legs.

Noses

•Vampire noses are very hard to point out, but one the difference is spotted its hard to unsee. They're noses tend to be built almost looking scrunched up, nostrils permanently flared. The reason their nasals are built in such a way is due to easier to pick up scents with their very keen senses if smell.

•Also on note, vampires sense of smell usually only goes for blood or other bodily fluids (like arousal, menstruation, mostly hormonal bodily functions.) And other smells tend to just smell the same as any other human/person... Unless it's garlick. While the vegetable wouldn't harm ir kill a vampire, it's still an old used antibiotic and defunetly clears out the sinuses for them. So it probably wouldn't save you in the end, it's a good way to keep one steering clear if they decide you're not a threat or meal.

Fangs

•The fangs of a vampire are what make them so iconic to most, but those aren't just for show! The back of their sharp canines hook out ever so slightly, hollowed completely through the back so when they puncture into flesh, it works.as a cavity/suction to quite literally create the iconic draining/sucking blood vampires are known for.

•Vampire jaws are very strong, and you don't want to be at the mercy of seeing what it's capable of. They also have the capability to lock their jaws in place to keep prey from escaping or to show them out. Sometimes it's hard to tell from your neck snapping, or the cracking of a jaw unhinging directly in your ear.

[sentimentalkeyboard]

Unfortunate news

Im not gonna make this long cause I'm sure with a title like that you already know that I'm announcing that They Bite!'s original release date will be delayed.

August has been a lot worse than I thought or intended and I'm sadly not going to be ae to push myself to finish with my original date. I'm so sorry if I've caused any disappointment with the few of you who were wanting to see my work soon, I really can't thank any of you enough for the support, and I hope you still want to wait around for when I finally post this damn comic.

I don't have an initial or official date that I've pushed to, and I don't think I will announce one. I think putting myself on a timer for such a huge passion project like this will only make me more stressed than I already am. But I'm really hoping if not late at the end of thus year, it will be the very beginning of next year!

[sentimentalkeyboard]

Decided I'd finally finish some characters from my 80s-inspired vampire comic series, "They Bite!" Here's Danielle finally giving into a very young Becky's [AKA his lil sis] insistent begging for a piercing so she can look 'totally badass' at school... Is this being done without Dad knowing? Absolutely, yes.

[Unfiltered photo]

[sentimentalkeyboard]

While I'm taking doodle requests on my other blog... Would anyone want to send in some asks/art requests for 'They Bite!'?? Just want an excuse to get back into drawing my fellas cuz it's been a while.

[sentimentalkeyboard]

I don't think people understand how BADLY I want Kiefer Sutherland to play one of the villains in my story 😭😭

[sentimentalkeyboard]

INFO DUMP ME ON OUR BABY BOY TEYO‼️‼️ he needs some attention and lovin🥺👉👈 and maybe his relationship with our girl Dawn?☺️👀

Me when MJ releases the evil and brewing thoughts in my mind

OK OK BUT ILL TELL YOU ABOUT MY SWEETEST BBY HE DON'T GET MUCH LOVE 🥺

Let's start with the simplistic: Teyo is the baby Salamanca! He's Dawn and Charlie's little brother [he's 18, Charlie is 20, and Dawn is 24!] And the 'brains of his siblings. He's very crafty and a tech whizz and makes a lot of gear and security for their apartment to keep safe in a place like Disturbia. He also helps fix up Charlie's gear! Adding his own little touches here and there.

He's a excitable, rowdy, and energetic teen who is trying to experience life to his fullest before entering adulthood... At least experience it as good as he can in a city like Disturbia.

Teyo isn't exactly a 'Vampire Slayer in training' given he never went to school/training for it [that'd take 4 years of school] but he has his own weapons and gear and tags along with his sister on missions even if she doesn't allow him to come the first time.

Teyo also acts as Charlie's more sympathetic side, as playful, and teasing as he can be he has a kind soul and heart of gold. Whatever he does he does with intentions of sticking up for him and his sister- she's the most important thing to him. He was also the one who even suggested bringing Dawn back him with them after their run-in to her when Charlie wanted nothing to do with their oldest sister.

He and his sisters are Hispanic-African American!

As sweet and angelic as Teyo comes off- which he is! Sometimes he is just a bit... Havoc wreaking and can create some pretty nasty bombs and just keep them sitting around on a kitchen table.

Because of his amazing brain and work with inventing, he is wrapped up in some dangerous work with a Vampire named Dimitry and his coven/gang. Charlie doesn't know, but she's suspicious of his late nights away and coming home during the day or missing tools and inventions.

Teyo is girl crazy but God forbid any woman even look at him or he's a wreck.

He and Dawn's relationship was practically healed the second he saw her. It'd been years since he'd seen his sis and now here she was right in front of him! Dawn reconciled the same way and they were already goofing around and being brother and sister- he could care less about the new vampirism. He loves his sisters and wants them to get along more than anything so they can all be a family like before, even if it'll take a lot more work than he thought.

A doodle of the little fella for your troubles. 🥺

[sentimentalkeyboard]

A little something something for my darling upon request of @mjtheartist04 😚👀

Dawn forgot to bleach/re-dye her roots the night before 🙈

[sentimentalkeyboard]

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬/𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥: "𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐞! 𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐟 𝐕𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞."

-Pure-Blood vampires, also known as Natural borns, are a family line of vampires and only vampires, who were never transformed/turned in their lives but were naturally born of pure vampiric blood. This breed of vampires is considered the highest and most praised in the classes of vampires. Even if they aren't born or raised in the riches or praise they are given, they are usually bestowed 'The Leader'  label of their coven or huddle.

-Pure-blood vampires can be created, and they don't have to go back to thousands of years before. Like I said, a Natural born is conceived of pure vampiric blood, meaning if a human, who was turned into a Vampire has a child with a Natural born they will have a fully bred vampire kindred, however the child, even if they are a fully bred vampire, still aren't considered pure blood given their other parents background. But, if the child decides to have a child with another natural born, that child will be bred into Pure-Blood. That's how newer Natrual borns are created.

-Pure Blood vampires are the one and only breed of vampires who can give up their immortality willingly and if wanted without having to kill their leader of a coven or escape it through death. (The process, however, is still being worked out for the plot and story, so stay tuned for when this gets fleshed out!)

-Half bloods are usually people bitten and turned, or the beginning line of a half blood and pure blood. Half bloods are usually what make up most of the population of vampires... At least in places like Disturbia.

-Half bloods aren't seen as anything filthy or low lives, on the vampire classes chain. If anything, they'd probably be deemed a second, with their stance as being true followers or even servants to pure bloods who either turned them or offered them immortality.

-Along with pure blood, Half bloods themselves can turn humans into vampires. But they are unable to give up immortality to be a human again.

-Vagabonds are more zombies than they are vampires. To become a true vampire, your blood must be almost compeltely- if not fully drained from your body. But if a vampire bites a living being without much but a mere suckle, the infection and disease spreads almost immediately, and leaved the once human, into a feral, almost zombie-like state.

-Vagabonds are permanently cursed to live like this, they can't be turned into a Vampire, nor change back into human. They are forever trapped with their brain slowly being eaten away by the vampiric genes and disease feasting upon them. This also means that they can not be spared by hunters, and are usually killed on sight.

-Humans can be turned into vampires, by either being bitten, which can be by any vampire, or by drinking blood- which only works if their is a very intimate or familial bond between the human and vampire.

-The bond when made in a romantical sense, means that the human (turned vampire) and vampire will be mated for the rest of immortality. Even if one dies, their body will forever be matched in matrimony with their past bonded mate- meaning if the vampire gets remarried, their child will still hold genes and traits to their mate before, no matter what.

The familial bond is much more tame, and is merely to share the same DNA and blood with an immortal family, or to become a family. It is also used as a way to protect coven members from being bonded or linked to higher vampires trying to use them as servants or human juice boxes.

-Every vampire is connected. No matter what or where, their blood connects them. This connection isn't taken with a mere wave if the hand, this bond, can be physical. When a coven member is killed, specifically and easily by stake to the heart, the rest of the coven can feel, and experience the pain- which is what makes killing a vampire that isn't a Vagabond so hard is that if you kill one member, the rest will come for you.

-Any form of vampires sleep like the dead. Meaning little to no sound could wake them up. Even if you touch or trip over one, kick their coffin, and scream in their ear, they won't wake. Maybe they might stir a bit, but the only thing that could wake them up is being hurt or a member being hurt. (Hence the connection thing I stayed earlier) Since vampires emit a sound similar to bat echo location when they scream in agony, it alerts and awakes the other coven members from a deep sleep instantly.

[hypocriticaltypwriter]

A question about They Bite!: so, it seems from the anatomy designs you've posted that vampires are a fair bit bigger than humans - do they have a 'human' form they can shift into, or are they kinda always vamped out so to speak (sorry, it appears my question mark isn't working BUT ONLY FOR TUMBLR JGHDJF) Are the vampires in your universe always visible in the public eye, integrated with human society-question mark lol

HI HI LEEE!!!! Im sorry question marks aren't workijg fir you LOL I hope it gets fixed soon! But I'm happy to answer your question about my little vampire world!

Vampires, in my world, while a few can maybe retract their fangs and or claws, they do not have a human disguise or form!

Before they were welcomed to the public eye and usually hid in secrecy or shadows, that didn't stop them from letting humans know what they really were. They didn't need human disguises cause they had already kept people from messing with them due to the very fact they owned the night, humans were helpless to them. And those who were fools or didn't know... That was dinner. Simple as that.

And while the concept has definitely been watered down as human and Vampire now live among another... Not exactly in harmony- but you get the picture. It doesn't mean Vampire's don't remember who's still in charge when the sun goes down.