Graveheart Comics

EDIT 7/31 - Soooo... I missed July... but it is being worked on and it is coming together. Sorry again, folks.

EDIT 6/28 - We'll start in July... yeah, yeah, the Graveheart spiral begins... sorry again, folks. Work has been a pain in the ass like nothing else.

Soooo... the updates have kinda stalled, haven't they? Where are they?

Alright, so, full disclosure, I've largely been working on the pages all over again as the new ones have gone up. I largely tried to "write as I go," but, unfortunately, it led to a lot of slowness and not great resolutions. Plus, Shantae herself kinda struggled in the starring role as it was, as I found myself largely focusing on Mona & Samus, as well as Plague Knight & Adam, in the pages ahead. This resulted in a hasty resolution that I just wasn't satisfied with.

So, I'm pushing it back once more until I've re-written these last few pages. I'm no longer doing "off the cuff writing," but rather, I'm sticking to my script. It worked for Tifa vs. Chun-Li. I never missed an update there! And it worked for Morrigan Guide to Shipping. And it'll work for Shantae vs. Metroid.

For those who have been waiting, I sincerely apologize. When I start posting again, it'll be a page a day until completion. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Aiming for before the end of the month. Once the updates start again, I'll archive this update and keep the steady flow going.

Apologies again, and I hope you're still with me on all of this!

Cheers;
Plotline Graveheart

Hey all, just wanna post something so you all know I'm still alive.

I try to post SOMETHING on a weekly basis, but the fact is, life just gets busy. So, let's go over a few sticking points.

1. Shantae vs. Metroid needed a rework.

Shantae vs. Metroid was done... mostly. Done enough to start and fill in the ending pages later, at least. But I ultimately wasn't happy with the way it played out. It got way too political and way too dependent on CCA lore. CCA lore was great for Tifa vs. Chun-Li, which was a love letter to the CCA, but for Shantae vs. Metroid, it needs to stand more on its own.

It also didn't help that I tried to make this without a script to cut down on time... and now I've only added MORE time. I think this goes to show that I'm definitely in the "write a script" camp. ^^;

In any event, I'm not changing the flow, just a bunch of lines.

2. Computer woes

Anyone familiar with me knows that my computer is a hunk of junk barely qualified to run a game of Minesweeper. Not Minecraft, you children, MINESWEEPER. To put it simply, it's the same PC I used to make my pages for the CCA's reunion improv comic. And it's had maybe ONE hardware update since I received it. And with prices as high as they are now, it's unlikely I'll be able to update the ol' desktop to something more up to a modern standard any time soon.

Also, I need to dust it, looking at it now. ¬.¬

3. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition happened

And, topping it all off, I happened to get distracted by the remake of one of my favorite games: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch. I've been busting through planet Mira, screaming like a madman as I get chased by giant overleveled tyrants while working towards my mechs and building my waifu squad (Elma, Hope, and Neilnail, f.y.i. <3) to spend more time exploring the planet and less time actually working on the story missions. It's been my lot for the past couple of weeks... mostly because I am an easily distracted lump of clay masquerading as a human being. ^^;

But for all it's worth, I do apologize. Starting Wednesday, to make up for it, I'm going to post a retro comic: Waiting for Halo 3! It was my first complete comic I submitted to the CCA way back in the day, posted a few months after Halo 3 actually came out, riffing on the nuances of game hype (which is still rather relevant today). The humor isn't what I'd dish out nowadays, but this page is also about preserving what I'd done before, and I wanna show my progress from way back when! So, I hope you like what you see.

And Shantae vs. Metroid should be ready to go after. Should be. Maybe. I still gotta get that flight module for my skell. >.>;;

~Plotline Graveheart

EDIT 2/22/2025 - Dropping the date because of technical issues on my end. I'll edit this post again when I have a definitive launch date. Sorry again.

Hey all, quick update! Shantae vs. Metroid is going to be delayed one more week while I re-work a few pages. The official launch date will now be February 23, 2025. Sorry, folks. Having some conversion issues and I don't have enough hours in the day between today and tomorrow to get it ready for launch. So, I'm gonna go everything one more time and get it out next week. Sorry again!

~Graves

Hey all, and welcome back to the Tuesday evening update!

First, the bad news. Shantae vs. Metroid won't be starting by month's end. Too much just came up. Sorry about that.

Good news! It's coming along nicely! I'm very happy with it so far! It's looking to be about 16 pages long, give or take, and there's some delightful moments with Shantae, Plague Knight, Samus, and others, so, I hope you're looking forward to it!

Beyond that, the good news keeps rolling, as I've got a few new One Panel Gags coming out over the coming days to sort of fill the gap and give miniature updates. I hope you like 'em!

Sorry again for not making this deadline. I wish I could say this was unusual for me... what'll be unusual if this delay doesn't turn into a multi-month, multi-year thing. ^^;

Cheers;
Plotline Graveheart

Hey all! Happy... WEDNESDAY! Normally new comic day in the US... just the middle of the week for us. ^^;

I know I normally give the weekly update on Tuesdays, but, it's been a little busy on my side of things. I ended up suffering something of a setback in my route to getting those two comics out for you. I won't go into too many details, but, point is, I'm gonna push That Damn Envelope back a bit and focus primarily on Shantae vs. Metroid. The panel I need new art for, I might commission out to someone, or reach out to an old friend from the Crossover Comic Archive. Not sure yet.

In other news, I've picked back up with My Hero Academia, and am enjoying the world of the caped and costume crowd once again! As depressing as keeping up with Marvel and DC's comic offerings can be (greats like Ultimate Spider-Man and Green Arrow aside), seeing what people outside that realm are doing with superheroes is encouraging. You can definitely expect something MHA in a later, as of now unannounced, comic. But if I keep announcing new comics, those first nine Karin announced in the comeback comic will NEVER make it out!

Hell, Charlie vs. Skyrim has already been delayed, and I already announced Sheena vs. Nemona on top of that. I don't need to be piling on!

Besides, I've got friends to keep up with, games to play, and TTRPG worlds to build. On top of a work schedule? I've got my hands full!

Until next update... which will hopefully feature the start of Shantae vs. Metroid!

Cheers;
~Plotline Graveheart

Hey all! Just real quick, no real update this week because holidays. I'm prepping Pathfinder and Humblewood games, as well as catching up on my holiday shopping.

THAT SAID!

Morrigan's Guide to Shipping should launch some time before Christmas Day? Question mark? I'm optimistic. It'll be a one-page, 20-some panel comic. Roughly the length of the announcement comic.

I really should think of a better name for that...

Anyway! After that, I'm gonna work on That Damn Envelope, and some time in January, Shantae vs. Metroid!

Also, I'm not great at drawing, but I'm giving it the ol' college try for That Damn Envelope! Hey, you don't get better by starting great, right?

Cheers;
Plotline Graveheart

Just wanna wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving if you're celebrating, have celebrated it, or plan on celebrating it. Also, to avoid a week where this site is radio silent.

Just a quick heads up! I'm going to be working on a couple of short comics to fill out some weeks, maybe add a couple of old-school comics, then mid-December or early-January, I'll likely come at you with my next comic. Not sure which one yet still, but I'm pretty sure I know which one. After that, I'll probably do Charlie vs. Skyrim. I don't wanna let that simmer for TOO long, or I'll just lose the will to do it at all.

Also! I'm going to do a Grave Issue on the infamous Final Fantasy VII shipping war, because we're due for a little controversy on this page. ;)

...Though, if you know me, you know how I lean anyway. This is more of a "state of a fandom" than a "flag in the sand" kind of thing.

Anyway, see you next week with... something!