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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan
@comicsbyxan.bsky.social
790 followers 240 following 1.5K posts
Perpetually tired trans comic artist, making trans comics. Creator of Pandora's Tale and Thinking Too Much to Think Positively. Co-host of the podcast Can't Stop Hibari-kun. https://pandorastale.com/
pandorastale.com
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 3h
Specifically I always wanted a Sailor Moon MMO set in the aftermath of Stars, where Sailor Senshi are being re-established throughout the galaxy. Endless freedom to make your own character, and the various established Senshi show up as mentors
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Reposted by Xan
jonnylobo.bsky.social
Jonny Lobo @jonnylobo.bsky.social · 4h
Couldn't agree more! www.animefeminist.com/el-hazards-p...
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 4h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#10

More new characters! These two ended being pretty popular
PAGE 10 PANEL 1 Exterior shot of O, Fortuna. It is now darker, and people can be seen approaching the building. PANDORA (OFF) What do you think? PANEL 2 PANDORA is wearing her waitress outfit, showing it off for ISABELLE. LYRA is standing beside PANDORA. LYRA Oh my gosh, doesn't she look cute? ISABELLE It looks great on you! PANDORA I'm glad you like it, Mistress! PANEL 3 PANDORA catches sight of CON and MISS FORTUNA guiding two mysterious figures, HEMMEL and NATALYA, into a back room. PANDORA Oh... PANEL 4 PANDORA and ISABELLE converse discreetly. PANDORA Who are those people, Mistress? ISABELLE They're from the resistance. PANEL 5 HEMMEL and NATALYA, casting glances around as they are led to the back. ISABELLE (OFF) That's Hemmel. They're the leader of our cell. (CONT) And the tall lady is their second-in-command, Natalya. PANEL 6 ISABELLE and PANDORA, still talking quietly. ISABELLE By the way... Lyra doesn't know we're in the resistance, so try not to mention it around her, okay? PANDORA Got it.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 4h
Mostly cutting holes in pants
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 4h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#9

Some of the art on this page is rough. I was having a really hard time keeping Miss Fortuna on-model at the time.
PAGE 9 PANEL 1 Closeup of MISS FORTUNA. MISS FORTUNA Now, to business. PANEL 2 ISABELLE stands beside TALLULAH and ZUFOLENE. MISS FORTUNA (OFF) Isabelle, I've put you down for the first performance tonight. Tallulah and Zufolene, you're in the late slot. PANEL 3 MISS FORTUNA speaks, with ZERO standing beside her. MISS FORTUNA And... (CONT) We're expecting a courier tonight, with an important package for the resistance. ZERO Very important. PANEL 4 Closeup of MISS FORTUNA. MISS FORTUNA So let's be vigilant, and keep would-be prying eyes distracted. ALL (OFF) Yes, Ma'am!
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 5h
I also love Kosaku's "Doki", especially given his tendency to yell it in the anime
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Reposted by Xan
brainvsbook.bsky.social
Jocelyne Allen @brainvsbook.bsky.social · 5h
My Japanese brain knows the "ufun" is a little giggle spelled with the alphabet instead of kana, but my English brain can't help but read it as "U fun" like a Prince lyric, especially combined with Hibari's sidelong glance.
Chapter title page from Hibari-kun. Kohsaku is in close up on the right, looking sideways to the left at HIbari, who is similarly looking at Kohsaku. Their names are in English type above their heads, and the SFX on Kohsaku reads DOKI while the one on Hibari says UFUN. The title at the top of the page is 彼女（！？）はおれのものの巻
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 5h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#8

Find me a cooler word than "courtesanerie", I'll wait
PAGE 8 PANEL 1 PANDORA being pet by LYRA. MISS FORTUNA speaks. MISS FORTUNA Lyra, please find her a uniform. LYRA Yes, Ma'am! PANEL 2 PANDORA and LYRA head out of frame happily. MISS FORTUNA calls after them. MISS FORTUNA And make sure it fits! I'm not cutting holes in more than one! LYRA How's this? Is this good? PANDORA Yessssss, pet meeeee PANEL 3 ISABELLE, CON, MISS FORTUNA and ZERO. ZERO has her arms folded and looks irritated. ZERO We should decide on a cover story for her. People are gonna ask questions if they see a Helper working here. PANEL 4 ISABELLE and MISS FORTUNA converse. MISS FORTUNA We can say that she's a stray. ISABELLE A stray? MISS FORTUNA It happens. Helpers who are runaways, or abandoned by their owners. PANEL 5 MISS FORTUNA continues. CON looks thoughtful. MISS FORTUNA They were a common sight in Atom City. Back in my courtesanerie days, a number of my colleagues were Helpers. CON Huh. I had no idea there were Helpers who aren't... you know... owned.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 6h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#7

It's Lyra! She's straight, but she's not in-your-face about it
PAGE 7 PANEL 1 Long shot of LYRA, who is wearing the club's cocktail waitress outfit - a fancier, unisex version of a typical bartender outfit. MISS FORTUNA (OFF) Lyra! You'll be training Pandora. She's new here. LYRA Oh! PANEL 2 LYRA approaches PANDORA, as MISS FORTUNA watches. LYRA reacts to PANDORA's appearance with excitement. LYRA You have kitty ears! (CONT) You're so cute I'm gonna die! PANEL 3 LYRA and PANDORA talk. LYRA is very enthusiastic, PANDORA is happy but a little overwhelmed. PANDORA Please don't die! LYRA Can I pet you? Do you like being pet? PANEL 4 Closeup of ISABELLE, behind PANDORA. ISABELLE Geez, Lyra. She's not an animal, she doesn't want you petting her. Right, Pandora? PANEL 5 PANDORA looks up with a very hopeful smile. PANEL 6 PANDORA in the foreground, giggling happily as LYRA pets her head. ISABELLE looks exasperated. ISABELLE I... stand corrected. PANDORA Heehee!
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 7h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#6

Early on I did toy with the idea of Pandora as a dancer, but once I actually started writing her character, it didn't feel right, my objections being pretty much the same as Isabelle's here. She doesn't quite feel emotionally mature enough.
PAGE 6 PANEL 1 MISS FORTUNA enters the room, holding a cup of coffee. MISS FORTUNA Good afternoon, everyone! ISABELLE (OFF) Miss Fortuna! PANEL 2 ISABELLE and PANDORA approach MISS FORTUNA. ISABELLE Pandora would like a job! PANDORA Yes! I would like a job! PANEL 3 MISS FORTUNA ponders. ISABELLE reacts with irritation. MISS FORTUNA Well... can you dance? ISABELLE Not as a dancer. I don't trust the customers to respect her boundaries. PANEL 4 MISS FORTUNA still pondering. PANDORA responds with enthusiasm. MISS FORTUNA Hmm... I suppose we could use another cocktail waitress. PANDORA That sounds like something I could do! PANEL 5 Closeup of MISS FORTUNA looking content. MISS FORTUNA Very well, then.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 8h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#5

A few people really seized upon the idea of Zero secretly being a cavefish. I had a brief obsession with cavefish when I was like 9, so I'm sure my younger self would have been delighted
PAGE 5 PANEL 1 CON approaches ISABELLE and the two converse. In the background, PANDORA stares at an irritated ZERO. CON Hey... How's everything going with her? ISABELLE Oh, hey, Con. Mostly fine, I guess. ZERO What is it? PANEL 2 Positions as before. PANDORA speaks while ZERO is visibly surprised. ISABELLE It's like... sometimes she's really smart, and sometimes it's like I'm talking to a child. PANDORA You have eyes! PANEL 3 As before. ISABELLE looks resigned, CON looks surprised, and ZERO responds angrily. ISABELLE And also, last night, she wanted to have sex with me. CON Whoa! ZERO Of course I have eyes! What do you think I am, some sort of... cavefish? PANEL 4 As before. ISABELLE shrugs. PANDORA looks confused. CON I'd have freaked out. ISABELLE It's not her fault. She's just doing what she was trained to do. PANDORA Cavefish? PANEL 5 As before. CON looks a little guilty. ZERO reacts angrily. CON I get that... but that mindless devotion, don't you find it kinda creepy? ZERO I'm not a cavefish! PANEL 6 ISABELLE and CON converse. Pandora, now alone, thinks of a cave and a fish in confusion. ISABELLE She's trying her best. It's just... gonna take a while. CON I guess...
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 10h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#4

O, Fortuna is based on a real building in downtown Salt Lake, the former Hotel Plandome on the corner of 400 S and State. In the time that I've lived here, it's been host to a number of unsuccessful businesses. It's currently a taco place, let's wish them luck.
PAGE 4 PANEL 1 Exterior daytime shot of O, Fortuna - a nightclub on a street corner in downtown Pioneer City. This building is part of the old city, an ornate early twentieth century structure. ISABELLE (OFF) Do you have any idea how expensive clothes for Helpers are? PANEL 2 ISABELLE sits at a table in the currently closed nightclub. Beside her are two other dancers, TALLULAH and ZUFOLENE. ISABELLE holds up a tablet for them to see. ISABELLE Look at these prices! I almost died! PANEL 3 ISABELLE looks defeated, while TALLULAH and ZUFOLENE look at the tablet. TALLULAH I guess when your market is rich people, you can charge whatever you want. ISABELLE I'm gonna be cutting holes in a lot of clothes... PANEL 4 ISABELLE and ZUFOLENE observe PANDORA interacting with ZERO. PANDORA is now wearing ISABELLE's clothes, with a hole cut in the shorts for her tail. ZERO is dressed as a custodian and is not wearing her goggles. ZUFOLENE She's so cute though! PANDORA Oh! Ms Zero! ZERO Yeah, hi.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 11h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#3

Having a tail would be awesome but there would be so many logistical problems
PAGE 3 PANEL 1 ISABELLE smiles as she delivers her answer. ISABELLE For me... dancing was always my passion. And figuring out my gender stuff definitely helped me to understand what I wanted from life. But honestly, I feel like things really fell into place for me when I joined the resistance. PANEL 2 ISABELLE gestures emphatically. ISABELLE Being a part of something bigger! Taking action to make the world better! PANEL 3 ISABELLE glances off panel in PANDORA's direction. PANDORA (OFF) Mistress, I have a question. ISABELLE What is it? PANEL 4 PANDORA has a pair of shorts pulled most of the way up, but her tail sits above the waistband, preventing her from pulling them up. ISABELLE stares at her in surprise. PANDORA What should I do with my tail? PANEL 5 Positions as before. ISABELLE speaks. ISABELLE Right. PANEL 6 Positions as before. ISABELLE You have a tail.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 12h
I wonder if the solution here is to introduce a trans character who is actually evil
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 12h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#2

Of course Pandora wants a collar and of course Isabelle already had one. Such is the wardrobe of a recently out trans woman
PAGE 2 PANEL 1 PANDORA holds a shirt she's taken from the box. PANDORA I just mean that I was always told that my purpose was to serve, and now you're my Mistress, but you don't want me to serve you. So... what should I do instead? PANEL 2 ISABELLE, still seated on the toilet, with a frustrated expression. ISABELLE Aw man, I haven't been awake long enough for questions like this. PANDORA (OFF) Oh! This is cute! PANEL 3 PANDORA, now wearing a choker with a heart decoration at the front. She smiles proudly. PANDORA Mistress, look! PANEL 4 ISABELLE regards the happy PANDORA with a resigned expression. ISABELLE You found... another collar. PANDORA It has a heart on it! PANEL 5 Closeup of ISABELLE as she ponders the earlier question. ISABELLE Well... anyway... (CONT) I guess we all have to figure out what we're for. There are humans who spend their whole lives wondering what their purpose is. PANEL 6 Closeup of PANDORA, who looks thoughtful. PANDORA Wow. Being a human is tough.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 13h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
#1

Isabelle's reaction here might be my favorite single panel of everything I've done so far
PAGE 1 PANEL 1 A shot of the bedside table in ISABELLE's apartment. PANDORA's Helper Corporation collar and wristband are on the table. The wristband has been cut, and has a pair of scissors beside it. ISABELLE (OFF) Okay, here's a bunch of my old clothes. PANEL 2 PANDORA and ISABELLE in their underwear beside the door to the bathroom, standing over a large box of clothes. ISABELLE Most of them will probably be kinda big for you, but there should be something in there that fits. PANDORA Ohhh! Thank you, Mistress! PANEL 3 ISABELLE moves into the bathroom and picks up a razor as PANDORA looks in the box behind her. ISABELLE Once we have more money, we can get you some of your own stuff. PANEL 4 ISABELLE is seated on the toilet, and brings up her leg to start shaving. PANDORA (OFF) Mistress? ISABELLE Mm-hmm? PANDORA (OFF) What am I for? PANEL 5 ISABELLE paused, as before, with a blank expression. PANEL 6 Closer shot of ISABELLE as she answers, perplexed. ISABELLE Uhm... that's kind of a deep question.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 14h
Pandora's Tale Chapter 3
Cover

Time for chapter three! This is a fun cover. "Cops Can't Read" is the name of a song by the Salt Lake band Fists in the Wind. The fancy R is the symbol of the resistance, and it's based on 🜇, the alchemical symbol for aqua regia, an acid mixture that dissolves gold.
PANDORA'S TALE Chapter 3: Sisters in Arms, part 1
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 14h
Best girl of all time
retroanimegirls.bsky.social
~Classic Anime Girl of the Day!~ @retroanimegirls.bsky.social · 1d
Today's Classic Anime Girl is Hibari Oozora, main protagonist of "Stop!! Hibari-kun!!" (1983)!
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 23h
Haha, it was frustrating for this element of my dystopian future to just... become super mundane right after I wrote it.

Ah well, just as long as America doesn't slide into a fascist corporatocracy that wants to annex Canada and has militarized cops with zero accountability and infinity money...
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 1d
Took me a moment to parse "Kuruaan". That's neat!
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 1d
Pandora's Tale Chapter 2
#21

And that's the end of our chapter, and this first story.

My current work on this project has stalled, but I do love these characters.

See you tomorrow for another chapter!
PAGE 21 PANEL 1 Shot of the city. PANDORA (OFF) My name is Pandora. It's a name my Mistress gave me. PANEL 2 Shot of the outside of ISABELLE's apartment. PANDORA (OFF) My purpose is to serve my Mistress with dedication and excellence, to obey her orders, anticipate her needs and make her happy. But... she says she doesn't want that. PANEL 3 Overhead shot of ISABELLE and PANDORA lying on the bed. ISABELLE has her arms wrapped protectively around PANDORA. PANDORA (OFF) Everything is different from what I expected. I don't understand who I'm supposed to be here. But I think... I'm happy. PANEL 4 Closeup of PANDORA, eyes closed, in ISABELLE's embrace. She looks happy and peaceful. PANDORA (OFF) I'm not broken.
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 1d
Pandora's Tale Chapter 2
#20

This was a difficult scene to get right. The relationship between Pandora and Isabelle is one of the foundations of this story, and I wanted to establish a closeness between them that didn't read like Pandora was being taken advantage of
PAGE 20 PANEL 1 ISABELLE sat next to a sad, confused PANDORA. ISABELLE places a hand on hers. ISABELLE Firstly, you're not broken. I want you to stop talking about yourself that way. Okay? PANDORA Okay... PANEL 2 ISABELLE and PANDORA talk. PANDORA looks emphatic. ISABELLE Secondly... when people have sex, it should be a choice that both of them make. You have to be able to consent. PANDORA But I do consent! PANEL 3 Closeup of ISABELLE. ISABELLE But you're programmed to like me! (CONT) Let me put it this way... (CONT) If I asked you for sex, and you didn't want to do it... could you refuse? PANEL 4 Closeup of PANDORA, looking unsure and thoughtful. PANDORA I... well... (CONT) I'm not sure. I think... it would be very difficult. PANEL 5 ISABELLE talks to PANDORA, who has turned her head away. ISABELLE And that's why we can't do it. I don't ever want to make you do something against your will. PANDORA I understand, Mistress. PANEL 6 PANDORA has tears in her eyes. PANDORA I just... (CONT) want to be close to you. PANEL 7 ISABELLE hugs a surprised PANDORA. PANEL 8 ISABELLE continues to hold PANDORA, who still has tears in her eyes, but looks happier. ISABELLE How's this?
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 1d
Pandora's Tale Chapter 2
#19

Huh, I guess the filters were feeling more generous today.

Anyway, yeah. Poor Pandora
PAGE 19 PANEL 1 PANDORA looks at ISABELLE, concerned. PANDORA Did I do something wrong, Mistress? ISABELLE No! Kinda... not exactly? (CONT) We can't do this! PANEL 2 Closeup of PANDORA, innocently confused. PANDORA Sex? PANEL 3 PANDORA and ISABELLE. ISABELLE Sex! That's definitely not a thing you should be doing with me! PANDORA But... you got undressed. You took me into your bedroom. In my training, they said that... PANEL 4 ISABELLE emphatically explaining to PANDORA, who turns away, downhearted. ISABELLE I got undressed because I'm going to bed! And... and most of this apartment is bedroom! PANDORA Oh... PANEL 5 Closeup of PANDORA, looking sad. PANDORA Is it because I'm broken? PANEL 6 Closeup of ISABELLE. ISABELLE No! (CONT) Oh, honey...
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 1d
Pandora's Tale Chapter 2
#18

Last time I uploaded this page it got caught by the auto-mod, so I guess we'll see if Bluesky's filters are still offended by the girlbulge
PAGE 18 PANEL 1 ISABELLE exits the bathroom in her underwear. ISABELLE I'm tired... PANEL 2 ISABELLE sits down on the bed, with PANDORA watching behind her. ISABELLE What a day... My back is killing me... PANEL 3 PANDORA gets closer to ISABELLE, and starts massaging her neck. ISABELLE Mmm... that feels good... PANEL 4 PANDORA leans in and starts kissing ISABELLE's neck. ISABELLE looks suddenly panicked. PANEL 5 ISABELLE pulls away suddenly from a confused PANDORA. ISABELLE Aaaaaaa! PANEL 6 ISABELLE has backed far away from PANDORA. ISABELLE Okay, we need to talk!
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comicsbyxan.bsky.social
Xan @comicsbyxan.bsky.social · 1d
Pandora's Tale Chapter 2
#17

Salt Lake City is surrounded by mountains, and pollution gets trapped in the valley. I figured that as the problem gets worse, rich people will just retreat further and further up the mountains
PAGE 17 PANEL 1 Closer shot of the lights. ISABELLE (OFF) Those are on the mountain. You just can't see it in the haze. PANEL 2 ISABELLE addressing PANDORA, in front of the window. ISABELLE That's where the rich people live. The air is better up there. PANEL 3 ISABELLE seems slightly wistful, while PANDORA watches curiously. ISABELLE I guess... that's the kind of place you were supposed to go. Instead of here, in my tiny apartment. PANEL 4 PANDORA happily clasps ISABELLE's hand. PANDORA But I love you, Mistress! I want to be wherever you are! ISABELLE Ha... right...
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