english
spanish
DROPS
Last update:
July 3, 2026
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—— LONG BACKSTAGE
◈ Read the interview.
-—— SPECTRAL ORDEALS
◈ Follow the story.
-—— VISUALS
◈ Scope the ink.
-——LOGS
◈ See for yourself.
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SETLIST
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PENDING ::Sketches for HSB. |0%|
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UNDERWAY ::Final chapters of Spectral Ordeals. |24%|
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CONCLUDED ::Migration of Spectral Ordeals. |100%|
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in progress
—— Near the city, in a place where time is warped, a supernatural entity deals with the desperate. His contract is the Game, and he pays in magical items. At the table of the guy with the stache, turning into a beast is the price for losing... but lose twice, and a much darker end is waiting for you.
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frozen
—— In a strange realm, disconnected from reality, two sugar souls materialize (both disoriented by their sudden awakening).While they barely grasp what is happening, an omnipresent observer waits to assign a purpose to these creations.
suspended
—— A figure emerges from the shadows to purge the city’s wickedness. Yet in his crusade, he becomes an enemy of the law, of criminals, and of the innocent alike.Now, everyone wonders: is she a new hope, or the omen of an even greater darkness?
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all up
—— A seductive aristocrat and a woman of gentle spirit find themselves ensnared in a delicate dilemma.Though they both share the same sentiment, he remains oblivious to her emotions, while she, with an almost devout hope, serenely awaits the manifestation of her longed-for prince.
detained
—— A lyrical prose narrative composed of brief chapters that function as vignettes of daily life, the changing seasons, and the profound bond between the narrator (a poet) and his donkey, Platero.
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discontinued
—— In the dry heat of Xibalba, a unicorn holds his own against the brutes. He tracks the friction in his personal logs so that, at the end of the line, he has the evidence. Proof that one can remain upright in the face of barbarism.
on the waiting list
—— These actors are waiting for their cue. Some are on hold; others lost their history to a drive failure.This almanac logs them once more, with every intention of dragging them out of the archive and back onto the drawing board.
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pre-recorded
—— A compendium of artisan testimonies. We dig into the methods, the silences, and the fervor of those who sculpt the intangible and turn it into something solid.
NOTE
—— The CAST is the character lineup for the ZINE. This is where the guild of pretenders rests.
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Name: Estrella.They call her "The Little Saint" for her kindness and religious devotion. She keeps men at a distance, with one exception: her cousin Don Juan. She's in love with him.She is the co-lead of:
Don Juan's Last Illusion.
Name: Don Juan.Redheaded, 20, from a noble family.He lives a life of parties, sex, and drugs. Behind the restless routine, he carries a strange secret: he's in love with Estrella, his cousin.He is the lead of:
Don Juan's Last Illusion.
ACTORS ADRIFT
Name: Barnaby "Jams" Marmalade.Barnaby knows the sting of unrequited love; but to him, there is no failure greater than heading to bed without a proper meal. A buck in a suit with unrefined manners; he is perpetually hunting for his next fix. Sweet, savoury, or searing (it makes no difference). If it’s chewable; it’s gone.He guards his fridge like a vault; it is the last standing object in his hollowed-out flat.
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Name: Marzipan.A 19-year-old brown ewe; unrestrained, keen, and always looking for a reaction.Alongside two companions, she follows her instincts from a squat on the city’s edge. The circle is narrow (keeping the door locked against unforeseen consequences or street trouble); yet that defence is starting to give way.
FYI
No one reaches the horizon solo.This corridor runs on shared fuel: skills traded, creative firepower pooled. It's the only way things actually get built around here.What you'll find isn't luck. It's work. Hard minutes spent by the overdriven, hammering something worth your time.Step in. See what the devils have raised. Right this way.
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—— The video on this page isn't mine. It's part of a separate project. The audio is entirely by Wonkymedes..My contribution is limited to the PNGTuber designs and one final illustration.
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—— Role note: These pieces sit in a quiet corner of the industry. I remain focused on my work as an image-maker. The person behind the videos handles his own commentary separately.These videos are in Spanish.
Years ago, someone reached out. His name's been lost to a leaky memory.He wanted to team up on a Friday Night Funkin' mod. The project stalled when he dropped programming to focus on cooking. I didn't push forward either; other shifts were waiting.
Here's a piece of what we had. A download link, a tiny fragment. Proof that I've been moving through these digital corners for a long while.Link: ¡Brrr-pau-chiki-pau, traca-traca-tiki-tin, pawa-pawa-pawa-PUM!.
Years ago, someone reached out. His name's slipped my mind.He wanted to collaborate on a Friday Night Funkin' mod. The project stopped when he left programming to focus on cooking. I didn't continue either; other work was waiting.
Here's a piece of that project. A download link.
-Link: Old Loge, Old Longaniza OST -F de Foca- Extended Version.
ADONIS_577
GENERAL
Turnaround
The estimated time is 3 weeks or less.
Format
Delivery in .PNG. Advise beforehand if you require a different file type.
Priority
Double the fee to jump the queue. This grants priority in the workload but does not guarantee a fixed deadline.
References
No custom designs. Visual references or a proper character sheet must be provided. No reference, no commission.
Content
No "ships" involving real people or non-canon fictional pairings. Original Characters (OCs) are permitted.
Requests
Open to established themes and new experiments within my reach. ͘
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RWS
Complexity
Flat rates. Details—be they robots, weapons, or backgrounds—incur no extra charge.
Spam Filter
If I haven't replied within 4 days, nudge me. The filter occasionally swallows legitimate mail.
Conduct
Rudeness results in an immediate block and report. We deal as professionals here.
Resolution
Canvas sizes are flexible, provided they do not exceed 5963 x 9225 pixels.
Ghosting
Client silence during the process will result in the work being paused or scrapped.
Storage
You have 2 months to download the final piece. After this period, files are deleted from the cloud; I take no responsibility for lost data. ͘
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PAYMENTS
Commencement
Work begins once the payment is cleared in my accounts.
Refunds
No refunds after the work has started, unless I fail to provide updates for over a month without cause.
Tweaks
3 free corrections are included. Each subsequent change costs $15 USD, regardless of the scale.
Prerogative
I reserve the right to refuse any commission at my discretion.
Rates
Prices are subject to change. Ensure you are consulting the current year’s ledger.
Methods
PayPal and Stripe are accepted. Ko-Fi is preferred for ease of transaction. ͘
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RIGHTS
Signature
All works include a discreet watermark and the LogeLo signature.
Licensing
Delivered under the CC BY-SA 4.0. license.
Full Use
To remove the watermark and acquire full rights (voiding the CC license), the editable file (.mdz) must be purchased separately.
Resale
Resale is permitted, provided you never claim authorship.
Provenance
Always credit as: ⟶ @LogeLo (with a direct link).
Editing
Modifications are allowed, so long as the signature, watermark, and original credits remain intact. ͘
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TRAITS
Caution
—— Just so you know, I don't worship anyone. Not my thing, and I'm not into the whole creepy stalker vibe. If someone tries to pass themselves off as me, tell them to get lost.
Framework
—— I don't have outside help for stuff like this right now, so I'm relying on a basic translator. If the tool butchers something or the text reads weird, just let me know and I'll clear it up.
Creative Control
—— I draw the way I draw. I can work with very little info or almost no references at all. But if that's the case, I won't be showing drafts or early sketches.
Mouthful
—— Keep it straightforward and specific when you ask for something. This isn't the place for rants, jokes, or complaints.
STORY SO FAR
How long have you been doing digital art?Eight years.
Eight years of experience? Why is your portfolio so sparse?My old equipment was falling apart. Then a bad break destroyed the rest, and I lost years of work overnight. I’m starting over from the ground up. Besides, a lot of my new collection is under lock and key because my clients want it that way.
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THE VAULT
Why is there so much fan art? Do you just copy styles?I’m no copycat. These are tributes. I deconstruct how other artists work to sharpen my own skills.
Did you go to art school?I never went. I just picked things up by watching other people’s work and practicing until it clicked.
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THE WORKSHOP
What software do you use?I use FireAlpaca SE. It’s lean, fast, and the autosave is a proper lifesaver when the power cuts out (happens more than I’d like).
PC Specs?CPU:
Intel Core I5-11400FMotherboard:
Asrock Z590 Pro4 ATXGPU:
RTX 3060RAM:
32GB (2x16) DDR4 3200MHzDrawing Monitor:
UGEE U1600
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THE BUSINESS
How do I get a price for a service not on the list?Drop me a line and lay out your vision; every request is its own beast. Let’s talk; because animation takes a massive scaffolding compared to a simple conceptual sketch.
Are you available for long-term projects (comics, games, etc.)?I’m slammed at the moment, so no big commitments for now. I move fast and I’m always switching things up, so just keep an eye on the page to see when I’m free again.
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THE SIGNAL
Sometimes it feels like I’m talking to two different mouths. Why?To get on with it; I have a trusted assistant who helps manage initial messages. Don't worry; I oversee the whole conversation (I’m across every detail of your order).
Why no Discord server or Facebook group?Babysitting a digital crowd is a massive time-sink I’d rather spend at the drawing board.I’m not keen on handing the reins to strangers; so I prefer to keep my channels limited to this spot.
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THE LOOT
Why the freebies? What’s the catch?No dodgy schemes here. Giving away art is just my way of engaging with the community; no hidden agendas or strings attached.
Can I have my free illustration removed from the site?No can do. If it was made for free or during an event; it stays in the archive in perpetuity. It is part of the history of the shop now.
You already drew something for me, can I ask for another?I love the energy; but the rules are ironclad: one ration per person. The only way around this is the lottery of a formal event (and even then; if you've already had your turn in the lights, you've got to let the next person step up).
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THE SMALL PRINT
I saw your name on another platform, is that you?My official accounts are listed at the bottom of this page. If a platform isn't listed there, it's not me.
How do you handle privacy and rights?By default, I keep the authorship and the right to show the work in my "Visuals" (portfolio), while you get personal use rights.However, if you need commercial rights or total secrecy (an NDA where I don't post the work anywhere), please tell me at the start so we can adjust the budget and agreement.
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CONTACT
I have a proposal. Where can I send it?If it's for a collaboration on something big, just email me directly. Make your first message detailed.(To be clear: I'm not looking for partnerships, but I am open to volunteering.)You can send it here: [email protected]
I have a question about your portfolio, and I also wanted to let you know about some errors. Where can I reach you?Thanks in advance for taking the time to check things over. Feedback is always welcome, and I appreciate when people point out mistakes so I can fix them.Send your questions here: [email protected]
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THE LAW
USAGE LICENSE
© LogeLo – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
-Protected under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Proprietorship:
No outside entity may attempt to register these characters or yarns as their own.
-AI Training:
The use of my works to train generative AI models is strictly prohibited. Keep the machines away from my strokes.
-Commercial Use:
Distribution or sale for profit is prohibited without a commercial license signed by me.
-What you CAN do:
Share, react, and create free fan-art. We’re not a corporate zombie; go wild with your own versions, just keep the credit where it belongs.
-# My First Leaf | 6th July 2025-Alright, folks!Step into this bolt-hole; it’s part overgrown backstage, part soundcheck. I’ll be blunt: setting this up was never a priority in my daily routine. I’d much rather be shredding lead on a canvas than wrestling with prose on a blustery Tuesday afternoon.However, curiosity is a funny thing. A few of you have been prying into the person behind these drawings. So, I’ve put this quiet spot together for those looking to see who’s actually holding the pen.
-If you’re expecting a typical diary or a feed full of gossip, you’re in the wrong place. This is just a registry for project shifts, my own thoughts, and the occasional bit of real-world noise that gets in the way.
-I’m not promising grand epics; this is just an unfiltered look at my process. This space will always be a work in progress. I reserve the right to go back and tidy up old entries. I might trim or rebuild every line until the words finally feel right.-A quick heads-up for the visual gluttons: There are no pictures to hide behind. Brevity is the rule: it's a direct way to show I’m still moving when the rest of the web goes a bit quiet.-Anyway. Cheers for your time.I wish you all the best; I hope to write more soon.
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-# On Virtual Networks | 15th July 2025-Greetings, dear reader!I’ve been weighing my pulse in this neon-lit digital jungle lately. To cut the waffle (Fluffy cheeks... do keep up, will you?) and get straight to the blues: let’s give 'em the old razzle-dazzle.
-Am I a newcomer to this internet wave?I’m an old hand here. I saw the web in its prime: back when homepages were plastered with glittering text and garish GIFs. Today, I see it for what it’s become: a landscape governed by content farms and creators who have transformed entertainment into a morbid popularity contest.
-But that’s neither here nor there. My duty isn't to sort the heroes from the heels. I am simply here to paint a small corner of the web to attract the few who crave cartoons and stories (Yarns, in my case).-It was for this reason I kept my work to myself for years. I didn't want any part of the daily drama on social media. It’s exhausting to watch people act superior just to tear others down for a few likes.-So you know the scene: my urge to "see" the socials died the moment I realised common decency had become a foreign concept in large stretches of cyberspace. Besides the lack of respect, you eventually realise social media is mostly a waste of time. If it wasn't for a solid mate who’s been with me from the start, I wouldn't even be here.-Don’t get it twisted: I don’t loathe the socials. I spend my time here like everyone else, though I’d much rather stay far from the crowded squares. For me, this modest roof called Carrd is my room with a view. Everything I care for lands here eventually: I leave the window open so the curious can peek at the work.-Don’t mistake this for an air of grandeur. My best days are likely in the rearview. Nowadays, I just want to pop up occasionally to host an event or drop a freebie for those who support me (and those who don’t know me yet). It’s not about the tinsel or performative grace: ego-strokes don't build my vignettes.-Of course, I’m no innocent benefactor. I’m well aware that passion alone won't pay the rent (hence the fee-sheet). However, the trade doesn't dictate the movement of my hands. Before any business begins, the sketch arrives to evict the visions rattling around my head. Be they saccharine, noir, or perhaps a bit on the spicy side.-
Well, I’ve rattled on enough for one day. My bad if the intro promised more than the text delivered. That’s as far as my voice goes for today.
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Catch you around, idle reader.
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͘ # A Sudden Shift in the Winds | 24th July 2025-Hello, little world.I’m dropping by to deliver a dose of cold reality. Between a relentless streak of power cuts and my health deciding to be uncommonly loud lately: my schedule has effectively imploded. The files are safe (no digital tragedies to report here). But actual time at the board has become a very rare currency.-The result? I’m calling a halt to random free requests for the foreseeable future. We are also turning down the volume on our social megaphones. I realise this might be a bit of a mood-killer (especially as we’re only three months into this particular voyage). It is a necessary manoeuvre to keep the brain in good repair.-
Don’t fret, though. I’m not throwing in the towel just yet.Instead of taking shots in the dark with random requests: I’m pivoting to an event-led model. We’ll be running curated, themed happenings to keep the creative pulse moving without a total burnout.-
Keep a sharp eye on this spot. I’ll be dropping the rules and the roadmap for these events right here before they hit any other corner of the web.-
On the admin side: any active chats we had going are officially on ice. I’ll be reaching out to those of you still waiting for a response over the next few days.-
Furthermore, all complimentary sketches previously approved will be completed and delivered before the first formal event starts. If your request was already confirmed: I will honour the word.I truly appreciate the patience and the solid vibes you lot bring to the table while I recalibrate.-
I look forward to our next update. Regards.
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-# A Necessary Interlude | 18th August 2025-Hullo.The recent weeks have been particularly taxing. I’ve been occupying a clinical vigil; keeping watch alongside a close ally through a difficult stretch of familial crisis.Between the sheer fatigue and those vast, anaemic hours (the kind that stretch into entire lifetimes), I found myself re-examining the root of this whole endeavour. It was a time for questioning the journey; the ideals; and what it is I’m actually aiming for.
-The takeaway? I’ve realised that I must fundamentally alter my pace. To be clear: I am not abandoning the board. I shall proceed; but only at a tempo of my own making.
-I require a tempo that reduces external pressure and does not demand constant accessibility. Frankly, this platform is the only environment where such a balance remains achievable.
-While we’ve had some lively sessions elsewhere; I feel this page is what best preserves the essence of those memories within its own architecture. It is the one place that feels truly "right."-
To speak with absolute candour: my appetite for social engagement is currently at its lowest ebb. You shouldn't expect to see much of me personally unless my comrade (the primary catalyst behind everything I do) takes the chords.-I am profoundly indebted to my brother-in-arms and truly grateful to all of you. I know how hard it is to pay attention to anything these days. It really means a lot to me that you’re checking this out.Thank you.
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Until we meet again. 💛
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-# A Perspective for the Year Ahead | 28th December 2025-¡Happy holidays, lads and lasses! ✨I hope you’re all finding some warmth during these festive days. After a much-needed breather and a thorough mental spring cleaning; I’m back with the valves glowing and (more importantly) a much more jovial lens on the whole project.-We have remained active during this period of public silence; We’re just working on a much-needed update to the site’s structure.While the platform is still evolving; we are confident that (with further adjustments and your continued feedback) it will provide an optimal experience across all digital devices.-In the interest of total transparency: to ensure a solid and consistent output, we’re putting the fee-sheet (commissions) and animation It's parked for the time being.-I hope to do that again sometime. But for now, it makes more sense to focus on the primary art instead of spreading myself too thin with small stuff.-In other news: I am pleased to report that both my associate and I are in good health and are fully committed to making 2026 a year of sustained growth.-
Our strategy no longer involves a desperate pursuit of social media clout; instead, we shall focus on increasing our presence here, on our own sovereign platform.-Just so you know, the 'Yarns' will only be in Spanish for now. English translations are off the table for a while.-I am simply not satisfied with "passable" translations; you lot deserve better than a half-arsed job. I’d rather wait until we can bring a native-level Scribe on board than publish something that isn’t quite up to snuff.-Finally; our planned drawing events remain on the agenda. However; the primary forecast for early 2026 involves significant activity within the narrative sections; alongside occasional unannounced updates.-I think that’s the state of the union for now. A massive thank you for sticking with us while we gave this place a proper refurb.We wish you a prosperous New Year and the very best of opportunities throughout 2026.
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I'll be back one of these days; I shall look to provide further updates in due course. '26. XOXO <3
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-# The Restoration of the Disregarded Tongue | 9th April 2026-¡¡Goooood morning, my lovely lot of ruffians and royalty!!Behold! After a rather damp and unceremonious absence, the English tongue has been successfully fished out of the digital ether; gasping for air and looking for a stiff drink.
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This represents a full-scale restoration. It may not be the most anticipated comeback in history; hardly the Beatles at the Rooftop, is it? At the very least, it's something good for anyone who happens to stop by. (Idk).-It is a matter of record that this site was originally conceived in English. However, the initial execution was a total shambles; a disjointed collection of automated approximations and frantic dictionary references. That mechanical babble was a flaw I couldn't ignore.Consequently, I chose to withdraw that version until a standard of quality could be guaranteed.-Full disclosure: English isn't my first language. I hired an expert to write this for me so it wouldn't be a mess and you could actually enjoy the content.-Why the comeback? It’s simple: gratitude. I’m doing this for the English-speaking art groups that were the first to back me up when I started.-
Long before I presented my portfolio to a Spanish-speaking audience, my creative output found its first home among you. One does not simply disregard such history.-The doors are finally wide open! Well, at least for those of you who can navigate English or Spanish. Shocking, I know.-But don't get your hopes up: this 'global expansion' stops right here. I have zero plans to master Russian or Japanese by tomorrow's lunch. If any other 'Scribes' want to jump into this mess, be my guest; I’ve officially retired from my short-lived career as a translator.-
Anyhow, that’s all from me for now.-
Take care of yourself and those close to you.💛
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-# Changing the dress | 3rd July 2026-
Wazzup?So, we've been thinking about a separate English page since we started translating the site again. And a few days ago, around May 25th, we finally started moving things over.We split the pages because it's just easier to handle, and it keeps both sides loading fast.No real downsides to this. Only "catch" is that updates might take a little longer to show up here... I mean, it's not exactly new. The English side always lags a bit behind anyway (life stuff, you know). But we'll do our best to update this page in the coming weeks.If you find any mistakes or broken buttons, do me a favor and point them out. I've already checked a bunch of times, but something always sneaks past me.(Yes, I know some images are missing from the gallery. I need to re-export them. I'll get them up when I can.)Thanks for reading. Talk soon.
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DATA
Alias:
Loge Longaniza or LogeLo
-Name:
Nacho Zacatzi
-Zone:
México
-EST. 2018
-Trade:
Cartoonist
-Business Inbox:
[email protected]
-Casual Inbox:
[email protected]
-Translation Team Inbox:
[email protected]
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Carrd.co founded: 01/04/2025
MELTED EYES
TIMELINE
• Premiere: 14/12/2025• Latest Release: 03/01/2026• Status: (On hold) chapters to be published.
SCRIBES
Script: Mario Bueno YturbeArt: LogeLoWordsmith: Farkenu“The Particulars”-Typeface:Wiggly CurvesYataghanBean Burrito
SPECTRAL ORDEALS
TIMELINE
• Premiere: 02/04/2026• Latest Release: 22/05/2026• Status: 38 chapters upcoming.
SCRIBES
Script: Nozumi DragosauriaArt: LogeLoWordsmith: FarkenuTypeface: Kája Saudek Basic“The Particulars”
The Long Backstage
Welcome to the show. Behind every great piece of art, there’s a real person sharing a piece of their life with us.Tonight, we’re sitting down with the creators who make it all possible. It's just a intimate dialogue to discover the secrets no one sees and the stories no one tells.Let’s find out what really happens behind the scenes!
Summary of Lights:
Third Call:
28/06/2026-
Interviewer:
Wonkymedes
Wordsmith:
Farkenu-TipografíasYoung SerifAveria Serif Libre
Questionnaire opening
The Protocol
1. How did the idea for Hardventure come about, and what pushed you to keep it going for so many years?
Oscar
Hardventure was born in 2008 with the idea of creating a fresh shonen story. Something viable back then, when webcomics were just taking off, but utopian and, I admit, overly worn out by today's standards.Since I was a kid, I've loved adventure stories, magic, and monsters in the style of Dragon Quest, but they all felt like they were missing something. I wanted to fill that gap with Hardventure. In the end, that idea became the fuel that keeps me going: making a comic my younger self would have looked at with pure admiration.
The Protocol
2. What role does making comics play in your daily life? An escape valve, a creative obsession, or something in between?
Oscar
It started as an escape from my daily grind. After work, I loved coming home and blowing off steam through drawing.There have been stretches where the hobby turned into an obsession, especially when only a few chapters were left to finish a printed volume. But I have to say, in recent years that obsession has only grown. There's very little left to wrap up the story, and after all this time, I want to give it (and myself) a proper ending.
The Protocol
3. Did you have someone backing you at the start, or did you carve your own path?
Oscar
I had friends I shared ideas and characters with, but when I decided to actually start the story, I did it completely alone. Self-taught, no outside help.When I began posting the story on forums and websites, it was met with solid reception and support. Those were different times. Back then, it felt new, even like an achievement. Today, I'd be just another creator, and the support wouldn't feel the same.
The Protocol
4. Knowing what you know now, if you could go back, would you choose this road again?
Oscar
No, I'd definitely change a lot of things about the story, starting with its length.
The Protocol
5. What do you credit for keeping your passion intact? Are you aiming to unsettle, to make people reflect, or simply to entertain?
Oscar
In the end, sticking with Hardventure and finishing it has become a way of proving that "if you can dream it, you can do it." I enjoy drawing and creating, and I'd like to spread the idea that you can and should do what you love, no matter how famous you are.If you draw to please others and get rich, you're lost as an author.
The Protocol
6. We all have a place, a song, or a memory that works as shelter. What's yours? What brings the smile back when the spark runs low?
Oscar
In 2024, my mother passed away. She supported me right up until the end. She even bought my printed volumes and asked me to sign them for her. Whenever I feel my drive fading or frustration creeping in, I think: "She would have wanted to see this story finished."
The Protocol
7. If you could leave a single mark of love in the hearts of others, what would you want it to say?
Oscar
Like I've said before, "if you can dream it, you can do it." That's my phrase (I even have it tattooed!). I think it carries real weight.You should never lose your spark or your goal. Reaching the top of a goal you set for yourself is the greatest thing.
The Praxis
1. What's your first move when starting a new page? Do you work from a written script or let things flow as you go?
Oscar
I have a pretty terrible obsession with planning. First, I lay out the seasons. From there, the chapters. Then the script for each chapter, and finally the layout of every page based on what each one calls for. I leave nothing to chance. I like every page to have its own design, and I try to avoid visual repetition.
The Praxis
2. How many actual hours does it take you to finish a page? How do you decide it's done without falling into endless tweaking?
Oscar
Depending on the page, it can take me more or less time. If it's a dialogue-only page, it's pretty quick.If it's an action page, it takes a bit longer, though I'll admit I'm fairly fast at drawing: I can sketch a page in thirty minutes, ink it in two hours, and by my estimates, editing on the PC takes me an hour at most. Once it's done, I zoom in and go over it almost pixel by pixel. Madness.
The Praxis
3. What steps have you taken to simplify or automate your workflow (textured brushes, 3D models, automated actions)?
Oscar
I've been using the same system for almost twenty years now.I do a lot by hand, but Photoshop helps me a great deal with textures and some backgrounds. I don't like overusing tools, though mine are fairly simple: screentones, lines, and not much else.
The Praxis
4. Within the drawing process, which part do you despise the most (linework, color, backgrounds)?
Oscar
Lately, backgrounds have been a real drag because of all the prep they require: having to come up with ideas for cities, towns, ruins... I lose so many hours hunting down references for backgrounds.
The Praxis
5. Which concept (perspective, color, composition) took you the longest to master?
Oscar
Female bodies. It's something I got criticized for in the early chapters, and something I practiced intensely back in the day until I got better at it.
The Praxis
6. Do you prefer working with limits (tight palettes, strict parameters) or with total creative freedom?
Oscar
I don't need a lot of resources to work. I'm fairly simple. As I've said before, I've stuck with the same style for nearly twenty years, and I don't want to overdo the innovation. I'd rather not mess with the 90s feel of the story.
The Praxis
7. What mistake did you make early on that now feels impossible to accept? Are there habits in your old drawings that make you say, "What was I thinking?"
Oscar
Female bodies.
When I look at them I think:"Those girls had so few curves!"
The Praxis
8. Do you trust your visual storytelling enough that words feel unnecessary, or without them would your comic fall silent?
Oscar
I trust my visual storytelling. I love having characters gesture, pull faces, express themselves... I think it gives the story a very dynamic and slightly comedic feel.
The Inertia
1. Do you stick to a strict routine, or do you let inspiration catch you off guard?
Oscar
I work when inspiration hits and without much pressure. I know from experience that forcing the work leads to poor results and kills motivation. I can go a week without drawing and then knock out five pages in two days.Over time, I've realized I'm more of a preparer at night (sketching) and more of a finisher during the day.
The Inertia
2. Do you need total silence to produce, or do you rely on external input (music, podcasts)? Does the order of your physical space affect your output?
Oscar
I like putting on background music that doesn't demand much attention or have a lot of lyrics, like repetitive electronic music, which also keeps me motivated.Podcasts or songs with lyrics throw me off.
The Inertia
3. How do you manage breaks during long sessions to avoid physical burnout (eyes, hands, back)?
Oscar
After a few hours of intense work, I start feeling it in my wrist, my back, and my eyes. So, as part of my drawing routine, I make a habit of getting up, walking around the house, doing some quick household chore, and once I've cleared my head and stretched out, I go back to work.
The Inertia
4. How do you balance the natural ease you have for creating against the hard work the craft demands?
Oscar
I think I lean more on my natural ease than on hard work. Apart from the occasional action scene, everything flows pretty smoothly.I put a lot of effort into finding my own style, one I felt comfortable and quick with. Before drawing a trickier panel, I might redo it two or three times at most, but generally I keep a steady pace.
The Inertia
5. How much time do you put into the comic each week, balancing it with work or family?
Oscar
It depends on the week. Some weeks I don't even pick up the pencil, and other weeks I can put in eight hours straight in a single day.
The Inertia
6. How do you keep from losing the thread of the story when weeks pass without drawing?
Oscar
I go over previous pages or review the chapter script. It's also true that in my scripts I leave myself a lot of explanations or even page layouts jotted down. Reading a Hardventure script can be chaos, but as soon as I pick it up, I see exactly what I had planned.
The Inertia
7. What's been the hardest stretch of your career, and what exactly went wrong or got complicated?
Oscar
Hardventure was redrawn in 2012, when it already had twelve chapters (about three hundred pages). It was really hard to take the leap and start the story over, but I needed to break away from a lot of beginner mistakes, push a new style, and give the story a fresh feel.I seriously considered dropping it and starting another project, but I didn't want to let Hardventure go. It was a tough step, knowing I was about to throw away four years of my life, but looking back, I think I made the right call.
The Appraisal
1. What hardware (PC, tablet, camera) makes up your workstation, and why those specific models?
Oscar
Truth is, I'm pretty old-school. I could list way more analog tools than electronic ones, heh.On the digital side, I get by with a laptop running Photoshop, a mouse, a scanner, and some speakers. I don't have a go-to brand, but I've just realized almost everything I own is HP.
The Appraisal
2. What tools (software or materials) do you use daily, and which ones are completely indispensable?
Oscar
Photoshop is vital for me. I've been using it since 2007 and haven't been able to switch. And when it comes to drawing tools, I can't work without my Sakura fineliners in 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3...Oh! And the eraser. Absolutely essential.
The Appraisal
3. What was the last book, course, or tutorial that genuinely sparked a significant improvement in how you work?
Oscar
More than tutorials, I like studying other authors, especially their compositions. I recently re-read all of Naruto, and I'll admit it made me rethink a few scenes.
The Desertion
1. How have you been improving your drawing technique? Through trial and error, tutorials, books?
Oscar
Even though I tried those typical "learn to draw manga" books as a kid, I never really learned much from them. So I started paying attention to other authors instead, not just their drawing styles, but also their compositions, storytelling, and depictions...... My style definitely carries a touch of Akira Toriyama, though over the years I've picked up elements from other authors like Masashi Kishimoto and Eiichiro Oda.
The Desertion
2. How many hours a week do you spend practicing or studying new skills (anatomy, perspective, warm-ups)?
Oscar
These days: not much... If I'm up against a tricky pose or scene, I hunt for references until I find what I need (or I make my own with a little pose figure I keep), and once I go for the drawing, I usually nail it in three tries max.
The Desertion
3. Are there subjects or styles you practice in the privacy of your studio that you never show publicly?
Oscar
I love cars, and every now and then I'll do an automotive illustration, though it's a whole different world, way more complicated to pull off. Perspective plays a huge role, same with straight lines. I love them, but they make me suffer.
The Desertion
4. What becomes of the sketches or projects you don't finish? Do you keep them or scrap them?
Oscar
I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to sketches. I keep almost all of them, and when they pile up, I scan them and store them in a folder on my PC for reference. But mostly I keep notebooks, several notebooks full of sketches, ideas, and half-finished projects.
The Roots
1. How do you get your work out there? Social media, indie fairs, or hand to hand?
Oscar
Every way I possibly can!I've barely started taking my story to conventions. There's a lot of interest! But up until now, I've only been active on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and a few amateur comic sites. I'm always looking for new ways to promote myself.
The Roots
2. Have you had friction or misunderstandings with other artists, or readers who dismiss your work?
Oscar
Not many, as far as I recall. Luckily, I've surrounded myself with people who value my work, and if they have any criticism, I know it's completely constructive.There's been the occasional mocking comment, but I know it comes from someone just passing through who doesn't know my full body of work. It hasn't bothered me or caused me any grief.
The Roots
3. If a 17-year-old asked you if it's worth starting to make comics, what would you tell them? Where would you stop them, and where would you push them forward?
Oscar
I'd tell them it's worth it, but I'd push them to innovate, to do their research, to read everything they can, and to make something nobody has made before.There are millions of great ideas waiting to be tapped. You can't fall into the typical shonen mold, but above all, whatever they do, they should enjoy it and finish it.
The Roots
4. What's the most hypocritical thing you've seen in the art community or the industry?
Oscar
Authors discouraging beginners. I went through it in my early years. They disguise it as "advice," but over time I understood they weren't trying to help me: they were protecting themselves. Fear or envy, I still don't know which weighed more. I still remember some of those lines. I used them to push myself even harder.
The Roots
5. Where do you stand on the rise of artificial intelligence? A support tool or an obstacle?
Oscar
I support artificial intelligence as another tool, but not as the whole job. I use AI to generate some references, and that saves me a lot of time, but right now there's a wave of comics made a hundred percent with AI that's horrifying. Honestly, does anyone feel proud presenting that?AI is a great tool, but you have to know how to use it, especially with everything heading our way. I have no doubt that very soon we won't be able to tell apart a handcrafted manga from one created with AI.
The Brew
1. Which authors (comics, film, literature) have left a mark on how you draw and tell stories?
Oscar
Akira Toriyama, no question. I really value shonen with touches of absurd humor and, at the same time, a lot of mystery.From Masashi Kishimoto I learned how to slip genuinely moving scenes into a manga, scenes that literally make you cry and that tackle taboo subjects to give them real weight. Even though I've read many other authors, I don't have a single fixed reference point.
The Mixology
1. Film moves, you interact with video games, music is heard... What does a comic offer that other mediums can't?
Oscar
Reading taken to another level!I've always said that comics are the combination of two arts: writing and drawing. When both come together well, you can feel as much as watching a great film, playing a great game, or listening to a great song... I've cried reading comics, but I don't remember ever crying over a video game.
The Mixology
2. Do you see sound effects and lettering as part of the story, or just set dressing?
Oscar
They're part of the story and part of the page design. The sound effect has to be integrated into the page and into the scene to deliver the intended impact without breaking the visual balance of the page.Sound effects are one of those great overlooked details that mark the final finish of a good or a bad page.
The Mixology
3. Do you feel dialogue steals space from the art, or do you work it in as another graphic element?
Oscar
Without a doubt, they're just another graphic element, and way more important than the drawing itself.Text is seventy percent of a comic and it has to be visually pleasing and easy to read. It's something few people get, but a comic with excellent artwork can be torture to read if the lettering isn't well crafted. I think it's an unresolved matter for a lot of creators.
The Mixology
4. When you find out a reader interpreted a panel differently than you intended, how do you react? Does it weigh on you?
Oscar
It used to happen to me at the start and it drove me nuts. I'm very self-critical, so I picked up a trick from American comics where in many panels the character themselves "explains" what's going on.So, whenever I see a panel that's turned out a bit unclear, I have the character subtly explain it.
The Mixology
5. Have you had to trim dialogue because it didn't fit the balloon? If you erased all the text, would your story still tell itself?
Oscar
Like I've said before, the work of lettering in comics deserves its own subject. You have to find the balance between amount and space, and it's something many of us authors have had to face over and over.I tend to use the technique of having the character gesture alongside the text; that can help trim the words down a bit and even make the panel understandable without any text at all.
The Valve
1. What do you study or what's your day job? Do you make a living from your creations, or do you have another source of income?
Oscar
I work in the world of automotive paint. Cars are my other passion, and luckily both worlds mix together pretty well.I tend to push what I love to the limit, so my main income comes from cars, and comic sales are a bonus I don't stress about whether it comes or not. I don't draw to get rich.
The Valve
2. When you're not drawing, where do you point yourself? Do you go for leisure in anime and video games, or different territory like cooking or exercise?
Oscar
I have a few hobbies that work as an escape: video games (lately more than I'd like), reading, the mountains, and my partner.
The Valve
3. Have you had to sacrifice your physical or mental health to keep up with the production standards of the medium?
Oscar
No, I draw for pleasure. If I see a page or a scene getting complicated and I start getting frustrated, I step away and go do something else until the ideas settle back into place.I don't want to get angry or stressed over my comic. I draw to enjoy it.
The Gag
1. What's your take on censorship in comics today?Do you think it comes more from big corporations afraid of causing offense, or from external pressure groups?
Oscar
I think on this front we're going backwards.
The world isn't all sunshine and rainbows, and censorship is just blindfolding people, twisting reality, and if the truth stays hidden, who's going to fight to change it?I'm a bit of a conspiracy nut with this stuff. I think the people at the top have an interest in keeping us quiet and misinformed.
The Gag
2. The Comics Code Authority was a strict censorship body in the United States for over 60 years. Do you think there's a similar "invisible code" today on social media or digital platforms that limits the freedom of creators?
Oscar
These days, it's impossible to fence in the internet. There's a lot of freedom on social media. I get that there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, but I don't think there's some censor behind a taken-down post beyond an understandable sense of ethics from the users themselves.
The Gag
3. In your case, have you ever felt pressure to self-censor or soften something in your work to make it more "acceptable"? Or has the underground scene served you as a space of total freedom?
Oscar
I've never been censored, nor have I ever felt any attempt to censor me. I've drawn exactly what I wanted with total freedom. At the end of the day, it's a shonen I created myself; a work suitable for all audiences.
The Mutation
1. The "webcomic" or "webtoon" format (endless scrolling) has gained a lot of popularity. Do you think these new formats are "killing" the essence of the traditional page, or are they simply a natural evolution?
Oscar
I get the boom for this type of comic, even though I strongly disagree with it. These days, like with so many things, people chase quick stimuli: TikTok, Instagram, reels... And I think the webtoon style falls right into that category: art and composition are sacrificed to show scroll, text, and fast drawing.I tried giving it a chance back in the day and found it lacked soul and passion. To each their own, but I'm more sentimental. I need to see the craftsmanship.
The Mutation
2. What's your take on plagiarism in the industry? There have been high-profile cases where major productions (like the Netflix series 1899) were accused of ripping off independent works. Do you feel small creators are left unprotected?
Oscar
Historically, many comics have been plagiarisms of other ideas. The trick is giving it your own personal touch so it shows as little as possible.If you stop and think about the great manga stories, all of them carry a heavy percentage of outside influence from their authors, who, whether unconsciously or as a tribute, have woven it into their work.Of course, copying someone else's idea a hundred percent is something we should avoid and even call out, but who's protected from that? No one.When I was drawing Hardventure I was really afraid someone would steal the idea; Hardventure even has its own copyright license. But over time I realized that everyone has their own "great idea" in their head and it's unlikely you'll get ripped off exactly as is.
The Closure
1. If you couldn't draw anymore starting tomorrow, how would you want your work to be remembered?
Oscar
Like the work of someone who put in the effort right to the end and fought to see their childhood dream finished.
The Closure
2. Let's shift the scenario slightly: if all your work vanished tomorrow, where would you steer your path?
Oscar
I'd make short stories, one-shots, or stories of two hundred pages max.
The Closure
3. Is there a dream project you haven't dared to take on because it's beyond your current time or skill?
Oscar
Yes, a manga about cars, racing, and a post-apocalyptic future in the style of Mad Max. It's a thorn I've got buried deep, and I hope I can make a manga like that someday. I've already got several sketches and ideas tucked away in some folder.
The Closure
4. Between critical acclaim and commercial success, where do you lean these days? What's your biggest unresolved debt?
Oscar
I like to be fairly discreet and as anonymous as possible. I'd rather my story be more visible than me, though it's not easy.The commercial stuff wins because it's followed set guidelines.I've always been more drawn to the underground: you see a lot more of the creators' insides.
The Closure
5. How do you live with that inner voice telling you it's not worth carrying on, or that you should charge less?
Oscar
I'm very stubborn and I like to finish what I start. It must be some kind of unknown syndrome: if an inner voice whispers "give up," it gets drowned out by many others pushing me to carry on and finish the story.
The Closure
6. Does it worry you that your legacy might end up tangled in copyright disputes, or do you believe that once you're gone, the work becomes the world's problem?
Oscar
I hope my work remains available to all audiences.I don't expect it to be a cult classic, but I would like it to be a symbol of effort, drive, dedication, and sheer stubbornness.
The Farewell
It's a real joy that you answered every single question, Óscar!Thank you for accepting the invitation and for being the one to kick off Long Backstage.Even though we've only exchanged a handful of letters, I hope this little interview feels memorable to you and, of course, worthy of sticking around for those who take the time to read us.Before the recorder cuts out, LogeLo dedicates this illustration to Mr. Óscar, in thanks for stopping by this threshold.
End of reel
The Closure
6. Does it worry you that your legacy might end up tangled in copyright disputes, or do you believe that once you're gone, the work becomes the world's problem?
Sandoval
I hope my work remains available to all audiences.I don't expect it to be a cult classic, but I would like it to be a symbol of effort, drive, dedication, and sheer stubbornness.
Sandoval
I hope my work remains available to all audiences.I don't expect it to be a cult classic, but I would like it to be a symbol of effort, drive, dedication, and sheer stubbornness.
Sandoval
I hope my work remains available to all audiences.I don't expect it to be a cult classic, but I would like it to be a symbol of effort, drive, dedication, and sheer stubbornness.
The Farewell
It's a real joy that you answered every single question, Óscar!Thank you for accepting the invitation and for being the one to kick off Long Backstage.Even though we've only exchanged a handful of letters, I hope this little interview feels memorable to you and, of course, worthy of sticking around for those who take the time to read us.Before the recorder cuts out, LogeLo dedicates this illustration to Mr. Óscar, in thanks for stopping by this threshold.
End of reel
STEEDS OF XIBALBA
TIMELINE
• Premiere: 19/11/2025• Latest Release: 19/15/2025• Status: (On hold) chapters to be published.
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SCRIBES
Script: Onesimo G. JonsArt: @LogeLoWordsmith: Farkenu“The Particulars”-TypefacesADLaM DisplayLora
To traverse the sphere from pole to pole and meet the same recurring error from which infinite follies spring; it disquiets the soul.
To hear that same maxim echo in distant reaches (the one authorizing the vulgar to tyrannize sound judgment); it brings a heavy consternation.
When ignorance dictates the truth; to argue against each blunder is a fool’s errand. Superstition inevitably overpowers rigorous thought.
The rabble and the high-born alike, though they be trodden down, never turn their wrath upon the wicked; instead, they strike at the guileless...
... That vast throng of fools, worshipping their own blunders as if they were divine insights; it compels me to fight. To hold back (even for a brief span of years) the tide of that delirious mob.
What the blazes is this commotion?
A mare has arrived in a state of woe.
She begs our assistance in laying her husband to rest.
We are not hired blades, Alphonza.
You mistake my meaning.The husband is already departed; the family merely seeks to recover the remains.
Ah... Then the grave has been plundered.When was the funeral?
There was none. The mistress only learned of his passing this very day.
How did she learn about the deceased?
While walking with her kin; she heard a herald announcing a fresh collection of art.
Being curious about the liberal arts; she visited the museum to see the novelty. Upon arrival; she was stunned to find a gallery teeming with corpses.
I take it she recognised her beloved’s face among the exhibits.
Precisely. The poor thing was so distraught they drove her out with blows when she began to wail.
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Has she sought aid elsewhere before turning to us?
She went to the magistrates; but they demanded endless scrolls of parchment... and two stone of pork pies.
Bloody scoundrels!
Did you inquire as to how she learned of our whereabouts?
I did. She claimed her husband was a long-standing patron of yours. He bid her seek your counsel should misfortune ever befall them.
If that be the case; it must be Boniface. The only other stallion who frequents these halls is Amadeus; and so far as I am aware; he has taken a vow of celibacy.
You are not mistaken; the widow’s late husband is indeed Boniface.
What a wretched pity...He provided us with remedies for naught in our time of need. He was an honourable pony.
- - -
Is the lady Boniface still present?
She is in the parlour. Do you wish to speak with her?
That will not be necessary. I require you to keep her calm; and more importantly; keep her out of sight.In the hours to come; you can be certain they will come looking for her.
Do you truly believe it will come to that?
Well; someone must answer for what I am about to set in motion.I doubt they possess the wit to find me; but I take it as a given that she (being the only pony to cause a disturbance in that institution) will be the first suspect they investigate.
I see. This is the fallout you foresee should we render her our aid.
Of course. And as a further consequence; we shall have to vanish.
Once more?!
I am not fond of the idea of uprooting ourselves either. Yet; with what is brewing; maintaining a facade will be a difficult task.
Arpeggio; you’ve witnessed that I’ve never had a qualm with starting anew... But this time; it is difficult for me.I built this space with such delicacy; there must be a way to carry this house with us.
I know of an incantation for transporting objects of great scale. Unfortunately; it is a massive drain on one’s magic.I know you are aware; but it bears repeating: it can shatter our horns should we exhaust our mana.
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Teach me the spell.
I will move the house as far as possible.
Do not look at me so. I am certain I can do this.
You have been my apprentice for less than a year; and the only things you have mastered are simple cantrips.Do not take it the wrong way; but I do not see you holding up this entire structure.
In that case: help me!
Together; I know we can manage it.
I’ve no qualm with doing it; but answer me this first: shall we do this every time a pony comes seeking a chapel?Our magic is limited. I would choose to use this gift to appease the revenge of the unfortunate.
I am in agreement. And yet...
Alphonza: I am well aware of the graft it took to raise this fine roof. Nevertheless; if you wish to remain by my side; you must grow accustomed to abandoning order and peace.Waging war against idiocy has never been simple; nor has it ever been comfortableAs much as it pains me; I accept that I am incompatible with the harmony of a home.
- - -
I have no desire for you to make my burden your own end. Better; aspire to be a benefactor; providing asylum and sustenance to those in need.Seek a simpler way of life. To reach beyond our station is a perilous game. Especially for those in need, because we’re the only ones providing any real shelter.
Neither do I wish to endanger those within my walls. Furthermore; I find it untoward that you should doubt my commitment at this hour.I believe vehemently that I can maintain both a dwelling and an altruistic purpose.I know not how I shall haul this hovel; but I swear one thing to you: I’m not planning on leaving anyone behind, and that includes this refuge.
- - -
- - -
Please; Master.
I entreat you to support me in this folly.I beg of you.
- - -
Very well. Let us get on with it.
Oh; thank you; my deepest thanks.
,
— You’ve reached the end of the line for now. —The project is moving into an indefinite hiatus; with the hope of returning to the board further down the road.My sincere thanks for staying with me throughout this arc.I hope the story was as rewarding for you to read as it was for me to bring to the page.
Platero and I
I recently discovered that the rights to this work are still protected under copyright law, meaning that translating and sharing it publicly requires a license from the rightsholders, which I don't currently have.Out of respect for the author's legacy and the legal framework that protects creative work, I've made the decision to take it down voluntarily while I explore the proper channels to obtain permission.Thank you for your understanding.
§
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Publication date: 12/14/25
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SCRIBES
Poet: Juan Ramón JiménezArt: LogeLo“The Particulars”
DON JUAN'S
LAST ILLUSION
Superficial folk, who have never taken the trouble to observe the heart’s intricate mechanics through a microscope, naively assume that Don Juan—that precocious libertine, that sempiternal trickster—finds satisfaction enough in the senses or, at most, in fantasy. They believe he neither needs nor indulges in the useless luxury of sentiment, nor ever opens the golden ajimez where the spirit leans out to gaze at the heavens when the weight of the earth becomes oppressive.And I tell you truly: those superficial folk are utterly mistaken. They are unjust toward poor Don Juan, whom only we poets have truly understood—we whose souls are flooded with charity and who possess keen insight... precisely because, appearing candid as we do, we believe in many things.To set the truth in its proper place, I shall tell you the story of how Don Juan nourished and sustained his final illusion... and how he came to lose it.
Among Don Juan’s numerous kin —who, it must be noted, is as much a hidalgo as the King himself— there are several provincial cousins widely celebrated for their beauty. The youngest, Estrella, distinguished herself from her sisters by the sweetness of her nature, her exalted virtue, and her fervent piety; for which reason, at home, they called her la Beatita.
Her angelic countenance did not belie the qualities of her soul: she resembled a Virgin by Murillo, of those who breathe honesty and purity (for some, like the dark-haired Virgin 'of the Napkin'—nicknamed the Refitolera—breathe only youth and vigor).
Whenever Don Juan’s wandering mood prompted him to take a turn through the region where his cousins lived, he would go to see them, frequenting their company and spending endless hours in conversation with Estrella. If you were to ask me what magnet drew the lost soul toward the saint, and even more so the saint toward the lost soul, I would tell you that it was perhaps the very contrast of their temperaments... and after such an explanation, we shall remain just as enlightened as we were before.
The truth remains that while Don Juan courted all women by habit, with Estrella he spoke in earnest, never allowing himself the slightest bold insinuation; and while Estrella shunned the company of all men, she came to Don Juan’s hand like a gentle dove, trusting and sure that her white plumage would remain unstained.
The entire world could have overheard the cousins’ conversations; after hours of harmless, restful, and sweet discourse, they would rise so master of themselves, so calm, so blissful—and Estrella would fly to the kitchen or the pantry to prepare with exquisite care some dish she knew would please Don Juan.More than the delicacies themselves, he savored the tenderness with which they were presented to him; the freshness of his blood and the anesthesia of his senses did him good, like a refreshing bath to one who has walked for a long time through scorched sands.
Whenever Don Juan took flight, heading for the great cities where life is a fever and a madness, Estrella would write him diffuse letters; and he would reply in but a few lines, yet always.
Upon returning home at dawn, staggering, dazed by the revelry or with his nerves still vibrating from the violent emotions of a profane tryst; upon locking himself away to chew, with an ironic laugh, the gall of a disappointment —for Don Juan reaps those as well—; upon preparing for a duel of honor, tempering his will to face death undaunted; while laughing; while blaspheming; while squandering his youth and health like a senseless prodigal of the best gifts Heaven offers us; Don Juan would reserve and set aside, as one sets aside money for an offering to Our Lady, ten minutes to dedicate to Estrella.
In his ambition for affection, that chaste consecration of a being so delicate and noble represented the sip of water drunk in the midst of combat, restoring the fighter’s strength to continue the fray. Traitries, falsehoods, perfidies, and the vileness of other women could be borne with patience, as long as in some corner of the world, the loyal affection of Estrella la Beatita continued to breathe.
With every naive and charming letter Don Juan received, he would dream the same dream; he saw himself walking with great difficulty through shadows so dense, so cold, and so nearly palpable that they were torn at intervals by the sulfurous glare of lightning and the serpentine bolt of the storm.Yet there, far off—so very far off—where the sky was already beginning to clear, Don Juan could discern a white, veiled figure: a woman with downcast eyes, holding a small lit lamp in her right hand while shielding it with her left. That light was never extinguished.
In effect, years rolled by; Don Juan plunged headlong down the slope of his delirium, and the letters continued with unalterable regularity, steeped in the same latent and serene tenderness. So pleasing were these letters to Don Juan that he had determined never to see his cousin again, fearful of finding her withered or changed by time, and thereafter lacking enough illusion to sustain their correspondence.At all costs, he wished to eternalize his daydream—to always see Estrella with that Murillesque face, like a twenty-year-old virgin saint.
Don Juan’s epistles, in all truth, expressed a vivid desire to pay his cousin a visit, to renew their savory discourse; yet, as no one hindered him from fulfilling this intent, one must believe—given that he failed to do so—that his urge was not pressing him with much force.
Two lustrums had passed when, one day, instead of the usual broad sheet written on all four sides and then cross-written, Don Juan received a small note, uncrossed, grave and reserved in its style; a note in which even the handwriting lacked that abandon born of a soul’s outpouring—that spirit which guides the hand and makes it, so to speak, caress the paper. O woman, O running water, O fleeting flame, O breath of air!
Estrella asked Don Juan to be neither surprised nor angered, and she confessed that she was soon to be married... A suitor had appeared who was everything one could wish for: an excellent gentleman, wealthy and honorable, to whom Estrella’s father owed countless favors. The advice and exhortations of 'everyone' had swayed the little saint, who hoped, with God’s help, to be happy in her new state and to win her place in heaven.
From that day forth, Don Juan—that blithe libertine—has lost his final illusion. His soul wanders as a pilgrim among shadows, never again to glimpse the soft glow of the lamp shielded by a virgin’s hand. And he who still possessed something of a man is now nothing but a beast, with teeth for biting and claws for tearing without mercy. His profession of faith is a cynical burst of laughter; his love, a lash that burns and strips the skin, making the blood bloom.
You will tell me that the little saint had every right to seek real happiness and joys far purer than those her unbridled idol incessantly sipped. And perhaps you would be quite right, according to vulgar common sense and dwarf-like practical reason. Much good may that sickly reason do you!In the view of poets, it is less an evil to be a galley slave of vice than a deserter of the ideal. The little saint sinned against poetry and against the divine dreams of unattainable love. Don Juan, believing in her eternal self-sacrifice, was, of the two, the true dreamer.
THE END
§
And that’s the end of the tale.The story is told, and this project officially wraps up here.
I truly appreciate you sticking around and for your company along the way.
SCRIBESThe Fabulist:: Emilia Pardo BazánArt: @LogeLoWordsmith: Farkenu“The Particulars”-TypefacesTypey McTypefaceLiterataGeologicaPublished: 05/10/25
Opaque Pollen
TIMELINE
• Premiere: 05/08/2025• Latest Release: 22/08/2025• Status: (On hold) chapters to be published.
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SCRIBES
Script: Yael OnawaArt: LogeLoWordsmith: Farkenu{ Los Pormenores }-TipografíasLiterataMidNightBubble Sans
This page is an English version of the main Spanish site. Beyond literal translation: each version is an independent rendition.We let the English breathe and the Spanish roar, ensuring both shine without being shadows of each other.