Today we’re joined by Team Spicy. Team Spicy is a wonderfully talented game designer who specializes in absurdist visual novels that toy with genre conventions. He’s an incredibly imaginative individual: his biggest project at the moment involves anthropomorphic chicken wings. Seriously, absurdist humor is the best humor. It’s clear Team Spicy is a dedicated and passionate artist, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to him for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Shep
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I make silly absurd visual novels that play with some of the conventions of genres I love. I like to make weird worlds and then take them seriously. Wingman DX is right now the biggest project I put out into the world. It’s a hot wing dating simulator where you can befriend and romance one of fourteen different hot wings, each of which have at least two endings. Check it out if you like absurdist humor, actual or anthropomorphic hot wings, or if you just like food! It’s free, though donations are always appreciated!
What inspires you?
I really love taking small absurd details and blowing them up to their illogical extremes. The world doesn’t seem to make sense but we all just collectively pretend it does- I think shining a light on that by exaggerating the absurdity of a world simultaneously makes me laugh and also expresses a kind of constant anxiety I have.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I started making simple games as gag gifts for friends before deciding that I should start putting some energy into projects that are more personally-oriented. I’ve always enjoyed dabbling in programs that I frankly don’t have training in, so just slowly figuring out different image, music, and video editing programs in the pursuit of making more and more elaborate jokes that only I find funny has been the impetus of a lot of my projects since I was a kid.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
In work that I’ve released publically? Not yet!
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
This isn’t applicable to everyone, depending on what your goals as a creator are, but for me I ground everything in what I find funny or enjoyable. The sooner you stop worrying about whether other people will like what you make and start focusing on whether you like what you make, the less stressful and more rewarding making stuff is. I create for an audience of one, and if anyone else happens to like it that’s a cool bonus! If not, that’s okay too! You still made a fun thing you like and that’s farther than a lot of people get.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as a gray-sexual or gray ace gay man, though I usually just say I’m ace since it’s easier for people to understand. My go-to analogy is comparing sex to dessert. As someone that doesn’t have a sweet tooth, I don’t eat sweets unless someone I care about wants to go get ice cream and I’ll enjoy it because I enjoy their company.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not yet! I’ve run into more racial prejudice, but when the circles I’m in are so small, even that’s not too prevalent.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That ace people don’t have or can’t enjoy sex. That certainly can be true for people, but it’s not a mutually exclusive thing.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
There’s a misconception that romantic and sexual intimacy/attraction have to coexist and I think it makes many ace people worried that if they’re asexual but not aromantic they won’t be able to find romantically fulfilling relationships and that’s definitely untrue.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
You can find me on itch.io, Twitter, and Instagram at wingmanthegame where you can play my hot wing dating sim Wingman DX for free and also look at terrible gag gifts for friends that won’t make sense to anyone else. I’m working on a larger project but it’s not far enough along to talk about but updates will come on those pages in the future!
Thank you, Team Spicy, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by DarkChibiShadow, who also goes by DCS. DCS is a fantastic visual artist, writer, and game developer who specializes in erotica comics. They are very interested in erotica and sexuality, which informs much of their work. DCS strives to make things that everyone can enjoy, but are particularly dedicated to making things ace people can enjoy. Their stories include a wide variety of ace and aro spectrum characters. DCS also makes a copious amount of SFW comics and games as well. They have recently started SofDelux with their friend Nami, who was interviewed yesterday. The pair of them are a powerhouse, collaborating to make some truly awesome visual novels and games. It’s clear DCS is a passionate and talented artist, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
Hey! I’m DCS, otherwise known as DarkChibiShadow!
When it comes to my art — it’s my life! It has been for so long, ever since I was little.
I would say I mainly make comics with a heaping side of visual novels right now — as well as a ton of different kinds of commissions! I’m basically always working on something!
Right now my biggest focuses are my webcomic, Space School, and my various erotica comics! I update both once a week; with my erotica comics rotating between a cast of characters and stories.
Good ‘ol Space School has been going on for a long while now — and it’s had it’s ups and downs cuz of that. It started out as a really silly RP idea that I then grew super attached to and wanted to make a comic of. (Little did I know at the time just how attached I’d get, haha!)
The main character, Zeggy, is a reflection of me as a teenager struggling to find acceptance among people my age — I was rowdy and way outspoken about my interest in sexuality and I think it drove some people around me batty. (Sorry everyone I hung out with!) Needless to say I uh, understand boundaries a lot better now and am always glad seeing when readers of mine relate to Zeggy in the same way. Plus, it’s got a great ‘lil ace bird boy named Joe, who is very outspoken and a lot of fun. Oh! Alkaline (the love interest) is demisexual as well — with a few other background characters also being on the ace spectrum but they don’t get into it as much during the main plotline.
The comic is very old now — with the beginning being…made by me in my late high school years; but I still love it, and want to finish it one day even if it takes me another five years, haha.
DCS Space School [2017]My other passion is my Erotica Comics! They focus on a few different stories and set of characters; and right now it’s featured me and my girlfriend’s characters, Dennis and Booker.
I’ve made a ton of erotica comics thanks to my Patrons (Love ya! You know who you are!) and I’m always super excited to explore new worlds and characters and see how they fall in love and get down ‘n dirty.
Porn and sexuality have always been a huge thing for me; and something that I always wanted to create. There was just…not a lot of porn out there that made me feel good — despite my interest in it. I’ve just always wanted to create my own little corner of the internet where I could enjoy fun porn and invite people in to enjoy with me.
I’m always really excited and happy when there’s ace people who reach out to me and say they like my porn. Knowing my stuff can help other ace people feels great, honestly! It’s all I ever wanted! I just want to make stuff that’s fun and focuses on characters and romance and having a good time, having a laugh!
Agh — if I go on I’ll definitely write a whole essay about it. Needless to say; I really enjoy erotica and I’m passionate about making more comfortable and fun stuff for me and my fans.
Solanaceae, Ch.2 (2016)
And lastly — but certainly not least — I make visual novels now too!
I believe I started making visual novels in 2016 (around this time of year, actually) with some short fan-games and then went from there.
I had dabbled in making games a bit when I was a teenager but never thought I would be fit for finishing any? I guess I just never thought I’d have an idea that would fit — but once I started thinking of ideas specifically JUST for games; it became a lot easier.
Going from comics to visual novels was actually pretty easy since both involve lots of pictures, and lots of words — but there were definitely things in either that were easier or harder to do depending on the medium.
It’s only been 2 years but I’ve already released or help release a bunch of VN’s! It’s been awesome!
They were all collabs and all super fun and I’m so proud of the final product — check ‘em out if you like stuff that’s goofy, romantic, and not-too-long, haha.
In 2018 I’m expecting to release the first of four games in my “One-Eyed Lee” series of games, titled, “One-Eyed Lee and the Dinner Party” as well as helping release, A Werewolf Oppunirty, Obviously; which has a massive 30k word count demo out right now. As you can tell by the name, it’s a queer werewolf dating sim and it’s awesome. Check ‘em out!
And as a side note — I always try to include PG-13 options in any game I make so that people who are not comfortable with sexual stuff can avoid it entirely!
I’m really excited to be making visual novels and I’m pumped to make more in the future.
Shout-out to Nami who has taught me basically all there is to know about making games in Ren’py and is probably the sole reason I can keep making them. Love you!!!
What inspires you?
There’s so much that inspires me! My friends, nature, animals, mythology, games, comics, movies, shows — so much!
I’ve always been big into the look of PS2 games and am always kind of searching to emulate that in my style — I think. Games like Shadow of the Colossus, Okage: Shadow King, the Katamari line of games, Dark Cloud, Space Channel 5, Kingdom Hearts — all of those things really inspired me when I was young and still continue to do so!
Right now a BUNCH of indie-games inspire me! Just seeing other game devs go for it and make stuff is…so awesome! Whenever Nami shows me her WIPs I always get excited to work on my own games — and vice versa! Any game that really feels like it was made by a team or person who is really passionate about it shine through to me so much…it’s such a good feeling!
Not to mention all of the good comics out there!
I’ve always been a huge fan of Full Metal Alchemist and for a long time Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure was a huge influence too. (I got into it back in…2008? I think? I was a Junior in High School and BUDDY, was it hard to get back then. Anime fans have it good right now!)
And then as I got into my twenties I finally got into One Piece and it’s soooo good! Plus it’s great that Luffy is basically confirmed as ace-aro, hell yeah!
Other comics like Mushi-shi, Franken Fran, Nana to Kaoru, and a hand full of smaller or one-shot comics have also been a huge influence.
Not to mention all of the doujins and porn and movies and TV shows I like…there’s so much!
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Overwatch, a BUNCH of documentaries — AGH! It’s just all so interesting and exciting!
Every new thing I see and learn about just gives me another fun idea for something to work on! Again, if I keep writing I’ll never stop — there’s too much fun stuff! It’s all so good! I’m so glad people create things!
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always been an artist — and I don’t remember a time I wasn’t drawing?
I’ve been making comics more “seriously” since the 5th grade and I started posting my comics online when I was a freshmen in High School. Back then, I had a comic I used to update every day! I don’t know how I did it. I was wild.
For a while I wasn’t convinced I could do art full-time just because (at the time) the internet wasn’t where it was right now for freelancers and because so many people around me told me that being an artist wasn’t viable.
So I originally went to community college thinking I would maybe go abroad — but once I saw my girlfriend, Niku, going to art school and doing her best I thought, “If I don’t at least TRY to do what I love for a living — won’t I end up regretting it later on?”
So I said fuck it and started on my way to full-time art!
I was really lucky though. My parents are together still and I’ve got a great support system of family and friends — and not to mention I already had a following from posting my comics back in High School — so I think the stars were just aligned for me. I’ve still got a long way to go!
I think anyone can do what I do! All it takes is working a lot, honestly! As long as you’re finishing work and communicating with people; I think it’s possible!
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Keep at it! If you’re feeling like your art will never find it’s audience — just keep at it!
These things take time — so much time!
I’ve struggled for so long to find people who connect with my art, but I know even more are out there and I just gotta work even harder to find them.
If you draw it…they will come…
You can too! You can make your thing, you can find your people!
Also; try not to be a perfectionist, mmkay?
Finishing your thing is more important than it being “perfect” and often times people will not notice the flaws you do — so just look at that finish line and get to it.
Getting your thing out there and in front of people will make it that much easier to get working on your next project and get better and better.
You got this!
To inspire you, here’s some of my first Webcomic art from 2007:
Wires
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I am demisexual~! I also identify as queer, since it’s a nice blanket term for “not straight” and because I’m interested in so many types of people and bodies.
(I’m also genderfluid; but my gender has always been much harder for me than my sexuality, ugh.)
For me– knowing a character, knowing a person is…it’s everything.
I find myself totally not caring about a character until I get to know them, see them, fall in love with them in a way? Then suddenly I’m SO invested in all of the little things they might like to do in bed. Stuff I wasn’t even remotely interested in before I can become interested in because it’s what that character is into — and for me, that’s everything…
When I found out what being demisexual was — it was such a relief; because it perfectly described me and how I felt towards other people and characters. I wish I had known about it when I was a teen!
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Hmm, in the past I’ve gotten some hate from random people but I think every artist has that to some point. Some people just don’t like your work and…well, that’s really that!
It sucks, and I hate it, but knowing it happens to just about everyone makes it easier!
Otherwise — I have had people question whether “being ace is a thing” in terms of some of my characters; which is annoying but hey!
I’ve also seen some rather un-kind things said in articles about ace-focused media — it sucks!
Typically I tend to keep to my own lane and just focus on my work; that tends to be the easiest way to go about it all.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That every ace person ever hates sex and anything to do with it!
Being ace, like being anything, is a spectrum! There’s a ton of ace people who like porn and there’s a ton who don’t and I think being able to make spaces for either is a good thing!
I’ve personally had some friends who weren’t interested in porn at all (and were actually kind of repulsed by it) turn a new leaf because they found out porn ISN’T ALL just the typical hentai stuff — it’s a whole range of things! Seeing someone find their kind of porn is so sweet!
It sucks for me knowing that there are people struggling balancing being ace with liking porn or liking sexuality — because I think those two things can totally live in harmony!
Nothing breaks my heart like seeing someone who is ace get asked questions like, “You still like porn? Aren’t you ace?” and “Are you really ace if you like porn?”
Because of COURSE SOMEONE IS STILL ACE IF THEY LIKE PORN! AAAAH!
I’m super interested in porn, in the sexuality of a character — but I am just not that interested in having sex. When I’m super in love with someone — there’s interest — but even then, not that much?! And I think a lot of people feel this way and think maybe it’s not right?! But it’s totally fine!
Also; it’s tough when people expect everyone who is ace to also be aro. It’s seperate!
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t real and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be loud and proud!
And don’t let anyone tell you it’s a “PHASE” either — even if you eventually find the label isn’t for you — someone saying this to you is bullshit!
Yell you are ace as loud as you want! Put it all over your profile if you want — dye your hair like the ace flag — do it all! BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE ACE! YEAH!
I’m so proud of you for being you!
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I’ve got a lot of different sites — some include R18 work and some STRICTLY DON’T so I will organize them as such down below:
A mix of PG-13/R-18: My Itch.io (My Itch.io includes stuff that is R18 but nothing explicit is shown and everything has a content warning before downloading.) My Twitter (I don’t post anything NSFW, but sometimes I like suggestive things and with the way Twitter currently works– that can sometimes be a problem!)
Or, if you want to support me monetarily, here’s some ways!
Today we’re joined by NomnomNami. NomnomNami is a phenomenal game-maker and author. With her friend DarkChibiShadow, a fellow ace, she has a game studio SofDelux. NomnomNami makes a number of games with numerous ace characters in them. She specializes in wlw characters and is very passionate about greater visibility for aces. NomnomNami is an incredibly talented and dedicated artist, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I make stories about girls who like girls! I mostly like designing femme and androgynous characters who are all excessively adorable. I’m currently doing a variety of visual novels and RPG maker games, but I’ve also done comics and some animation every now and then.
What inspires you?
Gotta say the Disgaea series! I’ve been a huge fan since childhood, and a lot of my storytelling is really just me trying to emulate the feeling I get from those games. Looking back, the series is actually really ace-friendly so it’s no wonder I fell in love with it so easily, haha.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
Pretty much! I’ve always loved games, cartoons, and comics, so I just ended up drawing a lot to express that. I remember in middle school I told my class I wanted to be a mangaka — and although it turned out comics weren’t really my passion, I still get to do storytelling through drawings! So I feel like I pretty much had the right idea, even back then.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Hmm… just cute girls loving cute girls. Nothing secret about that 🙂
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Don’t let anyone tell you drawing anime will get you nowhere, and don’t let them stop you from drawing fan art either — HAVE FUN DRAWING WHAT YOU WANT THE WAY YOU WANT TO!
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I consider myself gray ace!
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Definitely ignorance, but I’ve never had any kind of negative interaction over it. Anyone I can think of that I’ve had to explain things to has been very open to listen and ask questions in very non-intrusive ways.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Hmm, it’s hard to think of any I’ve run into a lot personally. This is gonna be a NSFW answer, but a big one is definitely the idea that ace spectrum folks can’t be interested in porn. Some of us absolutely are!! Sex is a really interesting facet of relationships between fictional characters — there are a lot of people who love exploring those sorts of ideas without any desire to be involved in it themselves. Like, for me, it’s about the strong emotional connection between the characters. There’s a lot of great, really emotional porn out there if you know where to look! Heck, I’VE released a comic like that!! I even got comments from ace spectrum friends telling me it was one of the few NSFW things they’ve enjoyed/felt safe reading. I want to provide more stuff like that. Just, comfortable Yuri!! I’m very passionate about this.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
IN THE END, it’s up to you what you are. Don’t hold yourself to others’ standards. You’re not weird or wrong for being whatever way you are. Love yourself!! ❤
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
![1. DCS Space School [2017]](https://asexualartists.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/1-dcs-space-school-2017.jpg?w=648)
Asexual Artists 