It's Freezing Where I Am Right Now, Which Got Me Thinking--a While Back There Was Chatter About Martin,

It's freezing where I am right now, which got me thinking--a while back there was chatter about Martin, being from the North, having a particularly thick and fluffy winter coat. As someone with thick and fluffy hair, I am very aware of how dry winters can get. Static inevitably happens. So not just the best bedhead, but also inevitably fluffy and staticky. Accidentally shocking himself while cleaning his sword. Less-accidentally zapping Gonff when passing him a scarf. Just. Staticky Martin.

It is -20 (F) where I am and also have enormously fluffy hair, and so I am right there with you. I spent 10-15 minutes trying to wrestle it this morning before I gave into a hat. 

I am CERTAIN that this is a huge problem for fluffy Redwallers, especially the northerners. Little balls of fur napping together when one of them yelps and the other is all apologies. Squirrel tales become electric weapons. It is also confirmed that Martin is young, and so having fluffy, staticky hair would be the CUTEST (no wonder all the baddies underestimate him). 

OK. This is not TMNT fanart. It's Redwall. >w<

Martin and Tsarmina have always been my favorite hero x villain duo in Redwall. Although they don't have much drama and events between them, their stories actually have quite a lot in common. Like two parallel lines going in the same direction. Both are leaders with some legacy before them. Both are trying to live up to their fathers' legacy. Or at least how they see it. Both have a slavery theme. Former slave and enslaver. Both are dealing with some loss that they caused. Intentionally or not. They are both almost equally monstrous. With this whole "red glitter of total war shining hot in his eyes, his teeth bared in a wild laugh" thing)) And they both come to the last point completely alone by their own decision. And both would've die there. The main difference is that Tsarmina left everyone behind so as not to risk herself. And Martin left everyone behind so as not to risk them. So there was someone left to save him. There is some beauty in their similarity. It's as if the hero is fighting more than just some villain. It’s as if he is fighting his own crooked reflection. Brings his own ending. Just like Tsarmina herself walked into the lake.

Commission of Lord Brocktree from the Redwall series (with a custom weapon) for a client on Instagram. This was so much fun. :)

inaccurate memories)

Martin with woodlanders: the "quiet kid" of the group. Compliments everyone's skills. Just glad to be here.

Martin when there's something resembling vermins on the horizon: Let the world burn!

The funny thing is that from my childhood I remembered Martin the Warrior as this self-isolated stoic hero. Quiet and calm. Mostly. But he is actually as unstable as Tsarmina. Ready to yell and wreak havoc at any sign of danger. Why didn't I remember this? When I re-read books I was like why are you doing this you are only making it worse!!! 80% of the time.>w< But it's more fun this way.

"The Mousemaid From the Sea"

Something not-Vivziepop related, wow, lol, but I've been getting back into the Redwall series, and Mariel is absolutely iconic, so I decided to try drawing her and her trusty Gullwhacker ^^