Prospectors’ Tribune #1: Claire’s Glare

Hello all. I hope you’re having a good night.



This is the start of something I’m calling the Prospectors’ Tribune series. It will be a series of regularly updated reviews of comics available on this website, reviews which will be, I hope, evaluated as much as possible based on merit, not individual preference. If you would rather skip to the review, start after the bolded heading.



I’m sure many of you have had the lucky Prospector’s experience. That is, the experience of, after searching and scouring through muck and grime, uncovering a glimmering golden treasure, tucked away as though it had been waiting just for you all this time. Friends, this is that sought after feeling that wells up inside of you after hiking the endless expanses of monotonous dredges, days, nights, weeks at a time and finally happening upon… the Peak.  



In these reviews, my goal is to celebrate this moment and stretch it, savor it even, for as long as possible. No, my intent will never be to tear down or lambaste any person or comic, although I may occasionally leave guideposts to warn others that there are no gems to be found. So, let’s take a seat, maybe drink some water, take a breath of thin air, and enjoy the view.  



I will be scoring comics on three fronts:  

1. Art  

2. Plot  

3. Appeal  



While these three aspects may have some effect on each other, I find them to be mostly independent except in severe cases, which I aim to note and take into account. Again, I hope to remove as much of my personal preference as possible and, in addition, not allow things I don’t have “chemistry” with to affect the comic’s standing. Of course, since there is inherently a subjective component involved, especially with appeal, this will be difficult, but to this end I will endeavor to do my best and, when possible, provide examples of other, better executed comics illustrating my reasoning and providing you with something to create your own opinions from.



Claire’s Glare - Honeyboyy Awaerr

1. Art - 9/10

Expressive. Dynamic. A real treat. You don’t usually see this level of effort, skill, or hell even care put into each and every page. The author is excellent at character design, lighting, perspective, composition, and motion. The posing in particular is  just a knock out of the park, which is surprisingly not as common as I’d think. The detail is in all the right places, and it’s simply nice to look at. Touching upon a somewhat hot topic however, some may find the proportions unsightly. Since this is somewhat of a controversial point, I’d like to address it from the beginning. In my opinion, the fairest way to treat proportions is to treat it mostly as subjective and leave it to you to personally evaluate. However, in some cases, like Dying Thrust, where the proportions are so egregious that they detract not just from personal appeal but even from an artistic standpoint, it will be taken into account. I will also be approaching this from the other end: character proportions that are so completely “unfuckable” or poorly translated will have a negative impact. The first example of this I found was Rescue Rodents 4 - An Amazing Tail; Tanya Goes Down look at page 14 and then that fucking bat and tell me you don’t think some artistic liberty with the character designs wouldn’t have gone a long way. Not really what I expect would make most people think “Wowzers!”



2. Plot - 8/10

This is not Floragto x Trainer Angst, but it still has a great story in its own way like a slice of life, almost the same way the quaint world of JJBA part 4 still holds its own against the wild escapades of part 2 or 3. The dialogue is top notch with a very real feel to it, and the setting, although not long dwelled upon, is believable and even taken into account at the end. It’s always nice to know the author isn’t an aggressively anti-social shut in, maybe someone you might drink a few with. Throughout the comic, the characters have consistent, distinct personalities, which contributes to a dynamic that is the opposite of bland, perhaps even making their clear love for each other that much more satisfying. 



3. Appeal - 10/10

For those who love big titty goth gfs, golden retriever boyfriends, big asses, facial expressions, kissing, tit jobs, well satisfied women, or, just maybe… all of the above… well this is THE MOTHER LODE. It’s got it all… and holy shit does it know it. Every. Single. Page is just basking in the absolute pound cake that is Claire. And of course, the glare. Who doesn’t love the “angry but cute” trope, which just pairs so well with the “too overpowered by pleasure to resist their partner” trope. The author clearly knows their chops - and their taste - and they hold nothing back in execution. If you have similar taste, you’ll really like it, but I’m pretty sure most people could find something they enjoy about it overall, even if certain aspects aren’t the most exciting. 



After finding their first comic, Steamed and Baked, by accident when searching for Misty Business (incorrectly spelled as “Steamy Business”), I was pleasantly surprised when Claire’s Glare came out to see an update from this artist, who I had thought simply made a one off never to be heard from again. After reading it, I was enthralled, and the comic has kept its place in my memory ever since as a real Gem.



Keep digging friends, and feel free to send any treasures you come across my way: I promise to share.