in/habitants is probably one of the most unique requests we received. Not just for being one of the few webcomics to get a spotlight on here. Let alone webtoons. But for being a part of something even bigger, despite the risks of Web3. Because when you don’t fit in, sometimes you have to find like minded people who can help out. All for things that people have little to no control over.
in/habitants: The Manifesto
This series is about misfits trying to make it in a niche of the crypto world with the outer world beating them down. Behind the scenes meanwhile, this entire franchise shows off the power of Web3. For people just learning about this lingo… like me, Web3 is the decentralization of the internet. Hence why everyone involved wants to remain anonymous. But some people might be more familiar with the other bits of it like cryptocurrency and blockchain. Terms that in most of the comic community are getting bad rep. So much so, that some companies are rebranding their NFTs as “digital collectibles”.
Which is why I have to make one of those disclaimers here. You are allowed to not like any of this, no one related to this post is asking you to join a cult. I am not peddling you to buy NFTs either. As some musicians and NFT comic publisher Interpop show, you can find the content for free. NFTs can be one way of directly supporting a creator as well as owning a digital product without needing specific services or backups. Or in the case of Forgotten Runes, allow different creators to develop a franchise without as much bureaucracy.
I would also like to add that some cryptocurrency like Ethereum has been implementing the “greener” proof-of-stake. It costs a lot less energy than the old proof-of-work model. But a lot more need to adopt it.
The Main Pillar
But now that that’s out of the way, let’s makes ourselves in/habitants. Unlike the diatribe up there, this series is not propaganda or an exposition dump for Web3. It is the story of people who fell between the cracks of physical society. It’s a sadly closer-to-life cyberpunk world where it seems the only people who succeed are bullies. The kind where only the privileged, lucky, and connected can thrive.
Each of the main characters struggle to make a life for themselves. For one, Helen’s low income, klutziness, and overall bad luck has taken a high emotional toll. The readers can’t help but empathize with her plights. When have you struggled just to pay for your rent or car insurance? Gone onto OnlyFans even?
Personally I relate a little more to Eric and Luca. At least in the parts in wanting to live independently from their parents. But because disabilities of some kinds and a lack of opportunities, they have to rely on them in some way. So when new opportunities in Web3 arise, they’ll take it.
Epic Character Dynamics
But that’s little more than a framing device for in/habitants‘ real appeal. It’s the POV of each main character and their humanity that keep readers around. They all feel like real people with wants and needs to fulfill while dealing with life’s struggles. For that matter most of the side characters are a little more sensitive to them. It gives a satisfying sense that the overbearing status quo doesn’t speak for everyone, even who it benefits.
All of the main characters are tied in some way, some of which lead to anticipating moments that leave readers on the edge of their seats. Like how Luca works with the loan shark who not only murdered the father of formerly conjoined twins, but his first wife to rise to power. How would Nimbi and Elisa handle the revelation? Moreover, how does Luca actually feel about Okaido? It’s like a game that readers play for a grand sense of payoff.
in/habitants The Meta Game
Speaking of games, the team behind this franchise really goes the extra mile to make it interactive. Much like with Forgotten Runes, in/habitants allows its community to help build on it. Rather than just buying NFTs that could lean into Ponzi schemes, the Ambassador program makes fandoms an actual part of the experience. It’s like this, if you have a palette swap of a character you really can say: “original character don’t steal!”. Or maybe make a parody using the source material ala Dragon Ball Z Abridged. All with no worries of copyright claims or lawsuits.
Plus you can get merch, books, and crypto, as well as advertise the franchise through the affiliate program. Not enough? People who join the Crew (Squared) page can have fun with an incentivized weekly game to win cash. Some people will definitely have a better chance than me since I’m too cheap to buy the merch.
Uh… I better leave this.
Warning
Do not play the Crew quests if you have a compulsive impulse or disorder. There are no pay-to-win models or premiums, but the risk of dopamine deficiency can still happen.
Will You Be Among in/habitants?
Before anyone moves into a new chapter of internet addiction, are you willing to look at the comic first? The art direction has a way of getting people’s emotions to get in tune with the characters. And you can get the released episodes for free on GlobalComix, in different languages no less. That way many people can enjoy a genuinely compelling story about characters trying to get by. The slice-of-life moments coupled with tragedies get 9/10 in that regard. Maybe then you can join a growing community of fans and understand Web3 a little easier.