Alternate title: Christine, we have beef!
(Meme inspired by this post.)
I have not a bad word for this Erik (and not just because I can feel a certain friend of mine holding a chandelier over my head). The 1990 adaptation made some big changes to the story, but it perfectly captured the childlike soul of Leroux's Erik that is often lost in translation but vital to him. (When I was explaining POTO to someone outside the situation, i. e. my mum, two things I kept using as comparisons were a child and Gollum - not because he's a chaos gremlin, I was trying to describe how he has a skewered perspective of the world that isn't evil but doesn't follow the accepted moral system. But that's for another time.)
I found myself trying very hard not to resent Christine - a first time for me. I will defend her choosing the Compte de Chagny over Erik, she doesn't owe Erik love, no matter what he did for her. The problem is that she took on a responsibility she couldn't possibly carry.
Never, ever assume to fully understand someone. Especially someone like Erik, who thinks and exists on a different pane as most people. Christine was wrong, terribly wrong, to assume she 'knew his heart.'
When faced with a person so sensitive, so particular, when you are the one person trusted by someone who trusts no one, don't make huge gambles like that. She shouldn't have assumed she knew what Erik needs better than he himself does - if he told you he is happy with where they were, then stay there with him! Instead, she pulled the 'I can fix him' and shattered him completely. I don't hate her for being unable to catch Erik when he falls, I hate her for blindly promising to catch him and failing him.
(I do realise how much of the above describes myself and my worries about how people treat me, so fair warning, I may be a bit biased.)
An opinion: in most versions of the story, Erik emotionally manipulates Christine, but here, Christine is the one who is emotionally manipulative. ('Manipulative' may sound malicious, but manipulators aren't always aware of what they're doing.)
In the second part of the series, she said at least three times 'If you love me...' Now, that is one of my least favourite sentences to see and hear in the best of times, but this is somehow even worse because Erik DOES do everything because he loves her. In other versions, there is the question of possessiveness against love when it comes to their relationship; in that context, I would accept her saying this, to remind him that he should love and not obsess over her. But here, Erik is not possessive.
As for Monsieur Carrière, I have beef with him, too. It's an even bigger, tougher slice of beef. He is irresponsible: not once, but twice, he got in relationships and then left his partners when they have children. The first time could be a mistake; the second time, especially when kept Erik's mother in the dark about his marriage, is inexcusable. Yes, he stayed with her till the end, but then left their son in a basement. Yes, he reached out to Erik in the end, but too little, too late. If Erik is emotional and irrational, it's because Carrière never gave him the guidance he should have.
Christine and Carrière love Erik, I don't doubt it. But it's still painful to see Erik fall down through everyone and everything that should have caught him: his talent, his parents, Christine.
If you'll excuse me, I need to cry in the catacombs and draw something miserable.
I talk about several other adaptations here!
He's here, the Woolly Phantom of the opera.
He looks proper annoyed.
L-R: Cherik-style mask, fake nose, angry skull.
Boots appreciation:
See my other Woolly Monster, Krissy the Nosferatu, here!
I'm pretty sure I'm powerless to resist making more than one (if not all of them) eventually, so no need to break your brain trying to choose just one.
For those who don't know her, this is my nwedle felt Nosferatu, Ankle Biter Krysa Veinessa Whateley-Dickenson, Kryssie for short. More pictures here!
Remember when I talked about the good old-fashioned vampire-smiting method of sucking their gums? That's definitely what's going on here.
Also, Book Dracula and his Van Helsing:
In my defence, I have none. Very proud of how I drew Monster Dracula's face. Good bye.
VLAD, Orlok has to be one of the least hygienic beings on the planet, anything he endorsed is a menace to the public health. And nefarious braincell usage is ON. I'm imagining the tapioca is actually rat droppings, and now you all have to deal with that, too.
(Congratulations on drawing three humans à la fois, I had a crisis and went on a mad cat drawing spree when drawing mine)
Braincell has come full circle, everyone gets their favourite drink, and enough of it (poor Aiden, but at least yours is identifiable liquid!) Aiden's art and mine.
OK, @blackforrestpunk and @purrlockswatson . I got there in the end.
Aiden, sorry there probably isn't enough coffee.
Amanda, enjoy your Count Orlok endorsed boba tea.
I used to be mad that my star sign's ruling planet is Jupiter because the god Jupiter is a bit of a cur, but LOOK! I made little stimming paws when I saw this!!
(Side note, no, Meta, I'm not using the fudging app, you sneaky little fopdoodle.)
(Reaction image is BBC Purrlock)
(Oh wait, I've actually drawn Jupiter/Zeus as a cat!!)
Why hello, Emo Cherik.
Inspiration from an absolutely unhinged video.
WARNING: I will NOT take responsibility for your dead braincells. If you watch it and feel the urge to bang your head on things, it has nothing to do with me. I wasn't here.
That said, enjoy suffering 1,990 phases of questioning your sense of humour:
All Cherik art here. Mostly less unhinged. And Kitty Cherik to compensate.
My braincell is officially Dead™️ so have this
Iffff you want to fill one in too here it is
Shoutout to @vladimirsangel for sending it to me that's it I'm going to kick my dead braincell around like a glob of pudding. Will link OG post when I'm alive again
OKAY GOT IT , kudos to @bitegore
I loved going through your comics (and doing a bit of ✨️research✨️ in your art archives) to put in the little details, and listening to the album too! I thought this was the perfect song for Erik, and I'm so glad it's among your favourites when I (discreetly) asked!
Look what i've got from @purrlockswatson !!! I bought the goober cats advent calendar and payed a bit more than i should. And i got this!!!
Ahhhhhhhhh it is so soooo cute!!! And look at the details!!! Erik with his guitar and rose hoodie!! Chrissy wrapped up in a blanket, and they are listening toooo florence + the meowchine!!! Guess the song ahhhhhh 😆✨ guess the album ❤️🔥
And last but not least, sasha!!! Sasha the raindeerdog. I die of happiness.
Have some more silly comics of Leroux Erik roasting his descendants while I storyboard a Phantom music video animatic.
@jennyfair7 your reblog of my WIP is on point, that's basically what happened 😹
All PotO cat comics here
Aw, shucks. It just sucks when that happens, doesn't it? (Will he eat it? CAN he eat it? Is he allergic to vampire's thumbs? Help me out here, Vlad. Get well soon!)
Hope you're more hale and hearty than last weekend. Have a thumb-hug from this tiny horror:
You're brave, putting your thumb in there. He may steal it XD
Thank you for asking. I am still feeling a bit off-colour but a lot better than last weekend, that's for sure.
I love little felted Innocent so damn much
Amanda. Artist. Writer. Victorian vampire. Here lies my shenanigans.
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