This is a crosspost from my Substack newsletter.

The Hydromecha Monthly returns! Check the video version here for a quick rundown on the headlines:

The Cloudburst Comic Reader is Now Open-Source!

If you or someone you know is in the extremely specific niche of story-driven comic author who also dabbles in frontend webdev on Neocities and other similar platforms, you may find this interesting.

The Cloudburst Comic Reader is a JS comic reader I’ve been working on for my own Neocities site. I’ve talked about it a few times here and now it’s finally out and open-source! Check it out on Github here: https://github.com/hydromecha/cloudburst_comic_reader

Here are some of the key features:

• Can host multiple comics with multiple chapters on a single webpage.
• Next and previous (if applicable) pages are preloaded to make for a smoother reading experience.
• Procedurally creates menu elements based on the information you enter.
• URL hashes let you bookmark or link to specific comics/chapters/pages.
• Built-in tutorial (clone the repo and open the html file in a browser).

With more to come! See the issues on the repo for more information.

Chain Lightning Spellgun Model

In the old days, adventurers would hand-load elemental gems into spellbooks one at a time and then fire the books as-is. The incredibly unergonomic idea of wielding a textbook-sized tome in the heat of combat has put off many would-be magic users from utilizing the vast library of spellbooks out in the world. Fret no longer!

Introducing SPELLGUNS, the ultimate magical munitions. By combining the industrial efficiency of the modern firearm with the near-limitless potential of the spellbook, SPELLGUNS make it easier than ever to add some sorcerous stylings to your next adventure!

This inaugural model uses Chain Lightning, a powerful spellbook that shoots a bolt of lightning in a straight line, dealing doubled damage to each consecutive enemy you hit.

The idea for Spellguns started with trying to figure out a way to cram a magazine of elemental gems onto a spellbook to make loading them more efficient. It eventually evolved into gun-shaped housings for the books. I definitely want to make a few more of these. The next one is gonna be a break-action shotgun sorta thing.

The spellbooks I'm using for these are all from my homebrew tabletop system. Spellbooks are combat-focused magic items while staffs are more for utility magic. I might also do some staff models later down the line since I've got some funny ideas for a few of them.

Getting back to the chain lightning model, this started out as couple of sketches you can see below.

I felt the first one was too small for what the spell did so I tried going for something more rocket launcher/minigun sized. I originally wanted this spellgun to be an over-the-shoulder thing like an RPG but then I realized that would put the cylinder right next to the user's head which probably isn't a good idea. There also used to be a shield on the front that I later scrapped because it obscured too much of the model.

I ended up recycling the support structure behind the shield into the sights on the final version.

New Monitor Renders + Detailed Making-Of

I recently did a new render of the new website monitor graphics I talked about back in the February Hydromonthly to use as a banner on Newgrounds and YouTube. I posted it and some of the other renders to Newgrounds along with details on why I wanted to change the monitor on the current Hydrosite and how I made the newer graphics. Big website updates coming soon!

New Animated Short Progress

I also got started on an animated short that’s gonna be a bit different from my usual stuff tone-wise. Whenever it’s done it’ll be up on Newgrounds first for maybe a week before it goes to YouTube.

Comics Resuming This Month

I’m planning on resuming Bugalo this month. I’d also like to start chipping away at the pages for the Periscope oneshot I talked about last time. I’ll post those pages to my website as they’re completed. As of writing it’s still just the first page done so far.

Improvements in Pizza-Making

My pizza-making quest continued this past month, with some of the best ones I’ve made so far.

hey wait that’s not a pizza

These are some loaded fries featuring waffle fries, sweet & spicy bulgolgi-ish ground beef, kimchi, mozzarella, cilantro, and parmesan. This was also really good.

The Most Important Vote of Your Life (Perchance)

I need you to vote

…on some stupid nonsense versus matches. Feel free to argue about why the 2-story tall floating granite monolith would kick the shit out of those 20 elephants even if they do have prep time! Or take a different side! It’s all up to you.

This is all for shits and giggles so don't take it seriously in the slightest. These polls are up on my YouTube channel’s community tab, with more to come.

I’ll see you again next time with another Hydromonthly.

Have a good one,

-Hydro