Week of 10/20/2025
This week, even Halloween isn't safe from fascism on The Shapes, I announce my last events for October, and review the ongoing fantasy comic The Legend of Jaime Roberts.
The Shapes
Project Halloween 1-2
News
Merch Drop
This month, I launched my first-ever poster YODO at Spooky Island Market, and now, it’s available to buy on my Shopify page.
Event Announcements
I still have three more events left for this month!
Ybor City Art Walk & Coffin Collective
If you’re in the Tampa Bay area today, catch me at Reservoir Bar from 2-6PM for Ybor City Art Walk and Skatepark of Tampa from 6-11PM for Coffin Collective Market.
Reservoir Bar
1518 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Skatepark of Tampa
4215 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33605, cover $15-20
Boo Bash!
While Halloween on Central is happening tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be vending at Sugar Cream Clay and Daydream’s Boo! Bash from noon to 5.
2935 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Sammy the Critic
The Legend of Jaime Roberts Volumes 1-2 Review
The Legend of Jaime Robert Volume 1 & 2 compiles the first eight chapters of cartoonist Kelci D. Crawford’s ongoing fantasy webcomic. We follow three childhood outcast pirates: the genderqueer Jaime Robert and their friends Thomas and Daniel, who, after coming of age under their Captain O’Malley’s mentorship and care, decide to set their adventurous sights on land. There, they meet Ragun Basho, king of Dogona, who recruits them on a quest to return a stolen orb and more.
Conceptually, Crawford has a lot of creative mythos within their series’ worldbuilding that borrows from indigenous folklore. Whether it’s the linguistics of Corith or the connection between gender nonconformity and metaphysical communication, they seem to possess a sturdy grasp on the mechanics of their story’s universe. The character writing, however, is where I feel the comic could use more work.
Beyond being longtime best friends and fellow runaways, we don’t really know much about Thomas and Daniel outside of their relationship to Jaime. While the titular lead does receive the most development throughout, it’s mainly for the purpose of expanding the lore. This isn’t to imply conflict is always essential to a compelling tale, but considering the high-stakes situations that occur throughout, The Legend of Jaime Roberts could absolutely benefit from delving into internal struggle. The character bios at the end of Volume 1 already suggest that the main trio came from rough backgrounds, surviving childhood trauma, so tying that element in with the plot development would make me more emotionally invested in their journey. This is especially true for Jaime, who we’re told ran away from home as a child to avoid attending an all-girls school, a perfect opportunity to explore themes of gender dysphoria and identity on a personal level (even though it is lightly touched on in a dream sequence near the end of Vol 1).
I will say, nevertheless, a lot of the supporting cast is strong, including Ragun and even Captain O’Malley (despite her brief role), displaying enough unique traits to stand out and leave the reader interested in what more there is to them.
Overall, the first two volumes of The Legend of Jaime Roberts contain the bones for an epic story and a lot of potential for its diverse cast that will appeal to coming-of-age fantasy fans. It just needs to look beyond the lore and into the characters’ minds. The comic is still releasing new chapters online, so perhaps Crawford has improved in those areas since then.
You can buy physical and digital copies of both volumes are available to purchase at Kelci D Crawford’s Kofi page, and the webcomic can be read for free on its official website.