January Sun, an environmental art designer on Last Kids On Earth, presents us with The Reaper and the Waiting. This comic, published on WEBTOON and now compiled as a graphic novel, tells the story of a reaper and his relationship with a soul named Waiting. Set in ancient China, the work is inspired by Chinese mythologies and folklore, such as the tragic Butterfly Lovers, but with a happy ending. Its painterly, line-less style marks a notable visual difference.
The line-less art born from environmental design 🎨
Sun applies techniques from her work at Netflix to create a comic without defined outlines. The painterly style, with soft brushstrokes and gradients, evokes Chinese watercolor and eliminates the rigidity of traditional linework. This allows emotions to flow visually, as in the transitions between the mortal and spiritual worlds. The absence of black lines also speeds up the digital process, using layers of color and textures to define shapes. An approach that prioritizes atmosphere over linear detail, ideal for narrating an otherworldly romance.
When death has a better love life than you 💀
A reaper who collects souls but finds time for love. While we can barely manage to schedule a date, this character manages his eternal work and a stable relationship with a patient soul. They call him Waiting, and the name certainly fits. At least in Chinese mythology, posthumous romance has a happy ending, something we can't say about our dating apps. Ironies of life: death turns out to be more romantic than reality.