Emanata "Obsession" 2025

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Emanata wishes to acknowledge and thank the following: Natalie Reyes for our lush cover.

Brooke “Bear” Granger for our first ever poster design.

Our graphic designer Victor Romanko for the effort and dedication he put into putting this volume together.

Our alumni for their continued support and participation in our organization.

Our contributors for sharing their immense talent and passion for comics with us, as well as giving us their support and creating an amazing community throughout the year.

Our editors for volunteering their time to make sure this volume is as high-quality as it can possibly be.

Our staff for their attention to detail and strive to make Emanata better and better every year.

And VCU’s Student Media Center, for giving us the tools and resources to make many amazing things happen every year

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

Are you looking for a new hyper-fixation? A new thing to obsess over for the summer and then have it consume you and all your time next school year?

Well, you’ve picked up the right anthology. Welcome to Emanata volume 12, Obsession.

Inside, you’ll find all sorts of things we obsess over, from OCs to online games to even dirt, we’ve got all that you could ever want.

It’s no secret that in the last few years, our numbers have grown exponentially. We’ve gone from 14 comics to 79, 102 pages to nearly 400. We’ve gained attention and traction that wouldn’t have been possible without all of you beautiful people.

Our theme this year reflects all of the hard work and effort we’ve all put into the book this year. The sleepless nights, the tight deadlines, all the attention you’ve given this publication.

We can’t thank you enough.

I remember picking up my first Emanata volume in 2021. I remember the feeling of awe and the inspiration that struck me as I stood in Monroe Park. I remember looking at the staff and thinking to myself, “I want that to be me.” Four years later, I’m the first non-art major to be Emanata’s Editor-in-Chief.

Guess you could say I’ve been pretty obsessed over the past few years.

Hopefully Obsession inspires you the same way I was all those years ago.

-Gabe Carlson

About the Cover

This year’s cover is loosely based on the Greco-Roman myth of Echo and Narcissus, in which obsessive vanity and onesided love leads to self destruction.

Natalie Reyes is a Comm Arts VCU alum and former EditorIn-Chief of Emanata. Natalie is an independent artist and game developer currently working on her studio’s debut title.

She can be found on Instagram as @onedaymacie or at studioureka.com

About the Poster

Brooke “Bear” Granger is a recent VCU alum who graduated from CommArts in 2023. Bear is currently working as a freelance artist and accepting commissions for a wide range of work, from designs for DnD Characters to posters for local businesses. They are working towards earning a Tattoo Apprenticeship.

They can be found on instagram @Bigranger12, and contacted at Bigranger1203@gmail.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dragon’s Quarry - Katie Pline ...................................................................

Apothecary - Hannah Perlow ....................................................................

Singularity - Tori Chapel .............................................................................

Deduction - M. Pham

My Dearest Parasite - Tess Versprille

Crimson Heart - Lilly Mahaney

Take - C. Laba ..................................................................................................

Shopaholic Shenanigans - Eliyahu Shu’al .............................................

The Roommate - Danielle Murphy ..........................................................

Ad Aspera Per Astra - Tessa Coleman ....................................................

The Single Twitch - Beck Kallenburg .....................................................

Obscurity Now! - Katie Marshall .............................................................

Love Notes - Nicki Baumgart

The Journey Begins - Cici Eltermann

He’s Mine - Rachel Farzan ..........................................................................

Beware! - Jakaiyah Rumedon .....................................................................

Somatheosis - Zachary Taylor ...................................................................

Blinding Light - Anne Wu .........................................................................

Space Trip - Gabriella Denney ...................................................................

Whirlwind - Viktoria Soriano ...................................................................

Obsession - Amanda Easterling

Desdemona - Luis Espinosa

Rollerbound - Ashli Rodriguez and Natalie Auandee

An Obsession With Power - Marley Trimble .......................................

God’s Failings - Lauryn Baynes .................................................................

Eye of the Tiger - Kassandra Londoño ....................................................

God Killer - Morgan Lee ..................................................................................

Cat-oholic - Kimberly Easterling ...................................................................

Crush - Dasani Johnson ....................................................................................

Let Me Show You a Dream - Anthony Duong

The Ghost of You - Gabe Carlson

I Finally Have an Excuse to Write About My OC! - Emily Belson ...

The Ballad of the Lost Princess - Amber Hashmi ...................................

Constriction - Bridget Sadler ..........................................................................

Hot Boyz - Karina Achico ................................................................................

The Truest Portrait - Bear Granger ...............................................................

Luminescence - Noah Hush ...........................................................................

OCPD - Dawn Gonzales & Frank VanV.

Of My Eye - Cam DiVenere

A Very Gouda Case - Jordyn Johnson

Saints Do Not Move - August Roberson .....................................................

Merge Madness - Isaac Harmon ....................................................................

Merge a Dozen - Cassidy Davis .....................................................................

Merge Mayhem - Reese Cilley .......................................................................

MERGED!!! - Alex Lawson .............................................................................

Merge Me - Grayson Gayvert .........................................................................

Astronomy Club - Love Wilson

Bunny - Aidan Doyle

Guardian - Ana Pierowski ...............................................................................

The Goddess - Zahraa Hadi ..............................................................................

My Mother - Ruth Reed ..................................................................................

Girlism - Betty ....................................................................................................

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Creating Eden - Sarah Harvey

Skullduggery - Lydia Wallace ....................................................................

That’s a Stupid Title - Alexa “Tig” Harriss ..............................................

Heartstrings - Carter Lydon ......................................................................

Laura is Dead - Casper ................................................................................

Secret Obsession - Amari Louviere ........................................................

Maggats - Anonymous ................................................................................

Sparring With a Mirror - Eyram Kpotivi

Avarice - Callisto West

Exit Stage Right - Autumn Winters

Dismorphophobia - Nicole DiSalvo ........................................................

Cordem Replere - Andrea Gonzalez ........................................................

Hiqd - KCV Duong ........................................................................................

City of Salt - Dylan Smith ...........................................................................

One Track Mind - Finch Malin ................................................................

Fresh Blood - Janie Wright .........................................................................

Cycle. - O’Connor

Good Dog - Nathan Umbrell

Oh, Worm - Ollie Hoffmaster ....................................................................

Can I Have a Mint? - Aiden Dvalidze .....................................................

1:34 - Mason Bleadingheiser .......................................................................

Town Hero - Yeala Grimes .........................................................................

Tabi - Stephen Askew ...................................................................................

Broken Record - ScorpiGoat ......................................................................

Star - Viktoria Fisher

Orchard - Levi Flournoy

4:00 AM - Malia Achico

Merge Mayhem

City of Salt

I NOW WALK INTO THE ABYSS

SENIOR STAFF

Gabe Carlson is a senior nursing major with a minor in psychology. He acts as the first-ever non-art major student to be Emanata’s EIC. Gabe grew up reading superhero comics, but has a current passion for sci-fi, horror, and queer stories in his own work. He hopes to continue working on comics in his spare time when he’s not working in the hospital.

Hannah is a junior majoring in Comm Arts and Political Science. She loves art, crocheting, and bugs. Hannah acted as our communications manager this year, keeping contributors up-to-date and in the loop, and is excited to lead Emanata as the next Editor in Chief! She is excited to be working with the SMC again next year and will work hard to make Emanata great.

Jordan Kalafut is a junior Social Work major with hopes for a profession in hospital social work. While not an artist, Jordan is enthusiastic about the editing process and loves seeing the contributors’ comics develop throughout pencils, inks, and tones. Outside of Emanata, Jordan enjoys finding new music, hanging out with friends at the Student Media Center, and interacting with the local Richmond art scene.

Malia Achico is currently a sophomore CommArts major, studying and pursuing her hopes to become a comic book artist. She holds the current position as Emanata’s Social Media Manager, in addition to contributing and editing with Emanata for the first time this year! Malia appreciates the new experiences that Emanata has provided and continues to work towards achieving the comic dream with much anticipation!

Gabe Carlson
Jordan Kalafut
Malia Achico
Hannah Perlow

EDITORS

Karina Achico

Edited for: Love Notes, Whirlwind

Malia Achico

Edited for: Can I Have a Mint?, Deduction, Girlism, The Single Twitch

Nicki Baumgart - ArtStation: @espeonage

Edited for: Guardian, Of My Eye, Obsession, Somatheosis

Lauryn Baynes - Instagram: @magic.inkwell

Edited for: Cat-oholic, God Killer, Star,

Emily Belson - Instagram: @kimcat3120

Edited for: The Goddess, One Track Mind, Orchard, Tabi

Gabe Carlson - Instagram: @lukass_kick.s X: @Lukass-Kicks

Edited for: Apothecary, The Ballad of the Lost Princess, Good Dog, Heartstrings

Aidan Doyle - Instagram: @tunestonestudios

Edited for: Constriction, An Obsession With Power, Sparring With a Mirror

Kimberly Easterling - Instagram: @kittenlover888 TikTok: @kimberlycatyt

Edited for: 1:34, MERGED!!!, Secret Obsession, Space Trip

Cici Eltermann - Instagram: @berry_the_fly

Edited for: Beware!, City of Salt, Hiqd, Rollerbound, Saints Do Not Move

Rachel Farzan

Edited for: Avarice, Hot Boyz, Skullduggery

Shannon Fritz - Instagram: @dream_something_big

Edited for: Dragon’s Quarry, The Ghost of You, OCPD

Dawn Gonzales - Instagram: @d.marie120

Edited for: Astronomy Club, Cycle, Eye of the Tiger

EDITORS

Ollie Hoffmaster - Instagram: @inanolivetree

Edited for: A Very Gouda Case

Apollo Hurley

Edited for: Broken Record, God’s Failings, Merge Mayhem, Take

Jordan Kalafut Instagram: @jskalafut

Edited for: Dismorphophobia, I Finally Have an Excuse to Write About My OC!

Morgan Miller

Edited for: My Dearest Parasite, My Mother

Hannah Perlow - Instagram: @kiptopie

Edited for: Crimson Heart, Desdemona, Luminescence, Shopaholic Shenanigans

Emma Pettit - Instagram: @petitepurin X: @petitepurin

Edited for: Ad Aspera Per Astra, Merge a Dozen, Merge Me, The Truest Portrait

Ana Pierowski

Edited for: Fresh Blood, Let Me Show You a Dream, Singularity

Viktoria Soriano - Instagram: @vriaki

Edited for: 4:00 AM, Crush, Town Hero

Zachary Taylor - Instagram: @zacharty_taylor

Edited for: Blinding Light, Obscurity Now!, Oh, Worm

Marley Trimble

Edited for: Cordem Replere, Exit Stage Right, Merge Madness

Love Wilson - Instagram: @the.wiz.ard

Edited for: He’s Mine, The Journey Begins, Laura is Dead, The Roommate

Autumn Winters - Bluesky: @nimbersss.bsky.social Instagram&TikTok: @nimbersss

Edited for: Bunny, Creating Eden, That’s a Stupid Title

CONTRIBUTORS

Hannah Perlow Instagram: @kiptopie

Apothecary

Tori Chapel

Singularity

M. Pham

Deduction

Malia Achico

4:00 AM

Tess Versprille - Instagram: @assistantlobster

My Dearest Parasite

Lilly Mahaney - Instagram: @onyx._.roses

Crimson Heart

C. Laba

Take

Eliyahu Shu’al - Instagram: @eliyahushual

Shopaholic Shenanigans

Danielle Murphy - Instagram: @aesthelya

The Roommate

Tessa Coleman

Ad Aspera Per Astra

Beck Kallenburg - Instagram: @noxartra

The Single Twitch

Katie Marshall - Instagram: @h.t.artphalt

Obscurity Now!

CONTRIBUTORS

Nicki Baumgart - ArtStation: @espeonage

Love Notes

Cici Eltermann

The Journey Begins - Instagram: @berry_the_fly

Rachel Farzan

Jakaiyah Rumedon - Bluesky: @crescentheart.bsky.social Instagram: @crescentheart_does_art

Zachary Taylor - Instagram: @zacharty_taylor

He’s Mine Beware! Somatheosis

Anne Wu Instagram: @sunni_studies

Blinding Light

Gabriella Denney Instagram: @gmd.png

Space Trip

Viktoria Soriano Instagram: @visrupto

Whirlwind Obsession

Amanda Easterling Instagram: @puppydoglove112233

Luis Espinosa Instagram: @wooirons Tumblr: @wooirons

Desdemona

Ashli Rodriguez - Instagram: @smil3y.f4c3

Natalie Auandee - Instagram: @your.asian.pal

Rollerbound

Katie Pline

Dragon’s Quarry

CONTRIBUTORS

Marley Trimble

An Obsession With Power

Lauryn Baynes - Instagram: @magic.inkwell

God’s Failings

Kassandra Londoño - Instagram: @peachykis3, X: @stbrrymilky

Eye of the Tiger

Morgan Lee - Instagram: @nightmare_parfait, Website: https://nightmareparfait.com

God Killer

Kimberly Easterling - Instagram: @kittenlover888, TikTok: @kimberlycatyt

Cat-oholic

Dasani Johnson - Bluesky: @mxmargarine.bsky.social, Instagram: @mx.margarine, X: @MxMargarine

Crush

Anthony Duong - Instagram: @kiri_n_

Let Me Show You a Dream

Gabe Carlson - Instagram: @lukass_kick.s, X: @Lukass-Kicks”

The Ghost of You

Emily Belson - Instagram: @kimcat3120

I Finally Have an Excuse to Write About My OC!

Amber Hashmi

The Ballad of the Lost Princess

Bridget Sadler - Bluesky: @redrobber13.bsky.social, Instagram & X: @redrobber13

Constriction

Karina Achico

Hot Boyz

CONTRIBUTORS

Bear Granger - Instagram: @bigranger12

The Truest Portrait

Noah Hush - Instagram: @hushpuppy_art

Luminescence

Dawn Gonzales & Frank VanV. - Dawn Gonzales: Instagram: @d.marie120

OCPD Of My Eye

Cam DiVenere

Jordyn Johnson - Instagram: @yourboredfriendjordyn

A Very Gouda Case

August Roberson

Saints Do Not Move

Isaac Harmon - Instagram: @drawing.dharma

Merge Madness

Cassidy Davis - Bluesky: @casscolorss.bsky.social, Instagram: @casvasidy

Merge a Dozen

Reese Cilley - Instagram: @searhys_

Merge Mayhem MERGED!!!

Alex Lawson - Instagram: @faeillustration

Grayson Gayvert - Instagram: @ri0tpark, Tumblr: @unknowwneo

Merge Me

Love Wilson - Instagram: @the.wiz.ard

Astronomy Club

CONTRIBUTORS

Aidan Doyle - Instagram: @tunestonestudios

Bunny

Ana Pierowski

Guardian

Zahraa Hadi

The Goddess

Betty - Instagram: @betyybetyybetyy

Girlism

Ruth Reed - Instagram: @ruesucre, TikTok: @ruesucre

My Mother

Sarah Harvey - Website: https://linktr.ee/ArtsyFartsyAntics

Creating Eden

Lydia Wallace

Skullduggery

Alexa “Tig” Harriss - Website: https://tigtoggle.carrd.co/

That’s a Stupid Title

Carter Lydon - Instagram: @carter.va, Website: https://carterlydon.com

Heartstrings

Casper - Bluesky: @graffitighoul.bsky.social, Instagram: @graffitighoul, X: @graffitighoul

Laura is Dead

Amari Louviere - Instagram: @autreus4

Secret Obsession

Anonymous

Maggats

CONTRIBUTORS

Eyram Kpotivi - Bluesky: @cosmicslugger.bsky.social, Instagram: @cosmicnxxdles_, X: @cosmicnxxdles

Sparring With a Mirror

Callisto West - Instagram: @callisto_west

Avarice

Autumn Winters - Bluesky: @nimbersss.bsky.social, Instagram&Tiktok: @nimbersss

Exit Stage Right

Nicole DiSalvo - Instagram: @nikkicr8s

Dismorphophobia

Andrea Gonzalez - ArtStation: @andrea-gonzalez, Instagram: @_0kayartist_

Cordem Replere

KCV Duong - Instagram: @kirvandu

Hiqd

Dylan Smith - Instagram: @smallforcego

City of Salt

Finch Malin - Instagram: @luli_bittily

One Track Mind

Janie Wright - Instagram: @meleewizard

Fresh Blood Cycle.

O’Connor - Instagram: @transylvict0r

Nathan Umbrell - Instagram: @primatedrawssometimes

Good Dog

Ollie Hoffmaster - Instagram: @inanolivetree

Oh, Worm

CONTRIBUTORS

Aiden Dvalidze - Tumblr: @ihatehornets

Can I Have a Mint?

Mason Bleadingheiser - Instagram: @masons_art_corner

1:34

Yeala Grimes - Instagram: @yae.la

Town Hero

Stephen Askew - X: @SketchCast64

Tabi

ScorpiGoat

Broken Record

Viktoria Fisher - Instagram: @vik.illustration

Star

Levi Flournoy - Instagram: @bishamontdn

Orchard

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Victor Romanko - Instagram: @romankodesigns, Website: romankodesigns.com

COLOPHON

Emanata is typeset with GT Sectra and Proxima Nova. The cover was printed on 100# Explorer Digital Silk Cover. The interior pages were printed on 70# Roosevelt White Smooth Offset. It was printed by Carter Printing Company, Richmond, Virginia and produced at the VCU Student Media Center, Box 842010, Richmond, VA 23284.

©2025.

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