Author: marylowd

Experimental Online Comic –> Graphic Novel

With the latest update to ChatGPT, converting the first strip of SPACE HOUNDS! into a normal graphic novel page took one command: “redo this in an appropriate art style.”

So, yeah, maybe it’s just about time to finally turn SPACE HOUNDS! into an actual graphic novel. Continue reading “Experimental Online Comic –> Graphic Novel”

Dancing with Zirself

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in Maradia’s Robot Emporium, March 2025

“Unlike the chameleon body’s relatively simple goal of moving and matching colors, programming the Van Dyke’s kernel was more complex.”

Rariel 77 had entire closets of different bodies zhe’d built for zirself, and zhe liked switching between them.  Sometimes, you want a classic robot body — boxy, straight lines, gleaming metal.  You know, that whole deal.  But sometimes, an AI simply needs to be able to go incognito and blend in with all the biological sentients around.  The most common species on Crossroads Station were the Heffen (a sort of canine alien, kind of like anthro red wolves) and after that humans.  Rariel 77 had very nice android bodies in both of those flavors.  Zhe also had some much more abstract choices for when zhe was feeling whimsical or wanted to go on a spacewalk or do some other more exotic activity. Continue reading “Dancing with Zirself”

Goin’ Turtle

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in Maradia’s Robot Emporium, March 2025

“Why waste time on this weird turtle shell thing when you could be revolutionizing racing?”

Cobalt Starstrong charged right in, grabbed a stool at the bar, and then looked back to see Delvin balking in the doorway.  There was a strange look on the younger man’s face.  Cobalt gestured to the empty barstool beside him; it was a plain, simple stool, suitable to all kinds of physiologies.  That was important.  For they were in the All Alien Cafe.

Reluctantly, Delvin darted into the bar and took the empty seat beside Cobalt.  “Why did you bring me here?” he asked. Continue reading “Goin’ Turtle”