Skin Deep (webcomic)
Encyclopedia
Skin Deep is a fantasy
comic book
and webcomic
series written and drawn by Missouri
an Kory Bingaman.
The story follows the lives of various mythical creatures, such as a gryphon
, a nixie, a satyr
, and a sphinx
, as they disguise themselves (using magical medallions) into the world of humans. The story's narrative, so far in one completed arc and one in-progress arc, presents the point of view of Michelle, a college-aged Sphinx who has only recently learned that she is not a human, and the various points of view of the citizens of Liverpool's
Avalon, an entire magically hidden city. The plot often works to establish a theme of different versions of normalcy, promoting acceptance and diversity.
Exchanges - Takes place in Liverpool, England, in August 2004. Focuses on the turning of Anthony Gillis, as well as the interactions between several of the inhabitants of the Liverpool Avalon.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
and webcomic
Webcomic
Webcomics, online comics, or Internet comics are comics published on a website. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers or often in self-published books....
series written and drawn by Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
an Kory Bingaman.
The story follows the lives of various mythical creatures, such as a gryphon
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
, a nixie, a satyr
Satyr
In Greek mythology, satyrs are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus — "satyresses" were a late invention of poets — that roamed the woods and mountains. In myths they are often associated with pipe-playing....
, and a sphinx
Sphinx
A sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head or a cat head.The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless...
, as they disguise themselves (using magical medallions) into the world of humans. The story's narrative, so far in one completed arc and one in-progress arc, presents the point of view of Michelle, a college-aged Sphinx who has only recently learned that she is not a human, and the various points of view of the citizens of Liverpool's
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
Avalon, an entire magically hidden city. The plot often works to establish a theme of different versions of normalcy, promoting acceptance and diversity.
Arcs
Orientations - Takes place in Missouri, in September 2004. Focuses on the turning (de-spelling of humanity disguise) of Michelle, a member of the supposedly extinct sphinx species. Explains many of the mechanisms of the Skin Deep world.Exchanges - Takes place in Liverpool, England, in August 2004. Focuses on the turning of Anthony Gillis, as well as the interactions between several of the inhabitants of the Liverpool Avalon.
Characters
- Jim Finn - A maned gryphon who appears in both arcs. He is an exchange student from England who has the most knowledge about the mythical community, having been raised in one.
- Michelle Jocasta (Orientations)- A Grecian sphinx who is the focus of Orientations. She is accidentally turned from her human form into her real form, releasing a large burst of magic that causes the events following to happen.
- Merial McMinnus (Orientations)- A nixie who is Michelle's roommate and friend.
- Greg Tragos (Orientations)- A satyr, Merial's friend from before college.
- Eustace (Orientations) - A totem fox who runs the shop in the small Missouri Avalon.
- Marshall (Orientations) - A totem raven who is Eustace's best friend.
- The Bloodcarver (Orientations) - A mysterious member of the also supposedly extinct race of dragons.
- The Grimm Brothers (Orientations) - Three demons sent from Dis to retrieve the lost shade of Michelle's father, who end up targeting the newly turned sphinx.
- Anthony Gillis (Exchanges) - A "human" who seems to be having some trouble maintaining his humanity.
- Blanche Noir (Exchanges) - A white stag who introduces his best friend, Anthony, to his hidden life in the Avalon.
- Lorne Lyon (Exchanges) - A nemean lion, the best friend of Jim Finn.
- Jon Lyon (Exchanges) - A cranky nemean lion, the brother of Lorne and the best friend of Paul Finn.
- Madame U (Exchanges) - A gorgon who runs the local shop full of magical items.
- Alec (Exchanges) - A bugbear who seems to be friends with Blanche.
- The Finns (Exchanges) - The clan of gryphons of which Jim is a member, consisting of James, Mary, Tobias, Paul, and Colin.
- Eleanor and Rupert (Exchanges) - A bandersnatch and jub-jub bird, respectively. Disgruntled Wonderlanders who have left their home to live in the Liverpool Avalon. Seen playing a mysterious card game in front of a restaurant.
- Zech and Elise (Exchanges) - A centaur and pegasus, respectively. Seen arguing in the Avalon.
Merchandise
- Comics - The first arc, Orientations, as well as a short story, The One-Eyed Bear, are available for sale in printed form.
- Sketchbooks - Two books full of sketches and development of Skin Deep, as drawn by Kory Bingaman, are available for sale in printed form.
- Medallions - Bronze pathtagsGeocoinA geocoin is a metal or wooden coin minted in similar fashion to a medallion, token coin, military challenge coin or wooden nickel, for use in geocaching...
made to be in the shape of the medallions seen in the comics, are available for sale in the forms of Sphinx, Maned Gryphon, and Nemean Lion. - Charms - Small, acrylic charms in the shape of Jim the gryphon, Anthony the harpy, and Blanche the stag are available for sale.