Namesake (webcomic)
Namesake is a fantasy webcomic created by Isabelle Melançon and Meg Syverud. It began publishing in 2012 and is currently ongoing. The story follows Emma Crewe, a young woman who discovers she is a Namesake, a person who can travel into and exist within the worlds of fictional books by taking on the characteristics and role of a character who shares her name.
Premise:
The central premise of Namesake revolves around the concept of fictional worlds existing as tangible realities accessible to certain individuals. These worlds are powered by belief, and the act of reading a story strengthens the world's existence. Namesakes are able to travel between our world and these fictional worlds by activating "gates" found within their namesake books.
Emma Crewe's initial journey takes her to Neverland, where she learns about the nature of Namesakes and the dangers involved in interfering with fictional narratives. The comic explores themes of fate, free will, identity, and the power of stories.
Characters:
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Emma Crewe: The protagonist. A seemingly ordinary young woman who discovers she is a Namesake. She struggles to understand her abilities and the responsibilities that come with them.
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Dean: A mysterious figure who acts as a guide and mentor to Emma, explaining the rules and dangers of being a Namesake. His motives and past are shrouded in secrecy.
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Benjamin: A complex character whose role evolves throughout the story. He has connections to the world of Namesakes and a complicated history with Dean.
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Various Literary Characters: As Emma travels to different worlds, she encounters familiar characters from classic literature, often in altered or reimagined forms due to the effects of Namesake interference and the changing landscape of belief.
Worlds:
The webcomic features various fictional worlds derived from well-known books, including:
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Neverland: From J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan.
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Oz: From L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The comic's narrative explores the intricacies of these worlds, their internal rules, and the consequences of altering established narratives.
Themes:
Namesake explores several prominent themes:
- The Power of Stories: The webcomic emphasizes the impact and importance of storytelling in shaping reality.
- Fate vs. Free Will: Characters grapple with the question of whether their actions are predetermined by their roles within fictional narratives or if they have the agency to choose their own paths.
- Identity: Emma's journey is one of self-discovery as she learns to navigate her dual identity as an ordinary person and a powerful Namesake.
- Responsibility: The comic highlights the moral implications of interfering with fictional worlds and the potential consequences of altering established narratives.