iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I may not post every day, but I’ll start with a recent concept sketch from my comic of Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite (Prompt #1: Apple, as in her 1st ep, The Apple)! Xena’s ship is in the distance, with shell keystones in the bldg architecture. (ballpoint pen on shirtboard) #Xena #Inktober

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I totally forgot, it’s Inktober! I’ll post the official prompts here, but don’t know if I’ll stick to them. I did see a Xena-related Inktober prompt list somewhere, but they were erotic in nature. Nothing wrong with that, but I don’t have 30 days of it, so I’ll leave that to the experts!

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

If you see this, post a vampire that isn’t Dracula.

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The military request came from Hegseth, I take it, from his basement war room

John Laroquette playing with toy tanks & soldiers in Stripes

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Name a non-LOTR character who could resist the One Ring

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Just saw Weird Al Yankovic & Puddles Pity Party’s Oregon shows, & they’re great inspiration for my project (best thing next to Xena herself). Like a passionate stage recreation of MTV’s golden age, with full commitment to their roles. I always catch them anytime I can.

Weird Al Yankovic in Hawaiian shirt singing in front of spinning psychedelic colors

Puddles’ Pity Party, dressed like Pagliaci the clown

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Here’s a quick sketch of Eve, Xena’s daughter, done with ball point pen on shirtboard (which I’m really enjoying doing pen sketches on, the ink has much more character). Happy 31st anniversary of Xena Warrior Princess!

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Fellow authors: Without any context, what's the first line of your current WIP? (I added a little #Xena context)

MYRINE
Sal?
SALMONEUS
Myrine! What a sight for sore eyes! Come in, come in! I’m always worried you’ll get lost visiting me!
MYRINE
Your house is the easiest to find! It looks just like a whale!
PANEL 4
Door closed, he takes her things, his walking stick set aaide.
SALMONEUS
That means you’re either very brave or very crazy to join me, my dear!
MYRINE
(Laughs)
You know I’ve always been a little of both!
SALMONEUS
Hah! A little?

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart Much have I seen and known (#Ulysses, by Tennyson)

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Today’s #Xena gesture sketch, with Blackwing pencil, Eve reaches out to a fellow prisoner. I think I’m getting closer to the look I want. I’ll start fixing details when my impressions are where I want them to be.

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I think I may have found a glimpse of the #Xena lost Sappho musical. It’s in Punch Lines, which follows the musical they ended up doing instead. I go into more detail here: typesandpatterns.com/blog/2026/04...

Dr Aphrodite helps analyze why Gabrielle is suffering from writer’s block

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

A beautiful day in Oregon to exercise, & to exercise democracy! #nokings

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

He’s a hypocrite. He prefers pasta shells, ground beef & tomato soup (i.e.bachelor’s spaghetti), not stew!

Podcast host Adam Carolla wants Hungarian food for his last meal

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Here’sca close-up of Sal explaining his situation to a frowning Xena. Even more detail: his favorite medallion, looking like a totem or theatrical mask, gold lace trim & paisley floral designs on his tunic. Shirt underneath has silver embroidery & beads, matching silver hairs on his chest.

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Here’s another a few seconds later:

Salmoneus concerned about beauty contestants’ rented costumes’ wear & tear, not their safety

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Preparing some live sketches while watching #Xena “Here She Comes, Miss Amphipolis”. More studies of Salmoneus. I’d pause & capture as much detail as I can as quickly as I can. I like Sal’s faux-leopard tunic. A lot if detail if you look closely!

Salmoneus in robe chasing beauty contestants on beach

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Here’s my first layout attempt of chapter 1 of my #Xena project, exiled Salmoneus welcomes his business partner to his home after her many months of travel. Both are glad to see a friendly face:

Myrine sets her gift down as Salmoneus talks & gestures giddily.

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Here’s a quick sketch of Salmoneus before I take the plunge into drawing chapter 1. I think I’ll ditch the pen for Blackwing pencils & color the pencil scans, which will save me time & will pick up where I left off stylistically with the Virtual Season. I felt comfortable with it then, so why not?

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

And here’s Murray these days in a recent ep of Spartacus: House of Ashur, cheering on the Xena-like Achillia, Rome’s 1st female gladiator, along with a lady friend:

Murray Keane in Spartacus: House of. Ashur, episode 5

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Xena Warrior Nutballs is not on Bluesky, but their latest podcast with actor/director Murray Keane is hilarious. Here he is in one of the very 1st shots that RenPic made in NZ:

Murray Keane dressed as a pig farmer in Hercules and the Amazon Women

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

I love how this moment was choreographed, at the end of the opening skirmish: Ulysses & Xena clasp arms, while Gabrielle backs into the scene right between them:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Once more into the M.A.N.T.I.S. matrix! In a previous thread I learned I missed a few Xena alumni in this show. In episode 8, there’s 2 more: John D’Aquino & Galyn Görg, who played Ulysses & Helen of Troy, stars of The Iliad & The Odyssey!

John D’Aquino, Galyn Görg, Cylk Cozart, Andrew Robinson, Blu Mankuma, & Jo Bates in M.A.N.T.I.S.

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

There’s a cameo by producer Sam Raimi who plays a student from the University of Venus (yes, that Venus) with the inside scoop on the secret identity of M.A.N.T.I.S.!:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Golina’s gruff but not so lovable forensics colleague, played by Philip Baker Hall:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Network boss is played by Marcia Cross:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Dr. Hawkins’ research assistants from Africa, played by Wendy Raquel Robinson & Christopher M. Brown:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Gina Torres & Bobby Hosea reviewing critical video from a riot in which Dr. Hawkins was shot & paralyzed (both Gina & Bobby would appear on Xena Warrior Princess, btw):

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Bobby Hosea taking Gina Torres’s advice & blowing the extra salt off his french fries:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Gina Torres resisting Bobby Hosea’s charms in M.A.N.T.I.S.:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Gina Torres in M.A.N.T.I.S.:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Here is Carl Lumbly as Dr. Hawkins putting on his mantis-like M.A.N.T.I.S. mask:

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Here’s a 🧵 of screencaps from the aforementioned M.A.N.T.I.S. pilot post yesterday, starting with series star Carl Lumbly as the brilliant, imperious & fastidious Dr. Hawkins (qualities every good tv detective should have):

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

On my blog I’ve posted my thoughts on M.A.N.T.I.S., Rob Tapert’s 1st tv show, & the reason why it made him so protective of Xena. I’ll post larger pics later. typesandpatterns.com/blog/2025/12...

M.A.N.T.I.S, with Carl Lumbly, Wendy Raquel Robinson & Christopher M Brown, Bobby Hosea, Francis C. McCarthy, & Sam Raimi

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Share an actor who nailed a role so hard that nobody else will ever be able to live up to it...

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Although there is this one that unwittingly hits the nail on the head, with “The Closeted Legends of Jerkules”. No mention of Xena & Gab’s relationship, so this is clearly early days, & the writer is just riffing on the traditional appeal of Steve Reeves’ Hercules movies in the gay community:

Thug: “Put me down now, you over-pumped creep!”
Hercules: “Sorry, but every week I scare a huge warrior by holding him over my head! Are you impressed with my strength?”
Thug: “You do have great arms and oh, those leather boots! Maybe we could settle this over a drink?
Iolaus: “He’s already got a pal, pal! ME! So buzz off!”
Gabrielle: “ Hmmm, this could be a new series—The Closeted Legends of Jerkules!”

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Some of the jokes are funny: Xena is Zima, the name of a trendy yet bland 90s beach drink. Hercules as Jerkules still holds up, the odd mishmash of non-Greek props & bellowing sky gods. The panel that hits closest to its target is this one:

(In the middle of a fight):
Hercules: “Now this is what being righteous means! Kicking the enemy in their sensitive parts!”
Iolaus: “Not to mention breaking fingers, noses and toes!”
Gabrielle: “This is a good way to show the pagans that violence is not the answer to anything!”

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Most of the jokes centered on cleavage & anything related to that. The guys are horny & the gals are bimbos, very much the “Baywatch B.C.” stereotype. In fact, the story ends with them time traveling to the present, ending up on an episode of Baywatch:

Cast of Baywatch in foreground, as Xena, Gabrielle & Iolaus watch Hercules declare: “The gods have really screwed us this time.”

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I was told my drawings looked like something out of Mad Magazine, & I took that as a huge compliment, so I decided to look up how Mad actually portrayed Xena. A bit differently, in fact! It was during 1st season, & they clearly went for the low-hanging fruit, as it were!

First panel showing Hercules, Iolaus, Xena & Gabrielle fighting a lot of anachronistic characters, like Hagar the Horrible.

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Experimenting on glossy board with sketching using 3 pen types: Bic ballpoint, Pigma brush marker, Preppy fountain pen. 3 figures in “front” row are ballpoint, which lets you build up a sketch. “Back” row: brush pen is bold, expressive, but I can’t really sketch with it—it’s for final stage only…

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Rich @typesandpatterns.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

We guys have been doing this for a while, thanks for noticing

Daniel Day Lewis in Room With a View reading a book while walking through a garden

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