Which Characters Appear Most In Shadbase Comics Stories?

Glancing through the archive, what stands out most is not a single character but a handful of recurring types that show up over and over. In the strips and one-shots I’ve read, the artist gravitates toward well-known female characters from big-name franchises—video game heroines and comic-book icons—because they’re instantly recognizable and easy to remix. You’ll see a lot of reinterpretations of characters from 'Final Fantasy VII' (Tifa-style silhouettes turn up a ton), classic action-adventure leads like those from 'Tomb Raider', and sci-fi warriors in the vein of 'Metroid'. Alongside those are mainstream superhero figures like variations on 'Wonder Woman' and other caped women, and more generic femme fatale archetypes that repeat across different comics.

Besides famous faces, there’s also a steady stream of the artist’s own original characters and anthropomorphic designs. These original OCs act as anchors: they appear in multiple strips, get recurring storylines, and are often used to explore different fetishes or humor beats. The archive also leans heavily toward female-presenting characters overall, with frequent crossovers and mashups where a popular franchise character is blended with an original cast member. All told, the most common appearances are dominated by recognizable adult heroines from games and comics plus the creator’s own recurring originals—those keep popping up like familiar guests at a convention, and I still find myself chuckling at how the same faces are reused to tell wildly different Little Stories.

If you want a quick picture of who appears most, think in categories rather than a single superstar: recurring adult heroines from major video games and comics, the artist’s own original characters, and a good number of anthropomorphic figures. I personally see a heavy tilt toward female-presenting characters from well-known franchises—those silhouettes and costume cues repeat in strip after strip—plus the same handful of OCs that pop up across multiple storylines and gags. Occasionally a cult-favorite character from anime or a popular game will be revisited several times, but it’s the blend of recognizable franchise designs and the creator’s stable of originals that really defines the archive. For me, that mix is what gives the site its oddly familiar, guilty-pleasure vibe.

Skimming through the comics as a longtime reader, I’ve noticed a clear pattern: the most frequent faces belong to three groups. First are the big-name franchise heroines—characters whose designs are iconic enough that a single visual cue signals who they are. You’ll spot reinterpretations of characters inspired by titles like 'Final Fantasy VII', 'Tomb Raider', and other mainstream game series. Those images are used repeatedly because they target the biggest overlap with fan audiences.

Second, the creator’s original cast shows up again and again. These OCs function as a recurring ensemble that anchors the non-fanart pieces—recurring personalities, running gags, and visual motifs reappear and give the short comics continuity. Third, there’s a strong bent toward anthropomorphic and stylized animal characters; while not always the most frequent compared to human heroines, they’re a steady presence and often headline certain themed sequences. The comics also favor adult-presenting characters and remixing established designs for novelty rather than spotlighting obscure new faces. From a storytelling angle I enjoy how the mix of fan favorites and originals creates a weird little shared universe, even if it’s messy and deliberately provocative.