Welcome to Gutter Thoughts, where I share insights into my creative process and philosophy each week. From exploring big ideas to finding inspiration in comics, books, shows, and movies, this space is all about staying creative and grounded.
Weekly Creative Focus
Whether diving into creative work or spending time learning and reflecting, here’s what’s been on the mind and plate this week.
2024’s Creative Fuel: My Top Inspirations
As the year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on the creative works that left a lasting impact on me in 2024. These aren’t just my favorites—they’re the stories, characters, and ideas that pushed me to think differently, inspired my own work, and reminded me why I love storytelling in all its forms.
From movies and shows to books, manga, and comics, each pick brought something unique to the table. Some made me laugh, others made me think, and all of them pushed me to see storytelling from a new perspective.
I hope these recommendations spark a little inspiration for you, too.
Movie: ANORA
Why I Chose This Movie:
This was the one movie I truly loved this year. Out of the few I enjoyed, ANORA takes the top spot.
What got me was how it pushed back in a world where Gen Z is constantly being told who they are. The film dives into sex, drugs, and violence—but not in a cheap way. At the same time, it shows love, commitment, the need for acceptance, misjudgment, and pain. And it pulls this off with humor. It was just fun.
Here’s the thing: no matter what generation we’re part of, we all want the same thing—pleasure and the need to belong.
The Moment That Hooked Me:
The scene where Anora faces two “henchmen” of her newlywed husband hit me. You expect bad sh** to go down, but instead, it flips. The humor changes everything and reminds you that how we see others is rarely the full story.
How It Inspired My Work:
It reminded me to take bigger risks with tone. Sometimes, leaning into the absurd creates something that sticks. If I can be riskier and funnier, why wouldn’t I?
Runner-Up: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice— a sequel that was a pleasant surprise and surpassed my expectations. This was fun and executed well.
TV/Streaming: The Penguin
Why I Watched This Show:
The Penguin was on my radar going into 2024. My expectations were low. I loved The Batman, but I was concerned about a television spin-off. It turns out that this show was a total delight. Watching it while working through The Sopranos with my girlfriend made it feel oddly familiar. Instead of a mob boss worrying about panic attacks and emotions, you’ve got an insecure henchman cutting deals to climb the ladder of power.
Oh, and instead of Jersey, we’re in Gotham—a fictional take on NYC.
What I loved most about the show was how it made me empathize with the characters. One moment, you’re rooting for them; the next, you’re reminded they’re villains, not heroes. You can’t trust them, and that tension is what makes it great.
The Scene That Nailed It:
[Slight Spoilers Ahead]
The moment that hit was when Oz, aka The Penguin, found a trolley token while searching for a sign on what should be his next move. He uses it to explore Gotham’s abandoned tunnels with his adopted henchman. What he discovers down there becomes the base for his criminal empire. The show brilliantly explains why the Penguin is always underground, tying it back to the comics and even Batman Returns. My inner nerd was singing.
How It Shaped My Thinking:
It gave me fresh ideas for creating characters who blur the lines between villain and hero—flawed, layered, and impossible to trust fully.
Runner-Up: The Industry— A great end to the series with a sharp take on ambition, betrayal, and power.
Anime/Animation: Dan Da Dan
Why I Picked This Anime:
Dan Da Dan stood out because it’s based on one of my favorite mangas and produced by Science Saru—the creative team behind Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. The art style stays faithful to the manga, and the animation is fantastic. The storytelling doesn’t just hold up; it shines. I love how they crank the humor to the max. The manga gets wild, and the anime doesn’t hold back either.
The Moment That Stuck With Me:
The anime grabs you from episode one, but episodes 6 and 7 completely wowed me. Instead of a typical ghost fight, they blend humor, a classic horror monster, and an emotional backstory to tie everything together. These episodes reveal each character’s true desires and bring their struggles to a climax.
How It Shifted My Perspective:
This anime reminded me not to hold back on storytelling—go wild with it. It also reinforced the importance of leaning into the things that inspire me and displaying them fully—but with my own twist.
Runner-Up: Arcane Season 2—This was hands down the best animation I watched in 2024, and it was tough choosing between the two. But in terms of inspiration, Dan Da Dan edged it out. That said, Arcane isn’t just a runner-up—it’s a masterpiece in its own right. If you haven’t watched it, you absolutely should.
Book: Perfume & Pain
Why This Book Caught My Attention:
Perfume & Pain reminded me why Anna Dorn is one of my favorite authors. It’s a love story and a sharp commentary on Los Angeles, told through the eyes of a toxic millennial—a writer, a lesbian, and someone who’s just a little problematic in her community.
Through this lens, we watch the main character grapple with isolation, relationship addiction, narcissism, and the constant struggle to make better choices for herself. At its core, the book explores how we’re responsible for our reactions to life’s chaos.
And it does all this with humor (yes, another one).
Reading Perfume & Pain felt like sitting down with a brutally honest friend. The humor and emotional depth grabbed me from page one. I loved every second of it.
The Moment That Stuck With Me:
What I loved most was how Dorn turned Los Angeles into a character of its own.
Her portrayal of the L.A. celebrity was spot on. She makes them feel as natural to the city as its pumas, skunks, or street art. It’s just one more thing you might stumble upon while wandering the city.
How It Shifted My Writing:
This book reignited my love for writing and made me rethink my approach to character development. It showed me that showing flaws is not only okay but necessary. Flaws make characters worth exploring.
It also cemented the idea that every character needs an arc. Growth, change, or even failure—that’s what keeps readers invested.
Runner-Up: The Trials of the Empire by Richard Swan — a satisfying end to The Empire Of The Wolf Trilogy. My only gripe was that it could’ve been a bit longer.
Manga: Thunder 3
Why I Picked This Manga:
This was another book I picked up on a whim, and I’m so glad I did. What hooked me immediately was flipping through and seeing two completely different art styles interacting with each other. I was instantly intrigued.
Thunder 3 gave me a multiverse story I didn’t know I needed—and now I can’t get enough. It dives into the concept of anime characters entering our world, creating a story that’s hard to explain without giving away spoilers. But trust me, it’s wild in the best way.
The Moment That Stuck With Me:
One scene had me laughing out loud: a little girl gets captured, and her captors unload everything on her—missiles, bullets, the works. None of it hurts her, and she’s completely unfazed. Then, when she chases them down, these supposed professionals are running for their lives. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and unforgettable.
How It Shaped My Thinking:
This manga reminded me that storytelling doesn’t always have to be overly complex or heavy. Thunder 3 is unique, but most of all, it’s fun. It uses the multiverse concept to tell an exciting story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
It’s a great reminder: have fun with your ideas.
Runner-Up: Kagurabachi—This manga started in 2023, but the first volume dropped in 2024. It tricks you into thinking it’s about one thing, only to flip the script by the end of the first chapter. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, and I know it’ll influence my art for years to come.
Comic Series: Plastic Man No More
Why I Picked This Comic:
Plastic Man No More was an unexpected highlight this year. The title alone pulled me in, and the Black Label sealed the deal. Why would DC Comics decide to end the life of Plastic Man? And honestly—does anyone even take him seriously?
This comic answered all those questions and more. It quickly reintroduces you to Plastic Man as a superhero, a Justice League member, and a family man. The kicker? No one—his teammates, villains, or even his family—takes him seriously.
Then comes the gut punch. Plastic Man learns he’s dying from a mysterious illness affecting his abilities. But there’s a sliver of hope: a chance to save himself. This sets off a wild journey as he scrambles to find a solution while trying to make amends for past mistakes.
The Moment That Stuck With Me:
The way this book uses color to set the mood is masterful.
There’s a scene in which Plastic Man first learns he has limited time to live. The colors are dark, moody, and heavy, reflecting the weight of his realization. Fast-forward a few pages, and he’s with the Justice League, trying to tell them about his condition. The art shifts to lighthearted and joyful tones, perfectly contrasting the previous moment. They laugh, thinking it’s just another joke.
How It Changed My Perspective:
This comic reminded me that creating doesn’t have to be rigid. Have fun telling the story you want to tell. Play with tone, angles, colors, and perspective. It’s all about knowing your theme and using every tool to bring it to life.
Runner-Up: I Heart Skull-Crusher! is an American comic book series that feels like a manga and proudly displays its influences.
A Few Extra Creative Sparks
Here are the shows, books, movies, comics, and more that have sparked my creativity this week:
Animation: Jentry Chu vs. The Underworld on Netflix
2024 has been an incredible year for animated shows, and just before the year ends, Netflix released this absolute gem. The story follows Jentry Chu, a girl with fire abilities who takes on the demon world determined to steal her powers.
The show is a perfect mix of fun, humor, and intense action. Bowen Yang steals the spotlight with his voice acting, but the amazing Ali Wong, voicing Jentry herself, truly brings the character to life.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, do yourself a favor and dive in!
Manga: The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All
I never really got into romance manga—until this one popped up on X (formerly known as Twitter). That’s right, it wasn’t serialized in a manga magazine. The creator published it directly on X, and it’s been a game-changer.
The story is sweet and charming, but what stands out is the art. The creator uses neon green as an accent, giving the book a unique pop of color that makes it instantly recognizable. This smart, bold choice feels like the series' calling card.
I’m diving into the first volume this weekend, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
The Stoic Quote of the Week
A Stoic quote to inspire and motivate, helping to stay grounded in the creative process.
"The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing. It stands ready for what may come and is pliable to obstacles."
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Ready to explore how this practice can transform your creative process? Check out this week’s Stoic Sparks for Comic Creators to dive deeper into using Negative Visualization to turn challenges into opportunities.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Gutter Thoughts. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey—hopefully, something here sparked an idea or inspired your own work. Until next time, stay grounded, stay creative, and keep pushing forward.
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