2012 is my own 5 year anniversary here in deviantart which was awesome. Naturally, this also means my pokemon series, Random Doom, also turned 5 years old. Man, time sure flies. During these five years... Lots have happened and I suppose I'd love to say some things that have been in my mind a long time. So, I'll be rambling about RD, myself and other stuff related to it... I dunno how long.

Like I mentioned in my 5 year anniversary picture... I never expected RD to get this popular. It truly started as a silly comic about pokemon I planned to train in my pearl game. I was so excited about diamond and pearl that I planned out my teams way before the games even came out. I loved drawing them and I started to develop them and give them personalities and names. I suppose I did this to make waiting easier. Hehe, it is quite funny that once I finally got the game, I didn't even use anyone from my RD cast until I beat the game and I was able to start proper EV training. Yep, that serious I was about these guys. They were actually my FIRST properly EV trained pokemon. Aah, diamond/pearl were my best competitive training and battling time... I miss that... (Nintendo! Make Battle revolution 2!) But now I am getting lost of the subject. Um yeah, RD guys. From the begging, I knew these guys would be really special for me.


From 2007. THIS is the pic where I came up the name "Random Doom"

So yeah, 2007 was also the year when I joined DA. To be honest, I REALLY don't remember how RD's first months were... I honestly can't remember when it turned really popular... Maybe around strip 7 or 8. I honestly don't know. I suppose the final point was when I finally started the main comic series. All the sudden, I got tons of messages everyday when I posted anything RD related! My record is over 6000 messages one morning in my message center. RD became so big that it even got its own fan group! (Thank you again guys for maintaining such a nice group.)
I must say though. I've always done this because it is fun. I was having fun and I was quite surprised and flattered that so many people enjoyed my works. Especially since I don't think too highly about it myself... Yes, I am being honest here. While I love RD, I don't think it is my best works. I've written myself into so many plot holes and there are so many things I'd like to change but I feel it is too late. And I feel that the first three chapters were very similar (everything is nice-trouble ensues-battle a big bad pokemon-happy ending)  and close to anime formula. I didn't actually notice this until someone pointed that out and it is true. But I am happy to say that I think the ongoing Dear Departed and future chapters WILL be much better. *coughletsjusthopewewillsomedaygettoseethemthankstomylazynesswithupdatinglatelycough*.

Speaking of criticism... This is actually something I've wanted to talk about... I am honestly surprised how LITTLE bad word I've received of RD... Well, here in DA at least. To be honest, I've never had guts to see what people think about my series outside of DA. I honestly have no idea how well known RD and my pokemon works are outside of DA. Hehe, but yeah! Criticism! I've received very little of it but when ever I get it, it seems to revolve around the same thing; "How my characters act more like humans and not pokemon.". Well, this is a valid point. I enjoy animal like pokemon as much as the next guy BUT Random Doom IS different. It is HEAVILY inspired by pokemon mystery dungeon and those who have played it, know how intelligent pokemon are depicted in those games. They live in houses. Are able to write and read (in their own language I suppose). Have their own towns and societies...Etc. I suppose RD is located in the MD universe but instead of following wild pokemon, we follow captured pokemon who live with their trainer. Heh, to be honest, if I created RD today, I would most likely make it a mystery dungeon series and drop human Jenna and the ranch completely and make the characters live in their own society because it would make much more sense. But then again... The next chapter would be impossible with that set up.   

This also caused one of my not so proud moments here in DA. I must say first, I have a horrible habit of wanting to please everyone. Thus, I can receive 100 positive comments and one negative comment is enough to make me feel bad. I know, it is stupid and I hate that. But to get back the subject. That moment... The whole MorriganxVincent fiasco. I know it is old and I wish I could forget about it but I want to apologize about it once again. I still think that what I said needed to be said but I could have handled the situation much nicer and politely. Sure many people got laughs out of the comic but it also caused some heated comments by people who saw pokemon more animal like. Yes, I'd want to apologize about that if you felt offended. Back then, I was frustrated and stressed so I it all happened at a bad time...

As for RD's future? I really don't know. It's obvious I haven't updated the series as much as I used to. I'll blame work, school, real life and honestly, lost of interest. HEAR ME OUT BEFORE YOU GASP! Back when I started, I was young, only school to think about and I lived with my parents. I didn't need to take care of myself. Thus, I was able to draw the comic whenever I had time. Ah, how I miss those summers when I woke up at twelve... Played video games 4-6 hours and the rest of the day I drew and fooled around on net until 4am. Then, I grew up. I moved to my own house and all the sudden, I needed to take care of myself. Not as much free time I used to have. And summers, I spent at school or working so I could earn money. Growing up. Yes, it sucks in this case. And now, I am about to graduate and I need to work to support myself. And I work as artists so I already spend mos of my day drawing. And then... Lost of interest. Well, I wouldn't call it that. It's more like I've found other interests. PKMC to being the biggest. I can't help it. The group is so cute and I've met so many new friends through it. I can't express how happy I am being a part of it and I won't. I'll save that for later...
But as I said... RD is not the only pokemon related thing in my mind. PKMNC is too and of course, Black on White. Gosh... How much I'd want to start that series. But let's not talk about that, this is about RD. So RD's future. Let me make one thing clear, IT IS NOT DEAD. We will most likely never go back to its golden days but the series is not dead until I say so. And trust me, that day is not coming until I give up on pokemon entirely. And that day is not coming any time soon.                

Uh, I've been rambling so much now. Kudos if you had patience and interest to read all of this. Again, this has been quite five years. I want to thank you all again for your support, comments, faves and especially all the fan works you've made for me! I can't believe how many fan works I receive every day! Thank you so much! You all, have a cookie! And let's cheer for another five years!

~BehindtG

And while you were not looking, Danny and Merry stole all your cookies.