Sunstone (comics)
| Sunstone | |
|---|---|
|
Lisa and Ally from Sunstone | |
| Author(s) | Stjepan Šejić, Linda Lukšić Šejić |
| Website | http://shiniez.deviantart.com/ |
| Current status / schedule | Updated Monthly |
| Launch date | November 2011 |
| Genre(s) | Erotica, LGBT, Fetish, Drama, Romantic Comedy |
Sunstone is an ongoing adult webcomic series written and illustrated by Stjepan Šejić which was first published on DeviantArt in 2011. Šejić is assisted by his wife and fellow artist Linda Lukšić Šejić. The comic, described as an erotic romantic comedy, focuses on the relationship between Lisa and Ally and their mutual interest in BDSM culture. Sunstone has been collected by Image Comics and Top Cow Productions into trade paperback volumes.
It is the first of a planned four-part story focusing on the same group of characters but a different couple each, with the second part focusing on Alan and Anne called Mercy and the third part called Jasper featuring Alan's ex Marion and her new boyfriend, James. The fourth and final part is as yet unnamed.
Plot summary
The primary focus of Sunstone is on the main characters of Lisa Williams and Ally Carter. Lisa is a budding writer who has kept her submissive desires secret for years, and Ally is a dominant and successful businesswoman, who is somewhat of a loner.
Neither Ally nor Lisa have any same-sex experience prior to meeting each other, other than a drunken kiss Lisa shared with another girl, of which she no longer carries any memory. Both have had unsuccessful relationships due to their alternative lifestyles, because of their inability to ignore their fetishistic desires.
By the time both have finished college, and are in their mid-twenties, both have had limited experiences in the world of BDSM. Ally has had some decent S/M experience with a former boyfriend, Alan, and has become an expert in bondage, especially Shibari. But Ally has never had a relationship in a D/S relationship as a Domme with a true submissive, as both Ally and Alan both prefer to dominate. Lisa, on the other hand, has practically no experience in S/M, other than experimenting with self-bondage.
The strip follows the pair as their initial online chat leads to their meeting in real life. Complications ensue as their friendship and play-based relationship quickly develops into more than just friendship with benefits. They soon find themselves falling in love.
As they become girlfriends and lovers Ally and Lisa move in together, and face all the complications of their relationship. But their biggest problem continues to be how they can maintain a normal romantic relationship and their Mistress-Sub relationship simultaneously.
Publishing
Since 2014, Sunstone has been published as a graphic novel, by Top Cow Productions and Image Comics.
On February 14 2017 two fans released Sunstone Audio Series based on the graphic novel. Vol 2 is planned for July 2017 and vol 3 in Feb 2018. The audio book can be found on Soundcloud and iTunes.
Volume 1 was released on December 24, 2014 and came #7 in the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 for Best Graphic Novel and Comic.[1]
Volume 2 was released on May 12, 2015 and reached #7 on The New York Times Best Seller list the week it was released.[2][3]
Volume 3 was released on August 26, 2015.[4]
Volume 4 was released on February 24, 2016.[5]
Volume 5 was released on January 18, 2017.[6]
Main characters
- Lisa Williams: the main character of Sunstone. She plays the submissive in her and Ally's sexual relationship. The two women begin their flirtatious friendship after Ally finds the BDSM fetish fiction Lisa has been posting online. What follows is a blossoming romance between the two, which is seen through the eyes of Lisa as the story's primary narrator.
- Allison "Ally" Carter: Lisa's best friend/lover and the second main character of Sunstone. She works as a software programmer during the day and displays geeky tendencies, which contrasts sharply with her Mistress persona in her and Lisa's relationship. Over time, she too starts realizing her love towards Lisa.
Secondary characters
- Alan: Ally's ex-boyfriend turned best friend. He designs BDSM gear for different clubs, clients, including Ally and Lisa.
- Anne: A tattoo artist and friend of Lisa and Cassie. She is interested in BDSM.
- Tom and Cassie: Husband and wife couple, and fellow BDSM fans. Cassie is best friend to Anne.
- Chris: Alan's work assistant and Cassie's brother.
- Harper and Tanya: A couple who run a local fetish club that the characters frequent.
- Marion: An ex-girlfriend of Alan who had a bad experience with BDSM which continues to haunt Ally.