TW: This post contains discussions of child physical abuse.
Hi all! Thought it was about time that I got around to making a big old main post explaining my one and only fanfic, the Boy in the Photo (BITP), which takes place in the world of Hilda, a graphic novel series created by Luke Pearson that explores stories based off Scandinavian myths and adapted into a brilliant cartoon Netflix! (See the flair? Go watch it!)
I talk more about the premise below, but if you are a Hilda fan already/want to jump in right away, you can find the BITP right here!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/62332723/chapters/159490135
This post and the BITP fanfic itself will contain spoilers for about the entire Hilda show, so if you are watching the show at all, I'd advise that you click off now and finish watching it. Or don't, I'm not your parent.
WHAT IS THE BITP?
The BITP is based on a simple premise and one that the Hilda fandom has seen a few takes on before: What if Hilda had a sibling? In the BITP, that sibling is a twin brother named Harry!
In the BITP Au, Hilda and Harry were born in Trolberg to their Mum, Johanna and their Father, Tadgh. Tadgh is a member of the Tuatha de Danann, figures from Irish mythology who inhabit the Otherworld from which he claims to have escaped, as leaving the Otherworld is allegedly strictly forbidden.
The first two years of the twins lives pass with relative bliss, until one day Tadgh and Harry vanish off the face of the earth. Johanna is absolutely devastated, but commits herself to attempting to find them. In the BITP, I have made Johanna a Witch in exile, mentor to Kaisa and student to Matilda Pilqvist (Tildy). It is after a horrible nightmare that Johanna ends up in the old cabin in the Wilderness with Hilda, her magical abilities greatly weakened and suppressed by the trauma of Tadgh and Harryās apparent kidnapping.
The name "Boy in the Photo" comes from the one piece of evidence that Hilda has had of her brother and Father throughout her life, with Johanna refusing to talk about them thanks to her guilt. With each passing Fatherās day, Hildaās resentment towards her Mum builds, until finally she can't bottle it up any longer..
YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOMEONE
However, Johanna has had the wool pulled over her eyes from the very beginning. Tadgh wasn't kidnapped: he just upped and left with Harry when he took him out for a walk one day. Since Harry was 6 years old, Tadgh has subjected him to a brutal home-schooling regime in the Otherworld, intent on securing his "legacy" through his son. When Harry under performs or dares to step out of line, Tadgh has no problem inflicting horrible beatings on him to put him in his place. The only "blessing" to these is that when Tadgh is sober, he knows when to stop. When he's had a little too much to drink? Well..
AN ABUSED KID NAMED HARRY?
Yes yes yes I know I know I know, Harry's name and situation are pretty similar to another well known kid and book series. I can't deny that I wasn't subconsciously influenced by HP in some way (it was the first real big book series I ever read) but the BITP differs in other ways..
WHY SHOULD I READ?
In the spirit of Hilda, the BITP is full to the brim with Irish mythology. The Otherworld, home of the Tuatha de Danann, is introduced to the reader early through the eyes of Siobh, a girl the same age as Hilda whose family hosts her and Johanna when they arrive. Famous aspects of Irish myth present in the BITP, which I have tweaked somewhat, include the Gods Lugh, the Dagda and Brigit (who are present in some form or another š), the mighty Fianna (who serve as a broad, informal army) and the Sons of Tuireann.
Heretical murderers, the Sons of Tuireann were believed to be wiped out by the Fianna during a brutal war that shook the Otherworld, however now a band of them have descended on Siobh's sleepy village to carry out their revenge and are fully prepared to resort to brutal violence against those who stand in their way.
If Hilda and Johanna are to survive and return to Trolberg with their family (and lives) intact, they will have to confront a myriad of truths and decisions, they must trust each other utterly, lest the Otherworld become their graves and the graves of those that they hold closest to them..
(4/11/25) The Boy in the Photo is now COMPLETE!
ā Next up - Patch Notes!ā
Most of the wonderful Harry art that you see in this post (apart from pic 2) is by the very talented @lazyottercat and @spinosaurusaegypticus ! You can find their Tumblrs below:
https://www.tumblr.com/spinosaurusaegypticus?source=share
they/he - ya call call me Ottercat/Ottie Artist, fan of multiple cartoons nā such, esp. Hilda creator of ottercatās (the creatures) for more
Another AU which sees Hilda get a sibling (this time an older sister named Lauren) is the absolutely phenomenonal "Plenism" by Blaithne, which you can find here:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/51332695/chapters/130685497
And finally, my comfort Hilda fic (and a comfort fic for many others as well) "You're not my Mum (and that's good)" by Pikablob:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/32600476/chapters/80965099#workskin
That's about all from me. Should you decide to read the Boy in the Photo or any of the other fics here or not, I hope at the very least that you will watch Hilda on Netflix!! :D
