The Tale of Cao Aman Webcomic Tumblr Page

A Strange Little British Chap's Take On The Three Kingdoms

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I'm Still Alive

Hi everybody.

God, it's been awhile. I'm really I've been so quiet lately. A lot of stuff in the past couple of years got very convoluted for me, plus the scammer epidemic on Tumblr a while back left me very nervous.

But I'm fine, I'm still doing art and I'll start posting stuff back up soon. It seems like Tumblr's going through a bit of a surge again and it might be a good spot to start posting my art again.

Thanks for staying with me, you're all awesome.

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Red Cliffs Wu Officers Part 2

Yes, I am aware that Bu Zhi looks a bit like Snape. Believe me, it was unintentional.

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Red Cliffs Wu Officers Part 1

Hope the translation isn't too bad. No, I didn't use Google Translate but I did use Wiktionary

I feel Wu doesn't get the attention it deserves and I want to change that. Promptly.

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Cao Cao Only Hires Professionals...

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Under Cao Cao's Instruction, Chi Lu Accuses Kong Rong of Gross Impiety In The Imperial Court

Play the music! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ3kyg7IwVI

I like drawing Chi Lu. His looks are against him but that kind of sets him apart from the others.

Cao Cao doesn't even like pears, he just does this to spite Kong Rong.

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Bian Yuexiang, Cai Wenji and Diaochan Havin' A Girl's Night Out!

Sorry I've been absent for a while. I have a lot of catching up to do.

But yeah, these three are kind of Cao Cao's 'Confidantes'. Only Bian Yuexiang is his actual romantic partner but Cai Wenji has been his best friend and something of a mentor since he first arrived in Luoyang while Diaochan, a quiet but astute handmaiden of the Imperial Palace, has looked out for Cao Cao and kept him informed of the goings-on in the capital. Diaochan is also closely enamoured with Bian Yuexiang while the two look out for Cai Wenji, treating her like the little sister they never had.

The expressions on the 'photo-slide' were particularly fun.

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TToCA Pride Month

Got this in just in time! :D

Yes folks, the main couple is bi and, while being utterly devoted to each other, both have open same-sex relationships with their most trusted confidante, Xun Yu for Cao Cao and Diaochan for Bian Yuexiang.

Because in a polyamorous society, you may as well go all the way! The benefits of writing about someone known to be unconventional.

Originally, I was planning on giving Xun Yu an unrequited love for Cao Cao but over time, I just thought...'why not?' And here we are.

Hope everybody's had a good month of celebrating what makes us human, affection towards one another and acceptance in ourselves.

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Liu Bei’s Army

A gathering of itinerant warriors, scholars and oddballs who flock to the mysterious Han loyalist roaming across the land, gathering support against Cao Cao. Liu Bei is quite the enigma and despite officially holding no land, rank or title, his charisma is quite resounding and he emerges wherever Cao Cao’s influence wavers with legions at his back.

(Back Row) Guan Yu, Zhang Fei

(Upper Row) Zong Deyan, Deng Fang, Shamoke, Yi Ji, Du Pu

(Middle Row) Pang Tong, Jian Yong, Zhuge Liang, Huang Yueying, Liu Weishuo

(Lower Row) Chen Zhen, Zheng Xuan (Seated), Sun Gan, Gan Xiadan, Liu Bei, Mi Qianqi, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Fu Shiren

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Zhang Jue and Zhuge Liang

Two sages looking for a calling in life. Once a humble faith-healer in impoverished Julu, Zhang Jue uses charisma and mysticism to found the Yellow Scarf Rebellion, a movement of peasants and Taoists who accept all into their brethren and vow to bring about the 'Age Of The Golden Sky', a new beginning for the realm. Zhang Jue claims to gather his power from ancient and sacred tomes on which are written the secrets of the universe. What he does with these secrets is anyone's guess. But Zhang Jue is the most dangerous kind of agitator, one who genuinely believes. Zhuge Liang, Kongming to his friends, is a mystery even to a mind such as Cao Cao. His intentions, his beginnings, his ambitions and goals and ideals, all kept very secret from everyone, as far as anyone knows. He knows his way around the land better than most, is a most dextrous and formidable swordsman and seems able to unravel an enemy's strategy as easy as if he came up with the strategy itself. The fact that he decides to join Liu Bei of all people, who at the time is all but a fugitive, confuses Cao Cao even further. Zhuge Liang claims that he sees in Liu Bei a mighty Imperial legacy. Steadily, one can suppose that Zhuge Liang himself wishes to 'be' that legacy. I came with the 'Dragon-Head Lamp' Zhang Jue's holding myself. Might be a bit impractical but hey. Zhuge Liang's dragon is just meant to be a decorative collar...as far as you know. And yes, my Zhuge Liang carries a sword and knows how to use it.

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Liu Yao’s Army ‘The Yang Alliance’

(Left to Right)

Top Row

Xu Gong, Taishi Ci, Ze Rong

Upper Middle Row

Lu Kang, Yan Baihu, Yan Yu

Lower Middle Row

Liu Xun, Zhou Xin, Zhu Hao, Sheng Xian

Bottom Row

Hua Xin, Liu Yao, Wang Lang

A motley collection of scholars, warriors, eccentrics and opportunists.

Ze Rong was a treat to design. I’m surprised he doesn’t get more attention in 3K-related media.

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Guan Yu and Zhang Fei

Needs no introduction really.

Guan Yu is a warrior of exceptional skill and unwavering resolution. Wielding the Moon Dragon Glaive as though he was born holding it, Guan Yu is a terrifying force to behold, hard as steel, swift as the wind, death itself on the battlefield. Though possessed of a firm sense of honour, he is ruthless and arrogant and shows little respect for those outside of Liu Bei and those he admires. As such, he stands beside Liu Bei at almost all times, unquestioning, a biting glare fixed on his red, rocky features. Zhang Fei, meanwhile, is a warrior of a very different ilk. Carrying gourds of explosive and flammable material at his belt, he attacks with tricks and terror. In his hand he wields the Viper's Tongue Spear, a weapon that guards him at every angle as he cuts through any he encounters, wielding it almost lazily with one hand free to sow more confusion. While outwardly approachable and eloquent, Zhang Fei hides a sinister nature. Unsuitable as bodyguard material, Zhang Fei serves as a spy and guerrilla officer for Liu Bei and, far away from his conscientious master, exercises his personal pleasure upon any who cross his path. For none could suspect the servant of so virtuous a master of such truly evil crimes, surely? A look at how I'm portraying Shu Han. Guan Yu is fairly accurate to his common portrayal. Although not a superhuman, he's certainly formidable and gives even Cao Cao's best a run for their money. Zhang Fei meanwhile is very different. Far from the boisterous drunken buffoon he's often portrayed as, this Zhang Fei is quiet, calculating...and utterly cruel.

And yes, I'm aware Zhang Fei looks like he's holding a Molotov Cocktail. That is purposeful. It's early improvised explosives.

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Wang Ji and Hou Lan

Wang Ji, the adopted son of the leading eunuch Wang Fu, is a depraved monster of a man driven by an instinctive wish to inflict pain on people. Since his family's influence in the capital runs so deep he's practically above the law, over time he's become so sick-minded and unpredictable that even his own sadistic father can't stand him around the household. Only when he requires the means to overcome the Cao family and intimidate the prodigy, Cao Cao, does he summon the 'Mad Hound of Yongqiu' back to his side. Hou Lan, known to many as the 'Enormous Spider Of The Palace', one of the most powerful eunuchs in the capital, is loathed and dreaded by all who know of him. While he hasn't served as long or as closely to the Emperor as his rivals, Cao Jie and Wang Fu, he has acquired arguably more influence than him by collecting not just the secrets of the Emperor and his kin but everyone, up to and including his fellow eunuchs, men whose dirty deeds could break them just as quickly as they made them. Since any threat to his life would compromise those secrets, the other eunuchs ensure no harm comes to Hou Lan and anything that would place him in danger or under suspicion is buried. This allows Hou Lan to act with impunity, forgoing the facades of sycophancy and courtesy the eunuchs are famous for as he does as he pleases to whomever crosses his path. These two will give some people nightmares and are basically perfect pictures of what amoral people whose power, be it from wealth, connections or other sources, gives them the means to do whatever they want.

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1. Hua Tuo and Zang Ba

The travelling healer and the daring outlaw

Hua Tuo is a practitioner of medical properties and sciences of great patience and care who's experiments with early anaesthesia pioneer a new age of healing in China. Carrying a near-countless range herbs and oils on his person and writing on the go, he's a walking hospital in himself which nearly every warlord in the land wants solely on their side. Having been born in Pei, Hua Tuo begins work at Cao Cao's homestead, working with Bian Yuexiang and Wei Zi to collect his findings and help the less fortunate. As Cao Cao's influence grows, he remains Hua Tuo's patron but Hua Tuo himself becomes conflicted about aiding a man whose ambitions are in danger of growing out of control.

Zang Ba is fast becoming a legend throughout the mainland. Having broken his own father out of prison, Zang Ba assembles a band of renegades to rob from the rich and give to the poor, overthrowing corrupt officials and secretly aiding the interests of men they consider good and true. Settling in Xu Province, he initially makes an enemy of the invading Cao Cao. However, as quickly as they become enemies, Zang Ba agrees to aid Cao Cao's imperilled family when they're held prisoner and the ambitious but gallant warlord will come to owe Zang Ba a great deal.

2. All three of these men come to hold high positions in the court of Emperor Xian of Han. Yang Biao of the distinguished Hongnong Yang clan is one of the few fundamentally loyal and dedicated ministers left in the chaos of the Han court after Dong Zhuo's takeover and the fall of Chang'an. Dong Cheng, in stark contrast, is the last of the Dong clan, the clan of Emperor Ling's mother, and will part with what power that grants him over his dead body...or anyone else's. Violent, foul-tempered, suspicious and greedy, he is truly a picture of how far the Han have fallen after years of weak and unsuspecting Emperors. Zhao Nan, the oddball of the court, is the head of a secret society of esoteric practices, boasting the powers of soothsaying and prognostication, foreseeing a future for the young Emperor if his advice is heeded. Behind all the glamour and tricks, however, he's an avaricious confidence-trickster whose associates create any futures he predicts. What do all these men have in common? They're all in Cao Cao's way.

Hua Tuo I've already illustrated in the Mystics Group Page but for Zang Ba, I wanted to make him stand out from the average noble-hearted bandit so I gave him a full-on Robin Hood/Zorro vibe. He flies in via handy rope whenever he's needed and speaks in third-person. He's a lot of fun.

The three Han Ministers I had fun designing.

Yang Biao's beard I tried to model off the busts of Ancient Greek philosophers, sort of referencing his sagely but highly rigid conduct. Dong Cheng I hope I'm not making too similar to Dou Wu even if they occupy similar roles. Zhao Nan, I just all out with. In the Romance he's called Zhao Yan but there are at least two other Zhao Yan's so I changed the name slightly. In case you're wondering, his nose doesn't grow longer with each lie but it is meant to highlight his untrustworthy nature. The green beads between his fingers are meant to spell out 'Joy - Younger Son - Heaven', signifying a good future for Emperor Xian, the younger son of the previous Emperor.

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1. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu

2. Sun Shangxiang and Sun Quan

Sun Ce, the eldest son of Sun Jian, fast makes a name for himself as 'The Young Conqueror', leading his father's troops as well as defectors from Yuan Shu's rapidly-failing state to conquer and control the regions south of the Yangtze, carving a kingdom of his own which forms what will become Sun-Wu.

He is aided in this by a peerless strategist of keen wit and great vision who plays a further part aiding his family in what will become the War of the Three Kingdoms.

His name? Zhou Yu

Sun Shangxiang is a rambunctious tomboy who never misses out on a chance to crack skulls and irritate people but who treasures her family above all else.

Sun Quan is a meek, studious young man who prefers to resolve things diplomatically, though is prone to some odd behaviour on occasion.

Through them, the eastern kingdom of Wu forms its foundations.

Bit out-of-proportion on the first image. Not quite sure where but something feels a bit off. Might go over that.

Sun Ce is described as wielding two bronze spears. These are more or less the closest I could design while still being fairly practical, two long-handled blades which he wields with expert dexterity.

Zhou Yu's instrument there is a tasseled sceptre which strategists of the time used as signalling devices similar to the war-fans of samurai warlords.

In case you weren't aware, the raising of the little finger is the Chinese equivalent of flipping the bird. Sun Shangxiang does this a lot.

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Page 43: Saying Goodbye

Page 44: Courtesy, Patience and Dignity...

Page 45: Balance Of Favour

Page 46: The Spite Of The Dou Clan

Page 47: Plans Hatched Out Of Sight

I’m running out of page slogans.

So sorry it’s been so long since I uploaded more comic pages. I’ve been pursuing other outlets. I know have a Tapas Page and could really use some readership if you’re interested. 

https://tapas.io/series/The-Tale-Of-Cao-Aman/info

But yeah, I enjoy making Cao Jie and Dou Wu good foils for each other. Both want all the power over the Emperor but while Cao Jie’s all flattery, Dou Wu just blusters and makes threats.

Hope the rain effects look alright.

And our first appearance of Jian Shuo. He’ll be important later.

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Context Is Overrated

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Du Jiaojun and Huan Gongyi

Two of Cao Cao's wives. One is the famed Lady Du of the Cao Cao/Guan Yu Love Triangle and the other became the mother of the celebrated prodigy Cao Chong. Cao Cao loves the unconventional. Du Jiaojun, light-haired, angular and bizarrely tall would be considered unsightly and ridiculous in the traditional Han society, just as much as the plump, ungainly Huan Gongyi. Both have endured unpleasant childhoods as a result but once Cao Cao enters their lives, their futures brighten as they see a side of the world they never saw just as the world sees a different side of them. Not to say their individual stories with Cao Cao are easy. In fact both are quite chaotic. But then, how else do love stories come about? Okay, I must confess, Du Jiaojun is a celebrity likeness to the magnificent Gwendoline Christie who I consider absolutely wondrous. I like tall women, not in a fetish way but in the artistic, aesthetic sense. Gwendoline Christie is one of those women who makes me feel all sunny inside and I couldn't resist modelling this character off of her. Yes, yes, I know there generally weren't blonde people in Ancient China but aside from the fact that a comic book aesthetic requires a diverse palette even in historical settings, the fact that she looks outlandish in-universe is what builds her story.

As to Huan Gongyi, I’m just waiting for someone to say ‘Damn, Chong’s Mama So Thic!’ or something along those lines. You can’t see my bemused expression but trust me, it’s there.