Q: What is this whole thing?

A: Welcome! DirtWork!! is an (OEL) Manga, written, drawn and produced by me, The Shapeshifter. It's completely free to read, so you should totally do that.

Q: ...why should I?

A: What the hell kind of a question is that?! It's literally free! And it's really good! Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Are you an idiot?!

Q: You call it a manga, but it's read left to right, like a Graphic Novel. Are you really just like, one big phoney?

A: You tryna throw hands?!

It's a manga because although I have my own art style, I'm mostly influenced by manga in the way that I panel and write DirtWork!!. Manga and like, Scott Pilgrim. As weird as it may sound, the word 'comic' just didn't feel like enough of a descriptor for this project.

Simultaneously, the length of serialisation I have planned for DirtWork!! kind of prevents it from ever being a single "Graphic Novel"... probably.

Q: Serialisation length?! What the hell do you have planned?!

A: I've got loads planned actually, and I'm working on those plans right now! As it says on the front page, technically this is a BETA before I do a full launch in October 2024. But right now, you've got three chapters! Three whole chapters! That's a lot for a first launch! They're free! FREE! Water isn't free, but DirtWork!! is!

Q: Aha! I knew something was up! Who the hell commits to a project like this for free?! Are you stupid or are you dumb?!

A: I don't like either of those choices! Give me different options!!

I have monetisation plans for DirtWork!! in the future, but I don't want this project to be locked behind a paywall. I love the story I'm telling too much, and I want everyone to be able to read it if they so choose. DirtWork!! is a gift to whoever is willing to accept it, first and foremost. Monetisation can be figured out around that concept.

For example, I plan to print physical volumes in the future. Physical volumes for money. So you should fall in love my work, so that you want to buy one in the (near-ish) future. That's literally the best course of action I've ever heard of for literally anyone ever in my entire life.

Currently I can only work on Dirtwork!! part time, hence the BETA before full launch thing, but I'm actively working towards changing that. If you wanna help me do that, then follow me on socials and/or you can leave me a tip on Ko-Fi! (I'll love you forever ❤️)

Q: ...hrm. So then, what's next from here?

A: I make more issues! Write more! Draw more! Give more! As I mentioned before, my plan is to launch in October, with two more chapters, and then release one chapter monthly until the end of Season 1. There are going to be seasons, you ask?! Yes there are! In the meantime, if you like the project, follow me on your favourite social, or leave me a tip! also, if you have any questions or inquiries at all, feel free to send a message to:

shiftasphere@gmail.com.

Blessings.

-SS