WEEK 11 - JewelVerse: From the Unstable Branch - Nathaniel Tan

Week 11 and existence has been intense, especially at the day job. 

So I released character cards for the Unstable Branch, one of the storylines set in the JewelVerse, a few weeks back. Therefore, I thought this would be a good time to introduce the characters featured in the cards to all of you - with Madeline’s introduction last round of the JewelVerse section, it’s Nathaniel’s, her cousin’s, turn. 

Curious about these character cards? Click the button to download them!

Unstable Branch?

The Unstable Branch of the JewelVerse started with a comic I created with artist Elvin Ching. Named “Unstable Foundations”, it was a thriller / contemporary comic centered on National Gallery intern Madeline Law and her heist-planning cousin, Nathaniel Tan. After the release of the comic, I dove into the world of these cousins and thought - there’s a whole line of potential for world-building and adventure there. Hence, the Unstable Branch was extended with eChapBook “Unstable Directions”, released the middle of 2020. 

Now, who’s Nathaniel? Isn’t he the bad guy?

As the firstborn of a modest family of three rambunctious boys and dual income-parents, a good portion of Nathaniel’s youth was spent being the third parent. While his younger brothers got to do whatever they wanted, he — in typical eldest child fashion — would get the blame. He never resented his family, but Madeline — his aunt’s only child — was and still is the only relative he can connect with.

Convinced that the brain always triumphs over brawn, it didn’t take long for Nathaniel to come to the conclusion that the system isn’t made for the average person. So, as he slogged it out in the first bureaucratic job he could land, he bided his time until he could finally game the system.

He was arrested and jailed in the process.

After his release, he used his expertise in the ins-and-outs of Singapore to find his big break. He came close when he got his hands on what he thought was the map to a potential national treasure, only to end up back behind bars for a longer stint.

Now, however, he realizes that he has greater dangers to worry about, especially with his cousin insisting on a visit, even after a year or so of him ghosting her. 

Want to see the world Nathaniel  is in? Click the button to get a glimpse!

So What’s Next?

I’d like all of you to slowly meet the characters I have in the Unstable Branch. For now though, I’d like to dive deeper into Madeline’s back story, and perhaps I can start incorporating her tech skills with her love for codes beyond mentioning them in future stories. 

Creating “Unstable Directions” pretty much got me to sit down with Madeline and Nathaniel quite a bit - something that I admit to not doing as much as I wanted to earlier. With the eChapBook out and these characters becoming more fully formed, I’m getting more excited with what this branch within the JewelVerse will bring. So stay tuned for more stories, character profiles, and worlds!

That’s it from the JewelVerse. Take care and see you all next week!

P/S - Have you read “Unstable Foundations” or “Unstable Directions”? Find out more about the Unstable Branch with the button below!