I can’t believe that it’s been 3 years already of making this comic! Technically I started publishing in Feb, 2023 on my own website, but I didn’t put it on webtoon until May 16, 2023. So I thought May was a nice middle year marker instead!
To celebrate I want to share some beautiful artwork that I commissioned from some extremely talented artists and friends:
I sat down with Elli G. the curator and passionate soul behind BestInRomance.com to talk publishing fears for The Barrier Scroll, hints for future story reveals, and more.
I sat for a long time thinking about how to convey my gratitude–what I could write to express how humbled I am by the support. But the truth is, I was already humbled when you picked this story up for the first time, read it, connected with it, and felt seen by it.
I wasn’t expecting much at all when I began this project. I had a story I wanted to tell, because it felt important to tell it, and I find great joy and solace creating this narrative in a world that sometimes feels less than what we all deserve right now. There is hope in storytelling, and there is connection through art, and using that creativity as a lense to mirror not just the world around us, but characters that reflect both the best and worst in all of us…we need that humanity now more than ever.
To everyone who reads The Barrier Scroll, and to The Zelda Awards for celebrating all women in comics…Thank You.
Creator mindofshon aka MOFS does reviews and reactions of comics, video games, and popular culture; and has kindly showed The Barrier Scroll lots of love, especially with the epic commentary and funny read throughs:
On March 15th, the Fable Collection lands, and with it an all-new line of handcrafted candles, beautiful swirling potion bottles, and delicate jewelry designs. Every piece in this drop has been thoughtfully designed and made by hand, to ensure it feels true to the world of The Barrier Scroll while also celebrating the wider fantasy stories that have shaped and inspired me.
This Spring marks the unveiling of Gilded Apothecary by The Barrier Scroll. And this’ll be the first time I’m introducing new products under an apothecary line (like candles which are coming later this year and aesthetic potion bottles!), that I’ll continue expanding on!
So mark your calendars: Fable Collection arrives March 15. It’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen from me and I can’t wait to share it with you!
The Barrier Scroll Celestial Drop is now available in the shop. Featuring gorgeous new jewelry, the Guardian’s Circle Bracelet Set, and the 12 Days of Magic Mystery Bundle (it’s like a mini Advent Calendar), all in time for the holidays! All products inspired by The Barrier Scroll narrative and all crafted by me, J!
Starting in January 2026, I’ll be relaunching improved patreon tiers, until then I will keep billing paused. In the meantime, please feel free to adjust your memberships as you see fit, as billing will spin back up come Jan 2026.
The Scroll $3/month:
✦ Sneak peeks of upcoming episodes
✦ Monthly wallpapers
✦ Artwork + Sketches
✦ Digital downloads
✦ Oriole Profile icon pack (10)
✦ 10% off in Shop
✦ Your support ensures the journey continues
The Veil $5/month:
✦ Romantic, evocative sketches monthly (suggestive but never explicit)
✦ 12-Month Loyalty Reward: Exclusive Merch Bundle (limited-edition prints, stickers, or accessories, contents may vary)
✦ Early Access* (Read new episodes as soon as they’re complete)
✦ Help test unreleased Barrier Scroll creations (e.g. jewelry, candles, and other handcrafted fantasy relics) sent freely to keep in exchange for honest product feedback.
✦ Digital Wallpaper Pack (25)
✦ 20% off in Shop
✦ PLUS+ Everything in The Scroll Tier
*After 12 consecutive months in this tier **Release schedule may vary depending on availability outside of my full-time job. I’ll always make sure patrons receive content before public release.
Here’s what you can expect each month:
Week 1: Wallpaper Pack (Scroll + Veil) Week 2: Sneak Peek (Scroll + Veil) Week 3: Romantic Sketches (Veil) Week 4: Early Access (Veil) Bonus Posts: Unique art, lore drops, or merch previews—free for all tiers!
Thank you to those who subscribe and become part of the journey! I’ll see you in January 2026.
Achievement Unlocked! I’m unveiling The Barrier Scroll’sGilded Apothecary candle line in Spring 2026.
Inspired by the world of The Barrier Scroll, the atelier will feature scents from places across the realm, as well as some popular characters. I’ll release more information later this year, but I’m very excited about this one.
When people ask how I’ve managed to stay consistent and avoid burnout with The Barrier Scroll while juggling work, writing, illustration, design, and life, my answer is usually the same: Sustainability.
I’ve never been the kind of creator who wanted to (or even can) move at breakneck speed. From the very inception of The Barrier Scroll, I knew this was going to be a long journey. A marathon not a sprint. An epic story meant to unfold over years.
When I started this project, I looked at how much time and energy it takes to build a world, draw it, write it, and still stay connected to the audience that believes in it. And I thought: If I want to do this for the long run, it’s got to be sustainable.
The Long Run Mindset
If you know me and hear me talk about this project I’ll always say: “I’m in this for the long run”. And I mean that, wholeheartedly.
For me this isn’t just a webcomic, it’s a legacy project. I want to ‘git good’ at drawing. I want to improve my writing. I want to learn new things as I go. A sustainable pace allows me to do that, to sit within the creative process and do well; by the narrative, by the readers, and also by me. I want to be proud of this project 10 years from now; and I want to honor this narrative the way I believe it deserves. Also, this story is long, and I mean to tell every word of it, as long as that takes me.
Why I Went Against the Norm
I made a decision that felt almost rebellious in webcomic culture: I wasn’t going to chase output.
✦ No bi-weekly updates (or weekly! sheesh). ✦ No sleepless nights trying to meet arbitrary deadlines. ✦ No sprinting toward burnout worried I’ll lose readers or subs (you’re going to lose these no matter what you do but the right people will always stay with you).
It wasn’t the popular choice. In fact, a looooot of mutuals told me it would never work. That without a constant barrage of updates and a hustle mindset I’d never build an audience. That readers would lose interest. That my story wouldn’t get traction. That no one would read it. (I still have a hustle mindset though, this I recommend).
But I’ve always believed the opposite: that consistency (in whatever form that means for you, mine’s monthly), quality, and care create their own gravity. And over time, that gravity pulls the right audience in. And in full transparency? It has(ish). It’s taken some time, patience, and even a good deal of heartache to see this happening, but it has and continues to. I focused on a cadence I can maintain indefinitely, not temporarily–while giving myself some grace, I’ve missed months here or there before…because of, you know, life. But this allows me to stay excited about the story, protect the quality of the art, and preserve the emotional tone from one episode to the next.
Don’t Listen to the Naysayers
Here’s what I’ve learned: sustainable pacing doesn’t slow growth, it strengthens it. When readers can feel that you’re invested, they invest back. They’ll say things to me like, “I’d love to read more episodes but I can tell how long it takes you to make these, there’s so much care and love put into this.”
So don’t listen to the naysayers: That you can’t build an audience without constant updates. My philosophy is proof that you can, if done with intention and consistency. Sustainability is the foundation of growth. Besides…
To celebrate the launch of the Celestial Drop launching on November 3, I’m hosting a month long giveaway! One lucky reader will be chosen to receive The Guardian’s Circle a complete bracelet set from the collection. All you have to do is head over to Instagram to participate.
To take part: ✧ Be following @thebarrierscroll ✧ Heart the post ✧ Comment what you love most about The Barrier Scroll
The Guardian’s Circle will find its keeper on Nov 1 (ships in November). For extra luck: Save or Share
— Not affiliated with Instagram. Open to US & Canada. No purchase required.
I’m very excited about this! Accepting select projects for 2026: illustration, book cover, and branding design. I’ll take on only a few projects each season so slots are limited. I bring well over a decade of professional design experience into every piece, so you’re commissioning thoughtful visual storytelling with commercial intent. For more information, process, and pricing, please visit the commission page.
Artsume_shae is the talented creator behind the webcomic Space Ultima as well as the titular cozy YouTube channel Artsume_Shae. I recently sat down to yap with her about writing in webcomics, as well as story structure, and my own personal favorite: Save the Cat.
You are the story of my heart and I believe in you. You may not become popular and you may always live in the shadows of bigger stories…but you are the purest thing I’ve ever made. You’re more than just a narrative. You hold pieces of me I’ve never known how to share. You were never meant for everyone. You were meant for me—and maybe, one day, for the others who need you too.
I believe in Oriole. Not because she has all the answers, but because she never stops searching: for understanding, for safety, for purpose in her life. She moves through your world with care, not caution; with a deep empathy that refuses to harden, even after everything she’s been through. Her strength is in how deeply she feels and how fiercely she protects. She holds the quiet ache of believing she isn’t enough…but the truth she comes to understand is that she was worthy all along.
I believe in Ryn; wounded, weary, and full of buried tenderness. The result of a burden carried too long, and loyalty that cost too much. He hides his pain behind silence, but beneath it all is a man who wants to be whole, who wants to be good. His story is about learning that healing is not weakness and that even the broken deserve to be loved.
I will keep telling this story, one panel at a time. Quietly and faithfully…because I believe in what it holds. Even when it’s hard or when it feels like no one is listening, I’ll continue to create. Because it matters. And because it’s mine.
I promise to stay true to your voice. To let the characters speak even when it hurts. To write with the reverence you deserve. To finish this passion project, no matter how long it takes…because some things are worth the journey.
Thank you for being patient while I learn how to honor you.
Worldbuilding is about creating a setting that feels lived in, layered, and emotionally resonant. Whether you’re writing a novel, or a webtoon series, the most immersive fantasy worlds are built on more than lore. They’re shaped by things like belief systems, character consequences, and the impact of its history. I’ve used these five elements to strengthen the core of the world I’m building and give the narrative a more watertight foundation.
1. Magic Doesn’t Need Rules, Just Consequences Magic doesn’t need rules to exist in your story. But if you use it to solve problems, it needs structure or cost.
for example: In The Barrier Scroll: Augmentation lets even the powerless wield magic, at a price.
2. Build Beliefs Before You Build Borders The best worlds are built on beliefs that can’t coexist. History should be biased.
for example: In The Barrier Scroll: The Federation believes magic is dangerous unless controlled. The Empire believes magic is sacred, but only the worthy should wield it.
3. Let the World Shape the Characters If your world has weight, your characters should carry it.
for example: In The Barrier Scroll: Ryn grew up with the aftermath of Halcyon Braid. Grief made him loyal, vengeance made him dangerous.
4. The past should impact the present. Build a past that still impacts your characters’ choices.
for example: In The Barrier Scroll: The Federation buried ancient knowledge to protect its control.
5. Lore hits hardest when it’s discovered, not explained. Don’t just tell your world’s truth. Let readers uncover it with your characters.
for example: In The Barrier Scroll: Instead of being told that portals exist, readers discover this fact alongside Oriole.
As always do what works best for you and your narrative. These are just tips I’ve learned along the way!
Reader Reviews
How do we make alllll this beauty and talent into an animation?! I can almost hear their voices, your story-building is amazing.
I'm preparing the physical edition of The Barrier Scroll: Vol 1 and building the community needed to make a physical print run possible in 2027. Once this meter hits 100%, the Kickstarter officially begins. To help make this a reality, jumping on the newsletter is the best way to help us get there!
