Rachel Smythe is not only a comic author for me but also an enchantress who weaves myths. She became 1 New York Times Bestselling Author. I gobbled her webcomic, Lore Olympus, and got fully caught by its hook of gossiping about gods and forbidden love. Smythe breathes new life into ancient dusty myths that have been turned to steam with the help of modern dramatic elements: abduction seems like office affairs. The lines are her story told through the clean touch of styles and expressive faces, as seen in Hera’s power suits that belie deities.
But it’s not all glitter. When Smythe deals with intricate issues, she does so subtly and looks for the trauma and power dynamics lurking underneath all that shininess. She has transformed mythology for me, made me fall in love with a muse (yes, I know that’s a pervert!), and the internet can make comic books as effective as any novel. But only one episode, and you will be crying for more. Believe the enamored fangirl as Smythe’s magic is highly addictive.
Rachel Smythe Biography:
Personal life:
An online art and comics author, Rachel Smythe, was born on 18 November 1986. She is a freelance designer/illustrator who is thirty-seven years old. Adored for her sensitivity and emphasis on high-quality material, she prefers to stay away from online comments, gaining satisfaction in serving the content of others. Inspirited by her life as a person with dyslexia, ADHD, and anxiety, Rachel has derived passion in the “Lore Olympus,” meaning that all she wanted was to re-envision ancient myths for modern people. You can also read Donna Tartt Biography.
Rachel actively interacts at comic conventions and supports causes such as Black Lives Matter, but in the end, she trusts her vision since self-reliance is important for creators. In addition to being a passionate artist, Rachel likes trivial things such as skin care products, cartoons, and coffee, which tells us that despite creative endeavors, balance is important, too. So, to any aspiring comic creator, Rachel offers wise advice: “Just do it.”
Net worth:
As reported by the BBC, in 2020, the top creator on Webtoon earned more than twelve million dollars, and the average pay of the creators was approximately $270,000.
Awards and Honors:
The awards won, and the nominations are mentioned below:
| Year | Category | Institution | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Best Webcomic | Einser Awards | Won |
| 2022 | Best Webcomic | Einser Awards | Won |
| 2022 | Best graphic story or Comic | Hugo Awards | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best graphic Novel or Comic | Goodreads Choice Awards | Won |
| 2021 | Digital Book of the Year | Harvey Awards | Won |
| 2020 | Best Webcomic | Ringo Awards | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Webcomic | Einser Awards | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Colorist | Ringo Awards | Nominated |
Writing Style:
In the webcomic “Lore Olympus,” Rachel Smythe has developed her unique way of expressing herself, which has made this story interesting by using such genres as drama, love, and fiction. Here are some features of her writing style:
- Modern Language: The story is expressed in a language easily understood by all modern readers. The selection of this language style narrows the distance that exists between the ancient source material and a modern audience.
- Character Development: He takes a lot of time to create sophisticated and versatile characters. Unlike the characters in “Lore Olympus,” those in “Ulysses” remain flat as they do not have any motivating factor or change at all in their character.
- Humor and Wit: The writing is humorous at times and provides relief in the midst of dramatic or emotional scenes. The harmony of these tones is also an appealing factor in regards to this webcomic.
- Emotional Depth: However, with Smythe, one should definitely not expect him to stay under the surface of more profound feelings or subject matters. They go through trials, get attracted or dumped, and learn, resulting in an engaging novel for the audience.
- World-Building: With this webcomic, Smythe displays his ability to create a world for the gods and goddesses and blend them with present-day realities. It is smooth and innovative to bring mythology to modern settings.
- Narrative Pacing: This narrative pacing is good as it keeps the readers on their toes, anxiously waiting for the next event in the story. Therefore, Smythe has a special skill in developing a plot that develops naturally while having the right balance of exposition and action.
Early Work:
The Genesis of The Doctor Pepper Show (2004-2006):
In 2004, Rachel began her solo webcomic career with the NSFW narrative of The Doctor Pepper Show, set in a dark neo-Victorian world. This odd world consisted of evil doctors, frilly underpants, and a special focus on good manners. In 2006, unfortunately, the series was cut short because Rachel went to college. With hints of redrawing, finding the original and new versions through conventional means proved difficult.
The Quest for The Doctor Pepper Show Archives:
The quest for the mythical authentic V. But the Wayback Machine and a few sparse, still-active websites such as Rachel’s Big Cartel shop were portals through which one could rediscover this early webcomic treasure. The lack of available content brought some mystery to the discontinued series.
The Emergence of The Doctor Foxglove Show (2016):
Rachel launched the neo-Victorian-themed The Doctor Foxglove Show on Webtoons in 2016, introducing a different protagonist and storyline. Considered a metaphorical thriller, the story revolves around a female trying to find her way between life and death. This signaled Rachel a creative rebound in the webcomic world.
A Brief Stint on Webtoons and Ceased Production:
On Webtoons, the show Doctor Foxglove had a short but powerful presence; its introductory chapter and first two chapters were released from January 5th to June 12th of the same year. Nevertheless, the production of this series suddenly stopped around when Rachel started working on Lore Olympus on Tumblr. Likewise, this opposition between the artistic pursuits marked a turning point in Rachel Smythe’s webcomic career.
Remnants on DeviantArt and Art Station:
They may have been taken out of the Webtoons’ Canvas section, but fragments from The Doctor Foxglove Show can be spotted on Rachel Smythe’s DeviantArt and Art Station profiles. Sample pages and concept art show the artistic core of the series, as well as its narrative character that, despite its disadvantages, is strong. These remains function as artifacts of creativity in the dynamic environment that forms part of webcomics.
Transient Nature of Webcomics:
The cancelation of the show from a public place denotes that webcomics in the digital areas are a movement. The beauty of webcomics lies in that they enchant, unveil, and sometimes disappear, leaving an audience to find snippets of creativity. This dynamic quality introduces a factor of mystery and impermanence to the realm of Internet storytelling.
Creating Lore Olympus:
In May 2017, Rachel Smythe began as just a side hobby project: Lore Olympus. It premiered in March of 2018 when she did it for a living. Her work involves up to 70 hours a week, Monday through Saturday. For this comic, there are 1-2 years of work ahead, and it will consist of three seasons. Rachel started working on art by herself, but now, part of the work is carried out with other people involved to help her achieve good results and also get support. Choosing the most difficult scene for her was chapter 24, where she described a sexual assault that this author decided to put there in order to inform and help people. Lore Olympus breaks down “monster boyfriend” genres and archetypes by flipping them around, creating an identifiable protagonist for young women. Rachel draws special attention to the representation of “softer souls” of people who are empowered by minor achievements such as mastering a stand or refusing somebody or something.
Artistry Background:
Artistic Journey and Academic Background (2004-2007):
Rachel Smith’s introduction into the world of art started in 2004 with the regular posting of her works online. She obtained her first degree, which is a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Graphics and Design from Whanganui School of Design in the year 2005-2007.
Challenges and Triumphs with “Lore Olympus” (2017-2019):
Smythe experienced changes in interest up to 2017 and then a record success with “Lore Olympus” in 2018 that later became a number one project of hers for more than 4.8 million readers around the world. This huge fan base was constructed on webtoons.
Gratitude for Webtoons Collaboration and Impact (2019):
In 2019, Smythe expressed deep gratitude for her collaboration with Webtoons, describing it as one of the best years of her life. She acknowledged the platform’s support and its role in the success of “Lore Olympus.”
Artistic Techniques and Continuous Style Evolution (2004-Present):
In “Lore Olympus,” Smythe employs the purposeful application of color and lighting as part of her artistic approach. Throughout her career, she continuously searches for a personal style which is a continuous process.
Comics as Directorial Expression (Rachel’s Perspective):
Smythe reveals how she wanted to be a director before venturing into comics and what motivated her to start it. According to her, she likens directing to comic book creation since she retains all of the powers – how each frame flows and all the little visual details.
Books By Rachel Smythe:
Rachel Smythe has written five volumes of “Lore Olympus,” these volumes contain collections of the webcomic’s episodes or chapter.
- Lore Olympus: Volume One (2021)
- Lore Olympus: Volume Two (2022)
- Lore Olympus: Volume three (2022)
- Lore Olympus: Volume Four (2023)
- Lore Olympus: Volume Five (2023)
- Lore Olympus: Volume Six (2024)
Conclusion:
I jumped into the world of Rachel Smythe and Lore Olympus, amazed at how she turned myths upside-down with her playful deconstruction and relatable characters. For a change, it was delightful to see an ideal protagonist who is soothing and strong for her own good, with Persephone finding herself through minor victories. Her love for what she did influenced not only the breathtaking drawings but also the meaningful issues that she brought up.
It left me wide-eyed seeing her commitment from the hectic 60-hour workweeks down to how she poured her soul and innermost being into delicate chapters such as that on sexual assault. Lore Olympus was not just a comic but also an opening for discussion, for making sense and fostering compassion. And through all these, the voice of Smythe shone despite this as integrity, enlightenment, and humanity. Parting from her world was like shutting a good book, one that occupied my mind even after the last chapter had been read, summoning me to ponder what long-lasting stories love usually is and if we do find our unique voices. This was an experience that I shall always remember.