Homestuck

Overview

• Homestuck is an internet fiction series created by Andrew Hussie.
• Part of the MS Paint Adventures series.
• Ran from April 13, 2009, to April 13, 2016.
• Noted for its use of webcomic format along with flash animations, instant message logs, and browser games.

Plot Summary

• Central Plot: A group of teens cause Earth’s destruction by installing a beta version of a PC game called Sburb. They must complete the game to create a new universe.
• Trolls: Aliens who interact with the teens and have their own storyline.
• Villains: Jack Noir and Doc Scratch.
• Game Mechanism: The Scratch, a universe-resetting event.

Characters

• Main Characters: John Egbert, Rose Lalonde, Dave Strider, Jade Harley
• Trolls: Karkat Vantas, Kanaya Maryam, Terezi Pyrope, Vriska Serket
• Post-Scratch Characters: Jane Crocker, Roxy Lalonde, Dirk Strider, Jake English

Style and Development

• Combines static images, animated GIFs, instant message logs.
• Uses Adobe Flash for animations and browser games.
• Initially shaped by fan contributions.
• Series known for frequent pauses and a massive fan community.
• Released final animated chapter on April 13, 2016.

Related Projects and Sequels

• Hiveswap: Adventure game series related to Homestuck.
• Paradox Space: An anthology spin-off webcomic.
• The Homestuck Epilogues: Written in text format, abandoning the webcomic genre.
• Homestuck: Beyond Canon: Ongoing continuation with Patreon support.

Merchandise and Impact

• Merchandise includes T-shirts, hoodies, pins, books, and music albums.
• Music: Contributions from fans and notable artists like Toby Fox.
• Cult following with a significant fan community.
• Inspired the creation of other visual novels like Hiveswap Friendsim and Pesterquest.

Reception

• Compared to James Joyce’s Ulysses for its complexity and length.
• Recognized as an important work of hypertext fiction.
• Received critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and engagement methods.
• Celebrated for its impact on online fandom culture.