The Last 👁️ The Magnus Archives Fan Animatic - 2023 

Jon completing his transition from "I am scared please answer questions" to "Tell me or I will _rip it out of you"_ has always been one of my favorite moments in TMA and it's rendered here in an absolutely breathtaking way, this was an absolute treat to watch and (re)listen to!

I love when TMA fanworks depict Jon's worm scars as extra eyes when he goes full Archivist. It's so delightfully creepy!

Peter's shadow?? the way you depicted spooky Jon??? the way Jon looked at his hands, covered in eyes, and said that maybe the Lonely is safer??? Martin on a literal cliff the first time Jon sees him? this is all so smooth and beautiful and so creative and I'm gonna eat it

Oooooo, I looooove the idea of his connection to The Eye litterally fixing his poor vision. The brief look of dismay as he realizes that he's lost one more thing that made him human sets up such a smooth metaphor, as he initially keeps them out of sentimentality and habit, knowing they'd do him no good, then drops them on the beach and leaves them behind. Jon's story is a very strong reimagining of the classic vampire story. Becoming the other. Losing one's humanity bit by bit, and becoming stronger for it, but scarred and haunted by the process.

3:58 I like to think that the slow climb down was not only bc it's slippery, but also because he probably got traumatized by highs after Michael Crew

I LOVE Peter's face on "Fine!", that nearly cartoonish-bad-guy snarl. It's perfection.

I like how Peter and Martin are made of fog but it also reminds me of when Jon asked if Martin was a ghost.

WOW THE MOMENT THAT EVERYTHING BROKE THE CONTAINED WALL OF THE STORYBOARD FORMAT JUST -- WOW

I've never tried to visualize John when he compels people. Those opening eyes WOWed me. It also didn't occur to me that John compels Martin to answer what he sees. I didn't process the audio distortion as coming from John and this is so much better than my mental image. I wouldn't want to watch a live action TMA but I didn't know I wanted to watch an animated one. Thank you for this gift. ❤

Besides everything, I think my favourite thing about this whole animatic is how the characters interact with the backgrounds. I absolutely love it when the 'setting is a character', and there's a TON of character here, from the fog, to the precipice, to the stairs (my favourite part), the log, the sea... I envy your visual storytelling abilities, this is gorgeous.

I’m in tears- that was absolutely everything I imagined and more. The malevolence of Peter’s shadow, the moment I realized Martin was translucent, and when Jon reached for Martin I literally reached towards the screen. Absolute masterpiece

THIS IS SO SICK?? OH MY GOD???? LIKE PETERS SHADOW AND MARTIN FLOATING AWAY AND THE?? JON GOING FULL ARCHIVIST?? THAT SEQUENCE?? WAS INSANE???????????? THIS IS GOD TIER THANK YOU SO MUCH

This is possibly the best thing I've ever watched. Jon's powers? Martin steadily returning to lucidity? PETER TRYING TO ESCAPE TELLING JON? SHDHSJS this is incredible

The shivers I have from this. The way the Lonely was instantly fleshed out into this real, terrible, truly empty place that could be beautiful and is mournful instead. The little bits of Jon's defiance, the way Martin and Lukas both pull away in literal fog form, the clear points of Jon making choices to lose his humanity a bit more, tiny piece by tiny piece as long as it means finding what he wants to find...it's perfect!!! And I appreciate the time lapse to get him to luxurious season 5 hair

This is UNBELIEVABLE! I love how Jon realizes he doesn’t need his glasses, the shot of Jon and Martin through the glasses in the sand, Martin’s smitten little face at the end while Jon is leading them out of The Lonely… it’s all so incredible! You’re art style is amazing and your creative decisions are stellar. Thank you for making this, it was a delight to watch ❤

I'm crying. Legit crying. I've been anticipating this masterpiece for weeks and weeks and I STILL was in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, prepared. Absolutely stunning. I-- I'm speechless. Thank you so much for making me feel these things. You do our boys so much justice.

This is singlehandedly one of the most beautiful animatics I've seen out of this community. The sheer professional quality, the shot layouts, the character designs?!?! It's like having a movie version of this podcast and its everything I could ever dream of it being. Thank you so much for sharing this and all the work poured into it, it is seriously so incredible. You should be proud!!!

THIS WAS PERFECT!!! My favorite parts were when Peter was refusing to answer and they both just went Avatar it looked AMAZING! And Jon's expression as he forced Martin to look at him was SPOT ON! I never imagined Jon actually turning Martins head to look at him, but I'll never be able to think of this scene any other way now, it's perfect!

oh meg!!!! This is amaaaazing! That shot of Peter melting and John using the full power of the eye came out so beautifully! and John using the littlest bit of his power to bring Martin back from the brink was so soft and lovely!!! I've been waiting for this with eager anticipation and I'm so glad its finally here. Thank you. Someone let rusty quill know about this masterpiece, i guarantee they're going to want you to design all their merch from now on. Congratulations on a job very well and truly done. Beautiful execution. I cannot rave about this enough.

The scenery in this,,,, dude, I straight up feel like I've actually been here or something The way it all blended together, and the feeling of the space, WOW It completely felt like the characters were THERE, walking, in a full, three-dimensional setting

I love this. Beautiful. Also I’ve always loved that Jon literally compels Martin to answer his question to pull him out of the fog & focus him. Such a wonderful little touch and this video illustrates it so well

You have no idea how badly I want a full animated series now. This is stunning...

I love how Jon going Full Spooky breaks the boundaries of the video. It’s the modern equivalent of “we’re off the edge of the map now”.

I’m ruined for any other portrayal of these two. That’s it. This is canon.

If they ever make an animated series they NEED you!

Omggg this is so amazing!!! The eyes, Jon realising he doesn't need his glasses anymore, Peter's shadow, his transformation thing, Martin gradually gaining solidity at the end. Everything about this is so perfect, well done!!

THE EYEBALLS LOOK AT MARTIN BEFORE JON SEES HIM NO AHHH STOP IT PLZ

The way Martin stood at the cliff's edge, my heart. But then you hit us with the eyes, the smiting, the ripped shirt! 🎉

The way jon broke rhe actual frame of the storyboard and then it came back together as he calmed down????? That was awesome!!!

The bit where their fight bursts pasts the top/bottom bar was stupendous holy cow

*long slow whistle* Holy shit, your character design and animation skills are stunning. I would fund a Kickstarter that was just you animating all the most iconic MAG scenes like this. The eeeeeyes.

your cinematography for this whole thing is obviously stellar, but shit dude you changed the aspect ratio for jon destroying peter?? and then you changed it back so smoothly and cleverly afterwards that i didn’t even notice it happened at all?? mad props and hats off, your work is an inspiration

This scene... my god, you did it justice. The vast empty space obscured by fog, the unsteady descent down those narrow stairs, the power Jon has unwillingly gained given a full Lovecraftian display, and the warmth Jon breathes back into Martin-everything is so striking, powerful, and awe-inspiring. Thank you for making this.

god i'm in tears right now. the way jon's hair moves in the wind ever so slightly as he looks for martin. peter being a shadow as he follows jon around. that moment of contemplation as jon descends those stairs. jon looking down at his hands, his own eyes looking back at him. that moment when martin sees jon, really *sees* him, is so so so beautiful. there's legitimate recognition in his eyes, and it's the best thing i've ever seen. the way you've visualized this is absolutely stunning, your work is exceptional every single time (even though I'm seeing this a bit belatedly lmao)

Okay all of this is absolutely brilliant, gotta point specifically the way the Jon grabs Martin's head and gets him to look at him because it gives me the Most Emotions, but I gotta say the next part in full caps because it's Just That Good: SHOWING THE OTHERWORLDLY EFFECTS OF THEIR POWER BY MAKING IT BLAST THROUGH THE ASPECT RATIO BARS IS, AND I CANNOT EMPHASISE THIS ENOUGH, INSANELY COOL. AAAAAA USING THE VISUAL MEDIUM'S ADDITION TO MAXIMUM EFFECT. The eye blasting through it only for it to patch itself back together after that blast. Gosh. I'm in awe.

This is incredible! I love how John keeps growing more and more eyes, but the moment he's with Martin, the eyes recede. Also loved that bit with how John turned his face towards the cliff wall, and how when John finally got Peter and demanded answers, there was a green shadow coming from Peter's mouth, the knowledge just wanting to obey John. There is just so many awesome details, I can't list them all! XD

I love how Jons hair magically grows after taking peter lukases statement, really cool false perception of time used!

I will refuse to get over how good this is. This feels like the closest I will ever get to a full visualization of a Magnus archives scene. It’s just so good. And the detail and facial expressions are just bonkers.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!! I cannot get over how amazing the destruction of Peter was and Jon’s transformation during it

SO GORGEOUS.. I remember seeing some boards for this such a long time ago and it was so amazing seeing the finished thing! The expressions, scenery, the way you did martins translucent skin and peters shadow turning into him, everything about this was so well done I can’t wait to rewatch again and again. Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing!!

This is EXACTLY how I picture Jon!!!

WHA T THE FUCK ALL OF THIS IS SO COOL!!! The idea of Peter being a big shadow? Jon spooky?? Martin on the first encounter being at the edge of a cliff??? 😢😢😢❤ You did it an amazing job translating this into something visual, giving your own light to it

Oh wow oh wow oh wow. I don't think I've seen someone really capture the horrifying beauty of this scene in my mind quite so well. Your command and understanding of composition shone through in every shot. This is quite literally one of the best animatics I've ever had the pleasure of seeing and not only did you get the characters and the love between Jon and Martin down perfectly, you got the horror down just as well. Jon abandoning his humanity in favor of saving Martin is that much clearer here, and the visual component also makes Jon luring in Peter even more obvious. I loved the addition of green being the only color in the entire scene. Gosh, you really blew it out of the park with this one! I've been waiting on the edge of my seat for this to come out and it was worth every second. I would have gladly waited so much longer for this. I'll definitely be rewatching a BUNCH. Your hard work really paid off, and you deserve a good, long break! Go celebrate!

Jon's Disney Prince look! Martin being a total Squishmallow! The intense emotion you convey! I hope to see more from you I'd love to see you tackle the Not!Sasha

Was following this on TikTok and I am blown away by the final product! This looks so good, the emotions of the characters hit hard. You captured them really well!

8:05 Almost made me cry, this has to be the best animation I've ever seen! Nice work!

HOLY FUCK THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THIS IS INSANE. THIS???? THIS IS FUCKING ART, IT'S SO GOOD I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT. I predict I will be rewatching it A LOT in the future. Your skill is amazing. The framing of the shots, the visual metaphors, the fluidity of it all... I'm in awe. Congratulations for your incredible work ❤️

This is EXACTLY as I imagined the episode and i have listened it just several hours ago) I really love how you desighned John's appearance, and the way of his "seeing" visualisation.

the hug in the end healed my soul 🥺it looks like martin gives the coziest and fluffiest hugs and jon is very lucky to be wrapped up like this😌

This is honestly and genuinley one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever watched. Every detail was so meticulous and fantastically symbolic. Incredible job, bravo

THIS. THIS SANK THE AXE IN. THIS IS WHAT GOT ME BACK INTO TMA FULLY. IT'S SO FUCKING GOOD I GENUINELY JUST BAWLED MY EYES OUT THANKS THANKS

This was so gorgeous :) I’m in love with your designs for the characters and the way you worked with Jon and Peter’s powers? Phenomenal. How did you get started storyboarding?

MEG! This was incredible! I'm going to watch it at least 300 times. I hope you get a chance to direct this in real life because you deserve it and this is proof. And the hug was so good.

No but you literally have the best TMA animations i think I've ever seen??? I love love love how you draw the monsters- Peter lukas' fucked up cloud form, all the extra eyes, the way jon just fuckin vaporizes him???? The visuals for that scene were so goddamn good. And! I really liked the little detail of when Martin started to disappear again but Jon was able to grab his hands, it was a nice little visual detail showing how Jon has more power in this place now. Gods just everything about this is so cool. I'm gonna be rewatching this for AGES

Oh my god where do I even start?? This entire video is a masterpiece and I could watch it over and over for hours. I think the details that stood out most to me were how when Jon uses his powers the black borders disappear and then reappear as he destroys peter. All their character designs, but especially how Jon's hair grows long and the little eyes disappear and reappear in tune with his emotions. How both him and Martin tear up right at the very end. How both Martin and Peter become more solid but it tears Peter apart while Martin seems to come back to life. I'm going to fawn over this forever. It's a highlight of all the fanworks created for TMA.

This is SO good!!! I loved all the details but here are my faves: Martin being revealed to be transparent when Jon moves behind him, Peter's shadow on the cliff wall creeping up behind Jon, the way that Peter is above Jon on the stairs when he's winning but then below Jon when the power shifts and how Peter starts backing up down the stairs was a really effective way to show that. Jon taking off his glasses and leaving them after the other eyes appear. The way that all Jon's extra eyes flick towards Martin and then Jon looks that way was so cool!! The way that Jon's extra eyes appear and disappear as he's using his powers. Just awesome all around.

This is so incredible!!! I love Jon's transformation and the flashes of green in all the greys. And the glasses!! And Martin becoming solid!! It so so good oh my gosh

THE SHAPE LANGUAGE, THE DESIGNS, EVERYTHING , IT'S ALL PERFECT

This is genuinely haunting and fantastic, I adore it so much. I love how beautifully everything is portrayed, I love the character designs, I love the scenery, I love the way his hair gets longer when he uses his power... thank you for making this omg

This is FANTASTIC. I want an animated series so bad 😭

I'm not someone who can visualize well so I really appreciate folks who make animatics and other visuals for stuff. I just listened to this episode last week and this is such a cool take on it!!! I really loved Peter's shadow, the way Martin became solid, all Jon's eyes. You're very talented, so thank you for sharing this with us!

You’re a genius A fuckin visionary, truly I could watch your animations of this entire series forever

YOU MADE ME CRY you really captured the FEELING of the scene, and this has become one of my favorites

This is beyond amazing, I can’t stop watching it!! The storytelling is incredible, and the art is magnificent! this video surprised me in so many ways, like when John broke the border when he was killing Peter, THAT WAS INSANE!! I absolutely adore this! You really brought the characters from the podcast to life, well done! 👏

aahhh that moment when they hug and martin just grabs jon's hair in a big fist,, and how his hair just Grows Out N TH REITERATION OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE AN INSANELY TALENTED ARTIST AND WOW YOU DESERVE IT AL

Everything about this animatic is evocative and amazing, but I want to give special kudos to the way John "destroys" the widescreen borders at the top and bottom of the screen when he annihilates Peter (and the subsequent way they rebuild themselves). What a creative way of adapting the podcast's habit of messing with the medium!

Hi this is absolutely gorgeous???? So wonderfully cinematic, I love the shot choice, I love the moody value selection, I love the character designs and all the thought that went into the presentation of their powers here, I’m blown away by how alive it feels being so thoroughly keyframed ??? The scene really comes to life here, amazing job!!!

this is so beautiful omg the way you depicted everything from the fog peter grew into to all of jon's eyes this was truly like experiencing these scenes like they were a dream thank you!!

I am in total awe from all of your works. That are one of the best animatics I probably saw on RU-vid. Like, the level of quality not just "good, great, perfect," but the "I have to make time and study these animatics to learn from them" kinda way. I think I found a new star to strive for and a great inspiration along because watching your works, I can feel the motivation slapping me across the face. Good slap, thank you very much.

Welp. I am screaming. I hope you are happy. (This is Ruthanne - personal account.)

This is incredible! I adored the details you included. Jon looking sadly at the eyes on his palms and then willing them away was beautiful, and ghostly Peter was so awesome!! And the detail with the glasses! And the landscape you did for the Lonely!!!!!!

I GENUINELY CANT PUT IN WORDS HOW FUCKING GOOD THIS IS. AS A TMA FAN AND AN ASPIRING STORYBOARD ARTIST THIS IS SO MOTIVATING

screaming, sobbing, clawing at the walls. This is amazing. Thank you so much for this, the nuance and detail of Jon's expressions and body language are just to die for. Also Peter and Martin's but JON, man. And using Peter as a shadow falling over Jon, that was CHOICE.

oh my word! oh my word! this is insanely good! I do not have the words to express how overjoyed I am at watching this! just everything about this was so well planned and executed, I know this is part of what you do for a living and it shows!!! oh my god. ahh, and the subtle build up of intensity with Jon using his eye powers is so incredible to watch! i am so happy the build up was so slow cause it made such a frightening and cool impact at the end aaaaaa! ok that's it! thank you for taking such time and care to make this

I never thought the idea of John's body with eyes would creep me out, but your illustration did justice to it pretty well!!! A very good job!!! And I am pretty sure everything about this animatic, the impact, the emotions, and the spooky illustrations have properly been tattooed in my head !!!

Man this is just PHENOMENAL. I've been watching the project from the sidelines as a gentle lurker on tumblr but jesus christ the finished result is just....man. Wow. The expression, the movement, the fluidity of the designs. The life you've breathed into this piece? Incredible. Beyond words incredible. Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

I'm just getting into TMA and this is so cool idc about the spoilers this is AWESOME

It's 5am and I was so excited for this that I had to watch without sound but HOLY HECK this is a masterpiece!! I am buzzing and cannot wait to rewatch it properly.

This is just so amazing, all the details, all the expressions, the way you draw the Archivist, the way you draw Martin, oh my god! Also your depictions of the "action" scenes are just *chef's kiss*. And then the little stuff, like Jonathan not needing his glasses anymore but closing the Eye's eyes (?) when looking at Martin... Such a brilliant animatic!

Damn, I love episode 159. It was a perfect finale to a perfect series, and I love how everything worked out. Season 5? I hardly know her.

BEAUTIFUL!!! CINEMATIC!!! EMOTIONAL!!!! Your shot choices and story flow are AMAZING!!! I got chills watching this😩😩also I LOVE Peter’s shadow, the way you visualized everything is super inspired. Great work!!

Peter's death, Martin's transparency, and the eyes OH God the EYES just wonderful

I AM SO NORMAL ABOUT THIS ANIMATIC :) But like no for real I LOVE THE DETAILS!! The way you portrayed the fog rolling in in the beginning literally gave me chills, like i could feel the cold moisture creeping in, Jon rolling up his sleeve, omg HIS FOOTSTEPS IN SYNC WITH THE AUDIO?? Jon's shadow getting bigger as he corner's Peter before shrinking back into himself with exhaustion, OMG the whole scene where he confronts him, how Jon STEPS OUT OF THE BORDERS OF THE FRAME! And how the fog begins to obscure it before the Eye completely burns it all away! The way Jon reflects back in Peter's eye before he frickin disintegrates!! AND THEN THE BORDERS HEAL CLOSED AGAIN AAAGH. Jon walking away from his glasses though made me sad :( Like he was leaving yet another piece of his human self behind. OH MAN I DIDNT EVEN NOTICE TILL NOW HIS SCARS OPENED INTO EYES!! :O I also love how you illustrate tears ;u; the gentle shimmers/warping of their irises, HOW THE LIL EYES GET ALL DEWEY WHEN JON CRIES AW!! :( JON'S HAIR FLOOFING WHEN MARTIN HUGS HISM BACK, HIS DANG SMILE WHILE LOOKING AT JON IM NJIBYUTVYRTC Anyway yeah I'm so normal about this :3 I'm totally not gonna be replaying this in my head constantly *no sir* :D

THIS IS SO FREAKING BEAUTIFUL EVERY LITTLE DETAIL IS JUST SO WONDERFUL

Hello I’m foaming at the mouth over how good this is, the glasses coming off? The Eye vs The Lonely? Jon noticing the eyes on his hands? How you fit the smallest sounds into actual body language cues? Good lord, this is one of my favorite tma videos hands down

This is exactly how I pictured the Lonely! This is absolutely amazing.

This is almost exactly how I imagined this episode in my mind, but better. Your designs, character body language, little details throughout, they are all perfect. Amazing job!

this specific episode will always give me chills wth, the visuals are PERFECT exacly as i imagined it

AAAAAAA!!! THIS WAS AWESOME!!!!! i’ve been following this animatic’s progress on tumblr for a while and it’s been so exciting to see it come together. it was equally exciting to see the final product!! i loved this!

God this fandom eats so good

Oh my god!!! Love love love this!! It's so amazing! You captured the characters and the Lonely so wonderfully! I love Jon's extra eyes and the way Peter and Martin are just foggy shadows. The showdown was just perfect! Thank you so much for taking all the time to put this together!

Omg this is so good?? I have no other words, I want to eat this frame by frame

THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!! ITS JUST, SO HIGH QUALITY! The expressions!!! The designs!! The way peter lurks as a shadow, how you convey the eye powers, AHHH!! ITS JUST INCREDIBLE!!! Tysm for making this exist youre amazing

BRO I SWEAR, THIS IS SO GOOD! I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS WORK OF ART! I LITERALLY FELT LIKE I WAS IN THERE! No but fr, if they’re ever making tma an animated series YOU ARE THE FIRST THEY ARE CALLING!

This is better than anything I could’ve hoped for as far as the entities and their acolytes. Peter with the ever presence and simultaneous sadness of the lonely, Jon with the gradual and escalating use of the ceaseless watchers gifts, and martin caught between the two. Now I can’t help but think of the star treatment you’d give to the enormous wall of meat that is Jared Hopworth

the way you used the black bars was extremely creative and well done!!! I had to replay the sequence of jon using his powers multiple times!! making the bars go away and him outright breaking through them was genius!!!

It would be absolutely mega cool to see the end of episode 200 animated if you ever decide to do that especially since protocol is about to start I really think it would pop off

this is STUNNING. there are so many animations of these scenes out there and this is my favorite of them all. its just so well done and i keep coming back to it for all the little details i missed the first several times around. i especially love that you drew lukas as the eldritch horror he is, it was a new take on that scene i hadnt considered and i really like it!!

ooooohhhhhhhhh! I don't listen to podcasts because I just can't hold attention, but this was SO GOOD.

I am. So in awe :o I absolutely *adore* your interpretation of the Lonely landscape and Jon's travel through it, it tickled my brain in just the right spots. The ethereal Peter and Lonely Martin were absolutely amazing, and the scene of Jon *smiting* Peter was... damn, I can just say that I'm unable to stop replaying it. Thank you so, so much for this animation, finding it made my day ❤