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Donna McKay

@onceuponadonna.bsky.social

390 followers 97 following 400 posts

Animator, Storyboard Artist, comic maker, Artist in general. I used to run a semi-autobiographical webcomic called Once Upon a Donna. Though I have since retired that, I'll do side comics as I feel the urge to express/explain myself in comic form.

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · Aug 28

The Vampire On Our Block- Chapter 1-Part 01
Here is part 01 in one post-1/4
#TheVampireOnOurBlock #ghosthunting #vampire #comic #webcomic #horrorcomic #adventurecomic

Panel 1: An abandoned industrial site at night. A speech bubble from inside the building asks "Is there anyone here with us?"
Panel 2: Interior of the decrepit building. A soft light emulates from a dark room.
Panel 3: Inside the room, Fred sits on the floor with his back to the wall, while Alex sits on a chair. On a table is a small EMF reader. Alex says "If you're here, please walk towards the device on the table. It will light up the closer you get to it."
Panel 4: Panel within Panel, close-up of the EMF reader with the "all clear" green light remaining the only light.
Panel 5: Fred: "SIIIIGH. Sorry Alex, but I'm gonna call it here. We've been here for hours and haven't had any signs of ghostly activity."

Panel 1: Fred turns on his flashlight as Alex says "Siiiigh, Ok. Lets pack up the gear.
Panel 2: The boys put on their backpacks and begin to leave.
Alex: "Think we got any evidence on the recording devices?"
Fred: "Nope."
Panel 3: Alex: "But you'll still help me go through the footage, right?"
Fred: "yup."
Panel 4: Alex: "You know, most ghost hunters spend the whole night at a haunted house."
Fred: "I know."
Panel 5: Alex and Fred are on the other side of the chain link fence now, far away from the abandoned building. Alex dangles from the tree they have to climb to get out of the grounds.
Fred: "But most ghost hunters don't have a math teacher who plays pranks on anyone caught sleeping in class. So no 'all nighters' until summer, at least."

Fred and Alex walk away from the abandoned building and into the city proper. The street is empty, but is lit by many street lights.
Panel 1: Alex: (looking at a text on his phone) "Daphne just texted. She's done her thing and can pick us up.
Fred: "Cool"
Panel 2: Fred: "Hey, Alex? Can we ease up on the ghost hunting missions?"
Alex: "WHAT?!"
Panel 3: Fred: "I'm just getting tired of all the nothing we find."
Panel 4: A small green car has pulled up beside the boys and they start to get in the vehicle. Fred: "I'm not saying we should quit. But maybe we could take a break for a bit."
Panel 5: View, inside the car. An woman in her early 20's is in the driver seat. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun and she has glasses.
Fred: "Thanks for the lift, Daphne."
Panel 6: Everyone is in the car and strapped in. Daphne begins to drive. Daphne: "No worries Fred! Sooo... See any Ghosts tonight?"

Panel 1: The lone car drives along an empty, but well lit street at night. From inside the car, both Fred and Alex answer Daphne's question from the previous page: "Siighh! No."
Panel 2/3: They travel along at speed, inside the car, Alex turns to ask Fred: "Oh! Fred! My mom wanted to know what day YOUR mom is leaving on her work expedition, again?"
Panel 4: Fred glances out his window: "The Monday after next."
Panel 5: Alex: "And she'll be gone for a month?"
Panel 6: Daphne: "A MONTH!? Oh Freddy, I'm sure our parents would be happy if you stayed with us!"
Panel 7: Fred: "Thanks Daphne, but I'll be fine. It's not the first time I've been left on my own, ya know!"

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 22h

I like the implication he's done this before XD

Reposted by Donna McKay

Kim Belding @picpak.bsky.social · 23h

It's a living in today's #PicpakDog: #comics #webcomics #comicstrips #comic #webcomic #comicstrip

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 23h

The Vampire On Our Block
Ch 1-03-Pg 13
The internet loves a new cryptid to analyze and breakdown!

#TheVampireOnOurBlock #comic #webcomic #vampire #horrorcomic

Panel 1: Continuing from previous page, Jarek continues to approach Fred, who in turn keeps backing away. Fred responds to Jarek’s comment: “Well I swear you showed up on our camera!”
Jarek: “Everyone will say it’s fake.”
Fred: “WE’RE COUNTING ON IT!”
Panel 2: Fred explains his plan: “The internet loves to debunk paranormal evidence! The more people want to tear it down, the further the footage will spread...”
Panel 3: Fred is right in front of his wall now, as he continues, smirking “-Until people start flocking to town to get a glimpse of you! You’ll be as big as Bigfoot!”
Panel 4: Jarek suddenly rushes forward, a blur emanating from him shows that he used vampiric speed to close the distance between himself and Fred. Fred’s eyes are shut tight and he reactivity grips Jarek’s arm from the sudden action. Jarek is furious and pinches Fred’s face in one clawed hand (thumb on one side of Fred’s cheek, fingers on other side), and turns Fred’s head to the side. Jarek angrily demands: “So what’s stopping me from killing you right here and now?”

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Amanda El-Dweek @amandaeldweek.bsky.social · 1d

It's for sure not my stellar housekeeping skills.

www.gocomics.com/amanda-the-g...

Amanda the Great by Amanda El-Dweek for October 14, 2025 | GoComics

Read Amanda the Great—a comic strip by creator Amanda El-Dweek—for today, October 14, 2025, and check out other great comics, too!

www.gocomics.com

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 1d

Hi #PortfolioDay!
I'm Donna, an animator, storyboard artist, illustrator. For the past 5yr I've been working with "Why Am I?" Productions Inc. And am seeking #work again now that the show has ended. I have an ongoing horror comic called #TheVampireOnOurBlock
ko-fi.com/donnamckayart

Cover page to Chapter 1 of The Vampire On Our Block. The title of the comic is written in a red gothic font across the top of the image, and at the bottom reads in yellow CH1: The New Neighbour by Donna McKay.
Fred and Alex are crouched below a broken, dilapidated window frame in an abandoned house. Their backs are pressed against the wall as they nervously glance back at the window. Alex is holding an old camcorder. Outside the window, it is night time in a wooded area that we can barely make out in the darkness. Stalking towards the building is a figure mostly in shadow, with eyes glowing bright red through the darkness.

Cartoon drawing of anthropomorphic, grey, mouse looking out into the horizon, standing among a bunch of ivy. He is holding a walking stick and is preparing to head out.

Background design for Asa's house. A secluded wizards hut in the Marshlands. The room is clean, and small. In the back is a set of shelves loaded with doo-dads, and softly illuminated by glowing lights, suspended from the ceiling. There is also a plant, a rocking chair, and a small stove in the back. In the middle, opposite each other is a small bed, and a table and chair. Above the bed is a narrow window where light is streaming in from. Around the window is a chalk design, meant to keep people from scrying on Asa. At the foot of the bed is a large trunk, and opposite that is the bathroom, which is a small closet looking room.

Cartoon action scene of Giant Red Snake man vs Space Rabbit Man, with a knife! In Space! Or rather, on a moon-like gray surface with a starry, wispy, night sky, with two additional, bright moons in the background.

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Jon Esparza @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social · 2d

#NightOwls and #EarlyBirds! The New #BubbleFox #Comic is up! #Halloween bubblefox.thecomicseries.com/comics/1351

Bubble Fox

TALES OF INTRIGUE: THE TERROR OF MUNCHULA, PT. 5 (BF #1117)

bubblefox.thecomicseries.com

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 2d

The Vampire On Our Block
Ch 1-03-Pg 12
Time to put the plan Fred and Alex discussed at the end of part 2 in place! Just try not to get killed first!

#TheVampireOnOurBlock #comic #webcomic #horrorcomic #vampire

Panel 1: Continuing from previous page, Interior Fred’s room. Fred quickly turns around to face Jarek, who is leaning with his back against Fred’s door, arms crossed over his chest, watching Fred. Jarek’s fangs are prominent, his ears are pointed and his eyes are glowing red.
Panel 2: Fred defiantly answers Jarek’s question from the previous page. “Only my mom calls me Ricky! And what I want- is to keep her and my friends from getting eaten by the vampire next door.”
Panel 3: Jarek starts to walk forward from the door. In the dark voice (black speech bubble and red lettering) “And you thought calling me out would accomplish that?” Fred replies from off panel “No...”
Panel 4: Fred starts to back away while keeping his eyes on Jarek and continues: “But I need you to know we got footage of you feeding off that mafia guy. And if you try anything, then we’ll plaster that footage all over the internet!”
Panel 5: Jarek pauses for a moment “Vampires don’t appear on camera.”
Note: As Jarek moves closer towards Fred, the room gives the illusion that it’s gradually growing darker.

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks, you too!

Reposted by Donna McKay

Amanda El-Dweek @amandaeldweek.bsky.social · 2d

Sunday's comic - happy anniversary!
www.gocomics.com/amanda-the-g...

Monday's comic - everyone has a super power:
www.gocomics.com/amanda-the-g...

Amanda the Great by Amanda El-Dweek for October 12, 2025 | GoComics

Read Amanda the Great—a comic strip by creator Amanda El-Dweek—for today, October 12, 2025, and check out other great comics, too!

www.gocomics.com

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 2d

hahaha I most certainly am not! I'm two years younger than dirt! XD
Plus, depression is a real b****

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 2d

Ditto

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Cassidy Wasserman @caswasshere.bsky.social · 2d

Lil' Halloween piece! #kidlitart #illustration #kidlit

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Jon Esparza @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social · 2d

It’s #InktoberDay13! It may be All Hallows Eve, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get some spiritual help this #Halloween! That’s right, we’re getting a very special visit from a… Celestial Being! Sheesh, even public domain words apparently need legally-safe distinctions! #Inktober

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Kim Belding @picpak.bsky.social · 2d

Dream big in today's #PicpakDog: #comics #webcomics #comicstrips #comic #webcomic #comicstrip

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 3d

The Vampire On Our Block
Part 3-Page 11

Ch 1-03-Pg 11
Uh-Oh...

#TheVampireOnOurBlock #comic #webcomic #horrorcomic #vampire

Panel 1: Continuing from previous page, Fred answers Eloise: “The ghostly orb Alex and I saw last night.” Both Fred and Jarek are smiling as if the incident on the previous page had not happened.
Panel 2: Eloise joins Fred on the couch, on the corner furthest from Jarek, as Fred has purposefully taken the seat closest, putting himself between Jarek and his mom. Eloise asks Fred, a little jokingly: “And you’re sure it wasn’t just swamp gas?”
Fred, a little annoyed: “We don’t have any swamps in our area, Mom.”
Panel 3: Exterior, Fred’s house. A yellow text box in the corner reads: “Shortly...” Jarek is leaving, he waves over his shoulder to Eloise who waves back and goes to close the door.
Panel 4: Interior, Fred’s room. Fred walks into his room, rubbing his face and making a noise like “FFFFFF” tired and flustered from the evening.
Panel 5: Fred looks up, and realizes his window is open.
Panel 6: From behind Fred, Jarek speaks in a dark voice (speech bubble black, lettering is red) from off panel: “So what are you hoping to gain here, Ricky?”

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Vintage Fantasy Art - NOAI @vintagefantasyart.bsky.social · 17d

« Phillip fighting Dragon Maleficent », c. 1958

by Eyvind Earle (American artist and illustrator, 1916-2000)
Concept art for "Sleeping Beauty" animated film, Walt Disney, 1959

#vintagefantasyart #fantasyart #fantasyillustration #EyvindEarle #SleepingBeauty #Dragon #Maleficent #animatedFantasy

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Jon Esparza @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social · 3d

It’s #InktoberDay12! Our next legally safe costume is also among the more affordable on #Halloween! It’s the Living Impaired Person! Sure, you could just toss a bedsheet over your kid and be done with it, but do you really wanna cut the eye holes out yourself? #Inktober

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 3d

Can anyone recommend some good job sites for animation, storyboard or illustration work? I've been applying on linkedin and artstation, but I'm not having much success and wonder if my applications are even going through. (No AI or NFT jobs please)
#animation #storyboard #illustration #work

Reposted by Donna McKay

Amanda El-Dweek @amandaeldweek.bsky.social · 4d

Friday's comic - as long as she is mad at both of us, I'm okay:

www.gocomics.com/amanda-the-g...

Saturday's comic - so fresh, so clean clean:

www.gocomics.com/amanda-the-g...

Amanda the Great by Amanda El-Dweek for October 10, 2025 | GoComics

Read Amanda the Great—a comic strip by creator Amanda El-Dweek—for today, October 10, 2025, and check out other great comics, too!

www.gocomics.com

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Jon Esparza @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social · 4d

It’s #InktoberDay11! We’ve met the Creepy Husband, and the Evil Midweek Cutie can’t be without the other half of the equation, so here she is, the sleek and sultry… Mrs. Undertaker? Charles Addams must be spinning in his grave with these knockoff #Halloween costumes! #Inktober

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Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 4d

The Vampire On Our Block
Chapter 01- The New Neighbour- Part 3
Pages 05-08

Panel 1: Continuing the song “Feed Me” from “Little Shop of Horrors” being performed on the high school theatre stage. We can see the small audience who have shown up for the mock viewing before opening night, we see an old man, presumably a teacher or principal, two unknown students, and Fred and Alex, watching the play as the characters ‘Seymour’ and ‘Audrey 2’ continue the intro to the song.
Seymour: “Twoey that’s disgusting!”
Audrey 2: “Must be fresh!!”
Seymour: “I don’t wanna hear this!”
Panel 2: The song “Feed Me” starts proper, and Fred and Alex glance nervously at each other, listening to the lyrics of the song and thinking about what they saw in the ravine last night.
Audrey 2: “Feed Me!”
Seymour: “Does it have to be human?”
Audrey 2: “Feed Me!”
Seymour: “Does it have to be mine?”
Panel 3: Narrow panel showing that the sun has fully set and it’s now dark outside.
Panel 4: Interior, Fred’s house. Fred standing in the foyer, removing his shoes, calls out “I’m HoooOOOme!” Eloise calls back from off panel “You’re LaaaAAAte!”

Panel 1: Continuing from previous page, Fred walks into the house, calling out to the direction he heard his mom talking: “Yeah, sorry. Lily, ya know the girl Alex has a crush on? She asked us to help with-”
Panel 2: Fred, passing the corner that obscured his view of the living room, see’s Jarek sitting on the chair next to the couch. Jarek is watching him, listening, his appearance is that of a normal person, no pointed teeth or ears, and his eyes are brown. Fred has stopped talking.
Panel 3: Jarek, smiling politely: “Good evening.”
Panel 4: Cut to Fred, who has a confused and worried expression. He does not respond to Jarek.
Panel 5: Eloise appears next to Fred, she was in the kitchen behind him, and is carrying a bowl of potato chips. She asks Fred: “What were you saying, Ricky?”
Fred, keeping his eyes on Jarek, responds to his mom: “Umm.. Nothing. Sorry I’m late.”
Panel 6: Eloise, smiling to Fred and walking into the living room tells Fred: “Honey, Jarek is going to help keep an eye on things while I’m away.” Fred’s eyes go comically wide, in disbelief.

Panel 1: Continuing from previous page, Fred follows his mom into the living room, where Jarek is still sitting on the chair, watching Eloise as she places a bowl of potato chips on the coffee table in the middle of the room for people to snack on. Fred frantically tells his mom: “WHAT?! MOM! I can take care of myself!”
Eloise: “I know...”
Panel 2: Eloise stands next to Jarek, who is watching Fred with a neutral expression. Eloise faces Fred (and also the reader), with a concerned look on her face she says: “It’s for my own peace of mind. I need to know there is someone nearby you can go to if there’s a problem!” She adds “He won’t stay here. But he’s agreed to help watch the house.”
Panel 3: Jarek chimes in “And it’s no trouble! Fredrick can show me what all the cool kids do for fun here!”
Panel 4: Cut to Fred, who doesn’t say anything. He is looking at Jarek with that concerned and confused expression.
Panel 5: Cut to close up of Jarek who gives Fred a significant, half smirk.
Panel 6: With that, Fred has made up his mind on how to respond. He shoulders his backpack, turns to walk up the stairs and coldly says “Tch! Whatever.” Full teenage: I’m-not-doing-this mode.

Panel 1: Continuing from previous page, Fred starts to make his way up the stairs, when Eloise darts towards him. His ‘teenage tantrum in front of guests’ has triggered her ‘strict mom mode’. Approaching him at the entrance of the stairway she says to Fred: “HEY! No attitude on this! I need you on my team here!”
Panel 2: Close on Fred and Eloise as they talk. Eloise places her hands on Fred’s arms to stop him from going upstairs, as he listens to her. Eloise: “There’s been a massive uptick in violent crimes, and things are already nuts after they announced that mafia guy’s death! I need to know there’s an adult close by if there’s an emergency!”
Panel 3: Fred angrily points off panel (though not pointing directly at him, Fred is indicating Jarek)
Fred: “What do we even know about this guy?! He just moved in! For all we know he could be a serial killer!”
Panel 4: Eloise looks seriously at Fred, placing both hands on her hips stubbornly. “Fredrick! I’m not an idiot! I’ve gotten to know Jarek really well over the past few days!”
Panel 5: Fred, shocked, mouth agape: “MOM!!”
Eloise: “We’ve just been talking, Ricky! Jeeze, it’s not as if we’re dating!”

Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 4d

👍😉

Donna McKay @onceuponadonna.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social for the likes and reposts! Every little bit helps!

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Jon Esparza @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social · 5d

It’s #InktoberDay10! We’ve already met the Evil Midweek Cutie, but now it’s time to meet her devious dad! That’s right, it’s Creepy Husband! With a pinstripe suit and fresh cut cigar, he’s ready to get some Candy #Halloween night! #Inktober

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Reposted by Donna McKay

Kim Belding @picpak.bsky.social · 5d

Take your time in today's #PicpakDog: #comics #webcomics #comicstrips #comic #webcomic #comicstrip

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