Straight Man in Debt Turns to Gay Porn
Sections:
About
Tags
Warnings
Synopsis
Review
Results
About:
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Platform(s)/Publisher(s)
Media Type(s) Available:
Length:
Color(s) of Comic:
Work Type:
Tags:
Tropes
Genres
Relationships
Jobs/Professions
Settings
Unique Character Types
Specific Acts
Explicitness
Warning:
There will be spoilers for the manhwa series Walk on Water.
Content Warning: There may be references to sex work (including porn filming and mentions of prostitution), mentions of drug addiction, mentions of drug use, prejudice (including against porn actors and homeless persons), homomisia (including use of f-slur), child abandonment, child neglect, dementia, death, gang activity, extortion, excessive drinking, mentions of religion, commentary on weight loss, racism (including use of c-slur), car accidents, chronic injury, mentions of sex addiction, manipulation, dubcon, noncon, invasion of privacy, self-hatred, violence, being outed, depression, suicidal ideation, cheating (not between the main couple), breakups, and being orphaned, as they do appear in the manhwa.
Synopsis:
Ed Talbot is a bodyguard, but that barely pays the bills. He’d be doing a whole lot better if he didn’t have this immense debt towering over him. Unfortunately, in his youth, he incurred a huge medical bill, which was covered by the man he once considered a brother. His grandfather took out the debt and paid on it until he died, but it barely made a dent. Now, Ed lives under the thumb of the owner of this debt – his former friend, a loan shark and acting head of the Chinese mafia.
The accruing interest never stops climbing, no matter how much he pays, and Ed is getting desperate. While hanging out at a bar with his coworkers, he happens to hear about a man making money doing gay porn. It’s nothing too crazy, just some self-pleasuring for the camera. It’s still nerve-wracking, sure, but anything to ease the strain is worth it. But once Ed tries it and gets the money, it gets easier and easier to do more and more. It certainly helps that the director and prolific porn star Glenn McQueen is so good at being Ed’s costar.
Unfortunately, as things get lighter, the darkness begins to creep in, and Ed is set to lose everything.
Review:
JAXX‘s work is so good. I’ve read another title of theirs, a newer title, that is impeccable, so I know just how amazing their work can be. With that said, while this is still very beautiful at times, if you’ve read a newer title, you might find this a bit disappointing. Especially early in the series, the style is exceedingly sketchy and inconsistent. I wouldn’t call it ugly, but it’s not as breathtaking as other work by this artist. It does exponentially better as it goes, which is awesome, but you do have to work for it. Otherwise, the smut is amazing, and I love the very masculine designs of all the characters. This artist is not one to miss.
Now, on to the story. This is an adaptation of a novel by none other than Jang Mokdan. I read this manhwa years ago, and I didn’t even register that it was by the same person who wrote Sexy Santa Charisma. Since Walk on Water is based on a novel, it is much wordier than most manhwa, and not in a bad way. On the contrary, I’d argue this has some of the most powerful writing I’ve seen in a manhwa. That is why it is even more astounding that the original writer for this is the same person who wrote Sexy Santa Charisma. Sure, Sexy Santa Charisma was one of the best translated and adapted novels from that particular licensor, but comparing the writing quality between this manhwa and that novel shows just how much a good translator and editor can make a difference.
But enough about the quality of the writing and the art. Let’s get into the good stuff, particularly the sex. With this being centered around porn and the porn industry, there is plenty of smut to be found. Unfortunately, some of the scenes we miss out on are the ones with Ed being the top. It is so rare to see a vers character, so not seeing it was super disappointing. Sure, he’s not completely vers, as he exclusively bottoms for McQueen, but seeing it even briefly would be such a treat. Regardless, what smut we do see is everything. Almost all of it is within the context of porn, so if that’s not your thing, then stay away, but otherwise, it’s awesome.
What really carries this, though, is the story itself. It treads very lightly on the dark side of the porn industry, acknowledging that there are parts that are exploitative and horrific. However, it also explores the safer and fun side of it, which I appreciate. I feel like any form of sex work is considered bad and dangerous by default, but that is not the case. It doesn’t shy away from either side, which I think is a fair view, and creates an intense, contrasting perspective on this world that most people probably don’t consider. In fact, it is actually the general public’s view of the porn industry that ends up hurting McQueen’s and Ed’s relationship and lives. Until then, though, Ed was fully accepting of McQueen’s life within porn, and I love that. Sex workers deserve love, too.
Results:
This is a powerful read. It is equally as strong narratively as it is smutty, so there is a lot to love in this one. It is easily one of my favorites. It is certainly not for everyone and gets very, very dark. But if you can handle the darkness and love a good sex worker loving a sex worker story, look no further. It’s a great example of JAXX‘s early work, and I highly recommend it.
Have you read Walk on Water? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!
