Yaoi Art: “Brother’s Keeper” Lettered Preview Pages
So, as you know, we’ve been hard at work on the next chapter of Tough, Chapter 3: “Brother’s Keeper”! What’s it about? It’s the next morning and in this chapter, we meet Mike’s bad-girl sister, Maria, who is very curious about what her sweet little brother Mike was doing out of the house until 1 AM. 15-year-old Mike, of course, isn’t exactly ready to talk about his little make-out session with a twenty-something guy but then Maria isn’t the type of woman to take “no” for an answer. Will Mike be able to keep his secrets from this force of nature? Maybe, maybe not — but believe me, he sure is adorable trying!
Right now, we’re creating the pencils for this chapter and I’m excited to say I’m working with a very talented, new penciler Randall Whiteis whose work I think you’re really going to like. So much so, that I wanted to share with you a few preview pages to whet your appetite. Please take a look at the first nine penciled pages below (to which I’ve added my first pass of word balloons) and let me know what you think in the comments! 
Pencils by Randall Whites. © 2010 Alex Woolfson.
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- Page 1
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- Page 2
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- Page 3
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- Page 4
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- Page 5
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- Page 6
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- Page 7
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- Page 8
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- Page 9
Hey! Wondering what happens next? No problem — we’ll giving away this comic for free! Want to make sure you get the free download link to this comic when it’s finished? Well, it’s easy! Just fill out the form on the Free Comics page and the link will be sent right to you when it’s done! (And in the meantime, you get the first two completed chapters of Tough sent to you right now! That’s 70 full-color pages of yaoi goodness. Score!)
Enjoy reading articles like these? Don’t miss out! Get Yaoi 911â„¢ blog posts emailed right to you — for free!
About the Author: Filmmaker by day, yaoi creator by night, Alex has dedicated himself to helping cute guys fight evil and find love.
NaNa_42
Alex Woolfson
hisoka01
Chris Dangerfield
Glad we were able to figure it out!
baycostumer
cant wait
omg i cant wait I've been keeping up and i also receive the free book ur the best.
@yaoi_yuri_lover & @<fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="1409964520">Ralph Freekasoid Meléndez</fb:name> –
Very glad to hear it! Hope to get it to you soon!
Love it, Tough makes me happy every time I read it, so I'm definitely excited for more
had fun reading chapter 3 even though there's not much YAOI love… his sister's so mean! hahahha!!! glad i dont have a sister like that. =) cant wait to see it in full color… =) wonderful job! ♥♥♥
@Dgbb –
It makes you happy every time you read it? Really? A major reason I write is to enrich other people's lives and for a romance like Tough what that means (in my mind anyway) is that if a reader has had a bad day or something, they could pick up this story and find a little escape, that reading our comics could just make their day a little bit better. So that's just a wonderful thing to hear. Thank you for taking the time to share it.
@<fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="100000098988698">Trecia Mae Vicher</fb:name> –
Glad you had fun reading the preview pages for Chapter 3. Yep, Maria is hardcore — but she still has Mike's best interests at heart. (Mostly ) She'd still be a good big sister to have, I think. Mostly… hehe
And yep, not much yaoi in Chapter 3, but the next chapter, the 18+ "What Are Friends For?" makes up for it, I promise! Not every Tough chapter is going to be about the boys kissing, but when the book is complete, I think you'll feel satisfied. Mike has a lot to learn about love…
Thank you very much for the compliments. And yes — I can't wait to see it in color either!
@chinizter17 –
Hehe. Golly, if you guys are thinking Maria is mean in these first 9 pages, I can't wait to hear what you think about what she does next!
Thank you so much for your kind words. They've put a big smile on my face this morning.
OMG! his sister is sooo MEAN! i had fun reading it. and i’m soo EXCITED and THRILLED for more! you’re GREAT! GREAT WORK! GOOD LUCK. can’t wait to see it in color too.
DD
I am excited, I am. 8]
@<fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="100000038169843">Ashanti Anderson</fb:name> –
Yay! Thank you for letting me know. I'm excited to share it with you!
@Alex Woolfson
nice pencils alex! i see you really know a lot of us filipinos (even words that are exclusively filipino)
thanks
btw, i just noticed something… mike, in pencils, somehow, looks like you…
Hey Jake!
Thank you! It makes me very happy to hear that it’s feeling real to you. (Please let me know if it doesn’t — nobody’s perfect! Mike’s family is unique and so they might not always seem traditional Filipino, but I definitely want it to keep feeling real. But also, please keep letting me know when I get it right! That’s great to hear too!
)
And yes, my Filipino friends are awesome.
Oh… and in terms of what you noticed… haha, I’ve noticed that too! Totally not deliberate! But I work hard with my artists to get Mike’s look right. Perhaps they think appealing to my narcissism will help? (Who knows, because I approved these pencils, maybe I really AM a narcissist!)
But probably the truth is, even though Mike and I are in very different places in our lives, he’s the hero and the character I identify with the most. I wouldn’t be surprised if that doesn’t affect my editorial notes and guidance for his art…
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jake! Always great to hear from you.
Alex
Oh, BTW, I moved your comment to this post because it seemed like these were the pencils you were referring to. If I got that wrong, though, just let me know and I’ll move it back to the “No Kissing” post.
you surprisingly got things right… a weird ate(sister), bossy and all… hahaha (just like my sis, REALLY)
i would sure inform you more how to get things “filipino”, at least i had helped. lol
about Mike somehow looking like you, i would like it that way… a story is even better if u know the characters right? (or at least seeing you in them, lol)
again, nice work for you and your team!
see ya,
jake
PS: sorry for the oh-so-late reply, i’ve been busy lately… and… i posted it somewhere else? sorry ’bout that… i really thought i posted it here…
Maria is like your Sis? Oh, that’s so funny!
Maybe you’ll have to show her the comic when it’s finished! lol
Thank you again for the props and taking the time to comment. I hope you’re having a great weekend, Jake!
Alex
I want the Full version NAO!!!!! TT_______________________TT
Me, too!
We’re hard at work on it! It probably won’t be done until late Spring, though. 
But I will be sending out some new goodies to my subscribers very…. very… soon! 
i wait for chapture 3 it is good so far
Cool. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Thanks for commenting!
“Tough” is so amazing; you all do such a wonderful job together!
This comic definitely deserves much more recognition.
Anyways, keep it up! I am eagerly awaiting more :]
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the props!
(And in terms of Tough getting more recognition, please tell your friends about us—we’re trying hard to get the word out.)
i just read the description again…how old is Rob again in the story? thought he was around 18?
Well, at this point in the story, we don’t know Rob’s exact age. But if you read my author notes at the end of No Kissing, I discuss that very question. It has a number of repercussions. If you have a moment, read that section over and let me know what you think…
I really enjoyed those first two chapters. The scene with the two of them playing videogames before engaging in…other things….was pretty relatable. The art does a great job at conveying facial expressions also.
One thing though…I don’t know if it’s just me, but I would never hang out with my sister while I was still in my underwear. :/ Not that I mind the view. Overall, though, the new stuff looks good!
Hey thank you! Glad to hear you’re enjoying Tough and finding it easy to relate to.
As for Mike hanging out with his sister in his underwear, I wouldn’t either, actually, but, well, they have a particularly intimate relationship and this is one sign of that. And in Mike’s defense, when Maria commanded him to follow, he was caught off-guard and wasn’t expecting to be having a long discussion in his skivvies. Maria still sees him as a little kid so she doesn’t think it’s any big deal to see him in partial undress. And if she knew it made him a little uncomfortable, that probably wouldn’t stop her either.
Thanks again for commenting. Please keep letting me know what you think of our work!
Alex.I love to see the full version~~~~~~I love your works!All of them!The “No Kissing” chapter is my favorite one now~Hope to see your next chapter~~~~~~~~~
Oh, I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed “No Kissing” and the artwork for “Brother’s Keeper” is coming along nicely. I just got some great new pencil art from Randall today. These pages still need to be colored, so it’s going to be a couple more months, but I can’t wait to share it with you!
Oh, I can’t wait to read the new chapter! I really liked ‘No Kissing’. Mike is so innocently cute and Rob is just cool…and bold. Like how he slowly seduced Mike. Although they didn’t really do that much, it was so sexy!
In most Yaoi they get to the point too fast, I think. Plus it’s always so one-sided (I mean, it’s always just one guy who does all the kissing and licking and stuff and the other one just lies there…)
But not here, xou did a great job!
And I can just imagine what chapter 4 is going to be like! *excited*
I’m really glad you liked it! And that you liked two things that I wanted to do a little differently: 1) have the romantic/erotic stuff happen at a more realistic pace and 2) not have it just be one-sided. For me, it’s a lot more fun if both the guys are into it and participate, y’know? And, frankly, a bit more realistic too, based on my own experience…
Thank you very much for the props—and for taking the time to let me know what you thought. It’s much appreciated!
Just viewing these preview pages already makes me seriously anticipating for the next release!
I do a bit of art my self actually, but compared to you and your team’s art (and comics), I adore yours so much •w•
Thank you very much, Ellis!
…You’re a tease, you know that, right?
Mwa ha ha…
My god/God! Now I imagine my ‘ate’ (one of my older female cousins; I’m the eldest) calling me ‘totoy!’ Maria is indeed a Filipina, so sweet and caring.
I can’t get enough of you guys! This is so damn beautiful. I admire you Alex and your artists, you’re so talented!
I’m still exploring the basics of Yaoi, thinking to have this ‘literature’ for my undergraduate thesis. Do you have any portals explaining what a Yaoi is and its conventions, etc.
Thank you so much. Take good care!
Howdy John!
Hehe. Maybe you’ll have to show this comic to your ate when it’s finished. And yes, Maria is sweet… most of the time.
I’m really glad you’re enjoying our work. I hope you keep liking what we create and keep letting me know what you think!
And as for yaoi articles, try starting with these ones:
http://www.greencine.com/article?action=view&articleID=96&pageID=186
http://www.yaoicon.com/what-is-yaoi/
http://ggymeta.wordpress.com/2006/07/29/the-first-bl-doujinshi/
http://manga.about.com/od/mangaeditorsinterviews/a/NYAF10-Yaoi-And-Yuri-Manga-For-GBLT-Readers.htm
There’s a lot that’s been written on yaoi, but those are a good place to start.
Why, thank you so much! Your help is well appreciated. I am ‘wishing’ that the rest of the story will be released soon. I don’t want to speculate, my mind gets naughty! ^_^ Thank you again Alex and the team.
Please please please let the next chapter come out soon! I fell in love with this after “no kissing” and now I desperately can’t wait for more! I’ll just reread the second chapter a thousand more times (it’s so hot) until the third chapter finally comes
I’m really glad you’re liking Tough! And we’re making progress with the third chapter—just finished preparing the pages for coloring last week—but we’re probably looking at this point for a release this Fall. I’d love to say it would be sooner, but I just know that good art takes time, so sometime in Fall seems realistic.
But it’s definitely great to hear from readers like yourself that you’re still interested in having the story continue! That’s great for morale!
What a lively and terribly nosy sister! Ahhhhhh! Mike! ! ! ! ! ! I wonder what feelings he’s wrestling with in his head! The thought of what his family might think? Uncertain of his feelings? Maybe something went a miss after the ‘Canadian Kissing Massage’ session on the couch? Do i sense a flash back? Ahhhhhhhh! How previews tease my imagination into oblivion! Spiraling downwardsssss! It also makes me even more excited to find out what happens!
Will Rob chase after him? Will they meet unexpectedly elsewhere? Will his ‘friends’ with the bats meet up with him again and harass him? and for the future…will his sister accept him and his…POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP(crosses everything). It seems like she is the type that will! But i wonder if his mother would? and what about Robs family? and i know this questions can’t be answered until the next chapter but I’m overwhelmed! And is there any religious barriers Mike might have to overcome, family wise? eeeep!
Lastly, these pages I will devour with twice as much gumption and gusto when they are lovingly emailed to me in COLOUR! ! ! ! Especially page seven! I like the detail in Mike’s facial expression! With colour I’m sure we’ll be able to see the internal struggle he’s having! If even at all! I could be over thinking all this and he might just be uncomfortable telling his sister what he was up too… or? DUN DUN DUN!
I loyally await the next email and fantastic as always comic!
~A.S
I strive to gain enough comic drawing experience to bring one of your stories to life, really. You will hear from me in the future. I swear it.
When you’re ready, shoot me a link to your portfolio.
when is this chapter coming out XP
There were some delays with the art, but right now we’re shooting for a Fall release.
Oh Em Gee! I am sooo excited to see the entire chapter 3! I haven’t been a member for long but I already love this site honestly my very favorite comic here is Tough it is so romantic but yet so cool! Just love it!! Btw thanx for the Background!
Hey Brennen!
I’m really glad to hear you’re enjoying Tough and the pin-up I sent you! Thank you for letting me know!
Alex
When’s this comic going to be done?
There were some delays with the art, but right now we’re shooting for a Fall release.
Will this be continued? I can see it’s pretty old :O
Hi Christina,There were some more delays with the art, so I don’t currently have a release date, but the pencils for Chapter 3 are finished so this chapter will certainly be released. I’m hoping that will happen by the early part of next year.
Better late than never!
I’m really looking forward to it, the characters are so interesting!
Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
I do hope everything works out just fine so we can know what’s coming next for the boys ^^. Thanks for all the work you’ve already accomplished!
Maria seems pretty badass x) I already like her =)
I was grinning so hard when I saw the Filipino words in this comic. When I read ‘No Kissing’ I was kinda disappointed that Mike couldn’t speak Filipino but this chapter shows that some Filipino culture is practiced in his household
) As a Filipina I’m so happy I read this comic. If you ever need anything about information on some things I’ll be very much willing to help~ Great webcomic and hope I can read the new chapter soon! More power to you guys 
)
Thank you, easabelle—both for your very kind words and your offer to help! I’m really glad you like what you see here.
(And yes, like many of my Filipino friends here, Mike does not speak much Tagalog, but Filipino culture—and especially respect for family and those older than you—is definitely practiced in the home.)
It would totally be a pleasure for me to help!~
I also followed you on twitter, hope ya don’t mind.
ps. I know this is off-topic but i recently read Marvel’s Young Avengers and found that Wiccan/Hulkling is a fully established gay couple. Somehow if Mike gets a superpower i bet he’ll be like Wiccan~ haha
Of course I don’t mind you following me on Twitter. The opportunity to connect with awesome fans is what it’s there for.
I’ve read some YA stuff. Much fun. And I’ll keep your advice in mind should Mike develop super-powers!
ooooh! I can’t wait to the rest
Glad to hear it, Schram!
Oh. My. Gosh. I wish I was as cool as ate… I love that the women you write are strong and interesting–not as developed as the male leads, but it makes the work that much deeper for me, in all the stories I’ve read. It’s really great.
Thank you for the compliments re: my women characters. Because this is yaoi, I don’t get to spend as much time with them as I might in other kinds of stories, but it is important to me that they feel real and are strong characters. Glad to hear they are adding to the works for you!
Lovin it so far! Can’t wait for the rest of chp 3. The fact that is been on hold for such a long time makes me a little sad
…
I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the story! And I hear you about Ch 3. Makes me sad too that this comic is on hiatus now. But if I find the right artist, I’ll at least finish this chapter as I do love this story.
I just found this site last week and I got to say, your work is awesome!
The Tough series is one of the best yaoi stories I’ve read.
I love the way you did Mikes sister. Reminds me of my own big sister.
I hope I get to see this chapter soon
Thank you very much for all the kind words! I really appreciate them!
Because I no longer have an artist for Tough, the comic is officially on hiatus. But it makes me very happy to hear that you enjoyed the work. It’s dear to my heart.
I just found this site a few weeks ago, and I’m now so hooked to all the comics, I have to congratulate you all guys for this fantastic job, as an amateur illustrator I just love all of it
Too bad chap. 3 couldn’t make it yet, I really wanted to find out what will happen to Rob and Mike
Writting from Peru
AfO
Thank you very much! I’m glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen here!
I hope you’re having a great day in Peru!
anyone know where i can download tough chapter 1??
The first step is to sign up using the form on this page. When you do that, you will be sent a Confirmation Email and once you click the confirmation link in that email, you will be sent a Welcome Email. In that Welcome Email, there will be links you can click on to download my comics.
If you don’t receive either one of those emails, please check your Spam folder for them. Gmail has an especially aggressive spam folder and if you use Gmail, you’ll need to log into your Gmail account on the web to click the Spam folder on the left sidebar. If you find the emails there, be sure to choose Not Spam for them (some people also choose to mark them as Important) to make sure you will not have this problem in the future.
Please let me know if this helps! Thank you for your interest in my comics!
This is awesome. Just read a few pages of Chapter 2 and already I’m hooked. And Mike’s sister is so much like my two Ate. Wonderful job, sir. I hope the whole of Chapter 3 will be out soon.
Regards,
Mike
Philippines
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Dear Alex Wolfson,
I love your work and have read everything you have on Yaoi 911. I only have one criticism. Why hasn’t Chapter 3 of Tough come out?! For the love of god! Why?! It has been 2 yrs. and 6 months since the preview pages have been put up. Even though it has been so long, I still entertain the hope that one day I will open my email or see on Yaoi 911 that Chapter 3 is finally done. Will it ever really happen? Or am I merely waiting in vain? Could you please give us an update? Shall I keep hoping? I will be sad if the series is not continued, but I can take it. Just give it to me straight and put me out of my misery.
Your loving fan
NaNa