I'm happy you took it so well. Alot of people can handle critisme very well but I'm glad you can.
I know the thread is more "public" but it needs more real designers in my taste instead of people that use other peeps their design and show it off. But thats the public issue I guess
I do like the banner, and it makes sense what you say, yet I do feel that because of the light and dark contrast its not one piece anymore
its hard to place a link to the background and charachter. I do think if you darkend the charachter it will make it look a whole more, but considering your story behind it
thats really personal taste and should not be changed because of that

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The darklines however that looked rigged seem to me like a program mistake which is the cause of the angels of the shapes you have made.
Idk if you used photoshop to make this one but If you do, the auto effects like Line and Shadow are noticeable with the eyes which can be avoided by making
the layers yourself because these auto effects are risky and may show a bit pixely.
Hope to see more of your work
