Zeero and the Sad Star Soldiers

Introduction to the Sad Star Soldiers Art Collection

Sad Star Soldiers (SSS) began as an artistic movement, a vision brought to life by Jeremiah Virgo and Lee Biscarra. It started as an expression of individuality—people with crimson scarves, each carrying their own stories. Over time, it became a collective of storytellers and artists who added their own narratives to the growing SSS lore.

When I first became involved, I never saw Zeero as a central figure in SSS. To me, he was just another character, another story among many. But Jeremiah and Lee thought otherwise.

The Rise of Zirostilo

SSS played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic style—Zirostilo. I wasn’t skilled in fine details, but my imagination was vivid. So, I developed a style that focused on shapes, posture, and contrast instead. The idea was simple: the silhouette came first, then the colors, and finally, the shades that would form the lines.

It became the visual language of many of my SSS-inspired works. Looking back, I see how much my music influences shaped these pieces—The Ataris, The All-American Rejects, Lifehouse, Switchfoot, and indie OPM. Their songs carried that same sense of longing, nostalgia, and quiet rebellion, and somehow, that energy found its way into my illustrations.

Exploring the Sad Star Soldiers Collection

This collection captures some of my earliest Zirostilo works, each one a reflection of the movement, my influences, and the stories that shaped them.

Spider-Dan: Kiko Machine

November 20, 2005

A stylized digital illustration of Spider-Dan, inspired by a member of the Filipino band Kiko Machine. The character is drawn in Zirostilo, featuring exaggerated proportions and angular limbs, playfully falling through the air.

Inspired by Spider-Dan, a member of the Filipino band Kiko Machine, this piece playfully reimagines a familiar hero through the lens of Zirostilo.

My Heart Was Yours

November 20, 2005

A digital illustration of a character with a red scarf holding a heart in his hand, symbolizing emotional sacrifice. The text overlay reinforces the theme of longing and unreciprocated devotion.

A visual representation of sacrifice, asking a simple yet painful question: If I give everything, will it ever be enough?

Little Red Riding Sad Star Soldier

November 26, 2005

A simplified, melancholic version of Little Red Riding Hood wearing a crimson scarf. The character stands alone with a sorrowful expression, emphasizing a theme of loss and searching.

A melancholic twist on a familiar tale, tying into the crimson scarf motif that defined SSS.

Nerdy Boy

November 27, 2005

A close-up of broken round glasses with a red and black temple, referencing Harry Potter. Shattered glass pieces rest on the ground, highlighting the fragility of intellect and identity.

A piece inspired by Harry Potter, subtly referencing elements from the series while exploring a contrast of intellect and fragility—a reflection of identity and perception.

Zeero

December 3, 2005

A visual representation of the different versions of Zeero, showcasing his evolution across multiple interpretations within the Sad Star Soldiers universe. Each iteration reflects distinct aspects of his character within Sad Star Soldiers and Zirostilo, merging elements of style, identity, and expression.

I Won’t Spend Another Night Alone

June 1, 2006

A quiet illustration of a character with a red scarf sitting on a ledge, arm around a teddy bear. The imagery, inspired by The Ataris' song, conveys loneliness and companionship.

Titled after and inspired by The Ataris’ song of the same name, this piece captures a quiet moment of connection, a reminder that even in loneliness, there is always the possibility of companionship.

Simbang Gabi

June 1, 2006

A character with a red scarf standing beneath a hanging yellow Christmas star. The accompanying text, written in Filipino, evokes the warmth and nostalgia of home and tradition.

Titled after and inspired by a piece I wrote, featured in My Book Project. This work is deeply personal, filled with nostalgia and the quiet longing for home.

Trash Me

June 6, 2006

A fragmented heart rendered in sharp, jagged geometric forms, inspired by The All-American Rejects' My Paper Heart. The piece emphasizes themes of rejection and emotional disrepair.

Inspired by The All-American Rejects’ My Paper Heart, this piece explores themes of rejection and self-worth through stark, fragmented visuals.

Out of Breath

June 6, 2006

A dynamic illustration of a character running with urgency, his red scarf trailing behind. The piece conveys motion, escape, or pursuit, reflecting the energy of Lifehouse's song of the same name.

Titled after and inspired by Lifehouse’s song, this piece captures a moment of motion and urgency, running toward—or away from—something unknown.

The Legacy of Sad Star Soldiers and Zirostilo

What started as a simple artistic concept grew into something much bigger. SSS became a space where stories overlapped, where artists and writers found ways to integrate their work into a collective narrative. Zirostilo became my way of making sense of it all—a method, a visual identity, and a way to capture raw emotions in a single moment.

Zeero’s role in SSS is still up for debate. I never meant for him to be a main character, but somehow, he became woven into it, whether I intended it or not. Maybe that’s the thing about Sad Star Soldiers. It was never about a single character or a single story. It was about finding a place within something larger, about leaving behind pieces of ourselves in a movement that kept evolving. And in the end, that’s exactly what we did.