The first ever Bronze Age Web Comic

[websbestcomics]

It had to be done. Well, actually, it didn't. But since my drawing style is pretty much in a time-warp, I decided to embrace it rather than pander to the masses. And I figured this forum was the best choice in posting weekly updates to my new web comic series Champion Of A Lost Universe (http://www.websbestcomics.com). After all, the folks who visit here are the ones who should appreciate what I'm aiming for. Enjoy!

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_new.jpg (http://www.websbestcomics.com)

[The Wayner]

I've been reading this since you first posted the link (glad you did so, again, as I think some missed it as that thread moved so fast). Still need to sign-up for the mailing list, though...

[websbestcomics]

Episode #11 of Champion Of A Lost Universe is now online! Just scroll up to the top of this thread to read it, and then make sure you hop over to www.websbestcomics.com (http://www.websbestcomics.com) for a full dose of this weekly superhero web comic saga! See you next Monday!

[websbestcomics]

It's Monday, which means a brand new episode of Champion Of A Lost Universe (http://www.websbestcomics.com) is Online! You can almost smell the rotting newsprint in this one. Go ahead, put your nose right up to that monitor and take a good whiff.

Or better yet, make sure you signup to the free mailing list to get project blog updates and the latest COALU episodes delivered via email! See you in exactly 7 days!

[J'onn J'onzz]

WOW! I'm glad you posted it. One critique though. Try not to continue sentences from one week to another.

[websbestcomics]

The latest episode of Champion Of A Lost Universe (http://www.websbestcomics.com) is online! The web's only Bronze-Age super-hero saga is unfolding right now, with new installments each Monday!

In this episode, PowerTower is losing his grip! A skyscraper is about to collapse, thanks to Masked Champion's bombastic arrival!

[websbestcomics]

Thanks! I'll definitely try to 'cap' the dialogue off from episode to episode. The first 13 episodes weren't originally intended as a web comic, so there are a couple of instances where the pacing isn't quite attuned to a serial format. I'm working on the next batch of strips now though, and so you should see a marked change in how the story flows.

[websbestcomics]

The experiment begins today. Above you can see something that I don't think has been done in a web comic before. Monday through Friday, you'll now be able to watch as a future episode of Champion Of A Lost Universe (http://www.websbestcomics.com) is created in 'real-time'. The series is now being created 100% digitally, which means it will be far easier for me to publish work-in-progress of future episodes.

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_realtime.jpg

[websbestcomics]

This week's episode of Champion Of A Lost Universe (http://www.websbestcomics.com) is online! Just take a stroll up to the very top of this thread to see the latest episode automatically updated each Monday! Enjoy!

[J'onn J'onzz]

When is the Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule going to start? I see the digital art but nothing seem sto happen when I check on it. Maybe I should use my Martian vision!

[websbestcomics]

The 3 days per week schedule will start as soon as I can get the actual process of creating these webcomics sped up a bit. I don't want to sacrifice quality for quantity, but I am making strides in changing the way I create the weekly episodes. As for the digital 'drawn online in real-time' feature, it's basically just a regular update of the art as I'm saving it in various stages of completion and publishing it. So no flash or livecams if that's what you were thinking, but you should see it evolve as I try to update the image regularly.

[websbestcomics]

COALU #16 is now online (that's short for Champion Of A Lost Universe in case you're wondering). This episode was created 100% digitally, meaning that rather than penciling/inking it traditionally, I created it all in Adobe Illustrator and photoshop. Feedback is always welcome, and to read the first 15 episodes go here (http://www.websbestcomics.com). Back in 7 days!

[websbestcomics]

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/images/whoswho/drn.jpg

The following is an excerpt from interviews with artist Burt Colt, conducted in January 2004. Colt is believed by some to have been the original writer and artist for legendary comics publisher Voyager Comics (1976-1979).

About Dr.Nihilist:
BC: "Nihilist is the world's greatest super-powered villain, a real evil mastermind type with a fortress in the Himalayan mountains and a history of diabolical schemes that always get thwarted in the end. He started out just like all the other characters, very one-dimensional and really...there really wasn't much under the surface with Dr.Nihilist for a long time. But one of the things I wanted to do with this story was to give him a motivation that we can understand and relate to. We don't agree with it, but we can see how it can turn a person into a monster. The only thing I had to go on was his affiliation with Darkstar, so I expanded on that and made him into their ginea pig, an experiment in unlocking Mankind's full mental potential, because that's what Darkstar was all about. Only it went too far, and gave Nihilist super-human ambition and lust for power, to go along with his genius.

"So he can't control that need for power and dominance, and he spends his life trying to touch the 'Darkstar'...which was this metaphysical place in the mind where ultimate power and knowledge is attained."

[websbestcomics]

Yeah, I know, I'm a day late with this week's episode. But I have a good excuse. We got us a new young'en last Wednesday. Lillian Rachel Reed was born 7 pounds 1 ounce of pure CUTE. Mother and baby are doing great. This is our second child, so I'm really outnumbered with females now...should I be afraid? Anyway, I'll spare you the family album this time and just send this week's episode, straight from photoshop and to your email box. Just scroll up to the top of this thread to read the latest episode. Enjoy!

[J'onn J'onzz]

Hey, we gotta give you credit. At least you updated despite busyness unlike other Monday updated things (Homestarrunner, Spiderfan.org's strip).

[websbestcomics]

Thanks, I really wish I could update it more than weekly, but for the time being...

The good news is that I am also updating the COALU 'Who's Who' section throughout the week, which includes brief bio's and character art. This section will continue to grow, so make sure you check it out.

[J'onn J'onzz]

I was going to subscribe but decided to ask first, what is FeedBlitz? What type of cookies will they send me? Chocolate chip? Caremel? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

[websbestcomics]

Feedblitz converts rss feeds into auto generated emails. So whenever I update the blog with a new episode for instance, you'll get an email with that episode usually 24 hours after I post it. It's a pretty convenient thing for those who would rather not revisit a site or need reminded when it's been updated. I don't believe there are any cookies involved. Mmm. Cookies.

[websbestcomics]

Maybe I should just change the publication schedule to Tuesday? In any case, here's the latest episode, one day late but I was generous enough to give you a double-dose this week. This episode is twice the size and twice the shock value.

I'm going to try to limit my blog postings to 1 per week. I know that some of you have also subscribed to receive these blog (http://websbestcomics1.blogspot.com/) updates via email, and I don't want to flood your mailbox throughout the week with my ranting. I would be flattered if you were that interested, but I'm also a realist. So unless I decide otherwise, expect to see updates here every Monday (or Tuesday, as has been the current trend). Also, don't forget to check out the new COALU character directory (http://www.websbestcomics.com). This week's addition is The Living Bomb, who will be introduced in the story soon and is sure to make a lasting impression. I expect I'll be adding new character bio's sporadically throughout the week, until who knows when.

[websbestcomics]

I've added a disclaimer to the site, in various locations, which informs visitors that the COALU back-story about Burt Colt, Voyager Comics etc is completely fabricated. Apparently at least one person in the comics press was confused by my intentions, so I want to clarify on the site that it is a fictional history, which is what I should have done in the first place. All of this is just a marketing gimmick to help sell the story, but it also loosely connects with the plot of COALU. I think it's an important aspect, and adds a level of realism that I don't think has been attempted before in web comics (or possibly in print comics, for that matter!)

So plan to see even more 'history' revealed in the weeks and months ahead, as the Burt Colt story becomes more complex and disturbing. I expect some of you will continue to 'play along' with this as well, because it's a lot of fun, but I DON'T expect you to actually believe it.

Oh, and if you really want to have some fun with this, feel free to email the man behind the myth, Burt Colt. He's agreed to make his email address public, for fans who might want to drop him a line. Burtcolt@hotmail.com

I plan to publish some of his email correspondence in the graphic novel, so this is your chance to get included in the book. Just don'task him if he is 'for real' or not. That really pisses him off.

[websbestcomics]

There's a great article over at The Wire (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/start.html?pg=3)about how digital distribution of comics could save the comics industry from it's current downward spiral into obscurity. It's great when high profile magazines outside of the comics industry recognizes what is happening with digital comics.

Speaking of digital, this is the third week of going the traditional route, drawing the strip by hand rather than drawing it in illustrator. I can't say that I miss the digital process much. There is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a finished page of art sitting on my drawing board. Although I have had to relearn how to draw and hold a baby at the same time, which can make for some good kodak moments I suppose. As for this week's episode of COALU, definitely NOT a kodak moment for our heroes in distress. Go to the beginning of this thread to read it, or click here. (http://www.websbestcomics.com)

[J'onn J'onzz]

Okay, I've managed to cut this into Segments.

Intro: Pages 1-7.
Part One: Pages 8-12
Part Two: Pages 13-19
Part Three: Pages 20-22
Part Four: Current-Sometime in the future.

Parts One and Two are related in story but have a nice cut off point, like in a Silver Age comic. There's a cliffhanger between parts of the issue. Part three and four work pretty well together as well, but connect with parts one and two. Ah, I tried.

[Schmakt]

cool.... this is pretty rad :)

[websbestcomics]

Okay, I've managed to cut this into Segments.

Intro: Pages 1-7.
Part One: Pages 8-12
Part Two: Pages 13-19
Part Three: Pages 20-22
Part Four: Current-Sometime in the future.

Parts One and Two are related in story but have a nice cut off point, like in a Silver Age comic. There's a cliffhanger between parts of the issue. Part three and four work pretty well together as well, but connect with parts one and two. Ah, I tried.


Whu? What did I miss?

[websbestcomics]

Since this thread is getting so long, I thought I would post the current episode here so visitors don't have to go back to page 1 of this thread. And to make your life even simpler, here's the link to the site, where you can dive into the complete archives: www.websbestcomics.com

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_new.jpg (http://www.websbestcomics.com)

[J'onn J'onzz]

Whu? What did I miss?

Oh, I just got bored so I decided to reread it and divide it into chapters, like in a book.

[websbestcomics]

What a terrible mess. Things are really looking bad for our heroes (http://www.websbestcomics.com) this week. Now that I'm seeing this story coming to life, I'm actually somewhat shocked. There is something disturbing to me about seeing a bunch of watered-down, completely derivative super heroes getting melted down to slag. And it should get even more disturbing (but hopefully compelling). I'm striving for contrast between the art and story, throwing together all those warm fuzzy memories many of us have about the comics of our youth (those of us who were kids in the 1970's and 80's that is. But if you're younger or older, you're still invited). And then when you get all comfortable and feeling safe that nothing out of the ordinary could possibly happen...

Anyway, don't say I didn't warn you.

[J'onn J'onzz]

What a terrible mess. Things are really looking bad for our heroes (http://www.websbestcomics.com) this week. Now that I'm seeing this story coming to life, I'm actually somewhat shocked. There is something disturbing to me about seeing a bunch of watered-down, completely derivative super heroes getting melted down to slag. And it should get even more disturbing (but hopefully compelling). I'm striving for contrast between the art and story, throwing together all those warm fuzzy memories many of us have about the comics of our youth (those of us who were kids in the 1970's and 80's that is. But if you're younger or older, you're still invited). And then when you get all comfortable and feeling safe that nothing out of the ordinary could possibly happen...

Anyway, don't say I didn't warn you.

Heh, that blood bath was hardly "warm and fuzzy" more like hot and vomit inducing.

[J'onn J'onzz]

The plot is definately deepening. Koala, as I incomprehensively call it, (see there's the COALU, which is koalu which is close to the much cooler Koala) is getting better, and more massive and complex, every week.

[websbestcomics]

This week's episode is online! Get the first ever glimpse of Dr.Nihilist's Himalayan fortress, and a view of the secretive headquarters of The Startling Seven!

[websbestcomics]

Bombs away! Things are about to heat up in a really bad way, as Battalion faces a bitter choice between protecting the world from Dr.Nihilist's dreadful weapon and sparking World War III!

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_30.jpg

[websbestcomics]

I'm slowly building a 'who's who' directory of characters from Champion Of A Lost Universe. These will be atypical bio's, taken directly from interviews with legendary comics creator Burt Colt (and I do mean 'legendary' in the literal sense). You can browse through all of them over at www.websbestcomics.com (http://www.websbestcomics.com) main page, but I thought I'd post one here from time to time, just to wet your appetite. Enjoy!

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/images/whoswho/ndroid.jpg

[websbestcomics]

This week's episode of Champion Of A Lost Universe is online! Four more episodes until the conclusion of Chapter 1!


http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_31.jpg

[J'onn J'onzz]

I can't wait 'til then! I'll have to reread them all for the fourth time. I bet you have picked a better stopping spot in the plot than I did in my chaptering of this series!

[websbestcomics]

Chapter 1 concludes...

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_35.jpg

[websbestcomics]

Chapter 2 starts today. Enjoy!

http://www.websbestcomics.com/champion/episodes/coalu_episode26.jpg

[websbestcomics]

Click (http://www.websbestcomics.com) it. Read it.

Happy New Year!
http://www.websbestcomics.com/coalu/episodes/coalu_new.jpg (http://www.websbestcomics.com)