Needing a sounding board

[crazyredlady]

I've got an idea for a comic book based on the whole idea of dragons returning to the modern world, but not the "Reign of Fire" type of return (although that was a good apocolyptic type movie). I'm thinking more along the lines of a race of half-dragons that act as heroes (and yes there would be some that are villans too).

My real problem is giving the story it's wings (so to say). I'd thought about starting off building my primary characters first, give them their individual stories and then bring them together in an alliance of sorts.

[crazyredlady]

Okay, I'm gonna try and get some artwork up soon, just some character sketches mind you, but I hope if could gve a better feel as to what I'm thinkin about.

The names are definately going to be weird in a cool D&D sort of way, like Deathtrappe or Jehtstryym. Any thoughts?

[crazyredlady]

here's a rough storyline;
Dragons return to a modern world, sensing a time of opportunity. There are several kinds of dragons, mostly derived from the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water). Some of them, when mankind was coming into power, decided exile was the best way to survive. Others chose to hide among mankind, taking a human form.

Because of the latter type of dragon, there are now half-human, half-dragon offspring refered to as Drakes. These were born human and raised as humans (some died not even guessing as to their true nature) until the time called the Awakening, where dragons started to return and Drakes started taking on a more draconic look.

This happens to people in all walks of life, from the everyday joes to athletes to political and religious leaders. The possibiliites are endless simply because it could possibly happen to anyone.

My three primary protagonists are Deathtrappe, Boulder and Jehtstryym (pronounced Jet stream).

Deathtrappe is considered a perfect Drake, because of the four elements, she embodies three (earth, air, and fire). She's got one major weakness, the human standard of success; her marriage, her career, and her home. Becoming a Drake she loses all three.

Boulder is an earth Drake and a former offensive lineman. He's my requisite muscle but he's a really nice guy who just got handed a bad hand.

Jehtstryym is an air Drake with a need for speed. He's a former extreme sports junkie who loved throwing himself off of buildings, cliffs, and perfectly good airplanes. Unlike most Drakes, he embraces his Awakening fully and has a hard time coming to grips with the amount of responsibility it really has.

The story would take place in a more realistic setting, hopefully that would make the whole thing a little more interesting

Anyway, that's just a rough run-down on the storyline and a few of my main characters.

[crazyredlady]

alright, here's some art, character design mostly....tell me what ya think They are in order
Boulder Deathtrappe and Jehtstryym

[crazyredlady]

:biggrin: Update on writing this thing, still working on page two of the script, but I'm making headway. Now if I can keep the ideas under control

I've got another idea cooking based on a creative writing project from high school that I had. Wonder if they ever did a cookie comic book before....:biggrin:

Yes, it is a good day

BTW guys, feel free to comment on any thoughts or questions.....no one has said anyything and its making me nervous.:confused:

[Jaye]

You're good, and its a good idea! I think you should run with it however you feel most comfortable. When I was first learning story-telling, there were a number of books and magazines that I read to help with the sort of advice you are looking for. Check out the Write-Now magazine published by twomorrows (google it); also check out Panel Discussions book at twomorrows site, or the book Scene and Structure by Bickham (search Amazon).

And draw as often as you can. Sketch your characters in different positions, show their costumes, but also show them running, sitting, from behind, etc.

It takes commitment to create your own story, but if you want to, you'll get there; and I'll enjoy seeing your work along the way.

-Jaye

[alf_to_the_rescue]

I think with the character designs, you should make sure to make them stand out as in don't go for the generic look. What way could you design them so that they are affiliated with the dragon aspect but have a styling which is unique.

[crazyredlady]

uh, there's one little problem with the costume part. They're draconic. They have scales covering most of their bodies. But I see what you mean about the different poses. I think the most challenging one is going to be flying.

And I do have different Ideas to make each character stand out. I'm basing it on the whole elemental scope of things (earth, air, fire and water) Air dragons would be slim and streamlined, but have deep keeled chests for wing muscles. They won't have proper hands either as their hands have evolved into wings.
Earth dragons are going to be big and bulky (think the Broderick Godzilla) by contrast and no wings at all.

I think Deathtrappe is the most complicated character in my cast so far, since she combines three elements so she'll share features of those three types of Drake.

And there are also potentials for creating different "signature" looks for individuals within a type of Drake. For example, Jehtstryym will have a fairly monochromatic look with a modest goatee and a multiple digit wing. Raabyd (a bad guy:evilsmile:) is going to be garishly colored with a pteradactyl style wing (singular digit). Both are air Drakes, but still...

[LewMoxinsghost]

I think Jaye is giving excellent advice here. But I would first stop at abebooks dot com if money is something you want to try to save- it is a cross reference of mostly US bookstores and you usually get really low prices for common (used) books. I know I will check out some of those books mentioned, thanks Jaye!

I am sort of in the same boat with you, Crazyredlady, but have had years for some of the scenes and characters to sort of gestate. I currently have scripts for six 22 page issues which cover one aspect of the story and about ten pages worth of other connecting elements. But since the scale is so massive (I probably need about ten times that to effectively tell the story) I've been concentrating on getting a visual technique I like down first. It's all experimentation and process really, at least for me. When I feel the time is right I will revisit my character designs and make them consistent with each other style-wise.

[crazyredlady]

thanks for the advce, everyone! You don't know how much I appreciate it. I'm getting comfortable with my primary, so as you say, I just have to keep doing it

The story however is taking care of itself I swear give these things an inch they'll go on forever.:rolleyes:

[crazyredlady]

here's another delima to consider. I was thinking about calling it Dracosapiens but that seems too long to me...people could trip over a name like that
Any suggestions? I was kinda thinkin' about shortening it to simply Dracos

[crazyredlady]

here's an update...
just started getting my art supplies collected, all the fun stuff I'll need. The lap board was surprisingly easy....had a good sized piece of scrap particle board from a home project. I"ve started practicing laying in panels and trying to draw my characters in new and interesting ways, finding that I may actually change the script a little as I go along....that's an interesting thing no ones mentioned..:biggrin: But I've managed to ink a large portrait of Jehtstryym for practice and I'm surprised by the results. If I can find a way to get it posted here I will.

Another thought on this comic....I may be jumping WAY ahead of myself, but I was kinda thinking since I've determined these dragons are forces of nature and often use nature as a weapon against mankind, why not make donations to causes who help people in times of disaster (i e Red Cross) with each book that sells? I thought it would be a good idea:wink:

[alf_to_the_rescue]

here's another delima to consider. I was thinking about calling it Dracosapiens but that seems too long to me...people could trip over a name like that
Any suggestions? I was kinda thinkin' about shortening it to simply Dracos

Draco is better than dracosapiens. Though Draco always reminds me of the horrible story from Uncanny X-men.

[crazyredlady]

Howabout "The Dracos"...kinda has a cosmic ring to it.

BTW just showed my first pencils to my husband....lets just say I had to help him scrape his jaw off the floor.:cool:

would I also be correct in assuming that the more we do ourselves the better publishers like us? Like cover art?

[crazyredlady]

Hit a small snag, namely the questions about all the supplies that we'd need....for example, found some paper that I like, but it's the basic drawing paper, 70# good, but not great. So far I like it and it's cheap my only problem is sending my art to the publishers on the cheap stuff gonna make the wrong impression as opposed to doing it on Bristol board?

Then theres the whole question about lettering and when would be the best time to do it....I'd rather do it "old style" as opposed to using a computer....I don't have a scanner for this thing unfortunately...But I don't really relish the idea of spending twenty bucks on a pen I'm only gonna use for lettering.:frown: Is there an alternative? Cause I've seen the DVD put out by Twomorrows and they only did the computer enhanced stuff.

And don't get me started about color yet, I'm still struggling with inking.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I humbly submit to admitting my uber newbie status in this whole area.:redface:

[crazyredlady]

lemme guess....I needa put some art on this thread, right?
I'll see what I can do...