by DA - Enigma on Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:47 am
Hi there. I've been trying to find an artist for quite some time now and I just stumbled across this thread - it's been here the whole time and I never realised!!
Anyways, there are two possible comics which we would like to attempt with the assistance of such people - the first is a Pirate comic.
The basic premise of this comic would be to give an accurate impression of what life was like for Pirates, without the glossy Hollywood coating of Pirates of the Caribbean. The main character, Jakob Sanford, stuck on the Island of Tortuga,(which was a real place by the way), joins a crew to get away from the debauched and dangerous town - only to find himself immersed in a crew of violent pirates he is now unable to avoid. Forced to prove his worth by them, he slowly begins to become that which he fears, until he becomes known as Calico Jake and is feared by ordinary folk as such. Until then he is swept along with the crew of Captain "Howlin' Mad" James Cooke - a relatively old pirate who has gained a lot of respect in the community through many successful raids on merchant vessels. Unbeknownst to the captain, his bosun, the russian pirate Vladimir Nerschevik, has an agenda all his own. He wishes to find his old ship The Twisted Serpent, and salvage it from the Sable Bank, (a mystic Island where the cult known only as "The Albatross", live), in order to retrieve Odysseus' map to Aeolus' cave.
Why? Because Aeolus was the guardian of the "Bag of Winds", which was, in effect, a way to control the weather. The Bosun is after this bag, as whoever holds it is virtually invincible on the water.
The rest of the story would maintain a fantasy element, borrowing from Ancient Greek, Aztec, Viking and even Saxon lore in terms of deities and artefacts etc to keep the story itself becoming too dry - the actual infrastructure and rules of pirate life have been researched thoroughly and would be depicted accurately.
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The second idea we have is not entirely finalised yet, and would need a while before it is as fully thought through as the pirate comic, (Dead Men Tell No Tales). This idea follows, as with most comics, a struggle of good vs. evil. But this time, the action begins when Lucifer challenges God to a winner-takes-all game of Divine Chess. Divine Chess is essentially the same as regular chess, but differs in several key ways;
1. There is a near unlimited number of pawns.
2. Pawns can become such characters as knights if one of the knights is taken
3. Each piece on the board represents an actual person in the world below, who are often not aware of their involvement. Some pieces are made aware by the agents of either side, and use this to their advantage, as free will is still present.
The action would follow the younger of the White knights, (no older than 20), and, depending on the artists preference, either a young lad whom he takes as his squire, or a woman who is destined to replace the White Queen. In the case of the former, there would be no option for a romantic element to the story, but in the latter, a relationship would form 'twixt the two.
The setting would be the modern day world, and each of the 8 black and white chess pices would be characters with a backstory, giving opportunities for flashbacks to expand the story. The pawns of course would be minor characters, as they are largely unimportant, though three or four from each side could be developed -One idea for pawn developement is a group of scientists who find out that they are involved and attempt to find a method of escape from the Game.
In closing I add that the artist will get the choice of which project we eventually end up doing, and both artist and colourist would be allowed some creative input - say a script doesn't flow properly, it can be changed, or if you have an idea for character, plot twists etc, we'd be happy to add your ideas, within reason - after all, we're the writers!.
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Now for a sample of writing; (this is a collaborative effort, BEWILD has two writers on the team at current), (This sample is taken from the first few pages of script for the Pirate comic)
Vladimir: Sickening isn’t it, lad?
Jake: To see men wasting away upon drink and blood? Aye, it’s terrible. Chances are
they’ll die before their time and that they’ll be drunk as well.
Vladimir: (giving Jake a look) I were talkin’ about the rum, lad, the spilt rum leakin’
away upon the floor thar.
Jake: Aye sir, sickening, sir.
Vladimir: I like ee, lad. Whadda they call ye?
{Offscreen}: Sanford, sir. Jakob Sanford’s ‘is name though he don’t admit it to all.
Next image is of Fatch.
Vladimir: And ‘oo might you be? The lad’s got his own tongue, needin’ no scum like
you t’ be tarnishin’ his good name afore he can say ‘is piece!
Fatch: Aw, ‘e knows I would ne’er ‘arm his reputation with words o’ misconduction!
Matter o’ fact we be like peas in a pod cast adrift in the saucepan of God’s
Almigh’y kitchen!
Jake: (laughing) Meaning that whatever mess he gets into I get into too!
(All three laugh uproariously, in the background a pirate strikes another in the mouth, the start of a fight).
Fatch: The ever well-meanin’ Fatch at your service, Bosun, yours and the good cap’n!
Vladimir: (face showing a trace of annoyance) So quick to offer yer services are ye?
‘specially to a former cap’n of a mighty ship not seen in port for nigh on
three months now, rumoured to be lying at the bottom of the sea…
And haulin’ yer mighty innocent lookin’ lad ‘Jakob’ in with ye! Do I even
need yer services?
Fatch: No disrespect cap’n but ye and the good cap’n entered this here bar without
crew nor brawl so I fancy ye be lookin’ for the former. An’ if offerin’ free
rum around don’t get ye some support, I don’t know what will.
Image of Vladimir regarding the pair calculatingly. The fight is in full swing behind them, a full on brawl.
Vladimir: If ye be lookin’ t’ join my crew… can ye both keep a secret?
Fatch: Not on your life, sir!
Vladimir: (rising) Good! Then ye can both spread the word!
(pic focus on Vladimir’s eyes)
We’re plannin’ t’ raise the Twisted Serpent!
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Finally I'd like to add that the art style for the Pirate comic should preferably be realistic, but the art for the Game, if that is chosen by an artist, could be in manga style or realistic Marvel-esque stuff.
Peace out & hope to hear from someone soon!
)
