Check out the SENIORITY blog at http://senioritycomic.wordpress.com/
SENIORITY is a new series written by me (Joel Kleine) and with fabulous art by Zuludelta (I'll let him reveal his real name when he wants to). Since Freedom Force and Freedom Reborn is what brought me back to the world of comics, I wanted to let you guys see this first.
Over the past year, I've developed several comic series concepts. While I was teaching full-time, I didn't have time to really dive in. Earlier this year, after several years of wondering what was going on health-wise, I was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia. I took 3 months off teaching before the summer (for a combined total of 5 months!) and decided to use that time to finally jump back into the world of creating comics.
After one fully developed but ditched concept (which may surface someday), several single-issue ideas, and preliminary work with Zuludelta, SENIORITY was born.
The focus of SENIORITY is characters. Action is fun to write, and sometimes necessary, but the real challenge is writing characters. Characters that make sense, personalities and powers and plot lines that just...click. One of the first characters I created for SENIORITY was Adrenaline. Adrenaline's predicament stems from my own experiences with FA. She was born from a simple question: What if a speedster had to use a walker due to health problems? What would cause this to happen? What kind of depression would he/she suffer? These were questions I was asking about myself, and even though Adrenaline is 65 and female, there's a lot of me in her.
In the first issue you'll meet Magnate, the retired leader of The Echelon, as he's cajoled back in to the spotlight. It's obvious that despite his leadership status, Magnate is not the most charismatic hero. His first public appearance in 20 years gets the story rolling. Zulu has posted a pic of classic Magnate and Adrenaline in his art thread here (http://freedomreborn.net/archive/index.php?topic=42344.msg616802;boardseen#new) (on p. 10).
Here are some design shots as we developed Magnate:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/dltesterzfd/magnatecopy.jpg)
Some face studies of young and old Magnate:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/dltesterzfd/magnate_face_study.jpg)
and the final design for classic Magnate:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/dltesterzfd/magnate02copy.jpg)
Anyway, I've been wanting to share this stuff for months now, especially here. We'll post more as there's more to post.
Tort
Saw this in ZD's art thread an hour ago, and i was really impressed with it then. His unique style and the nostalgic feel these characters have make me very interested in it. Is this being planned as a webcomic or a traditional comicbook?
Regardless it all looks fantastic and i'll be following it closely here on FR.
Terrible news about the disease. I hope this will end up being one of the more limited forms of FA. :(
Kudos on using this as a motivation for such a creative endeavour! Zulu's art and your concept and approach certainly seem interesting; this might be quite refreshing and fun. Tell us more!
Excellent, Tortuga! Please keep us all informed about your progress.
That's some awesome stuff. I'm a big fan of the style Zulu's been doing (even if I haven't posted in his thread - sorry Zulu). And the story/character-driven premise of the book sounds great. Exploring another side of the genre, I really look forward to it. :thumbup:
Neat stuff, Tort! Good luck to you two!
Quote from: Carravaggio on October 04, 2007, 09:00:35 PM
Is this being planned as a webcomic or a traditional comicbook?
I'm a print person. I've tried reading webcomics before and they just don't do it for me. So right now we're planning full colour printing.
The funny thing about working with Zulu for the past few months...I used to imagine characters and panels in typical pencil/ink style, but now I can't help but think of these things in his style.
Outstanding work, gentlemen. I can't wait to see more.
-MJB
Really sad news about the disease Tort. Hope they find a cure for it soon. :(
Really interesting and original characters you've got there in the comics though.
Good luck to you and Zulu. I'm sure the comic book will be a great read, as well as visually entertaining of course. :thumbup:
Wow! Your very own comic book. It could be the start of something big for the both of you. Who knows? :rolleyes:
Quote from: Tortuga on October 04, 2007, 08:33:49 PMart by Zuludelta (I'll let him reveal his real name when he wants to).
Maybe in time. I have a pathological fear of people googling my name and learning all sorts of things about me :lol: (not that there's anything out there, mind you).
Quote from: MikeB7 on October 05, 2007, 07:16:54 AM(even if I haven't posted in his thread - sorry Zulu)
No problem Mikey, we'll always have Paris :lol:
Thanks for the support everyone!
First off, I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, Tort. For lack of a less childish way of expressin it, FA is no fun (a relative has it).
The comic, on the other hand, looks and sounds great! Can't wait to see more! Good job, guys!
Quote from: zuludelta on October 05, 2007, 02:35:55 PM
Maybe in time. I have a pathological fear of people googling my name and learning all sorts of things about me :lol: (not that there's anything out there, mind you).
Nah, I just googled Zulu by his real name and this is all I came up with http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&q=hugh+hefner (http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&q=hugh+hefner)
;)
Honestly every time I would see your awesome character designs I would think "wow, I wonder if Zulu would ever get interested in doing comics" since I picture you (and everyone else on this forum) as incredibly busy. This is great news and I look foward to it.
Tort, I'm very sorry to hear about your illness, we'll be praying for you, man. However, I've got to say, it's really something how you're using this to pursue a dream, that's really admirable! It sounds like a pretty interesting concept, and I'd like to check it out. Good luck!
Bad news . . . Good news.
Tort, send me a PM if there is anything I can do for you. I'm sure you've got a passel of good neurologists working with ya, but I'd be happy to lend whatever support, encouragement or information I can. Hang in there!
I've already commented in ZDs art thread, but let me again say here - I like the way this looks and I like the sound of the story so far. I will definitely be keeping my eye's open for this one!!
I have but one response to this:
Me like.
The concept of the aging superheroes is not new, I've seen it done on The Tick, PowerPuff Girls and Freakazoid to name three such sources...though for some reason, they are usually portrayed as Jewish.
Guys I think this is great. I can't wait to see the first printing. Best of luck to you both in all aspects.
This is an excellent start! I want to see more!!! :thumbup:
:doh:
Can't believe I didn't catch this thread 'til now. Rockin' concept and artwork, gents. Can't wait to see more!
EC
Glad to see my favorite FF skins and concepts getting life breathed into them.
Thanks folks. Ver, a bunch of my FF skins are actually in the story that's on hold. Once I get Seniority really going (story-wise, the first 6 issues are done; scriptwise, it's around 40%) then I'm hoping to get back to those characters again.
My obstacle this week has been the Seniority logo. I'm heading to the local comic shop tomorrow to do some logo studies. Hooray for days off!
Tort, if this goes to print, how will you be selling it? Over the net via Visa/CC or in comicshops? Cos i'm really digging what i'm seeing...
Quote from: Carravaggio on October 10, 2007, 12:43:16 AM
Tort, if this goes to print, how will you be selling it? Over the net via Visa/CC or in comicshops? Cos i'm really digging what i'm seeing...
Carr, it's a bit hard to say at this point since the first issue is at least a couple of months away from completion. All I can say is we'll do our best to get the comic out to those who are interested in it. And hopefully take advantage of the strong Canadian dollar as well. :thumbup:
QuoteI'm a print person. I've tried reading webcomics before and they just don't do it for me. So right now we're planning full colour printing.
What kind of printing options are you looking at? Print of Demand or bulk printing?
I'll have to warn you that both have their pitfalls.
POD color printing is very expensive. You can easily pay upwards of $3+ per issue for POD color books. For example, using the POD service I currently use, a 24 page full color comic is $3.10, which is a hard sell for a small press book when mainstream books are around $2.95.
If you're selling direct from a site or even the POD's direct site, by the time S&H are figured in your books will cost around $4.50 if not more.
Bulk printing costs you less per issue but most printers are asking for orders starting at around 500. All that print money comes out of your pocket with no guarantee you'll make it all back. You might get stuck with boxes of books and in the red.
I'm switching to bulk printing with my next series because I found a low per issue rate printer but the downside is I need to order 2000 issues at a time. I couldn't have done that when starting off. It would have crushed me. I can do that now because I know 2000 books will sell.
Everyone doing indie books wants color but realistically it's a very hard thing to pull off when first starting out. That's why the majority of small press books are B&W.
Thanks for the advice.
I'm putting together wallpapers of the Seniority cast, mostly for myself but I thought I'd share. Let's start with Magnate!
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/magnate_wp_preview.jpg)
Available in three resolutions:
1024 x 768 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/magnate1024x768.jpg)
1280 x 800 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/magnate1280x800.jpg)
1280 x 1024 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/magnate1280x1024.jpg)
Enjoy!
Tort
And here's the one that's currently decorating my laptop
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/spectrum_wp_preview.jpg)
Available in three resolutions:
1024 x 768 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/spectrum1024x768.jpg)
1280 x 800 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/spectrum1280x800.jpg)
1280 x 1024 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/spectrum1280x1024.jpg)
The character of Spectrum has been fun to work with. He's an original member of the group, and shares a lot of their history. I had an idea for an initial problem for Spectrum, but it meant writing oodles of backstory in order for it all to jive. Right now, there's pages and pages of backstory for Spectrum just so I can write his current story. When you meet Spectrum in the comic, he's nothing like this image at all.
The possibility of those backstories someday becoming future issues/arcs is exciting to me. It's been very freeing to start at the end of these characters' stories and get to work backward.
Here are three more: Drama Queen, Successor and Adrenaline. This isn't the entire Seniority cast, there are still three main character sketches/designs to be finalized.
Drama Queen:
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/dramaqueen_wp_preview.jpg)
1024 x 768 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/dramaqueen1024x768.jpg)
1280 x 800 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/dramaqueen1280x800.jpg)
1280 x 1024 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/dramaqueen1280x1024.jpg)
Successor:
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/successor_wp_preview.jpg)
1024 x 768 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/successor1024x768.jpg)
1280 x 800 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/successor1280x800.jpg)
1280 x 1024 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/successor1280x1024.jpg)
Adrenaline:
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/adrenaline_wp_preview.jpg)
1024 x 768 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/adrenaline1024x768.jpg)
1280 x 800 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/adrenaline1280x800.jpg)
1280 x 1024 (http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/adrenaline1280x1024.jpg)
Enjoy!
Oooo - spiffy keen! Thanks, Tort!
Sweet wallpaper images! I downloaded all of them. Thanks for sharing! :)
I still want to read this! :thumbup:
I put up the Spectrum wallpaper on my desktop, Tort, and it looks great! I just happen to stack up my icons on the left side, so it works perfectly. Thanks for this!
EC
Ooga booga,
Besides tweaking stories #1 and 2 (and building up other issues later in the first arc) my obsession for the past two weeks has been the SENIORITY logo. With the help of Zulu and Texas Jack (who generously donated time and some initial ideas) I finally came up with this:
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/lg_final.jpg)
It's funny how a single word as an image can occupy so much time, just ask Madam T. Now I can finally get back to the stories. :P
Tort
Niiiice. Like how you matched up the breaks, that's a really nice idea.
Yeah, I wasent expecting the logo to be THAT cool, wow. Now I really want to see this project go somewhere, that thing is a real draw.
The colours will change as needed. I tried the waning moon shape as the O, and it didn't look right. It looked like SENICRITY, or as Zulu pointed out on another attempt, SENIOORITY. I also don't want to mess with the cracks on the O; it has a sense of impact that I like. I am going to try making the moon slightly thinner, however, to see if that'll help.
Thanks for the comments folks!
Well done sir. I like it a lot! :thumbup:
Very nice logo indeed. :)
I do agree with IPS, though on the moon swash. I'm not a fan of arcs in logos, they became a fad a dozen years ago and are quite cliché by now. The real issue with the crescent, though, is that it doesn't quite mesh graphically – as if trying to force two visual elements together because one wants the concepts they represent. IPS take looks like a good solution (apart from the terrible job he did on the kerning ;) ), though losing the colour contrast (and added depth) of the red crescent removes some impact.
Yeah, I tried that one earlier as well (the enlarged O). The problem I found was it broke up the word itself, and even when the break lines are lined up, they just didn't have that same oomph.
Without the moon, I found the logo somewhat plain. It needed a second layer. As much as I don't like everything to need to mean something, the waning moon just kind of happened at one point. It suited the title and concept, so it stuck. I will work on it more so that it interferes less with the text.
Thanks for the feedback.
Love the logo Tort. Great jeorb!
-MJB
I really do like the logo, Tort. I like the idea of the moon in the background, but maybe you could just remove its black outline? I'm thinking that might look interesting, too. Either way I think it looks sweet, and the character designs, especially Drama Queen, are awesome.
I can't stop messing around with this thing. Here's a new slightly modded version (that would require some cleanup before being "final"). Once again, colours are only placeholders:
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/lg_final_mod.jpg)
And just for kicks, here are a few of the previous versions:
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/seniority_fullO.jpg)
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/seniority_brokenO.jpg)
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/lg_seniority_final3.jpg)
(http://members.shaw.ca/seniority/img/lg_seniority_final4.jpg)
Who knows, maybe once we get covers and the like figured out, this logo won't work. Until then, here's what we'll work with.
Tort
Zulu has posted a few teasers from the first few pages in his Art Thread (http://freedomreborn.net/archive/index.php?topic=42344.300).
Our goal is to have Issue 1 done by mid-December. We'll have two weeks to tweak it and make sure it's ready for print. I'd love to send it to a printer early January (January 2, if possible). Of course, these things could all change. ^_^
Great logo. I like it better with the crescent moon behind it. Good work, and I am loooking forward to reading some pages! :thumbup:
Hey folks,
It's been awhile since I posted Seniority news here, and I wish I could say I'm posting a more exciting announcement, but it's news nonetheless.
Our original goal was to have Issue #1 printed by Jan. 2008. That hasn't happened. And thank goodness. Zulu and I have both been spending the last few months rethinking our approach and just plain making improvements. Originally, I was going to use the first 3 issues to introduce the characters in 6 solo stories. Issue 4-6 were going to bring those individuals together. Now, I've rewritten the whole dagnabbit thing to span all 6 issues and it feels much better. With the original concept's focus on characterization, combined with the new setup focused on story flow, I think it works much much better.
Zulu has been honing his technique to help bring the story to life. His stuff is so vibrant and I'm excited to show off more previews soon.
Until next time,
Tort
Hey folks,
I've been itching to create a Seniority website (or actually for Spud to create it...he owes me :P). Instead, I stumbled upon wordpress.com, a great blog site that pretty does what I want a website to do (for now).
Check it out at: http://senioritycomic.wordpress.com/
Tortuga
Looking spiffy, Tort. I'm already following one community created comic and I'm eagerly waiting to add my second! (And that'll bring my "currently collected titles" list up to two!)
This story is looking to be fantastic, you two.
Nice blog layout, too.
Thanks for the kind words, folks.
I've posted the first of a series of character briefs at the Seniority blog. The first profile is of Eugene Reynolds, who is one of the driving forces behind the first Seniority arc.
Read it here (http://senioritycomic.wordpress.com/)!