The Collaborative Comic Project

Episode #17 sees the General snap out of his day dream — his recollection of the events of 2 years ago when so many lives were lost.

As he leaves the landing pad we see some familiar faces, everyone seems to be here, reunited with one common aim — to finish this thing!

“I downloaded all the episodes and really liked the many variables added by new artists each time. It as a great lesson in suspense story telling and the art styles gave me the incentive to see what I could do. What the story probably needs is a final battle but I leave that for someone with better skills. Meanwhile, I had this idea and had fun developing it to this point and wanted to share it.”

“There is a tongue-in-cheek quality about the writing which not only references that the comic project was started two years ago, but also the last line could suggest an ending to the whole thing. Which of course sets up the viewer for a sequel if there is any interest on behalf of the artists.”

“I realize the story is ready for an epic battle, but had this idea which I hope you like. It picks up from General Claymore’s initial concern …so many lives lost.”

- Stevie B

Hopefully this episode will be the spark that the project needs to get it moving again — where will it go next? and just how will they finish things?

When Chris Tinkler (artist #15) approached me and asked if he could interview me I thought his timing couldn’t have been better.

We’ve now got an established story and do with some more exposure to get the roster for volume #2 rolling - so I said yes.

3 days later and the interview is now online over at comicnews.info (http://www.comicnews.info/?p=1232).

The project’s moving on nicely now with some great, recent contributions and I’ve decided to make a few decisions about how the project should progress to take us to the end of volume #1.

After asking around I’ve decided that we’re going to try to “wrap up” the current story arc — try and close some of the open plots, ideas and questions.

This leaves plenty of options open for the first artist of volume #2 to create a totally fresh story but should also leave the opportunity to bring some of the existing characters through as well.

We’re also starting to look for ways of publicising the project a little more now that it’s establishing itself. If anyone has any bright ideas of where we can spread news of the project, let me know. It would be great to get some fresh faces on-board for volume #2 and even better to get some diversity in there - can you believe we only have 1 female contributor so far!?!?

Slots are still open in volume #2 to any of you regulars who want to sign up again and there’s still some spare pages in the back of volume #1 for any sketches or pinups you might want to donate.

I’m really excited about how the project is moving and love the collaborative feel it’s taken on. So, in the spirit of collaboration, if any of you have thoughts on the future of the project let me know. I can’t wait to see what 2008 brings!

The first sketch of the cover design has surfaced from Austrian artist Michael Benyuska.

He’s managed, surprisingly, to capture everything that’s gone on over the last 13 episodes in a single image - fantastic!

If everything falls into place, the workload will be split between Michael, Steve Sloan and myself and we should end up with a great cover that really reflects the philosophy of the project.