A Traveller Web Comic - Help Needed (lots)

[Beech]

I have wanted to do a Traveller web comic for a long while now, I unfortunately found that although I can illustrate a little, I have no scripting skills whatsoever.
Would anybody be interested in forming a kind of creative co-op where you guys thrash out a tale & I then turn it into a web based graphic novel (which you then pull to pieces & then I then redraw etc. until we get it right for public consumption).
The only criteria so far would be that it is follows canon and initially based around the crew of a Free Trader (as I've just modeled one up!).
If anybody has suggestions on how this could work or if indeed you think it is practical, let me know.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Yes. I want to help. I can write and do layouts. I can develop characters and am very familiar with comics in general.

 

[Perseus]

The only criteria so far would be that it is follows canon and initially based around the crew of a Free Trader (as I've just modeled one up!).

Hey, Love your illustrations. Really nice work. I'd love to contribute sometime, maybe I could help with a few bits and pieces. (in terms of scripting)

 

[Berg]

Wow, nice stuff!

 

[Blue Ghost]

Kind of cool.

 

[kafka47]

Very nice, there has been a long void since any real Traveller comic has come. The closest thing that I can think of is: http://www.42north.org/mjm/rpg/trav/Classic/

 

[far-trader]

Very nice, there has been a long void since any real Traveller comic has come...

Well, there is Outrim

OK, it's kinda Furries, in spaaaaace. But it is Traveller kinda Furries

http://outrim.comicdish.com/?pageID=1

 

[CGW]

There is an italian style of comic, "Fumetti" or a photo comic format, that has been experimented with in the past. Is that what is kind of happening here?

It would be interesting to see what approach to take on overall tone, and how to crank them out production wise. I would suggest solving some isssues with character/figure expression, and coming up with a tone. A simple tone would be emphasis on the characters, and toning back/simplifying the backgrounds a little bit.

Portraying a lot of action will be key as well.

 

[rancke]

I have wanted to do a Traveller web comic for a long while now, I unfortunately found that although I can illustrate a little, I have no scripting skills whatsoever.

Whereas I can script a little but have no illustration skills whatsoever.

Would anybody be interested in forming a kind of creative co-op where you guys thrash out a tale & I then turn it into a web based graphic novel (which you then pull to pieces & then I then redraw etc. until we get it right for public consumption).
The only criteria so far would be that it is follows canon and initially based around the crew of a Free Trader (as I've just modeled one up!).
If anybody has suggestions on how this could work or if indeed you think it is practical, let me know.

That brings back memories. Many years ago I did some notes on a Traveller comic strip script. I doubt that I can find them again, but I can still remember the basic plot. It was about four perfect strangers who inherited a Stellar class merchant from someone they'd never heard of, on the condition that they kept the crew on. In the ship's safe they found a treasure map (in the form of an electronic ship's log that had belonged to a long-vanished treasure ship) and off they went on a treasure hunt. Then things started to get weird... .

But back to your suggestion. Which free trader are you talking about? A Beowulf?


Hans

 

[Gadrin]

I have wanted to do a Traveller web comic for a long while now, I unfortunately found that although I can illustrate a little, I have no scripting skills whatsoever.
Would anybody be interested in forming a kind of creative co-op where you guys thrash out a tale & I then turn it into a web based graphic novel (which you then pull to pieces & then I then redraw etc. until we get it right for public consumption).
The only criteria so far would be that it is follows canon and initially based around the crew of a Free Trader (as I've just modeled one up!).
If anybody has suggestions on how this could work or if indeed you think it is practical, let me know.

You mean like this ?

http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?t=14102

I've got the background done for a Zhodani set of adventures set in Far Frontiers in the past, during the Zho build-up. Just need to flesh them out into writeable prose.

 

[Beech]

Excellent, lots of interest, thanks guys.
So far we have a Beowulf & a crew we know nothing about, far-trader has sketched out an excellent introductory 4 pager where the ship emergency lands on Hefry/Regina, after that who knows? It up to you.
I was going to do a preliminary version of this & see what people thought & at the same time set up a discussion board where we can share ideas, etc.
This could be a great collaborative effort, we have some good talent & lots of experience here & should be able to turn out some interesting tales.
I'll post here with more details in the next day or two.
I look forward to working with you on this, could be fun.

By the way, Mark Harrison's Travellers has not been mentioned yet, its very good.
http://www.2000ad.org/markus/travellers/

 

[Scarecrow]

Just flicking through your gallery and I'm thinking, This is gonna be good!!!


Also, I can't believe you live in the Cotswolds! That's where I lived until about 2 years ago (Cheltenham and Gloucester)!

Crow

 

[Beech]

Hey, Love your illustrations. Really nice work. I'd love to contribute sometime, maybe I could help with a few bits and pieces. (in terms of scripting)

Yes. I want to help. I can write and do layouts. I can develop characters and am very familiar with comics in general.

Whereas I can script a little but have no illustration skills whatsoever.

I've got the background done for a Zhodani set of adventures set in Far Frontiers in the past, during the Zho build-up. Just need to flesh them out into writeable prose.

Welcome aboard guys. Thanks, I really appreciate the help. I'll be in touch.

It would be interesting to see what approach to take on overall tone, and how to crank them out production wise. I would suggest solving some isssues with character/figure expression, and coming up with a tone. A simple tone would be emphasis on the characters, and toning back/simplifying the backgrounds a little bit.

Portraying a lot of action will be key as well.

Good points CGW I agree & I think we can guarantee a LOT of action!

And thanks to the rest of you for your encouragement, especially you Crow, as I am a bit in awe of the stuff you have produced through the years.
And yeah Crow, I do live in the Cotswolds (Stow-on-the-Wold to be precise), the picture postcard middle-England shires (Tech Level 4). Very Miss Marple.

 

[redwalker]

I won't contribute art or scripts, but I will tell a lot of people about it, both in person and on line. Just link it when you get the first issue out there.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Is that an agreeable format for everyone? a 2000AD style setup? I'm all for it. Keeping to an issue length format would be tough to consistently schedule without a legit backing sort of setup.

What about two landscape A-size pages per month? A bi-monthly schedule for each "strip" page?

Should we start with editing Gadrin's thread and seeing if we can make that run? Or start from Scratch?

Ideal setup, and recommended for strongest possible art, would be a Beech and Scarecrow collaboration. Such a team would be unstoppable. Ballooning and Lettering could be done easy on Illustrator, using blambot sort of fonts....

 

[Jame]

The patron is mysterious? Well, what if she's some sort of noble? Or worse, some sort of Zhodani-influenced noble?:devil:

 

[Gruffty]

Hivers.

Gotta have a couple of Hivers in there somewhere, stirring up the soup.

...did I mention Hivers?....

Oh.

Before I go: Hivers.



<.........tries to slip out the door unoticed.....>

 

[Jame]

<.........tries to slip out the door unoticed.....>

HEY! You there! I said YOU, you HIVER! Don't pretend you can't see me, I'm not letting you out without a HIVER!

...

Oh wait, you are a Hiver. Carry on then!

 

[kafka47]

And, if you ever run out of ideas the little modest adventure that we ran here for 2yrs should contain more than enough ideas...plus the visuals that might stimulate the creative juices.

 

[Beech]

Is that an agreeable format for everyone? a 2000AD style setup? I'm all for it. Keeping to an issue length format would be tough to consistently schedule without a legit backing sort of setup.

I agree

What about two landscape A-size pages per month? A bi-monthly schedule for each "strip" page

I think this is achievable (sharpens pencils) we can always ramp up the output later

Should we start with editing Gadrin's thread and seeing if we can make that run? Or start from Scratch?

I would personally go with starting from scratch so everybody has some creative input into forming the plot, background, characters, ship, etc. (and later remorslessly mine Gadrins tale )