Several weeks ago, I decided to actually circle back on my old goals that I had before the whole lead abatement home improvement nightmare derailed everything else I want to do with me life. Among these things, I have been kicking around the idea of doing a web comic.
As I thought about it, the idea of trying to do something funny four or five times a week seems a bit daunting to me at this point in my life, but I was more attracted to the idea of some serious storytelling through art. Somehow this moment in history seems appropriate to something a bit darker, and I wouldn't really want that to be refected too much in the story idea I had intended to be a comedy - well maybe just a little.
The more I think about this lately, the more good ideas I get. Now seems like a good time to enumerate them and describe a little bit about each one. This way, later, when I decide to post a sketch or idea, I can just refer back to the working title and hopefully people will have some idea of what I am talking about.
Project #1: Fandemonium
Originally Conceived: Spring/summer 1999
This is the story of Karl, Jim, Laura, and others who are analouges of myself, my wife, and my friends. Karl's world is forever changed when a Trekkie friend decides to repair his TV set using a DIY book meant for 24th century Star Trek technology. Ever since, Karl's house radiates a kind of energy that picks up on the fan-ish behavior and feelings of whoever is within or near and morphs reality in and around the house to reflect those feelings. So, anime fans cause anime style physics and sci-fi fans cause sci-fi like events. Hilarity ensues as the opportunity for parodies and perils is abundant.
The plot follows life as Karl and Laura become involed and even marry and have children. Sometimes the story can take on serious tones, such as when dealing with things like getting older, or the fact that the fan-wave field is spreading so that it consumes their entire city. Will it become a geeks paradise, or will it spread across the world until it is no longer a thing that is special and unique? Even I don't know the answer.
Project #2: 2112 - the Graphic Novel
Original concept: 2000 - 2005
This unlicensed derivative work is inspired by the story album from Rush by the same name. It takes many of the concepts from the songs, and attempts to expand on them in order to make the story more complex and a bit less cliche. I loved the ideas presented in Peart's lyrics, and have long envisioned this in an animated form, perhaps even a motion picture. The story will follow the (currently unnamed) protaganist who starts his journey as an IT worker in the church-state like Cyrinx Corporation that controls virtually every aspect of everyday life. The year is 2112 on a calendar that was reset to Year Zero at the time when C-Corp established control over society. It will follow the hero as he rediscovers original music and unintentionally starts an almost cult-like political movement that eventually threatens to topple the current regime. Will he meet the same end as depicted in those famous Rush lyrics? Who or what are the Elder Race of Man, and what does their long awaited return mean in terms of the story?
Project #3: Asymmetric
Original concept: spring 2007
It is an unspecified year some time after 2010. The President of the United States is an analogue of Rudy Gulliani. America continues to be the sole remaining superpower on Earth. In the wake of expansionist doctrine, the familliar 50 star pattern of Old Glory has been replaced by the imperial eagle clutching at arrows and olive branches. Among others, the story follows an earnest young man in the US armed forces. In his world, F-22s and tanks are as much partners or pets as vehicles; each has its own biological computerized brain that aids its pilot, complete with its own personality. Many dark secrets will be revealed as he observes the impact of war and searches his soul to do what it right.