Old Sketchbook Pages: Project Homage: "The Shape-shifter"

     I went looking through a bunch of old stuff earlier today in search of a specific item had sketched a looooooooooooong time ago and ended up finding a bunch of notebooks and sketchbooks from 1998-2001.  In fact, it contained a mass of notes for one of my dream projects- which would be to remake a cartoon series from my childhood that I am rather fond of for the modern comic times.

     Since that would probably never happen, I had decided to start a project to make my own homage to it, and quite a few other series' into one shared universe set of stories all of my own.  Thus "Project Homage" was born.  Granted, a ton of life got in the way and these were set aside.  Now that I found them I am quite interested in revamping my notes into finished sci-fi and fantasy tales, possibly illustrated ones or comic books if I can find a bit of extra time.

     This one has a super short description.  It is an experiment to create the ultimate in espionage.  A shape-shifting creature.  What it would be is a caterpillar-like being that ingests massive amounts of material and converts it to a nutrient auger to then "grow" more mass.  (The creature itself would be about a foot long- the image is a fairly poor one sorry, it makes it hard to judge)  It would take a lot of time to do, and there would be a network of tendon-like cords throughout the constructed body after making a skeletal frame to work with.  Obviously the bigger the thing being made, the longer it would take.

     When in danger it could alter it's form on the spot with whatever it had on hand.  Need to shrink?  Slough off unnecessary material.  In danger and surrounded by bodies?  Burrow it's way into one and start pilfering their proteins and bones while simultaneously growing a new neural network to control the host's lifeless body.  The perfect, programmed adapter.  It can either use what's on hand, or grow what it needs through a conversion process.

     This creature would be used to infiltrate highly secure locations or replace people/aliens.  Originally I had thought it should be used in tandem with a telepath nearby.  But I'm still debating whether or not to do that.

Old Sketchbook Pages: Project Homage: "The Twins"

     I went looking through a bunch of old stuff earlier today in search of a specific item had sketched a looooooooooooong time ago and ended up finding a bunch of notebooks and sketchbooks from 1998-2001.  In fact, it contained a mass of notes for one of my dream projects- which would be to remake a cartoon series from my childhood that I am rather fond of for the modern comic times.

     Since that would probably never happen, I had decided to start a project to make my own homage to it, and quite a few other series' into one shared universe set of stories all of my own.  Thus "Project Homage" was born.  Granted, a ton of life got in the way and these were set aside.  Now that I found them I am quite interested in revamping my notes into finished sci-fi and fantasy tales, possibly illustrated ones or comic books if I can find a bit of extra time.

     This is actually a two-fer.  This would be a pair of twins, one male and one female.  The sketch above is of the female.  A pair of telepathic prodigies- but instead of being mirrored in their lives, they would be almost opposites.  She would have four eyes, to see with, while the male's suit would have none.  His would be like a birthing caul.  He would be relying on a combination of tech in the suit/mask and building his "view" of the world around him using the minds of those he's around.  She would be the talker and he would be silent.

     I would also note that these two would be part of the "Intergalactic Special Forces" team I had mentioned in the previous posts- so they would have heavy combat experience.  They fight battles with body and mind together- enemies don't often expect to be barraged with both combat in person and mental/astral projections in that other realm that lies in our heads.

     There was a huge "twist" to their story, but when this gets going I would like to keep it a mystery for the time being.  Only my best friend knows what it was, but then again, I told him what it was over a decade ago, so he may have forgotten...

Old Sketchbook Pages: Project Homage: "The Kidd"

     I went looking through a bunch of old stuff earlier today in search of a specific item had sketched a looooooooooooong time ago and ended up finding a bunch of notebooks and sketchbooks from 1998-2001.  In fact, it contained a mass of notes for one of my dream projects- which would be to remake a cartoon series from my childhood that I am rather fond of for the modern comic times.

     Since that would probably never happen, I had decided to start a project to make my own homage to it, and quite a few other series' into one shared universe set of stories all of my own.  Thus "Project Homage" was born.  Granted, a ton of life got in the way and these were set aside.  Now that I found them I am quite interested in revamping my notes into finished sci-fi and fantasy tales, possibly illustrated ones or comic books if I can find a bit of extra time.

     This is one of my favorite personally designed characters to this day.  Outside of two others I made for this project, being called- 1) The Dammu-Yoggua and 2) The Sword of the Nine Tribes.  There is a chance I'll post those pics in a few weeks.  But for now I'm just doing small pieces on the few sketches I found tonight- and I'll dig out the rest another time.

     Anyhow, this character is of an alien race that I can only describe as "living flutes."  Their entire communication is through complex musical systems of notes.

     The skulls would, I figure it, work like a combination of a flute and a lambeosaurine (a hollow-crested hadrosaur).  Air would be forced through complex tubing, and the muscles around the holes on the elongated head to make all the various notes by contracting and closing off pathways- like fingers on a flute.  I figure there would also be other airways for breathing so they could both "sing" and breath at the same time.

     Due to the character being from part of Project Homage, people might be able to guess what show I wanted to update and make it into a hard sci-fi series.  Which is why it looks to be in a containment suit of sorts- to mask it's natural appearance from most humans, which would not know of these odd creatures.  Since they would be much smaller than humans, an exoskeleton and a lot of internal equipment would allow it to be on the team with only a couple people actually knowing what it was.

  I'm actually really glad I saved these old sketches and notes, because I've got tons of better ideas to use these for in my own stories now.

Old Sketchbook Pages: Project Homage: "Siren"

     I went looking through a bunch of old stuff earlier today in search of a specific item had sketched a looooooooooooong time ago and ended up finding a bunch of notebooks and sketchbooks from 1998-2001.  In fact, it contained a mass of notes for one of my dream projects- which would be to remake a cartoon series from my childhood that I am rather fond of for the modern comic times.

     Since that would probably never happen, I had decided to start a project to make my own homage to it, and quite a few other series' into one shared universe set of stories all of my own.  Thus "Project Homage" was born.  Granted, a ton of life got in the way and these were set aside.  Now that I found them I am quite interested in revamping my notes into finished sci-fi and fantasy tales, possibly illustrated ones or comic books if I can find a bit of extra time.

     Here is the first character sketches I found.


     I had her code-named "Siren."  Simply a placeholder name at the time, because she used a form of hypnotic singing to lure in victims.  Her tale was set to be quite sad- she was genetically engineered to be a sort of human/mosquito hybrid- a vampire of sorts.  When she feeds it expands the thorax/belly section for digestion and protein conversion to reproduction- laying eggs.

     Unfortunately, she was also created sterile.  At some point a group finds her singing dirges over her nest of eggs and they try to assist in a kind of rehabilitation.  Bringing her in to get help and be admitted to an Intergalactic Swat Team- made up of other members and oddities that she would feel at least somewhat at home with.

     It would, in essence be universal misfits grouped together because of their outcast natures- picked up and trained by a strange section of military that would, of course, pose it's own threats at a later time.

Christmas Holiday Cards: 2013...

     This is a small Christmassy card/thing I made last year for someone while I worked on the really large Blue Jay picture project for someone else.  Originally it was going to be a large 3 part picture across multiple frames, but I ran out of time due to work and miscellaneous life setbacks (injury and medical issues).
     So I ended up making this smaller version and due to forgetfulness I didn't put it up on this blog.

Imagine a John Lennon Clone... From a Tooth.

     I read about this on not just one other website, but a few.  Apparently Canadian Dentist-slash-Beatles-fan Michael Zuk spent something like $30,000 to buy one of Lennon's molars that had been removed- and now is working with US researchers at an unnamed laboratory at Penn State to see if they can clone him, or at least what can be done with the DNA.


I couldn't help but make this image- the lyrics are just too fitting.

"I am nervous and excited at the possibility that we will be able to fully sequence John Lennon's DNA, very soon I hope," Zuk said. "With researchers working on ways to clone mammoths, the same technology certainly could make human cloning a reality..."

     Assuming they can extract the necessary sequences, would this even matter?  It wouldn't quite be "bringing back one of Rock's greatest stars" as Zuk thinks.  A clone doesn't get all the influences that the original had, all the distinct circumstances that shaped him.  The potential clone's experiences and life building won't be the same.  Times change and with the ridiculous modern era of music we could end up with a monster like Justin Bieber.
     A Lennon clone could have all the inherent talent (latent familial traits, etc) but no focus or drive to create.  Seriously, wasn't part of Lennon's inspiration to break out of the "normal system?"
     And as Lennon was part of the Beatles, the clone won't get the tremendous influence of George Harrison and Paul McCartney (and I suppose Ringo Starr as well).  There would be all the potential, but none of the rest. 

     I mean, what if he wanted to be a painter instead?  This potential clone would be their own individual, and would make their own choices, with their own rights.  Sure, the body will be the same, but the mind and whatever else makes us, well... us, is individualized.

     Here's Mr. Zuk's site for the curious: http://www.johnlennontooth.com/

Source [ PR Web ]

Let's Writey-Drawey!

     A few friends of mine have started a Tumblr feed about a game we occasionally play called Let's Writey Drawey. (check it out if you like- you can even submit ones you've done!)  It's not a new game, and it's one many people have heard of, or played in a variation.

     Essentially, one person writes a line (sometimes there are word count limits) and the next person illustrates the line and folds the line of text over for the next person, who in turn has to write a line based solely on the image drawn.  Simply put- it's an exercise in stupid humor.  As such, it's quite entertaining.

     Here's a couple I joined in for:

     1) Otters in my Pants!!!

     2)  2013: Year of the Mermaid.
   

Batman: Andrew Scott (BBC Sherlock's Moriarty) as The Riddler

     After sharing the BBC Sherlock with a coworker, we had a conversation about the amazing writing and actors.  Somehow that led to us talking about The Dark Knight series. 
     Everyone knows Warner Bros. will definitely be continuing the series because they love money, and everyone loves Batman.  Well, we came to the conclusion that, while many would go with the already over-used Benedict Cumberbatch, we would suggest Andrew Scott for the next Batman series' Edward Nigma- otherwise known as The Riddler. 
     He would be such a wonderful Riddler.  If somehow, Christopher Nolan reads this, pass word along and make this happen.

     I spent all of 10 minutes making this simple mock up pic just because.  Enjoy, and let me know what you think of our casting choice. 

The Hobbit: Now in Three Parts

After reading this a couple weeks back-

'"So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.

 It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."

Cheers,

Peter J'

 OH! MY! GOD!   A TRILOGY!?!?  BRILLIANT!!!

     -All I could think was, hey, the film industry is trying to gain more $$ from the Lord of the Rings saga by extending the single Hobbit book into not 2, but 3 films! Seriously talk about raking in some extras on this massive cash cow. Didn't the Lord of the Rings gross like 3 billion worldwide just in theaters?
     Here's a few suggestions for the 3rd movie's title-

The Hobbit: Milking Smaug's Golden Teats
The Hobbit: An Expected Lucrative Extension
The Hobbit: Give Us Your Money
The Hobbit: We're Just Making Sh*t Up Now
The Hobbit: Bilbo's Bankroll


    

Say no to SOPA PIPA!!!

Sorry I've been out injured and feeling like crap for a while, but all this SOPA crap has got me worked up.
More real posting with art and words and entertainment to follow this return to blogging post.

Here's what I think about this absurd bill:  It's shit. 
I would much rather have people steal some of my images and know who I was(free advertisement) than be stuck under the SOPA bill.  Sure, I make crap for money, but the things I've downloaded I ALSO ALREADY BOUGHT!!!

Anyway, thank goodness for Google's Blacked out protest logo, and Wiki's only availiable page being that of the SOPA bill page.  Very well played by them.  Great ideas indeed.

Here's a stolen picture I added words to.  Appropriate for my stance on this topic.  Everyone knows it's not my pic, it's Gandalf.  The words I added, and I guarantee some others have made similar things.  If so THANK GOD for similar thinking.  I want their access to their ideas and thoughts, even if they are different.  Not censored.  With a dash of humor.

I've downloaded comics- Such as DC comic's Intimates.  I have bought 3 copies of the first 4 issues, and 2 of the rest.  So I decided, after paying for them in hard copy multiple times, I'd download digital ones.

Dark Horse Conan comics- I bought issues 1-40something as well as the first 5 trades.  So I downloaded duplicates of the ones I've bought.

Same goes with movies and music.  Big Trouble in Little China?  I own it on VHS, DVD, and BluRay.  Two days ago I bought the 2 disc soundtrack, and soon I will have a digital copy, that I downloaded.

I've gotten zero credit for many ideas and creations that I've made, and guess what, I'm ok with that.

WTF!? Google needs to fix this.

OK.  I love google, and their Blogger stuff. 
But I literally tried the "Next Blog" button on the top of the page 50 times.
I got (http://alpha-beta-tricks.blogspot.com/) 24 times, (http://www.indirelease.com/) 17 times,  and 9 other sites in between.  Seriously, WHAT THE HELL GOOGLE!?!?

I would very much like to scan through various blogs to see what's out there, and instead I get stuck in stupid loops of the same 2-3 blogs going on over and over.  I even went to other computers, tried starting the blog search from various bloggers' pages, and the same sites still repeat.  It is VERY annoying.  Especially when the 2 listed above don't have a "Next Blog" button on them.
This is a specific issue I have had many times, and it is really something that needs to be remedied.
Come on Google, this problem needs to be fixed, and I actually think out of all the bazillions of brilliant employees at your disposal, at least a handful could fix it with ease.

Also, the updated blog editor needs a spellchecker.