And the costume would be more functional and Tron-esque (and it's weird that the girl in this Adam Hughes image looks so much like Jessica Lowndes)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A new Apogee???
Yeah, we're thinking about it I'm sad to say. Here's how it would roll out:
And the costume would be more functional and Tron-esque (and it's weird that the girl in this Adam Hughes image looks so much like Jessica Lowndes)
And the costume would be more functional and Tron-esque (and it's weird that the girl in this Adam Hughes image looks so much like Jessica Lowndes)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Another little taste
By the way, if you have a problem with Cool Hand's language, I totally understand. Cool Hand is kind of an acquired taste. But I hope you realize that some people talk that way, and that it's not an intentional effort to offend you.
I arrived at the hotel lobby, but before I ran outside, Mr. Haha intercepted me. I could see lights and a general commotion of people out the windows, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
“What happened to your costume?” he said, noticing my missing cowl and headgear.
I shook my head, “it was bothering me.”
“Nevertheless, you found it?” Mr. Haha asked me.
I waved the copper box.
“I’ll hide it,” the robot reached out for it, and I have to admit for a second there, I had trouble trusting him. I hesitated long enough for Haha to cock his rabbit head a bit, but I relented and handed it to him. He dug it into his kimono where it was incorporated into his hardware and as safe as we could make it.
“Now for the fun part,” he said and ran out with me close in tow.
Running outside, I felt what the ancient Roman gladiators must have felt as they walked into the arena of the coliseum. A crowd had formed, though held back by dozens of police officers. Some had hastily designed signs (including one that read “Apogee, show us ur tits”), others were betting and drinking and otherwise being rambunctious. Two helicopters circled overhead, beaming us with their klaxon lights. Several of the ‘guidos’ were hanging around the Rocket Flyer across the street. They stood around, looking at us, waiting.
Ahead of me stood Dr. Zundergrub, surrounded by his motes which were in a panic from the lights, tearing at his lab coat. Beside him was Cool Hand, who was yelling back at the crowd, working them up into a frenzy like a professional wrestler.
And beyond them, barring our way to the Rocket Flyer stood the Superb Seven.
Or rather, five of them stood. Atmosphero floated in the air menacingly. He’d done something to his suit. It was busier, with not just one, but three capes that interloped to make one big one. He looked straight at me, with a looming scowl on his face. In all my worry about Apogee and Mirage, I’d forgotten about him. I figured he’d be more careful this time. He was amongst true powers now, so he could bide his time, and close in when he saw me in trouble with Apogee.
And speaking of Apogee, there she was.
She looked different in person, even taller, though dwarfed by Epic beside her. Her costume was scandalous, dark blue, almost black spandex very tightly cut around her bikini line with yellow-gold trim a crimson wrapped belt that fluttered in the wind. Her upper body was also dark spandex, tightly cut from her armpits to her neck, a push-up bra that threatened to spill her ample bosom.
Her long gloves and boots were also dark blue, as was the simple eye mask. When we looked at each other, she glared, much like a wolf does to the chicken safely inside the chicken coop, letting the bird know what will happen if it dares venture outside.
Well, I had dared.
Her face was pristine, slightly tanned, with wide, full lips and a flawless jaw line. Her nose was a bit too long, but fitting with the rest of her beautiful face. There was a small scar under the bottom of her lip, and another beneath her chin, but they only made her look that much more alluring. Apogee’s long blonde hair danced with the breeze. Her face belonged on a Greek statue, and her body was a violation of the rules of nature, yet it was her eyes that were most fascinating. They were striking, green-gray with tinges of hazel, and full of rage. Like two belligerent viridian pools, both exquisite and deadly.
I glanced over at Epic a moment, and some of the others, but they didn’t catch my attention like she did. Her glare was intoxicating, I couldn’t help myself. Much like I had lost myself against Dr. Zundergrub, but this time there was no super power involved.
“I see only six,” Zundergrub said, and I saw that he was holding a small yellow mote. It was childlike, almost like a human if not for the color and demonic features, and it was sleeping like a toddler would in its parent’s arms. The doctor petted the beast, which slumbered, oblivious to the fight that was about to ensue.
Epic caught me staring at her, and it was clear that he didn’t like it. He was a big fellow, far bigger than anything I’d ever seen before. He looked like his body was about to explode in muscle, and was a head taller than me. His muscular development and definition were disconcerting. Epic seriously looked like if you pinched him with a needle, he’d pop like a balloon. I knew that wasn’t the case, though, and fortunately he was facing off with Mr. Haha and not me.
If Influx had been with us, he would’ve faced off against her.
It was my second hero vs. villain group fight, and I started to notice how it was playing out. First there was a stand-off, where the two groups filed in and squared off. Basically, during this part, you chose your enemies and it kind of resembled when we were kids and the dance class teachers put the boys into one long line and the girls into another. You’d count off to make sure you were in the same spot as the girl you liked, avoiding the girls you didn’t.
Except, by the time this encounter ended, people would surely be hurt or killed.
Superdynamic was next to Epic, also intent on Mr. Haha. I suppose they saw him as the leader of the group, or the most deadly. In a way, he was, with those weapons fashioned into his arms. But I saw none of those super guns. Mr. Haha had drawn his rusty old katana, and was just holding it to his side, unconcerned at the heroes that faced him.
While he didn’t have any powers, Superdynamic was a techie, kind of like me. He had designed the suit he wore, which looked much like the spandex that Apogee, Epic and the others wore. It was a power suit that allowed him to fly, enhanced his strength to superhuman levels, and I knew he could take a punch, due to an energy ablative shield.
Facing off against Cool Hand was Gamma Demon, a red spandex guy who I knew little about. He wore a red-orange suit with a radiation warning on his chest. Raw energy crackled from the gamma bands around his wrists, probably containing his radioactive power from killing all of us, including the spectators. He looked pretty impressive, but Cool Hand was ignoring him, his attention instead on Apogee.
Across from Zundergrub was the sixth and last visible member of the Superb Seven, FTL. He wore a full set of futuristic powered armor, glowing with some strange radiating phosphorescence, and a full helm that obscured his face. FTL was a flier, like Superdynamic and probably Gamma Demon and his suit seemed to thrum with power. I knew even less about him than all the others.
The missing man was Mirage, and I had surmised that might be his trick. I know I had devoted most of my research to Apogee, ignoring most of the Superb Seven, but I was aware of his power repertoire and his strategies. In addition to being able to cloud the minds of others with his namesake tricks, he liked to start a fight invisible, out of reach. He only made himself known when the fight was near over, instead spending his time obfuscating others and concealing his companions. People would be standing in front of you one second, behind you the next, then you’d get creamed from where they actually were, a totally different direction.
Not only were we outnumbered, but their powers seemed to work against us very well. They had enough brawny guys to keep us busy, and a few tactical guys to sit back and take us down. It was pretty clear they were counting on Atmosphero and Gamma Demon to drop us.
As a matter of fact, I saw Atmosphero ease back as Epic and Superdynamic conferred. FTL stepped in front of Gamma Demon and stood off against Cool Hand. So the way it was going to go down was a brawler against each one of us, with two ranged hitters taking their shots, probably helping FTL first, since he was the least experienced of the Superb Seven. All the while, Mirage would be making life impossible for us with his mental tricks.
And it was up to me to ruin their plan. I was responsible for clearing areas with my explosive, concussive and gas arrows. I had to do something to stop them from mowing over us effortlessly. Zundergrub could probably beat FTL one on one, but he’d have three people in his face at the start of the fight. I doubted even his secret yellow mote could help him there. Cool could make life impossible for Superdynamic, but I didn’t think he could beat him outright. Maybe frustrate him with his speed, get a good lick or two in, but no more. Haha I didn’t think could last against Epic. Knowing he was fighting a robot, Epic wouldn’t restrain himself. He’d use his unearthly strength to rip the rabbit apart as soon as he got his hands on him. Haha was full of surprises, and maybe he’d use that plasma cannon that had damned near ripped me in two. I could still feel the pain from that weapon coursing through my stomach. But Haha wouldn’t open up with the big guns. It wasn’t his style. He’d wait until later, until he could think of a good line.
Cool walked closer to Apogee, but not too close to draw her ire, “Hot damn, baby. You got it all going on.”
She ignored him, her attention devoted to me.
“I’m not kidding,” he continued, patting his bat. “Have you ever done the Spider or the Golden Gate? You look flexible enough.”
Her eyes flared, leaving me for just a moment and regarding the little man with a ferocious glare.
“Enough!” Superdynamic shot in.
“Hey, I’m working on something here. Get in fucking line,” Cool snapped at Superdynamic. “What about the Mexican Horseshoe? We’d need three hookers, a bottle of corn syrup, a sack of flour, a socket wrench and a donkey with a ski mask. But trust me when I tell you it’s-“
“You little shit,” Apogee said, stepping forward losing her cool, but Superdynamic stepped in front of her, not wanting the fight to start on our terms.
“I said leave the lady alone, asshole!”
Cool stepped back, smiling. That was his way, to get people off guard with his rude banter. Get them off their game, then strike. We just had to watch him, and follow his lead. It was weird, but I was starting to get comfortable with the group, getting to know their tricks.
I looked over at Epic, who was looking at us with a smug smile on his face, standing in perfect “hero” pose. He had nothing to fear from us, in fact, Epic was more concerned with a few news cameras among the crowd.
“You pricks have one chance, and one chance only,” Superdynamic said. “Surrender and you won’t get beat down. We got the numbers, we got the power. And you know this.”
“And if we do not surrender?” Mr. Haha said.
“It’ll hurt,” Epic said.
“But you won’t like it,” Superdynamic added. “So what’s it going to be?”
I arrived at the hotel lobby, but before I ran outside, Mr. Haha intercepted me. I could see lights and a general commotion of people out the windows, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
“What happened to your costume?” he said, noticing my missing cowl and headgear.
I shook my head, “it was bothering me.”
“Nevertheless, you found it?” Mr. Haha asked me.
I waved the copper box.
“I’ll hide it,” the robot reached out for it, and I have to admit for a second there, I had trouble trusting him. I hesitated long enough for Haha to cock his rabbit head a bit, but I relented and handed it to him. He dug it into his kimono where it was incorporated into his hardware and as safe as we could make it.
“Now for the fun part,” he said and ran out with me close in tow.
Running outside, I felt what the ancient Roman gladiators must have felt as they walked into the arena of the coliseum. A crowd had formed, though held back by dozens of police officers. Some had hastily designed signs (including one that read “Apogee, show us ur tits”), others were betting and drinking and otherwise being rambunctious. Two helicopters circled overhead, beaming us with their klaxon lights. Several of the ‘guidos’ were hanging around the Rocket Flyer across the street. They stood around, looking at us, waiting.
Ahead of me stood Dr. Zundergrub, surrounded by his motes which were in a panic from the lights, tearing at his lab coat. Beside him was Cool Hand, who was yelling back at the crowd, working them up into a frenzy like a professional wrestler.
And beyond them, barring our way to the Rocket Flyer stood the Superb Seven.
Or rather, five of them stood. Atmosphero floated in the air menacingly. He’d done something to his suit. It was busier, with not just one, but three capes that interloped to make one big one. He looked straight at me, with a looming scowl on his face. In all my worry about Apogee and Mirage, I’d forgotten about him. I figured he’d be more careful this time. He was amongst true powers now, so he could bide his time, and close in when he saw me in trouble with Apogee.
And speaking of Apogee, there she was.
She looked different in person, even taller, though dwarfed by Epic beside her. Her costume was scandalous, dark blue, almost black spandex very tightly cut around her bikini line with yellow-gold trim a crimson wrapped belt that fluttered in the wind. Her upper body was also dark spandex, tightly cut from her armpits to her neck, a push-up bra that threatened to spill her ample bosom.
Her long gloves and boots were also dark blue, as was the simple eye mask. When we looked at each other, she glared, much like a wolf does to the chicken safely inside the chicken coop, letting the bird know what will happen if it dares venture outside.
Well, I had dared.
Her face was pristine, slightly tanned, with wide, full lips and a flawless jaw line. Her nose was a bit too long, but fitting with the rest of her beautiful face. There was a small scar under the bottom of her lip, and another beneath her chin, but they only made her look that much more alluring. Apogee’s long blonde hair danced with the breeze. Her face belonged on a Greek statue, and her body was a violation of the rules of nature, yet it was her eyes that were most fascinating. They were striking, green-gray with tinges of hazel, and full of rage. Like two belligerent viridian pools, both exquisite and deadly.
I glanced over at Epic a moment, and some of the others, but they didn’t catch my attention like she did. Her glare was intoxicating, I couldn’t help myself. Much like I had lost myself against Dr. Zundergrub, but this time there was no super power involved.
“I see only six,” Zundergrub said, and I saw that he was holding a small yellow mote. It was childlike, almost like a human if not for the color and demonic features, and it was sleeping like a toddler would in its parent’s arms. The doctor petted the beast, which slumbered, oblivious to the fight that was about to ensue.
Epic caught me staring at her, and it was clear that he didn’t like it. He was a big fellow, far bigger than anything I’d ever seen before. He looked like his body was about to explode in muscle, and was a head taller than me. His muscular development and definition were disconcerting. Epic seriously looked like if you pinched him with a needle, he’d pop like a balloon. I knew that wasn’t the case, though, and fortunately he was facing off with Mr. Haha and not me.
If Influx had been with us, he would’ve faced off against her.
It was my second hero vs. villain group fight, and I started to notice how it was playing out. First there was a stand-off, where the two groups filed in and squared off. Basically, during this part, you chose your enemies and it kind of resembled when we were kids and the dance class teachers put the boys into one long line and the girls into another. You’d count off to make sure you were in the same spot as the girl you liked, avoiding the girls you didn’t.
Except, by the time this encounter ended, people would surely be hurt or killed.
Superdynamic was next to Epic, also intent on Mr. Haha. I suppose they saw him as the leader of the group, or the most deadly. In a way, he was, with those weapons fashioned into his arms. But I saw none of those super guns. Mr. Haha had drawn his rusty old katana, and was just holding it to his side, unconcerned at the heroes that faced him.
While he didn’t have any powers, Superdynamic was a techie, kind of like me. He had designed the suit he wore, which looked much like the spandex that Apogee, Epic and the others wore. It was a power suit that allowed him to fly, enhanced his strength to superhuman levels, and I knew he could take a punch, due to an energy ablative shield.
Facing off against Cool Hand was Gamma Demon, a red spandex guy who I knew little about. He wore a red-orange suit with a radiation warning on his chest. Raw energy crackled from the gamma bands around his wrists, probably containing his radioactive power from killing all of us, including the spectators. He looked pretty impressive, but Cool Hand was ignoring him, his attention instead on Apogee.
Across from Zundergrub was the sixth and last visible member of the Superb Seven, FTL. He wore a full set of futuristic powered armor, glowing with some strange radiating phosphorescence, and a full helm that obscured his face. FTL was a flier, like Superdynamic and probably Gamma Demon and his suit seemed to thrum with power. I knew even less about him than all the others.
The missing man was Mirage, and I had surmised that might be his trick. I know I had devoted most of my research to Apogee, ignoring most of the Superb Seven, but I was aware of his power repertoire and his strategies. In addition to being able to cloud the minds of others with his namesake tricks, he liked to start a fight invisible, out of reach. He only made himself known when the fight was near over, instead spending his time obfuscating others and concealing his companions. People would be standing in front of you one second, behind you the next, then you’d get creamed from where they actually were, a totally different direction.
Not only were we outnumbered, but their powers seemed to work against us very well. They had enough brawny guys to keep us busy, and a few tactical guys to sit back and take us down. It was pretty clear they were counting on Atmosphero and Gamma Demon to drop us.
As a matter of fact, I saw Atmosphero ease back as Epic and Superdynamic conferred. FTL stepped in front of Gamma Demon and stood off against Cool Hand. So the way it was going to go down was a brawler against each one of us, with two ranged hitters taking their shots, probably helping FTL first, since he was the least experienced of the Superb Seven. All the while, Mirage would be making life impossible for us with his mental tricks.
And it was up to me to ruin their plan. I was responsible for clearing areas with my explosive, concussive and gas arrows. I had to do something to stop them from mowing over us effortlessly. Zundergrub could probably beat FTL one on one, but he’d have three people in his face at the start of the fight. I doubted even his secret yellow mote could help him there. Cool could make life impossible for Superdynamic, but I didn’t think he could beat him outright. Maybe frustrate him with his speed, get a good lick or two in, but no more. Haha I didn’t think could last against Epic. Knowing he was fighting a robot, Epic wouldn’t restrain himself. He’d use his unearthly strength to rip the rabbit apart as soon as he got his hands on him. Haha was full of surprises, and maybe he’d use that plasma cannon that had damned near ripped me in two. I could still feel the pain from that weapon coursing through my stomach. But Haha wouldn’t open up with the big guns. It wasn’t his style. He’d wait until later, until he could think of a good line.
Cool walked closer to Apogee, but not too close to draw her ire, “Hot damn, baby. You got it all going on.”
She ignored him, her attention devoted to me.
“I’m not kidding,” he continued, patting his bat. “Have you ever done the Spider or the Golden Gate? You look flexible enough.”
Her eyes flared, leaving me for just a moment and regarding the little man with a ferocious glare.
“Enough!” Superdynamic shot in.
“Hey, I’m working on something here. Get in fucking line,” Cool snapped at Superdynamic. “What about the Mexican Horseshoe? We’d need three hookers, a bottle of corn syrup, a sack of flour, a socket wrench and a donkey with a ski mask. But trust me when I tell you it’s-“
“You little shit,” Apogee said, stepping forward losing her cool, but Superdynamic stepped in front of her, not wanting the fight to start on our terms.
“I said leave the lady alone, asshole!”
Cool stepped back, smiling. That was his way, to get people off guard with his rude banter. Get them off their game, then strike. We just had to watch him, and follow his lead. It was weird, but I was starting to get comfortable with the group, getting to know their tricks.
I looked over at Epic, who was looking at us with a smug smile on his face, standing in perfect “hero” pose. He had nothing to fear from us, in fact, Epic was more concerned with a few news cameras among the crowd.
“You pricks have one chance, and one chance only,” Superdynamic said. “Surrender and you won’t get beat down. We got the numbers, we got the power. And you know this.”
“And if we do not surrender?” Mr. Haha said.
“It’ll hurt,” Epic said.
“But you won’t like it,” Superdynamic added. “So what’s it going to be?”
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
At haters...
The chances of the Adam Hughes' in the world seeing this site is infinitesimal, but I want to just say one thing.
We're not going to steal your ideas. We're not going to copy your ideas. We're not going to do anything similar to your ideas. Shut the hell up about that and hang up the phone with your attorney.
Besides, I'm Blackjack. I'll crack your skull if you get stupid.
No, we're just looking for inspiration, and what comes will undoubtedly will be inspired by some of the images we're putting here, and much more. When you think about it, how much of what you do isn't inspired by others? And how much of anything that's ever been written/drawn/sculpted/etc., is wholly original and not a slight or partial derivation of something else. I've heard (from someone who's a lot smarter than all you punks) that nothing is original, that we always carry with us the baggage of everything we've seen, everything we've heard or read, and when we come up with something supposedly 'new', it has the flavor of all those things.
So relax, calm down. Be flattered. And chill out, or I'll come around and thump your skull.
We're not going to steal your ideas. We're not going to copy your ideas. We're not going to do anything similar to your ideas. Shut the hell up about that and hang up the phone with your attorney.
Besides, I'm Blackjack. I'll crack your skull if you get stupid.
No, we're just looking for inspiration, and what comes will undoubtedly will be inspired by some of the images we're putting here, and much more. When you think about it, how much of what you do isn't inspired by others? And how much of anything that's ever been written/drawn/sculpted/etc., is wholly original and not a slight or partial derivation of something else. I've heard (from someone who's a lot smarter than all you punks) that nothing is original, that we always carry with us the baggage of everything we've seen, everything we've heard or read, and when we come up with something supposedly 'new', it has the flavor of all those things.
So relax, calm down. Be flattered. And chill out, or I'll come around and thump your skull.
About going stylistic instead of 'comic bookey'
I like the idea of going stylistic, doing something that implies rather than throws the images into your brain. It's a book, not a comic, so you want people to have their own images of what the characters are supposed to look like. Sure thing...
But it's inspired by the world of comics, it's kind of a genre-bending book, and you can't draw a clear defined line to distinguish whether it's a comic with no pictures, or a book that reads like a comic.
I'm torn, to be honest, between doing something classy that you could find on the shelves of your nearest bookstore, and doing something cool and slick like you'd find on the shelves of your nearest comic book store. I just think that a cool cover will attract people, then the words will do the rest. It's a cool story, an interesting bunch of characters, and it's written pretty well. To me, the cover is kind of a way to get people to stop as they browse by, and give it a look. Once they turn the page and read the first paragraph, I think they won't want to turn away.
It's something you see in comic books a lot. The artist on the cover is some famous guy, like Alex Ross, Adam Hughes or Jim Lee, but the interior art is done by a different artist. You see a cover by one of those guys, and it gives you pause.
So I need my Alex Ross cover. The rest, I think I have covered.
But it's inspired by the world of comics, it's kind of a genre-bending book, and you can't draw a clear defined line to distinguish whether it's a comic with no pictures, or a book that reads like a comic.
I'm torn, to be honest, between doing something classy that you could find on the shelves of your nearest bookstore, and doing something cool and slick like you'd find on the shelves of your nearest comic book store. I just think that a cool cover will attract people, then the words will do the rest. It's a cool story, an interesting bunch of characters, and it's written pretty well. To me, the cover is kind of a way to get people to stop as they browse by, and give it a look. Once they turn the page and read the first paragraph, I think they won't want to turn away.
It's something you see in comic books a lot. The artist on the cover is some famous guy, like Alex Ross, Adam Hughes or Jim Lee, but the interior art is done by a different artist. You see a cover by one of those guys, and it gives you pause.
So I need my Alex Ross cover. The rest, I think I have covered.
Cover Ideas 6
The last one for today, also the most gruesome.
In the book there's a scene where Blackjack literally takes on an entire army of...er....enemies, yeah, enemies...AND HE WINS. And one of the visuals for the cover might be inspired from that scene. Where he stands atop the bodies of his vanquished foes.
In the book there's a scene where Blackjack literally takes on an entire army of...er....enemies, yeah, enemies...AND HE WINS. And one of the visuals for the cover might be inspired from that scene. Where he stands atop the bodies of his vanquished foes.
Cover Ideas 5
Some solo ideas, from Adam Hughes, Adam Hughes and Jim Lee.
I basically like the idea of him standing before the explosion/fire/mayhem he creates in the book. The last one kind of reminds me of the motion of drawing an arrow from a quiver. Blackjack is an archer at first, so that might be kind of cool, and the background we could fill with Shard World imagery.
I basically like the idea of him standing before the explosion/fire/mayhem he creates in the book. The last one kind of reminds me of the motion of drawing an arrow from a quiver. Blackjack is an archer at first, so that might be kind of cool, and the background we could fill with Shard World imagery.
Cover Ideas 4
Ok, coming down the final stretch, here's some ideas for Blackjack 'in action'. Not sure how viable these are, but I still like them.
This would work to allow us to put Blackjack and Apogee on the cover, with him crouched and firing the bow, and her looking awesome. Hot chicks sell books, remember dat! (Thanks to Adam Hughes)
Frank Miller. What else is there to say? It looks freaking awesome, and the idea is kinda cool.
This would work to allow us to put Blackjack and Apogee on the cover, with him crouched and firing the bow, and her looking awesome. Hot chicks sell books, remember dat! (Thanks to Adam Hughes)
Cover Ideas 3
These are some really nice covers but more from the group team-up aspect, which isn't so much the point of the story. But I like the visuals.
Not sure the artist, but I love the slanted angle.
I believe this is Jae Lee doing the JLA, but I like the idea of line art, and Supe's face/attitude scream Blackjack.
Not sure the artist, but I love the slanted angle.
Cover Ideas 2
Here we go with a second round of ideas. These are more inspired by bad guys...
Punisher is the character most like Blackjack, even though he's kind of a softie compared to Blacks. Here, we'd replace the gun for a bow, but the simplicity of it all is really cool.
This is kind of a classic (by Tim Bradstreet as above), but what I like about it is the background, where we could put some newspaper articles that give some of the concepts of the story away.
Adam Hughes masterpiece which matches my story in so many ways. I'd change the facial expression to a big smile. Why not be nice, you know?
Cover Ideas 1
More ideas coming your way. Again, these are just for inspiration, not because we're gonna steal the idea. And if we are, what're you gonna do about it?
I like the idea of Blackjack in the forefront, with the faded images of everyone else behind.
A little more moody, with some interesting lighting, but he same basic idea. Above is Giuseppe Camuncoli, below is Alex Ross.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Chapter One (just a taste)
Chapter 1
I sensed him well before I could see him, but I knew he would show soon enough. When you're in my line of business, you grow eyes on the back of your head, and you learn to respect every random anxious feeling.
But this guy has the subtlety of an angered boar, and powers to match. Powers, yes, super powers. That's what I'm talking about.
No sooner had I come outside to the balcony of my Malibu home to take in the sunset and down a cold beer than the entire landscape changed, from the warm purple/orange of the end of a summer's day, to darkness, swept through by shadows, as a whole storm front moved in far too fast to be a natural occurrence. The slight breeze turned into a gale, and the clouds above coalesced into the outline of a wickedly grinning face, eyes illuminated with white-yellow lightning.
I dropped my beer and threw myself through the sliding glass door as the first crackle of lighting tore into the balcony, wood, glass and nails exploding me inward with the force. I was like a rag doll, floating through the air amidst a cloud of debris, hurled through a wall into the kitchen and coming to a rest atop the shattered remains of the center island.
The very air crackled electrostatically, and my lungs burned as every breath felt like a surge of energized air. I came to my feet and glanced over my shoulders through the wrecked wall at the wide chasm that lay beyond the smoldering balcony. I shook the glass and dust out of my face, and noticed the hairs of my arms standing on end as he gently flew in, carried aloft by his god-like powers, and after looking around, settled his stern gaze upon me.
I blinked my vision clear, but the world still had a bright white tinge. It illuminated him, like an angel as he touched down into the remains of my living room. He was tall and dark, wearing ridiculous blue and yellow tights. He calls himself Atmosphero. Yes, Atmosphero. My name is Dale, but I’m known as ...
“Blackjack,” he said “fancy meeting you here.”
I should have jumped out of the way, or maybe I did, but he was faster, and hurled his horrible powers at me, through the hole I had made in the wall, raw lightning crackling through my body. I screamed, overcome with rage, impotence and pain, watching him destroy the remnants of the wall in front of me, and shattering the entire kitchen around me. Light exploded in the back of my mind, and I thought bitterly of the sunset I enjoyed not a minute before.
The lightning lifted me off the ground, like an overgrown marionette, racking my body with spasm and contractions, like a thousand pulled muscles all at once. Then he hurled me across the room, into the dual steel refrigerators, destroying them and spilling their contents on my form as I fell to the floor. Caked in milk, juice and flour, I was momentarily out of sight, and that was the only chance I needed.
See, I have powers too, maybe even greater than that leather and spandex bastard that decided to ruin my evening.
He was out of sight, hidden by what remained of the wall between my living room and kitchen, but I could feel where he was, and imagined him strolling forward casually to finish me off.
I buried my dislike for the peacock and flung a huge piece of the shattered marble counter at him through the wall. It was effortless to me, like flinging a huge rectangular Frisbee. It tore through the kitchen entryway like a tank rolling downhill and I smiled, thinking I had him.
Hopping through the wide hole, I saw him standing there, unharmed, the marble countertop fragments floating in the air a few feet from him. His mocking smile dripped with disgust, as if he expected more of a challenge from me.
He flung the countertop back at me and I threw a punch that shattered it into a thousand tiny fragments. I rushed forward, but he took to the air, my hairs standing on end as he charged up again.
"Come down here, asshole," I roared. "And let me give you a proper welcome."
Atmosphero just ignored me, safely out of my grasp. He glanced around my shattered house.
“Damn man, that’s rough. I guess no subletting this one. I heard the walls in San Quentin are a bit sturdier, though.”
I rushed him, but he was quicker than me again. My fingertips almost latched onto his cape as he flipped over me and flung a powerful electrostatic charge of air that heaved me out of the house through the damaged balcony. I crashed through rock, brush and dirt, bouncing a half dozen times until I came to rest on the soft sands of Malibu beach a hundred feet below my home.
Bruised and battered, I came to my unsteady feet and looked up, expecting the next bolt of lightning to finish me off but Atmosphero just hovered over my home looking down at me. Maybe he was surprised I was still on my feet, or perhaps he was unsure what to do next when I motioned him down to join me, but he got an idea fast.
Summoning up his storm powers with a great cast of his hands, a tornado formed beneath my house, a great howl of wind and sand that lifted the structure, ripping it from its foundation and wooden struts and raising the whole thing into the air.
Then he hurled it at me.
It came so fast, a whole house hurling headlong at me, that I had no way to avoid it, nowhere to go. I could only let out a faint chuckle before the house crushed me. The sheer weight of the thousands of tons of concrete and masonry forced me down, collapsing atop me and burying me deep in the sand. But I lived, and started to dig myself out.
Atmosphero helped, noticing the movement in the wreckage. He lifted a whole wall section off me, casting it aside like a child in anger. Still stuck under some of the structure, I could see him floating above; feel his mighty wind powers lifting whole pieces of the house.
Above me lay the bent and twisted remains of the garage door, and when he flung it aside, I struck, hurling one of the destroyed refrigerators at him (how the fridge ended up in what was essentially my garage, I'll never know).
The heavy metal object struck his chest dead on, surprising him, and pinning him long enough for me to run over. I picked up the fridge, lifting it off him. Atmosphero was stunned, bloodied, and when his eyes settled on me, they were filled with a mixture of rage and fear.
"Hey asshole," I said, and slammed it down with my full strength back on his face, then lifted it up again. "Thanks for fucking up my house."
And I slammed it down on him once more, now shattering the wobbly aluminum and plastic frame.
Now it was my turn to rip through pieces of metal to get to him, and his turn to surprise me.
He cast what remained of the refrigerator aside, and raised his hand at me knocking me back a few paces with his wind powers then came to his feet. At the same time, he summoned a vortex of wind that spun just around us, whipping up shreds and pieces of the destroyed home like a wall of death pinning us in.
"Time for you to learn a valuable lesson," he spat and came towards me, slugging me with more strength than I had imagined he had. But this was what I wanted. A standup fight. A chance to put my hands on him, and end the fight once and for all. A valuable lesson, indeed.
Except my body didn't cooperate. I just stood there, semi-paralyzed, as he powered fist after fist into my face. I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t focus my thoughts, could barely stand. My arms were heavy and the pain was intense. I merely staggered back, then down on to my knees, and received my punishment.
The rub is he’d get away with it because he is the hero and I am a scumbag villain.
Shard World
So what is Shard World? The more important question is where is it? And the answer to that is, I don't know.
That clear everything up?
That clear everything up?
What it's all about
I'm Blackjack. A super villain. I have Class-A physical skills, I'm peer to none with the bow, and I'm a pretty clever engineer, so I always have a gadget or two up my sleeve.
No, I'm not the meanest dude in the world, but I can bring the pain if there's good cause. I mostly stick to small stuff, though, like banks and armored cars, and make a little money where I can. Living good is nice, you know?
I thought I had it all figured out, too, until my agent/business manager found a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Join a super villain team.
The pay was good, even though the gig was kind of weak (stealing bits of dusty old crap from different parts of the world). I got to make a few friends, and a few enemies along the way. But little would I know that what would start small would end up sending me halfway across the galaxy (or was it to a different dimension), and at the end of it all the future of our planet, and everyone living in it, would be in my hands.
Oh, and I met a girl.
A girl that changed everything.
No, I'm not the meanest dude in the world, but I can bring the pain if there's good cause. I mostly stick to small stuff, though, like banks and armored cars, and make a little money where I can. Living good is nice, you know?
I thought I had it all figured out, too, until my agent/business manager found a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Join a super villain team.
The pay was good, even though the gig was kind of weak (stealing bits of dusty old crap from different parts of the world). I got to make a few friends, and a few enemies along the way. But little would I know that what would start small would end up sending me halfway across the galaxy (or was it to a different dimension), and at the end of it all the future of our planet, and everyone living in it, would be in my hands.
Oh, and I met a girl.
A girl that changed everything.
Background ideas
Just some images that invoke the feel of Shard World that might inspire the background of the cover. What is Shard World? Where the Lightbringers live...you even paying attention?
The Lightbringers
Uh, yeah. Don't really ask me to explain. You wouldn't believe me anyway.
What, I have to explain?
Ok, these guys are transdimensional creatures that operate on a higher plane of reality than we do, where their minds are like their muscles, and they're all Arnold. Oh, and they want to kill us all. Yeah, think that covers it.
The major question bouncing 'round your noggin now is why do they look like pre-pubescent semi-anime angels? Well, they don't look like that at all. Yeah, according to Mr. Haha, they look like a mix between a squid and a jellyfish and a cuttlefish. Squid people, I know. But they can appear to us in any way they wish, either by transforming, or by some sort of elaborate illusion. They must choose certain images embedded in your head for maximum effect. Now you're wondering why the one I met turned into a pre-pubescent semi-anime angel...I have no idea.
What, I have to explain?
Ok, these guys are transdimensional creatures that operate on a higher plane of reality than we do, where their minds are like their muscles, and they're all Arnold. Oh, and they want to kill us all. Yeah, think that covers it.
The major question bouncing 'round your noggin now is why do they look like pre-pubescent semi-anime angels? Well, they don't look like that at all. Yeah, according to Mr. Haha, they look like a mix between a squid and a jellyfish and a cuttlefish. Squid people, I know. But they can appear to us in any way they wish, either by transforming, or by some sort of elaborate illusion. They must choose certain images embedded in your head for maximum effect. Now you're wondering why the one I met turned into a pre-pubescent semi-anime angel...I have no idea.
One last guy to talk about
Most people call him Epic. I've seen his good side, and I've seen his bad side. I call him, my chew toy.
Dr. Retcon
This guy is what the whole thing is all about. World's foremost bad guy. Looks like my dad in a nicer suit.
What else you want from me? That's it, keep moving along.
What else you want from me? That's it, keep moving along.
Some of the cast and characters (part one)
They say you can be judged by the company you keep. If that's the case, then I'm screwed, cause these guys really need some meds (and electro shock therapy) (and incarceration).
1. Cool Hand Luke
My bud, my friend. Except this guy will turn on you faster than you can say the word coward. Still, I like him.
His costume:
2. Mr. Haha 2000
A rabbit? Are you freaking kidding me? A RABBIT?
No, a poly-alloy endoskeleton construct embedded within a polymer pseudo-mannequin with a murderous artificial intelligence that combines the subtlety of an MMA fighter and a rapist's wit with the personality of a drugged-out talk show host.
Oh and a huge, stuffed-toy rabbit head. I seriously didn't make that up.
3. Dr. Zundergrub
I don't have much to say about this dude. Maybe, "Look out below!"
4. Influx
Don't have much to say about her either, but for different reasons.
1. Cool Hand Luke
My bud, my friend. Except this guy will turn on you faster than you can say the word coward. Still, I like him.
His costume:
2. Mr. Haha 2000
A rabbit? Are you freaking kidding me? A RABBIT?
No, a poly-alloy endoskeleton construct embedded within a polymer pseudo-mannequin with a murderous artificial intelligence that combines the subtlety of an MMA fighter and a rapist's wit with the personality of a drugged-out talk show host.
Oh and a huge, stuffed-toy rabbit head. I seriously didn't make that up.
3. Dr. Zundergrub
I don't have much to say about this dude. Maybe, "Look out below!"
4. Influx
Don't have much to say about her either, but for different reasons.
(yeah, that last one's a pic of the toy. gimme a break)
What about me? (Blackjack Costume ideas)
So if you read the book, my costume lasts all of two scenes, and I spend the rest of the time trying to drape whatever rags I can find to cover myself. (btw - if you ladies want to see some skin, just drop me a line and I'll hook it up).
1. What some chick? Hey, this is just an idea, guys! I'm not out there shopping for pushup bras. It's just a concept!
Basically, this is the getup that I wear through most of the ordeal. Durable military pants, with the most kickass boots in modern history (designed by me, of course), and a black t-shirt. Add a hooded cape to this and you got yourself the most ass-kicking bad guy this side of Dr. Retcon.
2. I know, what's with the blue dude. Remember, we're being 'conceptual'. The getup is kinda cool tho, leaves my arms out for the babes to oogle over. By the way, I make this guy look like Pee Wee Herman in leather.
3. Forget the sword. Except for this one time, I've never even held one, and the sword almost got me killed. This emo pretty boy has some nice duds tho. Again, tiny vs THE Blackjack.
4. These guys must all need a sword to bring it...
5. Last but not least, kind of what the first combo (with a cloak) should feel like. This guy's wearing a trenchcoat, which is almost as cool as a cloak (but it actually isn't even close).
1. What some chick? Hey, this is just an idea, guys! I'm not out there shopping for pushup bras. It's just a concept!
Basically, this is the getup that I wear through most of the ordeal. Durable military pants, with the most kickass boots in modern history (designed by me, of course), and a black t-shirt. Add a hooded cape to this and you got yourself the most ass-kicking bad guy this side of Dr. Retcon.
2. I know, what's with the blue dude. Remember, we're being 'conceptual'. The getup is kinda cool tho, leaves my arms out for the babes to oogle over. By the way, I make this guy look like Pee Wee Herman in leather.
3. Forget the sword. Except for this one time, I've never even held one, and the sword almost got me killed. This emo pretty boy has some nice duds tho. Again, tiny vs THE Blackjack.
4. These guys must all need a sword to bring it...
5. Last but not least, kind of what the first combo (with a cloak) should feel like. This guy's wearing a trenchcoat, which is almost as cool as a cloak (but it actually isn't even close).
The babe's costume (less is better I always say)
Some ideas for what to put Apogee in. From what I like the most to least...
...well, most would be her birthday suit, but you get what you can.
1. This is my fave, and what she wore as I was writing it. I hear some chick called Ms. Marvel wears the same duds, but ask me if I care.
2. This doesn't show a lot of skin, but it kind of goes well with my costume. What, you don't think a bad guy can have style and good fashion sense? I oughta knock you one...
...well, most would be her birthday suit, but you get what you can.
1. This is my fave, and what she wore as I was writing it. I hear some chick called Ms. Marvel wears the same duds, but ask me if I care.
3. Some other marvel chick wears this. I care almost as much as I do about costume #1. It's my book dammit, I can cry if I want to...
4. I don't know what it is about this costume that gets me going. Maybe it's the muscles. I loves me some muscles on a chick. Just, you know, not more than me....
5. This next one has that whole gypsy thing going for it. I like it. Did I mention it's what I want here? Yeah, let's keep going.
6. I like the whole ice princess thing of the next one, and it shows a hell of a lotta skin. That works for me.
7. This one is kind of like the 2nd one, but more gadgety, more strappy. Yeah, chicks with leather straps...
...sorry, were we talking about something?
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