Greetings all!
My name is Michael LaVoice, and the funny thing is that I am writer, who, along with my son, created the characters and concept for a Super Hero comic that taught Christian values and even the odd apologetic or two to kids, but I had given up on ever seeing it illustrated. I had the first two issues scripted, and the first five issue story arc completely plotted, and the next story arc outlined, but could never find someone willing to draw it because there really wasn't any up front money in it for them. I wasn't even looking for an artist when I found this site! I was looking for Christian webcomics, because I enjoy webcomics, but so many of them are...well...kinda trashy and not something I wanna let into my eye gates, you know?
Then, a google search for Chrtistian webcomics later, I found this place! I'm not sure what God has in store at this point, or why He would let me find this place after finally deciding to novelize the comic, but I suppose we'll all find out together.
Michael
"Truth must exist as a category even as one tries to deny its existence, and must afford the possibility of being known."
-Ravi Zacharias.
"Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason than to refute BAD philosophy."
-C.S. Lewis
Replies
At worst, I'll be accused of ripping them off like the fans are already accusing them of ripping someone else off. I won't care about that because my goal is God's glory and not being first to press with a (in my story's case) a rather small piece of background that I thought was cute when my son and I came up with it back in 07.
At best, I'll have a better story and be well received so some modern kids can get a dose of superhero types trying to honor the concepts that God does, instead of just more of the same stuff that comic book writers in the secular arena think is all these kids care about. I think they are hungry for something that goes deeper, and I think this story will give it to them.
Thanks, again, brother.
Michael.
Don't know if this is good news LaVoice, but Hitch just put out a synops about his new creator owned collab w/ ross it's called, America's Got Powers
It's pretty similar to what you're thinking bout doin'. I wouldn't worry about it tho, ross is bleh on writing, so idk maybe you could get some ideas or a, "hmm that's another take on it" type of thing from it. just a heads up.
Thanks for the encouragement! Gonna hit it hard over the holidays. Like I said earlier, I have turned a script into a novel before and know the dangers of getting bored telling the same story another way, so I do not want to lose momentum!
Hi Michael,
Some innovative ideas there! I like the Kamikaze/Banzai concept being spiritualized, I've often thought a lot of Samurai philosophy can be adapted to Christianity. I like the fact the government won't fund the hero, and that he has to do some odd things like run contests to get things done. It's a fun situation, here's this guy with powers from God yet he is reduced to turning to a Television sponsored contest, ha ha!
Nothing wrong with novelizing your story! If it's God's will to have it also as a comic, it will happen. Have you seen Amazon.com's Kindle books? A lot of authors seem to be self publishing and offering their short stories and such for like 99 cents... when the new Kindle with graphics comes out, maybe it will become a new way for self publishing comic artists to get their stuff out too! LuLu is nice too.
I will pray for you right now!
Gerry
Apprently, I need to pay closer attention to my phone when it offers me word choices!
Here's some additional info that I tried o add later but was prevented from completing:
the title is "Banzai Sqad," (TM) and that was inspired by a few different things.
The hero that is having try-outs for a new sidekick is called "Mister Banzai," (TM) and that name was ispired by the Five Iron Frenzy song "Kamikaze," which talks of the Christian life as death to self, signing up for eternity, a headlong rush into self scrificial service, as well as the fact that Mister Banzai is unable to be defeated by any enemy as long as he remains on the attack, and God has blessed him with the typical package of popwers that goes with being a melee specialist, hard to hurt, strong, fast, etc. there are some ther abilities but these are come and go as God gives them when needed.
there is a large supporting cast as well that I won't go into here because of space considerations.
the original intent was to find a digital artist who would produce the comic to be read online, and digital and hard copies of each issue's cover, which would be distributed via email and personally with a URL to the issue.
I think it only fair to mention that this was intended to be a ministry from jump street, and I never figured to make any money at all, which has probably hurt me more than anything else in the search for an artist. I understand you guys work on comission mostly, and would find it difficult to put so much time and effort into something for a mere promise of a cut of any licensing deals that may materalze, or sales of eventual hard copy POD publications from the online comics.
This is the biggest reason I have decided to novelize it, because God didn't give me the sory to sit on it waiting for an artist, and I think the intended age needs to be reached with the truths God has given me to put into it sooner rather than later.
So, there's a prayer request for you! Pray I can gt it done and find a decent POD publisher!
I should add here that the above reply was done on my cell phone and needed editing, but when I tried to edit the comments I had a connection issue that prevented the serer from saving them, so oops?
At its heart, the first story arc is a take of the son of a super hero sidekick who retired when he started having kids. The son has developed powers of his own, but was always told that it was forbidden for him to enter the hero biz. Since he its about to turn 18, he has decided to try to join the hero his dad was sidekick to for several years, as soon as he is of age. The problem is that this hero is trying to assemble a team, starting with a new sidekick.since this hero its openly Christian, and gets his powers straight from God, he its not eligible for Government sponsorships like many other heroes, so he had worked a television deal with a tv network to have a reality show done where his sidekick its chosen from a group of hopefuls. (think: American idol, but with super heroes). Stop the kids has to try out without letting his parents know, or without revealing his secret id as the son of the former sidekick, because he wants to prove himself.
Along the way, we have father son relations to examine, what it really means to"honor thy father and mother," understanding what it means to fulfill a calling, secret government plots, and real Biblical discipleshiptold in the form of a hero comic that is loaded with action, humor, high tech gear and low tech kick butt action.
The story shifts from dark to light tone with rapid fire pacing, just like life.
It its meant to communicate some serious Biblical truths as well as the skinny on different world views to middle school age and up boys and girls who like hero comics.
The larger story concerns this hero, who its assembling a squad of heros and helpers because God has given him the sense that there are some big things soon to come down the pike and God wants to use him and his team to get America's collective attention for His glory
Hello Michael! Congratulations on your inspiration and work on the project God has given you! My personal experience was that there are more aspiring writers than artists, and many artists have their own stories, being creative people after all. But don't give up! God does raise people up and put them together, though it may take -way- longer than one expects...! I've seen it happen, and it happened for me though it was some years....
In the meantime, while you're waiting, if you have free creative time, it's always good to help others with their projects too:) It's a great way to get to know one another and to polish your skills for the time that God has chosen for your story. Mine is a tragic story about how I didn't dare to write or draw for decades because of fear of failure and rejection. Don't fall into that trap, but do your best!
My art is terrible or I'd offer to help you out. Want to share your story ideas with us?
Steve Crespo said:
LOL!
Have you seen that sixteenpound monster of a Bible Ray Comfort uses in some of his videos?
He calls it the super spiritual pharasee editionof the King James.
Oh yeah?... I bet my bible is bigger than your bible.
(Sorry, Michael. Couldn't resist.) :-)
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next