I hadn't realized that I hadn't posted here since I launched my webcomic back in January. I've been so busy maintaining my buffer along with adding new Reference Pages for the various factions, characters, vehicles, etc. that often I don't get around to all the things I used to. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and that your own projects are progressing nicely.
Right now I just finished and scheduled Page 88, and the comic itself is standing at Page 73 if I remember correctly; essentially that gives me five weeks of buffer as I post on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. My readership is still small but is growing steadily, and I hope to be able to acquire some merchandise to sell on the site's store in the near future.
The comic's storyline will deal with a lot of currently relevant, real life themes despite being military sci-fi in nature, and it will be told from a Christian perspective (though there are many characters of differing beliefs and worldviews). While I certainly hope to eventually make a livelihood off the comic, the primary focus for why I'm writing it in this manner is to engage folks who otherwise would never pick up a Bible or attend church in a medium they're familiar and comfortable with. Not that webcomics can be any substitute for God's Word or corporate worship, but my hope is that an idea planted here or there might be used in some way to make people think about why the world is the way it is and whether mankind really can fix certain things on our own. Maybe it can open doors that will eventually lead them to come to Christ; I leave that and everything else up to God's will and timing.
Anyway, here's the website's link if anyone would like to come visit sometime:
Comments
Gerard,
No problem regarding the opening pages; I actually did go back in and re-lettered all the first 40 or so pages (they were originally in Verdana font), and the project also gave me the opportunity to find and correct needed things in the artwork (Page 3 was a complete re-do). I also re-colored certain panels that were "off" as by then I'd become a bit more familiar with Photoshop and how to use its tools. Sometimes we NEED to be open to constructive criticism, even though it may sting a bit in the short term.
To your points regarding the spiritual topics (such as Colonel Carlson praying), they are definitely coming. While the comic's storylines at times will center very much on spiritual topics and personal interactions and conflicts, I wanted it to progress in a natural fashion that doesn't feel forced or heavy-handed to the reader. By that I mean the panel in the desert where Carlson is praying as the Sun comes up or one-panel statements by certain characters, things that don't tarry and belabor a point but still may cause someone reading to pause and consider. By the way, Lieutenant Jeb Hatchett is also a Christian and his co-pilot/friend Flash Edwards is an agnostic whose journey in this story is meant to see the events and ask questions through the lens a lost or secular reader would do; essentially I see these three men as the most central characters in the storyline, though many others will also be prominent throughout.
Anyway, thanks very much for taking the time to write and to offer these suggestions and insights. The way things are going in the world I feel strongly the Lord may return before I ever finish my story, but what matters is that I try to make the most of the time I'm given. I'll do the best I can with it.
Take care and God bless,
Aaron
Hi Aaron,
I realized I did you a disservice suggesting you rework your opening pages, I apologize. The pages are quite good, and it was thoughtless of me to suggest so casually you redo them. I do think perhaps a title page with a paragraph to give people an idea of what to expect Spiritually for the story might be a good idea, but then, I could easily be wrong. I did enjoy the story as far as I could read tonight, and look forward to more:)
Gerry
Hello Aaron,
I am glad to read your blog about your online comic book "Tomes of Atlantis". I'm impressed with your productivity and artistic ability to portray both scenes of peace and the action of war. Not being familiar with war stories, I'm used to a bit more character interaction I must confess, but I'm sure action oriented readers will appreciate the miliatary aspects of the story very much. If I might make 1 suggestion, perhaps you could include the commander in prayer at the outset of the story, or something similar to establish the spiritual side of the story? Something to act in concert with the mysterious secret order scene (which I liked a lot) at the beginning, tip the reader off to the spiritual side the story will adapt. Just an idea, you know, something to give the readers a hint that there is more than a war of flesh and blood happening?
Good fortune to you with your online book, and may God bless you for honoring Him through your talents! I will try to catch up with your story in weeks to come.
Be well, and be blessed!
Gerry