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Star Trek: Darwin (new bi-weekly fan comic)

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited February 2011 in Ten Forward
Star Trek: Darwin
by darren_kitlor

Latest Release: 02.07.2011 - Issue #5

February 7th


*You can download a high quality PDF in 150 dpi at GoogleDocs - the online viewer is considerably lower-res*

Series 1
  • (==| Issue #1: "Command Review - Part I" |==)
    Recently liberated from the Borg, Captain Jack Shepard's loyalties are in question - while the ship picks up a distress call on Moira III.

  • (==| Issue #2: "Command Review - Part II" |==)
    Ethical questions over what to do with the new passenger arise - ones that place Captain Shepard and her First Officer at odds.

  • (==| Issue #3: "Give Me Liberty and Death" |==)
    A fight erupts on Drozana Station between the Ship's Armory Chief and a Saurian Diplomat - setting back relations - and setting others up.

  • (==| Issue #4: "A Warm Place, Part I" |==)
    The Darwin disappears in the B'Tran Nebula - leaving Cmdr. Reynolds and Ens. Lerhoz stranded on an alien world. Now, they must fend for themselves in the wild.

  • (==| Issue #5: A Warm Place, pt. II now available |==)
    The crew of the Darwin must match wits with a Klingon Captain - before time runs out for their stranded shipmates.

  • Issue #6: "Frou-Frou"
    Spoilers: Captain Shepard must speak at a civilian Daystrom Institute Summit on Risa.

  • Issue #7: "Mother-Daughter"
    Spoilers: A clone of the Captain is found amongst a Borg Colony - with unsettling news about the direction their assimilation is taking.

  • Issue #8: Outliers
    Spoilers: Xenophobia rises within the Federation as planets see refugees arrive from neutral factions in Eti Eridani and frontier worlds in the B'Tran Nebula.

  • Issue #9: With God on Our Side
    Spoilers: A holy war between two species must be solved with Ens. Reisda (both host and symbiote) playing integral roles.

  • Issue #10: Angry Young Men
    Spoilers: Friendship grows between the Armory Chief and Saurian Envoy as they develop a holodeck program.

  • Issue #11: Suffrage
    Spoilers: The new navigator's rights are questioned by Starfleet Command - and a violent show of force by the Borg leads HQ to send the Darwin deeper into space.

  • Issue #12: A Little More Than Kin...
    Spoilers: Commander Reynolds awaits execution for a crime long since forgotten amongst many Federation planets.



--- notes ---
I'll try to do this on a bi-weekly basis - as long as interest holds. I have a good idea of where I want overall narrative arc to go - despite this being a work-in-progress.

The quote on Issue #1, page 3 is from Dostoevsky. For space reasons, I omitted the name to conserve space.

I've never written a comic outside of doodles in class. It's a challenging medium to work in. You have the careful attention to language, the space considerations, and the need for strong visual-thinking.

This is a challenge as I come from a published-writing background - with few visual arts skills outside of computers.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    This was very enjoyable. Thanks for posting.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    -Topher- wrote:
    This was very enjoyable. Thanks for posting.

    Thanks!

    I hope to have a new issue up shortly - and longer too! I wanted just a little teaser to generate interest (which motivates me to work on another in turn).

    EDIT: I'm working on posting the rough sentence outlines of each episode for the first season - with spoilers before their release date. First Season should be 12 episodes. Release dates depending on a number of factors, including college.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    The titles are up for change. I tried to make them feel Trekish - even though there are some allusions to everything from Shakespeare to Bob Dylan amongst them.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Speaking of speaking, one bubble I had a hard time reading. "I beam down in five minutes." Shouldn't there be a "will" in there? Just a thought.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Speaking of speaking, one bubble I had a hard time reading. "I beam down in five minutes." Shouldn't there be a "will" in there? Just a thought.
    I'll consider adding it. I realize that my "short-hand" speak from the Marines doesn't carry over well to the civilian sector. :D

    Also, if I feel proud enough, I'll put together a print-quality version suitable for proper page binding.

    Right now, the goal is around 4-7 pages per issue (not too long - enough to not wear out a welcome each week). That's anywhere from 48-84 pages toward the end plus credits and thanks to Cryptic.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Speaking of speaking, one bubble I had a hard time reading. "I beam down in five minutes." Shouldn't there be a "will" in there? Just a thought.

    I beam down in five minutes
    I leave in five

    meh made sense to me. *shrug*
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Subscribed! :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    LordOfPit wrote: »
    Subscribed! :D

    Silly goose, turn on auto sub. :p

    Great issue Darren. Can't wait until the next one. No really, can't wait *shoulders a wiffle ball bat* Chop chop :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    This shows a lot of promise! Thank you for posting it!

    I look forward to the next issue.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Epic! Very Creative!
    Qapla' batlh je
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Epic! Very Creative!
    Qapla' batlh je
    qatlho'

    I'm actually half-way finished with "Command Review, Part II" and I only started it this morning.

    It's quite challenging as you can't get BOFFs to follow you to sick bay (where Part II primarily takes place) - nor can you get a KDF player to lie down on your sickbay beds.

    However, I've managed to do both with my new found photoshop skills. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    If you need extras or a stand in you could always have a player pose. I am sure at least one would mind donating some time to help you out.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Capulet wrote: »
    If you need extras or a stand in you could always have a player pose. I am sure at least one would mind donating some time to help you out.
    That's a nice gesture. I thought about asking members of the community if they'd like to guest-star in episodes to speed the process up. (I spend more time in photoshop or loading the game than actually taking screenshots).

    Once boff-to-player character promotions get added, I'll be all set for a full crew.

    EDIT: and a facial animation rig would be nice - or even emotes that affect your character's face.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Darren, how good are you at Photoshop? Not sure if you are using it for that but you might be able to Photoshop your BO's into your sickbay background if you can clear the room of the extras if you need them out of the shot.

    But you got me to thinking about doing this for another game now only just for myself and friends to see though. I was to do a written story of the group years ago but put it off because it became too much hassle trying to get so many people's "creations" the way they wanted. But then I was thinking after seeing this to save from the masses in that situation to maybe do it on my characters alone and maybe they just have "recurring roles". I figure if I did it visually like you did that might work out better since it's a superhero game. Sort of tells you which one in there, huh? :)

    Edit: Also ST fonts can be found at http://www.talshiar.org/Fonts/ if you wanted/needed them for the title page.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Darren, how good are you at Photoshop? Not sure if you are using it for that but you might be able to Photoshop your BO's into your sickbay background if you can clear the room of the extras if you need them out of the shot.
    So good I've already done that. :D

    When I say hard, I mean ""it takes me longer than a minute to do." ;)
    But you got me to thinking about doing this for another game now only just for myself and friends to see though. I was to do a written story of the group years ago but put it off because it became too much hassle trying to get so many people's "creations" the way they wanted. But then I was thinking after seeing this to save from the masses in that situation to maybe do it on my characters alone and maybe they just have "recurring roles". I figure if I did it visually like you did that might work out better since it's a superhero game. Sort of tells you which one in there, huh?
    Go for it! We're living in a day and age where friends of mine make albums from their laptops, program code while hiking the North Cascades, and can make cats do the darnedest things in Photoshop.

    Let you imagination run wild and don't worry about it getting caught on anything - you can't catch what you can't contain. :D
    Edit: Also ST fonts can be found at http://www.talshiar.org/Fonts/ if you wanted/needed them for the title pages.
    I actually used ST fonts from Tal Shiar on the title pages. I have "Enterprise" for the title and the episode name; "Federation" for the author credits.

    Once I have a better front-page format done, I'll update the entire thing. :D

    I insist on comic-style fonts for the dialogue though. It just wouldn't be the same without "DigitalStrip" - it's highly readable without taking up too much horizontal space.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    So good I've already done that.

    When I say hard, I mean ""it takes me longer than a minute to do." ;)


    Go for it! We're living in a day and age where friends of mine make albums from their laptops, program code while hiking the North Cascades, and can make cats do the darnedest things in Photoshop.

    Let you imagination run wild and don't worry about it getting caught on anything - you can't catch what you can't contain.


    I actually used ST fonts from Tal Shiar on the title pages. I have "Enterprise" for the title and the episode name; "Federation" for the author credits.

    Once I have a better front-page format done, I'll update the entire thing.

    I insist on comic-style fonts for the dialogue though. It just wouldn't be the same without "DigitalStrip" - it's highly readable without taking up too much horizontal space.

    I was wondering if you used that for the Klingon borg laying down in sickbay. lol

    The part about the fonts, ah... now I know why I didn't recognize it. Enterprise. ;) My least favorite of all the series.

    And for the dialogue, yes you are right the comic-style does work better. I was more thinking the title page. I should have mentioned that. Using a Trek font for dialogue might make it harder to read or make you have to enlarge the bubbles which would hurt the rest of the visual. Honestly, I guess because after reading comic books, the font you used just seemed normal so didn't even cross my mind. Probably why I didn't say the title page because the dialogue font just seemed like it supposed to be that way. :)

    The only time I can even see using a ST font in your strip's dialogue would be if your character's universal translator is broken and you want another person in the scene speaking say Romulan for example and not want the readers to get it until the translator is fixed and your character asks for a repeat. lol However, since you are doing this in your spare time, you probably will want to stick to the same size as issue 1 (plus for downloading the hi-res version purposes as well), such a scene probably wouldn't make sense as it would take too much space in the issue just for that.

    Edit: Wow. Just learned we can only have so many smilies in a message so had to delete some of those in your quote.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    o: I will follow this with interest~ I can never find ST comics...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    The big reason Star Trek fonts don't see much use is that they're not very readable when scaled down (I'm using a 10 pt. font).

    They're generally very wide fonts - which is a huge consideration given the chosen medium.

    The font used on ships in TNG-VOY is, by contrast, too narrow for my liking. It's also hard to read due to being so tall too.

    I'm a typography nut, so I've paid attention to it. The title page needs a re-do.

    Anyways, I'm finishing up the next issue. I have quite a few panoramic shots in this one with two characters of mine in several shots. It looks cool - especially when combing emotes across shots. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    And now the conclusion of Command Review...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    And now the conclusion of Command Review...

    'oH ghaHta' QaQ jaj DaqHegh!
    [It was a good day to die!]


    Another Winner Darren!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    'oH ghaHta' QaQ jaj DaqHegh!
    [It was a good day to die!]


    Another Winner Darren!

    Thanks!

    I'm trying to stay ship and character focused. I actually worried that I veered close to technobabble on this one (ugh!). However, I think there's more emotional resonance with the characters.

    The funny part is that I had intended this to be a bi-weekly affair but I'm already into the third one (with more characters and stepping off ship again). Who knows - may I can do this on a semi-weekly basis? ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    What? It's not StarTrek without a little techno-babble! :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Sneak Peek:
    (-| Issue #3 Teaser: "Give Me Liberty And Give Me Death |-)

    A fight erupts on Drozana Station between the Ship's Armory Chief and a Saurian Diplomat - setting back relations nearly 300 years.

    took down image - decided to focus on getting Issue #3 out by the weekend.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Thanks!

    I'm trying to stay ship and character focused. I actually worried that I veered close to technobabble on this one (ugh!). However, I think there's more emotional resonance with the characters.

    The funny part is that I had intended this to be a bi-weekly affair but I'm already into the third one (with more characters and stepping off ship again). Who knows - may I can do this on a semi-weekly basis? ;)

    Don't do that hint on semi-weekly thing because the first time something outside the game comes up to slow you down, you will be getting hit with "where is it" posts. I would suggest work at whatever rate you feel like it but keep the bi-weekly promise. If you notice when something isn't on time with the game, what happens?

    And use the bi-weekly as your "Scotty way of doing this" ;)

    That gives you a larger window in case something comes up.

    I'll read #2 later. Pressed for time now.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    #2 continues to deliver!

    I like your use of frames/pics with no dialogue to convey dramatic pauses or ominous silences.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    #2 continues to deliver!

    I like your use of frames/pics with no dialogue to convey dramatic pauses or ominous silences.

    Thanks!

    I'm fairly heavy-handed with the symbolism.

    The closed door is a recurring image I have along with the wide-open, loneliness of space shots. Nothing ground breaking. I suspect there's a reason for most of the panels without writing in them. Admittedly, some exposition dialogue just looks cooler over Cryptic's scenery (and oftentimes emphasizes a theme I'm going for).

    Hopefully, the third issue has less brow-beating seriousness. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    I'm aiming for bi-weekly (i.e. every two weeks) - no promises, just a simple goal and leaning toward earlier. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Finally got a moment to read #2 today. Nice one. And about the heavy dialogue and symbolism, since most people who read it are more than likely Trek fans, probably wouldn't have thought much of it except your mentioning it. lol
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Finally got a moment to read #2 today. Nice one. And about the heavy dialogue and symbolism, since most people who read it are more than likely Trek fans, probably wouldn't have thought much of it except your mentioning it. lol

    Well, hopefully I'm at least a little subtle with my intent. I'd hate to have giant neon signs saying "Do you get it?" :p

    A good book (be it comics or novels) generally is engaging upon first glance and has more depth on second take.

    Here's hoping I can make something good! :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2010
    Pretty cool. I can't wait for UGC.
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