The goal/idea/fool's errand that Dave and I have been faintly passing back e-mails about for the longest time is now in the works. The goal is to have at least a one-shot comic about an adventure between Nicky and this guy, Walter Abbadon - think Daniel Plainview with a pinch of Norman Osborn for spice.

Coelasquid is doing the art for it, and I'm writing the script. Dave has been in charge of (original) concepts and production/budget. Our goal is to have this written, illustrated, and published (independently for the time being) before Comic Con, where I'd like to be throwing these around like candy to consumers and creators alike.

Along with Dave, Squid, and my screenwriting professor, I will need a handful of folks to (proof)read my script for constructive criticism. If you're interested, please e-mail me; I will not be posting the actual script itself to the public.

>Coelasquid is doing the art for it, and I'm writing the script. Dave has been in charge of (original) concepts and production/budget

I have absolutly nothing to add to this, so in compensation I present this.

it is a picture of my dog. his name is Bono.

>>12819

I will gladly include him in the story somewhere.

Tempting, and it is a public offer. Hrm.
Aw, may as well. I can't promise you'll find my criticism constructive or helpful, but like always, I'm willing to give it!
'Cause that's how I roll.

>>12818
I can proofread scripts.
I can proofread THE HELL out of scripts.

Kind of risky with the kirpan. I advise against it for culturally sensitive reasons.

>>12831
The knife depiction is still kinda up in the air, but Dave is really pushing something similar to this design. (Besides, threats by Sikhs can only help publicity.)

The first draft of the script is done! Who wants to have a go at it?

If the knife is a problem (I don't see it as one), we can always use this variation of a bowie knife.

I say this without any real knowledge of Sikhism, but from what I've read of the religion, they seem like pretty cool guys. I'm not sure they'd care.
Unless, like, you meet some suburbanite celebrity who converted to Sikhism. But then real Sikhs would just facepalm at them.

Wait a minute... what's the difference between a Kirpan and a jambiya? Because he's got a jambiya.

>>12847

The kirpan is unique to Sikhism as one of the five required declarations of clearance to the faith.

The jambiya is more generalized in that they are declarations of social status.

If the design is for function as opposed to just being pretty, you don't have much to worry about.

>>12836

Also: sure, I'll have it.

You know, I was in the Justice Comrades thread...

I wasn't good enough ;_;

>>12820
I am excited.

well then please remember that he can only lift up his right ear and likes it when people throw stuff for him to fetch but he never brings them back.

UPDATE
Well, not really.

Turns out that most (re: all) comic publishers do not want to do serious business at cons, especially since SDCC since it is a tornado of media and money and things much more important than me and Nicky. So after actually doing research on how to submit and pitch a book, Dave, Squid and myself are taking things slowly and carefully. Will we have any hard copies of anything by the end of the summer? Probably not. But considering the finances and other factors of life, it's better for everyone if we don't rush into things.

To those of you who have given your thoughts on the first draft: thankee much, sais. I haven't had time to really sit down and comb over everything yet, but your words have given me places to start improving.

Coming up next: more character studies and designs.

>>13332

>>13332
break a leg, man.

Also: because I want you all to buy this like you guys, anyone and everyone who'd like to be in the comic (as a background character) can be so. Just let me know (via e-mail; we already have one camwhore thread on here) and supply a mugshot.

Back to work, maybe.

>>13332
>thankee much, sais.

Hey, DVD! Remember my Comic Con costume last year? Yeah, send me the draft.

>>13383

Man I love viral marketing.
That was the only day we weren't around each other!

Could we perhaps have a 1-2 teaser page from the book? or would it spoil to much?

How much does it cost to contact a publisher/who sells online and so forth to publish it?

I do hope you can order them online or SOMEHOW make them sell overseas and not just in the north america only;(.

5-7, 8-10 dollars?

>>13468

- Once we have the handful of pages that we'll be sending to companies, we'll most likely post them - or at least the first scene - somewhere around here.
- Contacting them doesn't cost much directly. Publishing all the materials that you'll be sending to them, now that's different.
- Depending on how many non-US/Canadia folks want a copy, and the company's non-US distribution means, we'll see if we can ship them personally or something.

And now, some character sketches!

Jesper Halvard
- first name was originally "Andor," but "Jesper" rolls off better.
- Age: ~20 by the time of this first issue
- Origin: Norwegian family who moved to America for future prospects in farming. Andor, however, is sick of farming and is fascinated - and highly adequate - with technology and industrialization. He is often away from his family due to conflicts with his father.
- big brother figure to Nicky
- big-hearted and enthusiatic, yet always a little unsure of himself and his work
- fit, almost muscular, but is mostly a pacifist
- clothing is usually minimal and work-oriented; like Abbadon but poorer
- References: I got nothing other than ‘kinda like Mikey from Recess (only not as fat)

Yes, he's who you think he is.

Jacques, aka “Cracker Jack”
- Age: mid-20s
- Origin: unknown for the most part. Originally hired by Abbadon to lure in tourists to come to California and work for him. Turned face and helped Nicky bring Abbadon down, and has been a freelancer & con man since.
- Charming and adventurous, lies and steals whenever he wants/needs; good “actor”
- often carries a knife or two, maybe a pistol. Prefer to just brawls and melee, though.
- Resemblences: John Constantine (comics), Simon Pegg, Colin Farrell

Nancy
- last name undecided
- Age: mid-30s to early-40s.
- Origin: originally from Galveston, Texas, a town wrought with outlaw action from both sea and shore. She had to leave in a similar way Nicky did, with her family overwhelemed with connections and crossfire of outlaw activity. (Spoiler: she did a little bit of personal outlawing herself.) She now takes care of a group of bandits’n’bastards all too familiar in her tavern. She takes Nicky in after his banishment to the San Diego area and acts as mother figure to him.
- ‘she may be old, but her beauty ain’t fadin’
- plenty capable of defending herself; carries pistols

Uh.

Yeah.

I love you people.

>>13530
And now I know.

Oh my god how did I not know about this, this looks AMAZING.

I will gladly help with anything that I can. Which could be proof-reading-ness or any scant history/research stuff you want done.

So I'm assuming this takes place back in the mid to late 1800s?

>>14237

Yep. First issue takes place in the mid-1850s.
The origin story I have setup has Nicky arriving in California just after the peak of the Gold Rush.

P.S. Panel structure is a bitch.

UPDATE!

I've revised the first scene, which will be what the publishers see in our package. Any new (proof)reading takers?

I have like six pages of sketches for you guys, but I can't scan them because my scanner is in a box under a dropcloth in my wet-paint-covered bedroom. I'm spending the next week with my parents because they're visiting from the other side of the country, so it could be like a week or so until everything is painted and unpacked. When do you need all of the finished art by? Because I could bug my dad for his camera to get shots of this stuff if the deadline is coming up and I need to get on the final passes at everything.

>>14260
I can read it over if you want

>>14261

There's a deadline?
Dave has to mull over the revised prose and brainstorm the new panel structuring - as well as lay down or whatever he does in between being Dave - so I guess there's no real rush.

But I gotta admit:
>six pages of sketches

I OHBOYOHBOY'd

>>14262
E-mail me. I'd like to see how this test run does in the face of No Fun.

I sent off an email

Sucks.

>>14260
I'll do it, too, if you need anyone else.

I never feel like I am doing anything...

UPDATE!

Now with underwear!

goddamn.

Oh my god this has to be one of the cutest things ever ffffffffff

Also, >>14406 is a lie because Dave is directing most of this, layouts and all that.

Exhibit A.

>>14578
Shhhhh....

Approving like fist of the north star.

Holy shit this is fucking awesome.

I shall sacrifice my best goat in your honor.

Liking that panel layout.

>>14755
C'mon with that....

Really?

Me bored.
Me open photoshop.

>>14756
Yes. In an earnest way. It really does the script justice.
Now I realize it isn't finished, but for a start, it's a promising start.

new sketch of little importance, everyone move along.

>>15421

>>15432

I don't really see what's there to get all excited about.
The shoulders are going to be revised.

Dave and I have begun hammering out the plot points for the next three arcs or so. Once we figure out what to do with a particular character, the writing gears will grind.

This thread. Best thread.
>>15505
>next three arcs or so
o-oh god~

>>15507

Did you just cream your pants too?

>>15421
>>15505

dammit, dave, i'm stuck on a film shoot, jotting down Nicky notes but I forgot your email address. email me a-sap.

>>15534
I dig the trip code

>>15561

Well, I dig your style too, man. Got the whole cowboy thing goin'.

I did not like the man pictured here until Squid got a hold of him.

>>15754

Yeah, well, I thought this guy was a d-bag at first.
Hug it out, bitch.

Will we be seeing a Chaptor cameo somewhere in this?

>>15856

If anything, the briefest of cameos, or an homage at best.

I wish there was an encyclopedia series called "Crazy Legends and Motherfuckers of the 19th Century." That'd help a ton.

>>15870
A No. 1 (Leon Ray Livingston) was pretty awesome, but more in a life-devoid-of-materialism way. But that was late 19th century and he wasn't really famous until the 20th cent.

>>15885
Also his Wikipedia article is laughably inaccurate.

>>15885
It's like I'm really reading The Areas of my Expertise!

>>15940
He ran away from home in youth and started hoboing on trains. He lived like this pretty much his whole life, but went around telling kids not to make the mistake he did. He said that because this was the only life he knew, he couldn't stop it. He wrote books, and used the money he got from them to buy a house, but still kept on hoboing till he died. He would just make stops at his house in Pennsylvania when he finished a book, and then he'd go on hoboing again, even when he had money, which he would often just give away since he knew how to get food for free (churches, shelters, etc. not stealing)

He helped the hobo community by creating a symbol system so people would know where it was safe to be and where was dangerous.

But he pretty much went everywhere that trains went, so it's not too much of a stretch of the imagination to have him in So Cal. and he's kind of like a Buddha figure.

>>15998
And then, he got in the dirt-powered rocket and flew to Uranus.

>>16005
that sounds really gay

While I was away for the weekend, Squid did some color schemes for Nancy and apparently only sent them to Dave. Dave replied to both of us with one he did himself. I like it, myself, but feel like I've spoiled myself when I see the thirteen different Nancies Squid did.

>>16364

dem stockings

>>16364
Ok, I came a bit.

I'd have taken a history class if I had known I'd be doing all this research.
(Not really, it'd kill my interest in writing, I'm sure.)

>>16549

>history
>kills interest in writing

DOES NOT COMPUTE

>>16556

>history class

>>16556

Writing creatively.

Error: Update mandatory.

>>17128
How's this for an update?

Squid draws these pictures, see, and shows them to me and DVD. Then, we talk about shit and shit. It's great fun.

>>17134
so no real progress whatsoever? sounds cool.

>>17179

Bumps are for chumps.
When there's enough significant things to mention to the public we'll mention them.

Primary character concepts/designs are done!

Squid's going to finish up the designs, and then work on character description pages, and then finally the sample pages.

I gotta figure out how to actually sell this thing...

also beard

I may not say it much, but I sure think this loudly.

I'm really excited for your project and I'm glad it's moving at a steady clip. It reminds me how much I wanna keep up.

>>17295

Cheers, mate.

Lookin' swank, fellows.

>>17458
>ARRRGGG

>>17484

Aye.

I'm going to be the one to finally post something.

This is a cast line up. It's altered from Squid's original to make everyone's heights be more in line with how I think they should be. Keep that in mind. Likely, they'll change.

But, that being said, look now, yonder Channers, at a cast pic.

Let's play a little game here. I just stumbled in here but from what I can guess you people want to get this here comic of yours published.

Well I'm not quite sure what this "Nicky Two Vests" is about so lemme ask you... sell me this comic. What makes it unique, interesting or something I would want to buy at my LCS?

>>17521
He has TWO vests.
How many vests do your other comic book characters have?

>>17534

I see. And do these two vests help him in... saving a land?

Robbing people?

Overthrowing corrupt barons?

What's this guy doing and his motivation for doing so?

>>17535
He's wearing two vests. And he's doing it because it's awesome.

>>17537

So he's a hero of fashion is he?

There's a reason - i.e. we made up a reason - why Nicky has the two vests. I'm just not sure what info to give out because I'm not sure how to execute his origin story as far as telling the public goes.

>>17541
I'm not sure I even know his origin yet.

>>17541
"Nicky Two Vests: year one" confirmed.

>>17541

OH OH lemme guess!

Nicky got his first vest from his father and his second from his former lover.

When they both died he wanted to carry both with him so he wears both vests at the same time.

You should do the two-vests origin in the same way they do the Joker origin, where everyone has their own idea, but no one knows for sure. Well, except obviously The Shadow knows.

>>17568

That's not a bad idea. I mean, the whole reason he's called Nicky Two-Vests is because someone overheard his name being "Nicky" and his vests are the most unique quality about his appearance (or at least enough that it merits a catchy, press-worthy nickname; Nicky Red Goggles just sounds odd). The general public is left to figure out for themselves why he wears them.

The true origin is told in the treatment I have for the movie.

>>17569
And every time someone asks him directly, they get interrupted by someone.

Girl: So what's with the two vests big boy?
Nicky: Oh, I jus-
BANDITO BUSTS IN FIRING IN THE AIR

Mostly I just like running gags, though I have no clue what tone this story is going to have.

New Jack, buddy-bunch group shot.

>>17599
Feel free to do newspaper-style comics for us, Justin.

Joe really reminds me of Rob Trujillo. Especially in >>17618

>>17618
that hobo is really fucking tall.

>>17618
Black and white or colored?

And I totally will, it will be like the first 5 or 6 issues of Invincible when they had silly comics in the back.

>>17642l

Whatever's best for you.
E-mail me for details and stuff.

bump

>>17288 Was this character inspired by the Tyr design from the viking girl comic, or do they just happen to both be awesome cowboy pirates dressed in blue?

>>17926
A coincidence. I don't even know what Tyr looks like.

I'm just as frustrated as everyone that there isn't any recent updates about this. Rest assured.

>>17930
Don't be frustrated. Chill out, it's gotta be fun first and I shouldn't have to encourage you to have as much fun as you can. Unless of course you're selling this thing... then you're going to have to get cracking.
>>17926
I certainly didn't invent piratey looking cowfolk dressed in blue, and I don't see much in common with the two characters that were drawn. This fella here is rather jovial, while the other was imagined to be serious and warmongering.

>>17931

We'll be trying to sell it eventually, but with school, jobs, and other priorities, we are definitely better off taking it easy and not trying to rush things.

And yeah, I wanted Santy to have a quixotic feel to him, while also being jolly and bombastic.

>>17930
I apologize, I just had to take all those little commissions on DA to make rent for the month. Things should get better though. I have an animation test in a studio tomorrow and if that doesn't go well I was just offered a waitressing job, so I won't be having to divert time towards tons of sub minimum wage work to survive, at least.

>>17938
>I won't be having to divert time towards tons of sub minimum wage work to survive

You've never been a waitress, have you?

>>17942
Those sketches I'm uploading to DA are taking me 45 minutes to an hour and a half each to do by the time I research the character, figure out how I'm going to draw them, work out a pose, and polish off the sketch. That means I'm making less than $5 an hour.

>>17952
Also, I forgot that you live in Canada. They probably pay people that work a living wage, there. My sister is a waitress and she doesn't make nearly enough to live for free.

INSPIRATION.

dude give me ur script

Was it ironic to be stuck on a script that involved a lost/stuck protagonist (i.e. Jack)?

Either way, finally finished the first draft of the second issue.

>>18040
We may need to call in an expert.

>>18041
THE ONLY THING IRONIC ABOUT THAT SONG WAS THE TITLE

>>18042
I'm convinced it was unintentionally intentional. In that she intended the song to be ironic in itself, but didn't realize how far she went.

As far as covers go, I've been thinking a combination of homages to pulp magazine covers executed with the graphic-design sensibilities of concert posters.

The logo for the book would pay homage to this type of Wild West Weekly logo, with "TWO-VESTS" in the position of "WILD WEST," and "Nicky" replacing "Weekly" and on top instead of the bottom.

Dang, I totally could've done something for 24-hour comic day.

Oh well.

>>18363
We do a board-exclusive one next saturday. For all the guys and gals who missed it. >>>/draw/25581

Well, despite school and filming and everything else going on in my life at the moment, I'm determined to have this first arc written out by the end of the year.

Since the first arc has to involve a lot of world/character establishment, the issues focus primarily on one character, and then one or two others. It's been setup like this:

First issue: Nicky, everyone
Second: Jack, Nicky
Third: Nancy, Santiago, the crew (and Joe)
Fourth: Jesper and Abbadon equally

Point is, I'm on the third issue, but have no idea how to characterize the crew. I figure some faces would help, so I'm asking anyone and everyone if they'd like to be part of the crew. Email me with a decent mugshot and you're in (unless I have enough pictures already - don't worry, we'll find a place for you.)

>>18550
Reporting in. You don't need any pictures.

>>18550
my only question is, how many issues per arc.

>>18589

Whatever's appropriate. This first one will be four since the layout just ended up working like that. I'd say it'd average to four or five per arc, but I'm not down for "writing for the trade" and forcing six or so issues onto one story.

btw, when do you need the funnies by?

>>18636

YESTERDAY.

Santiago's crew, past and present, are under construction! Here are the first four:

my bad if these seem pretty one-dimensional (i.e. boring), I didn't give Squid much to work with besides reference pictures.

New JV sketch.
I'm thinking JV won't get to this level of tech (i.e. junk on body) until later in the greater stories, but this is more or less what he'll look like later on.

Just wanted to point out that the third script's rough draft is done.

Progress!

hows work going on the visual side? I know Coela has been busy with job stuff but I'm sure everyone is very eager to see anything close to a teaser page.

>>20015
Soon? Trust me.

Anyway, this year feels like it's gonna be our year! (Part of) January will be spent polishing off the first script before preview pages (i.e. the first scene) are ready, and then we start spreading the word and set up a website, and then etc.

Get involved: Do you have any favorite sea shanties or drinking songs? Tell us some and they might get illustrated later on.

Also, history lessons! Anything or anyone worthy of a lecture/presentation by Nicky himself!

Other, non-Squidly artists can apply to do these. We crave diversity.

>>20952
I WILL DO IT

ITT: Pablo ruins a perfectly good thing.

Preview pages are in production!

Let us dance!

>>21216
can't fucking wait

Don't mind me, just ruining a perfectly good thing.

>>21264
And more so.

>>21266
That'll do, pig.

>>21264
>>21266
>>21267
is this supposed to be funny, boy.

>>21264
>>21266
>>21267

>>19450

This is a cool things I'm looking at.

>>18055
I FUCKING LOVE MURDER BY DEATH!

Why? Because i like to create logos for non-existing stuff. I'm just that kind of man.

>>21675
You are awesome, and made something that honestly isn't too far off what we had in mind for a logo.

Sorry we've been AWOL for so long, guys. Squid just recently wrapped up her Ugly Americans bit, I've been swamped with all things Senior year, and Dave has been...well, he's been doing Davely things. We're gonna try and kickstart things soon.

Bumping? You're damn right I am.

worst comic ever. what a bunch of butts.

>>24422

We should just give up now.

>>24426
wait, you didn't already?

>>24428

Nope! In fact, we're getting closer and closer to something tangible. Because of that, though, we're gonna have to start being secretive of things. Partly so we keep some mystique and suspense around it, the other because a lot of what we've been doing (i.e. Dave and I while Squid draws stuff) is little more than DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS.

Still, I'd love for you guys to discuss Nicky, and whatever thoughts/ideas you have about/for him at the moments. Who knows, we might take it into consideration!

In the meantime, we'll leave you with this nice little treat to tie you over.

>>24963
I wish I had any Ideas. maybe Nicky was born on a train.

dont forget the human jew

Here's a proper sendoff: a reprint of what started it all, compliments of DudeWithMoney.

This is still relevant.

Dude, YES!

last page first panel should be just "home" for more Impact

but that's just my opinion.

I am still waiting patiently for this. I would help if I could draw, but I just write.

ARGH WHY WON'T YOU DIE

Looking good.

Hey guys, whatever happened to this project?

I was really looking forward to it.

>>31740

Stay tuned.

>>31740
I got a job where I work 80 hours a week. Hopefully when the contract loosens up next week I can work on it again.