Episode 165 - Mecha Madness!
May 5, 2014
Today Banes and I have a little talk about weaponry and mecha in webcomic- how do you come up with it? How much research do you do? Should it actually work? Is coolness the only factor to consider? How detailed do you go when you design it? how far away from reality and cartoony is appropriate? We consider most of those questions and a few more, there's a LOT to get into on a topic like this and we really only just barely scratch the surface! In my own webcomic Pinky TA I've done a LOT of research and design work to get my mecha and weaponry looking right, so this is a subject dear to me. But we all have our own opinions on this, not just in webcomics but in games, movies, anime, and manga. I would love it if people could contribute their ideas in the comments here or on the DD forum here: http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/forum/topic/176137/
Topics and Show Notes
Topics and Show Notes:
Featured comic:
Drake the Cool Vampire - http://theduckwebcomics.com/Drake_the_Cool_Vampire
Referenced in this Quackcast:
Ghost Operators by Joel CQB - http://theduckwebcomics.com/Ghost_Operators/
Special thanks to:
My Co-host Banes - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes/
I would love it if people could contribute their ideas in the comments here or on the DD forum here:
- http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/forum/topic/176137/
Ozoneocean at 9:11PM, May 11, 2014
Thanks for all that SLK8ne! That's all well thought out and makes a lot of sense! Did you know that a lot of the designs in Heavy Gear were originally copied from the anime series Armoured Trooper Votoms? Some are almost exactly the same as the mecha battle-suit form of the jets (Legios) from Mospeeda Genesis Climber (Robotech series 3).
SLK8ne at 1:30PM, May 11, 2014
I'd also suggest checking out this gent, as he's working on a Weird War II game and has a lot of mecha based on actual WWII machines done in Sketchup by a friend. http://rob-cavanna.deviantart.com/gallery/ He's thought out how they'd be used tactically quite well.
SLK8ne at 1:17PM, May 11, 2014
The Heavy Gear magazine has a diesel-punk serial "Alfie's Tenners" which is a British mecha unit fighting the Nazis in WWII.
SLK8ne at 1:14PM, May 11, 2014
btw, one source on how mecha could be deployed is the Heavy Gear gaming universe. They have a free e-zine you can download that has fiction, and tactical advice. They use mecha with infantry, artillery, aerospace, and conventional tank support.
SLK8ne at 1:05PM, May 11, 2014
One thing I would suggest for powered armor is to draw a human outline /first/. Then build the armor around the human. One thing I've noticed is that some armor art makes leave no room for the mechanisms that amplify the wearer's strength. (which is why I liked the under armor shown in Iron Man 1)
SLK8ne at 1:00PM, May 11, 2014
(continued from below) Third: how is it deployed? Is it used in groups with other mecha, or does it for fire support for infantry.
SLK8ne at 12:51PM, May 11, 2014
A subject near and dear to my heart! I doodle a lot of mecha and powered armor. I design my mecha based on several criteria. But, the most important thing is form follows function. Figure out the function and the form will follow.I also want to know why they were created in the first place. Why do they need mecha rather than conventional armor? There has to be a reason why the machine was developed in the first place. First, what is the mission of the machine. Is it a fast scout, general purpose, special purpose, fire support or heavy assault machine. In the Heavy Gear gaming universe mecha are designed for terrain inaccessible to tanks.They are also better in urban environments than conventional armor as well. Second, what terrain is it designed to be used in. In open terrain a lot slung machine will survive on a battlefield much longer than a tall upright one. Will it need to climb (as in mountainous terrain)
BonesOfRuin at 12:59AM, May 11, 2014
loved it! thanks for posting!
Ozoneocean at 7:17PM, May 6, 2014
Thanks again for the music Gunwallace! Yup, we'll return the normal theme. :) and thanks Banes, I racked my brains for a good mecha pic and then realised Pinky TA is full of that sort of thing, hahaha!
Gunwallace at 1:14PM, May 6, 2014
I guess I'm a pacifist like Banes, but interesting topic. Thanks for playing the music. I'm just playing around with Garageband, loops, a 3/4 kid's bass, and a half-sized electric Hello Kitty pink guitar we got second hand. But please have the iconic Quackcast intro music back next week.
Banes at 8:31AM, May 6, 2014
Very interesting topic - This was quite illuminating...and that's a wicked picture by Mecha Master ozoneocean! Kudos on the music too, GW! Very pro sounding - Shaken not Stirred is freakin fantastic!