Just wait - I'll contact the author, hoping he'll contact you :P

Brad
Cool, what do I do?

Well, I've polished the script, and with Abt_Nihil's approval, I'll send you a copy! Love the Shell art on your sketchbook page, by the by!

So, is anyone working on origin stories?

I like the idea of having a short 2-page primer on every character (that is, every character who's slated to appear in one of our stories; so eight for now). Actually I think it should be a prerequisite. It doesn't strictly have to be an origin story, but rather something to show what the character's about. Any reader should have a clear idea after reading this, and it'll definitely help the writers too (- even I will often find myself asking: okay, I know this character can do this or that, but what the heck is this or that character about?)

I'll do one about Bombshell, and I expect everyone to at least start planning one for their own character.

Well for Peligroso, I wrote a dream/origin story, I have to go back and edit it and write a bit more to it since it was me trying to write it in script form and it came out a jangled mess of pain >,<

These primers you speak of, are we talking full comic pages, or are we talking pinups with words on them?

As for the content, I think I understand what you need. Like, for Azumorph, I could say that he has an extensive knowledge of superhero lore, and that he's one of the most famous heroes in Australia, and his work with HU is making more famous around the world. Is that what you're after?

AzuJOD
These primers you speak of, are we talking full comic pages, or are we talking pinups with words on them?

As for the content, I think I understand what you need. Like, for Azumorph, I could say that he has an extensive knowledge of superhero lore, and that he's one of the most famous heroes in Australia, and his work with HU is making more famous around the world. Is that what you're after?

I'm thinking of actual comic pages - I don't want people to feel like they're reading character profiles. Comic pages don't necessarily involve panels, so this is still only a vague guideline. In any case, I'd like to have something resembling a comic story, not a character profile. It should show your characters doing something that says something central about them. You should communicate what you think is essential to your character. What's his approach to being a superhero? To life in general? What's it like being him or her?

I'm just saying, in case you don't want to reveal your character's origin story (like here), you should come up with something which will still have the reader get the feeling that he or she knows and understands the character.

Is there a due date on the two-pager origins thing? It might help move things along.

I'm still finishing up Azumorph's 4-page origin story from a while back

fukujinzuke
Is there a due date on the two-pager origins thing? It might help move things along.

Posting these before HA #1 starts would be best, so: end of the month. This should really be something quick. But first I'll need to hear back from everybody whether or not they're willing to do this.

So, the specifics:
Create an origin story for your character! If you don't want to reveal their origin, try to boil down their essence in a short story. Page count: Between 1 and 4 (preferrably 2). The following are *theoretically* due till the end of February:
VORA / COMET KID / AZUMORPH / BOMBSHELL / SHELL / RELIK / VIRTUS / TITAN

Theoretically, because we'd first need to know who would do what.
- AzuJOD & Wes_Nero123 are doing the one for Azumorph.
- I imagine Sebastian would want to handle the one for Virtus by himself (?), as would I for Bombshell.
- What we've seen in HU: The Stormfront would suffice for Titan. We might do a little collage for her. New art would be optional. Something similar applies to the first chapter of SHELL: We've seen his origin in a pretty detailed way before, it's up to fukujinzuke what he'd like to do.
- Tempest_Lavalle has made a pretty detailed character profile for Vora… I don't know whether she'd like to do a short extra origin story (or whether she has the time).
- Will have to consult Symple_Symon about Relik
- Hero wrote a script for Comet Kid's origin, I'll provide artwork.

Well, I should be able to make something within the month, but I'm not making any promises. I just have to figure out how to make the basis of the character's essence not sound all too kliché.

I've got a two-pager underway for The Origin of SHELL now.

Thanks, guys!

I did say I would write one of these before. It may have just gotten lost somewhere between some other projects. But, I'll get back to it in a heartbeat.

This sounds cool - are we talking about the origins of the characters themselves, or simply how they came to be a part of the HA?

If it's the former, I can give a condensed version of ‘Retake’ a shot, lol - even if there are quite a few major points still to come.

If it's the latter, I'll either get back to you or open the topic up for whoever has an idea!

Dave

Dave - I think it's the former… So a two-page summary of Retake. (it's more like a page and half actually, since the bottom third of the 2nd page is for a quick ref of abilities, affiliations, essential storylines)

For the SHELL two-pager, I just highlighted the events that shaped his personality. header + 3 panels on page 1, 4 panels + quick ref info on page 2.

Yup, fukujinzuke is right. You could just recycle art from Retake and add new text, if you like.

So, quick update on origin stories:
AzuJOD & Wes_Nero123 are working on Azumorph's origin
fukujinzuke did one for Shell and one for Desperado
Sebastian_Sandberg is doing one for Virtus
I'm doing one for Bombshell and planning to do one for Change
Hero wrote one for Comet Kid, on which I'm providing artwork
SympleSymon will do one for Relik
Vora: pending
Titan: pending
Chapter 3 will see Bleeder, Blue Jay and Mr Imp added to the roster, so by that time we'd need origin stories for them too.

As you can see, we've got two villains in there. So, everybody who'd like to do an origin for another villain: feel free to do so. It's not required though (I think).

JIN and I are formulating the Bleeder 2-pager around mid-March, when her school stuff slows done a little.

I will knock something up for Titan this weekend. It may contain old images with new text but it should work.

fukujinzuke & Nepath: You get a “Yay!” each.

I'll upload some teasers over the next few weeks, then start uploading origin stories - just a quick reminder for whoever hasn't done theirs (- yes, I'm looking at YOU! No, not you… YOU there!!) ^_^

I SAID I wasn't making any promises, if you remember correctly. I'm trying to get the four HA-pages done first as a top priority.

Does that mean you're working on the origin story? I could give you some time, if that's what you need.

No, I haven't even gotten past the execution of the voice-over (accompanying text). I'm trying to brainstorm together something I won't feel “I could have done better” about a year or so from now. XD And you said it didn't have to be an origin story, just explaining the essence of the character.

Yeah, when I say “origin story” I really mean “origin story or whatever we talked about” :)

Anyway, all I need from you at this point is a clear and reliable statement on whether you'll do it and when. I hope you'll do something that works for you, but mainly I hope you'll do something ^_^

I'm leaning towards “too caught up in other projects” so don't count on it being done before HA #1 kicks off. BUT don't deny the possibility of me surprising you. XD

We can shuffle these lil' origin (or whatever) stories around… I'll just start uploading the ones I've got and see how far I get. It goes without saying that I'd prefer having the ones for characters appearing in chapters 1 & 2 before uploading ch. 1. And again, something is better than nothing, even if it doesn't meet your own ideal of perfection.

I think that will be the best route to take. Sorry.

No, but that's just it, I want something to be something remotely good, and just not something you could read from a Golden Age comic book cover.

Abt, I'm not so sure an origins story would work for Relik, as it would be a bit of a pain when dealing with a huge story I want to tell down the line in ‘Relik’. It's a kinda “If the HA knew who he really was, why is everyone else only finding out now? Wouldn't the governement have been informed?” kinda problem.

So, yeah, if you can think of a way around the whole “He's an alien!” thing to tell the story through, then by all means share :P

Dave - Maybe you can just put something together to explain how Brad became Relik and how he came to decide to use his gear for the good of all mankind?

Wouldn't something like this be enough to carry HA readers along?:

page 1.
1-Origins of Relik panel
2-Brad Stone was an action movie super star.
3-When his career began to stumble, he came across genuine alien tech which he originally presumed was part of a costume for his movie.
4-He quickly came to realize that this piece of alien tech granted him abilities he'd never before imagined.

page 2.
1-possession of the alien tech, however, attracted unexpected attention.
2-Stone, who was then dubbed “Relik,” to coincide with the name of the piece of alien tech, was thrown into the midst of alien conflict within the confines of Earth
3-Seeing as to how fragile the planet could be thanks to his run-in with the alien conflict, Relik then swore to protect the Earth and its inhabitants (or whatever).
4- powers, literature, and affiliations list

Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to ask you… will HA members know Relik's secret identity?

I agree with fukujinzuke… I never expected you to reveal more than you already have on Retake. And I did have the same problem with Bombshell.

fukujinzuke
Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to ask you… will HA members know Relik's secret identity?

Good question! :P