Planetside 2 Graphic Novel

[Saieno]

In a thread a few days ago I posted up a sketch titled Calm Before the Storm (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=40899), depicting some Terran Republic soldiers preparing for battle. Zekeen asked why I hadn't started making a graphic novel yet, and other members of the community such as Tcakes, headcrab13, Cosmical, Kipper, Graywolves, and Raka Maru shared his sentiments. Having never attempted a graphic novel before, I decided to give one page a shot just to see how it goes.

The story is not written by me, and is taken directly from the lore stories posted at Planetside2.com. Some of the content seems outdated now, such as Bolt Drivers being a New Conglomerate specific weapon. Anyway I hope you like this first attempt. As I get used to the workflow and format the quality should improve as well. Thanks and enjoy!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8174416/Planetside2GraphicNovelFinishedPage.jpg

[headcrab13]

NICE work man, this looks great! I really like the idea of structuring your artwork around community-favorite stories that have already been written. That's not to say that you can't add your own story elements, but I'm sure doing it your way will save some time.

Any word from SOE on permissions for doing a fan-supported version?

Regardless, you have incredible talent and should continue developing this when you have time. Awesome!

[Brusi]

fucking awesome! I've gotta say... this is the kinda thing i was hoping for when i heard about Marv Wolfman writing lore!!

[basti]

Dude! Quit your job, dumb your girl, ignore your friends, destroy your phone, and then do this stuff 24/7!
Its awesome!
And if you need a story to tell, I got some ideas. ;-)

[Mastachief]

definitely graphic novel material

[DayOne]

Very nice. I would most certainly read this if it were a full novel. Great work.

[Corax]

Agreed on the +1. Dude very cool stuff!

[atone]

nicely done:thumbsup:

[Immigrant]

Nice drawings, the story/text itself however lacks a pun or something to make it interesting.

[Hamma]

Awesome Saieno nice work!!!

[Marsman]

Indeed - Great Job - keep up the good work! :D

[Vamp Hunter]

Very nice, would be cool if after the game is out you made a series with an original story (I say after so you would be able to get info on weapons lore that would be accurate) very great work!

[Alduron]

I love it. You should consider doing this for all the back stories. ^.^

[Tcakes]

Yeaup, I was right. good stuff man! really digging the lore story adaption as well. There is definitely a lot of badassery going on here.

[basti]

Nice drawings, the story/text itself however lacks a pun or something to make it interesting.

This is the original Backstory of Planetside 2. There is no room for fun!

Also, this is a GN, not a comic...

[Saieno]

Any word from SOE on permissions for doing a fan-supported version?

Regardless, you have incredible talent and should continue developing this when you have time. Awesome!

Still no word from SOE, I'll try asking a bit more directly today. I personally don't feel like its up to par for what I want it to be, but with time constraints and such its what I came up with. It was rushed for the most part, just to see how it would come out. Glad you like it!

Dude! Quit your job, dumb your girl, ignore your friends, destroy your phone, and then do this stuff 24/7! Its awesome! And if you need a story to tell, I got some ideas. ;-)

HAHA! Thanks Basti, I really wish I could do this full time. I had a lot of fun putting it together, and my fiance was very supportive during the entire process. She's a ginger and urged me not to draw Genny with red hair, but since the character was already established she requested I not give her huge breasts :D

I certainly have a lot of story ideas that would basically be excuses to make some pretty epic scenes, maybe we can throw some ideas around if something comes from this.

Nice drawings, the story/text itself however lacks a pun or something to make it interesting.

Don't blame me for the story haha, I just took what was already established and made a graphic representation of it. The full story is available here (http://www.planetside2.com/news/oct12OriginCh1Pt1).

I love it. You should consider doing this for all the back stories. ^.^

That's the plan if I can somehow find a way to do this full-time. I want each empire to have a very different feel with specific fonts for each empire, and of course their respective empire specific colors. Really awesome potential with all of this, I can feel it. I'll try contacting someone about it and see what happens.

[Graywolves]

I enjoyed this. If you enjoyed it as much or more than I did in creating it then you really should do more. Maybe have someone write you stories to work with or come up with some things your own.

[EVILPIG]

Great job. I want to see all of Jones' comrades flirt with and pursue her. While little do they know, she's sneaking out at night to be with her secret New Conglomerate lover. Oh ya, and then one night during a rendezvous, two beautiful bodies holding each other tight in the grass, below the Auraxium Moon, when a spotlight hits them and the air buzzes and swirls about them as Mosquitos hover above them.

[Manitou]

Great job. I want to see all of Jones' comrades flirt with and pursue her. While little do they know, she's sneaking out at night to be with her secret New Conglomerate lover. Oh ya, and then one night during a rendezvous, two beautiful bodies holding each other tight in the grass, below the Auraxium Moon, when a spotlight hits them and the air buzzes and swirls about them as Mosquitos hover above them.
:huh:

[Saieno]

Edit: Nevermind, not worth it.

Glad everyone is enjoying the concept so far! I'll let ya'll know if anything develops with SOE. Thanks again!

[Raymac]

KICK FUCKING ASS, SAIENO!!!

I've literally been waiting for somebody with talent to do this ever since the stories first started coming out. Please, pretty please with a cherry on top...continue with this. The stories need you.

[Kipper]

Really, really well drawn!

Couple of spelling mistakes - not a criticism because it doesn't take anything away from what you've done, I'm just pointing it out so you know.

That said, someone at SoE should definately be sending you a cheque and asking you to draw all of the back stories and comm link entries from the official site.

[Firedorn]

Do it...I'll read it. Great job and keep up the good work. :)

[Heaven]

In a thread a few days ago I posted up a sketch titled Calm Before the Storm (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=40899), depicting some Terran Republic soldiers preparing for battle. Zekeen asked why I hadn't started making a graphic novel yet, and other members of the community such as Tcakes, headcrab13, Cosmical, Kipper, Graywolves, and Raka Maru shared his sentiments. Having never attempted a graphic novel before, I decided to give one page a shot just to see how it goes.

The story is not written by me, and is taken directly from the lore stories posted at Planetside2.com. Some of the content seems outdated now, such as Bolt Drivers being a New Conglomerate specific weapon. Anyway I hope you like this first attempt. As I get used to the workflow and format the quality should improve as well. Thanks and enjoy!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8174416/Planetside2GraphicNovelFinishedPage.jpg
looks damn sexy, my friend! :)

[DDSHADE]

MAN!! It looks AWESOME! Good job, can't wait to see more! =D

Keep it up :cool:

[headcrab13]

Still no word from SOE, I'll try asking a bit more directly today. I personally don't feel like its up to par for what I want it to be, but with time constraints and such its what I came up with. It was rushed for the most part, just to see how it would come out. Glad you like it!

Considering how little time you had to work on it, it's all the more impressive. Definitely let us know what SOE says, as it seems like 100% of the community is backing you so far.

You absolutely deserve to work in the games industry, and it would be awesome to see you get your start through this project.

[Xyntech]

Kick ass.

[Akemo]

And if you need a story to tell, I got some ideas. ;-)

"Basti frags Higby. He stealthily hides behind a rock, waiting for the Higby to respawn. Then, Basti scores another kill on Higby, only to wait for another respawn." is NOT a good idea for a graphic novel. Just sayin'.

J/K Basti, you're always a good addition to these forums and the AGN :)

And, I really like your first attempt for the graphic novel Saieno. I'm really looking forward to seeing more from ya =D

[Shogun]

great work man!
looking forward for more!
i stopped reading the lore storys after the first 2 or 3. but a graphical novel of this quality would make it fun to read!

its so awesome, how many exceptional talented people are part of our small community! planetside 2, a game made by artists, for artists ;)

[SuperMorto]

Love it, I'm just not into reading :( I like flash flashy things instead, but good work looks very smart!

[DDSHADE]

Looking at this still, makes me want to write a fan fiction for PS! It's inspiring. I'm going to go re-read Destroyeron's "The Project" :)

http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=7287

I sent this to a friend I got interested in PS, hes a graphic novel fan and really digs it! Can't wait to see page 2++++:groovy:

[Tikuto]

Who wud do her? I wud do her but she a cartoon!D:

[SniperSteve]

Wow. so much detail. insane.

[Hamma]

Who wud do her? I wud do her but she a cartoon!D:

This is awkward. Tikuto wants to bang the cartoon that Saieno created.. ;)

[headcrab13]

Who wud do her? I wud do her but she a cartoon!D:

Might want to get your eyes checked. That's definitely a guy...

http://i.imgur.com/8PcbO.jpg

[Graywolves]

Who wud do her? I wud do her but she a cartoon!D:

Might want to get your eyes checked. That's definitely a guy...

http://i.imgur.com/8PcbO.jpg

omg I'm dieing :rofl:

[QuantumMechanic]

That my friend, is awesome.

[Eyeklops]

Great work. Can't wait to see more.

[Saieno]

Wow it got weird in here lol

Thanks so much for all the great responses and encouragement! I've sent an e-mail off to see who I need to get in contact with, until I hear back I'm going to finish working on the punisher model when I have time.

[Hamma]

:rofl:

Probably an unintended consequence there - but that is awesome.

[Raka Maru]

Saieno,

Dude, someone with your talent at quickly rolling this together is a rare gift. I only know a few people (can count on one hand) with this gift. Hope you direct your career into this direction, for your sake and ours :)

I know you don't think that you can write, and many would like to volunteer, but you being a right hemisphere guy can actually be a creative writer, just get an editor.

462
http://img.tapatalk.com/4b5fd5a0-171e-c9b4.jpg

[Folly]

Love the art. I'd read it!

[DviddLeff]

Wish I had a talented artist like yourself in my outfit, would love to have some graphics like that for us!

Fantastic job, if it was me doing it I would have it following a platoon as the war begins and they experience the war without permenant death.

[cellinaire]

Damn sweet ^_^b

[headcrab13]

Any word back from SOE regarding permission yet, Saieno? I realize they won't answer during the weekend, but hopefully you'll get a response early this coming week.

I think a lot of people here would be willing to chip in, just to see this thing come together. Even for a simple PDF version of the final novel, I'd be more than happy to help fund your Kickstarter campaign, if you decide to go that route.

Another cool idea would be finishing the first story/chapter that you want to do, and then having a community poll that would determine where the story arc went for the following chapters. Just an idea to throw out there, anyway.

[Zekeen]

In a thread a few days ago I posted up a sketch titled Calm Before the Storm (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=40899), depicting some Terran Republic soldiers preparing for battle. Zekeen asked why I hadn't started making a graphic novel yet, and other members of the community such as Tcakes, headcrab13, Cosmical, Kipper, Graywolves, and Raka Maru shared his sentiments. Having never attempted a graphic novel before, I decided to give one page a shot just to see how it goes.

The story is not written by me, and is taken directly from the lore stories posted at Planetside2.com. Some of the content seems outdated now, such as Bolt Drivers being a New Conglomerate specific weapon. Anyway I hope you like this first attempt. As I get used to the workflow and format the quality should improve as well. Thanks and enjoy!


Dear mother F%$#ING GOD Saieno, you freaking went and started doing it. And it's even more awesome to boot! I was expecting to see a black and white dark pencil style, but damn, good work with color art, it's hard to do it so well. Gotta say, even as a NC hardcore player, I will state that TR is a good side to tell the story from.

[Cosmical]

Nice work man. Good luck and keep at it, i know how much time these things take to put together.

get doodling moochacho!

[Raka Maru]

FYI, there is an iBooks creator that you can download and make this novel. It is free to use, make the iBook dude.

[Saieno]

Any word back from SOE regarding permission yet, Saieno? I realize they won't answer during the weekend, but hopefully you'll get a response early this coming week.

I think a lot of people here would be willing to chip in, just to see this thing come together. Even for a simple PDF version of the final novel, I'd be more than happy to help fund your Kickstarter campaign, if you decide to go that route.

No word yet, maybe they'll get back to me next week or so, it'll be a busy one for me at work anyway haha. And to be honest, drawing this one page actually brought my computer to its knees, preventing me from really working on anything. It's served me well these last five years considering I only spent $300 building it, but I've finally ordered parts yesterday for my new PC. For those curious here is the parts list for my new PC:

Case: NZXT Phantom 410 Red Mid-Tower
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TPOWER X79 USB 3.0 ATX Intel
Power Supply: RAIDMAX RX-850AE 850W ATX12V v2.3
Processor: Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB DDR3 2133
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 680 GTX SC 2GB
Drive 1: Western Digital Caviar Black HDD 1TB 7200 RPM
Drive 2: SanDisk Extreme SSD 120GB 550 MB/s
Keyboard: Logitech Gaming Keyboard G510
Mouse: Logitech Gaming Mouse G500

Dear mother F%$#ING GOD Saieno, you freaking went and started doing it. And it's even more awesome to boot! I was expecting to see a black and white dark pencil style, but damn, good work with color art, it's hard to do it so well. Gotta say, even as a NC hardcore player, I will state that TR is a good side to tell the story from.

Thanks Zekeen. I really think I could have done better if I had more time into it, it's so rough and was really a concept more than anything. I think once I have my new PC built, I'll pump out more art and such in my free time. Thanks for the idea Zekeen, glad you like it. :D

[Zekeen]

Sure thing, good luck to the making of awesomeness. Just be sure to give a lot of Galaxy fanservice in there, best freaking vehicle in the world.

[Noivad]

You have a lot of talent - I'll read it. Wait how much is the Micro Transaction for it. Maybe Sony can give you a nitch to work in. A few pages every week or two about TR victores in PS2 would be cool. You don't have to worry about doing the VS or NC though, cause they will never win any battles that we don't want them too. TR for Life - We have the Power. :evil:

[Figment]

Wrote a big post yesterday on my phone and then wham, hit the back button. >.<


Anyway. It's a nice enough drawing, but unlike Cosmical Comics, you don't fall under parody, so it's not really "fair use" anymore if you use it for more than occasional practice purposes. You should get permission from the copyright holder, in this case SOE and probably good to get in touch with the writer himself. I doubt they'd mind, but I'd check.



Perhaps a bit off topic regarding the OP, but in the past I've talked to some connections of mine in the comic industry about doing a PlanetSide 2 promotional comic. They work at UDON Comics (http://www.udoncomics.com/blog/) and IDW Publishing (http://idwpublishing.com/) in particular, most of them former Dreamwave employees who I've worked with in the past or got to know through forums.

They have done work on comics like GI Joe, Transformers, Mega-Man and other promotional comics in the past, including a Metroid-Prime comic for Nintendo. They would be interested in doing that sort of thing as they do licensed and promotional companies for various companies on a regular basis. Hasbro with its action figure lines in particular of course.

Could be a fun thing for conventions or as a box extra if they decide on a boxed release for instance. They've also done some work for SOE regarding Free Realms in the past, so they are familiar with SOE. Even better if it were a global comic of course, but it'd have to get popular for that first. >.>