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Web comic World Building Part 2: Story Plot

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The plot of my web comic starts by thinking about what type of story it will be and how I can put that to a story. The story for the newest web comic I’m working on came to me three years ago as just some idea and writing them down (I usually carry a small memo book so I can write things down). I start adding more to the plot: Where it will take place, the characters involved, the main and secondary story lines. I’ve done a superhero type of story already so I wanted to go this time with an adventure type.

I really started developing the ideas I had to see which ones I would narrow down to the one I wanted. I eventually decided to work with a dimensional travel adventure. I was excited about the idea and I kept adding to the plot, then leave it for a day. I come back to it, reread it and decide what goes and what stays.

That’s it for now on the plot. It may seem a bit strange to some but it works for me, as it should be for you. Let me know how you come up with your plots.

Be blessed.

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Part one: What is the theme of my Web comic going to be?

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Welcome to the first part of my web comic world building. This is the first time that I’ve written this down, so just bear with me. When I was starting the Shield of Justice, that was my first (and only so far) web comic that I created. A lot of the things I learned was from the Internet, like going to groups to find out about software, Googling different sites that I can post on, and books that talked about web comic design and comic book styles.

Before I started however, I wanted to think about what the web comic was going to be about, because I had an idea but what was the main theme? Starting with this would be the most important part for me. The entire web comic would fall into place if I knew what the main character’s motivation would be. In the Shield of Justice, the theme was about redemption. A past mistake that changed my main character’s life and also those around him. He would do whatever he could to get redemption for that mistake and the story grew around that theme.

Looking back on what I’ve done so far, there was TONS of backstory that I should have built up on before doing the plot and scripts but it was my first run on making a web comic. I’ve gotten good advise over the years on web comics. My new web comic that I’m starting will revolve around faith and how it will impact many of the characters in the stories.

This will be it for part one of my world building experience, I’ll learn more as I go and blog about it. Let me know what’s your strategy for world building. As always, be blessed.

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My world-building process for the new web comic

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I’ve taken a little time off after finishing up the last of the Shield of Justice from drawing. I do like having a bit of time to relax (besides school work to finish). I’ve never really worked on another web comic before but I’m excited about the creation process. The biggest challenge I see is how much backstory to add to the new web comic, so I’m going to blog on the world building process as I get ready to roll out the new web comic story. Stay tuned to the blog for more updates on how the world building is going.

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The Shield of Justice is complete.

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The webcomic, the Shield of Justice is completed. This has been my first and only webcomic I’ve worked on since I started over 8 years ago. I’ve finished 3 stories of Lt. Hunter and his mission of keeping the city of St. Carthena safe and really I have more ideas that I could run with for him. I really look back on what’s been completed but I promised myself that I would look at more ideas and web comic stories I have written over time to work on after I finish, and I’m sticking to that promise.

I love the Shield of Justice, but I’m excited about working on my next web comic idea that I’ve been researching on and off. I was so excited that I almost stopped working on the SOJ at the beginning of the third part of the Shield of Justice. My best friend talked to me about finishing what I started, since in his words “that’s your baby”. He was right, this was the one that got me interested in learning about digital equipment, asking about what works for other web comic artists and just get it done. It’s been a slow grind to the finish over the years, but I’m so glad that I did it. I learned some great dos and don’ts and I still have a lot to learn in the web comic world.

I didn’t know what to feel when I finished it. I guess in the end it’s great, so that gives me some time to develop my other project, work on my art, and learn about more art software programs. I may go back to do more of the SOJ, but for right now, I’m heading forward. Thanks to everyone who has been reading SOJ and I hope you stay on for the next part of the journey.

Be blessed.

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SOJ update: another page in the books

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Well, after a LONG matter of work on this page, page 22 is finally complete for the Shield of Justice. Two more left for the Shield and then it’s done for now. This was a very hard page because I couldn’t get it to look right (for me). Some things I changed and then changed again, so it took longer. Hope you enjoy (when you get to the page)!

Be blessed.

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My proudest nerd moment

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It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged on the Capes and Cowl. I’ve had a lot of things going on in my life, but even when I’ve had the time, I always put it off for “later”. I’m working on putting more effort into keeping this on a regular two week schedule again, so I decided to start today.

This topic I spun off of a question on Twitter from Gail Simone (one of my favorite writers), about discussing your happiest nerd day. I was thinking about this afterwards and I already knew what it going to be on the spot. I then started thinking that what was my proudest nerd moment? To me, there is a difference between my happiest and my proudest nerd moments.

My happiest was when I met Stan Lee and was able to ask him a question without sounding like my brain shut off my speech. That was a very happy day for me because I never thought I would meet him in my life. My proudest was because it was something that I accomplished in the comic realm that I love. This moment was when I hosted my first web comic panel at the Cincinnati Comic Expo. I was nervous and excited at the same time when I was picked and found out what day I was going on. I didn’t even think about writing down what I would say I just went and decided to “wing it”.

My best friend, who is into comics as well, came down for support, and actually took the picture that I use for some social media pages I have. I didn’t expect ANY one to show up for the panel, but I was shocked by how many were interested! Great questions were asked, and it was an incredible feeling to talk to others who were webcomic creators. That moment inspired me to put more work in on my web comics and I’ll never forget.

Which one was yours?

Be blessed.

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SOJ Page 20 update

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After returning from vacation last week, I finally finished page 20. The new graphic tablet Im using has truly sped up my work and made me be more detailed.

I’ll also be adding the new Shield of Justice pages this upcoming Sunday, March 31st due to my vacation last week.Make sure to subscribe for updates and check out The Duck Webcomics and Smack Jeeves for the extra Shield of Justice webcomic pages.

Be blessed

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Good news and bad news for the Shield of Justice

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The bad news first, I screwed up the page 20 ink work so I have to go back and redo it, so another setback looks to be in order. Good news, my new graphic screen tablet arrived Saturday and this thing is incredible! I started over this morning on the ink and it’s so much easier using this. More on this on the Learning Curve podcast this week. Stay Tuned and be blessed.