Who here is thinking of writing a manga series?

[Lobolover]

a have 4 Lackland images uploaded and am working on chapter 14.

but im unsure if to post them here.

[King Kobra]

Kidbots.

Robotic Kids with Robotic powers.


Everyone wants one, and everyone pits them against each other like fighting dogs with kid shapes.


KIDBOTS.

[yoruba]

Kidbots.

Robotic Kids with Robotic powers.


Everyone wants one, and everyone pits them against each other like fighting dogs with kid shapes.


KIDBOTS.

You mean like Medabots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabots) ? Or something like a extension of Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy and Inafune Keiji's Rockman?

[KaizokuFan22]

just started storyboards for ch.1 so far.
also starting a character designs and other stuff i may apply to this.

[rusashi]

Mmm.. here's chapter one of Colors, or whatever I plan on calling it. Not a lot going on, since Kurono's the only real character in the story until the end. Shows off how shitty the cops are though.

The sound of battle filled the air. Swords clashing, battle cries being heard, the sound of death. But one man fought his hardest. He drew his sword, and rushed through the millions of soldiers. An immortal was what he should've been called. A single man amongst an army, the one man who fought for what he believed in. Cutting asunder every enemy who came to him. He rushed through the enemy, killing blow after killing blow.
But his victory would only last so long. A man in black armor stood in his way. The man in black armor rushed toward our immortal. Swords at the ready, they were both aiming to kill.

It was the Black Knight's victory. Our immortal fell before the knight, and prayed for his life. The black knight took off his helmet.
"Don't you think you should wake up, brother?" said the knight.

The boy woke up in an instant.
"A dream... only a dream," he thought.


Chapter 1 - Feed your Dreams with Dreams

His name is Kurono Verde. He looked at the alarm clock, 3:13 AM. He turned on the television, it was a porno. Of course he watched.
He sighed, he was quickly bored. He turned off the television and walked toward the window.
The sounds of sirens, the shots of gunfire, the shouts of the police. This was..

Alcatraz City. One of the five major cities. The Prison City. No one left the walls that surrounded our city. We didn't even know what was out there, except for that there were even more cities out there. More people to meet, more things to do. But we were imprisoned here. We don't know why, but anyone who tries to get out is shot on sight. Not many people know that, but I saw it, first hand...



"Brother, we shouldn't be out this late," a younger Verde told his brother.
"It'll be fine, kiddo. Just stick by me, and watch me at work," said the taller brother.

Komodo Verde, my brother, and my rival. I always tried to be better then him. He was only one year older, but I always looked up to him, but at the same time, I was always trying to catch up.

"Here's a good spot, kiddo," exclaimed Komodo.
"Ya' know, I'm not much younger then you," Kurono told his brother with an aggravated look.
"Of course you're not," Komodo said with a smile.

And then he began his work. He pulled out the spray paint can. It was art. Art known as graffiti. He did it so easily. Like he had been doing it his entire life, while I trailed behind.

"Brother, do you know what's it like to be called King?" said Komodo.
"King?" questioned Kurono, "No, tell me more! I wanna know!" Kurono pulled out what looked like a notepad, and started taking notes.

Komodo hopped up on the dumpster.
"To be a King... it's even better then being a big brother. So many people want your power. But there's no way they can take it. Being a King... it's the life of no other. Kurono, do you want to be a King?" Komodo finished.

"No," Kurono said while thinking of something else, "Brother, I want to be higher then a King. I'll surpass you in anyway I can," Kurono giggled.
".. I know you will Kurono. I know you will.." said his brother grimly, "Now now, enough talk about the future. We gotta get moving, the police might be patrolling."
"Yosh!" Kurono said with a salute.
"You know kiddo, you don't always have to bow to the King..."
"I know. I only bow to my brother," said Kurono, "But once I'm King, you'll bow to me brother."
"You got it, kiddo," laughed Komodo.

They looked back at their art. An unexplainable explosion of art. It was amazing. And at the corner... the signatures of the two brothers. The brothers Verde. They would go down in history... soon enough.

"Kurono, don't stop dreaming," said Komodo.

He woke up again. Another dream. 3:30 AM.
It was time.
He jumped out his window, with a pack on his back, and a smile in his heart. It was time for his art.
He had been working on it for the past year, his masterpiece. Everyone has a piece of art they keep dear to them...

Kurono ran through the streets, making his way to his masterpiece. The cops had never found his art. He covered it during the day with camouflage. The cops could never find it. If they did, he was in for it. He could never get arrested. Because being arrested in this city meant certain death. The prison cells... oh the prison cells. They were not the place you would want to be. And he had no one to pay his bail. He'd be sent to the real prison, wherever that was. Instead of being stuck in jail for the night, with a rock hard bed and some shitty bread, he'd be sent to prison. The prison the city was known for. No, he couldn't goto prison.

He reached his masterpiece. A great city scene, filled with all the things he had hoped his life would be. The city wasn't dingy, or filled with crime. It's what home should look like. The home he imagined in his dreams. The dreams that kept him going. The magnificent skyline he had graphed onto the wall. It was twilight in the scene. Or was it dusk? The city lived in that period where you couldn't tell if it was 5 at night or 5 in the morning. Well, not unless you knew how the sun worked, which Kurono obviously did not. Gigantic buildings, all shining in the darkness. His city of dreams.

But what Kurono didn't notice, was he was being followed. When he ran toward his "spot" he was noticed. The cops. His worst enemy. This meant if he didn't work fast, he'd be caught. But why this day? Why was he tailed today? The cops don't usually give two shits. But today they did. Kurono heard sirens. He had been caught. He quickly covered up his work, and ran. He ran for his life. Ran through alley ways, up fire escapes, but still, the sounds of sirens followed him. Coming down from the fire escape, he saw it. His first encounter with the cops.

"You there, STOP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE, PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!" exclaimed the cop.

But Kurono did what his brother had always told him to do, run. Bow down to no one but the King. And Kurono knew that no one became a King by listening to the cops. He ran. Ran fast. But he was cornered. The cops got him.

"Idiot kid.. you think we wouldn't catch you?" laughed the fattest cop.
Kurono tried to resist. But resisting wouldn't do any good. A cop fired a shot at the ground.
"You better stop that, moron," scoffed the tallest cop.
"You can't even prove I did anything wrong," said Kurono angered.
"We have eyes everywhere, moron," the tallest cop replied.
Kurono sighed and put his hands out, awaiting the cuffs. The fat cop pushed him into the back seat of the car. Kurono was going to jail.

The mug shot. Every criminal got one, Kurono was a criminal now. Oh how the might have fallen. The cops pushed him into his cell. He shared it with the most dingy of criminals. Some probably just wanted a place to sleep for the night. Kurono just wanted out of there.

"Hey kid, if you can get bail within the next 9 hours, we'll let you go. But your records don't look so good kid. No parents? Hahaha, your fucked kid," laughed another of the cops.

Cops were just dirt in our city. They could get away with whatever they wanted, and they were unafraid of anyone. Half of the cops spent the entire day drunk. The other half spent the night drunk. Cops were more like military, in Alcatraz City.


8 and a half hours had passed. His possessions were all locked away, and the bums still remained with him. Some of his inmates had their bail paid by their loving families. But Kurono was alone, all alone.
15 minutes till prison. He started to feel like he was going insane. He wasn't ready for prison. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Well, not in this city I guess. There were no trials, only punishment.
5 minutes left. Was he really going to prison? He started to give up, he laid down, and tried to sleep, to avoid the terror.

The door opened.

"Kurono Verde,"
Was it time already? Is he going to prison? No, no, no, no. He can't goto prison. Not yet. It's too soon.
"Your bail has been paid, get the hell out of here."

Paid? By who? Who would pay his bail...? He walked out of the cell, and into the room to get his possessions. One room closer to freedom. God must've done it. Yes, God. And then he saw him. One hair swerved down his head. Slicked back hair. He wore a trench coat, and a suit underneath.

"Yo," he said with a wave and a smile, "Let's go for a ride."

I hoped he wasn't just some perverted guy....



*Escaping prison by just one minute, just who was the man in the suit?!*


I was thinking of doing flashbacks every 2-3 chapters, kind of like Lost. Not sure about it yet though, considering it's much easier to do what One Piece does, by giving it all away in one flashback.

[Nobodyman]

I've been thinking about doing manga series for a while. I've got about 5 or 6 ideas tumbling around in my head. I even have a few movie ideas.

Anyway, here's one of my manga ideas. Now keep in mind that the titles and names of the characters I give are by no means final, in fact I'll probably just make them up on the spot because I suck at titles and I suck at names.

So, the (tentative) title is: Blue Journey

Synopsis: I suppose you could say it's a mix between One Piece and Star Trek. It's about a group of soldiers/explorers who come from a large, powerful, unified continent, which, a few years ago, discovered a very large archipelago many miles away from the mainland that has not yet been explored. Thus this group of skilled and talented seafarers is given the task of exploring the archipelago, going from island to island in search of other civilizations, animals, resources, etc. It's not a particularly large group, and it's made up of these 6 characters.

Lawrence: The captain, and second youngest member of the crew at 23. Though young, he is an extremely powerful fighter and a master swordsman with a lot of combat experience. He's very cheerful and easygoing, and sometimes goofy, but he understands all-too-well his duties as captain and can be very strict and decisive if need be. Oh, did I mention he's gay?

Wendy: Helmsman, navigator, and first mate. With fiery red hair, and a cocky sassy attitude, she's a regular ball of fun, but also a very capable soldier. She often teases her captain about the fact that he's gay by saying "Yes, stupendously gay captain!", except each time she'll use a different adverb, so the next time she might say "incredibly" or "astonishigly", as long as it follows the basic format of "Yes [adverb] gay captain!".

Dr. Nells: Obviously the ship's physician and a chain smoker. Also the oldest member of the crew at 48. Not a very cheerful kind of guy and is often complaining, but when it comes down to it, he's serious about his work and is dedicated to his crews mission.

Mark: A genius miliatry strategis/tactician. Very friendly and easy-going, but not as over-the-top as Lawrence. Uh yeah, not much else to say about him.

Delilah: The ships nutritionist/chef with an exceptional knowledge of flora and fauna (particularly what is edible). A very kind-hearted woman who doesn't like to create conflict. There is a budding romance between her and Mark.

Lydia: The youngest crew member at the age of 19. Though young, she is a gifted expert mecanic and shipwright, unsurpassed in her homeland. She is very shy, and is often nervous due to her lack of seafaring and combat experience. She begins to fall in love with Lawrence, but becomes conflicted when she discovers that he is gay. This conflict plays throughout the whole series.

I may add 1 or 2 more characters later on. I was thinking about another male character, perhaps a delegate/negotiator. But anyway, the story is about these characters and how they explore the archipelago and work together to accomplish their mission(s).

So basically they go from island to island exploring them and the new civilizations and environments they contain. Some islands they find to be rather hospitable, but most not so much and they often come into conflict with the natives.

I've got a few story arcs in mind. In one they meet a tribe of cannibals. In another they discover a society governed by a strict religious dogma. In another the group gets separated and later seem to have landed on the same island at different spots as they meet the natives who look similar and are both very friendly. However, they later they discover they were actually on two different islands and that these two islands are at war as they believe they are "different" from one another. The exploration of all these islands leads up to a surpising, plot-twisting final arc, which I wouldn't dare reveal.

So, that's the basic story. I believe it does have several themes, including teamwork, dedication, compassion and understanding, and staying the course (during the journey one of the characters receives mail [via seagull] telling him/her that his/her mother has died, but moves on).

Oh BTW, could someone tell me how to put text in spoiler tabs? I couldn't figure out how to do it.

[Brooke]

i was drawing some mangas before, best of it is "backpack" is stroy of group of teenagers who are batteling with trheyr backpacks whit difreent weapons and all that, it was pretty cool xD

[rusashi]

In another the group gets separated and later seem to have landed on the same island at different spots as they meet the natives who look similar and are both very friendly. However, they later they discover they were actually on two different islands and that these two islands are at war as they believe they are "different" from one another.



They landed on the islands from Lost?!

[Nobodyman]

They landed on the islands from Lost?!
Yeah, that's what they did

[rusashi]

Yeah, that's what they did

Lol, I was only kidding. I apologize.

I've come up with yet another idea, and I think I might run with it, since it allows me to have more wacky powers then my graffiti idea did.



Dreams. Everyone has dreams. They're the images one has during REM sleep, and they're a part of life.

But everyone has nightmares as well. The images that haunt ones sleep, and attempt to awaken one from a nights sleep.

Nightmares occur more then one would think. But a special group of celestial beings named "viewers" monitor our dreams. When a nightmare occurs, they're turned into digital impulses that are plugged directly into your dream world, similar to the matrix. They take on an appearance of what anyone would look like in your dreams.

Powers and abilities vary depending on the nightmare, but most likely each character will have a power he keeps as his or her own. Probably gonna have an 8-10 member cast, and the main villain will probably be the Sand Man. Their main base is a huge room covered in monitors, with a podium at the center. None of the characters except one know who their boss is.

One idea I had for a nightmare was, a seemingly pleasant dream. But they were in the dream of a deranged, twisted man. So his dreams are our nightmares. So the group basically has to turn the dream into a nightmare.

Most of my main characters from Colors return, and most of their quirks will carry on. I love Vucci's design, so he's staying definitely.



End!

[Nobodyman]

Lol, I was only kidding. I apologize.
Ha ha, naw it's okay, I know you were kidding. No need to apologize. In fact I'm kinda glad, because that's my series' firsting pwning.

Anyway, here's another one of my ideas. Again I'll probably be making up all the names on the spot, but I do know what the title is going to be.

Title: Ark Son
A young boy in high school is one day struck by in the head by a falling meteorite. However, this meteorite is actually a god called Ark Son that grants the boy extraordinary powers. The god was in fact being pursued by an evil galactic rebellion that had been pursuing him through the galaxy, hoping to obtain his power. The rebellion has also been combating the galactic government, which sends one of their own operatives to try to obtain the god. This leads to a series of wacky adventures in which the boy is caught in the middle between the rebels and the government hoping to reclaim the god Ark Son.

Nate: The boy who is struck by, and becomes the host for, Ark Son. He is a big dork and the klutziest kid in his school, nay, possibly the world. He's also not very smart, or strong, and he doesn't have many friends, so he's pretty much a loser all around. However, that all changes when Ark Son enters his body, granting him extraordinary powers, and a silent, smooth alternate persona when he enters "combat mode".

Lizzie: A goth kid from Nate's school, and one of his few friends. She's pretty much your typical goth, well, except she's not extremely gothic. She's pale and wears dark clothing like a goth, but she doesn't go to the extreme of piercing her body or rejecting and shunning the world. She is of course cocky and smart alecky, and gets a kick out of often teasing Nate. Ironically, her parents own a flower shop which she will probably inherit some day. Nate becomes infatuated with her.

Dave: Another friend of Nate's. He is a somewhat rebellious youth and a good fighter (he takes Karate). He's much more friendlier towards Nate and only occassionally teases him. He often protects Nate from the bullies who pick on him, and goes through a bit of an identity crisis when Nate becomes the host for Ark Son and becomes the one to protect him and the town.

Ark Son: The god that enters Nate's body. It is unknown exactly what kind of force it is, but it is a tangible being and possesses great power. It is wanted by the rebellion and galactic government. During a battle, Ark Son is severely injured and arbitrarily retreats to Earth and enters Nate's body. Ark Son needs to stay in Nate's body so he can recover and in the mean time grants Nate with power to protect himself and others around him. Ark Son does believe in protecting and defending the innocent.

Loralina: An agent sent by the galactic government to investigate Earth and track down Ark Son, disguised as a human of course. She is very eccentric, even for alien standards, as she is always happy and cheerful and always seems to get the better of everyone. Upon discovering that Ark Son is in Nate's body she becomes his shadow knowing that Ark Son will not leave until he has recovered. She is sometimes mistaken for being Nate's girlfriend, though there is no attraction on either side.

Voin, Jarvs, and Oodakon: The three bumbling leaders of the rebellion. They recently inherited their titles when their three fathers (no relation among any of them) were killed in a battle. Unlike their fathers, who were excellent leaders, they are completely idiotic and have no idea how to run the rebellion. However, they still create problems for Nate as they send powerful warriors and giant monsters to retrieve Ark Son which threaten to destroy his town.

Roger Wilco: Obviously a fake name, he is a paranormal investigator sent by the American government to investigate the strange happenings in Nate's town. He is often hot on the trail of Nate and highly suspects him of the suspicious happenings. He is also quite eccentric, and despite being intelligent, is very bumbling.

As you may be able to tell, this is actually a very humor-based series, but it also has good bits of action especially when Nate goes into the "combat-mode" I mentioned and fights the monsters that the rebellion sends after him. So that's basically it, it would be about Nate fighting off the rebellion's agents, but he would become stronger as time goes by as Ark Son recovers his strength. There would of course be other stories going on between him and his friends and Loralina and Roger, and of course some more silly side stories with the idiot rebel leaders.

I don't see this series as going on for too long. Perhaps a year or two. I guess in manga tankoban standards, it would last for about 4 or 5 volumes. But I think it would be a really good series and be really funny.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes I did get some inspiration from FLCL, but nothing from Meteor!, that was inadvertant. I hadn't even heard of Meteor until after I came up with this idea.

[rusashi]

Some concepts from my Dreams manga...

Concepts:
Dreams:
Dreams are whole new worlds. When a person dreams, they create an entirely new world. Whether it's a tiny thing that's changed about the real world, or a whole new world full of strange creatures, Dreams need to be kept under control. Dreams are also the gates for Nightmares to invade our world

The Visum:
A group of beings who watch over dreams. These people have control over dreams, and can alter their brain waves to change a dream. The Visum are the only people who can see the Nightmare. Visum all have unique Brain waves that allow them to have various powers normal humans cannot possibly have. When a person has this unique Brain wave, they are destined to become a Visum.

Visum are just typical soldiers, but they can also rank up to the class of Sand Man, and be in control of Sleep itself.

Visum are also known to the public as ghosts. Visum are failed humans, who weren't capable of making their own dreams come true, thus they were put in charge of helping others dreams. Technically, they're doomed to a purgatory where they must constantly protect.

Nightmares:
A group of villainous lurkers, who monitor dreams just as Visum do. Nightmares pursue people who are easily effected by pain, but in certain cases, they look for the most twisted souls to harvest their Dreams. Nightmares typically do not have enhanced Brain wave patterns like the Visum, because they force themselves into a dream, instead of merging with it.

Sand Men:
A group of powerful Visum, with command over sleep. A Sand Man carries a tool called the Sands of the Hourglass, which controls how long, and when you will sleep. Their control over sleep overall puts them in control of dreams, and what goes in and out of them.

Brain Waves:
Brain Waves are necessary to enter the dreams of another. When Brain waves are synced with another human being, you enter their dreams. Only the Visum can alter their Brain Waves, due to the use of more of their brains then a normal human. This allows them to access unique powers that only Visum can use.

Dream Apparition:
The beings that appear in dreams, the creation of syncing two brain patterns together. A brain apparition is a Visum's personality made reality. A B.A. is the source of the Visum's powers inside a Dream. If the Brain Apparition is defeated, the Visum is no longer synced with the Dream, and must retreat. When a B.A. increases it's syncing with a Dream, it's powers increase. They're named after Norse Gods.

Dream Apparitions usually have a non human appearance, and personify a Visum's powers, and usually their personalities. Those with access to more then one Brain Wave can have more then one Dream Apparition, or their Dream Apparition can evolve



And Dios, my main characters bio

Dios
Main character
Failed Sandman
Dream Apparition: Loki
Time period : Early 1700s
Bio
Dios died at a very young age. He was always a prankster, from a the time he was very little. He was always known as a big liar in his town. He had no friends because of this, and always played the part of town delinquent. His constant lieing however made people not believe a word he said.

Dios had one true friend, that only he could see. His name was God. Of course, when he told people his name, they thought he was hallucinating. God had a power. Aside from no one else being able to see him, he could duplicate any item, and change the substance it was made of. He called it Vanir. Vanir could create things that could never be possible, but God made it possible. But when Dios told the villagers about what God could do, they finally thought he was crazy. They locked Dios up. Dios was stuck in a room that was dark all the time. His lies faded away. His fantasies no longer existed. The Head Priest tried to find out what was wrong with Dios. Exorcisms didn't work, because there was nothing wrong with Dios. He did see God. But not the God they all believed in. God continiously visited, but no one could see him. If it wasn't for God, then he wouldn't have stayed sane.

Then it happened.. a year in that room. The Nightmare were born from Dios. They invaded the town. Demons, disgusting creatures were born from Dios dreams. This is when God revealed his true intentions. God was a Visum. He had been told to guard Dios, for one day he would become a gate for the Nightmare. God's only way to stop the Nightmare invasion... was to destroy his dreams. Dios was killed at the hands of God.

Dios was later awakened by God, in the world of the Visum.... Dios was now a Visum. And God took him under his wings, to teach him the ways of the Visum.

Quirks
Has a sleep disorder, due to the dark room, he would only be awake when God was there, which usually was an hour a day. Dios is usually only awake during that time.
Hates the sun, and has to wear sunglasses if he isn't in a dark area.
Sleeps even during missions, sends Loki out during his missions mostly
No longer can lie, even when it's necessary.
Very pessimistic.

[Dios is like a combination of Robin and Usopp.]

Loki's abilities and personality:
Loki retains Dios personality from when he was a child. It doesn't really match his appearance though. It's about 3/4s of Dios height, with a blank looking face. Loki is covered in horns, and wears a long fur coat. He has an odd grin, which only changes in battle
His abilities are similar to God's. Loki can change the shape of any object. When pierced with a horn on Loki's body, Dios can control what that pierced object becomes. However, it's useless on Nightmares, because technically they have no shape. Loki can change the weight of something, so Dios could pick up a house, and throw it at someone, but when thrown, the house would revert to it's old weight, crushing the enemy.

[Nico_Robin_fanboy]

*sigh* I was thinking of a manga series. I have the good guys all planned out, appearance, personality, weapons, everything. I even drew a map of the world my series is set in.

Unfortunatley, there are 3 things holding me back:

1. I don't live in Japan.
2. I have much trouble creating powers and weapons.
3. I have absolutely no drawing talent whatsoever.

*wanders off to shoot himself*

[KaizokuFan22]

still working on ti,just taking a small hiatus for a few things

[ArabianLuffy]

This thread may helps me...

I can't draw manga, but I wrote a story about someone. I'd like to know someone's opinion about what I wrote. If you wanna read my story send me response on
ShadowSnake.002@hotmail.com
so I can send you my story. It's theoretical, but I hope you like it.

[Fluer de robin]

It's almost a dream of mine to write and draw my own manga, and I'm actually in the process of thinking one up right now. One Piece was my primary inspiration, because it manages to be action packed while at the same time giving off a very strong light-hearted vibe (even though it can get serious when it needs to).

Unfortunately, my drawing skills are average (and I STILL CAN'T DRAW ******* HANDS, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRACTICE!), and I'm having a difficult time being creative in explaining powers/skills/etc. without ripping it off from some where else (and I don't want it to just be "lol ur born with it", either). I did manage to think up something creative for one character, but she just ended up being an 80% Kalifa knock-off (which was totally unintentional).

It's just as well, anyway. A lot of the themes (and overall plot) is too similar to One Piece for my tastes. *sigh*

[King_Ty]

It's almost a dream of mine to write and draw my own manga, and I'm actually in the process of thinking one up right now. One Piece was my primary inspiration, because it manages to be action packed while at the same time giving off a very strong light-hearted vibe (even though it can get serious when it needs to).

Unfortunately, my drawing skills are average (and I STILL CAN'T DRAW ******* HANDS, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRACTICE!), and I'm having a difficult time being creative in explaining powers/skills/etc. without ripping it off from some where else (and I don't want it to just be "lol ur born with it", either). I did manage to think up something creative for one character, but she just ended up being an 80% Kalifa knock-off (which was totally unintentional).

It's just as well, anyway. A lot of the themes (and overall plot) is too similar to One Piece for my tastes. *sigh*

Im pretty much like you, except im good with creating stories and a decent artist. Im going with the "Your born with it" though because i dont want it to be magic or some gay comet coming and giving people powers. Sorta like X-Men i guess...some people have em some dont. Its just that my problem is character designs. I can never think of any

[Fluer de robin]

Its just that my problem is character designs. I can never think of any

That's one of my favorite parts (sorta, I like to design character's, but, as previously stated, I can't give them unique qualities for ****).

Maybe we should do a collaboration. Lol

[Kaizoku Luffy]

I have been thinking about that for a while. And I will get around to do it someday. Once I learn how to draw more, my drawings are kinda emotionless. -__-

[Darknessslayer]

Well i was, but i can't draw, and some of my ideas have already been used, so i'm probably just going to stick to novels.

[Baron_Dux]

I have an idea that's common i guess.

A boy's village is attacked by an army and kills his parents and kidnaps his brother, so he swears revenge on the leader of that army.

He eventually gains a group (featuring a forest man, an alchemist,someone with no emotion, a water manipulater, a drill freak, twins, ect.). He finds out the army's seperated into many different sections.

The villains aren't really villains, as they always chat causually and share laughs with the good guys, one always calls the main character, little buddy,
and even treat their superiors like normal friends calling them dumbasses and such.

Well in the end the whole group dies along with the leader of the army.

[dechanique]

Manga Studio is AWESOME. I love it. I want to buy the expanded version when it comes out for Vista.

Anyways, yes. I'm actually writing my own manga now. First two chapters are online (http://www.lamacchinabellica.com). It's actually really fun. It also keeps me practicing since I have to draw at LEAST two pages a week.

[Fluer de robin]

I have a couple of interesting characters, but I can' think of an actual premise. I was thinking of bounty hunters, but Fairy Tale is already doing that (and it would be to similar). Sigh....

[KittytheClueless]

I have an idea of what to start. I can't find a name for it. I want to, though. It's about a group of Fairies and their weird adventures. Then they find Brinny and Tili, two other fairies, and they have a bunch of starnge adventures. It's like Bobobo-bobo-bobobo and One Piece combined. They're not really looking for anything, they're just doing their job: Killing other fairies. No, they aren't assasins, they're just like Grim Reapers. Or maybe Shinigami. That sounds like a Bleach parody...But that's what they do. I think Francis is my favorite above all. She's so funny because she smokes weed all the time. xD (Yes, they all have names already) Snou(pronounced Snew, lol I know) is her two minute older sister, and she always seems to be fighting with her little sister Francis. Beatrice is a hair stylist, and Selene's a redhaired Mexican chick who always bitches about Jenny, a "Forbidden Fairy" who's so childish and happy all the time. ._. Yeah I know. They're really weird and that's not all of them. I should draw them sometime. <D

I should try to start a manga with them. Yar har har, I just Hope Oda doesn't kill me for making Brinny have a certain someone's squarish feature on her cutey-face. <3

[King_Ty]

Manga Studio is AWESOME. I love it. I want to buy the expanded version when it comes out for Vista.

Anyways, yes. I'm actually writing my own manga now. First two chapters are online (http://www.lamacchinabellica.com). It's actually really fun. It also keeps me practicing since I have to draw at LEAST two pages a week.

Thats really good! Two questions...

1. Are those supposed to be guys that got turned into girls? I only saw watever was on the frontpage...so i dont know...

2. How did you get all those dots and comic type stuff in the characters? Or was it just manga studio?

[taboo]

Manga Studio is AWESOME. I love it. I want to buy the expanded version when it comes out for Vista.

Anyways, yes. I'm actually writing my own manga now. First two chapters are online (http://www.lamacchinabellica.com). It's actually really fun. It also keeps me practicing since I have to draw at LEAST two pages a week.

wow, you are really talented!

[archangel]

Im updating my romance comedy manga with one page each day and so far ive made it. U're able to read it at http://deardaichi.smackjeeves.com/. Enjoy :)

[King_Ty]

Haha thats pretty good ^

[archangel]

Haha thats pretty good ^

thx mate :)
Takes some time to every page and I frankly work my ass off to draw one page everyday. So far Ive made it ^^

Be sure to check back later :D

[sasuke6000]

I have like great story ideas but I can't draw for shit. When I was 10 I made like 12 400 page mead pad books. I read them every once an a while and laugh at how good the story is but how dumb I drew it and the dialogue was horrible but the story idea itself was great. Like dragonball meets jojo because theres a lot of generations trying to fight a common enemy who just wont die. lol

[KagePakkun!]

I'm definately thinking of it...but I cant get a good story.. I have some characters but..

Here's one I thought of: A boy( Koushiro Tachibana) was taken away from his family to become an assasin, because he had the "eyes". Later on in his life,he became number "23" he quits the embassy cause he's tired of feeling guilt of killing people, so he returns home, finds his father is dead(killed by his mother,who is then found out to be the leader of the assasination group. yeah, I gonna try and twist around the whole women belong in the kitchen idea.)meets number "11",(Tatsuki Ayasegawa) who's also an x-assasin, after her 3 friends were killed inside the business by the boss.They together try and take down the embassy and kill Koushiro's mother, with a talking kitty nekomata ( I'm SERIOUSLY thinking of dropping him.) The two later figure out that Koushiro's number ranking was a typo for over 6 years, and he's actually number "17". It's going to be a super comedy- action thing.

BUT, that's never gonna even start until I finish my One Piece x Naruto Crossover thing, I mean it takes forever to do one page, and I did like 29 chapters, and guess what, my first 29 chapters were drawn bad, flowed terribly, had characters I now want to drop, and had some heavy influence from past battles AND they are on terrible mead compilation school books ( Yes,I know that's bad and I know only a few things on making it proffesional like) at first I just wanted it to be a home thing, but then I actually wanted to take it farther...BUT I have gotten much better.
Now I have to do those first 29 chapters over...Sometimes I just think I suck at these things, and I dont have much http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/AleximMose/Imagination.jpg

[AlmostLegendary]

I am starting my own manga you can see it in my sig =). If anyone is intersted in helping me out LMK. I can't draw worth of shit so i figure if i could find someone who can draw well I can come up with a decent story. I havent started the story yet however I have 8 characters right now. I will start developing the story. If anyone is interested then let me know. If someone wants to just make character design that I can base the characters off of that would be helpful also.

I'll check the thread in a couple of days or you can PM with responses.

[King_Ty]

Man i say make the characters yourself, the last thing you need is when you get popular is for that person to be like "I WANT CREDIT" or some shit. What i do to come up come up with some ideas when im in a writers block is maybe find some movie star i like or something and base a character off of them

Sorta like how Oda did Aokiji and Kizaru (but i dont make it so obvious)

[AlmostLegendary]

Man i say make the characters yourself, the last thing you need is when you get popular is for that person to be like "I WANT CREDIT" or some shit. What i do to come up come up with some ideas when im in a writers block is maybe find some movie star i like or something and base a character off of them

Sorta like how Oda did Aokiji and Kizaru (but i dont make it so obvious)

Its not even funny how bad I suck at drawing man shit is really bad. Thanks for the advise I made some more characters now I'm up to 13. I should be able to start writting the plot now.

[Crossword]

I've been toying around with the idea of starting one myself. Since I'm a bit of a sci-fi affictionado, it would be set in space, in a futuristic setting not unlike that of Star Wars, where a good chunk of the galaxy has been colonized and mostly united under one central government.

The two central characters are clones. The primary protagonist I've named Malik for the time being, and the other is Elliot. Because they were cloned, they don't know much about the galaxy, and much of the story is about them meeting people and exploring with friends they meet. In that sense, it's similar to One Piece, though I'd like to keep it a jot more serious.

I've thought up several big story 'sagas', if you will. The first would involve Malik and Elliot traveling with the space pilot Ratchet, and meet adversaries such as a corrupt planetary governer who dabbles in the slave trade, space pirates, and so forth.

The second would involve them trying to stop an organization called Tsunami from taking over a planet so that its leader can get at a mythic treasure.

The third would involve them searching for the mythic 'Mu' civilization.

The fourth would have Malik becoming a bounty hunter and joining a guild while a renegade navy Admiral attempts a coup.

The fifth would involve them getting tangled in a conspiracy orchestrated by an old, defeated empire of humans whose ancestors had undergone genetic mutations.

And the sixth and final would deal with the galaxy's mythos, and a race of ancient, godlike beings said to have created it.

I've drawn a bit of it, but I'm not really satisfied. Realistically, I'm probably never going to complete it, but it is still fun to brainstorm and conjure up ideas. Who knows, maybe one day I'll post some of the stuff here?

[King_Ty]

hmmm that a lot like mine except the earth is colonized/taken over by 6 central groups all fighiting for each others territory to take over it all.

[Mr. Zoro]

I too would love to be a manga artist, but I'm not well informed (yet) as to how it all goes down. Like, where do I start off when I really want to get this manga published?

Also, for anyone with Manga Studio, fill me in on the pros and cons of it. I'm considering if I should get it...


He eventually gains a group (featuring a forest man, an alchemist,someone with no emotion, a water manipulater, a drill freak, twins, ect.). He finds out the army's seperated into many different sections.

I really like that idea, 'cause it's a lot like a "freak show". Don't take it offensively in any way, I enjoy things with "freak show groups", like One Piece. I mean, we have a man that stretches like rubber, a reindeer who transforms, a woman who can make body parts come out of any object, and half-cyborg half-human, etc. At a distance, these all look like lame powers and lame people, but with enough imagination, they can truly be something else and something incredible.
Just like One Piece. I never knew the power to stretch like rubber could be used so... imaginatively.

[King_Ty]

i have a question when it comes to drawing the manga. Do you draw the characters and backgrounds on two seperate sheets then put them together?

[AlmostLegendary]

I too would love to be a manga artist, but I'm not well informed (yet) as to how it all goes down. Like, where do I start off when I really want to get this manga published?

Also, for anyone with Manga Studio, fill me in on the pros and cons of it. I'm considering if I should get it...


I really like that idea, 'cause it's a lot like a "freak show". Don't take it offensively in any way, I enjoy things with "freak show groups", like One Piece. I mean, we have a man that stretches like rubber, a reindeer who transforms, a woman who can make body parts come out of any object, and half-cyborg half-human, etc. At a distance, these all look like lame powers and lame people, but with enough imagination, they can truly be something else and something incredible.
Just like One Piece. I never knew the power to stretch like rubber could be used so... imaginatively.

hey if you could design some characters for me I would love that.

[Mr. Zoro]

hey if you could design some characters for me I would love that.

I've never thought of drawing for someone, but it actually sounds kinda fun. Or it could be a total disaster. I dunno, but I'm up for it, as long as you don't take credit for the drawings.

[AlmostLegendary]

I've never thought of drawing for someone, but it actually sounds kinda fun. Or it could be a total disaster. I dunno, but I'm up for it, as long as you don't take credit for the drawings.

I'd be sure to give you credit for it. I have 13 characters so far. If you want we can talk over AIM or through PM's or something and try to work something out.

[King_Ty]

how long should a pilot chapter be? I know there usually long but mine is 8 pages on word

[AlmostLegendary]

how long should a pilot chapter be? I know there usually long but mine is 8 pages on word

I believe i read somewhere that it's supposed 2 be 30 pages. Or thats the norm and then if they like the 30 pages or w.e. they will pick up your story. It should have a beginning middle and end and such.

[King_Ty]

Damn i think its gonna be around 40-50 pages...cause of so much fighting
Most pilots introduce the character/s and whatever the story will be about leading into the next chapter. Mine was gonna be like One Piece's pilot on how you just sorta meet the character no real backstories or anything until whenever (planning on about chapter 4-5 or something)

[AlmostLegendary]

Damn i think its gonna be around 40-50 pages...cause of so much fighting
Most pilots introduce the character/s and whatever the story will be about leading into the next chapter. Mine was gonna be like One Piece's pilot on how you just sorta meet the character no real backstories or anything until whenever (planning on about chapter 4-5 or something)

thats sounds kool I would like to read it some time.

[Mr. Zoro]

Actually, I won't be able to draw characters for you, MonkeyDMalcom. Scanner is unusable.

[AlmostLegendary]

Actually, I won't be able to draw characters for you, MonkeyDMalcom. Scanner is unusable.

Ah aight damn.....

[KaizokuFan22]

i think i wont be able to do this.
i have so much trouble with the writing that I amy not able to complete this manga idea

[King_Ty]

just keep going with it. Sometimes it takes me days to think of the next part. Im stuck on what to write for chapter 4. Though i know the basics of what i want to write about, ive been stuck on it for about a week now

[Mr. Zoro]

I'd say you should just go and rent some movies for inspiration. Works for me ^_^

[King_Ty]

Currently working on Chapter 4. I finally figured out how to start it after i get 5 chapters done im gonna work on character designs for the few i havent done yet and start on the website

[Moria]

I just got a wild inspiration to continue a series I thought of like 4 years ago. I just finished the first page, and even though i gotta ink it and stuff. I'm liking it a lot.

[King_Ty]

Made this for my comic book today, its the title of it.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u242/Tightest/OrganizationBlackshadescopy.png

think i should just cut the rest of the shadow..

[King_Ty]

Got a better one from a friend

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u242/Tightest/organizationlogov3-1.png

[Captain Shmeckie]

Well, I'm developing a few comic series that I'm going to be pitching to multiple comic publishing companies (though if Tokyopop asks, they're manga). Figured I'd share a few concepts here, and you folks can give me whatever comments or criticism you might have.

Untitled Project (taking suggestions)
Playing the the stereotypical "people with powers of nature fighting against pollution" concept, a group of people assembled from around the world set out on a quest to stop the development of a machine that harnesses a new form of energy from the planet; its very life force. The angle? They're not the protagonists. The guy sent to stop them is. A smarmy, eccentric man named Seth Fenix (it's implied that he named himself that), working for a mysterious organization that knows the truth behind this energy harvesting, and the female sage that gathered the ones trying to stop it. The story is planned as a mini-series, spanning about 8-10 issues. The first several ones are episodical, as Seth intercepts the group several times as they make their way toward the laboratory where the engine is being developed. A running gag throughout the book would be the contrast between the group's stereotypical nature-loving ways, and Seth's smart-assed behavior and heavily materialistic attitude.

Bub
A 5-8 issue, cartoonish comedy series taking a more irreverent look at the afterlife. The main character is the devil himself, often referred to as "Lucy" to those working for him, and the comic depicts the struggle between good and evil as competing companies, as Lucifer tries to keep the souls coming by means of soul deals, temptation, you name it. The primary two characters are the Morning Star himself, and his she-devil assistant, Liz, as the devil tries to keep the soul quota in the green. The first issue would deal with Lucifer trying to stop a famous rock star from giving up the fame he sold his soul for, and finding religion (which would make him a laughing stock, cause him to lose one of his better-known "clients", and all-in-all cause a boatload of trouble for him). The humor would be very tounge-in-cheek, with dashes of dark comedy, and Kevin Smith-esque absurdity.

Last Dance
Another short series, starring former assassin Tango, finding himself the target of the psychotic, Willy Wonka-esque serial killer named Waltz, who targets prominent criminal organizations sheerly for the fun of it. After refusing his challenge, Tango found himself the recipient of several puzzle boxes containing the remains of his family members (and enclosed photos, for "reference") along with a pun-laden letter from Waltz. Now "convinced" to fight Waltz to the death, Tango goes to search for the madman. The story focuses on Tango's time in a small, rustic town, out in the desert, as he waits for Waltz, who's recent pattern of killings would bring him through that town. As Tango waits to intercept Waltz, he befriends a few of the residents, despite his best attempts otherwise. Meanwhile, Waltz continues his pattern, slaying crime bosses, drug cartels, etc. in a wide variety of unusual ways; from a sword hidden in his cane, to a rose lapel that spews acid, even interrupting a drug deal to blow some bubbles. Of course, the bubbles just happen to release a deadly chemical into the air that Waltz is immune to. Everyone else, not so much. The comic would end with the clash between Tango and Waltz.

The remaining one, aside from the project I'm pitching right now, is a bit long to describe, so to avoid "tl;dr", I'll post that one seperately if anyone even cares about these. Still, I'd appreciate feedback, suggestions, what-have-you.

[taboo]

I like the Tango and Waltz idea.

[Hitotsumami]

I posted here a loooong time ago with my idea and a few pictures, and I'm still going with it. XD

I've also put up a website for my comic. Click (http://akumasekai.smackjeeves.com/)

There's nothing really on the website right now, because I'm still in the process of drawing ( lots of starting over and making things better XD ), but it'll be all up and running very soon. =D

Oh, and I've posted a few pictures of my manga over at Deviant Art. Here is mine: Clicky (http://hitotsumami.deviantart.com/)

Oh, and another thing. I have done 2 small practice manga. One is called Lone Shepherd, which is based on a good friend's fan fic. The second one is called Epica, which is based on an RP. Here is the first chapter download for both:

Epica Chapter One (http://www.sendspace.com/file/44yrw3)

Lone Shepherd Chapter One (http://www.sendspace.com/file/ux8wo6)

I completely inked Lone Shepherd in Photoshop, but I inked Epica by hand. Honestly, I like the hand inking a thousand times better, and I will not be inking with Photoshop regularly.

Anyway, that's what I got so far! I'll post back when I got new info. =D

[King_Ty]

I am gonna keep working on my drawings and different styles of drawings because anime style gets you absolutely NOWHERE in life, and do some one shots before i start my real comic.

Captain Shmeckie (http://apforums.net/member.php?u=8477) all your ideas are good. I like the Bub one the best. Title for the first should be Untitled or something

[Hitotsumami]

You draw more realistic drawings too Ty? That's amazing. I love drawing realistic stuff, since it's so fun.

[KaizokuFan22]

I erased my ideas due to the fact I fell that they could be stolen.

I am still working on the book though

[King_Ty]

thats why i didnt post mine here a long time ago, good thinkin KF

[KaizokuFan22]

thats why i didnt post mine here a long time ago, good thinkin KF
yeah but still afraid that someone between 07 and now might have taken my ideas

[AlmostLegendary]

I posted here a loooong time ago with my idea and a few pictures, and I'm still going with it. XD

I've also put up a website for my comic. Click (http://akumasekai.smackjeeves.com/)

There's nothing really on the website right now, because I'm still in the process of drawing ( lots of starting over and making things better XD ), but it'll be all up and running very soon. =D

Oh, and I've posted a few pictures of my manga over at Deviant Art. Here is mine: Clicky (http://hitotsumami.deviantart.com/)

Oh, and another thing. I have done 2 small practice manga. One is called Lone Shepherd, which is based on a good friend's fan fic. The second one is called Epica, which is based on an RP. Here is the first chapter download for both:

Epica Chapter One (http://www.sendspace.com/file/44yrw3)

Lone Shepherd Chapter One (http://www.sendspace.com/file/ux8wo6)

I completely inked Lone Shepherd in Photoshop, but I inked Epica by hand. Honestly, I like the hand inking a thousand times better, and I will not be inking with Photoshop regularly.

Anyway, that's what I got so far! I'll post back when I got new info. =D

man that character looks completely bad ass.

[King_Ty]

Hito your chapters are good but kinda hard to read...everything is all white and no shading. The arts good though, its probably just me

[rusashi]

Lumberjack Manga

The trees, the plantlife, nature itself had always been oppressed by man. However, a race of burly men had always made it worse for nature. These burly, chainsaw wielding men have one goal, wide open fields, and tons of lumber.

Our story follows Ed, a giant of a man. He is an expert with saws, chainsaws, axes, and tools. He's just bored of chopping down ordinary trees, and embarks on the journey to find the biggest, thickest trees he can find. Along the way he meets a gaggle of strange characters, and is forced to fight nature itself. All he wanted to do was cut down trees.


and ZOMBIE MANGA

The human race is close to extinction. When God deemed the human race "complete" he cut off our ability to reproduce. However, the human race wasn't ready to give it up. They continued their medical research, and discovered the key to immortality. The human race began to live longer, aging well into their hundreds. However, humans did in fact still die, and with our population slowly dwindling, the medical world had to advance once more. The ability to resurrect the dead was close at hand.

Our hero, the first real zombie was born. However, in his time in Purgatory, God told him, he would give him power, the power to carry out his will, and his will was to extinguish the human race.

Gaggles of wacky zombies and old men exist in this manga.

[shinpanman]

Hey guys, I think I posted in this topic once a long while back but since then I hadn't taken any more steps towards creating my comics. Just recently though I had been reading some old manga and was suddenly inspired to get back on that track. Strangely, at this same time a person I admire on Deviant Art wrote a journal on how they were quiting pre med to follow their dream of writing manga, and I also came across the new manga "Bakuman" by the Deathnote creators that happened to be about two kids trying to become mangaka. I can't help but feel as if I'm being sent some strange signal to begin again in earnest and I really want to so I'll probably be posting here more often, trying to get people's input and trying to improve as much as possible so if you could help me out I'd really appreciate it!

To start with I think some of my greatest weaknesses are a lack of imagination and a lack of touch with what readers would find appealing - that's pretty crippling, I know.... But I have considerable technical skill in drawing (well, people at least) and I have about 150 pages worth of experience in writing comics, so I think I at least have a place to start from. I'm currently studying architecture at college so hopefully my design and background drawing skills will improve as well.

Okay, so the other night I did some relative height drawings of characters from my two distinct series as I've seen done for a lot of animes and whatnot. Sorry about the quality, they're photos rather than scans.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3130/smbcrnye6.png

These are for a comedy/slice-of-life type series with some action here and there. The story is about a guy from the country moving to a somewhat futuristic city and landing a job as a security officer for rescuing the company's president by chance. Basically he encounters a lot of strange people and situations (rogue robots, giant genetically enhanced animals, bungling criminal organizations), and I would say that the main theme is people from different walks of life coming to understand each other and learning to get along.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4500/smnikotq3.png

These are for a more shonen type series based mostly on gag and adventure. It's about an impulsive boy named Niko who gets lost on a search for his pet dog and must trek and hitchhike his way back home with the help of the laid back Dando. Of course since they have no idea where they're going, their journey is full of unusual diversions and they end up doing odd jobs like delivering a princess' distress message, raiding ancient temples, and running fast food restaurants. Gradually a deeper plot develops as more characters are introduced.. but yeah, it's basically reflective of what I wish life was like.

I'm confident that my characters don't look like the same template with slight variations at least, but I worry that I'm not adventurous or open-minded enough with them. I also worry a lot about the heavy influences in my style from Toriyama, Oda, and Miyazaki and whether my style has enough unique flair to attract any positive attention.

I apologize for all the writing and I'm sure you probably didn't care to read half of it, but I would really like some opinions. Do these ideas sound okay to you? Do they look okay? I'll be sure to check back on this thread regularly so that I can check out all of your comic ideas and support your efforts as well.

Edit: Rusashi, I really like those ideas of yours. They seem just bursting with personality already and sound plenty strange enough to be interesting. I especially like your description of the Lumberjack manga.

[Captain Shmeckie]

First thing: Dando reminds me alot of Sanson from Nadia.

I'll just say this; your style is very, very, very Toriyama-esque, and will be viewed as such by a publisher. Manga-savvy people will take note, but the less savvy folk will think you're copying your style from Dragonball. Publishers want a style that grabs them; they get tons of well-drawn comic submissions every month. You need to be unique, or come off as something that'll sell lots of books.

I know people who're published, I've studied the business in my effort to start doing comics myself, and I made several contacts. Not saying I'm an expert, but I've learned a thing or two about this. Comics are a terribly difficult business to get into.

I did alot of studies on storytelling, including how to market your stories or characters to people, so if you don't mind a little tl;dr, and me looking like a know-it-all ass, I can always blab to you what I learned.

To start with I think some of my greatest weaknesses are a lack of imagination and a lack of touch with what readers would find appealing - that's pretty crippling, I know....

Well, if you're ever looking for a collaborator to help with that, I'm always looking for artists for my projects. ;)

[King_Ty]

Damn Shin you got talent, like Cap said it looks a little toriyama-ish but still its really good and the characters look unique. btw Cap did you draw your avatar as well?

[Captain Shmeckie]

Nah, it's official art from Last Blade 2.

[King_Ty]

Dang, well wateva. Do you (or anybody) know how i can take my art to the next level? I think my best skill is looking at a picture of something then drawing it exactly (or really really close). But i wanna learn how to draw poses and stuff on my own. Got any tips?

Also when i draw i seem to go over lines a lot of times, ex: Drawing heads, while i draw the oval ill go over it many times over and it gets messy, while it seems people like you, e1n, hiroy, etc have very clean art. Once again, got tips?

[Captain Shmeckie]

It's always hard for me to give drawing tips, since I'm self-taught. My best advice is to look hard at the kind of art you want to draw, and learn every little nuance. Learning anatomy is a huge must, too.

[shinpanman]

First thing: Dando reminds me alot of Sanson from Nadia.

I'll just say this; your style is very, very, very Toriyama-esque, and will be viewed as such by a publisher. Manga-savvy people will take note, but the less savvy folk will think you're copying your style from Dragonball. Publishers want a style that grabs them; they get tons of well-drawn comic submissions every month. You need to be unique, or come off as something that'll sell lots of books.

I know people who're published, I've studied the business in my effort to start doing comics myself, and I made several contacts. Not saying I'm an expert, but I've learned a thing or two about this. Comics are a terribly difficult business to get into.

I did alot of studies on storytelling, including how to market your stories or characters to people, so if you don't mind a little tl;dr, and me looking like a know-it-all ass, I can always blab to you what I learned.



Well, if you're ever looking for a collaborator to help with that, I'm always looking for artists for my projects. ;)

It's really that similar? =sigh= I try really hard to distinguish myself but I suppose it's going to come down to arbitrarily changing things about my style just to be different, or a change in my perception of things but yeah...this is a big struggle for me. I feel that a lot of artists have it easier in that respect because their influences come from more generic anime styles that don't vary much to begin with. Well, in any case, this is gonna take a lot of work.

About Dando too, do you mean you just get the same impression or that I should be worried about copying a design? Because I've never actually seen Nadia so I can't tell.

Haha, no I don't care about you sounding like a know it all. Please share your knowledge because I want to know as much as I can too. I've read so much manga but I know so little about how to get it published, especially here in the US. Thanks for the help.

King Ty, I'm not sure what to say in terms of cleaning up your drawings since I seem to have the same problem, but I think to draw your own poses you have to observe people a lot in real life. If you can, you should try doing gesture drawings with a model who changes position fairly often so you can grasp positions quickly and see how the body is put together and proportioned. Studying anatomy and muscles will also probably be a big help.

[Captain Shmeckie]

Regarding Dando, nah, he ain't a rip-off. Just similar. You should do yourself afavor and check out Nadia, if you get a chance. Fantastic series (island filler not withstanding)!

He's this guy (http://static4.animepaper.net/upload/thumbs/scans/Nadia-Secret-Of-Blue-Water/%5Bsmall%5D%5BAnimePaper%5Dscans_Nadia-Secret-Of-Blue-Water_enrico(0.51)__THISRES__160153.jpg), by the way...

In regards to your art style, I think I can help a bit there. My best advice would be not just to emulate the art style, but two key things; what, in general, you enjoy aesthetically about comics and anime, and how, exactly, you want to depict things. There's all these subtle nuances to art that you don't really realise until you try to develop your own style. For instance, you would show more texture detail on a man than a woman, to convey the woman's smoother skin (thus showing less bumps, marks, and such). How do you want to draw your eyes? To that effect, what do you want to convey? Personally, I draw mine realistic, with a small anime flair to them. This makes them expressive, while the detailing allows me to display varying degrees of emotion, and even good and evil, just by adding the right lines, bags, wrinkles, what-have-you.

I hate using my own work as an example, because it makes me look pretentious. However, the best way to demonstrate this is to show how I put my own advice to use...

This (http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/747/char2sf0.jpg) is a character sketch for a female character in one of my projects. I use smoother lines, and more rounded edges, to show both her femininity, and portray her as being beautiful and "smooth". Her eyes are larger, to show beauty and a degree of innocence (not a character trait, mind you, just a subconscious imagery in the audience's mind), to display this character as warm and friendly. This tells the audience she's on their side. Less lines are used to preserve that "smooth and beautiful" look, while also adding an air of elegance.

Now to contrast, here's (http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/4002/callistapk2.jpg) an image of an evil female character I did. Notice the change in the eyes. While still slanted a bit for femininity, they're now more narrow, to convey a much less friendly atmosphere. In her transformed state, her eyes become wider, but in a crazed way, and the black trim and bags under her eyes convey even further that she's become dangerous and evil. Her smile is also smaller and more of a smirk, to be less warm and inviting. Also, notice her outfit is more revealing. This demonstrates her as being much more forward than the previous character. This, of course, depends on the context of the general fashion sense of one's series (this sticks out less in a series where most women aren't clad in much, but this is where being conservative with your designs can really help you).

Fashion can say alot. Say you have two female warriors: one is clad in full body armor (woman A), the other has an "armor bikini" (woman B). Stand them side by side, and you get ideas of them immediately. On the one hand, woman B will come off as being the more agile fighter, while woman A will appear more serious and professional.

Now, for the story-telling bits, I'm spoiler tagging this due to size. Prepare for rambling!

The key thing to realise is that storytelling is all about manipulating your audience. First, you need to identify that audience. And not be vague about it, either. Futhermore, your audience can't consist of "people who also like ". Anyone can make a series for sci-fi fans, or people who like One Piece. You need to know the general age group, sex, tastes, etc. of your core audience. Does your audience have a consistant taste in music, for example? WHy ask this? Simple; someone who listens to alot of rock music is gonna wanna see action, and things they can describe as "badass." Someone who listens to rap may prefer a more hip-hop aesthetic, and reminds them of things in real life that they relate to. What sex are they? Men prefer stories that are direct, and engaging, while women prefer to guess and wonder. WHile both sexes enjoy both kinds of stories, it's the subtle emphasis on one or the other that'll win you your audience. Guys love a good mystery, but you need to deal with their attention span. They're much less willing to stick with a story that doesn't immediately grab them.

Porbably THE biggest thing to remember is that no one but you cares about your story. They don't know all the plotlines you created, or the drama, or the character interaction. They don't give a damn about you, or your characters. So, the first challenge is to MAKE them care. Grab that target audience's attention. An intriguing title, an eye-catching cover, and making the first handful of pages instantly attractive is your biggest concern when you're starting out. Making a comedy? Lead with a great joke. Making an action series? Rip someone's head off by page 3, and you got 'em. This is key to getting picked up by a publisher. In fact, if you can wow the publisher, you can wow the audience. Why? Because these people aso do not care about you, and casually skim through submission after submission. Your job is to make them curious, causing them to slow down from a skim to a read. Then, once you've got them reading, and really looking, at your work, you keep them there with an interesting hook or angle that makes them say "this will sell," and "this is a great idea we'd love to have under our banner."

The biggest element to storytelling is, as I said, manipulating your audience. Your story is all well and good, but good ideas won't do you any good if you dont' know how to present them... For instance, let's say you want to use a cliche like a long lost twin. It's all in remembering that it's not the cliche, but how you present it. First, you might throw in subtle hints to the twin's existance; perhaps new people think they've met the main character before. Then, throw in background characters that say they saw said character already passing through. Now, the audience is wondering what's up, but you haven't told them much. They're guessing, they're theorizing, but they don't know. They WANT to know, but they don't. Now let's add to this: the twin is evil, and causing devastation. Now people are blaming the hero for his brother's vile acts. Now the audience has more questions: is he perhaps being framed? What enemies has the hero made to warrant that? Think of the audience as a cat you're dangling a fish in front of. Tease them with the knowledge of the story you have, that they lack. Let them a little closer to the truth, then pull back. Drive 'em nuts. Then, when the time is right, slowly give them the fish. Slowly being the important part, because no one likes an info dump. Most people think they already know this, but you'd be suprised how many nuances there are to this, and how little you might actually know.

Art is also very important. Many new readers won't even look at the speech bubbles. They'll fan the pages, judging each page in a split second. An eye-catching moment, or a full-paged, beautifully rendered scene does wonders for getting people to actually stop fanning and read the book in their hands.

Finally, to get published, first ask yourself this: IS it a manga, or is it just MANGA STYLED? 90% of publishers are in the business of doing [I]comics. Call it a manga, and you'll be laughed off and disregarded as some naive kid that's way too into Japanese animation. Only Tokyopop refers to the American-made comics they publish as "manga." In fact, they're the only ones who want to hear you call it that. Also, know that each publisher wants adifferent kind of book. Some prefer certain genres, styles, attitudes, etc. So, if one rejects you, don't get discouraged and keep submitting! Submit to every publisher you can, and if they all reject your comic, make a new one and submit that! Each company has their own regulations regarding submissions, so after you pick which publishers you think you have the best shot at, learn what their submission guidelines are, and prepare your pages and presentation to fit each one.

There are also a few things to know when submitting a series, so here's a rundown...

- Comic companies like black and white series better, since they'r emuch cheaper to print.

- If you're a complete unknown, some companies won't give you a second glance if you sumbit an ongoing series. For these folks, a finite series alsting a handful of issues is best. There are those who will consider long series from newcomers, but they're often the bigger, or more open-minded, companies.

- You'll need a team for quality work. Get yourself an inker, a colorist, etc. The more you can do, the greater profit share you get. Don't do too much, though, or you won't be able to focus enough quality onto one aspect or another, and you'll take longer, making deadlines tough. If you need a team, asking good artists you know, or asking around at places like Penciljack (http://www.penciljack.com) can work wonders.

- Deadlines are God in the world of comics. If you can't meet deadlines, you're gutter scum to a publisher. Now, if you're well-known, you can get a break now and then. However, newcomers get no slack. Deadlines or GTFO. That's the mantra of the comic business.

- Be willing to bend. If your editor or publisher thinks your main character looks retarded, be willing to tweak them. Publisher's won't ask you to bastardize your art, but they know what sells. If you're going for something, they'll try to help you sell that something, but you'd better be prepared to compromise.

When you're ready to submit, you need to find your publisher. Places like Image Comics (http://www.imagecomics.com/) and Ape Entertainment (http://www.ape-entertainment.com/) are always looking for new talent. Image is pretty big, so they can afford to take more risks, but since they get so many submissions, they're the hardest to "wow". Ape is pretty open-minded, though, but not a guarantee. Tokyopop (http://www.tokyopop.com/Submissions/gopro/286656.html) and Antarctic Press (http://www.antarctic-press.com/) specialise in manga-styles work, but Antarctic is picky and paranoid, and both have extravagant submission guidelines (AP wants an entire completed first issue, for god's sake). Slave Labor Graphics (http://www.slgcomic.com/) is a good fall-back, but not a guarantee.

Once you've got everything squared away, you're all set! Just one more thing; one of the biggest reasons the business is so hard to get into is because it's cyclical; nothing helps you get published like doing comics. Publishers don't care if you've done illustration work, or character designs, or what-have-you. They want people who draw sequential art, draw it well, understand structure and ease of reading, and can meet deadlines. Getting your first work published is, by far, the hardest part.

[shinpanman]

Those story telling tips are some real food for thought. A big problem I can see with my type of storytelling is that I never aim it at any particular audience and instead try to use elements that appeal to everyone. That doesn't sound like a bad thing but if the focus is way too broad, the story will end up lacking any distinct flavor or atmosphere and wont stand out enough to draw anyone in. Yeah... I should definitely figure that one out.


About art style, I realize you're just providing general advice but I'm a fairly serious artist despite what my fanart might imply. I give all these points great consideration when drawing my characters and I certainly never draw any original art with an intent to emulate another artist. My style isn't a result of not knowing how to draw differently, if I wanted to I could draw quite realistically or with more detail, it's as you said, a result of what I enjoy aesthetically about comics/manga (no I don't distinguish, they cover far too many genres and styles) and how I want to depict my characters. I admire artists who can create recognizable human expressions with just a few lines, perhaps even just using dots for pupils. I prefer my drawings to be a reflection of how I perceive certain kinds of people rather than a direct representation of how they would look in life.

My main dilemma is, what to do when my aesthetic overlaps too much with another artist's. Sure it bothers me that people would always compare me to the artists that I'm influenced by, but I still want as true an expression possible of my intention. Should I try taking measures to distinguish myself against my natural tendencies, or should I just hope that if I become more recognized people will start seeing the "me" in my style rather than hints of what they're already familiar with? It's something I've been trying to work out for some time now and it's difficult because a style isn't something as simple as actively deciding to draw an eye or a nose in a certain way, but rather your internal idea of what those features look like.

I'm glad that you gave me all that advice though. Your examples and explanations were very helpful, especially regarding publishing. I feel pretty enlightened in that respect.

[Captain Shmeckie]

Those story telling tips are some real food for thought. A big problem I can see with my type of storytelling is that I never aim it at any particular audience and instead try to use elements that appeal to everyone. That doesn't sound like a bad thing but if the focus is way too broad, the story will end up lacking any distinct flavor or atmosphere and wont stand out enough to draw anyone in. Yeah... I should definitely figure that one out.

Yep, that's a mistake everyone makes at first. Hell, so did I. That's why I got alot of good advice, and did alot of reading.

About art style, I realize you're just providing general advice but I'm a fairly serious artist despite what my fanart might imply. I give all these points great consideration when drawing my characters and I certainly never draw any original art with an intent to emulate another artist. My style isn't a result of not knowing how to draw differently, if I wanted to I could draw quite realistically or with more detail, it's as you said, a result of what I enjoy aesthetically about comics/manga (no I don't distinguish, they cover far too many genres and styles) and how I want to depict my characters. I admire artists who can create recognizable human expressions with just a few lines, perhaps even just using dots for pupils. I prefer my drawings to be a reflection of how I perceive certain kinds of people rather than a direct representation of how they would look in life.

Yep, that's the zen alright. Wasn't giving general drawing tips or anything, just showing you the very basics of why I do what I do, because getting in touch with those basics helped me make an art style. I may be influenced by alot of sources, but thanks to the basics, my work looks nothing like theirs'. Not saying yours' is a carbon copy, or anything, just bein' kinda general here. Just consider it snack food for thought.

My main dilemma is, what to do when my aesthetic overlaps too much with another artist's. Sure it bothers me that people would always compare me to the artists that I'm influenced by, but I still want as true an expression possible of my intention. Should I try taking measures to distinguish myself against my natural tendencies, or should I just hope that if I become more recognized people will start seeing the "me" in my style rather than hints of what they're already familiar with? It's something I've been trying to work out for some time now and it's difficult because a style isn't something as simple as actively deciding to draw an eye or a nose in a certain way, but rather your internal idea of what those features look like.

A little bit of both, really. As I said before, you gotta know all the tiny nuances, so that your perception of them can help you form a style. When I was a teenager, my style looked way too much like the anime shows I watched. As I grew older, I knew this was a problem, so I looked at every comic, anime, cartoon, etc. and figured out what they were doing right, and what I should learn from that.

Best advice I can think to give if you want to seperate yourself is this (because it did worlds of good for me): Do alot of stuff you're normally not very good at, or don't do all that much. Then, when you go back to doing your regular stuff, subtle changes will start popping up because of what you learned in the other pictures. Like when I learned to draw eyes, I used to do them very anime-styled. Then, as I expanded, my eyes became photorealistic. But, as I learned to make my characters more and more expressive, my eyes turned less realistic. It's stupid little things like that that can go a long way.

Also, you'd be suprised at how, sometimes, your mind just spontaneously says "y'know what? That's probably a better way of drawing a nose/hair/eyes/etc."

Sorry if I'm not making much sense, but I'm absolutely terrible at giving advice sometimes... But, my deep love of helping people makes me press on and continue to make myself look like a know-it-all ass.

I'm glad that you gave me all that advice though. Your examples and explanations were very helpful, especially regarding publishing. I feel pretty enlightened in that respect.

Glad I could help! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to drop me a PM! One last thing: Sonny Strait (yes, the voice actor) does a manga, for those who don't know. When talking about it at a panel once, he gave one of the best pieces of advice for newcomers:

Prepare to be rejected. Alot. Just keep at it regardless.

[King_Ty]

I gotta lot of work to do on my storytelling then...thanks for the advice/ information Cap. Also ive always wanted to draw a more american comic style but its so damn hard because of the eyes and major details

Ill be practicing a lot and posting in my art thread from now on so drop in on my art thread sometimes and dont be shy to rip it apart

[AlmostLegendary]

Some of you guys are really good at this stuff. I wish I could draw half as well as some of yall.

[GEPPETTOSMONSTER]

I have two of my own series that I both write and draw back to back.
http://www.lostinapoem.smackjeeves.com (http://www.lostinapoem.smackjeeves.com/) this first one is called Lost In A Poem and
this one: http://www.loadedleafs.smackjeeves.com (http://www.loadedleafs.smackjeeves.com/) is called Loaded Leafs
Loaded leafs only has 2 chapters up so far
Lost In A Poem or LIAP for short has 38 chapters so far

[mdmartin101]

I've been thinking of writing one, but I suck at drawing so I was thinking of either hiring a person to draw and I tell the storyline.

my story is about a simple 14 year old, riding his bike through the powerlines when a big, red, demon like dog bites him. He tells his parents and thinks he's confusing it with a wild bloodhound, later he turns into a demon. He only tells his best friend, and he test out his new ability's. He had super streanth, a blood red stained Katana that grows out from his spine, he can sprout wings to fly. Soon another demon comes and attacks the young teen. He transforms and beats it. He decides to fight now as the demon hero, "Yamato".Over the next couple of chapters in this arc more and more demons come to fight Yamato, usualy just weak, henchman demons. This also introduces the demon bounty hunter, "Killer" who is the first person to beat Yamato. Later Yamato figures out he can manipulate fire, a new power. Later he fights a blue demon, who can control water. The two fight and tie, showing yamato that there are strong enemies out there, that he needs to figure out why these demons are here.

I am going to make a written version of this if anyone is interested

[Kuwabara]

Heres my pitch for 2 manga's, First one is a serious action manga, second one is kinda like a funny manga:

1) A young indian boy lives with his parents in the wild, then one day his parents are murdered by the white people, he is forced to live by himself untill one day he finds out the group of people that killed him, but the only way to destroy this group is by becoming stronger. together with his friends he will become stronger and defeat the group wannakillaindianboyfortehlulz.

2)chinese guy moves to america. lulz ensue.

[AlmostLegendary]

Heres my pitch for 2 manga's, First one is a serious action manga, second one is kinda like a funny manga:

1) A young indian boy lives with his parents in the wild, then one day his parents are murdered by the white people, he is forced to live by himself untill one day he finds out the group of people that killed him, but the only way to destroy this group is by becoming stronger. together with his friends he will become stronger and defeat the group wannakillaindianboyfortehlulz.

2)chinese guy moves to america. lulz ensue.

fuck man that the funnies shit ever

[GEPPETTOSMONSTER]

I like the indian one, more indians in manga

[sparkleshine]

This thread is real interesting! I love how there are so many differing ideas floating about, tis cool.

Anywho, I am also thinking about one day doing a graphic novel manga thing. :D The story itself has been a WIP for a year or so now, all jotted down in a journal and its pretty neat how much the current story has changed from the original one.

Its aimed at the Western/European audience, and has its setting in a place called Tale. It's a big ol' mish mash of nursery rhymes, fairytales and western myth, so all the basic elements to the story can be familiar and recognizble to the reader. :D It is called Giant, and the main protagonist of the story is called Polly, and she picks up other characters as the story progresses. The themes of the story are family and friendship, and.... yeah! Yeah.

Have some mspaint doodles. Mspaint is the best thing to doodle in, I swear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Frogness/giant.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Frogness/pigs-1.png

I think it's pretty obvious Oda is a big influence on me.. so now I'm just looking to turn all of that into pure me and then I can get to scripting! I wish anyway. Anywho, tell me what you think?

[Sunny Go]

I have several... And I'm not telling what they are until I make them, I like to leave things surprising!

[skeletonbrook]

weel im trying to make with my freind 1 but i got to improve my drawings ive got two good ideas ones like a one shot the others a series

[Hakuro de Killer]

I know I am still not good enough at drawing to bring any of my manga series to life myself, but I have two rather solid manga ideas in mind, both of which are really original and have seldom, if ever been touched upon.

The first is titled Zanatos, which takes place in a time period in which thirteen scientists have traveled back in time over five thousand years to deliver their knowledge and technology to this time period. I won't go into it more than that, but it is a post-time paradox story.

The second doesn't have a real name yet. but its 'code name' right now is Shounen Holiday' and takes place in a world of christmas stories with a Shounen manga twist to it.

[skeletonbrook]

well 1 off my ideas is about a shinigami i no not the most origanal concept but its about shinigamis taking life and helping people pass on and my other is about two kids taking down a guy who thinks hes god

[KakuFan]

Hey, what's up guys. Well after a break of trying to figure out what I want to do for a career and stuff and since I caught all up with OP (fell behind during the army of Kumas attacking), I decided to come back to AP.

Nov 7th? What? lol, Been a while since this got updated.

Alright so I been working on a few of my old stories when something just hit me, why not make a story about a door to door salesman. Sure, it sounds random, it is random, but just check this out. The basic story is that in the world the story takes place in, being a salesman is a high paying, but dangerous job. People who get in the door to door sales person business have to deal with other sales people who don't want their customers taken away, customers who don't want the products, and the rare chance of going to an insane person's house.

The main character (just came up with the idea a little while ago so still have to sketch out the characters and ideas of who they are) is unique from the other sales people because instead of taking objects from a supplier, he invents the things he sells and fits them into a briefcase he made that can somehow hold all of this stuff. This gives him a more risky approach, but also an edge against the competition, plus he uses this stuff to fight the other sales people when they attack him. Basically it would be a comedy/action series with a lot of madness going on, but it seems so serious in the way things are happening that only the readers know how goofy of an adventure it is.

So, what do you guys think? :grin:

[Hakuro de Killer]

Hey, what's up guys. Well after a break of trying to figure out what I want to do for a career and stuff and since I caught all up with OP (fell behind during the army of Kumas attacking), I decided to come back to AP.

Nov 7th? What? lol, Been a while since this got updated.

Alright so I been working on a few of my old stories when something just hit me, why not make a story about a door to door salesman. Sure, it sounds random, it is random, but just check this out. The basic story is that in the world the story takes place in, being a salesman is a high paying, but dangerous job. People who get in the door to door sales person business have to deal with other sales people who don't want their customers taken away, customers who don't want the products, and the rare chance of going to an insane person's house.

The main character (just came up with the idea a little while ago so still have to sketch out the characters and ideas of who they are) is unique from the other sales people because instead of taking objects from a supplier, he invents the things he sells and fits them into a briefcase he made that can somehow hold all of this stuff. This gives him a more risky approach, but also an edge against the competition, plus he uses this stuff to fight the other sales people when they attack him. Basically it would be a comedy/action series with a lot of madness going on, but it seems so serious in the way things are happening that only the readers know how goofy of an adventure it is.

So, what do you guys think? :grin:

That is one of the more unique ideas I have heard and, in my opinion, the more unique, yet sensible your idea is, he better. Your idea is rather unique and the idea of a salesman who fights using the items he sells... I love it. I can just imagine one of the salesman's attacks, "ALL HAIL BRITTANICA!!" as he starts using encyclopedias as weapons somehow. Maybe projectile weapons...? Those things hurt, especially the thicker ones.

I would say that the only series that even remotely comes close to your idea might be Doraemon. I say research into this, that is an interesting idea.

--

In any case, I decided to scrap Zanatos altogether since it was pretty much just a Gintama rehash anyway. I'm focusing all of my efforts on Shounen Holiday right now, which I plan to have it be to Christmas as Soul Eater is to Halloween. Just a bunch of various characters from the folklore and other stories colliding in a similar manner. However, unlike Soul Eater, mine will be set in a way somewhat similar to a mix between One Piece and, for lack of a better comparison, Naruto. A mandatory team of three on an adventure for the leader of the team to become the new Santa Claus. I haven't finished all of my ideas yet, but I can share a little more of what I do have by sharing one Protagonist and one Antagonist:

Frosty

Race: Frost-Class Snowborg (Combination Snowman + Humanoid Cyborg)

Appearance: I want to try and base his appearance very loosely on that of Admiral Aokiji, meaning taking only a couple things from Aokiji's appearance and putting them on Frosty, but the rest of it being completely original.

Personality: While Snowborgs are created without personality, Frosty was reprogrammed with a personality. He is rather quiet sometimes, is usually quite serious, sometimes in very ironically comical ways.

Fighting Style: Left hand can transform into a red and white-colored drill looking similar to a candy cane while not active. Right Hand can transform into a cryogenic laser, being able to rapidly lower the temperature of anything the laser touches. Unless held in place for a relatively long time, the laser can only truly cause Hypothermia at best. If the opponent is restrained, Frosty can actually freeze his opponent inside and out, either causing them to die or, if executed just right, a cryogenic stasis.

Past: He was created by Snow Miser as a prototype for a series of super-soldiers that could be used to take over Heat Miser's dominion. He was sent on a combat training mission, being ordered to infiltrate E.L.F. Research and Development to steal a rare magical flower. He was swiftly captured and deactivated. He was still somewhat active from the magic flowing through his body. Because of this, his mechanical side was reprogrammed to grant Frosty free will, thought, and anything else a human mind would have. However, the magical side of Frosty was too strong and restrained his mechanical body. Using the same flower Frosty was ordered to steal, they stuck the flower into a black silk hat and placed it on Frosty's head, acting as a seal to prevent the Snow Miser's magic from restraining his mechanical body.

---

Ebeneezer Scrooge

Race: Human

Appearance: Think similar in appearance to Young Mosquito from Soul Eater (The one where he reverts his age back the full 400 years, not the 100 years one just revealed in the anime).

Personality: He is rather greedy and finds that wealth is one of the greatest things to strive for. As he is a necromancer, he has also developed a god complex, believing that he has conquered death by being able to be eternally young as well as control the armies of the dead. He treats his former business partner-turned-zombie servant Jacob Marley as a lowly servant, though Scrooge sometimes swallows his god complex in front of Marley when Marley starts talking about his opinions on a vital situation.

Fighting Style: He fights using a Cane-sword, stating that it is the weapon representing the highest echelons of society. He also fights rather recklessly with it, expecting his body to heal all of the injuries he takes. As the only way he can truly die is if the Necronomicon that he bound his soul to is destroyed by fire, as it is the only way it can be destroyed. Another way he fights if he deems his opponents unworthy (which is quite often) is summoning up hordes of the dead to fight his opponents (think the zombies of any zombie movie you've ever seen with the power of the General Zombies from One Piece.)

History: Scrooge was born in a house stricken with poverty. He hated his parents for being so poor, probably because his best friend Marley was genuinely loved more by his parents, who happened to be wealthy. One day, he was working at an old pawn shop when an old, sinister-looking man was looking to sell a wicked-looking book. As the policy states not to turn down a customer, he bought the book from the customer, but not before haggling down the price to about 1/100 of what a book would otherwise be worth. Scrooge could hear the call of the book as he worked the Pawn Shop and finally temptation got the better of him as he started reading the book. That night, Scrooge vanished from existance. One week later, Scrooge reappears in front of his parents and proceeds to kill them off, claiming that peasants would make better corpses. He massacred the majority of the village and anyone who would dare bear witness to what he had done. Using the powers of the book, he brought his friend Marley back to life as the only one who could keep Scrooge company.


----

...and that's what I have on them. I have much much more, but I will save that for a much much later date.

[pyromonki]

@haruko: A quest to be the next santa? What happened to the old one.
and if you keep comparing your story to others, you're similarities become apparent. That's not a good thing.

It's quite the original concept you have there. But when you say "It's kinda like one piece" I begin to expect well.... just that. A one piece rip off.


*break*

What about a story where all the characters are weird creatures. This isn't for a "manga" but it's for a fighting game I want to make.

The story is pretty much:

"This is a world that lives and breathes through music. Musicians are held at a high regard in the world, looked up as the closest thing a creature could ever come to the "great maker". There is a rumor however that such musicians are so grand that they can produce a spitting image of their very soul while playing, and make it dance to their tune.

Clair Reeve, a clarinet player comes across a talking conductor baton. It tells her that she has the musical knowledge to conduct a band to defend the world! A powerful orchestra of musicians with the power to call their spirits have emerged and demolished the band meant to be earth's defenders!

She must gather the best of the best musicians across the world and make them join in her band before it's too late!!"

^that's the jist of the story. I didn't want to use humans for it though, since I like having more freedom with creativity.

What do you think? humans or no? and would you play a game with a story like this?

and yes, it is gonna be a musical fighting game. but I'm not gonna discuss that here. :ninja:

[Hakuro de Killer]

@haruko: A quest to be the next santa? What happened to the old one.
and if you keep comparing your story to others, you're similarities become apparent. That's not a good thing.

It's quite the original concept you have there. But when you say "It's kinda like one piece" I begin to expect well.... just that. A one piece rip off.


*break*

What about a story where all the characters are weird creatures. This isn't for a "manga" but it's for a fighting game I want to make.

The story is pretty much:

"This is a world that lives and breathes through music. Musicians are held at a high regard in the world, looked up as the closest thing a creature could ever come to the "great maker". There is a rumor however that such musicians are so grand that they can produce a spitting image of their very soul while playing, and make it dance to their tune.

Clair Reeve, a clarinet player comes across a talking conductor baton. It tells her that she has the musical knowledge to conduct a band to defend the world! A powerful orchestra of musicians with the power to call their spirits have emerged and demolished the band meant to be earth's defenders!

She must gather the best of the best musicians across the world and make them join in her band before it's too late!!"

^that's the jist of the story. I didn't want to use humans for it though, since I like having more freedom with creativity.

What do you think? humans or no? and would you play a game with a story like this?

and yes, it is gonna be a musical fighting game. but I'm not gonna discuss that here. :ninja:

Yohohohohohoho~! Sounds very interesting! I love it when people come up with unique ideas that I couldn't think of myself! In any case, best of luck to you, good sir!

[pyromonki]

I was dead serious. What happened to santa? is he evil? O_o

[Hakuro de Killer]

I was dead serious. What happened to santa? is he evil? O_o

No, not evil. I'm making it so that every number of years, the reigning Santa Claus, by ancient tradition, is to be replaced by the one team of three who can best the three tasks of succession. There are countless teams going for the title, both good, evil, and everything in-between. The first task is to visit each of the eight Reindeer Mountains scattered across the world (based on the mountains of the same name in Canada), face the eight guardians of each of these mountains and defeat them in one vs. one combat. After all eight guardians are defeated, they are to head to a temple in the southernmost part of the world to face against the three sages: Past, Present, and Future. Each presents a trial of the mind and spirit that each team who completes the first trial must complete. After the second task is completed, anyone who has completed the first two tasks then fight against one another in a 3 vs. 3 fight (similar rules to the World Martial Arts Tournament from DBZ). The reigning Santa Claus then either retires from his position and gains the opportunity to become a member of the elder council, or he can choose to challenge the winning team with the two members he himself teamed up with when he won the title of Santa Claus. If the reigning Santa chooses the latter and they win, they continue to be Santa Claus. If they lose, they are excused from the position and do not gain the option of entering the elder council.

...and that's a general overview.

[pyromonki]

hm, sounds interesting... It's certainly an odd spin on the holidays.

[roronoa3000]

Mine is a combination of God of War, One Piece, Norse Mythology, and the Book of Enoch. Three different stories titled Omega Tree with subtitles Genesis, Seeds of Oblivion, and Ragnarok.

The is the main characters are:

Talyn "Hawkeye": Swordsman that can use multiple swords; Hawk "zoan"
Karnal "Dark Slayer": Wields black wolf gauntlets; Wolf "zoan"
Memphis "Seven": Manipulate fire and uses alchemy; dragon "zoan"
Jericho: Cyborg w/guns and cannons built in
Bliss: archer, swordswoman
Rosario: metal manipulation
Bain: Zoan(I won't spoil what type yet); artifical cheetah "zoan"
Myles: Bruce Banner/Hulk type character

[Gravy-Kun]

I have three, each will not be discussed further than what I will post here:

1. Gag manga - 7 chapters
My up-and-coming debut, a short gag manga with some visual puns. Telling you about it is too much said.

2. Fantasy manga - planned at least 300-400
Inspired by misc manga, anime, and games. This is a story about a group searching for a fallen star from a fairytale. This one I've been working on for about 4 years.

3. Fantasy manga - planned about 250-400
A more modern piece. One that involves different dimensions.

[Nobodyman]

Here's an idea that's been boggling around in my mind recently. In a bizarre twist, my manga is told from the perspective of the villains.

In the not too distant future, after a long and bloody world war, all the nations of the worlds have settled in such a way that worldwide peace has practically been made a reality. It appears the world will now usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.

Not if the League of Villains have anything to say about it.

A group dedicated solely to disrupting the established order, the League of Villains is a group of the most vicious, heartless, sadistic, and overall disagreeable miscreants who seek to bring chaos to the world.

Masquerade- Conceals his face under a comedy mask (you know, like the masks of comedy and tragedy) and has a penchant for theatre and the arts and general. He believes that life, like theatre, is much more interesting when there is conflict. Also, he does not limit himself to his comedy mask and will sometimes wears different masks to suit the situation. Fights with a sword.

The Doubler- A living contrast of black and white. Like Two-Face before him, he constantly battles with his "dark" side and his "light" side, which results in him having conversations with himself. He has painted different segments of his body black and white. Fights with two swords, one being black and the other being, you guessed it, white.

Enchantress- As her name implies, she a mistress of manipulation and seduction. Her beauty practically unrivaled, she entrances others and works through them to get what she wants. Her exact powers are unknown (or rather I haven't decided yet)

The Red Knight- A silent and stoic character whose past is shrouded in mystery. Wears fullbody suit of armor, the red color of which symbolizes the blood of his enemies that has stained it. Completely indiscriminate and merciless in his tactics, he will cut down anyone who stands in his way. Naturally, he fights with a sword.

Ice Queen- Perhaps even more stoic than the Red Knight, Ice Queen is an emotionless killing machine. Having no moral compass, she kills without hesitation or remorse. However, her lack of emotions seem to indicate that she takes no joy(or any other feeling for that matter) in killing and it is rather out of a sense of duty or obligation. This also makes her very unpredictable and sometimes she will actually refrain from killing when it is not in her "interest" to do so. Once she has made up her mind, no one can change it. As her name implies she fights using her ice manipulating abilities, the origins of which are unknown.

Tammy- Far beyond a normal brat, Tammy is an 11-year-old sadist. Bright and bubbily, she takes great juvenile delight in torturing and killing people. Young as she is, she possesses no great strength so she mainly uses Lug, another League member, to fight for her, by way of an electric collar around his neck, which only she has access to. On her own, she fights mainly with a whip, but her combat skills are extremely limited.

Lug- Standing at a massive 30 ft. tall, with muscles 5 ft. thick, Lug is easily the physically strongest member of the team. However, all his muscular fortitude is still no match for the collar around his neck which, when activated, sends an excrutiatingly painful jolt of electricity coursing through his body. It doesn't help that he has the mind of animal either. Having neither the physical method nor intelligence to remove the collar, he has no choice but to subject himself to Tammy's will, though, deep down, he hates her.

Crane- Founder of the League of Villains. An old man with a pointed nose that lives up to his name. Has extraordinary intelligence and leadership skills and coordinates most of the League's activities. Taking great joy in creating chaos and mayhem, he may be the most vicious member of the team. His exact powers (if he has any) are unknown at this point.

Together, this gang of ruffians will destroy this peaceful world (or at least try to) while awakening the darkness hidden in the hearts of all men, and even picking up some new members along the way. However, for every villain there must be a hero, and when said heroes come into play things will become a lot harder for the League of Villains. But, it's all part of the fun.

[King_Ty]

damn i thought metal manipulation wasnt common. My main character has had that power for at least 5 years when i first thought of him.

[Hakuro de Killer]

Here's an idea that's been boggling around in my mind recently. In a bizarre twist, my manga is told from the perspective of the villains.

In the not too distant future, after a long and bloody world war, all the nations of the worlds have settled in such a way that worldwide peace has practically been made a reality. It appears the world will now usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.

Not if the League of Villains have anything to say about it.

A group dedicated solely to disrupting the established order, the League of Villains is a group of the most vicious, heartless, sadistic, and overall disagreeable miscreants who seek to bring chaos to the world.

Masquerade- Conceals his face under a comedy mask (you know, like the masks of comedy and tragedy) and has a penchant for theatre and the arts and general. He believes that life, like theatre, is much more interesting when there is conflict. Also, he does not limit himself to his comedy mask and will sometimes wears different masks to suit the situation. Fights with a sword.

The Doubler- A living contrast of black and white. Like Two-Face before him, he constantly battles with his "dark" side and his "light" side, which results in him having conversations with himself. He has painted different segments of his body black and white. Fights with two swords, one being black and the other being, you guessed it, white.

Enchantress- As her name implies, she a mistress of manipulation and seduction. Her beauty practically unrivaled, she entrances others and works through them to get what she wants. Her exact powers are unknown (or rather I haven't decided yet)

The Red Knight- A silent and stoic character whose past is shrouded in mystery. Wears fullbody suit of armor, the red color of which symbolizes the blood of his enemies that has stained it. Completely indiscriminate and merciless in his tactics, he will cut down anyone who stands in his way. Naturally, he fights with a sword.

Ice Queen- Perhaps even more stoic than the Red Knight, Ice Queen is an emotionless killing machine. Having no moral compass, she kills without hesitation or remorse. However, her lack of emotions seem to indicate that she takes no joy(or any other feeling for that matter) in killing and it is rather out of a sense of duty or obligation. This also makes her very unpredictable and sometimes she will actually refrain from killing when it is not in her "interest" to do so. Once she has made up her mind, no one can change it. As her name implies she fights using her ice manipulating abilities, the origins of which are unknown.

Tammy- Far beyond a normal brat, Tammy is an 11-year-old sadist. Bright and bubbily, she takes great juvenile delight in torturing and killing people. Young as she is, she possesses no great strength so she mainly uses Lug, another League member, to fight for her, by way of an electric collar around his neck, which only she has access to. On her own, she fights mainly with a whip, but her combat skills are extremely limited.

Lug- Standing at a massive 30 ft. tall, with muscles 5 ft. thick, Lug is easily the physically strongest member of the team. However, all his muscular fortitude is still no match for the collar around his neck which, when activated, sends an excrutiatingly painful jolt of electricity coursing through his body. It doesn't help that he has the mind of animal either. Having neither the physical method nor intelligence to remove the collar, he has no choice but to subject himself to Tammy's will, though, deep down, he hates her.

Crane- Founder of the League of Villains. An old man with a pointed nose that lives up to his name. Has extraordinary intelligence and leadership skills and coordinates most of the League's activities. Taking great joy in creating chaos and mayhem, he may be the most vicious member of the team. His exact powers (if he has any) are unknown at this point.

Together, this gang of ruffians will destroy this peaceful world (or at least try to) while awakening the darkness hidden in the hearts of all men, and even picking up some new members along the way. However, for every villain there must be a hero, and when said heroes come into play things will become a lot harder for the League of Villains. But, it's all part of the fun.

That sounds... thorough.

...I like thorough.

[Nobodyman]

That sounds... thorough.

...I like thorough.
LOL. Thanks...I guess

[rusashi]

That's been done already, even though what hasn't. The comic book the movie Wanted is based off. In the comic, it was a League of Villains instead of a League of Assasains.

I'm also kind of peeved because someone finally created a manga based off of Graffiti. Though from the first chapter, I'd say my story was probably more original and indepth.

[Nobodyman]

That's been done already, even though what hasn't. The comic book the movie Wanted is based off. In the comic, it was a League of Villains instead of a League of Assasains.
I'd heard of the Wanted movie, though I didn't know that that's what it was about, and I'd never heard of the comic book. Perhaps I'll give it a read some time. Anyway, we'll have to chalk that up to coincidence.

[ABSMr.Prince]

Not a manga per say but a webcomic staring my friends and me and our wacky adventures

[Kraslyn]

I'm not writing a manga technically, seeing as I cant draw, but it is a manga format. It's very complicated to explain, so i'll just say the basics and see what you guys think. It's a sci-fi and fantasy hybrid story. Basically there are these creatures called Dyth that are made of pure energy. Used to be a great race, la da la da, they fell. Now they have degenerated by means of the main baddie, Kraslyn, in to more of a culture. The general citizens have a culture of when you come of age, boys: 13, girls: 12, you get your very own Dyth. Dyth are symbiotic, they need humans to survive. The trade off, the people with Dyth get powers and abilities! Dyth are pure energy, and each have an untapped energy, for example fire, water, earth, gravity, etc. Dyth positive people get powers, and basically everyone has one. Dyth are sentient creatures, so its like having two personalities. Like I said, Kraslyn is the main baddie, leader of the Intari: a corrupt Terran exploration team basically. I'll post more when I feel like typing...But C&C are always welcome, and i'll answer any questions if you have some!

[Jedi Master]

wow, I totally forgot about this place, thats really funny...but anyway, I stopped doing this thing a while ago, sometime in the following January (because of school)

Also, who here followed the advice here (don't know how much there is, but theres probably alot) and actually did start a manga (or even a comic, if your in a different country. Or even better, start working for a co)

[Hakuro de Killer]

Yeah, the progress of my manga is going slower than molasses going through City Hall built on an uphill slope (meaning its slower than molasses going uphill and the government combined). However, I have gotten around to practicing my drawing. Now I just need to keep practicing, figure out the right way to draw as it applies to me, and get to work on the rest of the art stuff. That way, when I get good enough to appreciate my own work, I can work on the writing some more and eventually, get a chapter of my manga completed, which could take anywhere between next year and within the next ten years, and that's if I stick with it.

[rusashi]

wow, I totally forgot about this place, thats really funny...but anyway, I stopped doing this thing a while ago, sometime in the following January (because of school)

Also, who here followed the advice here (don't know how much there is, but theres probably alot) and actually did start a manga (or even a comic, if your in a different country. Or even better, start working for a co)

I've gone through about 100 different kind of concepts.

My current one is a war/army type story with a touch of manga influence. Of course there's a bunch of people with wacky powers, and crazy weapons, most of them involving bullets, since pretty much everyone uses guns aside from a select few. The main character has nothing special about him, no demon sealed inside of him, no special lineage, just a run of the mill soldier who meets a not so run of the mill soldier and an army of two is formed.

It doesn't take place on Earth, but all the countries are inspired by countries on Earth. It allows me to be a bit more free with the story.

[Palochka]

Anyone else think it's pretentious as hell when an American draws a comic from right to left?

[Nobodyman]

Anyone else think it's pretentious as hell when an American draws a comic from right to left?
Pretentious? Well, maybe. Perhaps some people are some Americans (and other nationalities) are so used to reading right to left that they incorporate it in their own work. If I was going to do it, however, I'd certainly do it from left to right since that's what the American standard is. It's simply a difference of cultures.

[KaizokuFan22]

My manga still on ideas..still

[Hakuro de Killer]

Anyone else think it's pretentious as hell when an American draws a comic from right to left?

Not when you draw it left to right, scan it onto PC, and then invert it before adding in the text.

[KaizokuFan22]

working on it, now that i have manga studio 4(comes with tones,speed lines,vanishing points,and more)

[Sai-chan]

I would like to, and I have a few ideas, but I'm just so horrid at drawing comics. It would be awesome to make one but I'm not sure if it would be any good.

[Katsu_Mari]

If I ever perfect my artistic skills I'd like to collaborate with someone who has good writing skills because my ideas are shit.

[Captain Shmeckie]

I would like to, and I have a few ideas, but I'm just so horrid at drawing comics. It would be awesome to make one but I'm not sure if it would be any good.

If you're ever looking for a few pointers, I'm always willing to help out! :)

I spent a long time studying comic art and storytelling, after all. So why not share what I learned!? :grin:

[Sai-chan]

Yeah, colabarating with someone would help me greatly. xD I can never stick to my ideas, but if I had some help I might acctually make something.

Oooh, really Shmeckie? :D

[Captain Shmeckie]

Sure, why the eff not? I do love helping people, after all! As long as it doesn't involve me comitting to something I don't have time for...

[Zyordius]

A friend and i had an idea for a series in whatever media would work, be it Manga, Graphic Novel or American Comic. We had a ton of ideas for stories, arcs, characters and such, but we never had the drive to actually work on it seriously. I tried for a small time to find a person who could draw what we wanted, but i didn't find anyone. I wrote a few stories in script format, but they're pretty old now. I've thought about posting some of them in the creativity thread, but i'm not sure if i should. I'll think about it some more...(gotta ask my friend about it)

[Silver R. Bolt]

Sure, why the eff not? I do love helping people, after all! As long as it doesn't involve me comitting to something I don't have time for...

Whats the best way to start a graphic novel.

[Tanuki]

I am indeed, but for now I'll settle for webcomic.

I have a friend in a similar position without the ability to draw. He has good ideas, but no skill in artistry.

Sounds like a long shot, but any willing artists out there wanting to team up with a scripter?

[Captain Hypersock]

I have a bunch of series ideas. I just need to get off my lazy and do something with them.

[taboo]

my webcomic is the best thing in the universe

ask anyone

[Tai]

l;ike 2 years ago i had millions of show and manga ideas and i would play them out with my toys, prettyyy legit. but most of the characters were from other real mangas, but it was still rpetty good in my opinion

[roronoa3000]

Working on two stories.
"Crimson Lotus": like a mix of One Piece, Berserk and Angel Sanctuary.

"Of Saints and Sinners": like a mix of Bleach (better story and use of characters of course),
D. Grayman and Ao No Exorcist.

[roronoa3000]

my webcomic is the best thing in the universe

ask anyone
I asked.
Nobody knew anything.


Edit:
OK I see it now.