Its the start of a new year, and in this post I’m adding a bonus to the usual Fridays to show some new artwork, and art that is “in the works.”
If there’s a New Year’s resolution I might tie into this, its an aim to find collaborating artists with active, expressive styles.
Red Tape
This pinup of Pauline Censor and a significant-but-unnamed character was recently illustrated by the artist Andaerz, and will feature in the art section of the first Petro Patriot book. I reached out to him because he is great with layout and perspective, and has a very lively, flowing art style. And I love what he’s delivered.
A bit of trivia here - from my very first conception of ideas for Petro Patriot years ago, to breaking ground in 2021, up to today, there were always two characters:
A rebel hero, armed with a rod, with powers themed around chemical engineering
“The Administrator,” whose signature power is red tape
Nearly everything else about the comic went through revisions, but one idea that was always compelling was the red tape. And seeing it depicted this way makes it pretty clear why that is. And the shattering ground also led me and David Schmelling review the script to ensure we deliver the very best uses of the red tape in-comic. And knowing what the first use is going to be, I’m confident you’re going to like what we came up with.
One other commissioned image shows Pauline with the tape out, but this is the very first image outside of the comic showing Pauline’s tape in action. We’re also previewing a bit of Pauline’s biology-theme power, including the ability to modify her own biology. We’re showing enhanced strength for now. However, I’m getting pretty excited to show the breadth of what this villain is capable of. Not to mention Petro and the other powered members of the cast.
DJ Aurora
This piece by Mein132 is currently in the sketch stage, featuring the character Aurora Cipher. While the sketch doesn’t show it yet, Mein does a mesmerizing job with color, and given Aurora’s electric theme, we can already start to see her energizing listeners with a (literally) electrifying performance.
If Pauline’s signature power is red tape, and Michael Albright aka Petro Patriot’s signature weapon is the rod, Aurora Cipher’s signature is the electro-plasma hearts that sometimes fly from her gloves.
As a character, Aurora is a more recent development in the story. As her name implies, she’s got a lot of mystery about her and a lot to reveal concerning who she is and what she’s about. For now, I can say that she’s big on music and on a kind of hacking known as “circuit bending.”
Her development was also a breakout moment for the story. First, since we’re in the 2070s, near-future sci-fi means people without powers may still be capable of impressive feats that can challenge powered individuals. Second, Aurora’s development coincided with my first understanding the emotional dimension in storytelling, which I first discussed in my Soulfinder: Infinite Ascent Review.
Petro Patriot’s sci-fi and science-themed power system were pretty cool to start with. But when protagonist Michael Albright and his father’s executioner, Pauline Censor, find themselves as test subject in the same regime weapons program, and when those closest to them are not who they seem, those took the story to a new level.
I am so excited to show the story we’re putting together :D
Up next: comic reviews
After writing Woke is Not the Problem in Comics, I’m going to follow up with some reviews of comics and creators that are working toward solutions. And with that in mind, I’d like to ask you: who is a creator, whether its indie or established, that you think is worth checking out?
Post your suggestion in the comments.