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Future Boy (Barb open source character: take 3)

 
  

Page: 12(3)

 
 
carly
11:35 / 08.07.04
Tance is right, you know. Mobius strips seem to be more of a structural thang.

Alex, that sketch made my day.
 
 
FinderWolf
12:31 / 08.07.04
What is a lemniscate?? Gonna go look that up -- just a fancy word for the infinity sign, I suppose? In quantum physics or something like that...?

I think you need to choose something iconic and consistent in terms of the look of the character and costume. I mean, Spider-Man's costume, for example, is Spider-Man's costume -- sure, each artist draws it ever so slightly differently, but the basics and iconic nature of it are all there. Ditto Batman, Superman, even the aforementioned Astro Boy. I don't picture Future Boy wearing different outfits for every adventure.

I kinda like the costume Spyder designed -- but I do like Carly's stripped-down, simpler, more iconic/superheroic Astro-Boy type look as well. As for the infinity sign, I think it works, especially because it references what FB's all about: Time. And the infinity sign adds to the iconic look of the costume. Although like I said, I did dig the Spyder-designed costume too, although if used, it would need to be streamlined so there a few less lines in the design of the costume.

However, I lean heavily towards Carly's design.

I think the turtle should always have goggles, whether he's wearing them on his eyes or on his forehead. It doesn't smack of "too much like Jenny Everywhere goggles," cause it's a TURTLE!! And let's face it, turtles with goggles are cool.
 
 
carly
16:10 / 08.07.04
"And let's face it, turtles with goggles are cool."

Hear, hear! (or is it "here, here"?)

I dunno. I see what you're saying about the infinity sign, Alex...but I also think it kind of works. I dunno. What we need is a snazzy logo. You know what I mean. I mean the name, not an icon. Like how easily reconizable Coca-Cola is. That'll help, too.
 
 
Tamayyurt
16:38 / 08.07.04
Okay okay, I'll shut up about the infinity sign. It doesn't look that bad.
 
 
FinderWolf
17:52 / 08.07.04
I agree that the infinity sign works as an icon/logo/chest emblem for the character. I'd say go with it, esp. since it does relate to Time.
 
 
Spyder Todd 2008
13:44 / 09.07.04
And let's face it, turtles with goggles are cool.

Damn straight.

Anyway, I'm going to do some refining to a Future Boy and Quantunaut design, then move on to the Mandarin Orange (for some reason I love that name for a ship. I don't know why)! Hopefully this stuff will be up in a few days (maybe tomorrow, no promises though).
 
 
misterpc
10:46 / 11.07.04
Okay, the sketches all look great, and all of you are far more talented than I. Just for the record, I am stuck at the 15-year-old Rob-Liefield-style level when it comes to drawing comics. Spyder, nice work on the script. You've inspired me to try a script as soon as I can, although everything's a bit up in the air at the moment.

One thing that we DO need to do is to consolidate the concept, and really nail down what the model is for this joint creation process - who has editorial control, how we generate work, where it lives, etc, etc. I thought we could start by developing a Future Boy Bible (no, it's not like a tijuana bible). This would be the standard FAQ about the character for all creators, based on the initial discussions and any stories that might emerge. It will help in terms of providing a solid foundation for future stories, as well as a continuity sheet. Although the basics will remain in place, it should be a fluid document that can be updated as necessary.

Oh look, here's one based on the discussions so far. (Spyder, there's no details of the Mandarin Orange, in the Bible, but that can be addressed later on.) Any comments? All I know is it's just crying out for a wiki.
 
 
Saint Keggers
01:24 / 12.07.04
Um..can we keep the antenna on the turtle. I had this story idea where he starts to pic up radio waves from old BBC WW2 Churchill speaches and....
 
 
Spyder Todd 2008
20:35 / 12.07.04
I love the antenna. And just because you can't see it in Carly's sketch, doesn't mean it's not there. It could be inside his shell, for all we know.

Umm... I was in an accident over the weekend and hurt my hand, so I haven't worked on any sketches yet. Sorry guys. I'm going to try working on them and part two of my script later today, though. And does everybody like my script set up? I'm doing this sort of like the 60's JLA books, where the story would be told in a few short acts, all in one book. I don't know why I'm doing this like that, t just feels right to me for this story.
 
 
FinderWolf
20:20 / 13.07.04
Hope you're ok, Spyder. What happened to your hand?
 
 
gridley
20:30 / 13.07.04
Everything looks great so far, especially Carly's sketch.

I have a few suggestions...

Why not give Future Boy a bare midriff shirt, so that we can see the ruby in his belly. Perhaps it could look as though he ripped the shirt himself.

I think Future Boy should be extremely boy-like in his behavior. All smiley and barefoot with messed-up hair and a mischievious glint in his eyes.

I think he should be travelling through time to avoid authority figures. I think he should be getting dirty and roughhousing and causing trouble. Not always big trouble, but certainly fun trouble. Every era is his playground, every evolutionary stage of mankind full of possible playmate.

He should shun responsibility and laugh off injury. Perhaps deep down he is looking for friends, but that's purely secondary.

In terms of sexuality, I'd avoid it almost all together, except maybe crushes and blushes upon getting a kiss on the cheek.
 
 
Spyder Todd 2008
18:54 / 14.07.04
Hope you're ok, Spyder. What happened to your hand?
Bike accident. No big. I fleshed out a new sketch of our boy and his turtle, but I want to clean it up and ink it before I get it to you guys.

And misterpc, I love the future boy bible. I think you've managed to take just about everyone's rambling on our boy, and make them all work together and make sense. I want to throw a party in your honor now.
 
 
autran
23:04 / 19.07.04
How about if there are two parts to FB's education:

Part 1. No Mandarain Orange, no PoMo woman, pursued by "teacher" automatic agents.

Part 2. After some exams and assessment of how FB fared in part 1. he is given the Mandarin Orange, and PoMo woman who replaces the Teachers.

Part 1. is more like school education, part 2. is where he gets to explore and research on his own initiative.
 
 
Saint Keggers
02:35 / 22.07.04
Since the begining I've always envisioned FB's personality to be a mix of Denis The Menis and Johnny from Johnny Quest... but thats just me.
 
 
FinderWolf
16:32 / 22.07.04
I like it, Keggers - but I picture 2/3 Jonny and 1/3 Dennis - I don't picture FB as being too heavy on the crazy mischief side.

Astro Boy + Jonny Quest + a dash of Dennis the Menace + a hint of a young Scott Bakula on QUANTUM LEAP = Future Boy?
 
 
FinderWolf
16:33 / 22.07.04
+ a bit of Impulse/now Kid Flash?
 
 
Saint Keggers
22:49 / 22.07.04
and the belly jewel gives him just a wee bit of Treasure Trolls.
 
 
FinderWolf
20:28 / 23.07.04
Is the belly jewel the belt buckle on his belt in Carly's pic, or is the belly jewel just under his shirt in his actual belly?
 
 
gridley
17:37 / 26.07.04
I think the jewel should be just beneath his skin and to travel in time, he has to rub the skin really hard, so that it rips. When the gem is exposed, there should always be a trickle of blood running from it.
 
 
Saint Keggers
22:47 / 26.07.04
..and then later on, we find out there's a super-gem in his head and he has to bash his skull against the pavement until..um...no, that wont work at all.

Ripping flesh, bleeding kid...its just a bit dark for my tastes.
 
 
FinderWolf
15:04 / 27.07.04
I for one don't need to see a bleeding belly Future Boy for any reason, unless he's been gored by his violent beast-like opponent to save the universe.
 
 
gridley
19:14 / 27.07.04
awww.... you guys are no fun...

*puts a bandaid on his bleeding Future Boy and takes him home
 
 
FinderWolf
18:25 / 10.08.04
Just to let you all know, I don't think this will be a problem at all, but I recently read in the DC book HERO (an updated version of the silly old DC concept with the Dial H for H-E-R-O Hero Dial) that at one point one of the characters with the device turns into a hero called Future Boy (in the current storyline). Now, I don't think that name could be copyrighted by DC, since in that comic, the characters become different heroes every issue or so and they're of a very throwaway nature, it seems. Just wanted to throw it out there.
 
 
Tamayyurt
18:52 / 10.08.04
What's been going on with FB? There hasn't been any activity in this thread for a while.
 
 
Char Aina
18:53 / 10.08.04
or a hologram of his best friend...

the turtle needs a makeover for sure.
if he's so smart and so 'future', why does he smoke?
and wouldnt he have something done to his shell? like, i dunno, build an extension?
 
 
Char Aina
19:16 / 10.08.04
and i went to the wrong page.

damn.
 
 
Saint Keggers
20:21 / 10.08.04
or a hologram of his best friend...
I like this idea...make him look exactly like future boy but see through

the turtle needs a makeover for sure.
if he's so smart and so 'future', why does he smoke?

Well I would hope that in the future cigarettes would finally be proven to be good for you.

and wouldnt he have something done to his shell? like, i dunno, build an extension?
Thats why I had the panels in it....they're a Inspector Gadgetish/swiss armyknife shell of holding.
 
 
Char Aina
15:50 / 11.08.04
the hologram thing is a direct rip from quantum leap, yeah?
i was mildly taking the piss, but serious as well.
you should be aware of "l'homage" at play here though.

leaping through time, destination to destination, hoping that each leap will be the leap home? obnly moving on when lessons have been learned/wrongs have been righted?

i'm sure everyone noticed that already and i missed it.
 
 
Char Aina
15:53 / 11.08.04
he should be able to stand as tall as a human if he wants to, kinda like the dog from top ten.
the shell could have legs and arms and maybe even a robowang.
(i dunno, is robo-turtle sex a step too far? it is the future...?)
 
 
Saint Keggers
23:29 / 11.08.04
yeah the holo is a rip from Ql..but in this case the Holo isnt helping him but rather is the equivalent of a nintendo in todays society. Just something parents get for their kids to keep them occupied
 
 
Char Aina
16:48 / 12.08.04
... that has massive potential.
it could be any size, any shape, and (dependant on the science) go round corners and into rooms for FB.
it could be a 'safe' target, it could sing him a song, it could help him practise his kung fu.

i want one, actually...
 
 
FinderWolf
16:59 / 13.08.04
Why he can't he just be a really cool turtle with some cyber-gadgets? He doesn't have to look like RoboTurtle. Turtles in the future will still be turtles, I'd imagine, just like dogs, cats, in the future and such. Dogs from 200 years ago didn't look like Victorian dogs compared to how they look now.

But I agree that maybe the cigar isn't necessary.
 
 
Char Aina
22:24 / 14.08.04
i agree.
i was thinking legs and arms to use human sized things, like doors and cars and spaceships.
the robo-wang is obviously for those green chicks you always meet in space, the ones who just wont accept the teeny turtle todger.
 
 
Char Aina
22:30 / 14.08.04
and dude.
the turtle talks.
victorian pets and those of the year 2004 have a similar vocabulary as far as i know.
 
 
Saint Keggers
15:13 / 15.08.04
Yeah and for some reason they all sound like Donald Sutherland.
 
  

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