Gnostic Christian? No. Actually, it gets worse - or better, depending on your perspective. I'm a Baptist from Texas. Yeehaw even. Even if your post wasn't helpful - it was at least funny. Sarcasm is a good thing.
I realize I seem to be regurgitating what passes for pop culture a bit, but that's kind of the point - it's a conscious effort. Well, actually a lot of it is somewhat obscure to the mainstream. I dunno - I just think dystopic futures are fun to write. It's all based on a very childlike & selfish notion: I want to write something that's fun for me - something that makes me give out an audible 'cool' as I type it to the beat of old Esthero songs and U.N.K.L.E. I'm pulling a lot of stuff from people and things I count among my influences (and yes, that does include Grant Morrison). But, I'm not just eating in the same place I shit, if you get my meaning.
I want to write characters that people will immediately feel like they know - that they'll feel comfortable with - that they'll relate to.
Example: One of the characters in the story is a kind of bastardization of Bunny Boy from Harmony Korine's (the writer of "KIDS")"Gummo," and Lennie from Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." He's a mentally malnourished man-child in bunny ears with a heart of gold - and a grip that'll rip your arm out its socket.
Still, the egoist in me thinks people will enjoy it. If I don't completely fuck up the writing of it, a lot of people will look at it in a lot of different ways. And that's fine with me.
Also, I do sort of include Eastern religion - assuming you consider Islam an Eastern religion. It stems from the same proverbial fount as Christianity and Judaism, but it's decidedly not Western in my opinion.
Hadi (1): Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika wa astaqdiruka biqudratika wa as' aluka min fadlikal 'azhim.
Hadi (2): Fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta 'lamu wala a'lamu wa anta 'allamul ghuyub.
Hadi (3):Allahumma inkunta ta'lamu anna hathal amra khayirn li fi dini wa ma 'ashi wa 'aqibati amri faqdirhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fih.
Hadi (4):Wain kunta ta 'lamu anna hathal amra sharrulli fi dini wa ma 'ashi wa 'aqibati amri f'Asrifhu 'anni w'Asrifni 'anhu, waqdir liyal- khaira haithu kana thumma ardini bih.
Those are the first words spoken in the comic. It's Arabic, if you're wondering - or have to wonder. It's a prayer that's traditionally said before journeys.
Translation:
O Allah, I seek good from Thee out of Thy knowledge and seek power from Thee out of Thy power and I beg of Thee out of Thy boundless Grace, for Thou hast power and I have no power, and Thou hast knowledge and I have no knowledge, and Thy knowledge encompasses the unseen.
O Allah! If it be within Thy knowledge that this task is for my good, both materially and spiritually, and in respect of my ultimate end, then make it possible for me and bless me therein, but if it be within Thy knowledge that it is harmful for me in my spiritual and material life and in respect of my ultimate end, then turn me away therefrom, and enable me to attain good wherever it may be and cause me to be blessed therewith. (Bukhari, Kitabud Da'waat Babud-Dua indal Istakhara; Also Tirmidhi, Sharah Alsanat Vol. 4 page 153).
But, I'm guessing you meant something more along the line of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, etc. In which case... no, I hadn't really thought of that. But, if you think about it - the concept of transcendence is a bit reminiscent of the concept of Buddhist’s concept of Nirvana.
But, there are some twisted visuals. Oh, and about using symbolism... that's something I've really been having fun with since the beginning of the story. Just because you guys have been so helpful, here's a segment of the first part of the script I wrote a few months back (with the dialogue omitted):
[Note: These pages don't appear until late in the first issue/ first 32-pages of the graphic novel]
Pages 12-15
SCENE: INT. MONOLITH B - FLASHBACK CONT.
A swarm of subs clad in white form-fitting spacesuits floats down a long corridor that leads to the TELSERVER's chamber. Their faces are distant and expressionless. The subs are passing through Hadi & Rabbit (Rabbit & Hadi are walking - not floating.). We can see a few dead subs floating idly behind them.
NOTE: In his own way, sub_07 is telling them who - and what he is. The subs are also being guided by the TELSERVER (of course), but, the reader doesn't know that - not yet. The only thoughts in their/the subs' minds are to get where the TELSERVER is. Nothing else matters to them - nothing. Their safety doesn't matter. They just know they have to get to the door. Nothing can stand in their way.
The ship is trying to stop them. It's throwing whatever defense it has to offer at them; lasers, guns, gas, etc. - we'll brainstorm later. They're running a gauntlet of death - and their numbers are dwindling with each new obstacle, but there are too many of them. The ship won't stop them - it can't.
Page 16
SCENE: INT. MONOLITH B - FLASHBACK CONT.
The subs rush thru a circular door that has opened along its diameter (it's the door to the TELSERVER's chamber). They're like crabs fighting to get out of a tank at a fish market. They're trampling each other to get through. In the background, we can see Hadi & Rabbit watching the scene in a mix of horror & wonder.
Pages 17-18
SCENE: INT. MONOLITH B - THE TELSERVER's CHAMBER - FLASHBACK CONT.
One by one, each sub rams itself violently into the forcefield surrounding the TELSERVER's POD - as the others wait their turns. Hadi and Rabbit are looking on wide mouthed.
NOTE: They're moving more orderly because the TELSERVER's influence is more direct on them.
Their bodies explode almost immediately on contact with the forcefield, sending their insides flying like projectiles, but with each new blow, the forcefield weakens. Hadi looks like he's going to be sick. Rabbit is watching the goings on intently.
Pages 19-20
SCENE: THE TELSERVER's CHAMBER - FLASHBACK CONT.
They continue their orchestrated barrage on the forcefield until it gives out - and only one sub is left - sub_07. We watch, as it wildly hammers its balled up fists into the protective container until it shatters - sending the red fluid & the TELSERVER flooding out suddenly.
I'm sure I don't have to explain what all that was supposed symbolize.
Anyway, thanks for the help.
--Marc [No, not Mack. However (in the interest of goofiness), if you're looking for a joke in my name, it's in my last name - not my first. I'm black. Also, my initials are MAW.]
BTW, Jack Chick needs an acid enema. |
