GRAPHIC NOVEL UPDATE
PHANTOM PLEASURE Print Version Update
I’m so sorry for the slow updates! I was under some severe art deadlines for commissioned projects, and wasn’t able to work as much on the comic as I normally do. It was a very difficult schedule, but now it looks like I’m fully back in action! Feels good to be back at it, I hope I haven’t totally lost your faith in the Phantom Pleasure project.
Here is a sketch of Echo’s updated facial design for the Phantom Pleasure graphic novel. And, here is a shot of her Synth Suit:
As you can see, I’ve exaggerated and loosened up the figure anatomy a bit, almost in a Peter Chung Aeon Flux kind of way. I also added more details on the wires so the suit looks cooler in action scenes. After all, Nyx is one of a kind, the only unshackled Synth Suit in Geo-City One. Next time I’ll share some art of the suit in its battle mode!
Overall, the graphic novel will have a higher contrast look (I want the characters to pop out more), but I still plan on putting the jade-cyan color filter over the art. Here are some new sketches of what Halo will look like:
Halo’s Promo Suit is mostly made out of the luminescent ‘Neuro-Optic Fiber’ wires that seem to grow all over Geo-City One. Due to her unnatural willpower, Halo is able to control the lights in the Neuro-Optic wires to display visuals that stream down her suit, and project advertisements out of her body. Despite her best efforts to the contrary, this unique ability makes her the number one Social Influencer in the GOGG REPUBLIC.
When the web comic began, Echo was psychically interrupted by Halo, causing her to wander away from a familiar bar and into a forgotten area of the city. Though it hasn’t been shown in the web comic, the bar she left is a hideout for METEO, a troll gang that Echo is affiliated with. In the graphic novel, this relationship is shown from the start, and gives the reader a proper introduction to Echo through the words of users who’ve been scrolling and trolling with her for a while.
I’m doing a series of extremely detailed full page digital paintings for the 3-5 page prologue to explain the setting and rules of Geo-City One. I can’t show off those just yet, but here is a work-in-progress (very unfinished) panel of the exterior of the METEO hideout:
I plan on hand-lettering all of the text in the graphic novel, but I’m using this font as a placeholder so I know where to block out space for the dialogue bubbles.
Also, I was able to work with (They’re doing all the work :) a couple very talented cosplay designers to create a live-action SYNTH SUIT, which is very exciting. The process has really just begun, but I’ll give updates as the suit develops. Hopefully I’ll be able to show off some pictures in the suit before too long!
More soon! Much love to all of you.