shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jul 31, 2016 8:56:24 GMT -5
Just wanted to share that it's available now: editionsroquefort.com/livres/I wrote about volume 1 here. As always, the print version is in French, but Ben is continuing to provide English-speaking buyers with an English PDF version upon purchase. You can also just purchase the English PDF version for $5. |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jul 31, 2016 9:40:32 GMT -5
I look forward to what you think of book 2, shax!
For the comics historians out there (looking at you, Cei-U!), book 2 was actually drawn before book 1, during the early '80s (1). See, I started the Orion Arm in 1978, back in the days where I produced masses and masses of homemade superhero comics with a friend of mine. It was an attempt to do something different, a SF story in the tradition of Philippe Druillet, whom I idolized.
What had begun as a short story of straight laser gun action quickly turned into a longer, classical "revenge is mine" type of story set in the context of religious wars (since I had just read Amin Maalouf's "the crusades seen through Arab eyes").
Book 1 was finished in a few years, and then I started with book 2... but with more professional standards (oversized pages, pen and brush techniques instead of sharpies). Book 2 was supposed to begin with the introduction of Mierkhan, one of my main characters, in a space battle scene meant to last five pages or so. But I had so much fun with that scene that it grew to 31 pages! Anyway...
At the end of book 2, I started really considering publishing it some day. However, book 1 was clearly the work of a kid, and in no way usable... I had to do it all over again. I started that in 1985, and made several changes to the original script : mostly because the "righteous vengeance" and "coming of the chosen one" themes had been done to death and struck me as unoriginal and boring. However, there was a great opportunity to play around those themes; we are so used to them in fantasy literature that I figured even the characters in the story would readily interpret events as adhering to such a pattern. And therein laid the seeds of a neat (I think) plot that would not be what people expect.
Problem is, while redrawing book 1, I got to the age where real life intevenes. School, marriage, kids, work... it took me more than a decade to finish. When I finally got to the end, book 1 had more mature art than book 2, as one would expect (but I can see more youthful enthusiasm in book 2, despite its flaws, so I guess it all balances out).
Book 3 is now underway; I've got around 20 pages done by now. It sure shows that the author is older... Not one scene of action yet!!! It's all people talking about stuff!!!
(1) Yes, early '80s. So when you see Hyperneral Manikedek on page 2, please do not assume he was based on Locutus of Borg; he was created years before anyone ever hard of Captain Picard! I guess there's just something archetypal about stern but fair officers with a balding head.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jul 31, 2016 9:51:46 GMT -5
Oh, by the way... at the end of book two is a short humorous story featuring the hero's best friend. It was drawn during my first few months in Germany, when I was living in a small room and when the main pages of the Orion Arm were stored in my parents' basement in Canada. I had a little pot of ink, a pen with a speedball C6 nib and a sketch book; being young and full of energy at the time, I thought that it just wouldn't do to let my characters stay idle for a few years. I drew "the adventures of Tondal" on the small kitchen table, at night (my wife hadn't yet joined me overseas).
I now have a coloured version of that short story; the editor of a Quebec comics magazine asked me to contribute it for a future issue. We'll see how that goes.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jul 31, 2016 10:28:05 GMT -5
I cannot believe how quickly you are moving through volume 3, Ben!!
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Post by berkley on Jul 31, 2016 23:18:41 GMT -5
Do you foresee a further volume after the 3rd, Ben?
I'm looking forward to this very much and plan to read them all again once it's complete - or as complete as Ben plans to make it for the time being!
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Aug 1, 2016 5:45:19 GMT -5
Do you foresee a further volume after the 3rd, Ben? I'm looking forward to this very much and plan to read them all again once it's complete - or as complete as Ben plans to make it for the time being! The story requires at least one more book after the third one. I originally planned on five books, but if I stick to that idea I'll be dead of old age before I'm done. Book 4 will just have to be a bit bigger. Got to work on a new page yesterday. I'll be shifting to smaller pages from now on (one third bigger than the printed page, instead of 50% bigger). That'll make the books more readable and will allow me to save time. |
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Post by berkley on Aug 1, 2016 19:23:04 GMT -5
Very excited to hear there'll be a 4th volume! Probably my favourite part of the story was the political intrigue that was taking place when it broke off at that time.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 9:36:10 GMT -5
I'm looking forward Volume 3 and Volume 4 ...  |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Aug 3, 2016 10:02:27 GMT -5
Ooooh, the pressure!  There are a few pages from book 3 here. |
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Post by hondobrode on Aug 3, 2016 22:23:24 GMT -5
Really looking forward to reading this !
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Aug 8, 2016 19:25:12 GMT -5
Volume 2 arrived in my mail today!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2016 11:05:12 GMT -5
Book 3 is now underway; I've got around 20 pages done by now. It sure shows that the author is older... Not one scene of action yet!!! It's all people talking about stuff!!! Good, By the way, I read the first 14 pages of the 1st book and I'm planning on reading the rest of the story by Monday at the latest ... In the Fan Fiction & Fan Art Section of this forum - Thread:Le Bras d'Orion ... I have written earlier ... I have been reading 10 pages at a time (it's 54 pages) and I can say this - his imagination, writing, art, and layouts are the first four things that I can think of that this is a stroke of genius on his part. I've already read 14 pages of his 1st story of his book and I consider it nothing short of a masterpiece.Nice to know that you got 20 pages done on the 3rd book ... Wow. |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Aug 9, 2016 11:34:09 GMT -5
Page 17 from The emperor's ball, for those who wondered what Mierkhan looks like under his barbute!  The imperial emblem behind the emperor is based on the first five digits of the Fibonacci series : 1 line (right angle) 1 line (right angle) 2 lines (right angle) 3 lines (right angle) five lines. A mathematical construct struck me as more appropriate than some representative art. There is a book at the right hand of the emperor, and a sword on his left, symbols of what drives the empire (knowledge and might). This is not your typical evil empire; it's actually quite a benevolent one! Let the festivities begin!  |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Aug 9, 2016 12:44:21 GMT -5
Read volume 2 again this morning. Just couldn't help myself.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2016 14:10:19 GMT -5
I'm halfway through the Volume 1, and pages 13 and 14 - the artwork really amazing and I was stunned by the multi-story lines and the story so far has depth and meaning. My favorite character so far has been ONIR1A and RAH the SLAYER is a tormented character that has the capacity for meaning, anger, and being tormented by his own ways that yet to be explained.
I really enjoying nearly half of the 1st Story and I understand that this is my 1st time I read it and the 2nd time will be more aware of your writing style that I find it quite impressive and that alone wants me to savor every single pages that you created so far Raider.
Man, this story has a sense of purpose that's all about the life and struggles of RAH.
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