Once upon a time, nearly a decade ago, there was a tale in the works called MASKS...
Our story takes place in a socially fragmented world where the one unifying cultural factor is that Everyone (human) wears a mask. (Face paint and tattoos are considered masks, as well)
When evil manifests, blocking the sun as a plague of walking (and hopping) dead rises up around the globe, the people panic, praying for the return of Blanco - the legendary Hero Luchador who saved the world from this before - but disappeared doing so.
A young Lucha wannabe, a Feminative exploring the world of men, a Taoist magic using Martial Opera performer, an animal spirit worshiping steampunk scientist, and an empire weary rogue armored soldier come together to take up the task. And perhaps discover the fate of Blanco, and his semi-mythical mentor, the Jade Sifu.
 |
| Blanco and Jade Sifu (Here in a Spirit Realm) have not been seen since the last time the world needed saving. |
The first, most obvious, question regarding this tale is - What's with the Masks?
It began many years back, a reaction to government watchers and the perpetual camera society. Rebel movements began wearing masks in public at all times, often all wearing the same mask to help confuse the watchers. Masking spread as a concept, and in time, the masks became fashion, and then custom. Now it's the social norm, with highly individualized masks completely defeating the original purpose of the social movement.
So, where & when does this story take place?
Nope, that's one of "The Rules". The prologue, as you can see from the caption on the panels above, takes place "There & Then" The main story takes place "Here & Now"
No proper name locations for anything larger than individual buildings or complexes.
No proper dates, only relative time. (ie - ten years ago, three weeks from now, etc.,.)
That both made it easier for me, and removed or weakened some reaction triggers from the audience.
 |
| MehLani - a Totem - wearing her hand-carved totem mask, as always. |
This one was the last big project i attempted to do.
It was during the process of prepping things that i began to realize how badly things were breaking down internally. I prepared a fairly detailed and elaborate Treatment presentation for Masks, sent it out to some folks for feedback before going deeper into full script preparation. It was weeks later that i came to realize that i had completely omitted the other story - not even any reference to it.
You see, it was designed as two interlocked stories told from opposing viewpoints. In each, the opposition is only mentioned in vague and shadowy terms, acting as nothing more than a set of circumstances and obstacles in the other's tale.
So the treatment i had sent out was woefully incomplete with almost no direct enemy to the story, and huge parts just missing.
And only one person commented a couple months later about it.
That, too, led me to realize there was even more going wrong inside than i had perceived. At that point, Masks went off into the files and shadows.
As you've seen here, in the years since my ability to focus on a singular subject has deterioated further. So i may piddle around and play at building games at times, as i have lately, but with no expectation of it ever reaching a releasable state. I believe it's been just over 15 years since the last time i let one out into the wild.
And that's why you tend to see paintings and such as the most frequent form of artwork when the brain kicks into gear. None of the long-term focus required for story telling, the paintings are good for those bursts of output.
Especially compared to the work method i was using for Masks. Rather obviously, i'm working with 3D models for reference (Who can afford human models?) Fortunately, by that point i'd been doing 3D modelling and rendering for a couple of decades. That helped tremendously for putting some life into the models...
From the render...
...to finished art...
By the way, for those of you inking at home...
This image in the files is worth noting. I always used vector based programs for my inking, for the simple reason shown here -
Flash is actually surprisingly decent in this regard. It started life as a natural media emulator before diverging and growing into what it became. But those roots are still there, and actually rather good once one gets past the defaults.
So, moving along...
While parts are still missing, i have found the first few pages in my digging. Here's a look at how it would have opened (following a brief prologue with Blanco and Jade Sifu in the Spirit Realms)...
Okay - at this point we'll have to step into the back room at The Other Voice Of Odd. Here's a direct link to the companion post (which also contains some other bits and tidbits).
However, despite initial appearances, nothing happens between them. She teaches him the technique for massaging the gungliax cluster (useful later), which he adapts to readily without realizing the pleasure stimulation it gives her as a side effect. Meowria, aroused, comes on to him while naked, but our poor virgin freaks and bails at high speed.
Outside, he has a Por Dios! moment, before starting on his way. Crossing the shanty town sprawl, Juan passes an old woman, Senora Lopez, who scolds him for STILL not eating enough, urging him to come in and sit down at the table. He explains that he can't - he needs to go find and pay Jorge. She gives him a quick tamale & horchata to take with him...
 |
| (Yes, Senora Lopez's mask has animatronic features, like blinking eyes and moving mouth) |
That's the most complete version of page 6 I've found so far. From there, he heads over to eat under the wizard's Cactus Tower - the odd yellow structure we see in the promo image from this morning's post:
...then things start to get strange, as often happens around wizards. (Okay, carloads of killer clowns may not be typical wizard fare)
Worlds still build in my head, but i no longer have any expectations of others getting to visit. At least not in any depth. Perhaps some short stories, paintings, or game bits to give windows through which to view.
But, at least it rarely gets lonely being a hermit. There's plenty of company in here.
 |
| (Okay - they might be a little angry at me for not letting them out to play) |
stuff by -3- for Masks (2010)
