tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84249425005446053532024-02-20T11:27:26.650-08:00Zooniverse ComicBy Fil BarlowFil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-37888255509189074952016-08-16T14:05:00.000-07:002016-08-16T14:05:03.355-07:00It's here!Yep, finally the wait is over, you can go to your local comic store and buy the chapter one of Zooniverse! The serialization begins in issue #9 of Island Magazine published by Image Comics: <a href="https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/island-9">Here's the official page.</a><br />
Shown below is the original 1986 eclipse edition on the left against the new fully rescanned, recolored and larger Island version on the right...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx8K8oQs09f29mMkJhPv2y3Otlvq7mllwCxwrEBgi3DVGrvLvGMGXOXCAfcmTN2d6QDJkoy510OvgZ48cLcro5hmWDKPSbvs-9eo-KNC_XQt-4uSVv0hAFArXnF0S4ODG0Sr-_VxJs7TH/s1600/2016_July20_Island09_Zooniverse_Part01_1k_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx8K8oQs09f29mMkJhPv2y3Otlvq7mllwCxwrEBgi3DVGrvLvGMGXOXCAfcmTN2d6QDJkoy510OvgZ48cLcro5hmWDKPSbvs-9eo-KNC_XQt-4uSVv0hAFArXnF0S4ODG0Sr-_VxJs7TH/s320/2016_July20_Island09_Zooniverse_Part01_1k_v01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A comparison of the old and new editions. </td></tr>
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It's been a long haul since my first post in may of 2011, but I've finally reached a huge goal. This blog records my efforts trying to relaunch Zooniverse with limited funds and resources. I've tried everything I could think of, animation, self publishing, iPad app, commissions, online sales and Patreon. Now I have a color comic sitting on my desk and it looks better than it did 30 years ago! I couldn't be happier and I owe it all to Brandon Graham giving me a second chance at the comic industry. Island is his brainchild, a Heavy Metal magazine for Image. I began collecting Metal Hurlant and Heavy Metal in 1977 when I was fourteen years old. All those artists, all that inspiration. Corben, Moebius, Bilal, Forest, Caza, Druillet, Claveloux, Mezieres and Franquin so many visions that would help me escape the mundanities of urban bleakness. I dreamed of submitting comics to Heavy Metal, and Zooniverse was my thank you to all those who inspired me. They had set the benchmark and at the tender age of twenty one I did my best to meet it. Thirty two years on and here we have Island, a brand new comic magazine that I can be a part of because Brandon found Zooniverse inspirational when he was growing up. It feels so destined.<br />
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Still, there is a lot of work ahead and I am happy to do it. Currently I'm halfway through recoloring chapter two (the original 2nd issue). Helen Maier has gracefully agreed to return to her old job helping me color Zooniverse so that deadlines can be met. She is doing the first pass of coloring (flatting) on chapter three. I've completed a brand new Gatcheralis story for Island issue #10.<br />
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I have moved my attention away from this blog and onto <a href="https://www.patreon.com/filbarlow">Patreon</a> where my posts are financially compensated which has helped greatly. At Patreon I've done one hundred and fifty posts and published thirty two PDFs for the higher tiers which has taken the place of self publishing. Three of the PDFs are old Zooniverse comics, one of which has never been published before. I will always release free posts for important announcements so it's worth bookmarking and checking out occasionally. Thanks to my patrons I am preparing a new Zooniverse animation. It's a short test, but I would like to do more in the future.<br />
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Thank you for all of your encouragement and support as I complete this blog and move on.<br />
<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-36960025628597075622016-01-07T18:21:00.003-08:002016-01-07T18:24:55.958-08:00The 30th anniversary of ZooniverseI'm days away from completing the recoloring of issue one from the original 1986 series for Image Comics, due to be relaunched this year in Brandon Graham's Island Magazine. Each part will be released as I complete the six chapters. It's amazing timing because it marks the 30th anniversary of Zooniverse. We didn't plan it that way, but I had dreamed about having a collected edition published for the anniversary.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBelLFxReVRXfAVN-d4B3rgCCn2bpR3_hJAuNmTMth0ntBk8VY6sfC-gcvvTiTBubRQNxtLd2RZJvSXtZ1xbtwE5AEoewooSKYTBmQULJBbR4a7ejuCRdySYDp1W-qCXiSbLpTPhBf_JOz/s1600/Zooniverse_Update_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBelLFxReVRXfAVN-d4B3rgCCn2bpR3_hJAuNmTMth0ntBk8VY6sfC-gcvvTiTBubRQNxtLd2RZJvSXtZ1xbtwE5AEoewooSKYTBmQULJBbR4a7ejuCRdySYDp1W-qCXiSbLpTPhBf_JOz/s320/Zooniverse_Update_001.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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I'll let you know more information closer to release.Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-71417686074908049702015-10-06T02:06:00.004-07:002015-10-06T02:12:31.080-07:00Downloadable Zooniverse Comics!<br />
Over the last few years I've been searching for a way to make my comics available for download. Here's the best solution so far, it's nice and simple <a href="http://fil-barlow.itch.io/superficial-surgery">itch.io</a>. You can choose your own amount to buy starting at $1+, and I can set their percentage for hosting, 10% seems fair to me.<br />
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<a href="http://fil-barlow.itch.io/superficial-surgery"><img alt="superficial-surgery" border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSCUcfzWPvncSdioOjoaO6psvq739IWSGlnM8FnJxe_0GuZ56-Pq4soGQz_7_jhyFILvJci_bA34YiS1pJa9xclJUl4jsj6DiknCHu2GQsK93gZTIUEtkzl90h-rVcorxA9kKgzKxsTXN/s400/Superficial_Surgery_Advert_PUB.jpg" title="http://fil-barlow.itch.io/superficial-surgery" width="400" /></a></div>
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Buy it below or click on the image above.</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="167" src="//itch.io/embed/38174?linkback=true" width="552"></iframe><br />
<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-85392425029433555062015-03-16T19:17:00.003-07:002015-03-16T19:18:29.411-07:00Zooniverse at Image ComicsWhen working on projects I prefer to stay quiet until everything is officially announced, a habit I picked from decades of working in Hollywood. This is one announcement that I've been holding my breath for, now I can finally talk about it ...<br />
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<i>At the 2015 Image Expo, Brandon Graham and Emma Rios revealed that Island Magazine will begin it's ongoing publication this year!</i><br />
[<a href="http://www.digitalspy.com/comics/news/a620422/brandon-graham-previews-8house-and-unveils-island-at-image-expo.html#~p11I8I0Ca8dDpp" target="_blank">Read more about it here</a>] <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQtqpng52KMB59p0rlI-oYXJ3KWGW33NFTrr7tLkYCx1vMzHI-pZZ1vHw51sNz5ITKs8dDcKwol0z69nUgYzH6w3MRugTao87ZsTBFZQoyeWzqIe_Lwti6RU4kiN4LRhWx2KjfST1REpG/s1600/Island_Promo_Image_Expo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQtqpng52KMB59p0rlI-oYXJ3KWGW33NFTrr7tLkYCx1vMzHI-pZZ1vHw51sNz5ITKs8dDcKwol0z69nUgYzH6w3MRugTao87ZsTBFZQoyeWzqIe_Lwti6RU4kiN4LRhWx2KjfST1REpG/s1600/Island_Promo_Image_Expo.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promo for Island, a comic magazine. Click to enlarge</td></tr>
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The line up of artists and stories is impressive, it's an exciting project and one that I'm immensely proud to be a part of. The Magazine will be a larger format (Heavy Metal magazine size) than the regular US comic and my original 1986 Zooniverse story will begins it's run in about six months. Give or take. <br />
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Here is a look at the panel that was included in the middle top of Brandon's promo above. I'll be recoloring the whole series and finally do justice to the old art.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSknGZKeT7_urGiPZ-4TsSqaiPAne8iteWFGXLTKCHN3WkR4QnGIXwM0UTXceU-qgLaxU2Q7TxWyVLdtiN-b_EPkt4O-fWODwPWct-W-yo-dbelMxY1HAK8yzAm2wAzlu_86DT_GEqyBV/s1600/Issue1_Pg02_Pn01_150dpi_RGB_PUB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSknGZKeT7_urGiPZ-4TsSqaiPAne8iteWFGXLTKCHN3WkR4QnGIXwM0UTXceU-qgLaxU2Q7TxWyVLdtiN-b_EPkt4O-fWODwPWct-W-yo-dbelMxY1HAK8yzAm2wAzlu_86DT_GEqyBV/s1600/Issue1_Pg02_Pn01_150dpi_RGB_PUB.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panel from the 1986 Zooniverse comic digitally recolored.</td></tr>
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Now where does that leave my self published <a href="http://www.zoonitoons.com/hub/comics/zooniverse" target="_blank">Zooniminis</a>? I'm still publishing them, I'm currently up to issue #4 and I intend to keep going as artwork is completed for Island. I love the format. I have to decide whether I publish them in black and white to complete the run or print exclusively in color once my stock is sold out. Which is considerably more expensive.<br />
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Which brings me to my <a href="https://www.patreon.com/filbarlow" target="_blank">Patreon account</a>. It's like a tip jar, tip me as little as $1 a month and you will have access to my creative world. I have completely committed to comic work, I don't have a day job, this is my only source of income and it doesn't pay well, in fact it's like living on a knife's edge. But it means that I'm always doing something interesting, every day and you will be part of an exclusive club, my patrons get to see work no one else will have access to. Plus you'll have a ring side seat on all of the projects that I'm working on, with <b>8house: Yorris</b> <i>and</i> <b>Zooniverse</b> due out later in the year, what could be more enticing.<br />
<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-90121806349781705062014-04-22T19:41:00.000-07:002014-04-22T19:42:31.821-07:00Zoonitoons App is Live!For those of you who have an iPad, <i>good news</i>!<br />
We have finished our Zoonitoons app and it's FREE!<br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/zoonitoons/id853660311?mt=8" target="_blank">Click this link to preview </a>(even if you don't have an iPad this link will give you an idea),<br />
or search "Zoonitoons" in the <i>Entertainment</i> section of iTunes.<br />
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Yes we hope to release it on other platforms like android, but we are starting with Apple. One step at a time. This is the result of six months working with two programmers, my brother Tom and his friend Paul Sagor who is an app veteran. Please support our venture, as this is where I will be releasing my NEW Zooniverse comic which I am feverishly working on.<br />
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My comics are formatted to the iPad screen because I'm not impressed with the whole pinching to enlarge a full comic page. I find zooming in and out disruptive to the immersion of reading a story. I've also noticed that readers tend to leave the page full size and don't zoom in, scanning the pages without taking time to enjoy the art. It seems like a waste of artwork to me, so I've prepared everything to fit the screen. I've done this more with the upcoming issue which is called "Kick Off".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTqcyhyphenhyphenlkbKF1Ja7raZn3aiyi7H5ydPEfEW5ITVuQPpMYwa-ruxBYFuyTw0OnMlu30zvV8Gmo6llFbwEQycBurpnk2zGayIHV_nnDDeWiBCpl3PQ3QIZBKmM0JqH6TJV5noj3Hy1ymD3e/s1600/ZniPad001_Cover_Surgery_sml_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTqcyhyphenhyphenlkbKF1Ja7raZn3aiyi7H5ydPEfEW5ITVuQPpMYwa-ruxBYFuyTw0OnMlu30zvV8Gmo6llFbwEQycBurpnk2zGayIHV_nnDDeWiBCpl3PQ3QIZBKmM0JqH6TJV5noj3Hy1ymD3e/s1600/ZniPad001_Cover_Surgery_sml_01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superficial Surgery is the free comic we are offering through our Zoonitoons app.</td></tr>
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I will continue to release printed comics, but the app makes the work much more immediate and accessible to the whole world. Postage out of Australia is expensive and slow, printing in color is costly and printers are a bit of a hassle, so this is a preferred alternative.<br />
I hope that you enjoy it. <br />
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<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-81689121185993597752013-05-28T23:31:00.001-07:002013-05-28T23:44:12.181-07:00Second Edition Printing!<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent">Finally, 50 copies of the Second Edition Zooniverse Mini Comic #1 and #2 are in my hands! </span><br />
<span class="userContent">If you would like your own copy, details are here:</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.zoonitoons.com/hub/comics">http://www.zoonitoons.com/hub/comics</a><br /> </span><br />
<span class="userContent">Those of you with First Editions are now <b>collectors,</b> only 50 copies are ever printed for each edition (because that's all we can afford to do right now). <b> </b></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><b>So congratulations and thank you for supporting my work!</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box O' Zoons! Edition #2 hot off the press.</td></tr>
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One of the most important edits was to fix Snok's gag line. The number '6' was left out of his dialog in the first printing. When I originally created my font I didn't have numbers but decided to block out the text anyway. After the font was completed I went back over the comic adding the numbers but I missed this page and ruined the gag!! If you have a First Edition copy and there <i>is</i> a '6' that's because <i>I've added it by hand</i>, but I often forgot to do it, so sorry about that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKN1-cxpJMIFt-IZ2Sa5ul2-Gojz2gLYfChh6xbsCRfS5lyV56ZDYufWlhyCkP3hlhgTkm3S9X03b1lXbtSBRuDQ1tex2-Nrbzq3V06tyh2T9bRn89xqDoEi1hRNGQRt79kR8aU3u1xIO/s1600/Snez_Edit_150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKN1-cxpJMIFt-IZ2Sa5ul2-Gojz2gLYfChh6xbsCRfS5lyV56ZDYufWlhyCkP3hlhgTkm3S9X03b1lXbtSBRuDQ1tex2-Nrbzq3V06tyh2T9bRn89xqDoEi1hRNGQRt79kR8aU3u1xIO/s400/Snez_Edit_150dpi.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fix on Snok' line.</td></tr>
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There is also the addition of a new page in issue #2 which was intended to be my animation submission to this month's Loop De Loop's theme: "Black and White", however I was unable to complete the animation in three weeks. It focuses on the Temptors who try to distract the Notator from finishing his sacred comic. So ironically life imitates art. The Temptors made it into print at least, but animating them would have been a nice tie-in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QFETsKe__psGW6yaw5JubjaNQb7VxVGbDlBT5nfvFt0WrZ23tozpKheDvmIWaeaFZKbByFLk7_zK5VugNkIw4BtSnlHFaGOHP4kBav_Wm8gw6WlCIxplnUTUiDkngEdaiA5E8DBQMcXA/s1600/RIMG0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QFETsKe__psGW6yaw5JubjaNQb7VxVGbDlBT5nfvFt0WrZ23tozpKheDvmIWaeaFZKbByFLk7_zK5VugNkIw4BtSnlHFaGOHP4kBav_Wm8gw6WlCIxplnUTUiDkngEdaiA5E8DBQMcXA/s400/RIMG0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new page on the left in the 2nd Edition. There are 30 years between the art on the two pages.</td></tr>
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I wanted to be as faithful as possible to my original designs of the Temptors and the Notator, I was 20 years old when I did the art as a one-off with no story concept or even names for the characters. Three decades later, I found myself over simplifying their shapes which were complex and hard to imagine from different angles. So I spent a few days sculpting their heads, the results helped me understand how the shadows fell across their unusual shapes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFp89OlZvx_pAazXddlUx_F9hTLECZUc-Qqs4shw5nTBxXztTU6WKuz-PoJIb9SiVyeR9mcHVJj3r3q_zAFUb-QiiDVQOSk2JL92vxgwHIgo_Urm3csB2OHqx0B2s9nIcpSSRxcoEMlotl/s1600/RIMG0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFp89OlZvx_pAazXddlUx_F9hTLECZUc-Qqs4shw5nTBxXztTU6WKuz-PoJIb9SiVyeR9mcHVJj3r3q_zAFUb-QiiDVQOSk2JL92vxgwHIgo_Urm3csB2OHqx0B2s9nIcpSSRxcoEMlotl/s400/RIMG0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpts of the Temptor and Notator.</td></tr>
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I then made a series of study sketches, practicing drawing them and prepared turn-arounds for the animation. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKU9hTPSwi0wymL02gmmeBt8TpVBcBCEfOxN_Ve2B2Ok8K47F2sC4aE2V1nEZIKM8UnGdE9Wp_Y9VWcFOQB8BQrqdoG-DbenPks5Ahk04Op3NhLSgcuP-8Pq64kR9yhAFe_RXicnw0joX/s1600/Temptors_HeadTurns_150dpi_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKU9hTPSwi0wymL02gmmeBt8TpVBcBCEfOxN_Ve2B2Ok8K47F2sC4aE2V1nEZIKM8UnGdE9Wp_Y9VWcFOQB8BQrqdoG-DbenPks5Ahk04Op3NhLSgcuP-8Pq64kR9yhAFe_RXicnw0joX/s400/Temptors_HeadTurns_150dpi_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temptor turn-arounds with shadow studies.</td></tr>
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Once I realized that I wasn't going to make the Loop De Loop deadline I spent the last weekend coloring the scene up, it looks sumptuous now, I'm really happy with it! I intend to animate the sequence and all of the assets are part of a new Zooniverse comic that I am currently working on for Brandon Graham's new venture. You will see the colored version in good time, but not yet.<br />
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Meanwhile I am more than halfway through Zoonimini #3 which begins the reprint of the original Zooniverse series. I intend to release issue #3 and #4 together. So please know that if I ever go quiet from social media it's because I'm busy, so don't despair I always resurface with new material!!<br />
<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-38083760826607616772013-04-14T21:01:00.003-07:002013-04-14T21:59:39.729-07:00Zoonimini's for SALE!I've been working on the next wave of Zooniverse comics, but before we get into that....<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can buy Zooniverse comics directly from me!</span></span><br />
See details here <a href="http://www.zoonitoons.com/hub/comics">http://www.zoonitoons.com/hub/comics</a><br />
or email me through my company <a href="mailto:info@zoonitoons.com">info@zoonitoons.com</a><br />
<br />
Internationally the cost for both issues is $20.50 US Dollars which includes postage in a padded bag. (within Australia the cost is $15). There are 30 issues left and I will sign and draw a tiny original zoon on every one. I also will Art Bless (TM) each copy with my creative fingerpalps as I pack it lovingly into it's bed of transportation bubbles.<br />
<br />
If you just want a single issue the international price is $14.20 US Dollars ($8.50 within Australia).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyASTI4fqpAymS_GYdGP5VXkZq4Orlt2hrChKfzgwxJaMigf5xNdO5ow82eEVPyoHC9985qqNxQa6iIDdKX6lmHl0kMDdG96mQh22aLnLgTZZrB5sk70emfyO2gV5P9yD3G-uQ93d6k50/s1600/Zoonimini_Cover001and2_RGB_150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyASTI4fqpAymS_GYdGP5VXkZq4Orlt2hrChKfzgwxJaMigf5xNdO5ow82eEVPyoHC9985qqNxQa6iIDdKX6lmHl0kMDdG96mQh22aLnLgTZZrB5sk70emfyO2gV5P9yD3G-uQ93d6k50/s400/Zoonimini_Cover001and2_RGB_150dpi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can own these!!</td></tr>
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Now if you wish, for an extra $12 USD ($10 within Australia), I will also include an Original Zoon Sketch for you to own and care for!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlr3u56TFlk_s0S0y5PaOMTZPcJoEe7VP8OeahR9YMpr85gkAJfudvarVqCyoAOuqbBB5tbT92JtJzr_HBcvawiS0_AGkV-tvAzWZFwjRvDnv1zvpSk8VV5H-Fu6TpEjH21PLbwBg4Izf/s1600/Commission_ForJim_2013Jan01_150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlr3u56TFlk_s0S0y5PaOMTZPcJoEe7VP8OeahR9YMpr85gkAJfudvarVqCyoAOuqbBB5tbT92JtJzr_HBcvawiS0_AGkV-tvAzWZFwjRvDnv1zvpSk8VV5H-Fu6TpEjH21PLbwBg4Izf/s320/Commission_ForJim_2013Jan01_150dpi.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Original Zoon Sketch </td></tr>
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HOW IT WORKS:<br />
Email me at <a href="mailto:info@zoonitoons.com">info@zoonitoons.com</a> and let me know what you wish to purchase and I will reply with a Paypal Payment Request. Once I receive the payment I will send out your package. Simple.<br />
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I should also add that my publications won't be available in stores, only through my company, and that they are limited print runs, so this is the only way to purchase them. Your money goes straight into the production of the next issue, and is greatly appreciated!<br />
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<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-89384352373760443562012-11-11T15:39:00.002-08:002021-08-19T12:49:50.758-07:00The journey begins!<p> [Edit 2021 - The shockwave file is available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17919760" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon]</p><p>I've just finished a new Zooniverse animation based on the theme of "future".
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[WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD]<br />
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</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzbEcFq3ynUo61u77U9TcRvo9OGx-M8R2kJH6ERyBmRA8frGTrdQla4hVcrztLmPR64bCyqjxKFQzePQNw0wf_pGoIIYPjAEzQBUNUHNQv-zn8G7D5MBFoBZZN0AgOAVi1bca-LdAEqu2/s1600/Zn010_Future_Tubba_Sc01_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzbEcFq3ynUo61u77U9TcRvo9OGx-M8R2kJH6ERyBmRA8frGTrdQla4hVcrztLmPR64bCyqjxKFQzePQNw0wf_pGoIIYPjAEzQBUNUHNQv-zn8G7D5MBFoBZZN0AgOAVi1bca-LdAEqu2/s400/Zn010_Future_Tubba_Sc01_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tubba taking a bio-break. Still from the animation</td></tr>
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This sequence was taken from page 11 of the Zooniverse movie script that I wrote back in 2005. A few years earlier, Helen Maier and I would have weekly meetings on the Fox studio lot in Los Angeles, with long time friend Richard Raynis who Produces on the Simpsons animation. His office used to be Shirley Temple's bedroom in the little house built for her amongst the giant sound stages. It is now the Simpson offices where the writers meet each season to hash out episodes. Richard, Helen and myself would throw around ideas and brainstorm for the Zooniverse movie, I would bring storyboards that we would discuss and rework. However once Helen and I became full time on Tutenstein our meetings were permanently interrupted. Sometime after I was laid off I began work on the script on my own so that I could maintain a clear vision, keeping Richard and Helen's guidance and suggestions in mind of course. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEBl7BZI5JChUiYnHXu4kUJaROD4FyZs83h5OzSFS_FGeXOEPtpi-h2XvCX6CkCurgZsdreZD2GlwiGO2bEH6ft4pTC8K-8Z3TsJUridjCV_FzCpMtoSqN0kDlGUBOl2cEMVDGWnzH6rl/s1600/Script_Zoonimini3_Mockup_Sml_03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEBl7BZI5JChUiYnHXu4kUJaROD4FyZs83h5OzSFS_FGeXOEPtpi-h2XvCX6CkCurgZsdreZD2GlwiGO2bEH6ft4pTC8K-8Z3TsJUridjCV_FzCpMtoSqN0kDlGUBOl2cEMVDGWnzH6rl/s400/Script_Zoonimini3_Mockup_Sml_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zooniverse script from 2005, and the Zoonimini #3 mock up from 2012</td></tr>
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One sequence that Richard wasn't too keen on was the one I've just completed for my latest loop. He felt the <i>'2001: a space odyssey'</i> theme was overplayed and cliched. As much as I agreed with him I was disappointed to throw out a whole sequence that appealed to my sense of humor and one that I had so lovingly storyboarded back in the year 2000. I'm happy to have finally completed it, simply for my personal amusement if nothing else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil__-vscdkyABiMNb8hHmQ_BcRJlPFe3P17Qik2D-k-4uCf-VHvYG26thuVtcRxCu3AZRDSteOj4aiTFz3tuPIhISIXIUNFr6GpzJkdEtCx4sOh3WVF4VCABgEXhrErMkSeVybqydq2QbB/s1600/ZnMv_001_Sc_Toilet_Composite_Sml_03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil__-vscdkyABiMNb8hHmQ_BcRJlPFe3P17Qik2D-k-4uCf-VHvYG26thuVtcRxCu3AZRDSteOj4aiTFz3tuPIhISIXIUNFr6GpzJkdEtCx4sOh3WVF4VCABgEXhrErMkSeVybqydq2QbB/s640/ZnMv_001_Sc_Toilet_Composite_Sml_03.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panels from the Zooniverse movie storyboards drawn in 2000</td></tr>
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The three Surveyor characters were designed back in 1999. The Zooniverse movie was to be fully CG and I began models for all of the main characters, I also sculpted a CG version of the Surveyor's spaceship, which I've dusted off and have been rendering shots and then hand tracing over them in Flash.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJJqc2SQ-1AIWC2j88J4-MekhyPhPXVlTeDUlXkVBmZkj8nDE0LrAY-V3doSyXirDSU18tM3yLL7mYuNG62czixCE0grz4-xMTzerdwyidNDBI-qu26q8Gpl1LYZZX7OXfbeBqzA08hDl/s1600/Zn010_Original_Tubba_Sketch_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJJqc2SQ-1AIWC2j88J4-MekhyPhPXVlTeDUlXkVBmZkj8nDE0LrAY-V3doSyXirDSU18tM3yLL7mYuNG62czixCE0grz4-xMTzerdwyidNDBI-qu26q8Gpl1LYZZX7OXfbeBqzA08hDl/s400/Zn010_Original_Tubba_Sketch_Sml_01.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original sketch of Tubba from 1999</td></tr>
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Last Saturday (10th of November) I mocked up the third issue of the Zooniverse mini comic this is a huge breakthrough for me, I haven't been able to focus on roughing out a comic for years, let alone settle on a Zooniverse story to begin new work. I had too many places to start from, I did a coin toss which ended up at the movie script. Then I gave three choices to fans on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ZooniverseComic" target="_blank">Facebook Zooniverse Comic</a> page, the decision was unanimous, t<span class="userContent">hey chose<b>:- </b></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><b>Option 2:</b> <i>"How the Kren Patrol met up (which is based off the movie script)"</i>. <span class="userContent"></span> </span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
So there you have it, Zoonimini #3 will be the movie story, and one sequence from the script (yes I kept the 2001: Space Odyssey sequence) is now my latest Loop De Loop animation for the "future" theme. The new Zooniverse comic has begun... with a bum. Somehow it seems appropriate, like I'm mooning Hollywood or something.<br />
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Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-83589561829855779152012-10-23T03:06:00.003-07:002012-10-23T03:41:49.223-07:00Zooniverse Minicomic #2 <b>It is official!</b> <b>Helen Maier and I now own a <i>publishing house! </i> </b><br />
We took the plunge through our new Australian company <a href="http://www.zoonitoons.com/hub" target="_blank"><i>Zoonitoons</i></a>, printing two comics:- Zooniverse mini #2 and a reprint of issue #1. Launching them at the Armageddon Comic Expo in Melbourne. Halfway through Saturday we recovered our printing costs.<br />
<i>We are sincerely grateful to everyone who supported us by buying copies! </i><br />
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<b>Introducing Zooniverse minicomic #2 . . . a little bit of Australian comic history</b><br />
This issue collects some my pre-Zooniverse comics published in Melbourne around 1983-84 and nine illustrations I did for the UK at the same time. All of the artwork in this issue was rescued last June after 15 years
mouldering in a Queensland garage. Back in our possession we were
shocked to discover the poor condition of what remains. Luckily we found a few old bromide copies and although most of the out-of-print mint copies I had of Australian comics containing my work were nicked a decade ago
by our
light-fingered ex-employees, a couple of
original comic magazines survived. It was important to get this work scanned and printed
before the originals deteriorated further, becoming unusable. <i><br /></i><br />
<i>Please keep in mind that all the line art was done before computers, using brushes and metal nibs dipped in ink bottles!</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtsKtsBkxcYiDgbtUV7M_CIlaXxk98zLCqLiPQRCWjqmSLBeJTgRHyA6Ipdx4eFBhyBk3qqBk7kW6yFjp6Aca3Y6OdzrbUF34EnCVvjQG39cUrR5SEbO03Sq89G-SuXQOZ_VlcL9HkVd1/s1600/Zoonimini_Cover002_RGB_150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtsKtsBkxcYiDgbtUV7M_CIlaXxk98zLCqLiPQRCWjqmSLBeJTgRHyA6Ipdx4eFBhyBk3qqBk7kW6yFjp6Aca3Y6OdzrbUF34EnCVvjQG39cUrR5SEbO03Sq89G-SuXQOZ_VlcL9HkVd1/s400/Zoonimini_Cover002_RGB_150dpi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cover of Zooniverse mini comic #2 Available at www.zoonitoons.com</td></tr>
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The cover for Zoonimini #2 is a huge coup to finally have this art printed after waiting almost three decades. It was originally done<i>, </i> when I was 21 years old, as a wrap-around cover for <i>Inkspots issue #5</i> back in 1984 (the year Helen and I met).<i> </i>Unfortunately the comic magazine was abandoned by it's publisher and the original art was either lost or stolen. All that was left to work with was a single twenty eight year old bromide. I was <i>so happy</i> to finally scan it and digitally colored it! Seeing as we were getting posters printed we have an A3 version that will be available for purchase on the Zoonitoons' website. The poster includes the 3 zoons that were cropped out so that the Kren Patrol could be featured on the above cover.<br />
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Here is how the Inkspots cover looked back in 1984...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeCSyCM5jh5jRLOnmCdmmIbXNGkOViRjNmtU9VIhyphenhyphen93uo0WirC1uN8yG800mVKQijsOEYrqVDEbADvAskBS35YZek0HCaV4MUQ5q1NPibBOQQiMC2XcwWM-MhTKoC2qTwXPufSUOGwvYc/s1600/Inkspots5_FrontCover_Zooniverse_BW_150dpi_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeCSyCM5jh5jRLOnmCdmmIbXNGkOViRjNmtU9VIhyphenhyphen93uo0WirC1uN8yG800mVKQijsOEYrqVDEbADvAskBS35YZek0HCaV4MUQ5q1NPibBOQQiMC2XcwWM-MhTKoC2qTwXPufSUOGwvYc/s320/Inkspots5_FrontCover_Zooniverse_BW_150dpi_01.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unprinted wrap-around cover for Inkspots #5 </td></tr>
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The stories inside Zoonimini #2 include "<i>Sproat Fanbunder & Spleen Sphincter:</i> <i>the infamous repairmen</i>" which was originally printed as a two parter in Reverie comic magazine issues #6 in 1983 and #7 in 1984 (I did the second installment while working on the original Zooniverse series). Below is the front page for the story, the original art was never returned from the printer, so I assume that puts it in the stolen category.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPaMA2aiwbydwM35lWQmuLyR-m5S7iiPJe4AqB7QGjtQkbB_HqA3g93e0dTKjkVInjOWN_zY2QIq-OiisnULo1l4Ef9lrr8QjcoObxE_6LtHPE7myBAsFABNhZzKxh9bMJNPLVPjo8B9A/s1600/Zm002_Repairmen_Cover00_150dpi_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPaMA2aiwbydwM35lWQmuLyR-m5S7iiPJe4AqB7QGjtQkbB_HqA3g93e0dTKjkVInjOWN_zY2QIq-OiisnULo1l4Ef9lrr8QjcoObxE_6LtHPE7myBAsFABNhZzKxh9bMJNPLVPjo8B9A/s400/Zm002_Repairmen_Cover00_150dpi_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front page for the "<i>The infamous repairmen</i>" in Zooniverse mini comic #2 </td></tr>
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Below is the cover for issue #7 as it was printed in 1984. I had to do the colors by hand separation, which meant a separate piece of art for each CMYK color, it was tricky to guess the right combination of values to make a subtle color. I no longer have this original art or my mint copies of Reverie, so I relied on the help of fellow veteran cartoonist <a href="http://www.ianthomasgraphics.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Ian Thomas</a> to send me a scan of the cover which I repaired as shown above. Without Ian's gracious help this art would have been lost forever.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TnJmJxMIflF4PHTW0T7q6gnB7bj-r0K_0dJkte8_eX2xZoMxG2J-fTvNwBk6OToTGut4x13DdekEOKd6nUE079FfCsAqSjO6U9ALBtlGwYKTRWE-GhmCduglKEFZPo0XHEitWtHFaGHl/s1600/ReverieCover07_Sml_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TnJmJxMIflF4PHTW0T7q6gnB7bj-r0K_0dJkte8_eX2xZoMxG2J-fTvNwBk6OToTGut4x13DdekEOKd6nUE079FfCsAqSjO6U9ALBtlGwYKTRWE-GhmCduglKEFZPo0XHEitWtHFaGHl/s320/ReverieCover07_Sml_01.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Reverie #7 cover featuring "<i>The infamous repairmen</i>" from 1984</td></tr>
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The story for <i>the infamous repairmen </i>on the surface seems to be a flippant and shameless plug I did back then for the upcoming Zooniverse comic, but it is actually deeply personal allegory for my childhood. With Spleen representing my father, Sproat my mother, Snok as me and the Clone-a-gram as my art (Zooniverse). My two younger brothers don't make an appearance but they were essentially treated the same as me, so Snok could easily represent them too. I'll leave you to figure out the rest should you get your hands on this story. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bKnGu4UzxluPu7ZuyZUrErMO0nFaDSnKVUtMjffdEdR54WeDObFAN0bcvoiCAOotZNxQ3KcvgoT8iNVCCSF8-6o8l9ok5Li83HzxxDV81hTOLNGPvlp-g2VXuzvGzfi6LsJjg5elWhrK/s1600/Clone_A_Gram_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bKnGu4UzxluPu7ZuyZUrErMO0nFaDSnKVUtMjffdEdR54WeDObFAN0bcvoiCAOotZNxQ3KcvgoT8iNVCCSF8-6o8l9ok5Li83HzxxDV81hTOLNGPvlp-g2VXuzvGzfi6LsJjg5elWhrK/s320/Clone_A_Gram_01.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first appearance of a Clone-a-gram from "<i>The infamous repairmen</i>" 1983</td></tr>
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The second story in Zoonimini #2 is "<i>Sacred Stripture</i>". For this one I set myself a ludicrous challenge. I wanted to combine old illustrations with my recent "<a href="http://www.loopdeloop.org/2012/09/fil-barlow-history/" target="_blank">History</a>" animation so that the story looped between the comic and the animation. The animation shows the Sacred Text scrolling in the background <i>and the comic is the Sacred Text!</i> I had to turn the old illustrations from 1983 into a Holy Stripture, within less than a week due to the printing schedule!<br />
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Below is the introductory page. I had trouble incorporating it into the story until woke up one morning realizing that the artist portrayed in the image <i>is</i> the <i>Notator:-</i> <i>the zoon who wrote the Stripture!</i> I've always loved this image which at the time summed up my personal feelings about being an artist. It was a bold experiment before I found my "Zooniverse" style. I was choosing a direction here, the pig drawing was an old comfortable look that I'd used for my earlier "<i>TimeTree</i>" comic. The spooks were an entirely new style of mine that has never been published and the "Notator" character was halfway between my previous <a href="http://zooniversecomic.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/from-ashes-of-inkspots.html" target="_blank">Asphyxiation</a> work and the emerging Zooniverse technique. Again, the original art was never returned from the printer, and presumed stolen, so I scanned and restored the image from the printed cover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp0tQEQuE6jnRihvaJhoReWs6pWTPF8pwL6SPDzLs-JS7mlcPXFAIAB15npk1bqPJ4XTuIJXmusGIuBTjVwQ2GCI8qZXnBQG0IU2L0wyhkXjipY0K-qroJEbdyMMZL1zhRZzdgZX0Y5Ud/s1600/Zm002_Issue02_Tour_Comic01_150dpi_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp0tQEQuE6jnRihvaJhoReWs6pWTPF8pwL6SPDzLs-JS7mlcPXFAIAB15npk1bqPJ4XTuIJXmusGIuBTjVwQ2GCI8qZXnBQG0IU2L0wyhkXjipY0K-qroJEbdyMMZL1zhRZzdgZX0Y5Ud/s400/Zm002_Issue02_Tour_Comic01_150dpi_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front page for the "<i>Sacred Stripture</i>" in Zooniverse mini comic #2</td></tr>
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The image above was originally published in 1984 as the cover for Fox Comics issue #4 shown below, I'm pretty sure that I did the art in 1983. Obviously I've flipped it for story flow, but I've always liked that the original cover made little sense until the back cover revealed the artist character... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS0L7h9veWsz87-QEUvUGNE_M-TKZKzM2iE0FatRH5WunN67ODsKe2pFJRafRirlffelKTNmBArff30U-wDycwe4NayUdvFatscAh5yPMtWt9WnEAI6HcoL4zVSedlS_CmMqlybLYM4_3/s1600/fox4_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS0L7h9veWsz87-QEUvUGNE_M-TKZKzM2iE0FatRH5WunN67ODsKe2pFJRafRirlffelKTNmBArff30U-wDycwe4NayUdvFatscAh5yPMtWt9WnEAI6HcoL4zVSedlS_CmMqlybLYM4_3/s320/fox4_cover.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original wrap-around cover for Fox comics issue #4 </td></tr>
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"<i>Sacred Stripture</i>" includes new art that I took from the "<i>History</i>" animated loop, I also made new panels with assets created in Flash (below left). The Rector and his innocent Supplelicant are recent artwork, the rest (below right) was originally done in 1983 when I was twenty years old for two publications in England. These random images were pre-Zooniverse and gave me a chance to experiment with inking styles while creating strange environments over which the publisher pasted badly photocopied code for the Spectrum (an early home computer that was released in the UK).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6InAsLYeivrbeVc73ArkYrj3kP9AxOx8JFPgyAio59J3e_7Xbz1pxOOEIv5mZAPQq6MqRoMJRZCeTGGGC7L5Hbxax6WGtcJzCCizHdbftjmdSrQ8yA8qZEeKIsOv2NBJ2KQBzvgC0EhwL/s1600/Zm002_Issue02_Tour_Comic04_150dpi_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6InAsLYeivrbeVc73ArkYrj3kP9AxOx8JFPgyAio59J3e_7Xbz1pxOOEIv5mZAPQq6MqRoMJRZCeTGGGC7L5Hbxax6WGtcJzCCizHdbftjmdSrQ8yA8qZEeKIsOv2NBJ2KQBzvgC0EhwL/s400/Zm002_Issue02_Tour_Comic04_150dpi_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new art combined in "<i>Sacred Stripture</i>" the second Zoonimini story.</td></tr>
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Below is the second book of "<i>Astounding Arcade Games</i>" which was published exclusively in England in 1984. I had finished the art a year before for issue #1 and the publisher reused my art without my permission for the second book, this time cutting images up to make it look like new work. The cover below is a mash up of two pieces of art, and no I didn't color it. I once possessed a mint copy of the first book but it's long gone now so I can't verify it's exact name.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yQs5LSeVkBIVi7JyH6RyVNi11FHaiCgQLDs_VTVBUSIZvx6PuArGzmMoBzcg7JwkkbP-3pbAO3cz5Ck980o9vdwPCwiBuSyzcb3QRZU6foYmUQHZht-zH22hSzk_e4gUIRxk7zJfDvNN/s1600/Arcade_1983_Cover_150dp_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yQs5LSeVkBIVi7JyH6RyVNi11FHaiCgQLDs_VTVBUSIZvx6PuArGzmMoBzcg7JwkkbP-3pbAO3cz5Ck980o9vdwPCwiBuSyzcb3QRZU6foYmUQHZht-zH22hSzk_e4gUIRxk7zJfDvNN/s320/Arcade_1983_Cover_150dp_v01.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover for <i>Astounding Arcade games for your Spectrum</i> issue #2 printed in the UK</td></tr>
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I now have the original illustrations in my care and used most of them for the Sacred Stripture. I scanned them shuffling them around until some semblance of a theme came into view. I now have a Zooniverse based Holy Scripture to form religions and philosophies off with Zoons misinterpreting and misquoting the texts. This is going to be fun!Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-75792322348034894672012-09-29T18:13:00.003-07:002021-08-19T12:46:26.061-07:00The beginning of the Talsark Wars<p>[Edit 2021 - The Shockwave file is available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17919031" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon] <br /></p><p>For those of you familiar with the original Zooniverse series, the Talsark Wars may ring a bell. I always intended to reveal what the wars were about, but never had the chance.<br />Now in my latest animation I can at least introduce how it all began.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AtX-641-MxYqrohcSbluaSwtzmgWj8AWNX9ubt3eiv-tvU86sS-oW4VgLj8uQOVb-f1Vmj21iq4c08ehM-MGA0N7qQ883B7pwTaQaP56vf05_d03mlqqQ7n-u6Ylr7bxo_4mvGVnESN5/s1600/Zm002_Talsark_Preist_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AtX-641-MxYqrohcSbluaSwtzmgWj8AWNX9ubt3eiv-tvU86sS-oW4VgLj8uQOVb-f1Vmj21iq4c08ehM-MGA0N7qQ883B7pwTaQaP56vf05_d03mlqqQ7n-u6Ylr7bxo_4mvGVnESN5/s400/Zm002_Talsark_Preist_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Talsark Temple priest educates a tender young Supplelicant. A still from the animation </td></tr>
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The Talsark Wars are an old idea so I'm glad to finally have it in existence. Basically I wanted to invent a ridiculously stupid reason for starting a war and decided to make it over a pencil. The more established and historically rich Inner Rimworlds and the crassly resource rich Outer Rimworlds were basically itching to fight each other over something and the apparent theft of a pencil was all that was needed to set it off. In truth Poader Glister just put it absent mindedly in his pocket. As you do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr3ZR4uruF3JvTgZrLdMqCLZdlXMWTfDV0y131seH1Afgbl033jUjX3yvDRSVhcmY__l_nTsXh32J2S8hgpG_nZQF3enIaszG8Z8ty-VtUGrF75l3mVGrxpEti_LIA7RdO-FA0Vu2xeFj/s1600/PoderGlister_150dpi_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr3ZR4uruF3JvTgZrLdMqCLZdlXMWTfDV0y131seH1Afgbl033jUjX3yvDRSVhcmY__l_nTsXh32J2S8hgpG_nZQF3enIaszG8Z8ty-VtUGrF75l3mVGrxpEti_LIA7RdO-FA0Vu2xeFj/s400/PoderGlister_150dpi_01.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poader Glister, from my sketch book for the movie version of Zooniverse I was working on in LA</td></tr>
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Poader Glister is an aging pop star from the Outer Rmworlds, he was doing a quick flit of the Inner Rimworlds tourist attractions, mainly for publicity. He just happen to inadvertently start a war. Poader represents all that the Inner Rimworld inhabitants hate about the Outies, he's tacky, rich and cultureless. I had a lot of fun creating him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD0ccwCygQ0Bx7FfEK49c_MTe7z3QJw2bov7XupZ8MarjEKTPgTSMyGoyPP6mCzfCl-tB9F2DAqjsWSV33JJX4uMZx3az6M6U-nXkAHTa3Crr9ht4pDlANHKyQflE4oKkYCiJw9Fkzb19/s1600/Zn009_TalsarkPriests_Sketch_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD0ccwCygQ0Bx7FfEK49c_MTe7z3QJw2bov7XupZ8MarjEKTPgTSMyGoyPP6mCzfCl-tB9F2DAqjsWSV33JJX4uMZx3az6M6U-nXkAHTa3Crr9ht4pDlANHKyQflE4oKkYCiJw9Fkzb19/s320/Zn009_TalsarkPriests_Sketch_Sml_01.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough sketch for the animation</td></tr>
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Helen and I are currently in the last two weeks of a Government sanctioned Business Course (NEIS). It has been grueling to say the least, it's eating so badly into our creative work time that I barely got this month's loop done. However I was able to knock out some character designs in class, yes I can draw and listen!<br />
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<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-53582700923599331752012-09-06T06:24:00.001-07:002021-08-19T12:45:00.681-07:00Spak's back story<p>[Edit 2021 - The shockwave file is available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17917417" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> at my Patreon] <br /></p><p>The Loop De Loop animation challenge for this month was "Mad", so I had to do something on Spak! <a href="http://www.loopdeloop.org/tag/fil-barlow/" target="_blank"> </a><br />
[SPOILERS AHEAD...]<br />
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Due to commitments coloring Rex Vectar, another comic of mine, for Clubhouse Comics and the Australian government making me run around for a week so that bureaucratic boxes could be checked, I ended up with only four days to produce this entire loop, including writing the script and editing the audio with Helen Maier's wonderful musical score. Somehow I got it done and two days later it was screened at the Loop Bar. I was overjoyed! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRZC9r3gzDbW5AKPjuq1RexvV1MnCh-opLxlD-4IUrwjAlu3L6okGlxviHxWx8cgl5Tl9ZLhcuUY1fd-Tf4ZFLrWHNdhTavQs3MPjQQUSZScVtXa4wIF1QcMJP4ppPyMAzKF70DU81kzH/s1600/Zn008_Love_Sml_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRZC9r3gzDbW5AKPjuq1RexvV1MnCh-opLxlD-4IUrwjAlu3L6okGlxviHxWx8cgl5Tl9ZLhcuUY1fd-Tf4ZFLrWHNdhTavQs3MPjQQUSZScVtXa4wIF1QcMJP4ppPyMAzKF70DU81kzH/s400/Zn008_Love_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spak in happier times. Still from the animation.</td></tr>
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This animation deals with a some of Spak's back story: <i>how his lover died 2100 years ago</i>.<br />
In the early stages of the War Between the Sexes, the four races of the Motherhood Empire escaped their domineering
male counterparts to live peacefully on their fem-constructed
worldship, they called Girlaxia. Being a single sex meant that clonebirthing was the Foremothers only means of
reproduction, but biologically many femzoons
needed male companionship and sexplay, so they created the Plastoid
race, a genetically obedient population of synthetic malezoons. Using their own DNA the Foremothers batched male duplicates of themselves in living plastic, the game was to find their copy. Girlaxia was so enormous that it dwarfed giant gas planets so often the copies never met, some found each other and formed deep friendships, but quite a few bonded.<br />
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Althra was clonedbirthed into flesh from her own ancient genes when Spak
was over 900 years old. (Plastoids are non-biodegradable by the way). The two copies found each other and fell in deeply in love.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh960ZR37hGhxM5hFQzJSn7-HWmzPIg0GIHCLU2kPqGwDxXP9KHolKS7RHTrAp6WUUYJNyghhHjqhHKu1btOb6QEfOTEJtm6RNI9EJuf2HiDXh36hw0SzrcA2MtZ2k82vA8KvOW3UX9jDfk/s1600/Zn008_Battle_Sml_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh960ZR37hGhxM5hFQzJSn7-HWmzPIg0GIHCLU2kPqGwDxXP9KHolKS7RHTrAp6WUUYJNyghhHjqhHKu1btOb6QEfOTEJtm6RNI9EJuf2HiDXh36hw0SzrcA2MtZ2k82vA8KvOW3UX9jDfk/s400/Zn008_Battle_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moment of horror. A still from the animation.</td></tr>
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Spak and Althra were both Scy-Borraine warriors, fighting side by side during the height of the War Between the Sexes. When Girlaxia fell they were still holding back hordes of fleshmales on the planet Asu-Assala. Plastoids don't eat or sleep, Althra simply couldn't keep up. Overwhelmed she was skewered and paraded around until Spak could reach and protect her shredded corpse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxCJEugfwHasKWVLYPFa2YGUK7BkkhtYlKlFQYQoo-3nY_9Msd_hglxMSa7E69amM8LPdlPuWIFM5tHA2pq_62VgHZ_R1RiLI0fnMKUDpb5X1pGPkz_8QtqlPQWSr1CswfWuGCHwC__t6/s1600/Issue3_Page21_Panel02_OriginalColor_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxCJEugfwHasKWVLYPFa2YGUK7BkkhtYlKlFQYQoo-3nY_9Msd_hglxMSa7E69amM8LPdlPuWIFM5tHA2pq_62VgHZ_R1RiLI0fnMKUDpb5X1pGPkz_8QtqlPQWSr1CswfWuGCHwC__t6/s200/Issue3_Page21_Panel02_OriginalColor_v01.jpg" width="185" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkH1PhtvgJJPdHlHsJzePNRUUqi3Bf-Q7A204ig0PYJdW5VgNsnNKiDqH6IGewlHkrVJEkQDexOyGP-m-FXshh9dUUdQWYYkp0MrK1ZmqJJSPza50ptTT_li8435cf3SG4WANO3wbWdj3/s1600/Issue3_Page21_SpakStory_Panel02_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkH1PhtvgJJPdHlHsJzePNRUUqi3Bf-Q7A204ig0PYJdW5VgNsnNKiDqH6IGewlHkrVJEkQDexOyGP-m-FXshh9dUUdQWYYkp0MrK1ZmqJJSPza50ptTT_li8435cf3SG4WANO3wbWdj3/s200/Issue3_Page21_SpakStory_Panel02_v01.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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Above is the original panel from issue #3 of the Zooniverse series from 1986 (Entox is in the foreground by the way). I traced a lot of this comic art for the animation, trying to keep it as acurate as possible. The image on the left is the original painted art that I've scanned and not adjusted in any way, yes the paints have survived for twenty six years. The image on the right I scanned from the comic so that you could see how it printed. For the animation I took my color cues from the printed version. The deeper red suggested a bloodbath without me having to stoop to showing gore. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zvidc962xBbizEz2_MfhcFnSGwzztS5nQb-jEYdRce2PU9eo2taxXJrOTu_kt5vDRXExkVbMccVWn3zXhtxgitmdGGUa3xtgz3gby_oS2BvHUglYuXRT_bu8_IymTV186MUd2_QVxWSm/s1600/Zn008_Anger_Sml_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zvidc962xBbizEz2_MfhcFnSGwzztS5nQb-jEYdRce2PU9eo2taxXJrOTu_kt5vDRXExkVbMccVWn3zXhtxgitmdGGUa3xtgz3gby_oS2BvHUglYuXRT_bu8_IymTV186MUd2_QVxWSm/s400/Zn008_Anger_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spak seethes. A still from the animation.</td></tr>
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I love the above image, the moment when Spak cracks!<br />
I made a last minute decision to include the image below in the animation. Meeting the deadline, meant that I had to work all night. The image was traced from my 1991 roughs for page 30 of the unpublished book Age Old Enemies. I'm glad that it has finally seen the light of day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spak takes his revenge. A still from the animation.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79I_4oG_9cY3-XRysQOxnRiKWD_T0Qad1pu7z4Wnz80BY9NeI4zIFVgJqBPMN7l7BiDn61URjB_f8cI0iKBoY9xNsyxD4CNi2NkmNnB_wMw-PbBM61qYkxGyLvotJlYLInSnhs-v5XaCk/s1600/Issue3_Page21_Panel04_OriginalColor_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79I_4oG_9cY3-XRysQOxnRiKWD_T0Qad1pu7z4Wnz80BY9NeI4zIFVgJqBPMN7l7BiDn61URjB_f8cI0iKBoY9xNsyxD4CNi2NkmNnB_wMw-PbBM61qYkxGyLvotJlYLInSnhs-v5XaCk/s400/Issue3_Page21_Panel04_OriginalColor_v01.jpg" width="205" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLidImgnFsr3Gw5XlQLIrOi4r1CICEr8QxJnT0PvLrNMFr9N857QVC11uOdjN9mynJynBDTa0_Ndt43mv2kVryGBqyvyiKLNftB1UD15LKuKLC81_cXj-wJWwUpmsrRx-leSiiCqjMvUGx/s1600/Issue3_Page21_SpakStory_Panel04_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLidImgnFsr3Gw5XlQLIrOi4r1CICEr8QxJnT0PvLrNMFr9N857QVC11uOdjN9mynJynBDTa0_Ndt43mv2kVryGBqyvyiKLNftB1UD15LKuKLC81_cXj-wJWwUpmsrRx-leSiiCqjMvUGx/s400/Issue3_Page21_SpakStory_Panel04_v01.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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Above is another panel from issue #3 of the original Zooniverse series. It shows Spak during his banishment on Asu-Assala by the Plastoid Society who decide to hide until the Foremothers return. Spak is worshiped as the Dead God Krantrak by the locals, who Spak ritually kills.... it's an even longer story. Again the original paints on the left, the printed version on the right.Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-50697377010362508772012-08-21T18:15:00.001-07:002021-08-19T12:43:19.217-07:00The Birth of the Zooniverse<p>[Edit 2021 - The shockwave file is available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17946143" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon] <br /></p><p>Last month's Loop De Loop animation challenge theme was "elements" which gave me the opportunity to animate the birth of the Zooniverse.
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</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_5GsaqguVY27TYy6B2bmRkwWCTt0ble80Yi-ghiMDGYyJQCR_RSWrALj-JsXyXmmQOerjXXTIjKTLDK3_TmbSguDfnGtSTu1YpKrIY93hqG2rlLZF7rwibBcdgj5rFtjqmUj9vaqqfk3/s1600/Zn007_Elements_Fil_ArmsOut_Sml_07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_5GsaqguVY27TYy6B2bmRkwWCTt0ble80Yi-ghiMDGYyJQCR_RSWrALj-JsXyXmmQOerjXXTIjKTLDK3_TmbSguDfnGtSTu1YpKrIY93hqG2rlLZF7rwibBcdgj5rFtjqmUj9vaqqfk3/s400/Zn007_Elements_Fil_ArmsOut_Sml_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scientist who becomes the Zooniverse. Still from the animation.</td></tr>
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The animations were traced from comic panels from Lifeworks. For more background on the origin story go to this <a href="http://zooniversecomic.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/lifeworks-book-twelve.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a>. Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-14388712792328618742012-07-12T03:34:00.000-07:002012-11-11T16:53:19.376-08:00Zooniverse Minicomic #1Zooniverse is back in print!! Here is the cover which is artwork I did back in 1986 while still working on the original series. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm63RQWQr-fteE8lMyUrw5nZyiB1wjJbAflxtXQG1lWdblo0r_ZrSiknkV83wJaql7ob_BeOUbQaWNrTcm7zoT2dcYiehf9b9390TNoW2sW771_Tyn2SGnr405NqRMglg-c9T_PRHqF4iw/s1600/A5_Issue001_Cover_Front_150dpi_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm63RQWQr-fteE8lMyUrw5nZyiB1wjJbAflxtXQG1lWdblo0r_ZrSiknkV83wJaql7ob_BeOUbQaWNrTcm7zoT2dcYiehf9b9390TNoW2sW771_Tyn2SGnr405NqRMglg-c9T_PRHqF4iw/s400/A5_Issue001_Cover_Front_150dpi_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover of Zoonimini issue #1 artwork from 1986</td></tr>
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The Zoonimini's are intended to pave the way towards the 200 page collected
album of the Zooniverse series! They will elaborate on concepts I was unable to cover in the series. This first issue reveals the Animoid Rimworlds in relative position
to the Hub for example. <br />
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Also included is the comic story "Zoons at the Ozcon" which was included in the program given away at the 1997 Australian Comic Convention held in Sydney. "Zoons at the Ozcon" is a very biting commentary on the activities of earlier OzCons that I had attended. Not much has changed so it seemed more than fortuitous to relaunch this comic, fifteen years later, at the first OzCon to be held in Melbourne. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-s8uJqmGHTTACldqrJgwUhWVX8LUsHtz1ml4yUdn12H0H1Jpy13LKgXh7tqO7XWKCeUlmRZkDMX9gxQ9T4uNmnxZXToJnRdO1DLEryIJ3dTL_Kh0526vvLf3zW2LugrSx8ttktcKRnbo/s1600/A5_Issue001_Page16_OzCon01_150dpi_RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-s8uJqmGHTTACldqrJgwUhWVX8LUsHtz1ml4yUdn12H0H1Jpy13LKgXh7tqO7XWKCeUlmRZkDMX9gxQ9T4uNmnxZXToJnRdO1DLEryIJ3dTL_Kh0526vvLf3zW2LugrSx8ttktcKRnbo/s400/A5_Issue001_Page16_OzCon01_150dpi_RGB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoons attend an Australian Comic Convention in 1997</td></tr>
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Included in this story is a timeline summarizing most of the animated shows that I've been Lead Character Designer on. The left page below was from the original comic, but I've created a new page that updates the timeline to include shows after Extreme Ghostbusters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87Mxll7w1F_ktlo-LkZ0gR-GkeghO4qvmJzPOpX8ZP14oDnttI13M3jk7ODEUkr6soCEEwxNiZ_-YakkfE-ed3rqn1J7STolA_XaXsdx4rhlfnfnpB1n9W_Tg0mwfBRFOMWLelk_A4nTL/s1600/AllProjects_ZoonsOzCon_150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87Mxll7w1F_ktlo-LkZ0gR-GkeghO4qvmJzPOpX8ZP14oDnttI13M3jk7ODEUkr6soCEEwxNiZ_-YakkfE-ed3rqn1J7STolA_XaXsdx4rhlfnfnpB1n9W_Tg0mwfBRFOMWLelk_A4nTL/s640/AllProjects_ZoonsOzCon_150dpi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sampling of animated TV shows that I've been Lead Character Designer on. From 1986 to2008</td></tr>
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Our intention with this first issue was to introduce a new readers to my work both in comics and animation. With subsequent issues of Zoonimini's we hope to put all Zoon related material into print most of which was never seen beyond the shores of Australia.Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-17206602976939833342012-07-02T07:25:00.002-07:002021-08-19T12:41:30.147-07:00Missy Mossy<p>[Edit 2021 - The shockwave file is available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17919423" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon] <br /></p><p>I've just completed a new animation for Loop De Loop.<br />
I recommend that you watch the animation before continuing reading this post....<br />
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</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVr3BX4UW6Pu5grHXPe6RU2XS22u3MQBxCW7YE-ra0JFmyF2ASkAqeU8i69Y258lPjzaX2e-_OXRF7p9di4bvko7h06GBvWLfnfvF2WGc6rNr_F6YCEBAkFRZctZquTbBcqQ6ihnF0U7T/s1600/Zn006_Kloob_Bath_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVr3BX4UW6Pu5grHXPe6RU2XS22u3MQBxCW7YE-ra0JFmyF2ASkAqeU8i69Y258lPjzaX2e-_OXRF7p9di4bvko7h06GBvWLfnfvF2WGc6rNr_F6YCEBAkFRZctZquTbBcqQ6ihnF0U7T/s400/Zn006_Kloob_Bath_Sml_01.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A still from the Animation for Loop De Loop for the theme "Play".</td></tr>
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If you've had a look and my animation, here is some background info....<br />
The Voidhauler Captain first appeared in his bath of Kloob Fluid in issue two of the original Zooniverse series. His job is to lug uninhabited planetorbs across the void for attachment to the Animoid Rimworlds. It's boring work as most of the flight is done on auto pilot, so the driver has to find ways to occupy his time. This Captain plays with puppets while inebriating himself by sucking on Kloob Fluid fermented by his own perspiration. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQyKg9O1ZEF6wJFFp19Mfd7yWyvNrD7evpmffpSFFGT0XOxSi0F9Kl59j_Pvdn4gh9aSUAdVimpNnj6MGgbmko3HjtgSNH6rSB447ZPVnf8bUoRkpTIXX7nzDryvn0l2Hq-rnBuBN3V1Y/s1600/Issue2_Page13_Voidhauler_Sml_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQyKg9O1ZEF6wJFFp19Mfd7yWyvNrD7evpmffpSFFGT0XOxSi0F9Kl59j_Pvdn4gh9aSUAdVimpNnj6MGgbmko3HjtgSNH6rSB447ZPVnf8bUoRkpTIXX7nzDryvn0l2Hq-rnBuBN3V1Y/s400/Issue2_Page13_Voidhauler_Sml_v01.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Voidhauler driver from issue #2 of the Zooniverse series.</td></tr>
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In 1990 I composed a Missy Mossy poem and dearly wanted to see it in comic form.<br />
Now, twenty two years later I have gone one step better by animating it.<br />
Here is the poem as I originally wrote it...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6PEJdQO6DoDcJS4ugsYUozeWyBXi5uwSee_cItBFW7lPHmrkdGTpCwi1jYm3Msm15uXyaIvhMTWaUDKKpdOXkC6x5S-jBzpwB7O8YSeTHhA35Gf6jzdkp7aU_SYLoapLg3KporrIWbpU/s1600/MissyMossy_Poem_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6PEJdQO6DoDcJS4ugsYUozeWyBXi5uwSee_cItBFW7lPHmrkdGTpCwi1jYm3Msm15uXyaIvhMTWaUDKKpdOXkC6x5S-jBzpwB7O8YSeTHhA35Gf6jzdkp7aU_SYLoapLg3KporrIWbpU/s400/MissyMossy_Poem_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Missy Mossy poem as I wrote it when I was 27 years old.</td></tr>
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So what is Kloob fluid made from? Kloobs of course! A race of sentient plantoids. Their berries are pressed into a juice that is sold through illegal markets. I've been working on a story where the Kren Patrol infiltrate the trade on killing Kloobs for their tasty and highly addictive juice.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1wY5_uuhvqLg4SJLuREHwx0X8nFWt89e40RTOeotoH3NAx3u7Yro6sWlLoyVKjz92rY3iA32rqLd8cxmHCqmJt3ogzWK1QYR_gWQUHEWtUMkofVshUt8O0rUcTfl5CpHA1HS9K1nTS4n/s1600/Zn00_Kloob_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1wY5_uuhvqLg4SJLuREHwx0X8nFWt89e40RTOeotoH3NAx3u7Yro6sWlLoyVKjz92rY3iA32rqLd8cxmHCqmJt3ogzWK1QYR_gWQUHEWtUMkofVshUt8O0rUcTfl5CpHA1HS9K1nTS4n/s320/Zn00_Kloob_01.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Kloob, poachers are pushing their population towards extinction.</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1741667487"></span><span id="goog_1741667488"></span>Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-61658264719013674542012-06-10T08:51:00.001-07:002021-08-19T12:39:51.910-07:00Preparation for war<p>[Edit 2021 - The shockwave file is available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-19365692" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> at my Patreon] <br /></p><p>The latest animation has been posted on <a href="http://www.loopdeloop.org/tag/fil-barlow/" target="_blank">Loop De Loop</a> for the theme "one".<br />
For this loop I've returned to the Spirit Realm focusing on the behind the scenes preparations for the Talsark Wars. Soulbeings wishing to experience combat are congregating around the Gatherers. Two opposing sides have been created for the conflict, the older and more historic planets of the Inner Rimworlds verses the younger and wealthier Outer Rimworld planets. The twin Gatherers are ancient beings who rally souls for incarnation, they are neutral and care little for the outcome of the conflict ahead. The Gatherers only concern is to attract participants to the correct side before incarnation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw_eaVKcwzG9UkHtQhnXV1YhS0XpOyc_zvB9YekkuhrhnmeeQe1vPCCXIuVw1fax22cwOlhH4UXKBqN1SYCeMvXveEHhKOzVrpLH7EWYU3U7i2b5AuowgxKnKjrMojH6x9tYSFGkE-VBo/s1600/Zn005_Gatherers_Rimwolds_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw_eaVKcwzG9UkHtQhnXV1YhS0XpOyc_zvB9YekkuhrhnmeeQe1vPCCXIuVw1fax22cwOlhH4UXKBqN1SYCeMvXveEHhKOzVrpLH7EWYU3U7i2b5AuowgxKnKjrMojH6x9tYSFGkE-VBo/s400/Zn005_Gatherers_Rimwolds_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Outer Rimworld Gatherer calls for Incarnates. Reworked from the animation assets. </td></tr>
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Tensions and ill-content have been building up for the last few hundred years between the Inner and Outer Rimworld who are now about to erupt into multiplanetary conflict. These coarse emotions have been carefully fostered by the poisonous whirlpool of hatred fed by the Warweavers who mindlessly do the bidding of "The Empty". The Warweavers are transformers stepping down the will of The Empty knitting it into the fabric of the Zooniverse' Spirit Realm. These unintelligible beings originated from beyond the Zooniverse. Their whirlpool draws unwary soulbeings into their influence. These soulbeings incarnate bringing the poison to the Physical Realm, often lusting for power and fostering greed they become liars and misguiders seeking positions that hold the greatest influence over the masses. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfdkXwm3fiOM3hschD4iK-9CNBCdXqPSRLL_GeOg62_YoKqHdQ8gYRD2eIbn29MNIc_OaRKvbLDuli4BtlleMQi3D3EuGIbIxtENiDEaSQy_0h6-pIZtORqGP4o1DQmC3F33iW297Dy4Q/s1600/Zn005_WarWeavers_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfdkXwm3fiOM3hschD4iK-9CNBCdXqPSRLL_GeOg62_YoKqHdQ8gYRD2eIbn29MNIc_OaRKvbLDuli4BtlleMQi3D3EuGIbIxtENiDEaSQy_0h6-pIZtORqGP4o1DQmC3F33iW297Dy4Q/s400/Zn005_WarWeavers_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The War Weavers do the bidding of "The Empty". Reworked from the animation assets.</td></tr>
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War is nothing new to the Zooniverse, and many Soulbeings have killed and murdered for their various causes in past incarnations. These beings have become burdened with painful Karmabunkles and Lymphets
which are molluscs native to the Spirit Realm that feed off negativity adhering to the
bodyform of beings who have acted destructively towards other Zoons during incarnation. The burden of these feeding molluscs add up over life experiences to the point that multitudes of souls are weighed down, unable to move without pain.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7vlsBWO689ycrhTS7EZZgWsd9THtHvXhvI_pIYVctu1w-krbRGEKHTj6HpAX2lIlm0vq3820IPnd4kQl9RRYKgVdD2SmconPCKdMA3WlmIFby5upXqpX_NKhTGbMHsd6UGUvJqsrcRep/s1600/Karmabunkles_Color_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7vlsBWO689ycrhTS7EZZgWsd9THtHvXhvI_pIYVctu1w-krbRGEKHTj6HpAX2lIlm0vq3820IPnd4kQl9RRYKgVdD2SmconPCKdMA3WlmIFby5upXqpX_NKhTGbMHsd6UGUvJqsrcRep/s400/Karmabunkles_Color_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch of a Spiritbeing inflicted with Karmabunkles and Lymphets.</td></tr>
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To remove their invertebrate burdens these souls need to balance each selfish destructive and hateful act with ones of sacrifice and love, which the molluscs dislike and detach. One way is to offer themselves as innocent victims in the upcoming wars, where the deed they did to another Zoon will be done to them. The Gatherer of Victims is the where they congregate to prepare for their life of sacrifice. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN4_589XsFrOyYgiIdqAgPYgkwyjvvYXQzlGXXs_DfTIDAiXchv-TgJkNGPkFq8ajTLOb4qeqWb_I4VEPUuhisj-RyxltVGyUdYoYUBgoHS27VbeokK3Vp-OvsxmltHyqzvdJADXs1VTZ/s1600/Zn005_One_04_Gatherer_Victims_Sml_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN4_589XsFrOyYgiIdqAgPYgkwyjvvYXQzlGXXs_DfTIDAiXchv-TgJkNGPkFq8ajTLOb4qeqWb_I4VEPUuhisj-RyxltVGyUdYoYUBgoHS27VbeokK3Vp-OvsxmltHyqzvdJADXs1VTZ/s400/Zn005_One_04_Gatherer_Victims_Sml_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gatherer of Victims. Reworked still from the 'One' animation.</td></tr>
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The Mother Gatherer is not shown, but souls wishing to dedicate their incarnation to help build up the populations for all the participants in the wars will join her call. This path is viewed as one of the higher devotional sacrifices. <br />
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Observing the whole parade of souls choosing their roles for the conflict are Lokki and Alia. They are already incarnated at this point, but while their bodies sleep, they return to their true form to assess what is to come. Lokki is concerned that such a vast spectacle can be halted by his own actions. He is the only Zoon who is destined to stop the war.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjRZLVAUGE_Fz2fFuhXtOHFh-B7iike_21giA8-rkChsP3RftWapQmLz-o_ReCUVVYECZ1gKhhOsxSioxCKX7HR9NKcCvR2WAwEAMJf2mc-rCm03oJhLmQnihEeT2U0Al68iXtbO2OFlQ/s1600/Zn005_One_04_LokkiSpiritform_Sml_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjRZLVAUGE_Fz2fFuhXtOHFh-B7iike_21giA8-rkChsP3RftWapQmLz-o_ReCUVVYECZ1gKhhOsxSioxCKX7HR9NKcCvR2WAwEAMJf2mc-rCm03oJhLmQnihEeT2U0Al68iXtbO2OFlQ/s400/Zn005_One_04_LokkiSpiritform_Sml_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lokki and Alia ponder the future. Still from the 'One' animation.</td></tr>
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These well respected souls have yet to meet in the Physical Realm, but
they will fall in love as they have done before, marry and join the
Pacifist Army as the Kren Patrol.<br />
<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-56444645976419156062012-05-05T21:59:00.001-07:002021-08-19T12:38:04.631-07:00Pirateers<p>[Edit 2021 - Shockwave file available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17950052" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon] <br /></p><p>It is illegal to scour mine living planets in the Zooniverse, but that doesn't stop Pirateers from hiding in dust clouds picking off newborn orbs spat out by the Birthbone in the Nursery Region. Sifting through rock for precious minerals and metals, the Pirateers work in clans often made up of mercenaries. The most popular clans have the best medical benefits, the largest clan also offers dental coverage. The fact that most Pirateers are terrified of Dentists doesn't seem to be a deterrent, they just seem to like the concept of a dental plan even though none of them take advantage of the offer. It turns out that clanzoon Dentists are more bloodthirsty than the meanest Pirateer. <br />
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</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb7Ocg37fQjWgjBd2056TWTODRMAG4FnKSBPCJc_-sRZ8YOxSCa7SHtVPlyE3w2UkqO2Ug96nv-6pNtpsNEpKt1XIW5YX1Icv6_pjrh5NN_0RyrpD2uHuSM487b3hFGb4ukdy6qmPci8e/s1600/Zn004_Birthbone_Pirateer_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb7Ocg37fQjWgjBd2056TWTODRMAG4FnKSBPCJc_-sRZ8YOxSCa7SHtVPlyE3w2UkqO2Ug96nv-6pNtpsNEpKt1XIW5YX1Icv6_pjrh5NN_0RyrpD2uHuSM487b3hFGb4ukdy6qmPci8e/s400/Zn004_Birthbone_Pirateer_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A still taken from the Zooniverse animation on LoopDeLoop's Rock theme 2012</td></tr>
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Below is the original sketch for the Pirateer from the animation he is loosely based off a Studio Head that I once had the misfortune to work for. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwFWTuDeMmNSXDXnN20OSKo-dl0YF6L7ivXoJCHXjlIQ2R-LZ_JygoPh62bv_ZhDJX4aSlOFZEf2S2cy4dGMItNc_jwAvoXPYtCssjdabT1SjS9ELv-28RGz9HDZFTS2d6ag24h5q-ZP4/s1600/Zn004_Ch_MinerPirate_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwFWTuDeMmNSXDXnN20OSKo-dl0YF6L7ivXoJCHXjlIQ2R-LZ_JygoPh62bv_ZhDJX4aSlOFZEf2S2cy4dGMItNc_jwAvoXPYtCssjdabT1SjS9ELv-28RGz9HDZFTS2d6ag24h5q-ZP4/s320/Zn004_Ch_MinerPirate_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original design of the Pirateer.</td></tr>
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Another still from the Rock animation at LoopDeLoop. Showing a scour miner in action. It was quite a big moment to see this image moving after having it in my files for so long. These giant ships, almost the size of a planetoid, are so vast that entire clans can live inside them. These factory vehicles often carry armies of craftzoons who produce dazzlingly beautiful artifacts from the raw ores. A steady flow of shipments are freighted from the Scouring vessels to the black markets and illegal auction houses. Any unusable rock dust is vented into the void, further cloaking their operation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ww1lwj7bIi1F_w6pT3OIjbEeNrlGrCk5-RlxB-F0ccl__ZyHyVjehuI0jOyGNG2_PyLqQMV17HESZkxYg592Og6yvttul2gGr0agYkko5Qd3fVkfaGLKVFZDcAfC-UoFTWN8c9eA4kkF/s1600/Zn004_Birthbone_Scouring_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ww1lwj7bIi1F_w6pT3OIjbEeNrlGrCk5-RlxB-F0ccl__ZyHyVjehuI0jOyGNG2_PyLqQMV17HESZkxYg592Og6yvttul2gGr0agYkko5Qd3fVkfaGLKVFZDcAfC-UoFTWN8c9eA4kkF/s400/Zn004_Birthbone_Scouring_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The original images below were printed in issue #4 of my self published Zoonimedia Magazine in 1995, the magazine was renamed Artopia Quarterly for issue #5. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcUnc6r3E-lovLromXm3l_GO9P37HJ5b3X7FObXTDrKoUdWgsALEXi9IF9ds93QkCBj_f8u1OeY2rQ_EyZ2kYGsmwlW5HyuIccWWFKddiKkg6SyMNLkQ08hSUCnYDz_OkLb7DT_cMm8Pn/s1600/Pirateers_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcUnc6r3E-lovLromXm3l_GO9P37HJ5b3X7FObXTDrKoUdWgsALEXi9IF9ds93QkCBj_f8u1OeY2rQ_EyZ2kYGsmwlW5HyuIccWWFKddiKkg6SyMNLkQ08hSUCnYDz_OkLb7DT_cMm8Pn/s320/Pirateers_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original art created in 1991, but published in 1995 in Zoonimedia Magazine.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtrbQREiA_MVKaRMVT7227_DiwyFmhN92CPfU8pHfOikcA5Cz2dWyIFlIBCoTNqEiGCS36Lu7ywnbxS0VatGHKJBV26keqJ5L58kN3rtM8emf14FYKFly-Q0pJoBGg7XKp8pHJAXUQ3gc/s1600/Zn004_Rock_Voidhauler_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-65989390785995201112012-04-28T19:36:00.005-07:002021-08-19T12:32:07.351-07:00The Birthbone<p>[Edit 2021 - shockwave file now available <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17950052" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon] </p><p>The Birthbone is a tree like structure that runs the length of the Zooniverse and is the source of all planets and suns which grow like boils on it's surface as eggs. After hatching the protective membrane shell breaks off, or absorbed, and the infant planet bursts into life, or the proto-sun ignites for the first time. The Birthbone concept is a very old idea that I've always wanted to explain in more detail, my latest animation on LoopDeLoop serves as a basic introduction to it's workings. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDv2y57DF1klsEIEUl5R2-eZhqgWisrXYPOE-a9TrPuBrwzsbi4fOzfJ5sbnco4JAWMO1WVcJHZRw-v2tcxdn3gj3mEfvlwsnrPhVsz64VLQCFyqmnxR8Scsc3qa4yv3_Bo-q39RqEP3y/s1600/Zn004_Birthbone_Intro_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDv2y57DF1klsEIEUl5R2-eZhqgWisrXYPOE-a9TrPuBrwzsbi4fOzfJ5sbnco4JAWMO1WVcJHZRw-v2tcxdn3gj3mEfvlwsnrPhVsz64VLQCFyqmnxR8Scsc3qa4yv3_Bo-q39RqEP3y/s400/Zn004_Birthbone_Intro_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthbone. A still from the animated short 2012.</td></tr>
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The first reference to the Birthbone in print was in issue six of the mini-series. I've reworked this panel to give you a taste of how I want to recolor the original series digitally and republish it as a collected book. No publishers are interested yet. <cite class="user"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03232033868858286348" rel="nofollow"></a></cite><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfVP5VGXylzmQKZ-YfOvsFS6jPvQyoUcH5x22NlewwxrOPCCGhF2nLgi8bmROwckZ6eoRMR2dsCFAm2Vay6ttVmocp0CCdHNRK7ThCzzDP-yNx6YAFtj3m6M9acKrUiWo0WlmbvpNVZ9L/s1600/Issue6_Page24_Panel01_Sml_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfVP5VGXylzmQKZ-YfOvsFS6jPvQyoUcH5x22NlewwxrOPCCGhF2nLgi8bmROwckZ6eoRMR2dsCFAm2Vay6ttVmocp0CCdHNRK7ThCzzDP-yNx6YAFtj3m6M9acKrUiWo0WlmbvpNVZ9L/s400/Issue6_Page24_Panel01_Sml_v01.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panel from the Zooniverse comic series 1987</td></tr>
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In the above panel you can clearly see baby planets forming on the surface of the Birthbone. The panel below was from the first page of the follow up book Age Old Enemies, that was unpublished. Here you can see a boil being formed on the lower right branch. I'm still coloring this page, but I'll show you what I have so far. French publisher Guy Delcourt was in possession of the original line art which I left with him in good faith as I hoped he would be publishing the book. Unfortunately I only have a photocopy to work from. I'm assuming the original art has been long discarded.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYr2LtPNWSPopxZ9t0THw-MR7s92ljG7oHGr9GU6F7231XJs8EBn24jCIpZvYxvbr6x2afEtjWmPXovANXhnJ0BVsv5gOwWqWnXb03wMmV4eMZOL4gBYrO5JRnc7SQmjtF2Lq6Sgc1qj8/s1600/AgeOldEnemies_Page01_Panel01_v01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYr2LtPNWSPopxZ9t0THw-MR7s92ljG7oHGr9GU6F7231XJs8EBn24jCIpZvYxvbr6x2afEtjWmPXovANXhnJ0BVsv5gOwWqWnXb03wMmV4eMZOL4gBYrO5JRnc7SQmjtF2Lq6Sgc1qj8/s400/AgeOldEnemies_Page01_Panel01_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unpublished panel from Age Old Enemies 1991</td></tr>
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<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-55187246027372867272012-03-25T23:23:00.001-07:002021-08-19T12:29:22.522-07:00Liquid InformationMere hours ago I completed the third Zooniverse animation. [Edit 2021 - Moved <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-19366650" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> to Patreon]. It explains a little more about Liquid Information, the way that data is transferred in the Zooniverse. I've incorporated images that I've had banging around in my folders for a while now that were prepared for Age old Enemies. It's really gratifying not only to see them in color but also to see them move.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNOY137kAKse71oo_hvxIhEzJRFd74RmpXuE8gsENCTnfzTaIGl3ofQdhI6QsshxVUziEHnZWqnBosklhSsaGINkmLs_97t__oHqUSo55gPDzX9UK2jYBFPJH5UgXw_ItrFD1mJ-qOuKe/s1600/Zn003_LiquidInfo_HallsOfRecord_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNOY137kAKse71oo_hvxIhEzJRFd74RmpXuE8gsENCTnfzTaIGl3ofQdhI6QsshxVUziEHnZWqnBosklhSsaGINkmLs_97t__oHqUSo55gPDzX9UK2jYBFPJH5UgXw_ItrFD1mJ-qOuKe/s400/Zn003_LiquidInfo_HallsOfRecord_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coasting along a tranquil sea of data at the Halls Of Record. Still from the animated short.</td></tr>
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Here is the original art I worked from, I followed it as closely as possible. This page was one of a few that revisited the Halls Of Record, the artificial planet that was made by the mono-sex race of women called the Shadan. One of the original four mother races who created the Plastoids, synthetic male counterparts which include Spak and Entox from the Kren patrol. Three thousand years years later the Shadan have renounced the mere concept that they ever needed male counterparts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjlLGKRLvQhJ71EeR52KWmPFrGPUgvg_wIzgmzoJLQhS0-Qp6aKoQP-mSb8xcqKqAB0l5hRoOpr1whwgJtUPMzR1reKz0qKV8fUeCZUSnAsklTGhAldvO7wGFv4Knw3dUdByFxrDEEhZp/s1600/Zn003_HOR_Gondola_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjlLGKRLvQhJ71EeR52KWmPFrGPUgvg_wIzgmzoJLQhS0-Qp6aKoQP-mSb8xcqKqAB0l5hRoOpr1whwgJtUPMzR1reKz0qKV8fUeCZUSnAsklTGhAldvO7wGFv4Knw3dUdByFxrDEEhZp/s400/Zn003_HOR_Gondola_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original unpublished art from Age Old Enemies. Ink, brush and nib.</td></tr>
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<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-89382783859561687992012-02-26T16:49:00.005-08:002021-08-19T12:21:59.056-07:00Spak animated!<p>[Edit 2021 - Posted <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17918581" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my Patreon because Loop De Loop removed their old content] </p><p>See Spak animated!! This
month's theme was "Idiots" so he had plenty to say. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1gdIL-_-dq50xnyfAhYYcEZlRBgQfddBnAVe9GJPPNOdMPyFx8UNk3Pjz-DlHCXe5JpOOK_MOvcFpVS2JXlausFF62OeftwQZ5PelY8TJ4gk9tJVyb__Uo_9xmoJOl50j2MYfh3YIwF6/s1600/Zn002_Idiots_HD_08_Spak_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1gdIL-_-dq50xnyfAhYYcEZlRBgQfddBnAVe9GJPPNOdMPyFx8UNk3Pjz-DlHCXe5JpOOK_MOvcFpVS2JXlausFF62OeftwQZ5PelY8TJ4gk9tJVyb__Uo_9xmoJOl50j2MYfh3YIwF6/s400/Zn002_Idiots_HD_08_Spak_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spak introduces the Animoid Rimworlds in his own eloquent way.</td></tr>
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Helen Maier composed the music.<br />
I'll tell you more about this piece after the screening when the votes are counted.Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-80823437918900600482012-02-19T04:38:00.000-08:002012-04-29T11:18:40.395-07:00Zoons! Zoons! Zoons! : A Four Page ShortI originally did the four page comic "Zoons! Zoons! Zoons!" in 1995 as an experiment with short Zooniverse stories that was hoping to self publish. It was eventually printed in issue #10 through my Australian company's magazine, Artopia
Quarterly, in 2001.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9EQrTGdfbn_Q3aKbXoIcROf3gqzkz9ZRYG6mWogk604NCPxZVG1sAxtXruEjZj9cXQ8QSCtsqsdUvb0KMGoZlHbmR7qmHfDiObK-mhYB1kckWnzytDDo3WNkryifkFKJWlBUPJCso7QR/s1600/HD_Format_Zoons_Sml_v15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9EQrTGdfbn_Q3aKbXoIcROf3gqzkz9ZRYG6mWogk604NCPxZVG1sAxtXruEjZj9cXQ8QSCtsqsdUvb0KMGoZlHbmR7qmHfDiObK-mhYB1kckWnzytDDo3WNkryifkFKJWlBUPJCso7QR/s400/HD_Format_Zoons_Sml_v15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panel from "Zoons!" published in 2001</td></tr>
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It will be reprinted through Image comics on the 22nd of Feb appearing in the back of Prophet issue #22 which Brandon Graham has been working tirelessly to make a success. Brandon has been a great source of encouragement and support in my efforts to get back into comics. I wish him all the best with this title and his own creation King City.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadLGp75Cy_dNCAs_JcV4lqh-UgHFqtVOmsN1pH6OUkSBc9n2RDcGbsqdRUACR8nOwCQqwAUabnSI0aIFsQW3zqmBqnUVTwOcIjHHTdwC2dD63HqBZBqBwDb2VkPpFuJNJ47SIBZ85hZI5/s1600/Prophet+22+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadLGp75Cy_dNCAs_JcV4lqh-UgHFqtVOmsN1pH6OUkSBc9n2RDcGbsqdRUACR8nOwCQqwAUabnSI0aIFsQW3zqmBqnUVTwOcIjHHTdwC2dD63HqBZBqBwDb2VkPpFuJNJ47SIBZ85hZI5/s400/Prophet+22+cover.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cover from Prophet issue #22 by Simon Roy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-77568313907133673992012-02-16T19:20:00.000-08:002012-08-21T18:16:49.535-07:00Lifeworks: Book Twelve"Lifeworks" was intended to be the last of the twelve albums that I had planned. It was an origin story telling about how a scientist deconstructs his body into a cloud of living sub-matter and reforms it into the Zooniverse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4FeEenPbpIHrsXMZiDfkg995LI_tYO8nQTdSnyhjU5XuZkrXz7CpKLf8R7ZR64vajzvsvxmEGhnilHWgCY52wA3v9DNugZ4tDvoQMOWu165ImTVgrnPkCqofqOTHT0tWzKfAC5eqETzZ/s1600/Lifeworks_Cover_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4FeEenPbpIHrsXMZiDfkg995LI_tYO8nQTdSnyhjU5XuZkrXz7CpKLf8R7ZR64vajzvsvxmEGhnilHWgCY52wA3v9DNugZ4tDvoQMOWu165ImTVgrnPkCqofqOTHT0tWzKfAC5eqETzZ/s400/Lifeworks_Cover_Sml_v01.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This highly symbolic cover was printed with a summary for part 2 of Lifeworks in 1994. Colored here for the 1st time (Click to Enlarge).</td></tr>
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In 1993 fellow Australian cartoonist Gary Chaloner approached me to contribute to his publication Cyclone Comics Quarterly. I had been trying to get a publisher interested in "Lifeworks" a few years earlier, so I jumped at the chance to have a deadline to work towards. A total of twenty pages were published in issues #3 and #4 in black and white, unfortunately Cyclone ran out of funds and I never had a chance to complete the story.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VriuTnxc7iqYKAk7h0N-XAoUh0GRUvzkqE9LzxTiYxhlJuxa-lWtx5NlEw0TyKzAuu0C3aabD0SFQWMH_aFu2f_V6XHkz4nSsO-qifJ2HX0e6Q5vi9xk83BxaOaITUfxIBJ1XlR2sdpc/s1600/origizoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VriuTnxc7iqYKAk7h0N-XAoUh0GRUvzkqE9LzxTiYxhlJuxa-lWtx5NlEw0TyKzAuu0C3aabD0SFQWMH_aFu2f_V6XHkz4nSsO-qifJ2HX0e6Q5vi9xk83BxaOaITUfxIBJ1XlR2sdpc/s400/origizoon.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Originie, the first child of the Zooniverse. Painted with gouache on board in 1994</td></tr>
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Above is one of two covers that I prepared for Cyclone, unfortunately both were rejected, this image of the Originie has never been published. The Originie, the first Zoon, reappears in my first Zooniverse animation shown here on <a href="http://www.loopdeloop.org/tag/fil-barlow/" target="_blank">LoopDeLoop</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFOZSxr0JkEQSFfKskBvQZz5tJ7m36WiXbFA0yLMOMplQL_Ffbusn8JjP8UsKhHzGrJeMwACU74cdYgW60dqDGrauCbRx3qrq3WS4LG7Ws7HetYBLSydI1dLIRANuiErPld5FCRK6EUDK/s1600/originie_v05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFOZSxr0JkEQSFfKskBvQZz5tJ7m36WiXbFA0yLMOMplQL_Ffbusn8JjP8UsKhHzGrJeMwACU74cdYgW60dqDGrauCbRx3qrq3WS4LG7Ws7HetYBLSydI1dLIRANuiErPld5FCRK6EUDK/s400/originie_v05.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Story overview:</i><br />
Lifeworks was tricky conceptually and I would write it differently today. It was intended as an analogy for my own creative relationship to the Zooniverse concept. The scientist in the future who turns his body into the living Zooniverse shares my name, and has successfully created a microscopic test Zoon from his own matter, called the Originie. Young, energetic the Originie is kept safe in a sphere hung around this future Fil Barlow's neck. The Originie has the ability to form his own playground inside the sphere from the same pre-matter that he is made from. <br />
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Based on a dream I once had, an assembly of virtual characters appear to witness the actual birth of the physical Zooniverse. The scientist Fil pulls his soul out of his body, which is able to form a face on a soul sensitive screen behind him to prove that he is still living (see top cover), his body is encased in a protective, computerized ball and stripped down to a sub atomic pre-matter, the soul re-enters this new etheric cloud to form it into what ever it desires. <br />
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The Originie safely inside his sphere, which is now inside the larger ball, realizes that a big change has happened to his father and gets so upset that the Zooniverse, being sensitive to extreme emotions, has no choice except to release him. Disaster strikes as the Originie is blinded by the piercing light of the proto-Zooniverse, and he runs screaming, his panic calcifies the pre-mater around him creating the Birthbone. The Zooniverse puts the Originie to sleep to save itself. Millions of paraspan pass before the Originie reawakens, horrified to find that he is blind, ancient and trapped by the calcified roots of the Birthbone.<br />
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A being called The Observant was created by the dreaming Originie to be his eyes upon awakening, but so many millennia have passed that there is no life left to observe in this ancient end of the Zooniverse. The Observant is now so old he can barely serve the Originie, but sets out to find some sentient being who can shed some light on the current state of the Zooniverse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu8KYPeDbQt1puc3KT-PIi4uyTjxxKFQXD0nqRX9F2nmspP6fMs1MDtu-hs7Iisem_ZxdN_ocd6E5xtiU6Y3hxJKwDf9vHklodvpUZlRzAuUylevhjzU8Hj5SK5OjgFWv3kYnWKOWd-bM/s1600/LW_Page14_Strip_sml_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu8KYPeDbQt1puc3KT-PIi4uyTjxxKFQXD0nqRX9F2nmspP6fMs1MDtu-hs7Iisem_ZxdN_ocd6E5xtiU6Y3hxJKwDf9vHklodvpUZlRzAuUylevhjzU8Hj5SK5OjgFWv3kYnWKOWd-bM/s400/LW_Page14_Strip_sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeroy marooned from page 14 of Lifeworks published in 1994</td></tr>
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The Observant discovers Zeroy who has been marooned on an isolated planetoid. For the last eight paraspan Zeroy has been waiting for an event that opens up a wormhole allowing him to return to his own Nebulaxy. <br />
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... and here the published comic ends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCFU94Nt6IPy1x7foiNGFqcyrgCPVm596g-vZdskhXeN0RzHxTZXIKAV_kjOn1YhGW4BBu91izYJpMr_BZuDy4r519bo9MXoNdOzmamKOgfxck_Gs7RPV5cWJ6t59QhVv5mHvhFfNaIA3/s1600/LW_Page20_Strip_sml_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCFU94Nt6IPy1x7foiNGFqcyrgCPVm596g-vZdskhXeN0RzHxTZXIKAV_kjOn1YhGW4BBu91izYJpMr_BZuDy4r519bo9MXoNdOzmamKOgfxck_Gs7RPV5cWJ6t59QhVv5mHvhFfNaIA3/s400/LW_Page20_Strip_sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeroy bids farewell to the Kren Patrol this is the last time they are together and their last printed panel. Page 20 of Lifeworks published in 1994</td></tr>
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<br />Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-66909920037870626722012-02-03T01:27:00.001-08:002021-08-19T12:17:00.757-07:00Animated ZooniverseThat's right, Zooniverse is now animated. [Edit 2021- Moved to my <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/zooniverse-2012-17948684" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon</a> as loop De Loop removed their older content]
The monthly animation challenge was just right for me to begin the year with the new direction for Zooniverse. I hope you all like it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ_NVECgVOCxV0F5_DbkPL6tQ4csPVQWY1tjuGX_y2dhzuwJ76AW9uA3veBLT9vsiCiP15l0xI4srPyE0Xfwtx8rWtPTS4ksRrqtM9MZy00g6JN9bWmM0QpuRq1nGmTXGevWSpSawDKSe/s1600/TheDreaming_Sml_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ_NVECgVOCxV0F5_DbkPL6tQ4csPVQWY1tjuGX_y2dhzuwJ76AW9uA3veBLT9vsiCiP15l0xI4srPyE0Xfwtx8rWtPTS4ksRrqtM9MZy00g6JN9bWmM0QpuRq1nGmTXGevWSpSawDKSe/s400/TheDreaming_Sml_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Originator the ancient being who, along with the Zooniverse, has co-created all things and beings. (Click to enlarge)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The whole piece was completed in two weeks along with music by Helen Maier, and I am currently reworking the animation for an HD version. The screening at the "Loop" venue went very well and I am very grateful to the LoopDeLoop team for this wonderfully creative event.<br />
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Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-41414968367044597512011-09-06T07:23:00.000-07:002012-04-29T11:24:53.533-07:00Age Old Enemies: Book OneAfter completing the six issues of the Zooniverse comic I had planned to follow the three members of the Kren Patrol in a series of twelve albums. Upon leaving the planet Crastalla Spak, Lokki, and Entox, are besieged by Void Pirates who capture and sell them into slavery. The twelve albums follow their individual struggle back to freedom. <br />
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The first book I had planned was "Age Old Enemies", where Althra, a Shadanese agent from the Halls Of Record is sent to find out what happened to Zeroy and Larote's secret expedition. She goes to their last known whereabouts, the planet Crastalla, where she finds Larote Quoke, who has gone native and is leader/god of a village of Insectoids. Althra learns that Zeroy and the Kren Patrol went missing eight paraspan ago. Her journey leads her to Spak who she frees from sex enslavement and madness. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8RsSjUXRXLHFyPNfQpGRYJwUeiiENvCcSdJNNMqs1VztynJyp0CKC53nVChmLy5edP04vDGst2HnnqVWDKeGYBVMBfWyv6WWzrk9zI48aasRyMZc0L4nhfRPUrYc_xirpFp1uW84tFuP/s1600/AgeOldEnemies_Page08_Panel01_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8RsSjUXRXLHFyPNfQpGRYJwUeiiENvCcSdJNNMqs1VztynJyp0CKC53nVChmLy5edP04vDGst2HnnqVWDKeGYBVMBfWyv6WWzrk9zI48aasRyMZc0L4nhfRPUrYc_xirpFp1uW84tFuP/s400/AgeOldEnemies_Page08_Panel01_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Althra is nabbed by Arachnoids. This art was originally done in 1991 and colored recently.<br />
(Click to enlarge) </td></tr>
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<i>So here's what happened to the book....</i><br />
The timing seemed perfect, it was 1987 I had completed the first season as character designer on the animated ALF series and had met French publisher Guy Delcourt while in LA. He invited me to stay a few days with him in Paris during my return trip to Australia. In Paris, Guy discussed interest in my next Zooniverse book should he approve the story. So upon my return home I commenced work but was interrupted by the second season of Alf, and another trip around the world (this time with Helen), and back to Paris and Guy, I showed him some of the pages I had finished and left the first page in his care (doh! I guess I'll never see that art again). Back in Australia I completed inking up to the 16th page, and decided to send the finished pages off for review. Upon seeing the pages, Guy suggested that I show him roughs of the remaining 30 pages rather than allowing me to commit to finished art that he may not publish.<br />
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So I roughed the remaining pages at the same size as a French album. I sent them off to Guy. His response was that it was too hard to read, so he requested that I write a script.<br />
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I began scripting the entire 46 page book from beginning to end with my brother Thomas, who could type and use a computer, skills that I had yet to learn in 1991. Together we finished the tome, a process that took so many months that I probably could have completed drawing and inking the book within the same time. So in the end I held the script in my hand, but I had no passion for the project, all of my energy had been invested into what I considered to be a novel, the story was complete and I was creatively dry. I decided not to send it to Guy because I had no interest in illustrating the script.<br />
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I realized an important fact about my technique, I like to improvise and work by blending images and words, too much planning kills the spontaneity that I thrive on.<br />
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At this point it was early 1992, I was broke and disillusioned, there was a recession happening and I got a call to travel up North to Queensland to work in their film industry. To date, my work for "Age Old Enemies" remains unpublished and unseen, except for the panels on this blog.<br />
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<span id="goog_1603509801"></span><span id="goog_1603509802"></span>Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-57925657491268899912011-07-29T07:51:00.000-07:002012-04-29T11:27:26.537-07:00A special thanks to Colin ParaskevasZooniverse would never have existed without Colin Paraskevas and I'd like to take a moment to explain his involvement in the comic's development. When I met Colin I was a kid armed with bundles of folders each as thick as a phone-book, packed with character designs and concepts, at any opportunity I'd enthusiastically explain each world and it's inhabitants. Colin suggested that I pick one concept and focus on it, something that could house all of the other ideas. At the time Zooniverse was just one of a multitude of concepts that was buried in my sketch pile. It was about a man turning himself into a living universe, and that was it. Colin thought it was perfect! So I began a very vague series of story-lines about how the Zooniverse came into being. Influenced by Kenneth Smith's Phantasmagoria, I broke it into chapters for each wave of evolutionary lifeforms. From Mulouscoids, to Insectoids, then Lizardoids, eventually to Humanoids, describing how each reached sentience. What I showed Colin was more observational and distant than the rollicking adventure he was expecting.<br />
(Please click to enlarge any image).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXecKWlJsCvWYB77RREgtnmsgvs2VGqnVq9TwiFPB6h5WljCemlkbG_dMzCsttWZAy1IokzYgFelrcOY6bVVmFER63q9AM9NNSIC4WLTfWjEqYtkQyq6zh6dZoT3ZA5mCfA4zkYWfwBLGG/s1600/Crastalla_1981_Reformated_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXecKWlJsCvWYB77RREgtnmsgvs2VGqnVq9TwiFPB6h5WljCemlkbG_dMzCsttWZAy1IokzYgFelrcOY6bVVmFER63q9AM9NNSIC4WLTfWjEqYtkQyq6zh6dZoT3ZA5mCfA4zkYWfwBLGG/s400/Crastalla_1981_Reformated_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early concept page for Crastalla an Insectoid created at the age of 18 in 1981</td></tr>
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[Just a quick segue.....<br />
You may recognize the name Crastalla in the image above as the planet that the Kren Patrol escaped to at the end of the comic series. Well, a Shadanese agent called Althra searches for their whereabouts in a follow up unpublished story called "Age Old Enemies." As you can see many of the original ideas from the sketch above bore fruit ten years later in the panels below. The Hollowlands are where Larote Quoke, now the leader of a village of Insectoids who ride tame Blimpsnails, rescues Althra from a pack of Arachnoid troglodytes. Obviously this story would have been more to Colin's liking, but I did this version after his influence on me.]<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two panels from "Age Old Enemies" </td></tr>
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Colin took matters into his own hands, wanting to focus my attention, he randomly picked two characters out of the stack of thousands and said, "Okay make a story out of these two!" It was Lokki and Tulky. Two characters that I'd never thought to put together, but I was up for the challenge and began working on their comic. The comic never saw the light of day, but I've kept the story. Chronologically it happens after the Kren Patrol leave Crastalla and are kidnapped by pirates, ooh but you don't know about that yet! Ssshh. I would often redesign my characters, redrawing them out of a curiosity to see how they would look with my evolving abilities. Here's Tulky as he changed over the years with Lokki, who was originally called Entox. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiGQw6dqAlSyNqTr7uwLoGg68M_HQyGSPsE1xyS6N2hjYYLo781t2Xro-7I_dL6mtuuVbLvrbKWwsCofDNRGvUevol5dJVuhvez1XSbrzN5l8wQMey2FwrU-5ungbmAaLEpVSrBEL4p2l/s1600/Tulky_Redesigns_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiGQw6dqAlSyNqTr7uwLoGg68M_HQyGSPsE1xyS6N2hjYYLo781t2Xro-7I_dL6mtuuVbLvrbKWwsCofDNRGvUevol5dJVuhvez1XSbrzN5l8wQMey2FwrU-5ungbmAaLEpVSrBEL4p2l/s400/Tulky_Redesigns_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This first Zooniverse comic never saw print, but by a wonderfully weird co-incidence, Colin's seemingly random choice of picking Lokki, inadvertently tapped into a deep root, for he was a very old character who had been with me since I was thirteen years old. Lokki had been a member of the Nerk Patrol, with a tall skinny character and a big heavy bruiser. I had pages of brush inked comics I'd done of the Nerk Patrol. So the obvious thing was to revisit my old team and redesign them to see if they could fit in this new Zooniverse.It turns out that they did!! I didn't feel right about using the word Nerk as I'd lifted it from years of listening to the The Goon Show on the radio, it was invented by Spike Milligan as a silly, but derogatory term for an idiot. I didn't want that for my new team so I swapped the letters around and renamed them the Kren Patrol!<br />
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As the years passed Colin saw my Kren Patrol designs and noticed that the big bruiser was called Lokki and the little green guy was called Entox, he suggested I swap their names because Entox sounded like a big guy's name. It was a wrench at the time, but he was absolutely correct.<br />
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So fast forward to late 1984. The Zooniverse series is in development, fellow artist, Helen Maier is permanently a part of my life, and Colin is paying my rent at $70 a week. I was living in the top quarter of a very cold subdivided mansion, spending whole days immersed in Zooniverse, designing and planning the series, pulling all of those ideas into a cohesive story. So many wonderful things were fitting into place, and I was grateful for them all, it was an incredibly creative time! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx5k5dcehttL6Tif-LtGzOUKFivobpJJWF_sqCWeQ_hQLjK4xatdEag4-HvZ9Unw2S15MDzTvDUcn0xcjodlBxtKjcBEOVrkBJzBloxn-Ah-8pQEcqU9ZKDYgkRp0Hvs3ZdMjmHwLgIX4/s1600/Yarra_St_Zooniverse_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx5k5dcehttL6Tif-LtGzOUKFivobpJJWF_sqCWeQ_hQLjK4xatdEag4-HvZ9Unw2S15MDzTvDUcn0xcjodlBxtKjcBEOVrkBJzBloxn-Ah-8pQEcqU9ZKDYgkRp0Hvs3ZdMjmHwLgIX4/s400/Yarra_St_Zooniverse_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The apartment where Zooniverse series was created, with Helen Maier and myself in our beloved bay window. In Melbourne Australia.</td></tr>
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Colin only visited a couple of times, but his story advice was invaluable. Originally the first issue began on what is now page 2, the Control Lords were something I added after he suggested that the story was too linear and needed a second plot. So I created a new first page that, at Colin's suggestion, summarized the entire series. Page 6 was split in half to bookend a new page and a half of Control Lord business. The rest of the issue is as I wrote it, with a little editorial support from Michael Logan. When Colin's rent payments ended somewhere in 1985 Michael Logan, Allister Hardiman and I began an illustration company to service the Advertising Industry (they did the five page Gatcheralis back up story in issue #1).<br />
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My method to completing finished pages from rough to ink took five stages, and Colin was always frustrated that it was too slow a technique. I tried to cut steps out but unfortunately I lacked the seasoned skill to confidently remove my safety nets, I simply wasn't that good a draftsman. I did marker inked roughs the same size as the printed comic, which I enlarged to half size up, traced and inked again with markers, traced that on to my inking paper and cleaned it up with blue pencil. Now that the work was done I could have fun, I didn't like to think at the inking stage, just gesture and let the spontaneity have it's way. I believe that the structural work created muscle memory that allowed my brush and nib work to be fluid and enjoyable. I was unable to explain it to Colin, he would just roll his eyes, but I have to say that I never missed a deadline.<br />
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Colin had big and admirable plans to set up a publishing empire, he talked to other artists about their titles. If Zooniverse had been a huge success, things would have been very different and very exciting in sleepy 'old Melbourne. Colin and I only expected the 6 issue series to be a test run, to iron out the relationship with the American market after which we intended to make Zooniverse a regular series. Alas, fate was not our friend.<br />
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So the series went to print, Colin bankrolled the entire publication, but decided to go through Eclipse, which was news to me. I can only guess that he wanted to work with a company with publication experience. There were a number of hurdles. We had a month to paint the first issue. For three weeks the Australian custom officials held a strike, which left us with a week to hand paint thirty pages of bromides, plus the cover. You may have noticed the 2 panels on page 23 where the Kren Patrol are unpainted, was it for dramatic effect? No. I had simply run out of time and after three all-nighters in a row I just couldn't cope. Micheal Logan wrenched the artwork out of my hands and took it to FedEx before they closed. Thanks Australian Customs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0ZR_EWIOVaTFghsnkEOKmttbC9d3JBaDO92ECVrNbUIpWkD0ZhzVxDWgTQaycOuOt-SEUm4AkeiVyi4n78uaq6zS0V5g7AX-SVO-_BhvvDXu1nHt4QteuOGMZq7c5_HyWXGPo3etkwWz/s1600/Issue1_Page23_panel01_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0ZR_EWIOVaTFghsnkEOKmttbC9d3JBaDO92ECVrNbUIpWkD0ZhzVxDWgTQaycOuOt-SEUm4AkeiVyi4n78uaq6zS0V5g7AX-SVO-_BhvvDXu1nHt4QteuOGMZq7c5_HyWXGPo3etkwWz/s400/Issue1_Page23_panel01_Sml_v01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unpainted panels on Page 23 from Issue #1, the gouache was mixed with my tears.</td></tr>
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We wanted Zooniverse to have subtle European colors, but the printers cranked up the color on nearly every issue, ruining our hard work with over saturation and shoddy workmanship. Colin tried so hard to remedy the problem but it never worked out. Either Eclipse didn't care or they were simply negligent, I have no idea.But relations became strained between Minotaur Books and Eclipse.<br />
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Understandably Colin was disappointed, things weren't turning out quite as he expected. We briefly clashed over censorship of my editorial for issue #4. With Colin's approval, somebody, and I never found out who, made me say things I simply didn't agree with. Thankfully Colin let me do the issue #5 editorial without interference and I tried to clarify my position. However he was on the censorship war path, I guess I'd just put too many sexual innuendos into my work, tame by comparison to Heavy Metal and Underground Comix which I had weaned on in my youth. So when Cat Yronwode from Eclipse asked to completely remove my tastefully masturbating she-fairy from the last page of the last issue, Colin agreed without ever consulting me. And that how Chinnut, the masturbating fairy was snuffed out of existence, changing the tone of the way my series ended. If a reprint ever comes to fruition, she will live again, as I intended.<br />
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Issue #1 sold well, it looked like steady sales might have this project be a paying venture. The American Comic Industry had other ideas. We were riding the crest of the anamorphic funny fighting animal comic boom. There was a feeding frenzy. Only first issues of independent funny animal books were sought after, and never read because they would get soiled, and they would be worth something one day! Comic shops bought up big expecting the subsequent issues to sell as well as the first. Alas, no one wanted them, leaving the stores choking to the gills in product that wouldn't move. We ended on that bust. By the time Issue #6 was about to be released, I was working in Los Angeles on the animated series of Alf. I was too shy to be present when the last issue was being purchased by my work mates, so I stayed at the studio through lunch. They returned with the report that they had emptied out the store of Issue #6. They asked the shop owner if he would restock he said, "Nah I'm glad to be rid of that crap!" I think he was referring to independent comics, because all of the store owners ran sobbing back to the milky teat of the mainstream superhero publishers.<br />
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Zooniverse didn't get a fair chance, but without Colin you probably wouldn't have seen it. He guided me, bankrolled the thing and wore the losses, but the series got done and was released around the world. Zooniverse opened the door to my career in Hollywood, and as much as I would have rather stayed in Melbourne continuing to work on my little comic, fate had other plans for me, but Colin will always have my gratitude. <br />
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Now if only he'd return my calls, so I can thank him in person!Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424942500544605353.post-32787761251012773652011-07-24T17:49:00.000-07:002014-07-29T19:33:54.292-07:00From the ashes of InkspotsIn the post titled "<a href="http://zooniversecomic.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/other-phill.html" target="_blank">The Meeting</a>" I showed you my cover for Issue #2 of the Australian comic magazine called Inkspots. Two further issues of Inkspots were produced and I contributed a story to each, along with Steph Campbell, Chris Johnston, Phillip Kanlidis and Darrel Merritt. I was eighteen years old and had been working on a Zooniverse comic under the encouragement of Publisher Colin Paraskevas (this Zooniverse prototype was done in the style that I had to shed when another artist "borrowed" it later on).<br />
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To my disappointment, Colin didn't want to use this work in the next Issue of Inkspots. Instead he and fellow publishers Philip Bentley and Greg Gates wanted me to do a more serious, "realistic" piece. They insisted that I do something in a "Moebius style". I was reluctant. Why would I want to imitate Moebius when I had so many styles of my own that I wanted to explore. To my way of thinking, if it's been done (and done well in Moebius' case), why repeat it? Which is why I've never been interested in doing any work based on reality. Just go for a walk and you'll see plenty of realism. I've always preferred to exaggerate my characters and invent entirely new concepts, I want to show things that have never been seen before. A journalist of the non-existent.<br />
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Eventually I figured that I could use this opportunity to prove a point and move on. I would be able to demonstrate that I could draw a competent looking humans from memory at the age of eighteen and never need to do a "realistic" comic again. So I worked diligently and completed the task, but before I could hand in my comic, the publishers had one more obstacle for me.... <i>go back and Letratone</i> <i>the entire eleven pages!!!</i> For those unfamiliar with this sticky evil of the pre-computer age, Letratone was a page of dots in various shades of gray, printed onto adhesive plastic film that we had to stick onto our artwork, we then cut away the excess tone with a scalpel. It was exceedingly time consuming! No bucket filling back then! I had finished the inked version in 1981 while still eighteen, but it took me twice as long to wrangle the Letratone, struggling with it until publication in 1983. I had always hoped to color Scarpion so I knew to my dismay that I was ruining my originals forever. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9Bg-RaWkfwGWLg6qdjue9RgRD4sm_qvWuekwKc0xV9Vvo_MH4c_oBk2wFUNNBKkzJfe4e_NObMcMIfNxxFPh0WP2JHsqIZlw1DhM6wMpp4UGoYEvppK_TavZ3-ChsZN6doeY6lm5Ve_5/s1600/Inkspots_Issue3_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9Bg-RaWkfwGWLg6qdjue9RgRD4sm_qvWuekwKc0xV9Vvo_MH4c_oBk2wFUNNBKkzJfe4e_NObMcMIfNxxFPh0WP2JHsqIZlw1DhM6wMpp4UGoYEvppK_TavZ3-ChsZN6doeY6lm5Ve_5/s400/Inkspots_Issue3_Sml_v01.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inkspots issue 3 Cover by Frantz Kantor. Published 1983</td></tr>
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The story I did centers around a pacifistic race, called the Scarpion, who were hunted to near extinction for their glands capable of aiding organ regeneration in humans, there is one survivor. This solitary Scarpion has been kept safe in a hidden dimension blanketed by a sea of living, conscious, growths. A lone silicon girl races to protect the Scarpion from a hostile half-robotic intruder, who is intent on harvesting the Scarpion to restore his own damaged body. It is a tale full of irony and personal symbolism. Shown here is a detail of page 4, in color for the first time. Please click to enlarge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdacEX2ZzBKXByGunBbHwJlKEssvFPTna3qcgR1TxbIQS9S5zjv9uCdqKiOyMB2Vntqbw_axEg2EtXE3KNco9Klm_5wxw0K2DvKAt93r76gglrs588tUf3h61TyYRAELtNcAC03nqmDM3N/s1600/Skarpion_Page04_Detail_Sml_v02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdacEX2ZzBKXByGunBbHwJlKEssvFPTna3qcgR1TxbIQS9S5zjv9uCdqKiOyMB2Vntqbw_axEg2EtXE3KNco9Klm_5wxw0K2DvKAt93r76gglrs588tUf3h61TyYRAELtNcAC03nqmDM3N/s400/Skarpion_Page04_Detail_Sml_v02.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Page 4 of Scarpion by Fil Barlow © Copyright 1981</td></tr>
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Issue #4 of Inkspots saw the artists take over the production. A meeting was held and publisher Colin Paraskevas called for us to abandon our large black and white format for the smaller, thinner, full colored American comic format. He also suggested releasing the magazine through the US distribution channels. At the time we were aiming for the French Bande Dessinée (comic) market, even though we had no solid connections established, so we unanimously voted against Colin's offer and he, unfortunately, took his leave from Inkspots, accurately predicting that our direction was folly. Artist Steph Campbell took over as Editor for this issue. I did the cover based on the ten page comic I created called Asphyxiation. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmKoTLBVU_skaArPewe_ZsgG1j85l1uwMwmVBGfR7YEbJiGkBoDDiN3OL0EpMfLM3s4Tssn_33FUS5YQStb8EUNVZK80zcr9JKtRnBfEav1poPkvCkJtwjI9rAun-BDzB-7zrhyphenhyphenNCv2fo/s1600/Inkspots_Issue4_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmKoTLBVU_skaArPewe_ZsgG1j85l1uwMwmVBGfR7YEbJiGkBoDDiN3OL0EpMfLM3s4Tssn_33FUS5YQStb8EUNVZK80zcr9JKtRnBfEav1poPkvCkJtwjI9rAun-BDzB-7zrhyphenhyphenNCv2fo/s400/Inkspots_Issue4_Sml_v01.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inkspots issue 4 Cover by Fil Barlow. Published 1984</td></tr>
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Asphyxiation was a bleak story set on a colonized planet where, thanks to a chemically waged civil war, oxygen had become a scarce commodity. Without some kind of filter mask and air pump, the people couldn't breathe. A lone character called Asthman had been newly fitted with an experimental device on his arm that used oxytablets to release oxygen directly into his bloodstream. Asthman had no need for a mask. While visiting a friend in hospital, desert raiders begin ransacking for respirators. Here are five panels that I've colored for the first time. Please click to enlarge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-URAKkN5xnfkf-TEr9ug9okcgq7JabU2fis21h_3v-uhkBuYXZn8j0L0LQAykajmcpCuqHi8S4mgutwbDQIIel8JmAic7jjJ91bbxyKlg1snnzSsOWB_Tw2MvG00t1qgtVEp0Qzl5TDW/s1600/Athsman_Page07_Colored_Sml_v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-URAKkN5xnfkf-TEr9ug9okcgq7JabU2fis21h_3v-uhkBuYXZn8j0L0LQAykajmcpCuqHi8S4mgutwbDQIIel8JmAic7jjJ91bbxyKlg1snnzSsOWB_Tw2MvG00t1qgtVEp0Qzl5TDW/s400/Athsman_Page07_Colored_Sml_v01.jpg" height="368" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Page 7 of Asphyxiation by Fil Barlow © Copyright 1983</td></tr>
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There was an ill-fated Issue #5 of Inkpots prepared. One publisher remained, Greg Gates. This was to be the issue that would finally launch Zooniverse and I prepared the wrap-around cover and 10 pages for that issue, none of this work has ever been published. Now an odd thing happened, somehow it had been decided that this issue would be titled "Inkspots featuring Zooniverse" and the next issue would be titled "Zooniverse featuring Inkspots," eventually phasing out Inkspots all together. I just went along with all of these decisions a bit dazed by the strangeness of everyone being willing to drop the established Inkspots title, but excited by the chance to finally get started on my signature project.<br />
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The time had come to print the fifth issue, the artists had finished their work, the deadline had been met. Steph had lovingly prepared the layouts and photographically transferred them onto bromides. The issue was handed over to Greg to take to the printer and pay the expenses. However, Greg had since gotten cold feet, but waited until all of the work was done, for free mind you, to tell us that he was backing out. Over the phone he told me his reason, "I'm having trouble sleeping because it's a lot of money." Then to my surprise he asked me, "So what are you going to do about Zooniverse?" Did he expect me to give up? To fall in a heap because he'd resigned? I'm sorry but that's not me. So I replied, in no uncertain terms, "I'm going to keep doing it, I can't stop now." He quickly ended the call and must have bitched to Colin about my decision, because I soon got another call, it was a beaming Colin! The conversation went like this...<br />
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"I heard that you are going to keep doing Zooniverse."<br />
I replied confidently, "I am!"<br />
Colin continued,"Do you want to do it my way? We'll publish it in the USA, in color, you'll have to reformat your art to fit. Are you still interested?"<br />
Without hesitation I responded, "Let's do it!"<br />
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And that's how Zooniverse was born, out of the ashes of Inkspots, I offered back up stories to the Inkspots artists to showcase their talents to the world. Chris Johston, Steph Campbell, Frantz Kantor and Darrel Merritt answered the call. I decided to start fresh and never used artwork I did for Inkspots which was intended to be a ten page installment. The story for the first ten pages in Issue #1 of Zooniverse is roughly the same but with some added pages and panels, but my style had improved because of the practice run I'd had with the doomed last issue of Inkspots so I dropped that art and started fresh, tracing and improving panels as I worked in the new format.Fil Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165325589148489176noreply@blogger.com10