Author Archive: saulone

Co-creator of RELAUNCH, AZURE for DC Comics, Artist on GRIMM for Dynamite, Marvel storyboarder, illustrator of books and covers, concept artist, creative director...

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#19 Z70, Medi-droid

| November 27, 2010 | 8 Comments

Z70 is a standard issue medical droid, equipped with the latest procedures and remedies for most ailments and injuries a human can endure.  Z70 happens to be more advanced than the Vega 7 and her medical unit – something that Z70 constantly runs into with every medical issue that arises onboard the vessel.

Z70 prides itself in being a cure-all, and to-date, has only lost one patient while aboard the Vega 7.

Z70 has been aboard the Vega 7 for one week.

#18 Rex, Assassin

| November 26, 2010 | 4 Comments

An interstellar bounty-hunter, and assassin of the stars, Rex quickly made a name for herself by assassinating the ruler of Gamma 5; a celebrated leader who was one of the first alien dignitaries to be in favor of human settlement on foreign planets.

Willing to put an end to anything, anywhere, Rex is an elite killer specializing in Muy Thai, Jui Jiusu, edged weapons, and nearly every firearm imaginable. She began her career shortly after the destruction of the moon, (some attribute the moon disaster to her, for her paid killing spree was initiated soon thereafter.)

Her short-jump, fast-attack craft, Zombie, has been to worlds uncharted by humans, and the only other crew than herself: her genetically enhanced, giant, albino Great Dane, Marley. While Rex enjoys men on a flavor-of-the-month basis, Marley does not care for them.

Before her life of crime and his initiation into the Colonial Marines, Rex and Gavin Laurent were something of an item…

#17 Amber X, Marine Scout

| November 25, 2010 | 0 Comments

Even Amber isn’t sure what her last name is. When she was given the choice of incarceration or service in the colonial marines, she chose the later, having spent her formative years in and out of mental institutions (only slightly better than prison).

Amber is the loner of the Vega 7 platoon, headed by Gavin Laurent, something ideal for her role as scout. Often spending long stretches of time in a solo craft or space-walking, Amber has the tendency to unnerve those around her, for she rarely speaks.

“No question about it, the girl’s batshit crazy. No better scout around, though, and in a fight, my money’s on her nine out of ten times. ” –Gavin Laurent

#16 Amanda Davenshaw, scientist

| November 24, 2010 | 4 Comments

 

Being assigned to the exploratory vessel Vega 7 was both a dream and a curse for Amanda. Her life as a Sol scientist had been rather uneventful, after all, what was there left to explore in our solar system? So she leapt at the chance to be lead scientist on a marine charting vessel.

When her first outer system jump landed her and the marines assigned to her vessel in a Lovecraftian nightmare, she quickly understood why the marine brass insisted on all personnel carrying lasers, and emergency flight suit training…

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Some might call this one cheating as it was a con commission sketch, but the gent had me do a “retro space girl”. I had a backstory already planned for something of the sort and with a few modificatons she fit the bill perfectly.

#15 Gavin Laurent, Marine

| November 24, 2010 | 4 Comments

Joining the Colonial Marines was not an option for Gavin. He had been convicted of capital crimes on three planets, and his third granted him a death sentence or service in the colonial marines for 30 years. What he didn’t expect, was that he would actually enjoy marine life. By impressing his superiors time and time again, he quickly ascended to the rank of captain and was assigned to the Vega 7 exploratory vessel.

Gavin’s men don’t know he was convincted of crimes. When a person becomes a marine their records are sealed for the duration of their term as a marine. His platoon has come to trust him without question over the years as he has saved most of their lives at least once and generally saved the entire ship on more than one occasion.

Gavin is not so sure he likes this new scientist assigned to his ship…

#14 Malandra Shorespine

| November 22, 2010 | 2 Comments

For Malandra’s Bio – Click Here.

#13 Zakiti

| November 16, 2010 | 6 Comments

Good and evil? Reality is grey. For us there is only the color of our flame.

#12 Iblis

| November 14, 2010 | 6 Comments

Lucifer? Taught him everything he knows.

#11 Ebrim

| November 14, 2010 | 6 Comments

Your sister is a whore. Don’t be like her, son.

#10 Arshaka Shamash

| November 12, 2010 | 9 Comments

 

Too hot, you say? Bah! Babylonians worshipped me as their sun god. My soul burns of the hottest fires. I say let’s kick up the heat.

One of the Old Ones, Arshaka the orange Djinn now leads a bike gang in Northeast Baltimore.

#9 – Sybelle, Daughter of Ebrim

| November 11, 2010 | 10 Comments

Sybelle, Ebrim Djinn’s daughter, is nothing like her brother, Vander.

#8 Vander, Son of Ebrim

| November 9, 2010 | 14 Comments

Son of one of the most powerful Djinn to have walked the earth, Vander Gabon’s life is about to change…

From Wikipedia: Jinn (Arabic: جن jinn, singular جني jinnÄ«; variant spelling djinn) or genies are supernatural creatures in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings which occupy a parallel world to that of mankind. Together, jinn, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of Allah. According to the Qur’ān, there are two creations that have free will: humans and jinn. Religious sources say little about them; however, the Qur’an mentions that jinn are made of smokeless flame or “the fire of a scorching wind”. They have the ability to change their shape. Like human beings, the jinn can also be good, evil, or neutrally benevolent.

(I can’t say much about this next set of characters, but with luck you’ll be seeing more of them in the months to come.) ~D

#7 Lord Gorn Dance

| November 9, 2010 | 14 Comments

Commander of the Northern Host, Lord Gorn Dance is one of the most feared Fae in the known realm. Where his war banner flies, armies tremble. Considered the greatest warrior to live by most historians, Lord Gorn was originally the commander of the wild Faerie Host of the Western dominance. That Host, having no ruling body to govern them, were considered the scavengers of the realm until Princess Lorne sought an audience with Lord Gorn, then known as the Fae, Gorn Dance. He brought with him his armies when he agreed to rebuild the Northern Host, and the Princess named him her champion and commander of the Dominance’s armies and granted him a Lordship.

Lord Gorn is a pure Fae, meaning he has never known subjegation by the High Folk, and as such regards them as equals on all levels. Since coming to Hold, he has made intentions towards the Princess’s whisperer Chondra Flicker. Having a Faerie’s wild heart, he would stop at nothing to win her affections…

#6 Thomas Chandry

| November 6, 2010 | 8 Comments

Thomas Chandry is a man of average fortune and great expectations, though he has ever been more curious than wise. His father, a proper English lord with an estate and wealth rivaling the wealthiest in London, died suddenly one late autumn day of influenza, leaving only a strange contraption to his struggling son, and bestowing his esteemable fortune on a woman none in all of England had heard of. After months of attempting to find the whereabouts of the mysterious woman, the Chandry estate was given over to the crown for upkeep and reimbursement. This of course left Thomas homeless and without the means to support himself, so he did what any proper Englishman would do: he got a job.

He moved from the countryside to London and took residence in the upper study of the tailor he worked for, bringing along the few possessions the crown did not claim, and quickly learned the fine art of theivery. Working for a tailor did not afford him the lifestyle he had grown accustomed to, and so his life of crime began. It was only when the tailor had had enough and thrown him out, that Thomas truly hit rock bottom, and remembering the odd contraption his father left him, decided to pry off the bits of brass and silver pieces to sell. On fiddling with the contraption by the English channel, he inadvertantly activated it and set about events that would forever change his life.

#5 The Host

| November 6, 2010 | 14 Comments

The Host of Hold, or more commonly known as the Northern Host, is more a force of nature than a fighting army. The Host of a dominance is considered to be the most destructive force in the realm and when wars are called for, The Host answers. When two Hosts meet in battle nothing is safe from the malevolence. Faerie wars are few due to the fact that so few Fae leave the battle-field, and then, only the winners of a skirmish. Fae are typically more ruthless than the High Folk and obey without question, their commander in chief.

Typically Hosts are commanded by chariot-driven High Folk, with the majority of the knights, spearmen, archers and bombadiers being Fae.

Made up entirely of Fae, The Northern Host, is currently commanded by Lord Gorn Dance. He is one of the most feared Fae in the known realm. It is a Host that has been growing since the fall of Ruel and the loss of the previous Host. Princess Lorne herself has been instrumental in the rejuvenation of the army, sending her whisperer Chondra Flicker to surrounding lands to gather Fae on the outskirts of surrounding dominances. It is rumoured Princess Lorne suspects a war on the horizon.

#4 Rosalyne “Lightning Lass” Lightman

| November 4, 2010 | 15 Comments

Gifts are easily given in the realm, but are never free.

A sky rider, inter-dominance messenger, and performer of odd-jobs, Rosalyne has an unusual perspective on the known realm. Soaring through the clouds in her airship, she claims to not be from the realm at all; an other-worlder. Her services are in high-demand in all dominances, as her vessel, the Iron Maiden can travel from dominance to dominance within a day – a feat none can match, making her the swiftest of messengers. Her missives have been known to start and stop feuds and skirmishes within the realm, and over the years her arrival is one generally met with concern.

The Iron Maiden, rumored to be inherited from her father, is powered by steam and lightning. Rosalyne gets her nickname from the retractable staff with which she collects lightning. The staff is not only a tool, but a weapon, and many of her gadgets are powered and driven by lightning.

Rosalyne’s latest mission troubles her. It’s been nearly a decade since she was last in Hold, and she’s never had to transport anyone before, let alone one so different; like her. This will also be the first time she’s met the enigmatic Princess.

EDIT: *I know Lightning Lass is the name of a DC character – this is a nickname only, and like Gandalf in the writing’s of Tolkien has many different aliases – some savory, some less favorable. (Mithrandir, The Grey, The White, Greyhamme, Stormcrow, Olorin, Incanus, Tharkun, Grey Pilgrim, etc.) *Dan is a Tolkien uber-nerd.

#3 Twins of Ruel

| November 3, 2010 | 12 Comments

Lords of a lost empire, the Twins, as they are called about court, arrived in Hold on a mission they’ve shared with none. From their arrival on twin white stallions, they have done little more publicly than attended the evening balls at court, quietly watching the dancers from a distance. They remain silent as to their origins, though, by their demeanor and garb they hold a station of nobility. They harbour an outward distaste towards the Fae of Hold, something the Princess Lorne finds perplexing.

The Ruel Twins wear matching yet reverse-worn clothing, have opposing parted hair styles, and weild matching long swords of the finest craftsmanship. Their stallions – their only possessions save small field packs, are of a breed not seen in the lands of Hold. Their emerald dress is wholly alien in the northern Dominance, as the fashion has ever been of greys and browns, with the nobility wearing white and blues.

Whisperers have mentioned seeing the twins spending odd hours by the streams around Hold. Rumours of the twins performing strange rituals swirl about the townships. One thing is certain, there is a strange fire in their eyes and their secrets are something Chondra Flicker has been tasked to discover.

#2 Princess Lorne

| November 2, 2010 | 21 Comments

Heir to the throne of the northeastern dominance of Hold, Lorne, as her friends call her, is cunning and wise beyond her 136 years. She attends court and most of the social events out of duty, but her passions and interests are in cultures and peoples apart from her own. Like most outer nobilities, the Fae in her lands are indentured to carry out the dominances desires, and Lorne was borne into this understanding. She knows there is a tension and that a delicate balance between the nobility and the Fae must be maintained else the dominance may fall into ruin as happened in the southern dominance of Ruel, who most call the forgotten land. That lost empire intrigues her, as do the strange new twins who’ve attended court the last few evenings during the night’s balls. Lorne’s whisperer, Chondra Flicker, suspects they come from Ruel, but that is hardly possible as none have come from that land in nearly six centuries.

Princess Lorne’s mother, the Dominatrix Quell Sirion, has had failing health for the last 500 years. Over the last year, the Dominatrix’s health has been on sharp decline, and the Princess has more than once stood in for her beloved ailing mother. Lorne’s father, the Dominar Vance Sirion, has not been seen since he marched with the third host to war just before the fall of Ruel. He is considered slain though none know what befell him or the host so long ago.

#1 Chondra Flicker

| November 1, 2010 | 28 Comments

221 years old, and in servitude to Princess Lorne, Chondra is the soon to be Queen's messenger, bodyguard, whisperer, and anything else where descretion is of chief import. Chondra is, by birth, 3/4 fae due to an indiscretion by her grandmother - A fact Chondra loathes.

She has lived in court her entire life, and quickly rose in the ranks of whisper/messengers due to an uncanny ability to get into and out of near impenetrable places. Chondra is of the pixie caste; with insect wings, and with the ability to shrink in size. Resourceful, she enjoys a challenge, which her majesty is always willing to provide. She commands respect, admiration, and a touch of fear among those in court.

Though, a loyal subject, like all fae forced to serve the crown, Chondra resents the royalty that have cast her people in roles unbefitting their race and breed.

30 Characters Challenger: Daniel Govar (saulone)

| October 25, 2010 | 8 Comments

I’m that guy your mother warned you about >:)

I write and illustrate the comic Azure now available via Comixology and DC Comics, and maintain a number of art-oriented websites (all linked-up below). I’ve done stuff for the SyFy channel (back when they were Scifi), am part of the Comic Social Club, and do a ton of commissions these days. Like most of you I take on too much and have too little time. Aside from illustration work, Comics, and being a creative director for a media firm outside of Washington, DC, I’ve got an awesome Boxer named Sandor who keeps me humble and somewhat sane. I drink whiskey, wine, and beer (most things so long as they aren’t too froo froo), am a movie-whore, play console games, run with my dog, program websites and applications, <3 my iPad, and would fall on a sword for my closest friends. Oh yeah – I livestream my digital stuff from time to time.

My interests as a creator are all over, spanning just about every genre aside from Manga and Humor. Modern Fantasy, Sci-fi, Steampunk, & Horror are occupying most of my time these days so expect to see a good deal of concept pieces for pitches and some personal odds and ends showing up here. Last year I divided my 30 characters into 10 Pencil pieces, 10 digital pieces, and 10 waterccolour pieces. This year I plan to add Ink to the mix, and promise to give those I can, background bios.

Why this challenge? Last year was a lot of stressful fun. This year I plan to step it up a bit. Be warned. I loved hitting refresh each day (4 or 5 times) and seeing new creations flow into my browser. Last year we had 3o or so, this year I plan to hit refresh about 20 times a day! Can’t wait 🙂

   

Links:

DanielGovar.com
There And Back Again
DeviantArt
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter

Site Facelift and Lasers

| October 20, 2010 | 2 Comments


Just a little taste of the site to come. We’re still banging on pipes and whipping the hamsters behind the scenes, but it’ll all be gravy soon enough.

November is comin’ ‘atcha!