The Invasion of the Haven: Planning and Practice Thread

Planning on making a comic, and starting it soon. But for now I am tired, so enjoy some practice sketches in preparation for drawing the comic. Nothing's set in stone yet as far as general style that I'll use, and I plan to go over actual comic panels at least in black lineart. For now, enjoy the sketches.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/bruce-2.png
This is Bruce, the main lead. She is a gunner, and the head of the Gamma squad. While the gamma squad characters in-game are tier-3 ranks, the comic will have them as a beginner, tier-2 group.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/poker.png
From left to right is Durahan (Duracross), Avitz, and Bolgron. They are room-mates along with Bruce. They form the rest of the Gamma squad. Durahan is also a gunner, while Avitz and Bolgron are hybrids gun/sword. Avitz in particular is going to play a very special role, whether he wants to or not. (These are my friends' characters)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/angrybomber.png
This is Angrybomber who belongs to a friend of mine. There is no squad planned for him, and he will make a cameo, perhaps a rather brief one.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/wuvvums-5.png
This is Wuvvums who is another character of mine. She is a bomber of the Lambda squad. The rest of the Lambda squad consists of Usaada (gunner/leader), Goolix (hybrid, constantly absent), and Nowaru (hybrid).
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/crimsonguy.png
This is a fan-made gremlin of the Crimson order. He is a villain, and has a thing for Wuvvums.
That's it for now!

I didn't see a lot of comics, actually. I haven't seen a dedicated storyline one that doesn't use spiral spy, though I can't blame people since drawing all this armor and weapons is a challenge :o

Your drawings has that cute feeling, which makes me HOOKED!!

Thanks. I think I'll probably make some less-detailed versions of the armor and weapons so I think I'll generally be sticking to the style I applied to Angrybomber and such.

"wow lot of fanfics and comics popping up since I posted ETD"
Because fanfictions or comics didn't existed before, huh?
Anyways, I'm looking forward this comic. And that gremlin looks pretty swag

Gremlins are my most favorite thing about spiral knights. In fact, I would so hug a gremlin if they existed.

I am sorry but I could not get the comic started today. It was my grandfather's memorial. I was happy to celebrate his life with everyone he has touched, and I am glad he's no longer suffering. We all had a good time, and afterward had a really good feast. I ate a little too much so afterward I kinda dropped dead tired at home, and woke up with a stomach ache and a lot of grogginess I am still shaking off.
I decided to keep practicing the sketches and I want to try to not draw the knights small, and be more up close and capture them. Here is today's batch of practice sketches:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/gammasquad.png
This is the portrait of the gamma squad. This includes Bruce, Durahan, Avitz and Bolgron. All four of them met not soon after the crashing of the Skylark. They came together by chance; their pods crash-landed close by, and together they managed to claw and survive their way to the rescue camp. All four were looking out for one another during that time, and the act of survival itself sparked the close bonds of friendship.
Gamma squad is considered a tier-2 squad in ranking. They have, on occasion, snuck past the spiral warden to attempt tier 3. During that time their survival skills were put to the test as well, making them nostalgic for the time they first met and fought their way through tough challenges. They have seen the core once and snuck back to the Haven without anyone ever knowing.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/usaada.png
One of the appearances of Usaada, the leader of the Lamba squad. The creator of Usaada has two outfits for her, and a little rumor around her:
"That's Usaada, the former Tri-Sword knight. She used to wander the clockworks with three powerful blades that completely compensated for all weaknesses. Her strongest blade was a mere Leviathan, and with it and others, she could rival the strength of any Faust-wielder."
"Whoa... Wait, former? Why do you say that?"
"She moved on to something stronger."
"Huh? What could possibly be stronger than three swords?"
"Well... she erm... fell in love with a shotgun."
She is both a swordsman and a gunner, and is multi-talented. While Nowaru does not fall far behind her in skill, Usaada has shown exemplary leadership that has earned her the undisputed rank of squad leader.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/wuvvums2-2.png
This is another drawing of Wuvvums that was just done as a spur-the-moment and is not very well-drawn. I don't mind though because as mentioned, this is practice.
*mary-sue alert*
Wuvvums is a bomber and her mad-bomber suit makes her a bit of a glass cannon. Of the squad she is the most prone to death, though her members have accepted her for her ability to handle crowds of monsters and free up the space. She has two trusty bombs; the nitronome and the ashe of agni. She would wish to expand her arsenal but given her frequent struggle to not die in fights, she has progressed slowly.
She is unusually voluptuous for a knight, though her phantom mask has kept most knights at bay. This has not, however, kept a certain gremlin from bothering her during her solo-adventures in the Clockworks. Not once, but twice, the Lambda squad had to pull her out of a cage the gremlins put her in, and she's become rather wary and disliking of the race. Overall the squad is very forgiving of her short-comings. She looks up to Usaada, the leader, hoping some day she can be as good as her.
Wuvvums has a crush on Goolix, but unfortunately he is usually absent from the squad. She wishes he could be around more and develop a closer bond to the eccentric knight.

Also, if people are wondering who else might appear in the comic, or if they themselves can appear in the comic, I thought I would clear this up now.
The comic story line is sort of made up as I go and with the combat and the haven there is a chance for many cameos but I won't be asking for any if I need them. Those who want to make cameos will need to apply, and sometimes certain cameo spots may be auctioned off for crystal energy. Cameo roles are minor and may consist of only a few panels, and if I need a certain kind of knight to fill a cameo I'll ask here.
The first roles that people can apply for is for a very minor role squad called the Mu (μ) squad. They are all proto knights and need to wear 0-1 star armor. They have a brief appearance trying to fend off invaders before getting rescued. I thought I'd just like to include some proto or low-level knights because they are cute.
There are four slots to fill for this squad currently. When applying please include a front and back screenshot of your knight and any weapons. Also include a name, and (optional) a mini back-story.

Have you tried spiral spy? You could also preview beginner armor at the AH (I am certain there's listings for what you want there)

The problem is I can't really take screenshots, and if its built in, don't know how, and I wouldn't know how to upload them...

Do you not have a PrtScn button on your keyboard?

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7853/page1layout.png
This is a rough layout of the first page. I'll actually go over it in flash for the lineart though I am not certain if I will color (or even apply flat colors). I'm rather new to comic making and rusty with perspective, backgrounds and weapons so this will definitely be a learn and improve as I go thing.

Sad part is I'm not really good at poker lol.

Haha. No worries Dura, we'll teach you.

I happen to know a fair bit of poker however. xD
...Madness will no doubt ensure...

Oh it certainly will.
I think the shear amount of gambling rp I've done has lent me some idea of how poker works. It won't be a lasting thing in this comic, though :B

It's not so much a teaching thing as it is a luck thing hah.
I can't wait to see how we mess up everything c:.

The first page is colored but still in the editing process. For now, though, you can have more practice sketches!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/pleasehold.png
This is a possible idea for a minor villain. Not sure if she'll be used or not but I don't think she'll be as involved as the Crimson gremlin will be.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/bruce2.png
And another drawing of Bruce. I am going to color this one in, as well as Angrybomber's sketch.
That's all for now!

I made a thread for the finished pages to be posted. This thread will be where I continually submit plans, sketches, page layouts and other unfinished products. There will probably be a lot of spoiler content here and there from here on out. Anyone who doesn't want spoilers shouldn't read after this point.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/angrybomber-1.png
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/brucerainbows.png
Here are two monochromes of Bruce and Angrybomber. In other news, all the members of gamma squad can be found under one guild in game!
Tomorrow you can expect to see another comic page outline done, by the way :)

When you posted your first experiences when you created Bruce.
Looking through the pictures, the first Wuvvums pic made me think, oh yeah, thats her. Then the second made me think "Hang on something is different here. Is it the hips? IT IS!"
Now for the random ramblings to stop.
Hope to see more. I would like to see more SK comics when I actually look for em.

Thanks, I noticed a lot of the SK comics are model-viewer based which is alright but I don't think it's as flexible or expressive as what I am trying to go for. I did see someone else make a few good comics in the main art thread too.

I think varying body types for the knights would help with diversifying them in a way.

I can see if I can try a few different body types, but for now I'm trying to simplify them and make them workable in my style.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2835/page2layout.png
Page 2 layout

Good thing there isn't Poker in SK.

Good thing there isn't. Though I have to say it'd be interesting to see how well some people would be at it.
I'm more a fan of blackjack to be honest.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/spiralwuvvums-1.png
Quick doodle of Wuvvums though I will be playing around with how she'll look and appear in the comic. For now, this is sort of my non-spiral style that I apply to most women I draw B:

Loved your little doodles, started up photoshop and tried to emulate by drawing my knight :D
http://i44.tinypic.com/257258p.jpg
Spent 5 minutes maybe, not proud, but will still share :D

So the gremlin I drew, the main villain. He and Wuvvums have a bit of a past, filled with conflict, intrigue, drama...
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/smack.png
Who am I kidding?

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/MarieElana/avitz.png
I think I may take the time to sketch out each character for a wiki page on this comic, but we'll see after I get a certain amount of pages done. So far my only frustration with wiki page editing is that I can't seem to get pictures to stick to a subsection but maybe I can get some help from one of the editors.
If every squad had a designated adorable knight, Gamma's would be Avitz hands down. I've sort of made him precious, so he's pretty much the squad's equivalent to Wuvvums.
Whether or not he faces a similar amount of gremlin problems though is questionable.

I am keeping an eye on this comic.
christ I need to do more ACTUAL drawings of Knights sometime. AND maybe dabble in some fanfic. But judging by my previous (NEVER TO BE AND NEVER WILL BE SEEN BY ANYONE ELSE) attempts at writing it will be full of loquaciousness and unfunny.
Also Wuvvums (the character) doesn't look or sound like a Mary Sue from what I can see described here, so cut it out lol.

I think it's more in the grand scheme of things that she's gonna become the object of attention for one of the Crimson Order gremlins. It's nothing too special, he just wants to chase booty. :B

PS: Mejez, if you want to do writing or some fanfic I could use a writer in the team for the long-term. I haven't thought much about it yet but the team could use one once we get into the plot, which is gonna be coming soon.

I could help a little but my contributions are going to have to be limited because stuff IRL's got me busy.
That and I'm not entirely sure how to write for a webcomic.

It's alright. I think it's more trying to help me figure out what should happen here and there. I have the major events in mind.
It sort of moves at a snails pace compared to fanfiction but I don't mind that at all. We could talk more about it later if you want :B

Your body shapes are adorable.
"Whether or not he faces a similar amount of gremlin problems though is questionable."
I immediately thought of him being pursued by some female gremlin. Kind of like your picture of that one gremlin kidnapping you. That thought made me chuckle.

Heh, I'll have to ask Avitz what he'd think about that as a misfortune for his character.
Speaking of which, I made the third layout page
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3969/page3layout.png
* I decided to make Bolgron a bigger knight since the comic is in its early stages. I think I would prefer for him to be almost like a Feron-sized tank. Haven't talked with him about it yet.

Regardless, it was just a funny thought I had.
Hope to see more.

I am not sure what the comic will be like in the next week or so since I am planning on moving out of the house from my dad. Hopefully things will go smooth and I can get back up after I make the transition to a new place.
Until then if anyone is wondering I didn't forget. I've been a little sluggish and unmotivated lately but I am loving this project and don't plan on dropping it soon.

This is unrelated to the comic, but is fanart for the game anyways.
If anyone is unfamiliar with my original character, Wuvvums, she's just a four-armed mage chick with a pretty simple design. Makes her pretty easy to throw into Spiral Knights.
I made her a tri-wielding recon because who wouldn't use those extra arms? And all of the weapons are iron slugs because the slug is just epic and it's like a falcon punch in bullet form. Heard the weapon's getting a buff too in the near future. Also there's a swiftstrike buckler; simple and fun in design.
So this is what it looks like. Sort of like a mashup of Bechamel, Kozma and a recon knight. Had fun with it c:

Avatar Existence failure
or are there TWO Wuvvums?
What is even happening up there
Also a four-armed Knight? that's going to make it hard to justify "extra weapons slots"
I decided to log onto the forums for the first time since Beta to say...nice work!
And of course to bump this.
Shamelessly.

Heh, thanks Bolgron.
There are not two Wuvvums. The four-armed drawing was just one based off of my OC Wuvvums, who I named my Spiral Knight after in the comic.

There will be no updates this week from what I can tell.
My brother almost died and I need to spend time with him.
Wuvvums out.

Thanks, Vescrit. He should be coming home soon, I hope.
wow lot of fanfics and comics popping up since I posted ETD