Supara Update is an occasional column/thread about anything going on regarding our first foray into the indie comic book world.
What we’ve come to realize in the past month or so is
that our vast history and elements of Supara’s universe isn’t something to take
with a grain of salt. Ever since we started meeting regularly at our new space
(big thanks to Frank), we’ve been primarily taking on one massive topic… and
that would be “world building”. The thing is; we need to establish more than a
short history lesson before continuing with our script. As well as balancing a
core source material we can all pull from while leaving enough of it open to
try not to box anyone in creatively.
That’s always the crutch with developing an enormous
universe with a group of other people. Everyone has their own idea of what it
should be and we all have to figure out what seems like it fits and what
doesn’t. Since we’re not getting paid and this isn’t a legitimate writer’s room
with an actual show-runner… we find ways to work with each other. So instead of
running with it and possibly changing the rules whenever we want to; we as
creators want to know and understand how far with can push the limits without
being overly or unrealistic even in the world of Supara.
One of our major deciding factors (and this fits with
developing our characters as well), is what translates better from panel to
panel. “Yeah, that seems cool but how would that look?” If we can’t find a way
without making it look too goofy or stilted; than its best that we try
something else entirely. Trouble is as a writer, you have to distance yourself
with everything that you develop regardless of how much time you’ve put into it
because you may find out that it won’t be used and defending it only makes it
worse. Much like writing for television.
So how we go about developing our world is revisiting an
already established history and applying it where it’s pertinent. Our comic
universe (thus far) starts in 1948 but takes place in 2013 (excluding any
origin stories predating ’48). Between those dates, people are different in
some of the most basic ways but that can have a large impact on a society over
a span of time. For example: The presence of Powers and their assistance
increases funding for more science and exploratory projects. Better funding
comes with better research and development, proving better results depending on
the area, and then in turn the average American citizen is smarter. That’ll
make technology even more prevalent and has advanced at least 30 to 40 years on
us currently. Plus there is an alien spaceship. What did we just prove?
Things are different and people aren’t as dumb. And that
alone has an incredible effect on us. Smarter people means more ambitious
people, the more ambitious they are and with the means create more sustainable
and creative architecture, better medicines results in longer healthier lives,
3D movies become 4D… you get the picture. We focus on this because that means
our city; Supara Valley is the epicenter of all things Power related. The
differences I just mentioned would be most noticeable there.
Your next question might be what that does mean for the
story? So now based off our history, our artist knows the architecture is
obviously newer and sleek without being futuristic. Artist also knows that
transportation within downtown Supara is much cleaner and the use of elevated
trains and other forms of public transportation are seen quite often. On the
other hand, our writers (like me) know that their dialogue is going to be a
more flippant and educated because that’s what their society lends itself to.
We all know that they are enormously easier ways to get all of this across the
reader without saying too much and we don’t plan on spelling it out. The point
is that as indie comic creators; there isn’t a realistic conceivable way to put
out multiple books a month to remain successful the way normal comics can. The
books we eventually get out will hold a sense a familiarity, a consistent
voice, and quality we’ll hopefully be proud of. If the story isn’t worth being
told then we wouldn’t tell it. Every panel is going to matter in some respect
and that’s what we’re trying to deliver.
Then that’s where we begin dividing up the elements
between us, using our strengths for writing, drawing, and producing. Some will
draw up buildings, others will write up stories to that building. Some we
deliver characters with abilities and look while someone writes up their origin
and premise. Then we bring all those things to the table and refine them before
finally filing them away or sending them off to Michael Mayne for early character
conception.
We’re now to a point where it’s a well oiled machine. The
world building will never end and it shouldn’t have to. I like to believe the
reason why we’re so gung-ho about just this part of our universe… is that the
most important character out of all of our characters is quite obvious and her
name is in the title… “Supara”.
That’s it for now. We’ll hopefully start posting up new
Supara Updates on a regular bi-weekly basis so stay tuned and thanks for
reading.
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