PAGE TWENTY-THREE. Interior, commercial freightlifter TK-421.
The last page of 2010. And a bit of a sudden end for a number of unfortunate passengers. We get to see exactly what a MK. 6 Combine Pulse Rifle does and it isn’t pretty. I’m still really digging the red lighting effect; it is perfect for the chaotic tension of the trooper’s attack.
Now, again, Nic and I have a difference of opinion on this week’s music pairing. Nic likes Metallica’s cover of the Misfits song ‘Die, Die My Darling.’ It makes sense, and I do like the Metallica version. However, my choice this week is maybe a little obvious: Broken Bells, ‘Vaporize.’ The laid-back tone of the song provides a nice counterpoint to the violence and chaos of the page. I also think the Broken Bells had one of my favorite albums of 2010.
A few things. First, if you are a fan of the comic and don’t mind a little tame nudity, you need to hit the deviantArt link up there on the right and check out Nic’s last piece of 2010. It is a slightly risque version of our drummer, Samantha Darkness. Sam has an “exotic” day job in Volcano City and Nic wanted to do an illustration of her at work. So, again, if you’re interested you should check out Nic’s dA page. The piece will eventually end up in our B-Sides section. Twitterers already got it.
Second, we wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Nic and I agree that we received three amazing gifts this year. The first two are named Benicio and Charlotte- Nic’s amazing son and my daughter. The second gift was the opportunity to put this project together. We were really lucky to have found each other and I couldn’t ask for a more talented and, frankly, telepathic creative partner. ‘Free Mars’ and the Martian punk band Sisters Grimm were based on a ten year old screenplay, but it wasn’t until I saw Nic’s work that I realized the potential to tell the story in this medium.
Nic and I also want to thank our “fifth Beatle”, Chris Borer. Besides being a multiple Slayer Sword winner (I’m sure some of you know what that is), Chris is also a fantastic editor. He gets to read everything first and his often vehement criticism has been invaluable to the process.
And finally, at the risk of sounding overly naffing sentimental, today’s my birthday. And the best gift I’ve gotten (besides baby Charlie) are all the emails and posts from you guys. You, ladies and gentlemen, are awesome! So thanks for reading. See you in 2011, gremmies.
Dave 12/31/2010
MK. 6 Combine Pulse Rifle – very Mars Attacks. The name is a bit too HL2 perhaps tho?
Happy Birthday, Dave. I know what it’s like to have a birthday at the end of the year. (12-27)
I love the depiction of the pulse rifle’s effects. It looks particularly ghoulish
Have a great new year, guys.
awsome page, and some awesome art on the DA page.
the broken bells song is nice (listening to it now for the very first time) I love the way this comic gets me interested in a greater range of music.
I admit that I had to look up “HL2.” Honestly, I thought it was more a nod to ‘A L I E N S’ (M41-A Pulse Rifle). My original designation was going to be a Phased Plasma Rifle in the 40 watt range. But I think that’s been taken.
I think finding a completely original name for a sci-fi infantry weapon is tough. I could be wrong, though, so if someone can come up with an awesome and original name for the weapon introduced on the page, I will incorporate it and send that person a ‘Free Mars’ print before they’re available to buy. Fair?
I suppose I could give it a shot. Being the sci-fi nut that I am I dig into this kind of thing rather excessively. However, what I write errs a bit more towards hard sci-fi so it’s somewhat justified.
Anywho, here’s what I have in mind. Given that you’ve described the CSC as an alliance of corporations, it’s logical to assume that a subsidiary would be responsible for arming the Combine’s forces. So, when considering the name for a particular weapon, I’d think of a company name followed by a model/ series number and ending with an acronym or something that specifies/ describes the weapon.
For example, here’s my suggestion: Ares Industries Mark III Phantom PPC (Pulsed-Plasma Caster), colloquially referred to as the Ares M3 Phantom.
There you have it. I promise I won’t take it personal if you feel this is utter crap.
or the ‘Personal Assult Particle Projector weapon’ or ‘PAPP weapon’
And here comes Vexx with her sword!!!
Happy Birthday! All the really cool people were born in December.
–M