As I said last blog, I decided to make any feline animals the dominate force in the world of MonkeyQuest and blue is my favorite color. So I was thinking a blue feline! Now there aren’t any truly blue felines, but the white variations can have blue tones in them, such as white tiger, the arctic fox (fox is not a feline!?), etc. I ended up using the snow leopard. And SNOW is a cool name; come on that name is even used in the latest Final Fantasy video game (FF13). I am up to the part where I can battle the gigantic turtle-like creatures. Any video game fanatics out there? Ok, back to comics. I was hesitant at first about making SNOW’s breasts so…so…BIG! Comics always get a bad rap for enhancing female ASSETS!! I decided to poke fun at it and went with the idea, besides she’s the only character with huge breasts. From a character design stand point she’ll stand out (in more ways than one:)). Part of the influence can also be attributed to the “bad girl” craze in the mid ‘90s. Remember Lady Death, Vampirella, Shi, BarbWire, Avenglyne, DarkChylde, and the list goes on. Seems like any bad girl comic would sale instantly back in those days. I can’t believe comics are the highest quality nowadays and yet they can’t even sell close to the numbers back then, is ridiculous.
That’s it for character creations. Next time I’ll reveal my thinking behind the action poses for my characters in Round 2.

Empress Kruger and Wraith

After I send in the Round 1 materials, I knew I had to introduce more characters in round 2 to generate more interest for the world of MonkeyQuest.
Let’s back track a bit. By this time I had developed my overall idea. As I mentioned in a previous blog I am Chinese and I wanted MonkeyQuest to have Chinese influences/undertones, specifically China’s Warring States period. Throughout China’s dynastic history there have only been two empresses and to achieve that in a patriarchal society is no small feat. And that served as inspiration for Empress KRUGER. By this time I decided to make any feline animals the dominate force in MonkeyQuest.
Got time for one more character design, let’s take a look at Wraith. I wanted to have a character to be shrouded in mystery. Don’t they always have a character like that in every comic? Anyways I want to have a shocking reveal to the unmasking of Wraith. I know the armor resembles a feline but is it really??? Well, you gotta vote and buy MonkeyQuest to find out:)

WAL and MIC

Last blog: good character design should have a unique silhouette. Another trick for creating characters is by varying their size. Think for a second, which is more interesting to look at Spider-man and Venom or Wolverine and Hulk? I would say Wolverine and the Hulk because their sizes are so different and they have easily recognizable silhouettes.
Unlike Spider-man and Venom, which are very similar in size and silhouette. Venom is basically a muscular version of Spider-man.
After I designed KATT and CHIMP, the next character has to be larger than them. At this time I wanted to create an older character, to act as a mentor for the group. I search through my animal files to see which animal has an old feel to them. I ended up with 3 choices; camel, goat and walrus. I went with a walrus b/c of the tusk and mustache.
So now I have a robust walrus, a slim/fit cat and a short/goofy monkey. I wanted the team to be at even numbers, one more member to go. This time I went with the extreme of WAL. Guess what I did next? Yup, go to my animal files and search for small animals. I was having a hard time choosing one, than literally a small mouse ran across my living room floor. Okay is a sign, the final member has to be a mouse.
Now the protagonists are created, next up the villains.

CHIMP

Okay where did I leave off last time? Ah, yes KATT, the one that started the idea. The overall tone and story still didn’t take shape yet, not until the four main characters were designed. I did know I wanted the setting to be in outer space. The casting of the animals was based on two factors. I remember reading an animation book that good character designs should have a silhouette that is uniquely its’ own, you should be able to tell who the character is just by their silhouette. The second factor to influence the animal selection was more simple and direct; my favorite animal. This led to the creation of CHIMP. I am Chinese and my zodiac sign is the monkey. CHIMP’s design is also loosely based on me, I wear glasses and I also have a child like demeanor… sometimes:P Okay gotta get back to working on the pages for Round 3 (if I can make it that far!! Go vote, please). Come back next time for the creation of WAL and MIC.

Just like I promise I am going to start updating the blog weekly on the weekend, that's when I have the most free time.

So how did I come up with the MonkeyQuest idea? Well, it started with a girl I met. She had this brooding, mysterious look to her and I wanted to base a character on her (see pic#1). She made quit an impression on me. At the same time I heard about Small Press Idol, I thought to myself I just created this character why not use her.

Now the decisions to go anthropomorphic and cartoony emerge from two reasons.

Back in 2007 I entered Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga contest. And the judges noted that my animal/monster characters were more animated and emotive than my human characters (see pic #2). What do you think? That's why I went with animals, besides they are more fun to draw.

The cartoony decision was based on time contraints. I can also draw in a more classic 90's comicbook style. In my experience it takes me about a day(15hrs!!!) to draw in the 90's style. while in the same amount of time I can pencil, ink and maybe even lay color flats in the cartoony style. There was no freaking way I can produce a high quality comic in the 90's style for the competition. I have other responsibilities and priorities in life just like everyone else. Going cartoony was a wise decision on my part. Otherwise Chimp would look like the pic #3. I t changes the feel of MonkeyQuest. I don't think it captures the tone of MonkeyQuest like the cartoony style.

That's it from me this week. Check back next time for the creation of CHIMP!

Oh almost forgot! Please vote for MonkeyQuest! http://www.smallpressidol.com/forum/topicview/misc/815.htm

Okay folks, please support MonkeyQuest by continuing to vote. Does anyone read my blog?
I feel like I am talking to myself. I know there haven't been any updates. But there will be soon.
I am going to start blogging about how the idea of MonkeyQuest came about. What my writing and art processes are like. So stay tune.
http://www.smallpressidol.com/forum/topicview/misc/815.htm

Is time to vote!!! You can vote once per day!!! Voting ends April 3oth!!! Please go vote at:
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