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joulester — Squad character development
Published: 2013-03-22 17:42:44 +0000 UTC; Views: 7903; Favourites: 270; Downloads: 32
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Further character developments for my WIP comic book Squad, as well as some developments of the squad armor that Sergeant Phyllis hates so much to don. "You get shot, you get shot! What is there to armor about?" she argues. "It's essential in the first part of the story," I said. "Pssssssh #&#>X<*%!" She hisses.I'm using Sarge Phyllis as the base for the armor design for all the characters. I just so love to draw her!
My inspiration for the armor is from Halo, and my prime concern is that I might've gone too close. What do you think? Too Master Chief? Workable? Please let me know your thoughts! 
Happy to say that the story is going well. However it has taken quite a grim tone, so I've been thinking about upping the target audience age a bit in the visual side. Thus I've been playing around with maybe ditching the previously done big-head, child-like proportions and making them a tad more adult. Challenging, but I kind of like this new evolution. I wager there'd be more evolutions to come for the designs while I write the story, but I think I'll stick to this style for now.
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Comments: 75
I can't help but go "The arteries on the inside of your thighs aren't protected, and the chest piece shaping is designed to direct bullets into your lungs."
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Which is exactly why she doesn't like to wear those darn things.
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The combat armor is amazing is that medium armor or heavy armor also green the armor is amazing
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The armor looks pretty swell! The green and shoulder *armor humps* are definitely Halo-esque, but not immediately noticeable.
The Carapace armor from XCOM looks somewhat like this, at least the chestplate. Must be the bulky nature of the chestpiece contrasting with the more slender limb armors (here's the Wiki entry, pictures included: xcom.wikia.com/wiki/Carapace_A…
I like the helmet, but it looks like a WWII tanker's helmet. It reminds me of soft materials, like a softcap instead of armor (this is purely personal opinion, 'cause I'm a history nerd). Maybe you could try helmets with visors or full-mask helmets?
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Did you say XCOM and Halo yes xcom and halo fan here I looks like xcom armor to me
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Much appreciated for the valuable input, wakato! 
I went to the link you sent but there isn't any images. From your point of view, can you explain more about carapace armors?
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Oh, sorry. Something must've gone wrong with the DeviantArt link system. Here's the link again
xcom.wikia.com/wiki/Carapace_A…
You can also look over their other armors! Their designs are pretty interesting
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ou, so sorry! I meant to reply the person before you
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I'm liking your little critter characters, they look so fun
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Ok, this is cool. And in an exaggerated way, reminds me of the gear I wore downrange.
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Glad to hear that! Do let me know if there's anything I could add or change to make things more believable.
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Can't wait to see more ( for a strange reason I miss lot of your art :/ ).
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Thanks. 
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I can't wait for that then.
Plus your perhap future comics with your squad.
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Thanks.
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I swear when this comic is ready I'm going to read the crap out of it. I love the character designs so much.
And honestly I think the armor looks fine. A lot of sci-fi armor has that Halo-esque look anyway me-thinks.
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Wow, thanks! 
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You're very welcome!
I can understand that one. I've been like that with a lot of story ideas XD
Good luck to both of us
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Really good to see more Squad stuff.
I'll be really interested to read the finished product but till then this is really cool to see/read/learn about characters/world.
As far as armour goes, the head, chest and arms look really good; not too bulky, they have that tactical feel like they could be worn for a long time and not reduce flexability too much, in other words; not assult armour (read WH40K space marines). tha armour at arond waist level concerns me, the massive cone-looking piece at the front looks very uncomfortable to run with or go prone on and from the shape of it could wind someone if they go flat in a hurry (taking cover). I do like the spine cover on the back, and the hip plates being separate from the leg guards is cool but I wonder if they mightn't be made to wrap around the back more, there's a lot exposed on the back of the torso. I like the concept of the leg armour being slid over the pants and the way the knee guard is intergrated into the combat pants, I read your reply to SeannyJay:"The dark part is supposed to be elastic" so I wont mention the anything more about them now.
In regards to the other pictures on the page: bloody good, I like everything I see, but my favorite has to be the bottom right; get a real sense of bored alertness, like she's been waiting in place for a while for something to happen.
I hope this was helpful.
Really love your work.
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Thank you very much , sir. ^_^ I'm relieved that the armor strikes you as not the heavy or 'assault' type, ala WH40K. I wanted an armor for behind the lines, prolonged missions over rough and mucky terrain, like you implied above. Glad that I've achieved that.
I guess I became too dogged for a completely different and off-worldly look as compared to the more acclaimed designs already out there in games and movies. I kind of lost focus and concentrated purely on the aesthetic and neglected the practical aspect of the design. Your observations and tips certainly help nudge things back into perspective.
Thanks very much also for mentioning about the things that you fancy here. It gives me a clearer idea of which elements to consider keeping or scrapping. It feels good to know my characters appeal to audiences and viewers, too. This really helps!
Appreciate your effort, it means a lot!
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I've never played Halo, so I cannot comment on the armour design.... However, I'm certainly not averse to a grimmer and more mature story.
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No problem friend, and thanks all the same! 
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good to see that your Squad are coming together, and really hope that your comic to role out soon, the armor was really cool, mybe you should try some digital camo for it. by the way i found this may be useful for you [link]
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Wow, thanks! This installment of Starship Troopers is very impressive. The ships are baaaaaaaadass! So Johnny Rico's a general now.
Yeah, thanks, I hope so too. I'm just going at a relaxing pace for now. Want to balance between work and rest. I don't want to overdo it as I know NO FREAKING GOOD will come out of rushing things. Gonna regret it later.
Digi-camo is in my mind as well as various other color schemes. I'm gonna try those as soon as I lock down the design theme for the whole world of Squad. Save the best and most fun for last!
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well, the new starship trooper was done by japanese studio, oh yes they have mechs now and general rico pilots one.
if you ever found the download, download it, it's worth the time, story are so so, but the pre production was nice
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Ah, ok I see. I didn;t read the article thorughout, but I thought the japanese had a hand in this. The robot and ship designs sort of gave some hints to me about it. The 3D characters are also reminiscent of FF The Spirits Within.
Damn, production design is really good!
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well, i saw the movie, it does have the FF feel to it, i really like their drop ship design and the mech suit, if u ask me the design a way better than starship trooper 3 mech suit, never let american do mechs thats for sure
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Ohh puffy clothigns and bulky armor, reminds me a bit of Gears Of war ^^
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Thanks
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i have never seen anyone put more life into a character with such a light touch. i'll never understand how animals can look so human. you have a real gift brother. every line, every stroke, nothing overworked. just
really wonderful. cant wait to see more.
g
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Thank you, brother.
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If you feel you need to up it - do it only if its crucial to the story. Don't go for shock for shock sake.
Again, excellent body work, and poses are neat - as for the HALO armour - I canne see the thing except the green may be a clue - but then again most military things are this colour anyway.
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I can't agree more with you more.
Thank you for taking the time, sir
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Glad to be of service to a grand talent like you sir - and YOU ARE!!!!
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great as always... I wonder what she's crying for though...
Love the development -- not too "master-chief-ish" at all! superb work!
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Thank you, sir 
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Really excited to see your characters, I hope the comic is getting close/further? (How much can you tell us followers?)
As to the armor, green is green, I dont find it THAT Halo like just for being armor. However I do think, along the common mentioned themes, that the abdomen area needs redone a bit? Perhaps go heavier on the chest details and a more simplistic even boring middle.
Personally I love the baggy pants and the wider leg armor, but that's just an aesthetically pleasing look for your comic characters I think. The heavy bottoms, and mid/smaller torsos and with their cartoon heads balance nicely IMO. Keeps them sort of "grounded" visually and for me, I find the result is I focus much more on their expressions.
Overall I love the semi-realistic meets cartoon style. Really looking forward to the end results, but these character sheets have been a nice tease.
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Very interesting to note! 
I also like what you said about going heavier on the chest details and a more simple middle for the armor. I can already picture it in my head, and it's helpful input. I think I'm going to try that.
As for the progress, well, there are altogether 13 protagonists currently planned for the story - Phyllis is just one of them. The other 12 are more or less locked in visuals already, too. 
So far the story has been redone countless times also, 
Glad that you like what I've hatched so far in the visuals! All in all, my challenge is to find a balance between what I want, what people like to see, what looks original, what's the current design trend, and keeping it all within the message I want to tell in this story. Plus also keep in mind what can and can not be told to not offend certain parties. It's maddening 
Thanks very much for your time in following this project and for your support!
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Being in the middle of writing a novel, I can fully empathize with your deadlines, goals, and the balance of what everyyone wants...its a nightmare at times I know!
I am glad at least your in progress, I loved your characters the first time I found them, and am eager to see them have their own story.
As to feedback, whatever you find useful I am glad to help. As a fellow artist I appreciate the feedback of followers/public and so wish to help out those I watch as well. I know sometimes you just want to gauge the public and see what they think. Hopefully you can find what you were looking for to make your designs feel more complete to you.
I will be watching your progress and look forward to more! Cheers.
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