Starbolts #216: Coming Attractions

Well, you didn't honestly expect to keep the Mosqukatara gone forever did you? Some back story is probably needed. Back in the early issues of this comic, the Starbolts and everyone else took on an insectoid race that had once enslaved the peaceful planet of Aquarius. They were defeated once and returned some years later to try again. This time, they tried to conquer Earth and Leonid IV while they attempted to reclaim Aquarius.

The plan failed and the new Alliance of planets went straight into the heart of Mosqukatara space and took out the bug homeworld, killing a lot of insects. Some survived and wandered the galaxy as nothing more than scavengers without a true Queen to direct them and guide them to victory. They decided enough was enough and proceeded to attack the world of the neutral aliens.

And the rest as they say is history. I was planning to bring the bugs back one day. But, I wanted to give them a new form. And trust me, they will get a new form. Who knows what new form a Mosqukatara/Neutralon hybrid will take. Let's just say the Alliance (Humans, Aquans, Leonids, Dovianni and Setleth) are going to have their hands full soon.

Next week, you can expect another trailer-like comic for another storyline I am working on. =) This is gonna be a rough year for everyone! See you next time!

Starbolts #215: Home for the Holidays

 Happy holidays! This holiday comic wraps up the loose end of "Whatever happened to Tanis?" from back in issue 200. I didn't want to leave his fate up in the air TOO long because he'll be needed. Oh, trust me. He. Will. Be. Needed. A question of course remains. Has the experienced changed him? We'll see soon enough. Probably next week. =)

Anyway, I like what I did with the ghost effect. Originally, I was going to have them be black and white. But, eh, no. It's better this way. They're more ghostly and such. In fact, I'm probably going to use this for Crystal soon.

I also wanted to make the holiday comic a bit like a Charles Dickens tale. Jack was visited by four ghosts and told to basically embrace the here and now and let go of the past. Remember it, sure. But, don't forget to keep yourself in the present and be with your friends today. An important lesson. Even for one who was displaced in time.

Also, we learn the truth about Cobra. He's neither living nor dead. What is he, then? He was brought to life by Demonstorm, remember. So...what is he? That answer will be revealed another time.

See you all next time for the last Starbolts comic of 2013! Happy holidays!

Starbolts #214: The First Rule of Robotics

Hail!

The adventure in the United Kingdom has come to a close with Norad taking down Syntax. Now...will he return? Will Donna fit in with the Starbolts? Will Jack Lantern, Valentine and Punchline return? We shall see sooner or later, true believers. It was fun doing this quick storyline as a send-up of a Doctor Who adventure. The Syntax drones marching on London were like the Cybermen marching on London for example. That and Donna Tate's name comes from Doctor Who companion Donna Noble and of course the actress who plays her, Catherine Tate.

In other news, this is the first new comic I put on Deviantart. Imageshack keeps breaking my older comics. So, I will be working to get all the older ones up to fill in the gap as it were from 99 to 214. It can be done since Deviantart has changed their upload system to something that is workable.

Today I will talk briefly about the X-Men as it's their 50th anniversary as well as the Avengers. I read the X-Men before the Avengers and they always had a soft spot in my heart. They were a fantastic group of the strangest heroes of all. What I liked most about them is the fun and downtime they had in a few issues. And unity. Both are sorely missed in today's X-Men comics.

So, happy anniversary to Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Strangest heroes of all! You both have great members in your ranks from Captain America to Firestar to Nightcrawler and Iceman. Here's to another fifty!

Next week's comic will be the annual Christmas comic...featuring a return of an old friend! Stay tuned for Starbolts #215: Home for the Holidays!

Starbolts #213: Love and Robots

Bad guys joining superhero teams is nothing new. The Avengers have had members turning over a new leaf for about as long as their fifty year history. And to celebrate their fiftieth year, I have two baddies who MAY become good guys later. I don't know. If I ever decide to make two baddies become good guys, it might be Valentine and Punchline. Only because...let's face it....their hearts just aren't into the whole super-villain thing. They haven't held any countries for ransom or killed anyone. Plus, I think you'd decide on a new career path if your teammate was using your duplicates to create a robot army. Plus, I think Valentine's more suited to being a femme fatale to be honest.

Back to the Avengers since I promised a post talking about them. I love the Avengers. They're one of my favorite teams in the Marvel Universe. Not THE favorite. But, they are still good nonetheless. The Avengers have reached their 50th year and we've seen legends, Gods, heroes and villains join their ranks. They're Marvel's answer to the Justice League and have continued to fight the foes no single hero can withstand.

Next time, I'll talk briefly about Marvel's mighty mutants the X-Men! Who...also turn 50 this year. Heh. What a year for 50s, right? See ya next time!