The Sprite Comic Spectacular: With an added twist! -- Sign-ups

Welcome, one and all, to the Sprite Comic Spectacular! This is a variation of a Shantytown event we hold every few months as a contest to determine who can make the best sprite comic. Normally, folks sign up and submit any sort of comic they'd like, but for this contest, there's an added twist...

Some of you may have heard of the new Zelda Universe Multimedia Division (ZUMD) project taking place. Headed by our beloved Power Shot, this project aims to create dynamic, original content to be viewed on the ZU homepage. One part of this content is supposed to be a Zelda-based sprite comic (or two, but I'd like to start with one for now) that would be created by the wealth of spriting talent we have here in ZU's own Sprite Comic Shantytown.

So now, we are looking for the individuals who are fit to work on such a project and what the project will be, and that is the aim of this contest. The ZU homepage is viewed by thousands of people every day, so we expect the quality of any sprite comic series to match or exceed the rest of the site, even more so considering the stigma sprite comics already have. So in this contest, we will decide what the comic will be about by challenging all interested to develop the basis of the sprite comic, both graphically and plot-wise, here's how it will work:

You must create an original Zelda-based sprite comic series by doing two things: creating a plot hook and a graphical "sample."

The plot hook should be typed about a paragraph or two long, discussing what the over-reaching plot of the comic is. We don't know how many comics will be made for the series, but we would still like a rough idea of what the comics will be about and how they will connect. Don't go into too much detail or reveal spoilers, just a small plot hook (like you would read in a movie review, for example) that would make a reader go: "Hmm, that's interesting, I want to read this!". Feel free to be creative, but there are some restrictions:

- NO CROSSOVERS! Just no way. No way at all. No Mario and Link or anything, that's been done to death.

- No Four Swords plot, as in following the Four Links with varying personalities on wild adventures. That's also a little cliche and unoriginal.

- Link doesn't have to be the protagonist in this comic, at least not in an unoriginal way. There are too many plots that simply follow Link along in his adventures; a plot that focuses on a more minor or original character in the Zelda universe might be better for example, or a plot that follows Link's adventures in a creative way.

Other than that, feel free to be creative. You can even break these rules, I suppose, if you figure your idea is creative enough, but I wouldn't count on it.

The second part of your submission will be a graphical sample. Basically, a comic out of your proposed series. It can be the first comic in your series, or something out of the middle, or whatever. We simply want to know what the comic will look like and to get comfortable with your skills as a spriter. Feel free to be creative with the comic, so long as it takes place in your proposed comic series, but there are a couple restrictions as well:

-The comic must adopt the sprites and backgrounds of a single 2D Zelda title, meaning all of the sprites should come from either Zelda 1, Zelda 2, ALttP, the Gameboy Zeldas, the Minish Cap, or Four Swords (which is just MC sprites with ALttP backgrounds, really). Customs and edits of sprites and backgrounds are allowed, but they must fit very well into the graphics of the selected game, meaning bittage and style.

- There are no specific size restrictions, but don't overdo it. Something too large or to small would be unacceptable.

And there you go. I was probably somewhat unclear, so feel free to ask questions if you are confused.

Now, the purpose of this thread is sign-ups for people interested in making this concept sprite-comic (entering the contest doesn't mean you have to end up working for the site, we're just looking for ideas). After a week or so of sign-ups, we will give folks a week or so to work until judging begins. Entries will be PMed to me and then posted in a poll, asking the masses to choose which one they like the most. The one with the most votes will be declared the winner of the contest, and will likely get much prestige and a shiny banner.

One important disclaimer: The comic concept that wins the popular vote will be highly considered for adoption onto the main site, but not guaranteed. What gets on the main site is the decision of a select few, and they ultimately will choose what conceptual comic will be adopted, perhaps even tweaking the concept along the way. If you wish to volunteer to help make the sprite comic for the main site (which may not be based on what you submit), make it clear when you sign up, and you will be considered based on how well you do in this contest. Note that the resulting comic for the main site would ideally have about three authors, who must work in harmony to keep the comic consistent and updated frequently. Since there will only be about three authors ideally, we won't be able to choose everyone should interest be great, so do your very best if you would really like to contribute to the project in the future.

Enough of that, then. Onto the-

SIGNUP LIST!:

1. Dr. Fish
2. Lurrrre!
3. GoldStud
4. UZ!
5. Dustfinger
6. Stupidmahn
7.
8.
...

Be sure to sign up within the next week or so, and have your entries ready and PMed to me in the next two weeks or so. I have no specific closing date yet, either for the sign up deadline or the entry deadline, but don't hesitate of you're interested, do this ASAP.

Okay, first off- this really isn't a Bonanza. Sorry.

-The comic must adopt the sprites and backgrounds of a single 2D Zelda title, meaning all of the sprites should come from either Zelda 1, Zelda 2, ALttP, the Gameboy Zeldas, the Minish Cap, or Four Swords (which is just MC sprites with ALttP backgrounds, really). Customs and edits of sprites and backgrounds are allowed, but they must fit very well into the graphics of the selected game, meaning bittage and style.

^ Second: don't you think this is kind of limited? Can't I use custom sprites? I have enough to make a good Twilight Princess comic. Also, I think photo backgrounds can make interesting comics.

- No Four Swords plot, as in following the Four Links with varying personalities on wild adventures. That's also a little cliche and unoriginal.

^ Third: This made me laugh!

Anyway, I know you're the 'mod' and all, but I'm really not sure this is the Bonanza tradition. I realize that suddenly there is this great prize of being official ZU material, but I really got a bad taste in my mouth from the Bonanze brand being used this way. I mean, look at this-

So feel free to come in with the federal mandate and paint the Bonanza sign over with a twist, but don't ask me to like it.

Really he has a point!
not allowing customs is well uncouth, I myself top GS in TP customs, well until I shared them with him! but this may fit the title any way I mean who has a Tp comic?

I didn't say customs would be banned outright, I just said that they had to fit into the style of whatever 2D Zelda game. This is mostly because under a system of multiple authors, drawing sources from a single game will keep things looking consistent. A comic based purely on customs and arbitrary backgrounds would vary too much from person to person, with people pulling backgrounds and sprites out of nowhere. Plus, basing the sprites on an actual 2D game evokes more familiarity.

And if you don't want the contest to be called the "Bonanza", that's fine, I guess, it's just a name. I'm sorry about all the restrictions, but there really is a chance to get some exposure here that I think you shouldn't pass up.

Okay, here's a graphical sample:


So, as far as plot... I plan on Ganondorf and Link not liking each other, but for some funny reason getting stuck with each other, and saving Zelda from a giant crab. That's what I got.

Edit- should make a bit more sense with that extra speech bubble

While the kind of comic I'm looking more is larger and the plot more detailed than the one you submitted, GoldStud, I really like yours. I think what we may end up doing is having two types of comic: a big, more serious comic that's like a dozen panels large each page, and a shorter, sillier, more non-sequiter type comic like the one you made. Other webcomics, such as Fanboys and CAD, already do so to great effect.

Regardless, I'm putting you in the contest.

Originally Posted by Lucas

While the kind of comic I'm looking more is larger

Oh. This is just a graphical sample, I guess. Me and Lurrrre! were thinking of co-oping a whole comic.

Oh. When I said "Graphical sample", I meant like a whole comic, as it would look like in your series. Sorry for the confusion.

And a GS and Lurrrre! team sounds unstoppable! But we'll work out those details later. For now, I would simply like to have a good contest and get some ideas flowing!

Something where I'm not required to make my own sprites?! This might interest me just enough to get me into sprite comicking again!!

If I can think of anything :/

You're on the list, UZ!, you have no choice now!

So, I'm in, I'd say.
And do we also have to state clearly when we're not interested in that mainpage-job? Well, just to be sure, I'm not.

I'll sign up ;-;
But now i haz to think of a new plot

edit: ok
So here's my sample comic:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4...lecomicib4.png


and the plot, well, in my head it came down to two different ones.

one of them, it involves somebody (not sure who) accidentally killing off link and being forced to be his replacement

and the other one focuses more on Link accidentally killing many people and being on the run from the authorities ;-;

I call the last spot! Unless Blizz would like to part-take, in which case he may take my spot.

Blizz > Me at comic making so...yeah ;D

Fish, when is the graphic sample due?

Originally Posted by Lucas

You're on the list, UZ!, you have no choice now!

OHSHI-

Heh, I'm sure I'll come up with something.

so who's the 6th person on the list? ;-;

Fish, when is the graphic sample due?

Graphical sample comic and plot detail should be PMed to me by, ohhh...How's the 19th?

Of December?

October.

NOVEMBER 19th, geez.

It has long been a dream of mine for Zeldish to be on the home page, ever since I first joined. But it seems that dream will never be achieved.

I cannot participate in this so called "bonanza" for various reasons. My top including:

1. I don't have the time to start up a new series. Zeldish is my series.

2. Since Zeldish is "Four Links with varying personalities on wild adventures," and you think that my hard work for originality is " also a little cliche and unoriginal," I don't feel much for signing up anyways.

3. Because of Project X, Zeldish would have violated the "NO CROSSOVERS" rule, even though the sprites are in Four Sword style; however, the crossover is extremely unique, and I doubt you'd have even seen the likes of Project X before. Ask Lurrrre!. He knows what I'm talking about.

4. I won't be around much longer anyways since I'm leaving for my mission in December, and won't have spriting access in a few weeks' time, and thus, wouldn't be able to remain consistent with updates since I wouldn't be able to make one for two years.

Oh well. To those who participate, I wish you luck!

But...


This doesn't sound like a sprite comic bonanza to me. Isn't that GoldStud's job? I'd like an actual sprite comic contest. One that I could actually participate in.

2. Since Zeldish is "Four Links with varying personalities on wild adventures," and you think that my hard work for originality is " also a little cliche and unoriginal," I don't feel much for signing up anyways.

Zeldish is great for what it is, as is Linkmaster3000's Four Swords comic, but it's a big internet out there, and there are many Four Swords comics, including an official manga. We're looking for something a little more unique.

3. Because of Project X, Zeldish would have violated the "NO CROSSOVERS" rule, even though the sprites are in Four Sword style; however, the crossover is extremely unique, and I doubt you'd have even seen the likes of Project X before. Ask Lurrrre!. He knows what I'm talking about.

There's an exception to every rule, and I certainly don't want to inhibit people's creativity. However, I'm sure you've seen enough bad crossover comics to know why I made that rule.

This doesn't sound like a sprite comic bonanza to me. Isn't that GoldStud's job? I'd like an actual sprite comic contest. One that I could actually participate in.

I know, I know, this contest is somewhat restrictive. I'd put up another, more free contest, but I don't want to juggle more than one at a time, and this is pretty important.

There's an opportunity to create a GOOD sprite comic here, folks, with a LOT of traffic. More than any forum thread could ever get.