Stroxx

This looks really nice! You did hit the proportions pretty well with this pic and I like how you tackled the mask. Though his right arm looks a bit akward holding the weapon in that position. It might look luckier if his forearm wouldn't be covering up his upper arm.

These illustrations are awesome, Stroxx!  Miserix is so far my favorite. The details you've borrowed from his canon form are really thoughtful and well placed, and the color scheme you chose suits him well.  It could just be the angle playing tricks, but the tail seems oddly proportioned to me.  It seems like it should be seen coming up to meet his body rather than disappearing behind his thigh (or thinned out a bit where we see it "under" his leg).  I can see how this apparent distortion could just be a result of the angle, if the tail were to come straight down before curving away from his body.  That's me being overly critical I think.  Anyway, his face and mask look very jolly! It would have been neat to see him holding a pre-ev version of his staff -- might've helped the sage look you were going for.

 

I for one would love to see Teridax, not sure if anyone's requested him yet.  Not to mention post-ev renditions of these Makuta...I'd love to see any of the G1 characters rendered in your artistic style, really.  Keep up the great work!

 

J•B

Thank you! It's good to know those details are distinguishable but still translate well into the design!

The tail is disproportionate on purpose. It's supposed to a be a little bit more like certain gekkos' tail, with widening out a bit around the midsection, so it can hold his weight properly would he choose to ballance or sit on it.

I guess the 3/4 view is a bit unforgiving on that detail, but this position holds the most information in case I need a quick glimpse on the character. This is also the main reason why all of them stand in a similar position and hold out one of their hands with the palm facing to the viewer and have the closer one hang by their side showing the back of it.

...

I wouldn't be surprised if Teridax came last. 'Save the best for last' kind of thing. Though in my book that would have meant Teridax to probably come second-to-last, coming before Krika (whom was the first in this series   ).

 

 

...Are there any independent stories about Krika?

 

Since The Carthographer mentioned him I thought I'd do him after Bitil and Spiriah, but you know what. I like that idea. It's sadistic. I like it.

As for fanfictions on Krika I'm fresh out of ideas. I've checked both obvious off-site sources, but I didn't have too much luck when I ran a search on him some weeks ago. Though I did find a particularly good Vamprah/Gavla, with both of them in character. Haven't checked the BZP library/archive yet, but there might be something there too. DA might have something too, but eeeh... the pictures are a lot better.

I like the design a ton! Well done! Man, I would love to do a 3D model of that mask...

Wow! Well thanks! That's really nice of you! Go ahead! Do you need any additional views?

So happy

 

Very nicely done. I'm liking this one much better than the others.

Thanks! I'm trying my best! And how so? Any details that pop out for you more on this Makuta?

Hah, didn't think his mask would look like that!

Welp, not official, but at least it's something!

Squee.

 

 

You actually did it.

 

And he looks fantastic.

Thank you! Glad you like it!

Schweet, another one. This one looks great (no surprise there!) but a couple of things I want to say:

 

While this is another great drawing, I find it funny that you said that he didn't want anything too showy, yet he has tassels. Tassels. not much more fancier than that.

Also , while i like your mask design, without a set-like kanohi to base it off off I can't say much other than I like it, though the face's stylization makes Miserix look like he just came out of a Pixar movie. I always imagined him a bit more stern looking, but whatever.  Maybe he's not under pressure from work right now and is happy with his rahi creations.

Lastly, and this is just personal taste, but I hate that symbol for the Brotherhood. A Latin letter M, in Bionicle? Lego, c'mon, what where you thinking!? I would have gone for a stylized Matoran M.

Not exactly tassels. They are supposed to be these little metal dangly things you would probably see on chinese headwear or hindi stuff. And hey, we're talking about a dude who makes big darn lizards for a living.

The assumption that he isn't under much pressure here, is correct. Technically, I'm doing this series as a reference for my comic, in case would one of them show up. And the comic is starting just a few days before the Archive Massacre. So, everyone is still kind of happy-ish? At least most of them aren't that agitated yet.

That's a design mishap on my part. It's not supposed to look that much like an M, but the watermark covers it up quite unfortunately and it's too dark against the fabric. I was also lazy to look up the original symbol on BS01 when I drew him. I guess I'll have to rework that. XD

Meet the original boss of the Brotherhood.

Following the pattern, this is a pre-evolution rendition of a G1 Makuta, and very likely before Teridax's betrayal. Miserix was actually a real challenge design wise, had to go through several silhouettes before settling at one that still felt buff enough, but wouldn't be TOO top-heavy. His Kanohi needed some heavy figuring out too. Obviously he is the most removed from his original cannon look (x 40ft/12m tall dragon). I tried to go for something more sage like but still make him look like he could snap a Toa in half with his bare hands. I'm not sure if the Brotherhood would actually use any kind of formal wear or anything that would differentiate their leader, but I'm sure Miserix would go for something simple. And I definitely remember somewhere that Greg stated Miserix didn't liked showy stuff? At least that was one of the reasons for shifting the winning MOC design's colour scheme from red to greenish. (???) Though that info might be off.

Next Makuta up, Bitil.

As always comments, and CC are welcome and make me happy! =)

Feed me your comments...

I... I don't know what to say.. I mean there is something magical about this character. The art style has a comic feel but he also reminds me of Deadpool in a way how you describe him. And for that matter your whole background for him and the way you used individual little boxes to describe parts of him is a nice and unique touch. Overall this is an amazing piece and something i find fascinating.

 

Also I knew i recognized that weapon and name. You did this pic of him and that is perhaps one of my all time favorite bionicle art pieces and serves as the background for my computer. May i inquire as to why your style of him changed so drastically?

This is a long overdue answer, but I'd like to thank you in retrospect for the nice comment! When I figured out Seth's character I was not yet aware of Deadpool, but I'm really glad for all the coincidental similarities!

The answer to the question is that a lot of time has passed between the two pictures and I was relatively new to digital work when I did the previous one. I also haven't figured out yet most of Seth's anatomy until I later needed more solid visual concepts of him for the comic. XD

It certainly is a click-bait. Could use some more sparkles. Joke aside, watch text placement, one of them is really hard to see against the light background. Not sure about some of the compositional quirks either, but the picture looks nice?

I'm really grateful Mr Farshtey went as far with the story as much as he did. I'm in love with the world building he did in earlier books, especially at the Metru Nui saga before the whole thing was hijacked by the necessary Web of Shadows movie "transcript". I was all kinds of amazed how different book Sidorak was from movie Sidorak. Not even start with how the whole Voya-Nui arc took off. And I was ordering books from across the ocean at that time.

In general I really liked how he managed the characters even if he didn't have as much moving space for characterisation in certain eras. One of the things that I really enjoy in retrospect is how he kept teasing us with "love is not cannon, but here, let me throw you this bone" thing several times in lore. He may not be an Asimov, but he certainly wrote a LOT of ENJOYABLE stuff for the fandom. And it's certainly stuff that not only 13-15 year old me, but 24 year old me reads with mirth too.

 

I hate to ask, but other people have posted their so why the heck not.

 

Could Spiriah get some artistic love? There are not very many doodles of the guy.

 

 

I feel you there mate. That loser was a real cinnamonroll in FoF. I really wish he could have stayed around a lot more before he got turned into dragon food. I'm not sure how soon I'll draw him, but he does deserve more love. Maybe before I go throught with the Karda Nui Invasion Force or after. Still have to figure out some quirks for him to differentiate his mask from Antroz' and how to incorporate... all those... limbs... but still make him dorky, youngish and somewhat more collected.

 

...

 

...cinnamon roll??

 

I've layed my eyes upon the vast chasms of Tumblr and beckoned some of it's blackest corners . Somethings never fade. Cinnamonroll there is a synonim of something cute and most endearing that must be protected. It's also a fine bakery product I like.

Next time: Bitil.

 

But seriously though, nice job! i love the way you incorporated the wings.

Dork Bug is in the rooster there too, don't worry. Just gotta make sure Boss Dragon won't make any time paradoxes with his size and furniture butchery.

Thanks! It's been some time since I did me some nice batty wings.

I really dig how off his proportions are. They don't look quite right which really adds to an overall uncomfortable, alien feel. Nice work.

The trick is to find that golden spot right before the uncanny valley. Glad you like it!

I hate to ask, but other people have posted their so why the heck not.

 

Could Spiriah get some artistic love? There are not very many doodles of the guy.

I feel you there mate. That loser was a real cinnamonroll in FoF. I really wish he could have stayed around a lot more before he got turned into dragon food. I'm not sure how soon I'll draw him, but he does deserve more love. Maybe before I go throught with the Karda Nui Invasion Force or after. Still have to figure out some quirks for him to differentiate his mask from Antroz' and how to incorporate... all those... limbs... but still make him dorky, youngish and somewhat more collected.

Looks fantastic, I like the use of fleshy bits, may I request Miserix next?

Thanks! That's gonna be tricky. I love me some big scaley dragons, but I'm sure he had a form pre-mutation that accomodated better people sized buildings. And certainly wouldn't murder people sized chairs. XD

Your work never fails to amaze me. I love the elongated torso, it gives off an alien-esque vibe to the figure. 

Mission accomplished then. Thank you!

Great job as always. It would appear that with this third picture, you have a pattern being formed and a series!

 

I love how he looks very different yet still similar to his appearance at the Karda-Nui Invasion. And I can only imagine how hard it would have been to draw something un-proportionate such as this. I have some OCD 'problems' myself so I know what that's like, but at least you pulled through! It certainly does give him a unique and other-worldy appearance, as someone previously mentioned.

A pattern I'm intending to continue! It's not just good practice, but definitely gonna spare me some work!

It was mainly ballancing problems betweem how exaggarated or how practical it should be, and what looks good. And thanks!

Ok, first of all I gotta say I love how you made the shoulder armor resemble the set. And the wings, I love the wings. And the beak-nose.

I have to say it looks more like a Vamprah after the transformation, but it's awesome nonetheless.

Your work is so detailed! The hexagon pattern on the wings is a very nice touch. The torso is quite long, but yet again the torso of the set is long. I like his face because for me the set has always looked a little femine (probably because I expect blue characters to be female).

Very cool work!

Hahaha. Believe it or not, that beak-nose was a real pain in the aft. The 3/4 view was a lot wierder before I got this up here.

He does look a lot more similar to his Karda-Nui form (minus the muscles). My reasoning was that the guy has always been a silent hunter type and he must have had a reason and past EXPERIENCE if he went for the ugly but functional stuff at KN vs the flashy but not so functional form. Just look at Antroz or Chirox. If their fab KN form wouldn't had been held up by the species' natural space majyyks they would have plummeted unceremoniously like rocks. So, I'm sure Vamprah wasn't unfamiliar with that design.

And thank you! I'm a sucker for details!

I love how the details are made to resemble the actual set. And the flesh, I like the flesh. It's nice to see a biomechanical take on Bionicle every now and then.

And it seems to have the proportions of the set too! I also like how you included the details of the mask in his expression, even though I've always imagined Antroz with a different personality but that's subjective. Color is superb.

Always good to see something from ya, keep it up!

I always gravitated more toward that then versus complete accuracy to the set. Anatomy is fun and a reiteration like that holds a lot of chance! It does actually. I referenced it as much as possible to keep his general siluette, while also keeping in mind what would be practical for him based on what I know of him in a more peaceful setting.

My characterisation of him is very possibly off. I never could get my hands on the books that expanded on the Karda Nui events, I only live off of what I find on the wiki and the internetz. XD But I always imagined him as a laid back, confident, snarky ham.

And another one pops up on the internetz:

His legs were a real killer. Had to redraw it, because the proportions were waaaaaaaaaay off. But I still wanted to draw him small legs, because I mainly imagine Vamprah to be a flier by default even before Karda-Nui. Also had some issues with face that had to be readjusted later.

As always comments, and CC are welcome and make me happy! =)

 

 

...

I didn't think you were actually going to make Antroz. Well, you did, and he looks awesome in your art-style. (lips are always going to be weird though.) I wish I had the patience needed for that kind of detail and shading (I used to,,,)

 

 

...is that alcohol I spy?

Thanks! It's really just a lot of practice, I didn't spend that much time on him. XD

 

Maybe? (Thouhg it's definitely not for Matoran)

...

What the crud?

 

Most matoran are around 100,000 years old, when do you think they can hang out with Antroz? Reidak looked like he was able to (and maybe that is why he was always on all fours, the mutation thing was just a planted rumor to make him look cool).

 

I'm pretty sure the Brotherhood employed Matoran from time to time who would eventually wind up on Destral at or a Makuta lair at some point in their employment. (Pretty sure Ahkmou and Vultraz weren't the only ones XD)

That would also explain how he was caught and WHY Antroz chose him specifically. Bikers need company who can at least somewhat hold their drink.

I would like to see Vamprah, but only if he is still a vampiric nightmare.

 

And you're thinking of Radiak, Tahuzilla.

I'm getting there. He looks like the kind of vampire a Ga-Matoran'd die for.

I personally like the lips.

 

 

Also, this has been bugging at me, but is that Transformers' slang?

Yes, it is TF slang. I'm not really sure what else would fit for that context. Smelt sounds like a verb/adjective even there and scrap is just kinda "meh" for me. I'm also lazy. XD

...

I didn't think you were actually going to make Antroz. Well, you did, and he looks awesome in your art-style. (lips are always going to be weird though.) I wish I had the patience needed for that kind of detail and shading (I used to,,,)

 

 

...is that alcohol I spy?

Thanks! It's really just a lot of practice, I didn't spend that much time on him. XD

Maybe? (Thouhg it's definitely not for Matoran)

I love the art style, but I feel that the fleshy lips are out of place on such a heavily armored character. 

I'm much honored about the compliments, but I must object the lip opinion:

Too much potential.

So let me present you guys another pre-evolution Makuta:

And so, Krika is not alone anymore! For the time being. I’m pretty sure they like to drink together whatever swill they can find in the MU and talk slag about Teridax.

As always comments, and CC are welcome and make me happy! =)

These are really thoughtful! I already really liked the masks when I saw them on tumblr, and they look really cool on your mocs!

Any chance you'll be doing more?

At first look this looked kind of strange. Though inspecting it a bit more I really like the rocky texture. It kind of resembles a rock statue one would see in an old shrine.

Oooh, schnazzy.

*eyebrow wriggle* Thank you!

Gorgeous work. I love the shading, and the sketchiness lends itself well to the lanky, alien design. Shoutout to backwards Sangheili knees. 

Thanks! Sketchiness is a thing that has been stubbornly with me for decades, we know eachother's gigs.

I'm not really familiar with Halo, but I really like those aliens. Overzealous, digitrade aliens always end up on my top list. XD

Is this Krika before the hastened evolution of all Makuta bodies? Because that would explain the fleshy bits.   Never mind, read the title and topic description.

 

This is really good, has a detailed comicbook feel what with the shading and sketchiness. Next thing you know, Krika will be aiding Batman in fighting the Court of Owls.   Only thing weird in my opinion is the organic mouth: What up with that?

 

 

 

Anyway, I look forward to seeing your other doodles (please let it be Antroz).

Ahaha, I can totally see that. XD To answer the question: I like lips. Lips are awesome. It was also a design choice I made for my Bonkle fan comic years ago (see link in sig), so there is that too. Wich was also spurred by my preferrence for lips.

Antroz is a cool cat. I like him.

I'm one of those persons who disappear for a very long time then resurface with shiniez. Please have a sketchy Krika from g1, who is still relatively young and not so mopey. I hope to do some more Makuta, so he wouldn't be lonely. Also might continue some left behind comix stuff before things get intense in senior year.

As always comments, and CC are welcome and make me happy! =)

Ah I see the Elda now I was close though

Nice I can see that Traqq is going to be wild..very wild I can't wait for the next page!

And he is the milder part of the duo even with him being a lot younger than Seth.

I'm long overdue in commenting on this! I've been following the comic for a while now and I'm glad to see it's running.  I wouldn't worry too much about taking your time between pages - life has a way of pulling us away, and I don't mind waiting a bit to keep up this level of quality.

 

As always, your art is a treat to look over, with an immediately recognizable style and a well-designed take on Bionicle beings.  I'm also a fan of your setting and choice of characters; we rarely got to see most of the Makuta as much more than a league of busybody schemers, so it's quite fun focusing on a more playful one in the time before Makuta were quite so non grata. 

 

If I had one criticism, your script is a little rough - there's some odd grammatical missteps ("do you have any idea how long did it take to build her from scratch?") and occasional bits of awkward phrasing.  It might not be a bad idea to show off the lines for a page to a friend before you start inking in dialogue, just to get a second opinion.

Hehe. I’m always super scared about how people will relate to my design choices. It’s always a hard fight between characterisation, common sense and set/lore faithfulness. It’s good to hear that I manage to somehow keep the balance.

And you’re right, it does sound odd. But it kind of felt fluid some two years ago when I wrote that line, but that’s hardly an excuse. And you aren’t the first to warn me about that one. XD

I may have revived this topic to the point where this might close, but I've been watching this comic series for some time. It's really good and I love the story so far. The artwork is amazing, and it's something I can't come near to doing. Hopefully you come back with more comics to entertain us.

Revival is not a problem in the comics forum last time I checked the rules, so no worries. And never say never!

Ugh. Tat armorless Toa of water is horrific. Is it a Toa of water? The face looks male. Anyways, that is horrifying.

Drunken and grumpy people can be quite scary. Especially if they beat up people for a living. And she is supposed to look a bit more tomboyish. But to be fair, her expressions aren't very lady like either.

Just finished reading this, and I like it. I like that all of the characters have exposed muscle tissue instead of skin. It helps to demonstrate their biomechanical nature, IMO, to have their armor be their "skin".

 

Also, I read Seth's profile, and I have to say, he's now my favorite character in all of this.

....

Seth loves to have fans! In all seriousness I’m glad you like the story so far. And the possibility of exposed muscle is one of my favourite parts about bionicle creatures. No better way to drive yourself mad, than trying to draw them in their proper place but still show enough mechanical parts.

Aaahhh this is incredible ^^ You've got a real knack for storytelling, it's barely been a dozen pages and I'm already drawn in by these characters and curious as to what's going on and how they'll deal with it. The humor is great, as is their banter in general. But I'm rrreeeaaaally mostly interested with the art.

....

Starting out on an island as you pointed out, was a conscious choice. The 2000-2002 era is still something I adore with a childish fervor. And I’m planning to put in some healthy amount of forward shadowing.

And thank you! It’s always hard to figure out how to move a mask believably and I die for expressions and movement. No comic worths their salt if they can’t communicate the general story in just pictures. I also always have problem with colouring and atmospheric bgs. It’s something I’m still trying to work on but it looks like I’m onto something then.

As of the writing(/or lettering), it should be better on future pages. I do work with PS and I just recently changed to a higher version and the difference is just astonishing. The lines are so much smoother. It’s very likely I’ll go back and adjust the text in previous pages. Though that’ll have to wait for now. X)

Resolution isn’t a problem fortunately. The original file is like five times bigger. The only problem I’d have/usually have with printing are the kind of colours that infernal machine decides to puke on the paper. I only use small resolution because of the 500Kb limit and my paranoia of opportunistic people.

Such violence in this page! :U Also I'm sure that's just how she invites people to afternoon tea. Those guys are so rude!

 

This is still looking great!

You should see how she handles her actual friends! She surely is a rather surly lady! But with such rancourous rascals it’s nothing short of unexpected.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful artwork. It's also amusing. Nice dorky Makuta. Did I mention that the artwork is beautiful?

Dorky Makuta like to look snazzy. It makes them feel better and more selfconfident. Confidence in one's self is a very important thing! /hug

PAGE 11

And after much waiting I present you the newest page to the comic! I wanted to put up this page as soon as it was finished now that I'm through a rather busy semester and revived an askblog. Now that summer has finally hit in with full force even here too I'll try to churn out as much pages as possible. Especially since a fighting scene is about to come up. I'll just leave this bump here and come back in a few hours to answer all of your wonderful comments!

Really, they mean me the world to me and just gave me just enough juice and some more to pull through with my school assignments just in time to show of them to my teachers. You guys are the best! <3

2014-02-21 Edit: I'm kind of getting slower with these pages. Either because I have no detailed reference on TQ or because of the start of 2nd semester. Also, the next page might come a bit slower, I had seen a really sweet contest over at DA and I want to get something in there too. But I'll definitely try to get a page up here either by next weekend or somewhere around the middle of the week after it.

As for our heroes! Miss Angry Fish kind of lost her composure. Wonder what kind of beverage she was drinking..

Clicky for bigger res!

Nice job i can tell it's a Faxon as for the trees they look fine to me!

 

-Tahukan

If you're talking about Miss Angry Fish, no, it isn't a Faxon, I'm sorry. The guys would be in a lot more trouble then. And Traqq is wearing an Elda.

I love this a lot - loving the art style in use here!

Thank you!

Ha, I bet this is going to end in tears. Probably Traqq's tears.

Well, figuratively speaking...

Though, are there just Agori among the "new" Matoran, or is it "just" them?

I remember reading the third chapter roughly a week ago, but since I always promise myself to be far from the internet until I finish a page, I didn't really comment on it and kind of have to think up again what I wanted to say then.

Obviously the story is starting to pick up pace. I was really excited for Ahkmou, when it turned out the lady Po-Matoran was chased by something. And he is really well written, I can't wait to see more of him. And the new cameo. I would recognise any piece of that guy any time. And dude, if he really is who I think him to be, I really hope at least a certain someone is there with him (or at least followed him or just survived).

Steering back a bit to Ahkmou's confusion, I think you've mentioned that Agori and Matoran are living together on the island. If I haven't terribly misread, then Matoran are probably familiar with how Agori live. It's been bugging me a while, especially since you dropped that bomb with the whole puberty thing, but how familiar are these Matoran with stuff like family units and how they work? And I'm more then sure that some time has already passed that local Agori wouldn't feel uncomfortable about being curious about Matoran. Wich leads me to the next question, that if there are any mixed couples?

The chute travel storyboard is a bit hard to follow, but it would certainly be interesting to see it in a full blown comic. Any chance we could see some previews of those bgs?