Webcomic in the making, need ideas and help.

[Draykin]

Right, so I've stated once or twice in chat I've wanted to make a webcomic, and I was told it might be a good idea to make a thread about it so...

I wish to start a webcomic anywhere between a month from now to a year or two, depending mostly on how confident I am on my art. I have a few ideas, but that's where you guys come in, I need some help here.

I need ideas/support.

My current list of characters:
N/A
(Sub-Idea, One based off of myself)

My current list of theme ideas:
Steampunk Medieval
Mecha
(Sub-idea, Schizo-tech-mecha [This means basically Guns, Swords, and Magick])

(EDIT) World Ideas (Added because of much thinking after Dragyn's comment.)
A Utopia
A Civil War
An Alien Invasion
World War Three
The Past
Alternate History
Modern Time
Apocalyptic Future

Anything is appreciated! (Save those annoying comments that are only here to make me angry or discourage me. I hate those.)

[Dragyn]

Alright, here's my 2 cents:

The single most important thing you need now isn't the characters, but the world itself.  Start doodling buildings, landscapes, and similar things until you start to find some that you like.

Only once you've got somewhere for the characters to exist can you really figure out who they are.


By the way, what do you mean when you say mecha?  Is that a super-advanced spaceflight capable mecha as part of an army?  Would it be a prototype, or would they be everywhere?  Does it take a crew, or can a single pilot control it without a problem?

As for steampunk...there's a lot of variance within that theme.  If that's the way you choose to go, remember again that it's your comic.  Don't let the people who argue that steampunk is a certain thing dissuade you.

[Draykin]

By Mecha, I mean a very expensive, special-op exclusive single-pilot robot, size ranges. (From slightly larger than the pilot to multiple stories.) Some of the larger ones require two or more people to operate. A few prototypes for space-flight are being made, although a few variants made to go into the atmosphere do exist. Flying mechs also exist.

Thanks for the input.

[Kasimir]

Sounds like you're off to a great start.

For the setting I'm thinkin' cyberpunk. Like as in, fully-automated future-tech world. This can go several possible directions, but you should determine what you wanna do first. Is technology better or worse for everyone? Is it a free utopia, or an oppressive autocracy?

But that's just me.

[Virmir]

I am of the exact opposite opinion of Dragyn in that I think the characters are more important than the setting in terms of what you should design first.   For me really the plot is most important, and then I construct characters based on what is required for the plot, then secondarily setting based on what is required for the plot and characters.  Although sometimes the characters lead the way, and plot and setting mold to fit them.  Depends on the situation.  I never build the world first. Not saying Dragyn is wrong, but just approaches this in a different way.

I for one am a fan of fantasy/magic, but seems like you're veering away from that, he he he.  Best of luck!  Excited to see what you put out.

[Draykin]

Sounds like you're off to a great start.

For the setting I'm thinkin' cyberpunk. Like as in, fully-automated future-tech world. This can go several possible directions, but you should determine what you wanna do first. Is technology better or worse for everyone? Is it a free utopia, or an oppressive autocracy?

But that's just me.

Cyberpunk, eh? I never knew what that was before today.  Anyways, to answer your questions, it depends on what setting I choose. Although I doubt I will lean to the point of wanting a "free" utopia.

I for one am a fan of fantasy/magic, but seems like you're veering away from that, he he he.  Best of luck!  Excited to see what you put out.

As for this, let it be known I WANT to implement magic in some way or another, and hopefully throw in some medieval stuffs as well, but again, it depends on what I choose.

Also, as a sidenote, it appears people seem to be leaning more towards the "techy" ideas. I like that. Never tried such a thing before.

[Kasimir]

Well if you threw in medieval stuff in a tech world, it'd be little less than Star Wars.

So you wanna write a story about opression? Unfortunately, (from what I gather,) there's no purity in that. Your comic will be viewed primarily as propoganda, so be prepaired to research your facts to backup your cynical viewpoint. On the other hand, if the setting is utopia, people won't care about any associated politics, and will better enjoy the comic, as will you.

[Draykin]

Well if you threw in medieval stuff in a tech world, it'd be little less than Star Wars.

So you wanna write a story about opression? Unfortunately, (from what I gather,) there's no purity in that. Your comic will be viewed primarily as propoganda, so be prepaired to research your facts to backup your cynical viewpoint. On the other hand, if the setting is utopia, people won't care about any associated politics, and will better enjoy the comic, as will you.

First of all, I don't see how that would make it like Star Wars, I plan solid, metal weapons, not flashy super laser beams of super cut. I may put in a few laser weapons, but for the most part, it would stick with solid and projectile weapons.

Secondly, if I did make something involving an opressive government/ruler/dictator, I would most likely try to avoid today's politics and probably choose something more like it uses the Code of Hamurabi or something of the like. Alternatively, I could have multiple "factions" that would have different types of ruling/government.  That would probably allow the most diversity.

A "free" utopia is still an option however.

[Evilhumour]

How about a time clash? The past enters the future ?

[Draykin]

How about a time clash? The past enters the future ?

Not sure if I could make such a thing work...

[Trask]

Here is my silly idea, I like medieval fantasy stuff, with maybe a touch of steampunk? But what would be an interesting take is making it very RPG-ish, with stats and stuff hehe, damage being in numbers and all that. 

[Draykin]

Here is my silly idea, I like medieval fantasy stuff, with maybe a touch of steampunk? But what would be an interesting take is making it very RPG-ish, with stats and stuff hehe, damage being in numbers and all that. 

Heh, ever heard of the .hack manga? That's literally about an RPG game. Your idea is noted though.

[Trask]

Actually I do remember that. 

[Draykin]

So, you have nothing to add besides your "silly" idea?

[Trask]

Hehe, well not currently.