136 full-color page graphic novel by tdcollins. Ellis (gay male) fights for the freedom from oppression & religious fundamentalism.
OCCULTATION: REVEALING THE TRUTH, IN A WORLD OF LIES.
- A gay graphic novel
- 136 full-color pages
- Soft Cover*
- 8.5″ x 11″
Occultation contains:
- Adult language
- Adult situations
- Gay characters
- Violence
- Blood
- Sexual situations
- Nudity
THE STORY
It’s Tuesday, August, 24th 2483. The Earth has been under the power of the NMO (New Moral Order) for hundreds of years. Most of the planet’s surface has been destroyed. Under the strict rule of the NMO, the remaining population either lives in hiding or in fear. The NMO is free to do whatever they wish. The earth’s climate is spiraling out of control in a Venus-like greenhouse effect.
The religious fanatics wait for the end times. Day after day, month after month, year after year, and century after century. Repeated predictions never come to fruition. But the end of days may be coming sooner than they think, but from a completely different source.
Ellis Becker is an extractor. A highly trained specialist who’s purpose is to extract people, art, literature and anything of value to the human race, without detection. He is authorized to use any force needed to accomplish this.
A LIFELONG DREAM
In or around 1984 (I was 19 years old) I wanted to do a graphic novel. I was in love with science fiction. I read OMNI Magazine and Heavy Metal Magazine. Jean Giraud and Enki Bilal were a couple of my favorite artists in Heavy Metal Magazine. I ordered graphic novels that were advertised like Ranxerox, Immortal, and Den. But I was frustrated that there were no serious gay-themed graphic novels. And the ones that were available, I was too embarrassed to purchase. Plus, they all had the same characteristics- everything was unrealistically “WAY out of proportion.” I wanted to do a story with characters for whom I could relate. (Is that proper English?)
So I started work on my graphic novel when I was 19. But because of life getting in the way, fear of my subject matter and hardships, I abandoned the idea. Back then, it was all ink and paper. As an artist, I think I’m pretty good. But I had one weakness: being inconsistent with likenesses in my character design. If I’m not looking at something, it’s more difficult for me to be accurate.
I would do this “Start and Quit” process for many years, over and over again. It wasn’t until I started getting into 3D when things started to take off again. I have to admit. I had been working with ZBrush for 4 years before thinking, “Hey! I can sculpt my characters in ZBrush and turn and move them to a pose I want! And they would still look like themselves!”
Even after 4 years I was still a novice in 3D. It took about 6-7 months to develop my character, Ellis. Every step of the way was more tutorials and money to get the answers I needed to do a well enough model to work with. I purchased sets and items in 3D for use in my novel. I wanted to do my own, but it would have taken me years to get to the point where I could start working on the art. I’m not getting any younger and already wasted too much time. And this process was achieving the look and feel I was after. So, I marched on! After a while and thousands of dollars later, I finally had a model of Ellis with which I felt confident.
About Project Creator:
Thom Collins
My name is Thom Collins and I am an artist and UI Designer living in Vermont. I was born and raised in Hermosa Beach, California. I moved to Vermont with my husband to get away from the noise and crowds. It’s peaceful out here. I miss the ocean more than I can say but, we visit the coast of Maine as much as we can.
I love to paint. I paint with gouache or acrylics on canvas whenever time permits.
Thank you for your interest in my project.
For more information, please visit Occultation Kickstarter page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1235603036/occultation-0
