Conqueror

[Pauul]

I have long been a fan of science fantasy, ever since I was a boy. I would sit for hours watching Star Wars and as I grew older my interests expanded to classical mythology as well as other works of science fantasy such as Dune and John Carter.

A couple of years ago an editor called John Paul Fitch (who some of you might know) was putting together an anthology called Flux UK for an indie comic book company called What the Flux?! Comics and invited me to pitch ideas.

I showed him my usual superhero ideas; from the classic to the dark... however it was another idea which caught his eye. A science fantasy idea which I had pushed to the side and neglected. An idea I called Conqueror.

And as I returned to that idea and began to work on it again, I remembered the love I held in my heart for those classic science fantasy adventure stories and a vision for an epic saga began to unfold in my mind.

It begins on the far side of the universe where there exists a planet called Mar. This is a peaceful world. A land of pacifists. But a shadow is moving closer to Mar. A race of conquerors known as the Tivians are headed toward this world of peace. And when they arrive, a young boy by the name of Sandr must make a choice. Will he run, hide, surrender... or will he do something else?

Something entirely alien to his people.

Will he fight?

I've spent years working on this idea, writing scripts and planning ahead.

The Flux UK anthology was discontinued, but the folks at Flux were so impressed by what we'd already put together that they offered us an ongoing title. Conqueror #1 is planned to be released in the next few months.

I've been working with the talented Kean Kennedy who has generated the concept art and the interiors. The above artwork was created by Chris Meeks for our front cover.

Issue #1 in complete and we are currently working on Issue #2 but putting together a comic book like this is a massive undertaking. As such I am looking for other artists to contribute, whether it be drawing guest arcs (usually amounting to 40 pages) or backup strips (usually 10 pages).

I'm really passionate about this project and so I'm going to do everything I can to ensure it succeeds.

What the Flux?! Comics is an indie publisher, so the work would be backend pay (a percentage of whatever each issue makes).

Yes, I'm aware that what I'm asking would be a lot of work for any artist and success is far from guaranteed. But it is my personal beleif that you need to take chances if you want to get ahead. I love this idea and I want it to succeed, however I also recognise that this is a chance to prove to any of the larger comic book publishers out there that I can put together a product of professional quality.

I do want to break into the comic book industry and to do that, I must prove myself.

Perhaps this could be an opportunity for others to do the same.

You can find more information about What the Flux?! Comics here;
http://whatthefluxcomics.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/What-The-Flux-Comics/107411060298

The Conqueror facebook page (which includes concept art) can be found here;
http://www.facebook.com/conquerorcomic

And you can read other stories by me here;
http://issuu.com/atwomic/docs/projections
http://pauulp.deviantart.com/gallery/32795742

I have previously been published in FutureQuake #20, I have a story due to appear in Something Wicked later this year, two of my stories have been accepted into the Millarworld Space Oddities anthology and another two of my strips have been accepted into the Future Noir anthology.

If you're an artist who wants to contribute then please get in touch, if not, then we'd appreciate any other support you could give.

Please, no negative comments.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

[Pauul]

And yes, I have a tendency to speechify when I'm nervous so I'm hoping you'll forgive that 

[Steven Austin]

Looks and sounds epic Pauul, good luck with it man!!

I would certainly be interested in getting involved - don't think i'll have the time to produce a 'whole' comic but could certainly manage 6 inked pages or so.

[Pauul]

Thanks Steven.

I've been really impressed by your artwork on the 'Attempts at the sample scripts' thread.

With the backup strips we'd definetly be looking at ten pages minimum but there's still plenty of time to get them drawn. I don't want our readership to feel cheated, so I'm holding the backup strips until the start of 2014. The first four issues are only going to feature the main story.

I'll send you a PM.



If anyone else is reading, then it'd be really helpful to find a guest artist to work on our second story arc which is called 'Haunted'. It focuses more on the fantasy element, rather than the science element, of science fantasy.

Kean has been doing amazing work on the opening story arc, which is called 'Conquered', but I respect how much time and energy it takes for him to produce a forty page story which is why he requested I look into finding guest artists.

We really could use all the help we can get, so if anyone would like to take a look at the scripts or has any advice on putting together indie comic books, it'd be really great to hear from you.

Thanks for reading.

[Pauul]

A preview for Conqueror #1 has just gone online at What'cha Reading?

http://whatchareading.com/2013/02/26/conqueror-a-brand-new-science-fantasy-from-what-the-flux-comics/

[Pauul]

Conqueror is now on sale at What the Flux?! Comics; http://whatthefluxcomics.com/webstore.php



I'm still looking for more artists to work on backup strips and guest story arcs, so if you're good and think you can match the visual style, then please get in touch.