Test Page Of Sorts

This ended up being one o those test that I was originally gungho about but then ended up drawing due to neurotic things that bothered me about it. This isn't to say that I wont do a comic! I most certainty will... it's just that I'm picky about the long and tone of things.

My main problem with this test is that Sonic has yet to have a defined look that I'm satisfied with from all angles. In fact, his father has a more solid design than Sonic does at this point, and that's kind of bothersome. :B Then again, taking something as iconic as Sonic and making it your own while sticking the formulas for him that work is a bit daunting!

He's a character who I think would benefit from more inspired elements from his father ranging from "hair" to muzzle style and it's an aspect of his design I will be tacking thanksgiving break while trying to nail down certain elements that will make him fit with the rest of the cast while being his own. I've somewhat succeed here with that goal; and I think giving him less chiseled features and a shorter stature could help with that.

But the main goal, seeing what format would work with the characters and practicing certain elements had some good learning points! I would much prefer this comic be horizontal in layout, but I will have to sketch out parts of book one to see how well that will translate as a page to page thing.

Level 1

Short story time! But ti does contain spoilers. :U

He looks normal here, because Overlanders don't mutate until they're in their mid to late teens. He's in his early tweens here so he looks pretty normal, except for the black tongue and gums. :B


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Beep, beep beep, beep, beep… His eyes darted, but there was nothing.

Beep, beep, beep, beep… He felt a chill coming from the left of him, and a soft, almost comforting and familiar warmth from underneath his hand.

Beep, beep, his hand rose to his face. He halted, from the hall he heard the rolling of wheels on a smooth surface, moaning and brisk commands shooting down as he darted his eyes frantically, still noting.

Amongst the clatter a soft gait could be heard. Shoes, he knew it was the sound of shoes, nice ones; not like the ones he had. Maybe this being's shoes even had shoelaces, or sturdy soles, the boy was momentarily preoccupied by the perceived comfort these shoes must have had for their owner.

"Hello, boy."

The boy didn't respond.

"How are you feeling today."

"My name is not boy." He replied curtly. Paper flipped clumsily as he darted his eyes, still nothing. "Well we will have to call you boy until you give us a name."

"Where am I?" He heard the sound of something thin and light falling on a cushioned surface. "I cannot tell you that unless you give us a name." The boy's mouth pursed with a queer grin, "why so secretive?" A short pause, "there are no secrets here, we just want your name."  The boy smelled the room, felt the rhythms of the people in there with them, there was much whispering and ginger movements and he could feel the man's feverish heartbeat in the breath that hit his face.

"You found my blaster and want to know how it works." A stifled silence entered the room as the boy listened for a response. "To be more precise, we want to know how a child got access to it." The man finally responded.

"You mean, you want to know how I made it." There was slight laughter in the room. "You're laughing, but you don't even know how to use it, and you know it doesn't have a serial." The room became silent again. "Plus it has technological capacities not located within our borders." The man's voice became serious, "And nothing like it has been made since the hundred year war… How did you come across writings for such a technology."

The boy looked around, still nothing, "Well it could be easier if I could see in here, seeing would be nice, but they ripped out my eyes. Might trust you more with eyes, but I already don't - so whatever." He heard the man shifting his position with agitation."You mean the Mobians." The man responded. The boy paused, "……. yea. Did you know they actually bathe?"

"Boy, how did you come across the writings for this technology…"

"Dolt, I didn't… I found an image of a man on a galonae like beast - a statue. In his hand he had a gun type thing. So I built it."

"You can't just build something that complex with no direction… Especially if the technology is dead - no reference. You needed -"

"You can if you're a god." The boy smiled even more, "I don't need books or algorithms to build what I see in my head. Or a calculator."

 The man scoffed, "you can't even read!"

"Does a bird need to read to understand aerodynamics? Does a termite need to understand pedology or the cat physics?"  The doctor recoiled, "They're beasts, of course not!"

The boy's mouth became stiff, "they're savants." His hand absently crept against the grooves of the covers until it came across something hallow and light, they became preoccupied and his face calmed."Give me eyes and I will explain my gun to you."

"Give me your name first."

"You know you can't use the technology without me, did you try already? I made a special key." He began playing with a notch located in the back of the hollow object until it could be twisted no further. "And killing or torturing me would do no good, I don't feel pain like most of us." He let the object writhe in his hands. "So give me eyes and I will give you my clubhouse."

A hand snapped to someone in the distance as they walked away briskly. "How about this, give us a name for your eyes, and your services for your freedom, Overlander…"

The boy clasped the figure in his hands, preventing it from moving as the mechanisms halted. "So you're not me. But you smell so much like me. Interesting…" He  gently caressed the toy, "You're not a threat, but I like games. Do you like games? I do…. So this is level one, and player two needs a name. What is yours?" The man readjusted himself, "Prometheus."

The boy's face brightened.

 "Ivo. Let the games begin."

Mobian Culture : Clothing

A friend of mine bought up a good point about how awkward it would be for anthropomorphic animals who have more human qualities to their anatomy would be partially clothed. Often going bare in areas that would need the most closure. ;) I can agree with them on that actually!

It's never explained why certain animals are more clothed than others in the comics. In fact, there are some who are more realistic in anatomy that go full bare while others who are more toony are only seen fully clothed. This seems to be a gender issue in some areas depending on the age of the character among other things ect. But that's only a guess on my end...

So! Here's where I try and bring some logic to the way Mobians dress. :D

In my story, Mobians are sentient hybrids of various animals (with human DNA) that generally act in a humanoid or human fashion. Although they're part animal and therefore have some special gifts depending on the species; they also inherent a limited expression of these traits. For example; Caniform mobians can smell very well but they cannot track like a dog. Feliform Mobians have very good night vision but cannot see as well as an animal cat. And the same goes for very specific species such as Skunks; they've got really good visual depth and are thus good snipers, but lack the ability to spray like animal skunks.

Because these hybrids (Mobians) have more human mentalities and beliefs; they also manifest more complex cultural values. And while each clan or race has their own philosophy about the world; they also have their own philosophy about clothing.

Most Mobians who reside in places where few humans live wear little to not clothing. The most a Mobian might wear are shoes if their feet are exposed to harsher ground. But as a general rule, many Mobians find clothing to be unnecessary when they have fur or other physical attributes that keep them comfortable in their environment.

Mobians that adhere to this are mostly nomads, or dwell beyond human or Overlander contact.

Like any highly intelligent being; Mobians sometimes do things that other Mobians may consider unnecessary. See Derps wearing sun glasses? He doesn't need those by-golly! But Derps believes that he does need Sunglasses because they help define his character based on prescribed meanings to them. So regardless if they're functional or not; they are a status symbol a form of communication.

Despite the presumed superficial reasoning Derps has provided for his eye and wrist wear; other Mobians do make exceptions as to why they wear clothing that's not physically necessary.

Mobians that need to express social hierarchy in complex communities generally go partially clothed like Derps. Mobians that are law enforcers, rulers, generals, ect. often wear only what's required to define them as such from an abroad stance. This can range from top uniforms, hats, or a mix of both.

Mobians who adhere to this generally have had minimal to maximum exposure to humans and Overlanders.

Although one could argue that they should go fully clothed; many Mobians do not like the concept of clothing to begin with. When in motion, clothing can get caught in the fur, hair, scales, feathers; or other sensitive areas that can cause personal discomfort. Which is why many, when allowed to do so, do not wear pants; but may opt for a skirt or kilt in areas where it's considered uncouth to allow the exposure of your nethers.

Mobians who go full clothed generally live near or in Human and Over lander societies. While some human / Overlander societies are more tolerant to partially clothed or nude Mobians. Other societies generally penalize and often fine such a visual "offense."

Although this sect of Mobian society constitute as a few; there are some who actually enjoy being fully clothed and even promote it. Some do it for vain reasons; but many enjoy it because it's what they were raised into. Those who cannot wear most clothing such as some birds, hedgehogs, and other animals will either modify their bodies, or their clothing.

Overall, clothing and the use of it when it comes to Mobians depends on the policies, raising, and culture.

And that's my two cents on Mobians and clothes!