TDC's House of Creative Madness

Grey reads: The Jabberwocky

2011-09-13T20:40:00.000-06:00

As promised!

English Version:

Highland Scott Version:

Is an outtake MP3 due? Anyway. Enjoy!

Concepts! The O.Z. Chronicles

2011-03-12T12:23:00.012-06:00

The O.Z. Chronicles
(as in, Outer Zone)

Space territory is expanding by leaps and bounds but there is a lot of money to be made mining ores which causes people to take a lot of risks. It’s a hard and dangerous job, with great reward – Dorothy lives with her uncles family and they have been mining for some time, recently expanding a new operation into the very edges of newly mapped space.

Dorothy is an independent, strong willed young woman, brought up with engine grease under her fingernails and is a natural tomboy. She usually pilots the delivery ships, even though it can be a dangerous job, with her determined nature and engineering skills she's the natural choice.

The latest load of rich and rare ores is ready, and she's tasked with taking them to the nearest port base where one of her uncles distributors will pick it up.

Shortly after starting out on her run, marauders after a quick profit target her transport. Normal procedure is to stand down and allow borders, her uncle always said that she was more precious than even their rarest ores. However ToTo, her on-board AI flags up a warning, the signature of the marauders ship matches some known slavers. Dorothy decides to try and evade them, despite the age of her transport vessel. After some nifty moves and attempts at evasive flying, she realizes that she's not going to outrun the pirates and the only way she can get out of this situation is to try and trick them.

She takes the transport into a dense gas belt which ToTo reads as being disruptive to tracking systems. She figures that if she can lead the pirates through it long enough they will eventually give up and she will have given them the slip.

The gas field is larger and more unpredictable than ToTo was able to read through the aging transport vessels sensors, they actually cause the ship to start failing as turbulent forces start to cause damage to the ship. The pirates are left far behind as Dorothy struggles to bring the ship through the gas ribbon – thinking that once through it she can reboot the ship's systems and get back into trafficked space. However the instruments are even more damaged than she realizes and when she eventually manages to limp the ship out of the gas cloud, it's far from known spaceways and deep into the outer zones.

Her ship is so damaged that she has no hope of getting it to make the return journey, especially since the ships nav unit was fried so completely she's not entirely sure what direction they're even traveling in. To add to her problems, the ship is being pulled into the gravitational pull of a planet which thankfully ToTo reads as being habitable and having some orbital traffic at least. Dorothy hopes that they can crash land there, and maybe get some help.

Planet is divided up into territory's which are controlled by various warlords – force is the most common way of holding power. Her ship tears up in entry, and Dorothy crash lands on the planet. Her escape pod kills the consort of the territory she lands in, known as the Wicked Bitch – the Bitch is more angered that a possible rival has fallen from the sky than that her consort was killed, whom she thought was angling to take power from her anyway. The Bitch decides to solve this possible problem by sending her hitman after the newcomer.

Image: The Emerald Sector concept

After assessing the situation she finds herself in, and realizing how the balance of power is held on this planet, Dorothy decides that her most logical way of returning home is to either create a zone of her own to control and wait for possible rescue, or to go to the Emerald Zone and either beg, borrow or steal a ship from the Wizard to get off the planet.

Characters:

Dorothy: human, independent, strong willed tomboy. Has a strong practical sense and is good at problem solving.

TinMan: Ruthless cyborg hitman for the Wicked Bitch – Gradually augmented himself with tech to make him a more efficient killing machine, now considers himself to be practically inhuman and unable to feel – see's his death-dealing as an artform, something he excels in. When sent after Dorothy he doesn't see it as a mission different than any other, however he's been increasingly dissatisfied with the jobs Wicked Bitch has been giving him, the hits have no meaning, the targets are petty and worthless to his eyes. When he see's Dorothy, he finds he's intrigued, that perhaps he's finally found the hit worthy of his skills. He decides to savor it, to take his time... what better way to know his prey than to befriend it? However over time he finds himself not so heartless as he thought, and that his constant putting off of doing the hit is less to do with wanting to do it perfectly, and more to do with not wanting to do it at all.

Scar3crow: human, drug addled hacker genius – painfully thin and vibrating with energy, Scarecrow is so drug sodden that his intellect is almost completely gone, however it shows up in flashes of almost savant-like genius. He was deliberately addicted to a dangerous drug which keeps him so loosely connected to reality that he is very easily directed and docile – Dorothy finds him in a computer farm, where he was being used to steal deeply encrypted information from various power factions on the planet, that info was then being sold to the highest bidder. His “owner” had addicted him to the drugs to keep him malleable and from absorbing too much of the info he was stealing, so he wouldn't get any ideas about using it for his own gain. Dorothy and the rest of the group find him in a confused and burned out Scar3crow in a computer farm, as they journey towards the Emerald Sector.

Lion: An artificially mutated beast man, created by Wicked Bitch who wanted to engineer a powerful fighting force which would be bigger and stronger than any human, intelligent enough to follow orders, but not smart enough to think for themselves. Lion was a failure, he was big and strong enough, but far too smart. Rather than culling him, Wicked Bitch kept him around for own amusement, till she grew bored of him and sold him to a slaver. The slaver however was unable to sell him because even though he looked fearsome, he was extremely meek and timid, the Slaver simply abandoned him in one of the towns he'd failed to sell the monster in, and Lion - as he's been named by the locals & shopkeepers - now lives basically as a hobo, begging for food and being tormented by daring youngsters. He's often picked on by drunks and yobbos who want to impress their friends or make a name for themselves. Dorothy picks him up when she see's him being robbed by a group of mischievous hudlums of some food he'd been given by the rare kindness of a shopkeeper. She stepped in and fought them off, only to be completely baffled as to why this strange behemoth would not fend for himself... Taking pity on the hulking creature, but seeing the intelligence and gentleness there, she befriends Lion and brings him along - besides, he needs someone to look after him.

ToTo: Dorothy's mobile LAI (learning artificial intelligence), a handy technology which is completely portable and designed to be carried around by it's user and plugged into whatever tech they need it to control. ToTo is specifically programmed to assist with Dorothy's ore transport runs, although as an LAI it is capable of adapting to the situations its user finds itself in. Dorothy called it ToTo because it's number is LAI-Z22-22 : 22

22 = TwoTwo - ToTo

More Character designs coming soon, will edit this post with the new additions as I crank them out.

The 'munchkins': Basically, the villagers that Dorothy liberates from one of the Wicked Bitches, when her transport crash lands on her...

Wizard: The larger than life being who dominates the flow of information, distribution, trade routes & ports, infrastucture, & rule in the Emerald Sector. Wizard is a LARGE man, who is only seen floating around on his golden chariot, a high tech hovering vessel of sorts. A rival of the main Wicked Bitch. Rumor has it, that the Wizard is actually not a man at all, but a puppet... Though none have been brave enough to pry, as Wizard is both feared and respected.

The Wicked Bitch: Also known as 'the Bitch'. Though none would dare call her this to her face. the Wicked Bitch is one of the warlord witches on this small backwater planet. She controls various territories, and is feared for her dark technology, as well as the sorcery many claim she's a master of. She is constantly vying for control of the O.Z. It is also said that she is behind all the pirate activity in the O.Z., as it helps her attain funds and valuable resources for the research that she oversees... From experiments & development in genetics (see Lion), robotics, mutations, cybernetics (see TinMan), to computing and gadgets (see Scar3crow), She is constantly driving her empire to stay one step ahead and dominant. Though there are other witches - rumor has it they are actually sisters - in other corners of the land, they still compete indirectly with one another, though not through open warfare. That kind of force is implemented to keep the inhabitants under control, in check, and in fear.

And of course...

The Flying Monkeys: Need I say more? Some of the more perfected results of the Witch's genetic research. The Flying Monkeys are excellent hunters, retrievers & seekers. They gather information, and will quickly swoop in to make people disappear if directed. The biological tools they have at their disposal are quite impressive... from their sense of smell, sight (especially their night vision), and hearing. They can be a bit impish at times, but the Bitch makes sure she keeps them well in check.

Stay tuned!

Updated Demo Reel Whatchamawhosit

2011-03-01T16:28:00.003-06:00

Just a quick showcase of my 'stuff' :)

Though I highly recommend you watch it properly on youtube, in HD!

Nosferatu Graphic Novel released, and more updates.

2011-02-01T16:08:00.001-06:00

Hey there.

How've you been?

I know, I know. I've been gone for so long now, neglecting my DA page for... well, a long time! It's not you. No, no, It's me. Really. Ok, no stop, you don't have to start breaking things and yanking your hair like that. Let me explain.

Well, what's been keeping me busy:

Nosferatu - a Graphic Novel 88 years in the making! Written by Christopher H. Wolf -http://www.doompuppet.com, Lineart by Justin Wayne - http://mydyingrose.deviantart.com , and Color & Paint ups by yours truly - Sal aka 'thedarkcloak' - www.thedarkcloak.com .

So far, the reviews have been extremely positive!

You can find out more about the book here - www.bookofvampires.com

Also, amuse yourself and your friends by spreading the non-glittery vampire

You can order the book directly from me ($10 + S&H, roughly $4-6 additional, depending on where you live), just email me.

OR, you can also order the book directly from Amazon.com -http://www.amazon.com/Nosferatu-Christopher-Wolf/dp/0982711778

It is being distributed by Diamond Direct, also... so you can also order it through your local comic shop. In fact, go bother them right now, and ask them to get it in stock!

Here's a slew of reviews, and an interview, so you have an idea what you're getting yourself into:

Zedura review - http://www.zedura.com/?p=1377

The Pullbox review - http://thepullbox.com/2010/10/13/nosferatu-updating-an-icon/

The Pullbox - Interview with the Vampire - or at least the creative team behind the vampire? -http://thepullbox.com/2010/10/30/an-interview-with-a-vampire-or-at-least-a-creative-team-behind-a-vampire/

Rue Morgue Magazine - http://www.comicmonsters.com/features-1151-Nosferatu_interview_with_Christopher_Wolf.html

Graphic Policy Review - http://graphicpolicy.com/2010/10/16/review-nosferatu/

Impulse Gamer - http://www.impulsegamer.com/comicnosferatu.html

As for other stuff that has kept me busy... well, did a couple of big audio/sound design/music composition projects for a live show with my good friend Hanakia. We're hoping to put it all to video and make the show available through youtube in the coming months. Been getting my head back into the music vibe, and that's been really good. Looking forward to doing more.

I've also been doing some serious studying and going through a creative growth spurt of sorts for the last couple of months. I was given some great advice by my buddy, Chris, who said I should flesh out my portfolio with some more actual concept work, so I've been doing something fun with that. I'll be posting all of that stuff shortly!

Got some video projects lined up, as well as some more Intergalactic Kung Fu Zombies content which will be coming soon. Trying out & experimenting with additional tools & techniques for when I start doing the web ani-comic episodes!

Anyway... here's a sample page of the Nosferatu book, Enjoy!

July 2010 - just an update

2010-07-14T12:29:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been a while!

What's new with me... well, worked mainly as the painter/colorist on the upcoming Nosferatu 112 page graphic novel from Viper Comics, due out in November! - http://vipercomics.com/2010/03/31/nosferatu-colored-pages-are-in/
I'm hoping I can have some at my booth up at Crypticon, also in November (a November to Dismember!)

That was TONS of work, but do let me know what you think of the results when you get your copy!

Have also created some artwork for the films of Christopher R. Mihm! - http://www.sainteuphoria.com/ - Did a 'Monsters of the Mihmiverse' t-shirt design, as well as the poster/ cover for his latest movie - Destination: Outer Space! Check out his classic inspired movies sometime.

Also been composing music again, which is great! Working on an audio experience with Hanakia Zedek, kind of a combination of soundscape, radio drama, soundtrack/score, sound design & more. We did our first 45 minute show at Convergence, and it went over REALLY well. Looking forward to doing more, and we'll be building additional content/ shows/ themes in the coming weeks/ months.

Been working on a few other projects, and mostly catching up on other things before I get another rush!

Also, speaking of catching up on stuff - Just watched Predators last night... and I approve! Really good flick, and you can tell they had loads of fun putting it together. It was very entertaining, all the way through, had appropriate nods to the original without aping it or trying to 'improve' on it, the pacing was great, and the way it was shot was really nice, too. Very much recreating the atmosphere from the first movie in lots of ways. These guys cared about what they were delivering, and it really shows. Bonus points for the music, also. Keeping the classic Predator themes (and even using some of Silvestri's original scores) throughout the scoring of it.

Hope they do more.

I wonder how they would handle AVP (especially if they try to do a faithful adaptation of the novel/ original 5 issue series!)

Intergalactic Kung Fu Zombies - Ep1a Animation!

2009-09-15T01:59:00.003-06:00

http://www.thedarkcloak.com

IKFZ

It is the 23rd Century...

Earth has long since been abandoned after the inevitable zombie apocalypse, and is now not much more than a backwater post apocalyptic wasteland. However, Dead Earth is still inhabited by the unfortunate masses of peoples trying to survive after the wealthy and powerful were evacuated during the Zombie Uprising. Day by day, they attempt to make a normal life amidst the crumbled remains of what were once great cities and nations - whilst fighting off the thriving undead that roam it's surface.

Humanity has spread across the stars, and the cross cultural frontiers & explorations have begun anew, as more and more interstellar civilizations are encountered. History does indeed have a way of repeating itself, does it not? Because of this, the Interstellar Embassy was created. It's existence enables a more or less amenable co-existence between the various races and species - keeping enough order to discourage an eruption into complete chaos and war.

Enter the Intergalactic Kung Fu Zombies.

They have no memory of who they once were in their mortal lives.
They are not like other zombies, such as those from Dead Earth.

They are in fact, much more than that...

They awoke aboard their BattleCruiser - the Coffin - 1, with but a brief greeting by the G.H.O.S.T - a mysterious Artificial Intelligence whose only purpose seems to be the vigilance of the cosmos, though it's location is completely unknown. It keeps their old identities a secret, and they are not even sure if the digital persona even really knows what their days amongst the living entailed. Regardless of the situation, the G.H.O.S.T. always pays them handsomely for their efforts, which enables them to upkeep the Coffin-1 BattleCruiser and expand their arsenal. A question remains however, since their zombification is likely sourced by the same mutagen or virus that spawned the Zombie Uprising back on Dead Earth long ago...

Sheena: She is a weapons expert, and also the leader & strategist of the group.
Adventurous, no nonsense, efficient and thorough, Sheena brings a level headed perspective to the team. Once given a mission, she won't waste any time, only targets. Incredibly driven, stubborn and determined to see every mission through without losing any of her crew, she will often go the extra mile to take on the biggest threats head on - to ensure that everyone makes it through.
She may be a deceased beauty, but don't let her looks deceive you... or else!

Tork: A cybernetically enhanced and sustained powerhouse. Tork is skilled with machinery, combat, strategy and various war tactics and intelligence. Though he rarely shows a willingness to take lead of the group, he will at times commandeer the trio - as his ways with war have proven to be full of an ageless yet quiet wisdom. He has often pulled the group through some tough situations.
His grim countenance reveals very little, especially when coupled with his sheer brute force. It is believed his cybernetic & mechanical anatomy is a result of severe physical trauma perhaps experienced during his death... prior to his revival as he is known today.

Gash: He is the infiltration and demolitions expert, and his combat preferences lie in small arms and his trusty blade. Yet another enigmatic reanimated mercenary, Gash seems to always be scowling, as his not knowing who he was prior to his 'awakening' aboard the Coffin-1 has made him a bit bitter and angry. For the most part, he is mistrustful of the G.H.O.S.T. but sees that the missions the IKFZ are given by it are always for a greater benefit, not to mention the hefty sums of Kredits that come with the job.

Together they are a trio of hardened undead mercenary warriors.

They are...

THE INTERGALACTIC KUNG FU ZOMBIES

Ep1a - Dr. Oculus & the Thermo Hadronic Canon

SPECIAL THANKS TO ANDREW @ www.songstowearpantsto.com for the IKFZ theme song!

This cartoon was an ENORMOUS amount of work to put together, done mainly by one person, with another lending a hand for rigging characters and taking on this insurmountable task! Had to learn After Effects 'from scratch', and only had about 3 months to do this in.

If you're interested about the process, commentary, the experience of making this thing, or the background of this project, you can read about it here - http://thedarkcloak.blogspot.com/

Thanks for checking it out! I hope you enjoyed it and it made you feel like watching those old cartoons again!

Animation Project - IKFZ

2009-09-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

They Came from Within the Coffin - Behind the Scenes of the Intergalactic Kung Fu Zombies

The Concept:

Create a spoof/ homage of 80's & 70's cartoons and TV shows. Add a dash of 'grindhouse' flavour.

Especially stuff like 'Spiderman & Friends', Batman (Adam West), Thundercats,Knight Rider, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, the A-Team, even stuff like Mission Impossible, and Charlie's Angels (with a twist, of course ;) ).

The Challenge:

After doing quite a bit of research, we decided to just go with what I already have so the first major challenge was learning Adobe After Effects from scratch. Other than that, managing, directing, keeping track of what was where and what needed doing was overwhelming, especially when trying to keep up with the INSANE deadline we just casually came up with (wtf were we thinking?!?!) and executing this whole brain addled project, storyboarding, writing, scoring, animating, etc etc, and try to complete the whole project within 3 months.

The Madness Begins:

At the beginning, I started with concepts and sketches for the characters, as well as brainstorming their iconic vehicle, supporting cast, general synopsis, and their mysterious back stories (which are yet to be revealed). Then Coming up with the character concepts, vehicles, personalities, but more importantly - mixing up all the ingredients that made all those shows so memorable, inspirational and nostalgic for me, but keeping it all wrapped up within an original package. The main thing I kept asking myself throughout this whole process was "Would I watch this? Would I be crazy about a show like this?".

A Traumatic Experience:

This thing went from being a 3 minute short, to 5 minutes, to 7 minutes, to the end result of just over 9 minutes in length. With just two people working on it, that really adds up, and we quickly realized what an insane undertaking we'd just committed to. I created the majority of all the artwork, storyboarding, character pieces, 3d modelling, texturing, creating & arranging the 'sets' in AE's 3d setup, and on and on and on. Mia rigged the majority of the characters, did loads of animating as I burned away to a crisp carcass on creating all the image and art assets.

I couldn't really tell you how many hours went into the making of this thing... but a 16 hour day from morning to dawn was not an uncommon thing on the weekends at all! (My chair is now flat and cushionless... OUCH!)

The Theme:

We decided to hire good ol' Andrew @ www.songstowearpantsto.com - and it has been a really good thing. The theme he came up with for the IKFZ really helped to keep the vision rolling along in our heads as we worked through this cartoon. We gave him a pretty basic overview of what we wanted, as well as what we didn't want it to be too obviously close to. And boy did he deliver!

It's catchy, it's funny, and it really does remind me of those days I'd spend sitting on top of the washing machine, entranced by the array of characters that inspired my imagination and kept me company on afternoon and Saturday morningsalike, armed with a hefty bowl of cereal and some cookies, of course!

Cause I love to Score:

I like making music, and I especially love movie scores and video game music... So this naturally was another opportunity for me to get to do some of that! I play bass, guitar, keyboards, and anything else I can get my claws on, just the way I do my artwork. Mix it all up and get what's crawling around in my head out there! I also have been working on music for a looooong time - again, fueled by my love of video games, movies and cartoons. In fact, those are the types of things I first learned to play (I only play by ear, I cannot for the life of me read music... wish I could though, might help me improve!)

The Whole Undead Enchilada: (delicious!)

It really was an insane and perhaps overly ambitious leap to tackle this thing. But the fact that it allowed me to do all the type of work I enjoy doing - proffessionally, artistically, passionately, creatively - really helped to fuel my being able to get up and crack away on this project, even on those nights that my body complained or that I would have rather been shooting some newbs on the Xbox, or cracking some criminal skull in Batman Arkham Asylum (which is an OMG WOW game, I can't wait to go play it again... haven't touched it in WEEKS!). We both really pushed ourselves to the extreme with this project, and I really want to thank everybody who supported us, cheered us on, and put up with our cave dwelling ways for the last few weeks.

Music, art, film, animation, comics, directing, telling stories, and breathing life into characters & worlds, universes, is what I ultimately enjoy & love doing, on every level I possibly can. And if the opportunity arose for me to somehow, some way, allow the characters and ideas to run off and take on a life of their own, sustain themselves and me creating them, enabling them, I could do this sort of thing full time... I would totally go for it.

All in all - IKFZ is but a taste of all the things I love doing... and it's both an honor and a great pleasure to be able to share this with you all. Give it a shot and a viewing, and if you like it, or know someone else who, like me, grew up with this stuff - kindly pass it along!

So?

Was it worth it? You'll have to let me know... Would I do it again? I think that's unavoidable at this point. Doing this type of stuff is incredibly addicting, and being able to utilize all my skills and push myself into doing many things I would normally not be doing - well, let's just say it's really tough, keeps me on my toes, helps keep me sharp, right?

And you know that old saying... whatever doesn't kill me, only makes me stronger. (a little stubborness goes a long way, too) ;)

Thanks for listening, thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoy yourself and this makes you feel like watching some of those cartoons again.

Sal aka TDC

The Zombie Zodiac - Your astrological guide to post Z-day survival & undead living...

2009-06-18T11:41:00.001-06:00

The Zombie Zodiac - Your astrological guide to post Z-day survival & undead living...

Shared via AddThis

Cyber Gunslinging

2009-03-01T15:00:00.001-06:00

Cyber Gunslinging
A dream I had, and this is it's story.

It started with a typical, semi-cloudy, sunlit gorgeous day - a day unaware of the trouble and dread that was in store for those witnessing it. This was a terribly beautiful day out and about. The chaos that followed didnt start outside, however. It all started where I was. In an old antique shop. You know the kind. The mom n' pop kind of shop. The kind that gives you strange vibes as you pass by. The one with all the yellowed walls and stained glass lamps. Trinkets abound on shelves and counters alike. Strange statues at every turn. An older gentleman behind the counter. A plump jolly fellow, with a mustache, balding head, round glasses, and bow tie with matching suspenders. There I was, observing and taking the atmosphere in wearing my charcoal gray trench coat, my black worn jeans with all the pockets n zippers, the usual somewhat faded t-shirt with some monster on it - typical TheDarkCloak, right?

Or so I thought. Anyways, so I'm browsing the many sights and wonders of the shop. Something in the back of my mind telling me that I was supposed to be looking for something in particular. Something... sinister. The shop door opened, I heard the chime behind me so I turned my head slightly to look. A tall thin man in a black trench coat & black duster hat entered, heading straight for the counter. It seemed as if he was completely unaware of and had complete disregard as to the kind of shop he was in. Only it didnt seem or feel like it was a man at all. Suddenly, this thing in black starts smashing stuff, knocking things aside, off the counter, the register crashing down onto the floor, then turning his attention briefly towards the shop keeper long enough to fling him into a wall. The black figure then glides around the counter, tears a bookcase down to the floor, sending books and figures flying as well. Very intent, this humanoid took something from a small indentation on the wall behind where the bookcase once stood. Just as quickly as he had come in, the figure proceeded straight for the door, inhuman in it's calmness, diabolical coldness towards the destruction it was waling away from. Glass crunching underneath it as it strode, carelessly stepping on priceless books and clocks.
He was gone from the store.I wasn't sure how to react just yet, but from the corner of my eye I could see that the owner was frantically getting up. He said to me plain and simple... "You need to get that back! Severe consequence would follow if we don't have it back!". I was tempted to ask who 'we' was. But I knew I had to act now, ask questions later. As I walked fast towards the door, I could hear him rambling about the key and the artifact of some strange name. I dont recall exactly, I just know that it was very important, and probably supernatural - the kind of thing you'd only expect in an Indiana Jones flick or something. As I made my way out the door, I could see the trench coated figure pulling some poor sap out of his four door car, and flooring the pedal in the still running beige coloured vehicle. Without hesitation, I took off after him. I gave chase just in time to jump on the car.Roaring past pedestrians, onlookers, and motorists all around in this moment of sheer chaos, they surely must have wondered what the hell was going on. Struggling to hang on as I lay on the back of the car, I started making my way up to the roof. The would be thief accelerating and breaking as he zipped through traffic, dodging poles, knocking over shopping carts, and freaking people out the whole way... I knew where this high-speed rampage was headed... onto the express way. I knew I had to act fast. I swore as I pulled myself up, to hold onto the driver side window frame, my body sliding around the roof of the car. I reach in and start bashing him as he's driving, he responds by swerving and barely missing cars, trucks, even lane dividers.

We must have been going at least 80 miles per hour, as best as I could judge, anyway. He jerks my arm back out the window, the wind resistance nearly knocking me off the car. I managed to spiral from the momentum around and towards the passenger door, and this was my opportunity to get myself in a better position & situation. The whole appeal of being on top of the car while speeding madly down the highway wore off very quick. I finally make it, gracefully I am hoping at this point, and manage to get in through the passenger window - just as we zipped past a van with a loud woosh! Now, being in the car - well, this only made matters worse it seemed. The wrestling and battering continued. It then struck me. I didnt notice his face until a brief moment as we were fighting. The moment seemed to lurch to a freeze frame as I got in a glance at what I thought would be his eyes... And my first & only thought was "what the fuck?".

The struggle and the winding of the car immediately snapped me back into the matter at hand. I saw that we were heading towards an exit, so I pulled on the steering wheel while pushing his face out the window. I knew this exit. I knew the area. It was close to my old neighborhood. I took all this in when we jerked violently to a halt. We had just hit a telephone pole. The cliche' is that it seems to happen in slow motion. I can't express how much that cliche' applies here. He went flying straight through the windshield, bursting out, shards of glass splashing out with him, he and the glass hitting the asphalt ahead, flipping and skittering along the way.

I recomposed myself as best and as much as I could, and then staggered out the side of what remained of the now smashed up vehicle. Looking up, I saw him a few feet up ahead, laying there after sliding & grinding on the pavement to a full stop... motionless. But then, he started moving again - uninjured? The black trench got up, casually put his hat back on as he was doing so. His coat happened to flap in such a way, that I saw he had a gun... He shot a glance my way, flashed what I could only interpret as a taunt, flat out daring me to pursue him further.

So, as we stood there looking at eachother - surely making Sergio Leoni and the tradition of those old westerns proud - I had to respond in kind, when I realised I too, was packing 'heat'.

He took off running hightailing it down the street, drawing his gun as he did so. 'Just fucking great...', I muttered as I too, withdrew my firearm and began running to hunt him down.

What began as a chase, quickly became a shootout. He was sprinting through the streets, and I was not going to allow myself to lose my target. Both pursuant and pursuee shooting and zipping to and fro, hiding behind cars along the way, dodging traffic, pushing confused and startled pedestrians aside, and yet it the chase seemed as if it were on a set & rehearsed path of destruction. As if this was exactly where we were supposed to be heading. He made a quick turn into an alley, I paused, took aim, held my breath & shot his leg.

But this couldn't and shouldn't be... his leg should have been knocked out from under him, but instead it appeared as if the impact had only made him flinch, and he kept running with minimal interruption. A roll of the eyes by my part, a frustrated grunt, and the chase resumed. Running and running, you get the idea. Cardboard boxes and paper inexplicably flying everywhere, the works.

Finally, the hot pursuit came to an anxiety and paranoia inducing halt at the mouth of the alley. Here the streets intersected in what would form a K shape on a map. I lost him. Damnit. I peer around on alert, my senses going crazy, looking for the faintest movement. After what seemed like hours, a matter of seconds sluggishly taking place, I see his head just through a car window. He seemed preoccupied with something, as if he was completely unaware of where he was,what had just taken place, and no longer actually hiding from me... almost as if he was stopping for a conversation? This was my moment, I decided to 'get his attention' again.

The bullet went right through the first and second window. exploding in a glittery mess. Oh, I had his attention all right. The intermission ended as he snapped out of whatever he had going on, and the shoot out was officially continuing. Like rabid gunslingers, we shot at eachother while moving like skilled fencers or gymnasts, it was like a dance of opposing forces. Bullets flying every which way as windows got smashed on vehicles - sending alarms blaring here and there, buildings, houses, not to mention the ones ricocheting off brick walls, fences, and the dumpsters behind me. The popping sounds, accompanied by the whizzing ricochets all seemed to be melodic & rythmic. It was quite dramatic even. I stopped briefly for we both had to reload.

Lucky for me I was behind a nice heavy pick up truck, and he was right in the middle of the street. I was all loaded up and good to go. Diving out again from behind the truck I finally landed a good shot into him. He wasnt done reloading, and the bullet landed & pierced somewhere in the throat. Though I wasn't completely surprised after seeing the results of having shot him in the leg, shockingly enough, the throat wound didn't kill him... just stunned him and immobolized him enough for me to get up close. He was making some odd noises and spazzing out as I rushed him, and I took a good hard swing at him knocking the mysterious black trenched figure down and on his back. I bent down and took his gun, but it was then that I really got a good look at him.

No not him...

It.

My disbelief from my freeze frame moment during our battle inside the car was not imagined. This thing I had been fighting was not even human at all. As it lay there stunned, it's head jerking about intermittently - I suppose attempting to recompose itself from the hit and what I can only interpret as surprise - I saw that it's eyes were not even placed like a human's... It's eyes were arranged & mounted into it's visage more like a bug, or even more like a strange kind of video monitoring unit using several little cameras and LED's. Like a compact version of one of those machines you see at the optometrist office. I suppose it didnt expect someone like me to have gotten the best of it. I knew what had to be done. I shot it in the head, and it fried, spazzed, convulsed, and probably short circuited. It gave a shudder as bolts, wires, springs, steam, and what have you spilled out everywhere. It's trench falling aside, I saw the object I went through so much trouble to retrieve.

I picked up the relic. The item this thing was coveting oh so much. I couldnt help but wonder why. Why such an intricate machine was sent out to retrieve this? Why was this relic so important? What consequences and who's? These questions spiraled through out my mind like a tornado in Kansas.

Looking at the relic, I started walking back towards the alley. Suddenly... I heard screeching, cars puling up all over behind me on the K intersection. It couldn't be. That's probably what the trenched creature was doing behind the car just a bit before... the conversation it was wrapped up in was exactly that, a transmission, a request.

Back up.

Squads of those things came out of each vehicle. It was quite an impressive sight. Quite a creepy sight at that for they all looked the same. A brief moment came to pass. I stood there before them, putting the relic away inside my coat as robotic 'eyes' met mine. I looked across them all before me, their mechanical digits twitching in anticipation, sizing me up, judging me... A hammer the size of hell was about to be dropped right here, right now. I reacted the only way I could at this point. Guns drawn, I started shooting like there was no tomorrow.

They responded in kind.

If the shooting from before was melodic, then this... this was a grand symphony of burnt gunpowder, flying bullets, and spent casings. There was too many of them, I realized, as I started to retreat back into the alley. Walking backwards, I steadily kept shooting, and so did they. I felt something hit me. I had gotten taken a slug. But, something wasn't right here. Unexpected. It did not feel right, how you'd think it would feel. It felt like a stone was flung at me and nothing more. I was shot in the arm, and it rocked me a bit. But, it was fine, the only thing was getting jerked a bit from the impact, the pain however was next to nothing.

A bit startled at what had happened, regardless I kept shooting, reloading, and shooting some more - mindful to keep the bullets flying in their direction. If there ever was a moment for another one of those slow motion cliche's, this was it. Bullets whizzing past me, the dumpster behind me in the alley now quickly becoming swiss cheese. As much as I moved, as much as I weaved and tumbled, I got shot again, and again. In the knee, in side of my stomach. Felt those. The stomach hurt a little harder, knocked the wind out of me a bit, and the gunshot to the leg made me stagger at the point of impact, this and nothing more. Somehow I was fine. Regardless of how this was going, I kept blazing, the barrels on my guns searing hot, as I took many of them out, the fact that there were so many of them clumped together guaranteeing some easy targets and hits.

Amazing, there was at least three handfuls of them left. I take another big impact, suddenly I am looking at the sky, as I figure out I got shot right over my eye in the forehead. My head snaps forward again, the impact from that shot was major. They were intent on destroying me, this I knew of course, but I also sensed fear in them... I kept pulling the triggers, but their gunfire had started to overwhelm me, and I started slowing down. I just knew I had to be going down. Needless to say, I kept pumping rounds off. Their aim seemed to be getting better or I seemed to be moving slower. I felt more bullet impact in the face & chest. This couldn't be pretty. 'It's over...' I thought... 'ok, it's over'.

But it wasnt.

Despite all logic told me, I was not going down. I would almost be brought down to one knee, only to stand up again, resgurging, I wasnt dying. And then it happened, my field of vision started cracking, holes in my sight, reality shattering even. As if the image before me was all painted on glass over the deepest, emptiest, & blackest void. I was shocked. I felt... that perhaps I was like them? But there had to be more to this story!

What was going on with me? Yet more questions bubbled up, as more and more of them were shot down. Was I actually surviving this? The same question came up screaming at me... AM I ONE LIKE THEM? Maybe more advanced? Only a couple of them left, now. The thoughts raging through my mind instilled part horror, part anger, & in some morbid and curious way, I felt wonder. I felt power. What was I that these beings were fighting me, what was I that I could face them like this?

I did not know the answer. In fact I didn't know if I wanted to know the answer. I just kept shooting... shooting... and my vision kept getting fuzzier, crackling and distorting, as it continued to shatter, cracking, breaking apart.. the last thing I saw was the last one get taken out... and it all faded to black silence as I woke up.

Or did I?

Nightmario Bros - The Nightmarish Mushroom Kingdom

2009-01-01T21:00:00.006-06:00

Happy New Year!

Kicking it off with a sneak preview of the Nightmario Bros. series of re-imagined characters from of course, what else? The Classic Nintendo game; Super Mario Bros!

If you're here through my DeviantArt page, you already know what this mess is all about, as you've probably already seen the Demented Goomba, and good ol' Spiny dropping Lakitu - The Terror of the Skies.

"But, 'Cloak," you say, "where are the Shy Guys? Mouser? The Koopa Kids?!?!' Don't worry! I gotcha covered. I will be doing a series of these for EACH of the SMB games. So SMB, SMB2, SMB3, and maaaaybe Super Mario World.

I've been doing these for a while, but they haven't been getting the attention I've been wanting to give them. So, for those folks who've been waiting for all of these for a while, THANKS! for your patience!

Anyways, enjoy the sketches for now, as I have a couple of other little surprises in store with the Nightmario Bros.

Stay Tuned!

419 scammers are such delightful entertainment!

2008-12-19T18:20:00.004-06:00

Otherwise known as 'this amuses Cloak because he's such an unprofessional ass'

So, you know how it goes with those emails, right? I'm sure you guys have gotten these emails from the Nigerian/Russian/Martian/Hillbilly/French/etc/419 scammers before, where they say they have millions of dollars and that some wealthy schmoe somewhere died in a plane crash, and they want to give you a cut of the inheritance, because they work at a high end financial institution, and so forth blah blah blah... :blahblah:

I have a hobby around this: sometimes if these emails catch me in a particularly vindictive mood, I'll have fun with them.

MY REPLY to a 419 Scammer...

Hello Mr. Nanga Saar.

I hope you regret terribly, that you actually presume wrong. And this is in fact, quite a 'surprised' message for me to receive at these dire times. Thank you regardless, for contacting me at this magnitude, latitude, longitude, with your wildly ambitious lucrative fabrications.
So please, allow me to kindly dispose of some of your allocated time, and enlighten you with a much well deserved response.

Everyone in my family have been launched into orbit and placed in a lunar colony, as part of a harrowing test being performed for research purposes, for the introduction of humanity into the rest of the solar system. However, I hear there are some conflicts occurring with a certain Dr. Smith, who seems to have interests of his own. And then there is the Robinsons whose work is extremely vital to the project. William, especially, with his artificially intelligent mechanical companion, and the rock specimens they acquire during their surveys - research, you understand, that is of the utmost importance. I just hope they never become lost in space, for if they do, that would certainly mean the demise of the rest of us down here on this pretty blue Earth.

I know of the plane crash you are speaking of. From what I have surmised from the evidence the scientific response team brought back, it appears that everyone on board had become tainted by a tissue replicating microscopic creature or virus, that seems to have been thawed out from the Antarctic bio-research lab. One of my colleagues, R.J. MacReady, happened to be stationed there, but the facility was apparently destroyed. As far as we know, everyone on the flight you are speaking of was no longer human. In fact, they were all replicated creatures, now hosts to this peculiar 'Thing' parasite, which was attempting to reach the mainland, to replicate itself and become a new dominant species. Unfortunately, we have not heard back from the Biological Response team, or S.T.A.R.S. And I certainly hope that they have not fallen prey to the Nemesis Project.

I'm sure that the Resident 'Destitudes' you mention would see no Evil in that much funding going to such a charitable good cause. That is to say, I know that such a generous and overwhelming amount of money will be easy for you to ingest as it is quite understandably intangible. However, I also don't know if this will help the good citizens of Raccoon City, because of the aforementioned blight with the tissue replicating parasite, and what the widely known mega-corporation, Umbrella, decided to do with that location. It is also suspected that the large international banking and finance franchises have already become hosts to the 'Thing' virus. The John Carpenter Financial Insitution in Little China for example, as reported by Michael Myers in the popular news pamphlet - The Shape, has been plagued with reports of employees no longer behaving like themselves, and being prone to mimicking others' behaviour patterns. I'm sure you can begin to understand how this is an inconvenience.

Also, Mr. Nanga Saar, how am I to be sure that you have not fallen prey to the 'Thing' parasite yourself, and you are in fact just an alien impostor, that has replicated the real Nanga, and is now running a whole coven of hosts, bent on spreading their affliction? Perhaps you have lobster claws coming out of your wrists, and a swarm of tentacles bursting forth from your nostrils. What will happen then?

This is most unreasonable, and I am appalled that you have not even bothered to speak about Robert Paulson. His name was Robert Paulson. Do you understand? His name was Robert Paulson. Please be aware of this in future, or the integrity of your humanity will remain subject to further scrutiny. Unless I am only telling you this, because I myself, am one of them? THEY LIVE... Mr. Nanga Saar. Oh yes, they live, but for the right price, I perhaps could be willing to send you a proper occular apparatus so that you may be able to differentiate between who remains biologically intact, and who is not to be trusted, in a quantifiable manner!

I expect you to implode and for your socks to become wildly carnivorous with a voracious appetite, as you desperately try to respond urgently to this communication.
Kind regards,

Lovecraft Cthulhu

PS. Your usage of caps lock, and unfamiliarity with caps lock etiquette also raises to question if you are a pod person, or 'Thing' host. Just thought I would point this out.

------------------------------end--------------------------------------------

Is it me? or do people enjoy making me grumpy around the holidays?

That is all, just a dose of healthy sarcasm from this journal... straight to your heart (a little Fallout 3 reference for you there).

Let's see...

2008-12-11T17:41:00.001-06:00

Don't mind me folks... just messing around with this, trying to get it all set up, so I can start using it soon! :D

In the meantime... Why not go gaze at some artwork?

I'm not entirely sure how I will be using this blog, yet.

I'm thinking I will do some brainstorming and sketching in here, movie reviewing, game reviewing, and all that type of nonsense... Or just use it strictly as a journal & sketch dump...

Any suggestions?

TDC