The Prince of Banes

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

Some Sketches for the Portfolio

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

Agathon & Eryximachus

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

Chapters 1-4 (of 5)

I've decided that Chapter 1 will be the only animated one. Animation is too long and tedious a task, and it steals time from other of my projects and activities. Not to mention, I'm losing my zeal for it. The other chapters will be told in some form, though. And Chapter 1 is still coming.

(C) Copyrigght 2007 Wes Murrell.

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

CHAPTER 5: HADES...

More Stills and Screenshots

Fullmetal Alchemist one of my favorite animes, has inspired me to up the quality of Prince of Banes. So, that's the plan...

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

(C) COpyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

Beowulf--Tartakovsky style

For my Intro to Graphic Arts class, I had to draw a picture in the style of an artist of my choice. I also had to use a reference photo for that drawing. I chose to draw Beowulf (as portrayed by Gerard Butler in Beowulf & Grendel) in the style of Genndy Tartakovky's Samurai Jack. Beowulf's my hero, and Genndy's a stud.

Other of My Works

Since Chapter 1 is still unfinished, I thought I would share about other of my works in progress. Not all are pictured here, but most are. Some more important stories, I reserve for a later date.

This comic strip about a knight and his fox ran for a year in the Covenant College newspaper, before I transferred to LU. Scottish is the knight, and Farfrae the fox.

This is a page from a comic strip I created for the Lindenwood student newspaper. However, before this strip ("Son of the Samurai") appeard, I created another, more down-to-earth strip much like "Scottish and Farfrae", and Son of the Samurai was put away for perhaps later use.

This is from a children's book manuscript I wrote and am illustrating and hope to soon publish.

This image is from a cartoon I was going to make back in 2005. The project, intended to be 50 + minutes, was too ambitious for me as sole animator, so I eventually scrapped it. I may upload what I have later.

So This is Corel Painter

I've recently been introduced to Corel Painter (it's impressive), and I think it would be cool to use it to create backgrounds for my animation. I'm pretty sure that's what the Ninjai gang uses to create their stunning backgrounds for their very impressive animations. The above image is artwork I created in Painter. Since I don't actually own the program, I may not have time to create backgrounds for the animation. But who knows? We'll see what happens.

My First Poster Design

This was the first poster I drew for Prince of Banes. I drew it a little over a year ago, I guess, back when Prince of Banes was not more than an idea. Compare this image with the new poster. Whereas I like the design of the old image, the artwork is less precise. Agathon is disproportionate and Eraxymachus is very simple. I like Eraxymachus in the new poster because he's darker and has more character and more fear. As god of doom, the darkness fits him, and as a boy, the innocent fear suites him well.

Also, the woman pictured in the old design is Helen, Agathon's wife, while the woman in the new poster is Aphrodite, goddess of love. The demon in the old is Hades, while the demon in the new is one of his officers in the Underworld armies. The hooded man in the old image is Protius, who has been replaced by Falco the Persian (not pictured in either).

As I said above, I like the layout of the old, so I may redraw and modify it. But we'll see. There'll be many posters by the time this is all done.

What is it exactly that I'm doing?

My posts in these last days have been fewer, but stay tuned for sneak soundtrack clips and a few more screenshots. After the completion of Chapter 1, it's on to Chapter 2 (summer/fall 2007) with fresh characters, screenshots, places, and backstory.

What am I doing with all of this "Prince of Banes" business? As I've said before, my plan is to tell an effective story in a lot of ways. With each chapter I'm building a portfolio. When all is said and done, I will have a portfolio of animated chapters, a complete soundtrack, a teaser poster for each chapter (the chapter 1 teaser previously posted is one example), and a couple posters advertising the story as a whole.

With such a portfolio, I hope to be able to pitch (that is, sell, not throw out) "Prince of Banes" to a party able to take it to a larger scale. Other projects of mine bake in the oven and will be pursued very shortly. For now, "Prince of Banes" is on the rise. And you've yet to know the legend of the cursed gladiator and the God of Doom.

Chapter 1 - See the Full Version in May

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

Thanks, all, for your encouragement and positive feedback on the chapter 1 sneak peek. I really appreciate your comments and support! The full version of Chapter 1 will be uploaded in May. Stay tuned.

Hermes Screenshot

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell

I've decided to upload another screenshot. This shot marks the end of the narrated synopsis. Dialogue and action follows. Peter Nyambui from Tanzania plays Hermes.

Ninjai

Well, sorry for the recent lackage of updates. School and work have kept me too busy to really work on Chapter 1. I have advanced a little further than where I was at my last post... but only a litte further.

The above image is from "Ninjai," a flash cartoon created by the Ninjai Gang. Just to be clear, I did not create Ninjai, nor do I have anything to do with it. I wish I did. But I don't. For me, it's inspiration and motivation. This gang is incredibly skilled. You should check out their Web site.

Hermes Concept Art

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

This is concept art for the character Hermes (who appears in chapter 1). His appearences beyond chapter 1 will be brief, if he makes any at all.

With the above design, I wanted to stay true (without being cheezy) to the winged helmet that Hermes traditionally wears. This is what I came up with and liked. Originally, my idea of Hermes was a scrawny, little blue character with very large arctic fox-like ears and big, round black eyes. But when I asked a Tanzanian friend of mine to lend his voice for the character, Hermes took on a much more macho and warrior-like appearance. And I don't regret that. :)

Final Screenshot

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

This is the last screenshot I'll post until the completion of chapter 1. Hang in there.

Just a Few More Screenshots

(C) Copyright Wes Murrell 2007.

Still establishing my style on this project. And yes, Cartoon Network's "Samurai Jack" does inspire me. Hooray for Genndy Tartakovsky (creator).

Screenshots

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell

Total production time thus far has been about two weeks. I anticipate that chapter 1 should be done around the end of February. Here are two screenshots of the animation thus far. Both are from the synopsis.

Poster #2

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

This is another poster I drew for "Prince of Banes." It's more of a teaser poster with its featuring only two characters. I like it though, because I think it communicates much more than the other poster does.

Pictured above, Agathon comforts Eraxymachus after having rescued him from Underworld demons that seek to take his life.

I tried to capture Eraxymachus' innocence and Agathon's determination in the same drawing; Eraxymachus' looking to Agathon for protection, and Agathon's heroic response to that. This poster features the two characters in the story who need redemption; the two who are always together in being always alone. The difference between the two is that Agathon is a fortress, so to speak, and Eraxymachus is a victim in need of that fortress.

The Story

(C) Copyright 2007 Wes Murrell.

I took a course in Flash animation over J-term (Januray mini-semester) at Lindenwood University (in St. Charles, MO) largely so that I could develop an internet cartoon and tell its story through short chapters. The above image is the poster I designed for my cartoon-in-progress, "Prince of Banes." The tale is rooted in Greek mythology, but I have taken certain liberties with the ancient myths (and will continue to do so as long it continues to improve the story).

Prince of Bane's synopsis: It's the story of cursed gladiator (Agathon [the man pictured above]) who is offered a path to redemption by Aphrodite, goddess of love (pictured above), if he will defend the mortal demi-god of doom, who is but a boy (Eraxymachus [eric-sim-a-kiss] [pictured above]), from the wicked Hades.

Agathon's trials include many battles with soldiers and demons, as well as inner struggles with himself. Most people, I've found, are confused about the title, "Prince of Banes," asking if "Banes" is a place. My answer to that is no. Eraxymachus comes from the Underworld. "Banes," as used in the title, is synonomous with "dooms." He is the prince of dooms. Consider that certain things can be the "bane of one's existence," meaning "end" or "ruin." As god of doom, Eraxymachus is the prince of banes, and the very existence of man's mortality (or any doom) is linked directly to the life of this boy. Don't get it? Watch chapter 1. It'll be finished soon.