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.