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.