Progress report (Patreon)

Hi Spacers!

I wanted to let you know that Bad Space is alive and well, and that despite the lack of short stories lately, I’m actually making enormous progress on my long form Bad Space comic.

In fact, I’m over halfway through the script.

In addition I’ve been working on character designs, kit bashing a model space suit up for reference - and have notes spread across two notepads, my home and work computers, plus an iPad, a phone and two houses. 😅

I’ve actually started to develop a really powerful vision for this story, and I think while it will contain many familiar sci-fi tropes, I’m hopeful that tonally and in terms of depth and seriousness, it will be unlike anything that has been done in science fiction comics before. I’m becoming more and more excited about it, the further I proceed.

Obviously while I’m writing, there isn’t much I can show you, but as soon as this phase is complete, and once the drawing begins I intend to share visual progress reports with you more regularly.

So don’t think for a moment I have forgotten you!

Below is a just a little additional information about what I’m planning, with some light spoilers, for those interested.

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SPOILERS:

The story is largely set on Jupiter’s moon Io. Partly because I haven’t seen Io done that well, or often, before - and because it is so CRAZY hostile.

Apart from the volcanism, the radiation is insanely high. So, coming up with ways to survive on the surface really grabbed me - and visually I knew it would be such a treat to draw.

A couple of weeks ago I actually got in touch with a NASA scientist from JPL and grilled her on some details about the surface that I hadn’t been able to find online, which was such a privilege. I want to create as accurate of a portrayal of the moon as I can, and there is still so little known about it.

(Also, yes, it was awesome to chat to a real-life JPL scientist. Total fanboy moment).

The story is a fairly classic survival story, and while it will feature the usual bleak Bad Space canvas, it also includes philosophy, brutal violence, exacting science and hopefully something human and redemptive. But no promises.

As ever, thanks for sticking with me, team, particularly during this quiet patch - you made this possible and I can’t wait to share more.

SB