Arctic Sun

*Ahem*

Good catches.

Old school NARCs still call it Supes, as opposed to the "kids" on the street, who call it Dyne (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it).

Gardvord problems cleared up.

And HolyEvilAoD's comments about Atta's parole are spot on.

Edits made. Please refresh and check again.

cheers,
Arctic Sun

PS Excellent that some of you got the Bloody Mary reference.

Trolls. The very word conjures an image of mythic monsters from Scandinavia. No gang is more feared in the Hollows than the Trolls of Paragon City. They are the “boogie men” that parents use to frighten their children away from the temptation of drugs and life on the street. Read More.

Edit: Changed subject header for clarity *sigh*

[ QUOTE ]


Can we be presumptuous enough to write Origin Stories of in-game characters instead of ourselves? I even included a plug from the in-game clue gathered on a very early Clockwork mission. This particular one was for an online article called the Hero Beat, and the diary format of the article probably isn't very conducive to fan fiction now, but I could easily tweak it into a more narrative format instead.

Or are you all keeping all pre-created characters strictly under control?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well ... I almost never say never ... but I would much rather see your own character's story, although cameos by the signature characters are certainly cool to include (as are fragments like the in game clue you mentioned).

I'm leery of suggesting you write an Origins piece for a signature villain or hero, because it may just muddle the community's view of the CoH history (yes, it's true that all archetypical comic universes have a plethora of contradictions, retcons, and revisionist pieces, but... .

The approval process involves lots of eyes, and my guess is that a good story that takes a character in an unintended direction might be nixed.

cheers,
Arctic Sun

[ QUOTE ]
Style? For example, writing a story for a novel I'd handle differently than writing one for a comic format.

[/ QUOTE ]

Style -- think short story. I don't want comic scripts, but prose fiction. Usual "rules of good writing apply." If you want to see what stories I've selected, you'll see my first community section in the PDF of comic #8 (available now off the
comic page), and also see the short pieces (Clockwork, Outcasts, Carnival of Shadows, etc.) I've written (or that Awry has, for that matter) for the website.

Does that help?

Also, Umagon asked:

[ QUOTE ]
Do the comics have villian stories too or just heroes?

[/ QUOTE ]

Villain stories would also be fine, although will likely be harder to pull off (striking the right balance of sympathy and wicked badness).


cheers,
Arctic Sun

Ai-yah. What a floodgate I've opened.

OK, my bad for not posting the guidelines - somehow slipped my mind.

Official guidelines found here:

http://www.cityofheroes.com/communit...uidelines.html

(see this link for the fine print and more precise details, please)

To sum up:

Comic Book Fan Fiction:

* Be as creative as you want, but keep it PG-rated.

* Submissions should be in .doc, .rtf., or .txt format

* Suggested length 1000 - 2000 words.
NOTE: If your writing is very good, I will consider longer pieces (or breaking them up). But long pieces will still likely be published in 1000 - 2000 word parts, so some sense of rhythm and dynamic pacing is very important. Likewise, the longer the piece is, honestly, the less chance I'll have to read it thoroughly.

* Screenshots encouraged!

* The by-line can be your real name or a character name (or both)


Comic Book Fan Art:

* Send us your best City of Heroes-inspired artwork. Any original medium is acceptable (pen & ink, digital, oils, etc.) as long as you keep it on a PG level.

* Let us know if you want credit under your real name or a character name.

* Images should be in JPG format. The full image should be between 100 x 100 and 2000 x 2000 pixels and be less than 380KB in size.
NOTE: We may also ask for a higher resolution (300dpi) image in .tiff format – so make sure you save a high-resolution version of your submission!


cheers,
Arctic Sun

Hi folks,

As the (still relatively) new CoH Web Content Developer, I wanted to drop by and wave 'hi.' One of my duties is to solicit material for the Top Cow Comic Community Section.

I would like to encourage people to submit their fan stories and art to cohsubmissions@plaync.com.

I know that sometimes it is discouraging to submit something and receive no feedback for it. Quite often there just aren't enough hours in the week to give it all a proper reply. But I will endevaor to answer what I can, when I can, over the next months.

So I encourage you creatives to submit.

However, to both give direction and inspiration, I'm going to annouce "themes" and see if that helps sparks the fire. This is an experiment, and we'll see how it plays out, but initially I'd really like to see Origin Stories.

This doesn't mean you can't submit a different type of story, but Origin Stories will receive my foremost attention.

I'll annouce a new theme in roughly a month.

cheers,
Arctic Sun

[ QUOTE ]
Why are there so many Canadian Devs? I am Canadian, from Newfoundland, living in Houston Texas, so I am kinda curious. The marine industry brought about 30 of us to Houston but I never knew the gaming industry farmed in Canadians too?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, to be precise I'm not a Dev at all, but on the OCR Team.

I think like stand-up Comedy, Canadians are just well-tempered for some jobs. (I have no idea, I'm just making this up as I go along).

I'm not sure that there are really that many of us, but we do try to support each other a tremendous amount. And I've heard from some good Canadian friends that their Canadian-identity characters get the best reactions from other players online...

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

[ QUOTE ]
Arctic_Sun... yeah, he's the web guy, but he has a red name around here.

[/ QUOTE ]

Eeek! I've been found out.

Actually, that pic is from my bio page on Guardians of Order - shame I've lost the original photo somewhere in the archives. I was standing next to a wicked wrought-iron sculpture in the pose of the thinker, with a bunny head, if memory serves. Somewhere in the D.C. area.

Drat! Now my Secret Identity has been compromised! What shall I do!?

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

[ QUOTE ]
Really nice info and background story, but I'm confused: The article states that his base of operations is in Steel Canyon, but everyone knows he hides out in the Hollows. Am I missing something?

[/ QUOTE ]

Their main base *is* in Steel Canyon, but as the article explains, a splinter group of the Outcasts has moved into the Hollows. I think it can be safe to say Frostfire is hanging out with them to make sure this chapter can hold its own ... and he would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling capes!


As to the timeline:

Hollowing - Late 2000

Rikti War - 2002

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

Earth, air, fire, water … all ready to rumble! Introducing the Outcasts, one of the street gangs found throughout Paragon City. A motley collection of low-powered criminals, they terrorize the city in their struggle for territory. Although they tend to call Steel Canyon home, a chapter has moved into the Hollows.

Outcast Villain Backgrounder

[ QUOTE ]
As far as I can tell, fan fiction isn't being updated either. The same stories have been up there for a very very long time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I comb through the submissions for the Community Section of the Comic Book. You are right about the fan fiction part of the website not being updated in some time, and we still need to discuss it.

But for now, there is a purpose to submitting fan fiction as it might get featured in the Top Cow comic!

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

*blush*

Aw, thanks guys, for all the well wishes. Very nice of you.

I'm sure the hardcore criticism will begin again on Monday.

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

[ QUOTE ]
What i don't get is why they decided to make more villain backgrounds NOW that CoV is out. The only background that changed since launch was the 5th to council. Still, i hope they get more villain backgrounds soon. Maybe they will add the praetorians.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um...I think you just answered your own question.

We're adding to them because they are missing from the website, and we would like it to be complete. And fans have reacted pretty positively to learning more about the world of CoH/CoV...

Praetoerians are on my schedule...just not for a little while.

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

Thanks for the kind words, guys!

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

Hey folks,

[more info from Prima added]

Some questions were asked early on and I said I'd try to find out some more info. So this is what I found out:

[ QUOTE ]
The CoH description mentiones that updates includes CoH and CoV material. The CoV guide seems to be only that, CoV. So what does >this mean? I can get the CoH binder and have a guide for both CoH and CoV? Some clarification on that part would help my purchasing decision.

[/ QUOTE ]

1. There is one binder per game (COH & COV) - so the CoH won't have much if any CoV material. However, when Prima publishes update packs for the binders, the packs will include any updates for both CoH and CoV at that time. The update packs will only include either new pages, or pages that need updating to replace existing pages in the binders.

[ QUOTE ]
Also, if someone could answer this, the "update packets" are sent periodically or is this something we have to purchase?

[/ QUOTE ]

2. Updated packs will be sold at retail. So, instead of forcing everyone to buy a new guide as soon as something is updated, they will only have to buy a less expensive pack which allows them to replace pages that need updating, and/or add in the new pages.

Also, they might make new packs available for download (for a charge).

PRIMA:
The Issue Update Packs will coincide with the release of new game Issues and will be available at retail and online (at cov.primagames.com and coh.primagames.com). These packs will include the new Issue content for both CoH and CoV. Also, be sure to check back at cov.primagames.com and coh.primagames.com for free Patch Notes (updates) to print at home and add to your guide.

[ QUOTE ]
Is there a '2 in 1' package deal for those who wish to buy both?

[/ QUOTE ]

3. Is there a 2 in 1 deal - not sure on this. We'll ask Prima, however, this might be something that the retailers control.

PRIMA: Apparently several retailers are running discounts for each of the binders that give you money off each binder separately. None of them currently have any "bundle" discounts for purchasing both binders together.


cheers,
Arctic_Sun

Hey folks,

Just wanted to remind you that Sean Fish (a.k.a. Manticore) will be appearing at Heroes Comics Cards and Toys in Campbell, CA (near San Jose), tomorrow night:

Wednesday, November 2, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.

He'll have Issue #6 of the new comic with a brand new evil City of Villains backstory.

I'm sure he'll be happy to answer questions, give out cool swag, and generally entertain.

Go pay him a visit!

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

As a celebration of the City of Villains launch and City of Heroes success, NCsoft and Cryptic Studios are proud to bring two of the top creative talents associated with both titles to a rare East Coast Tour of some of the finest comic book shops around!

Jack Emmert (Statesman), Creative Director for Cryptic Studios, will be joined by up-and-coming artist David Nakayama, penciler on Top Cow’s City of Heroes comic book!

Jack will answer any questions you may throw his way about CoH, CoV, and comic books in general. David will offer his talents to sketch players’ game characters! Jack will also test fans’ trivia knowledge for a chance to win cool prizes and rare comic and game items!

Stop by and meet two of the creative forces behind City of Heroes / City of Villains – an ever-expanding world of excitement and opportunity!

We look forward to seeing you!

THE DETAILS

Who:
Jack Emmert (Statesman), Creative Director, Cryptic Studios
David Nakayama, Artist for Top Cow Productions, City of Heroes

When:
November 9 – Two locations in New York City
November 10 – Two locations in Philadelphia, PA

Day 1 – New York City – November 9

Location: Jim Hanley’s Universe
Manhattan Location
4 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10001
Jim Hanley's Universe Website
Time of event: Noon to 2:00 PM


Location: St. Mark’s Comics
11 St. Mark’s Place
New York, NY 10003
St. Mark's Comics Website
Time of event: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Day 2 – Philadelphia – November 10

Location: Fat Jack’s Comicrypt
2006 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Time of event: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Showcase Comics
874 W. Lancaster Ave.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Time of event: 4:00 to 7:00 PM

Cryptic Studios’ Senior Staff Designer/Story Director Sean Michael Fish (a.k.a. Manticore) is scheduled to sign copies of the new issue (#6) of the City of Heroes Comic Book!

Come meet Sean at Heroes Comics Cards and Toys in Campbell, CA (near San Jose, 1 hour south of San Francisco), on Wednesday, November 2, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.

Sean is the author of the first dedicated City of Villains comic book story that premiers as a back-up story in Issue 6 of Top Cow’s comic. Sean will have a ton of heroic and villainous swag as giveaway items and raffle prizes as well. Who knows … maybe some CoV capes will find new homes!

Time of Signing
Wednesday, November 2
5:30 – 7:00 PM

Click here for location information

[ QUOTE ]
... and where reporters cannot publish in journalistic freedom.

When honest reporters like Jackson Turner can be “disappeared” to vanish without a trace because they anger the “powers that be” ...

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting notion. We'll just have to see what Paragon City's newest investigative reporter turns up, when he start to poke around the events of his predecessor's fate.

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

We should have some info on the Prima Binders on the site shortly (though it may not be much more than you've found) - I'll see if I can't track down some answers to these questions.

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

October 27, 2005 – Statesman’s Strike

Extra! Extra! Read all about Statesman’s Strike! Statesman leads the Freedom Phalanx and Longbow to assault the Rogue Isles! Read all about it !

(Click on the top link)

Paragon Times Oct 27

[ QUOTE ]
Artic, please tell me that we'll be using the toons we've worked on since Beta opened and NOT the "go make a new toon and goto..." scenario like yesterday's Bloody Bay event.
Also, what zone will this be taking place in?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you'll be using your established characters.

The event will be all over the place - server-wide!

cheers,
Arctic_Sun

In case people haven't seen this yet...

OPERATION: Statesman's Strike

[ QUOTE ]
We have received confirmation from Manticore about Operation: Statesman’s Strike. The greenlight has been given, and the mission is a go. The Longbow tactical assault teams will launch at 7:00 PM CST (8:00 Eastern, 6:00 Mountain, 5:00 Pacific).

[/ QUOTE ]

Beautiful, glamorous, and deadly, we pull back the curtains on the Carnival of Shadows. Delve deep into the history of Giovanna Scaldi, ancestor to Vanessa DeVore, and learn about super powered individuals from an earlier century. You will be shocked by the limits of Giovanna’s selfishness, amazed by the sacrifice Vanessa willingly makes, and awed by the power of the Carnival of Shadows. Read more here!

Curious about the recent City of Villains Premier Event on Alcatraz?

Wish you had been there to see Ghost Widow’s appearance or Lord Recluse’s message to the masses? Take an exclusive peek at this exciting event here!