Dear reader,

The Platinum Earth Act 21 is released today.
If you have a HIPComix membership (available for low low prices), you can read the story here:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=106525

The favorite part of creating this story for me was the wrap up near the end that showcases several characters. In one of the earlier issues it was mentioned that it was rare that the US had a presence in Afghanistan. That's because on this Earth, the bulk of American military efforts are concentrated in and around South America.

Also, for those that are wondering, the threat of zombification remains a clear and present danger to the denizens of the Platinum Earth...evil is hard to kill on this particular planet.

Finally, we are steadily moving towards what I can only describe as the EXPLOSIVE Act 25. What I have been developing over the past few arcs will all come to a head there.

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby






The purpose of these early issues is to introduce a whole range of situations that will be revisited in the future. I don't think anyone at HIP has done "mindless" control before. That is, the victim can't talk and seems little more than a puppet.



Thank you for the comment.
Realizing a somewhat cohesive and plausible world is one of my goals with The Platinum Earth. Really, the Earth itself is the star of my story (at this moment). Every character that is a part of it contributes in their own way into weaving the tapestry of this fictional planet.



I'm torn between showing things directly and explaining them through character speech. Quite obviously, having a character go through an explanatory dialog for the reader's benefit is the easiest way to get a point across. However, I believe it has much more impact if we simply skip to a scene that shows the readers directly. If this were a full time job for me, I'd probably be doing much more of that.



Sidewinder has always looked like that from the moment I first created her. The "Slipsuit" was designed first and then the actual character herself was made to fill it in! It's just that when I chose to introduce her in Act 9, the plot didn't call for her to be in full battle regalia. That's also a big shame for Nimbus as well. Her character design is one of the ones I'm most proud of all The Challengers. However the first thing I did to her was freeze her into a statue...

I'll see you all in the future for the beginning of the Master Ultimo arc!

Dear Reader,

Today we begin the first issue of what I've dubbed the "Ultimo Arc". You can read it here provided you have crossed the palm of HIPComix with some silver:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/galler ... mId=106930

In the coming stories of the Platinum Earth, Master Ultimo will play an important role in the Platinum universe. One thing I don't wish to do is make a clear definition between good and evil because to me, the world is never truly that black and white. People are rarely evil for the sake of being evil but are rather driven by interests. It's these interests that translate into actions that we then judge as either "good" or "evil".

In this issue we get our first good look at Miriam Joyce...she's the Boston dive queen that was taken by an android a few issues back. I must say that even though she's just a collection of files and data, she really strikes me down with her beauty every time I render her. Well, that is not to say that Bailey Preston, Sea Sapphire and Union Belle aren't also attractive in their own digital ways.

I hope you enjoy the story as we march ever onward to Act 25.

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby Faulkner Sedgewick

I our forum chats about the corruption of a good and noble spirit into an evil and base character has finally taken root. Bailey being "Rewired" into Ultimo willing partner in crime was very erotic. I hope that the villians promise of her becoming a willing partner will bare fruit. Perhaps she has been so well reformatted into her new point of view she might even suppass her maker. She might loath what she see's as "weak" heroes and actually become a more destructive force then we could ever imagine. I know you said you didn't want a black or white view of good and evil so I will be fascinated with how this story goes. You haven't disappointed yet. But please don't give us the "Saved from the fate worst then death" cliche and have her switched back to good. We have to have some losses on the side of good to make the war seem real.

Dear Reader,

Act 23 of The Platinum Earth is now available to read at this link for HIPComix members:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=107776

Well, there isn't much to say about this installment that isn't explained or represented in the story. I suppose a few points of note are:

* I redesigned Sea Sapphire's costume (actually, I gave her an alternative one) in part due to the great job that Uroboros did with his Legion of Super Heroines costumes and textures.
* Master Ultimo is first and foremost a scientist. One of his great fears is to die failing to find the answer to a question he was asking. At the moment, it's quite obvious that the alien process of Illumination is the focus of his attentions, hence his interest in D.N.A.



I don't know what you are referring to. My stories are made in isolation from outside discussion, for the most part. I have years worth of stories plotted out on paper...the problem is the intensive labor commitment required to put them into 3D rendered comics. I'll probably never get everything done.



Miriam and Bailey's fates have been plotted out well in advance. You'll just have to wait and see where the story goes. When you expect something is going to happen and you're focusing on it, that's when I'm going to hit you from the side with a freight train.



Look back down the mountain at the stories told so far:

1) Chicago Arc (1-2) - Draw. Good guys escaped but failed in their mission.
2) K.A.M.I Arc (3-5) - Good guys win.
3) Umeda Arc (6-7) - Bad guy wins. 1 heroine dead, 1 converted to evil, 1 escaped.
4) Challengers Arc (8-9) - Draw. Bad gal defeated but escapes. 1 heroine taken prisoner.
5) Granvion X Arc (10-13, 16) - Draw. Villain retreats, 1 heroine converted to evil.
6) China Arc (14-15, 17-18) - Draw. 2 heroines escape, 2 heroines enslaved.
7) Afghanistan Arc (19-21) - Good guys win.
8 ) Ultimo Arc (22-now) - ???

So as you can see, it has been a mixed bag. There are story lines out there still dangling, all of which I plan to return to at a time in the future.

Well, that's it for today. See you soon for the next installment of The Platinum Earth...the final one before my big 25th issue!

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby

Very sexy chapter this week. :) Quite enjoyable.

[quote="Trishbot"]Very sexy chapter this week. :) Quite enjoyable.[/quote]
I concur.


When does that gun go on the market? I know some buyers.

Hello Sir Willoughby,

Just wanted to let you know I enjoy your Platinum Earth series greatly, with a favorite of mine being the Marionettes. Your contributions are one of the primary reasons I subscribe to HIPcomix. Hope to see more from you.

Also, are there any other sites that host your work?

-Karat

Dear Reader,

Today the 24th act of the Platinum Earth is released to HIPComix, entitled "Mesa Moon Rising". If you are a subscriber to this site, you can read the story here:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/galler ... mId=107779

The following part of the post contains mild spoilers, so turn away now and read the story before coming back here. In the meantime, I will reply to the posters of the past 14 days before getting into the said spoilers:



Thank you.



Such a gun would only get you into trouble, so it is just as well it does not exist.



Well, I'm here with a new issue of The Platinum Earth every two weeks. That is not going to change!
And thank you for the comment, having people tell you that they enjoy your work is probably the best thing a HIPComix creator can receive from a HIPComix member (other than, of course, your subscriptions!) I must admit that every issue I make of the Platinum earth is a STRUGGLE. It's tough and it takes a lot of work. I'm essentially writing, editing and illustrating a 40-50 page story each month. In fact, maybe I should write a developer diary entry about that! even a small pat on the back keeps us HIPComix simpletons encouraged.
As for the Marionettes, they will be showing up here and there causing trouble to various characters and governments, so keep an eye out for that. They may even get a few more members.



No.
I only started making stories in late November last year. Everything I have made and released to the public you will be able to see here at HIPComix.

***

In regards to this week's story, I wanted to think of something a little more offbeat that could be done when you're able to control the minds of others. What Bailey and Miriam did is recorded and in their possession. Will it ever be released publicly? Who knows?

In this comic I also debut one of the prettiest (in my opinion) members of The Challengers - Mesa Moon. Nascha Jefferson (Mesa Moon's alter ego) actually first appeared in Act 9 of The Platinum Earth, so her introduction as a super heroine has been brewing for a while. Also, if you scrounge around a little, you'll find a team shot of The Challengers that includes my first design for Mesa Moon. I think her development has been quite marked since that time.

So, Act 24 is over! What comes next? Why, ACT 25 , of course!
If you have been reading my posts in this thread, you can see that I have been talking up Act 25 for several months now. It's sort of like the first anniversary issue. Will I make it to 50? Hmmmm...

All I can say is that BIG things are going to happen from here on in.
After just 14 more sleeps, you'll see what I've been making a fuss about.
As a fan of HIPComix (I assume you are!) you will be pleasantly surprised.

I'll see you for the fireworks next time!

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby

Dear Reader,

Act 25 of The Platinum Earth is now available for reading in the members area:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=112512

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby

I like the crossover. Thanks! This should keep the story very interesting. Please keep up the good work.

I don't know, the crossover didn't really do much for me - seems to be making your well-developed universe just another part of the Metrobay universe. That being said, I'm still looking forward to see just how this and the rest of the story develops.

Thank you.
Things will get more intense in the coming issues.



The Platinum Earth is a unique world. The next Act will clarify some of the conceptions you are currently laboring under.



I hope you enjoy the story.
If you don't, you can let me know...I'm not the type that only wants to hear platitudes.

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby

I liked the cross-over. Adds some depth with characters we are familiar with.

P

[quote="pelusa1ca"]I liked the cross-over. Adds some depth with characters we are familiar with.[/quote]

I agree

Dear Reader,

Act 26 of The Platinum Earth is now available for viewing in the member's area of HIPComix. You can read it at this link, which I suggest you do before reading the rest of this post:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=112515

We are only touching onto this arc, which I am calling the...well, this arc doesn't actually have a name. Let's just call it the Diabolical Arc. I wanted to return to the Granvion X part of The Platinum Earth and that is done through the Blitzvogels, who are tributes to classic 1970s and 1980s Japanese super robot heroines.

You'll also notice that Metrobay's Snowflake and Jade Lightning played a fairly minor role in this episode and you may have thought it would have been bigger. While I am really excited to have these ladies in my world, I would like to say again that the true star of The Platinum Earth is the world itself. Because of that, even a sexy Chinese heroine and a busty blond bombshell can be lost amid the swirling intrigue that is only now starting to unfold.



You'll be learning more about Jade Lightning in this arc, guaranteed.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby

I think your lizard-vampire women are the sexiest in all of comicdom. Hope they return soon..

Dear Reader,

Act 27 of The Platinum Earth is released to HIPcomix today. Members of HIPcomix can access the story at this link:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=114121

Well, it has finally happened! The heroine of The Platinum Earth has arrived! Now you may be asking "What are you talking about? You've made dozens and dozens of heroines already!" Well, that is true, but there is one heroine that stands above them all, the Queen of the Heroines that inhabit The Platinum Earth. It may surprise you to learn that that heroine is Platina Shrike! That's right! She is the main heroine of The Platinum Earth!

You may ask why, as she's not the sexiest of the heroines on The Platinum Earth. Well, the reason why is quite simple. You see, Platina Shrike is actually Terai Yuki. You don't know who Terai Yuki is? Look it up on the internet! Terai Yuki is a virtual idol, probably one of the most famous "3D celebrities" in Japan. Created in the 1990's by Ken Kutsugi (http://www.kutsugi.com/index.html), Terai Yuki graced artbooks, merchandise and even had her own DVDs and video game.

I'm extremely happy to finally have Terai Yuki join the pages of my story. The Platinum Earth wouldn't exist if it weren't for her. You see, I wanted to make a story with Terai Yuki as the star. To do this, I needed to create a living, breathing world for her to star in. That's why The Platinum Earth exists...for her. But, since the time I conceived of The Platinum Earth, it has grown and taken on a life of it's own. I never imagined it would be as big as it is in just 27 meager Acts.

So I hope you all keep reading and sticking with my arc, as Platina Shrike will be playing a leading role. And I can tell you that things are only starting to warm up! And let's not forget our Metrobay guest stars, either! In this issue, we shed a bit more light on the Chinese super heroine, Jade Lightning. Specifically, were does she come from and what motivates her? You can read it in this issue.



Thanks!!!!
They will return very, very soon!

I apologize for the excessive use of exclamation marks.

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby

I continue to be impressed by your work. The story with its broad base of characters is compelling and the artwork is fantastic. I look forward to the next installment.

Dear Reader,

The latest installment of The Platinum Earth is now available here:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=114122

Not much to say about this issue as you can read it yourself.
The inclusion of the Snowflake scenario was a last minute idea when this Act was being created. Originally, the storyline had Platina Shrike, Daizen Ashikaga and the Metrobay heroines touch down in London after an uneventful trip. I think the way the trip actually goes down (literally!) is a little more fun and in the spirit of a heroine in peril.

Keep paying attention to the Verona frontier station interludes as big things will happen here, but we're looking at 2010 for that.

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby



Thanks. And you don't need to look forward to the next installment any more as it's right here!

Dear Reader,

The Platinum Earth Act 29 is now released in the member's area:

http://memberslogin.hipcomix.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=114123

Nothing too much to say about this installment although the Mars station scenario is slowly starting to build. I am going to have a lot of fun with these spaceborne characters in the future installments of this title.

Also, we're only now getting into the meat of what this current arc is all about. It is only going to intensify from here on in, so my advice is to stick around for the rest of the year and beyond. In this particular issue, I was especially fond of the way the image turned out for the final page. It was a nice effect, I thought.

See you here in two weeks. Or in a fortnight, as they say in some places...

Sincerely,
Sir Willoughby