Well thank you all for participating in the facebook poll. After the votes were tallied the number one thing that you all voted to see more of was local and independent artist and projects. Secondly you said you wanted to see more about Mythica and the progress of the comic. Well, you’re in luck. Today’s post has both of those! I’ve decided based on the feedback that i will try to do a feature on an indy artist or project every week. I’m not sure what day is the best day so if you have suggestions please leave them below.

Magnus fanart from the Mythica comic book by artist Tom Rasch

Black Alpha fanart by comic artist Matt Campbell

So the first featured artist of the week is my friend and super talented artist,Tom Rasch.

I first met Tom a few years ago at the Art Institute. He was there with a panel of other artist from Net Devil and Idol Minds talking about the gaming industry. That was here in Colorado. Tom has since moved to California and is still working as a game artist. As i started posting art and info about my comic project, Mythica, Tom seemed very interested and gave me a call. We have talked several times and have discovered that we are both working on personal projects that we are both passionate about.
Tom came up with this great idea of exchanging fan art of our characters. He quickly went to work on an awesome rendering of Magnus from my Mythica book and i just finished making this version of his character Black Alpha. Seriously, just finished. Some of you might even be seeing it before he does. Click on the images above to see the larger version.

So what is Black Alpha?

Black Alpha is a project that Tom has created first and foremost for an animated TV series. I asked Tom to describe it in his own words for you.
“Black Alpha is a story I’ve wanted to do for many years,since i was in grade school really. My main goal with this is to present the the tropes of the super hero myth against the back drop of sci-fi space opera. Our tale is about the guardsmen of the Caratian star systems or the provinces as they are referred to by the people of the realm. Each guardsman is bonded and forged with a cell suit–the cell suit gives the pilot the equivalent of super powers like super strength,speed,agility–basically amplified traits of each soldier–this warrior elite is divided into chapters that serve the magistrate and the provinces as a whole. A mysterious threat has been destroying chapters of guardsmen one by one however–leaving certain systems–namely the fringe territories, unprotected. The fringe has now become a land of lawlessness full of corruption,crime,and war. Our lead character grew up in the fringe and has lost family and friends from the destruction of his colony, later he discovers a cell suit and star cruiser of a fallen guardsmen and uses these tools to bring justice to those he believes are responsible. Black Alpha is going to be a downloadable comic book mini-series published thru Graphicaly–its going to be a great ride full of intrigue,action,character,and heart–dealing with themes of redemption and restored hope by creator and artist Tom Rasch,and writers Drew Hunt and Michael Keirns. The comic will also support the animated web series as it’s in production. The Black Alpha blog also has a trailer and a peek at some merchandising items.”

Here is a trailer that Tom has put together for his awesome upcoming animation.

Well i am super excited about the Black Alpha project and can’t wait to see it. From the sounds of it Tom is gaining all kinds of support in California and getting the project in front of the eyes of the right people. Tom already has shirts, and toys made for Black Alpha. How cool is that? Let’s show this guy some support. Leave your comments about what you think of it below!

If you are or know of an indy artist or project that you think deserves some recognition please email me a link.