Terminals Blog

Wear this!

2011-03-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Holy delayed update, Batman!

Yes, it's been a while since our last Terminals blog post. But if you've been following us on the site or with the Facebook page, you'll know that things are progressing awesomely for the book. We have, simply, the greatest fans. Not just fans, but truly awesome, creative and passionate people that are making this whole experience even better.

We received a huge surprise this morning when one of our loyal (and awesomest) readers showed off her amazing creation: a one-of-a-kind custom Terminals t-shirt based on the cover for issue #3!

(Click to super size it)

How insanely cool is that?!

It is all the cool, that's how cool it is.

We'd like to thank Liz for making this incredible piece of fashion. Thanks, Liz!

Team Terminals

ASK THE WRITER

2010-12-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, Ryan here. I've set up a VYOU account, meaning if you've got any TERMINALS related questions - or any question for that matter - hope on over to http://vyou.com/ferrier and submit your question. I will then post a video response, answering that question.

Or you can simply use the interface below:

Before and After: PROJECT: ACQUINAS

2010-12-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

TERMINALS is going great, we can't thank all of you enough for checking the series out, commenting, and sharing the word! Don't forget, if you haven't joined the Facebook page yet, head on over and do so here. The more people like it, the more cool behind-the-scenes-stuff we'll post.

The blogs and updates will be coming more frequently from now on and well into the new year, so do keep this page in your radar. For now, here's another before and after pencils to color comparison to feast your eyes on: the epic page 9 from issue #2 in which we get a glimpse of what happened back in WWII when Project: Acquinas unleashed the first superheroes upon the world.

(Click to super size it)

Rove and Ed absolutely nailed the page, one of my favorites in the series so far. The fourth panel is actually what started this whole series in the first place, so this page in particular has a special place in our hearts.

Keep on reading TERMINALS Tuesdays and Thursdays over at www.terminalscomic.com

Before and After: BEAR

2010-10-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

TERMINALS is nearing the end of the first issue, and Bear made his explosive debut. Take a look at the pencils-color comparison for his thunderous first panel.

(Click to enlarge)

Keep up with the story over at www.terminalscomic.com!

Cover Pencil / Colors Comparison

2010-09-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

By now you all know that Terminals launched this week, over at www.terminalscomic.com - be a doll and spread the word, would ya?

And while new pages are coming out every Tuesday and Thursday, we will certainly use this here blog to show you some goodies during the in-between.

First up, take a look at the first cover for the book as a side-by-side comparison: Rove's pencils and inks on the left, Ed's colors on the right.

Click to super-size!

Rove and Ed both knocked it outta the park. I'll be posting lots more pencils from Rove, and colors from Ed. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the book.

- R

WWW. TERMINALSCOMIC.COM IS LIVE!

2010-08-31T17:21:00.000-07:00

We just couldn't wait until Thursday.

TERMINALS has debuted over at www.terminalscomic.com - read the first 8 pages now, then check back every Tuesday and Thursday as the story continues.

It's been a wild ride up to now, and it's only just beginning. Big thanks to our publisher, Penny-Farthing Press, for making this possible. If all goes according to plan, BP isn't the only one with a big spill on their hands.

Stay tuned to the blog here as well for more updates, news, and sneak peeks.

Go now and spread the word on Terminals, and thank you all for your excitement and support!

TERMINALS DEBUTS THIS THURSDAY

2010-08-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

The time has come...

We are proud to announce that TERMINALS will debut this Thursday, September 2, 2010.

This daring new comic series, presented by Penny Farthing Press, begins its weekly run starting this Thursday. Terminals will be viewable for free online, with new pages released every Tuesday and Thursday.

Check back first thing this Thursday for the TERMINALS website url. Keep up with updates and news through Facebook, Twitter, and Penny Farthing Press.

No More Room In Hell...

2010-08-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

Our Facebook page hit 75 fans today, so I dropped a little treat from my stork-like jaws above; an early page from a future issue of the book. Here it is in all its glory, before Ed's colors and my lettering.

Head on over to Facebook and be a fan of TERMINALS.

Time To Die

2010-08-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, the countdown is on and we're less than one month away from the TERMINALS series launch! The gang is hard at work whipping up promotional materials that will make your mouth (and other body parts) water.

Take this new promo poster, for example:

Click that bad boy and see it in full-size glory.

Stay tuned for a lot more news in the coming days...

Follow TERMINALS on Facebook & Twitter

2010-08-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

You smell that in the air? That's the scent of your face from the future, being blown off so hard it travels back in time to now, and into your nostrils. We here on Team Terminals know you want to be up on everything happening, so we've set up camp all over the internet.

Follow us for all of your news and release updates, as well as tons of behind-the-scenes banter, concept art, and other hidden treasures. We promise to make it worth your while.

Follow TERMINALS on Facebook.

Follow TERMINALS on Twitter.

Color Commentary...

2010-08-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Late on updates here on the Terminals Blog, but with good reason. Rove, Ed and I have been working super hard putting the finishing touches on the first issue. The pages look amazing, we couldn't be happier with how the book is turning out.

While we can't give you a concrete release/launch date yet, here's what I can tell you about Terminals:

Terminals will begin in September.
The initial run of the series will be online, readable for free.
New pages will be published every week, multiple pages per week.
The entire run is six-issues, each issue clocking in at 22-26 standard-size pages.
The series does feature some mild mature content (violence and language, no sex).
Team Terminals is not responsible for any spontaneous pregnancies, foot injuries or weight-gain incurred from reading the book.

Stay tuned real soon for an official launch date and website announcement. We can't thank you enough for your interest and support. It's been a long time in the making and we're excited as all hell to finally unleash Terminals.

Until then, here's another little sneak peek, this time with color!

Blood Type...

2010-07-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

I like the idea of photo-real promotional materials for a comic book. I like Rove's artwork even better though. You'll be seeing it come alive in no time. In the meantime, check out this poster idea I came up with, just fooling around in photoshop.

As always, stay tuned. Terminals is almost here.

* makes a pretty kick-ass iphone wallpaper...

Ursidae...

2010-06-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

I know I keep saying 'soon', but this time I mean it. As a show of good faith, here's a panel I've cropped out of a full page from Issue #1, sans colors or letters.

Clarence Charles (aka Bear) – 34, Brown bear, 300lbs. Clarence Charles was a mild-mannered and meek insurance broker, killed in a car wreck. The "company" capitalized on this man, this invisible blip on society's radar by successfully merging his brain with that of a matured Alaskan brown bear. In his new feral form, Clarence has retained as much function that his new body can allow, his memories and language skills – the lack of opposable thumbs the only real disadvantage. Clarence left behind a wife, Susanne.

"...listening to Tom Petty on the freeway one minute, the next, you’re a 300 pound bear with a blood-lust for salmon."

Multitude...

2010-05-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Man, oh man, things are picking up for Team Terminals. Rove is cranking out pages, I'm cranking out words, and that bum on 4th street was yanking his crank to the picture below (click to fullsizenate that thing).

Readers, meet Swarm. Swarm, meet readers. Swarm is a lovely young girl who enjoys long walks on the beach, curling up next to a warm fire, and secreting bees out of every orifice on her body. Yes, even that orifice. No it won't be in the book. Well, okay, it might be in the book. Sounds hot, huh?

Stay tuned for plenty more updates, though be forewarned, we're going to unleash this beast sooner than you think.

Got any plans for July?

Malevolence...

2010-05-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

Things are moving along rapidly here in Terminalsville (population: your face).

To celebrate the end of the work week, here's a little concept art for you.

These people are not nice.

Complexion...

2010-05-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

A very, very important element in Terminals has gone without attention until now. That element being color, of course.

We're super excited to announce Ed Ryzowski as the colorist for Terminals. Ed is one hell of an artist, also working and living here in Canada. He's currently producing great work on the webcomic series Evil Inc.

You can also check out more of Ed's work and updates over at his personal space, Tragically Geek.

I guess we can also let the cat out of the bag, if you haven't clued in already, that Terminals will be brought to you by the incredible Penny Farthing Press.

We love Penny Farthing. We love Ed. We love Rove. We love Ryan. We love all of you. There's just a heaping, writhing, armpit-farting, sweaty pile of self-love going on right now.

The dawn of Terminals is closer than you think.

Pavlovian...

2010-04-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Feels like I'm always apologizing for the lack of updates, but hey, these things take time. The road to Terminals is a long one, perhaps, but Rove and I are enjoying the ride. We've got the top down, our shoes off, Ke$ha on the radio and gnats in our teeth. And a corpse in the back. Don't ask.

The point is, we're still very hard at work. One of the most important issues in the series is fully scripted - you won't believe it when you read it - and Rove's pages are absolutely gorgeous.

On that note, we'll have some interesting news for you very soon, I can't spoil it yet. In the meantime, have a peek at some conceptual promo art I've cooked up for the series. You should come down and find Rove and I at this year's Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo... you might be able to see something or take something home with you...

Undead...

2010-02-22T19:40:00.000-08:00

Got my hands on a bunch of gorgeous artwork c/o Rove. Expect plenty of sneak peeks in the forthcoming time before release.

For now, here's some concept art for 'Zombie', the lovable, flesh eating hobo, visually inspired by the great Tom Waits

Management...

2010-01-31T16:27:00.000-08:00

Just a quick little blog for you... if you haven't checked it out yet, head on over to the newly re-launched website for Penny Farthing Press. Their new site looks fantastic, and they will be making some really cool announcements soon *cough wink nudge*. Very exciting times for PFP indeed, and Rove and I can't wait to be added into the fold.

Stay tuned for some more artwork and sneak peeks pretty soon.

Embellish...

2010-01-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Check out this framed addition to my wall :)

Resolution...

2010-01-09T16:12:00.000-08:00

Happy new year, everyone! Pardon the lack of Terminals updates, the holiday season was crazy for Team Terminals.

Rove and I are hard at work on the book and everything is taking its form. It's also an incredibly busy time for Penny Farthing Press, our publisher - stay tuned for some big announcements from them soon.

This year will be defining. More updates on their way; Rove and I thank you so much for your support and excitement.

Psychokinesis...

2009-12-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

Everyone, this is Savvy.

Conspectus...

2009-11-29T15:07:00.000-08:00

I'm immersed in it today so I can't keep you totally in the dark any more. Though this is not the official synopsis for Terminals, this is the scenario...

Terminals takes place in our reality, in our time. We are bound to our laws of physics and our societal norms.

Since the tail-end of World War II, under orders and supervision of the American Defense Agency, a group of scientists have worked to create the world's first super-heroes. Over 50 years later, the program is successful in creating their first team of 'para-humans'. In an unexpected twist-of-fate, this inaugural team becomes the world's first super-villains instead.

Now, with the safety of countless people in the hands of the most dangerous people alive, one more team is created to stop them... but not without a contingency plan.

Terminals serves as an examination of the super-hero archetype and how it fits in our culture, our community and alongside us as individuals quite literally. It also lets Rove and I unleash a talking 400 pound Alaskan brown bear, a zombie homeless man and a 19th century ghost woman into one comic book.

We had originally written a love story involving a diamond-skinned vampire and an obsessive teenage girl, but someone got to it first...

That's all for now - thanks to everyone for your interest and support. Everything is shaping up wickedly.

Shouldn't be long.

Perseverance...

2009-11-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

Okay so you're not getting the synopsis with this update... go easy on me, I've been hard at work writing like a possessed madman and Rove's been pencilling and inking pages that have made me weep with joy. We can't wait for you to begin this.

In the meantime, here's another song that has kept me company throughout the process of sculpting Terminals, and may or may not represent a part of the book. As usual, I've placed some conveniently distorted artwork to your left.

Soon.

Malevolence...

2009-11-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a penciled and inked page from Terminals: Issue #0. Hope you enjoy.

Hard at work on putting flesh to the bones. I won't say which issue I'm scripting at the moment, but there are definitely elements of horror involved.

Stay tuned for an official Terminals synopsis...

Shh...

2009-11-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

It's a bit blurry, I know ;)

Issue #0, Page 1, Panel 1...

2009-11-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

I wrote this article back in July for a site I regularly contribute to, Forces of Geek. At this point, Terminals hadn't even been pitched yet, let alone found a home with a publisher. It's by far one of the most personal articles I'd ever written, and I think it does a swell job of painting a picture of just how dedicated Rove and myself are when it comes to this comic.

In the article, which I do hope you read, I conclude with the complete narration from Terminals Issue #0, a nine-page mini that was to be used to sell the story and art to publishing companies; the book, fortunately, received the green-light before these pages were even inked.

I'm not sure if this nine-page preview issue will see the light of day, I really hope it does as I'm quite fond of it. Regardless, here is the narration for those nine pages; I know you haven't seen any pencils yet, but try to visualize it in your head. Mystery, after all, is what draws us near.

I stand here, hundreds of feet above the ground, not as a God. I stand suspended as a man. As an insect. A mere speck in existence.

A blip.

A blink.

You would look at me and call me a superhero, a para-human, whatever. If I'm not Wynn Collins, I'm a dead man.

A man created me, just as a man created them. The villains. Are they truly evil, or do they wish to just live their lives completely and utterly for themselves? Somewhere in there, you can't help but respect that. What separates me from them? Is it because I don't kill and steal? Surely I'm just as dangerous. The potential to do terrible things lies in all of us, but I'm caught in a loop-hole; I have to stop them. Not because I know better, but because I signed the permission slip.

I could be slinging americanos for $8.50 an hour, but now I'm pulling a masked man's molar out of my boot.

I had nothing to lose, I suppose. I'm a sucker for authority and a major pushover. Major Pushover, now there's a superhero name. I'll have an MP embroidered on my cape.

You could say I left one prison only to find myself in another.

You see us as you want to see us. You see us as an animal, a telepath, a freak of nature, a muscle-head and a walking corpse. Correct? That's the way we saw each other this morning. We were created. We were normal, unusual, entirely unremarkable humans. Then our names were pulled out of the scientific lottery.

We were given gifts. Curses. Responsibilities. Burdens. Abilities. Disabilities.

We were not up for what we signed on for. Of all the powers we were given not one of us had the power to go back in time and change our minds. But would we?

Protecting the country. A thankless job. What good is the victory when you can't enjoy the spoils. I sound bitter but I'm not. Just young. Just scared.

We are all going to die soon. Not in the figurative, over-dramatic “we're all dead on the inside now” kind of way. In the literal “worms are eating their way through my sternum” way. That was all part of the plan, you see. Like I said, there's not much difference between us and them. They kill you, we kill them, you kill us. The circle of life. The monkey holds the lion.

Just as any story unfolds, this one has it's ups and downs. This one has its love. Its terror. Its deceit.

It's as human as much as it is inhuman. It has family. It has hope. It is completely and utterly everything all of us have to face, the villain with the mask. Life.

It's not all shades of grey however. The evil that men and women do are real, as real as you or I. This isn't fantasy. Legends are passed down for generations, why are we surprised to finally see them? These threats, they come in every size, shape, color, every possible angle and vantage point and possibility. Half beautiful. Half rotten. Whether you want to believe or not, these bad men and women are very real, and will force you to make a leap of faith that you don't want to. If you don't you're either lucky or dead.

I stand here ready to kill those that created us. Created only to be destroyed. Why does a team of forgotten souls even bother when their clocks are ticking, deafeningly? Perhaps we're fulfilling a destiny. Maybe it's some misplaced sense of heroism.

I like to think we're all simply terminal.

Terminal Noise I

2009-11-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

Music has played a huge part for me (and I'm sure with Rove as well) during the many hours of conceptualizing and (on-going) scripting of Terminals. From time to time I'll post some of the songs that I found myself returning to during these creative floods. They may be representative of tones and themes found in the book, or they may not. Here's the first, hope you enjoy.

-R

Here, not there...

2009-11-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

In a weird twist-of-fate, the original location for Terminals Blog - over at wordpress.com - is broken. For some reason (I blame Communism) it won't let me in the admin panel, even after numerous password resets, etc.

So, if you've made it here, then you're at the right place and keep coming back here. If you keep going to the wordpress blog, it will never be updated. And you won't have read this. Is this thing on?

We'll have some mega-important news on the release of Terminals very shortly, so stay tuned for that. Permission permitting, we'll have some sketches and an official synopsis en route too.

Terminal Velocity

2009-11-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

It is with great pride and excitement I announce that Terminals, created by Ryan Ferrier and Trevor “Rove” Jameus, has been successfully pitched and picked up by an award-winning publisher out of the US.

We can’t disclose the particulars of this deal just yet. Soon.

This is no doubt an incredibly exciting time for Rove and I –Terminals has been a labor of love for well over a year now; things should come to fruition very soon and we can’t wait for you to see it.

Stay tuned.

- Ryan