Loch In is a side project that I'm working on while doing Lil' Miss Steel, featuring a cybernetic Loch Ness Monster. Here's what you can expect:
THE WORLD
Loch In takes place in 2112 on a flood Earth, where many countries have survived on floating, man-made islands that house up to 100,000 people. Farms are crucial, but there are also your typical city jobs, restaurants, and stores you can see in today's world. The island this story takes place in is New Carolina, arguably the most Scottish state in the USA.
THE CHARACTERS
Gregor is a 24 year old robotics genius who inherited his parents' farm and fortune after they were killed by a creature attack. With his expertise, he replaced all human field laborers with automatons, hiring humans to instead keep the bots running smoothly. After Nessie saves his life, he repairs her with cybernetics and keeps her hidden in an abandoned, underground submarine bay, which he accesses with a secret elevator in his mansion.
Sheena is a 20 year old daughter of two servants that once worked for Gregor's parents. They were also killed in a creature attack, after which Gregor allowed her to stay in the mansion as a resident, instead of a servant. Now she works in maintenance on the farm, helping mechanics keep the automatons running smoothly. Her true passion, however, is Nessie. Unlike Gregor, Sheena seems to share an emotional connection with the monster, something she doesn't even understand.
THE INSPIRATION/CREATION
The podcast I cohost every Sunday, "Indie Comics Empire," held a special challenge for all of us artists to create an original character in 3 hours. I had just finished watching two shows about mechas fighting monsters, and had a dream about seeing the Loch Ness Monster just days prior to the stream. Everything aligned perfectly for Loch In to be born!
I watched "The Big O" for the first time a few months ago, and rewatched "Symbionic Titan" right after. Both shows are rather short and left me wanting more, so naturally I used them as inspiration in writing my own mecha/kaiju story. I'm also a fan of Godzilla, especially the most recent film, "Minus One."
Unlike previous projects that didn't focus much on world building, Loch In's main appeal is it's flooded world and how humanity has adapted to this catastrophe. The world is just as much a character as the Loch Ness Monster is, and the mysteries of this series are unlike anything I have ever written. Each episode will make you want more.
THE DEVELOPMENT
At this moment I am looking into partnering with another professional artist to bring this project to life. While I could draw this myself, I want someone with a similar art style as mine to elevate the quality and turn this into a comic that rivals the greatest Marvel and DC works. Until then I will be creating concept art myself, and even a pilot if the right artist cannot be found. One thing is certain, this will be a paid experience and not a free series like Lil' Miss Steel. I am confident in my number of readers and followers now, as well as people's expectations for my stories to be of good quality writing.