Ice Queen Blog

Earlier this year a poll was posted about which Side Story would be made next, and the winner was 'Ice Queen'! For those who don't want to rummage through the threads, here's the story's description:

The Ice Queen: As a toddler, Cat is tucked into bed by her father. Before going to sleep she insists on him telling her favorite bedtime story-the legend of the Ice Queen. As her father fills her mind with visions of knights, maidens and fantasy, he remembers a more grounded reality of the tale-revealing how he and Cat’s mother met.

While it took longer to finish and edit the script than I anticipated (all for the better, I promise!) I'm now starting character designs, which will be posted here each week. This week's featuring the female lead of 'Ice Queen,' Kitty Catus.

This week I've been working on Tom Feline, male lead and opposite kitty for 'Ice Queen' While he wears glasses now, he didn't have them when first meeting Kitty.

Oh my heck, I'm moving in a week. 0.0 But, I can show some Ice Queen concept art before having to pack all my art supplies:



I've been experimenting with different visual elements the Ice Queen's design would feature. Her final look hasn't been decided yet, but I have found some things I've liked.

Slowly piecing my comic schedule back together, and tested out my initial Prince costume idea to blow off steam.

So, this front has been pretty quiet. Any new concepts to share that aren't full of spoilers?  

Latrans wrote:So, this front has been pretty quiet. Any new concepts to share that aren't full of spoilers?  

It has been quiet, sadly-but I have been working on it! The script is written, characters designs are nearly finished and page layouts are being planned. It's currently being alternated with another top-secret FE comic project, so I'm working towards the goal of both of them being released next year.

Nothing like some questions from the curious to get me back in gear. ^^;
Introducing the final design for the female lead, Kitty Catus - an isolated lady whose cold demeanor has earned her the nickname 'Ice Queen' among her peers.

Oh wow. I LOVE Kitty's character design! She's really got me intrigued now; I look forward to reading the story when it's done!

Random tangent, but by any chance have you seen Frozen? 'Cause Kitty's character and the whole 'Ice Queen' story is making me think of that movie (which, personally, I found to be awesome, so if you haven't seen it, I recommend it).

Cutekitty wrote: by any chance have you seen Frozen?

I did! It wasn't my favorite Disney movie ever, (Beauty and the Beast sets the bar pretty darn high,) but there were some great twists in it.

Finalized the main character of Ice Queen this week: Tom Feline. Sent on a quest by his bishop, he becomes the member of a strange new place called the 'Singles' Ward.'

For those interested, the past couple weeks have been spent researching clothing from the 1800s, specifically knights and townspeople.

Firstly: Tom looks quite dashing!   

Secondly: Cool, what are some of the things you found out in your research? What materials were clothes typically made out of then, how were they made, what fashions were common, any facts you found weird or just plain interesting, etc.?

Cutekitty wrote:Firstly: Tom looks quite dashing!   

Secondly: Cool, what are some of the things you found out in your research? What materials were clothes typically made out of then, how were they made, what fashions were common, any facts you found weird or just plain interesting, etc.?

Most of my studying' revealed awesome things that are suddenly obvious. For example, all the layers of skirts, tunics and underclothing was worn for necessary warmth, as opposed to vanity. That's awesome, until I realized there were no heaters in the middle ages. Knights' armor was made with heavy steal, and their inside usually padded with extra quilted padding. That's awesome, until realizing how uncomfortable the armor would be without it. ^^;

The Knight character in this story is Carl, who befriends Tom and is the most knowledgeable resource of the Ice Queen.

Don't forget layers helped absorb sweat! It wasn't treated with disdain back then since everyone sweats.

Ahem, heh... So, a new character for this story, then? He looks rather interesting and I can't wait to see what he adds to the story!

Ellen-Natalie wrote:
Most of my studying' revealed awesome things that are suddenly obvious. For example, all the layers of skirts, tunics and underclothing was worn for necessary warmth, as opposed to vanity. That's awesome, until I realized there were no heaters in the middle ages. Knights' armor was made with heavy steal, and their inside usually padded with extra quilted padding. That's awesome, until realizing how uncomfortable the armor would be without it. ^^;

The Knight character in this story is Carl, who befriends Tom and is the most knowledgeable resource of the Ice Queen.

Ahaha, you're right, as soon as I read that stuff, it seemed so obvious. And awesome. And it makes me glad I live in the 21st century. =P

Ooh, Carl's a handsome looking fellow. Most knowledgeable source of info on the Ice Queen, huh? (Is that what you meant? I'm 90% sure it is, but you technically said he's a "resource of the Ice Queen," and that language would normally indicate to me that he somehow belongs to the Queen, something that the Queen either has access to and finds useful or else has some claim on and lets others use.) Is he her brother? Not sure about that one. They both have long fur and blue eyes, and both appear to be cats, but their coloration is different, and sibling status would make Carl privy to a LOT of information about Kitty; that would certainly fit him being the "most knowledgeable resource," but that might make it too easy for Tom to learn about her through Carl. Past romantic partner? Probably not, given that she has a reputation for being cold and isolated, unless it was a while ago and actually started (or exacerbated) the reserved behavior... again, right now I'm thinking that's unlikely. Just a dude who's had a couple of classes with her or has heard a lot about her through the grapevine? I think that's the most likely, but... Well, guess I'll just have to read and find out.   About when do you think this comic will become available, anyway? 'Course, if you don't know, that's totally fine.

Cutekitty wrote:
About when do you think this comic will become available, anyway? 'Course, if you don't know, that's totally fine.

Right now, I'm looking at around end of June/Start of July. This is the current schedule I've been working with:

Jan - Character Designs
Feb - Thumbnail script, Start drawing pages
Mar - Finish drawing, start inking pages
April - Finish inking, starting coloring/adding text to pages
May - Finish color/text, final editing checks
June - Test prints, Final printing checks, place order

In regards to the end of January, here's the final character design images for Carl:




(I also recently learned full suits of metal armor was a rare thing, usually only worn by nobleman. Everyone else just wore several layers of thick leather or pieces. That's awesome, until realizing how expensive making armor is ^^; )

Currently mapping out pages for Ice Queen, but thumbnailing's begun for the Top Secret project. Here's a sneak peak:

...Oh. OH.

If that thumbnail's what I think it is, I think I'm going to immensely enjoy this top secret project of yours when you finish.  

And it sounds like you'll finish the Ice Queen arc in time for me to get it and read it over summer vacation! Yay! Oh, and I like Carl's final design. Also, I'm going to file away that fun fact about the armor in my mind. It's good to know for a story I'm working on in my free time.

When mapped out, the Ice Queen script appears to be over 50 pages long. 0.0

Sounds like I should start setting monies aside for this thing!  

Some sketches from the first couple pages of Ice Queen:

Another picture from the opening pages!

Woah... That looks certainly intense.

I get a lot of Disney feels from this. The three mice remind me of the mice from Cinderella, and that viper looks like Jafar's snake form.

You know you're a Mormon when...

The Three Mouseketeers?

I second the Disney remark; that snake design definitely reminds me of Jafar's serpent form. I love it!

I actually got a Harry Potter feel... I must be slacking on my Disney watching and rewatching.