Willis Henry Series Influences: Aesop's Fables/John Henry (Part 1 of 3)

 Willis Henry has a lot of influences both indirectly and directly.  So. let's talk about some of the major influences of Willis Henry Series.

Aesop's Fable was one of the largest and earliest influences.  Willis Henry started as short stories of a boy meeting animal people that had a moral or something both he and the animal character learned in each story. 

So, what changed is when Willis Henry in idea moved closer to another influence of John Henry, the Rail/steel worker and his competition with a machine; this reshaped the story.  Adding more robots and man/machines conflict changed much about the story.

Today, the Willis Henry still has a majority of Animal People so Aesop's Fable is a major Influence.

See ya next week

Willis Henry Main Cast Head Shapes

 What I like the most about the Willis Henry Cast is the Head Shapes.  The idea was to make each character identifiable in silhouette, and while some have similar body shapes (like Willis Henry jr. and Quiss), but the head shape is easily identified.  Also the Simplicity of style has an impact on the look of the world and overall style.  I'm still really proud of what I accomplished with the characters.

Bottom is the most basic shape base

Top: Head Shapes and inner details

Keep Shining

Trey

Nedeians.. Nedeans.. The good folks of Planet Nede (and Full Main Cast)

 I still don't exactly know what to call the inhabitants of the Planet Nede, an alien planet with humanoid animals.  Hm, well I will figure it out at some point.  

It started with the five Queens and the Chancellor, and from an early story view; Willis Henry was to go from place to place meeting the  children of the areas Queen and go on an adventure.  Today, the story has a lot more robots and action... and well is very different.  But the Five Queens remain, and I do love their designs.  They also help to inform some of the wider population, where I tried to go for more graphic and simplified shape language of the designs.

Top is the Main Cast LineUp with size comparison.

 

Vekks and Proteus (Meet the Villains?)

 

Vekks and Proteus the villains(?), but are an odd couple.  Vekks found the Soft-Shell Robot among others sleeping on an alien planet, and after waking up have been companions ever since.  They are both near ageless beings, having been together for hundreds of years.  Vekks is the emotional schemer, while Proteus is calm voice of reason.  Proteus is the first thing Vekks could call an actual friend..

However, after Proteus's sister betrayed him, and stranded them (Seethe Vekks's father, and Ca'aseth Vekks's adopted brother) in space, Vekks began to withdraw. After ages adrift in space they came to the planet of Nede.  Once on the planet, they started repairing the ship, but eventually the family began to go their separate ways.  Seethe, became sullen and despondent remaining on the ship.  Ca'aseth started to learn the ways and customs of the locals, and fit in surprisingly well.  While Vekks met a local child Seer of the Reptilian culture, and began making robot minions of his own, eventually becoming known as a great inventor.

Things changed after the Massacre in the halls of the Stellar League, the world's heroes. Where Seeth and most of the Stellars and the World ambassador Phenallia of the Eten Flam died and the Sol was lost, with Ca'aseth, the murder suspect, disappearing.  

Soon after that event, the War Between Sky and Scales began. Vekks was eventually ostracized, with the only one to remain was Proteus, whom he began to regard with suspicion, and surrounded himself with more and more mindless Vekksbots.

The Story of Willis Henry begins, with Vekks and Proteus coming to Earth to find the lost Sol "Key" now in the possession of Willis Henry...

[Note: Wow, that ah, kind of just spilled out of me..]

Keep Shining

Trey

Willis Henry Senior and the Chancellor (Meet the Parents)

 Willis Henry Senior is the father of our young hero Willis Henry Junior.  After Willis Henry Sr. was abducted by the alien Vekks, looking for the "Key" to the Iron Giant; this event is the catalyst for the journey of our young hero.

The Chancellor of New Ark City, and parent of Quiss and Princess Phen. After the arrival of our young hero Willis Henry and the treacherous action of Vekks; she has her hands full trying to keep the world together.

These are the foundations for our trio of young heroes.

Willis Henry, Princess Phen, and Quiss (The Trio)

The Trio of young heroes: [Top Image] Willis Henry(Center), Princess Phen (Left), Quiss (Right).

These three were the hardest to design.  Mostly because the whole look of just about everything else is made around them.  The looks changed and morphed as all concept does; but most of the changes came in the form of tone of the characters. For example Quiss was a much more straight faces and sad character, but evolved into the beaming, smiling character she is now.

The images below the top image are exploration drawing, including character not to be seen until future comics.  I like creating character in groups because I can more easily contrast one character to another.  In this way their attitudes and look seem to come much easier for me, and story idea seam to flow better.

See ya next week..

Willis Henry Old and New

Willis Henry old and new images.  In the development of Willis Henry as a character; I had to go through a lot of drawings.  Bottom is the oldest drawing from about 2007-2008.  Middle is when I knew I was close to the final designs at that time. 2009.  Top is the redrawing of all of the older designs.  Sometimes I like to redraw some of my older art to see how far I have come.  This was really fun!

Trey