I originally posted this on the main site. Daathrekh.com. The above picture represents what I plan to do; in terms of re-building the characters that is. I'm going for a simpler more uniformed approach to the Ma'atan Code fatigues. You'll see the above type of dress in future issues of NETERS. Gone are the numbers/designs (on the chest), featured in the online series. I've found that be keeping things less complicated, I tend to get more work done.

Okay, so I would be lying to you if I told you I didn't consider the wildly popular Animated Style, for the re-building of the NETERS universe. It seems this style lends itself to 3D modeling ... at least for me. The following represent what some of the characters will look like if depicted in the style made famous by Bruce Timm. The first image is that of the Tamahu; artificial hue'mans created with the dead bodies of the Retu-Guardsmen.



I also commissioned to have the members of Team Heru sculpted in the same manner.

htp (peace)

Found two great new forums. They are: The Black Science Fiction Society, and the Black Authors Showcase. I love these sites. In fact, I haven't been this excited about an online forum in quite some time. The people are creative and on point!

If you want to partake in the creative and supportive conversations detailing the in-and-outs of speculative fiction and/or writing and publishing from an African American perspective; and not have to apologize for it, then check out these links:

Black Science Fiction Society

and

Black Authors Showcase

The above sites are where I spend most of my internet time nowadays - (when I'm not doing research) - because The folks who matriculate it's electronic halls are doing what I enjoy doing. They care about the things I care about, and they don't mind exploring new ideas and possibilities; they don't trip out at the notion that perhaps African American creators face peculiar challenges as writers etc.

In 1988, I wrote a short story about a world turned upside down by a mysterious Back-Ground noise. Ten years later, I published a web site, and started an online comic loosely based on said story entitled The Infra-Project. Four years into the web comic, I changed the name to Code-Infra. I have since settled on NETERS™.

In this universe of mine, there are an artificial race of humanoids known as The Tamahu. Those familiar with the story; as well as ancient Kamatic (Egyptian) history, should be familiar with the term. I made the Tamahu to resemble powerfully built zombies. They wear jump-suits in various colors; depending on their station, and have transparent craniums. They are highly intelligent, and are totally obedient to their creator, Dr. Kek Sol'm.

When I originally published what was then, The Infra-Project, I used two fantastic and effective programs called Poser and Bryce. Poser is a program that comes chalk full of pre-fabricated human 3D models. I simply had to morph and modify the figures in Poser, paint their textures in photoshop, and that was it. Bryce was even easier. It took little time to compose all manner of landscapes in which to tell my story.

During the process, I've needed to use various 3D applications such as Lightwave 3D; to make all of the buildings, vehicles, and props for the online series. I've played around with Maya, Cinema 4D, and I'm currently re-visiting Lightwave 9.3.1, as well as XSI Foundation 6.0. The goal is to build all characters from scratch. I still haven't completely given myself over to any 'one' application - mistake - but I find myself using Lightwave more and more ... but XSI is nice. Problem is, I own a Mac. And I have to use Parallels (emulation software), to run Softimage XSI.

Anyway, starting with the Tamahu, I am going to build all characters featured in NETERS™ from the ground up. I'll probably go with Lightwave, because I am familiar with it's interface, and it will allow me to do the things I want to do, without going broke in the process. I will also be using it's built-in 'toon' rendering capabilities. This will give NETERS that kewl toon/cel shade look found in 2D animation and some comics.