Ragnarok Wisdom Guest Artist Comic Contest

People've been wondering if I'm going to hold another contest, given last year in August I had one.

Well, I am, but this is going to be different than last year's. Instead of you guys sending in a comic script for me to draw, you'll be drawing a comic based on a few scripts of mine.

Here's the deal. I have a mini-series of sorts, comic script wise, that I have not been able to even touch because I simply have not had the time. These are a fairly old set of script ideas, the whole series concept dating back to last year--but they are so long, that due to the constraints of trying to update on time each Sunday, I had to keep setting them aside and working on smaller, easier, faster comics.

Given my incapability of finishing them, I got an idea from reading the awesome webcomic Dominic Deegan by Mookie (who did something like this beforehand)--take the scripts and make a contest out of it. So that's what I'm doing here. :D

As before, entries submitted will be reviewed by me and peeps from the RW cast--I'll take their input and most likely go with the consensus, but that doesn't mean I might not make a decision on my own.

Wait, you mean WE'RE making the comics based on YOUR scripts?
Bingo. Total 180 from last contest.

What's the guidelines?
The primary guideline is that the comic can be no wider than 458 pixels; that's the width of a regular RW comic. If you go wider than that, it'll mess the layout up (see the very first thanksgiving comic I did for an example of what happens when you go too wide).

You can make it as "tall" as you need, though.

Also, keep in mind that I will handle formatting the winning comic entres with the RW-style headers (I'm referring to those parts of every RW comic that have the starring cast list, comic name, comic date, and so forth). Same goes for the footer, I'll be adding that little RO window footer to the bottom of the comic.

So in short, don't worry about adding that stuff to your comic, because I'm going to do it anyway. If you DO add it, I may wind up removing it if it's extrenous. So, just focus on the comic panels.

Any other things I should follow?
Keep as true as possible to the script as far as what happens. Don't add your own comic in the middle of your entry, if you know what I mean--but you're free to visually interpret what the scripts say beyond that. Of course, if you pervert that somehow (like drawing us all naked or something), you can't expect me or the guys to consider your entry a winner.

As an aside, people who are able to really get down the characters' appearance to the tiniest details will win big points with me; all the characters involved wear clothing meant to be exactly like the concept art for Ragnarok Online classes--meaning the blacksmith artwork is exactly what Talien's clothing should look like.

If you need the class concept artwork (which is what I use as a guide for drawing the class clothing ... at least whenever possible), you can find them on iRO's website. Download the character illustration kit, or view the classes information.

Another tip: IF you have the time to do more than one entry (as in, one for each comic), it wouldn't hurt to do it. If you get bested by someone else for one comic, you might still win for the other(s).

Can I add a signature or some sort of "I made this?" Or the address to my personal website/art gallery?
Sure, if you want, though I'll be adding your name to it, too.

But! Don't even THINK about advertising any private servers you play on in your comic. That'll get you disqualified PDQ--unless we otherwise find your comic to be very well done, in which case we'll edit it out of your comic should we think you still merit a win or honorable mention.

We'll be checking any web addies inserted into your comic to make sure this contest doesn't get abused by some lame pserv advertiser--keep that in mind.

How about the art itself? What style or medium do you want?
You've got (almost) free reign how to approach the comic. About the only thing I don't want to see, unless it's done VERY VERY well, is a sprite comic style. That kind of thing is just too easy to do, and sprites don't convey emotions very well (unless done very well, again).

Wait, what?! You mean I could even cosplay out the comics with friends, or make a flash movie and voice actors? Or do this with 3D graphics?
Hey, if you think you can pull it off, go for it! Just do it well is all I ask. :D

In the case of flash movies, I again would highly prefer some sort of style other than a sprite flash movie, unless (again) done very well. Don't try to do a blue-sky style (like 3D) if you're awesome at drawing or CGing, though. Go with what you're best at unless you're REALLY sure you can pull it off.

Again, if you do a flash movie, I'll ... uh ... make seperate RW image headers and sandwich your flash movie in between them. That should work.

Only one winner per comic will be selected, right? So why should I do this if I don't win?
Because even if your entry doesn't win the "official comic" status, the other really good ones will still be viewable on the RW site, listed as runners up.

If we have two really awesome entries for one given comic and can't decide, we might just say 'screw it' and feature both as winners (Mookie apparently did this for his contest at Dominic Deegan). Of course, we'll also show the runners up too.

Alright, I gotcha. Now, what're the comic scripts?
There are three comic scripts here. You only have to do one, but you can do a comic for each script. If you really feel productive, you can do multiple takes on a single entry, but I'd suggest doing an entry for each script.

#1 is the longest in terms of panels, #3 is the shortest. I provided some links within the scripts to certain things that require additional knowledge for context, such as a link to the original transcendant class pictures. Also, pay attention to the italicized red notice in each, it's VERY important!

SPOILER WARNING: If you're NOT interested in participating in the contest, you might wanna stop reading right here. What happens is pretty significant for the RW "universe," per se.

Also, whenever you see text that is this color, it denotes one of those yellow boxes with black text or black backgrounds with yellow text that have narrator-like textness in them. You see 'em all the time in RW.

COMIC SCRIPT #1:

The Conspiracy, Part 1 Saint Damien: *pointing to viewer* Hey, you. Yeah, you! You wanna know what happened to Tristar and why he's not been around? [x] Saint Damien: Good, good. I'll show you happened when those classes were first announced! *standing next to a timewarp machine. Saint Damien presses a button that says "COMMENCE RETCON TIMEWARP"* [x] *KER-TIMEWARP! Pictures of psychadelic 1960's stuff (think Austin Powers) in the background. Jimmi Hendrix is also floating by, jamming on his guitar* Saint Damien: Groovy. [x] ONE YEAR AND A FEW MONTHS AGO ... Tristan: Hey guys, check it out! They released information on the transcendant classes! (Note that since this part is taking place in the past, Tristan is still a Crusader and NOT a Paladin.) Lunaris: Whoa! Lemme look! [x] *picture of the kRO website showing the transcendant sprites with their initial choice of haircuts from a while back* (The original version of the male Whitesmith/Mastersmith sprites (I prefer Whitesmith ... it's more accurate to real world smithing terminology) had the default male mage hair. The official concept artwork also gives the Whitesmith the male mage hair. And since Tristar has the default male mage hair ...) [x] Lunaris: ... Doesn't that Whitesmith look like ... like ... Tristan: ... Like my bro? [x] *They look off to the side, where Tristar is ranting to a bunch of Merchant Guild'ers about the evils of the elite wizardry of Geffen* [x] Lunaris: ... Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Tristan: Heh heh heh ... [x] Tristar: BROTHERS! IT IS TIME THAT THE HEROIC WORKING CLASS OF GEFFEN REVOLT AND-- *Tristan and Lunaris are either charging towards Tristar or pouncing him ... either way, whichever's funnier* Tristan and Lunaris: GRAB 'EM! [x] *giant puffcloud as Tristar, Tristan, and Lunaris struggle. Clothes are flying.* KER-WARDROBE CHANGE! Tristar: UNHAND ME, YOU TRAITOROUS GERBIL-DOGS! Lunaris: IT'S FASHION SHOW TIME, KID! [x] *Tristar is stunned, now wearing Whitesmith (AKA Mastersmith) clothing. He's looking down at himself in shock, tears watering, mouth hanging in disbelief* Lunaris: Bwahaha! Now he's a revolutionary no more! Tristar: ... Wh ... What have ya'll done to me?! Tristan: And now he sounds like a cowboy, too ... TO BE CONTINUED!?!!1

COMIC SCRIPT #2:

The Conspiracy, Part 2 (Note that since this part is taking place in the past, Tristan is still a Crusader and NOT a Paladin.) WHEN WE LAST LEFT THE NUTTY FUNSTERS ... Tristar: *throwing a tantrumr* Gol-durn two-timin' bums! Now ya gone 'n done gave me this orful cowboy accent! Hows'I s'posed t'be the leader o'th Right Season Workers Party now?! [x] Lunaris: First step to speaking clearly would be to, y'know, take that wad of jellopy out of your mouth-- *Tristar is mad as hell* [x] Tristar: SHUT YER TRAP, SON! *smashes Lunaris over the head with the Light Epsilon axe. It doesn't cleave Lun's head in two or anything, but it does hurt pretty bad* Lunaris: OW! [x] Lunaris: *stumbling around in the background, holding his head while it vibrates and rings like a bell* Oh sweet helm that isn't a helm, how you betray me ... Tristan: Bro, I don't see why being a cowboy--er, I mean, being a Whitesmith prevents you from doing what you normally do. [x] *Lunaris falls over* Tristar: Yea? Cowboys 're part of the wizard conspiracy! They ain't communists! Tristan: Well, you could always be the Communist Cowboy ... [x] *puffy white cloud border imaginary scene type thing. Tristar, now wearing a cowboy hat with a communist emblem on it, is riding herd on a bunch of suited businessmen from SumBig Corporation (whose building can be seen in the background), and in fact, is riding on a saddle attached to the SumBig Chairman (better version of him here)* Tristar: Giddyap, ya capitalist varmint! SumBig Chairman: *freaking out* omfg!!11 ur teh waxing shiny n00b!!!!!1 [x] *same puffy white cloud border surrounding this panel* Tristar: Now then, it's time for yer brandin', boys! *suited businessmen are running in fear from Tristar, who's wielding a red-hot brand iron that has the communist star on it* [x] *back to the past reality! No more puffy white cloud border!* Tristar: Them's not wizards! Tristan: Oh, they're wizards alright. They just call 'em accountants. TO BE CONTINUED!?!!1

COMIC SCRIPT #3:

The Conspiracy, Part 3 (Note that since the parts with Tristan are taking place in the past, Tristan is still a Crusader and NOT a Paladin.) WHEN WE LAST LEFT THE NUTTY FUNSTERS ... *Lunaris and Tristan are hamming it up. Tristar is fuming* Lunaris: Yeah! He could be Enron's worst nightmare! *slapping knee, laughing* Tristan: ... But, er, Lunaris, Enron doesn't exist anymore ... [x] Tristar: *pointing accusingly at Lun, Tristan, and some assembled RW'ers* I ain't forgivin' any of yas! I'll be back! Back, y'hear?! [x] *classic Western-style picture of Tristar riding off into the sunset on a pecopeco ... * [x] *... which dumps him off in the distance.* Tristar: GOL-DURN IT! [x] BACK IN THE PRESENT WE GO! Saint Damien: ... And that explains why we never saw him again! [x] Saint Damien: On the upside, I've used my time travel to gain knowledge of the Ragnarok Online item market trends and get rich! *holding up giant bags of zeny* Talien: *leaning in from the side* I KNEW there was another reason for you going back in time ... [x] Saint Damien: Oh come on, no one's ever gonna know I-- Someone's voice offscreen: YA VARMINT! [x] Tristar: *adrenaline rush-yoinks the bags of zeny from Saint Damien* I'm conferscatin' this money for the Right Season Workers party! And for dialect coach lessons so's I can get rids of this gol-durn mock cowboy accent! Saint Damien: Geez. Why'd you have to show up again JUST now? Talien: We call that "Load Ex Machina." THE END...z0r!

Each of those [x]'s are what I use to denote a new panel/sub-panel-thing.

So, how do I get this to you? I thought you didn't have an e-mail anymore.
Well, I finally got my hands on a viable addy! That's finally been fixed!

Send your comic script ideas to

Be sure to include "GUEST ARTIST COMIC" in the subject/title of your e-mail, so I know what it is. Also, tell me what you'd like to be called by -- that way, if your take on the comics is selected and made into a comic, you've got the name you wanna be known by displayed.

What's the deadline this time around?
The deadline for your comics is October 1st, 2005 (October 2nd for people in the general vicinity of Asia or Australia). I'm giving ya'll roughly three times the amount of time it takes me to do a comic, so you should be able to get at least one done to turn in! (Call me lazy and die.)

When the contest winners are decided, all of the comics will be viewable on-site, in one go, the next update after.

Alright, that should be everything. Hope to hear from you guys!