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News Archive for 2007

 

"Don't Forget Your Sword"

Friday March 2nd, 2007

Welcome to the first five pages of Swordmaster Odyssey! There may not be much to look at yet, but now you can tell everyone a year or two from now that you were here from the beginning. It is my personal hope that you will truly enjoy the adventure ahead.

 

You may notice that we are still ironing out some quirks with the site. An extra appology to Internet Explorer users: The menu, though fully functional, does not display correctly for you. We hope to have this and other issues resolved as soon as possible.

 

Please check back again next week! We hope to have four new pages up for you each and every Friday. If you have any feedback, feel free to contact us!

 

 

"Sniffle, Sneeze, Blow"

Friday March 9th, 2007

Another five pages for you today! I was down with a cold last night and my site assistant is out of town, so I wasn't sure if I would get it up, but here it is. (And, if you give me a minute, I'll try and fix the "latest page" link to where it works right.)

 

In other news, please check out the new Vision Riders Blog. We hope to put up previews and insights for Swordmaster Odyssey, among other things, so you should keep an eye on it!

 

 

The 5-Page Update Trend Continues

Friday March 16th, 2007

And yet another five pages. We'll even have five pages for you next week. What a deal! Don't get attached to them, though. After that we're going to our regularly scheduled four pages a week.

 

And as a friendly reminder, don't forget about our Vision Riders Blog!

 

 

Fair Warning

Friday March 23rd, 2007

Just a head's up: We plan to do some maintenance on the server here soon, so if the site is down, that's probably why.

 

In any case, this is our last five-page update bringing us to a grand total of 20 pages thus far! We'll be closing out the chapter next week, and after that, we'll be doing 3 to 4 pages per update. Hope you're enjoying the story!

 

 

Chapter 1 Complete

Friday March 30th, 2007

These two pages close out the first chapter. Not a major update, but then you've been getting five-page updates lately. We'll kick off chapter 2 next week with the first three pages.

 

(On a side note, sometime this week I need to make an archive for the news--This page is starting to get pretty long...)

 

New Chapter, New Logo

Friday April 6th, 2007

Welcome to chapter 2 of Swordmaster Odyssey! This chapter will introduce our second hero who, as you may have noticed, has shown up at the top of the page alongside Jessie. You'll find out more about him soon.

 

Speaking of the top of the page, you may also notice the new logo. I'd been meaning to do one for awhile. The old one was actually recycled (along with the name) from an old personal project of mine that never really picked up steam. The new one was made completly from scratch, meaning I don't have to worry about licensing the font

 

Also of note, I've moved all the old news off to an archive. If you feel you must look at it, find the link at the bottom of the page.

 

Another Week

Friday April 13th, 2007

I... Honestly can't think of anything to say this week. Heh, guess you're on your own, then.

 

Late, But Not Too Late

Friday April 20th, 2007

Sorry for that, folks. I made the last minute call to redo a panel that I just didn't feel turned out right. No matter, it's done now and, while still not good as I would like it to be, none of the other pages are either. Enjoy the 3 new pages!

 

Two Pages Next Week

Frida, April 27th, 2007

Another 3 pages this week. Next week you're only getting 2 pages again. Sorry. Just letting you know.

 

2 + 2 = 78?

Friday May 4th, 2007

So, I counted the pages wrong last week. There are indeed three new pages up now, so enjoy the lead-up to next week's reveal. There will either be two or three pages next week (probably three).

 

Two-Page Spread

Friday May 11th, 2007

Only a couple pages today. Unfortunantly, I couldn't figure out a way to get them up as a two page spread that didn't break the rest of the comic, so I just treated them as two seperate pages. I'll try and get an image of them as one up later this afternoon. If you're lucky, you'll get a whole four pages next week. Enjoy.

 

Four Pages for a Change

Friday, May 18th, 2007

Originally the idea was to have four pages every week, but of course, that hasn't worked out so well. In any case, we're nearing the end of the chapter. Only a handful of pages to go until chapter three. Oh! And while I'm at it, here's that two-page spread I promised eveyone last week.

 

Down to the Wire

Friday, May 25th, 2007

I really wanted to have this up sooner, but I had to finish cleaning and lettering one of the pages. Well, here's two pages for you. Next week we should be finishing out the chapter.

 

Chapter 2 Complete

Friday, June 1st, 2007

And thus the second chapter to its close. Keep an eye on the Vision Riders Entertainment Blog! We plan to show off a sneak peak at the next chapter later this week!

 

Hurray for 50 Pages!

Friday, June 15th, 2007

Go figure that the one time I don't announce a late update is the one time that I do update late. I wanted to make sure you got three full pages instead of just two, though, so I think it's worth it.

 

In any case, I'm proud to announce that as of Chapter 3, page 3 we've officially hit 50 pages! It only took us a little over three months to pull it off, though I don't think we'll hit page 100 as quickly. In any case, here's to another 50 pages! I hope that you will all continue to read enjoy it!

 

Oh, by the way, before I forget, we had our chapter 3 preview on the Vision Riders Entertainment Blog as was announced last week. Feel free to check it out, the pages previewed aren't in the finished webcomic yet.

 

Do YOU Trust Kevin?

Friday, June 15th, 2007

Well, do you? Four whole pages today; first time that's happened in a month. And, if you're lucky, it will happen again next week. Enjoy!

 

You Go Mercenary!

Friday, June 22nd, 2007

As predicted, we have another four pages for your viewing pleasure this week. How many will there be next week? Maybe another four! We'll just have to wait and see.

 

Also, it should be noted that, as I wrote this up, I realized that I had the wrong date on last week's news entry. Hope I didn't mess the RSS feed up too...

 

Lord Silver Enters the Fray

Friday, June 29th, 2007

'Twas a slow week, so we only have two pages for you to enjoy. We've got three full pages lined up for next week, though, so you have something to look forward to!

 

Speed Lines!

Friday, July 6th, 2007

A quick apology to all our RSS subscribers. An error in the XML meant that most of you didn't get the update last Friday. In any case, we have three pages for you to enjoy this week, and should have three more pages ready for you next week.

 

Download Pack with Extras Announced

Friday, July 13th, 2007

In any case, I'd like to mention that we recently announced that Swordmaster Odyssey: Chapter 1 Complete is being prepared for release. This download pack will include every page from chapter 1 of the webcomic in high resolution, along with extras including new chapter intro page (to match the later chapters--the new page will replace the old one in the webcomic as well). No release date or price set yet, but keep an eye on our blog for details.

 

And for those of you worried, we're not taking old webcomic pages down! You'll still be able to read the comic beginning to end here on the website. (Most of the new extras will only be availible in the download pack, however.)

 

Anyway, we originally we planned to have three pages this week. Said three pages were all inked and cleaned and pretty much ready to go. However, at the last minute I decided that the third page would flow better if released with the two pages set for NEXT week. So you're only getting two pages this week, but three pages next week instead of just two. It's a bit of give and take, I guess you could say.

 

Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Heat, Nor Gloom of Night

Friday, July 20th, 2007

Been something of a storm down in these parts, but fortunantly our internet has not gone out. Yet. In any case, as promised, here are three pages. Next week marks the end of Chapter 3!

 

Chapter 3 Comes to a Close

Friday, July 27th, 2007

These two pages mark the end of chapter 3. I probably won't do a preview of chapter 4 like I did with this chapter, but I will show off the new chapter 1 title page that will be included in the chapter 1 download pack as well as replace the one online. Keep an eye on the blog this coming week if you're interested in seeing it. Better than the new one by any stretch of the imagination (or so I think, at least). Chapter 4 kicks off next week, so be sure to stop by this upcoming Friday!

 

Time to Kick Off Chapter 4

Friday, August 3rd, 2007

Yesterday on the blog I mentioned that I would only be putting up two pages today. Well, I changed my mind, if only because the third page is my favorite.

 

In any case, I'll likely be taking a vacation here coming up, so I'm not sure what's going to happen the Friday after next. I'm not ahead enough that I can set aside extra pages for that day, but I'd like to do something because I hate not to update. I'll have to come up with something special, I guess.

 

Slow Going

Friday, August 10th, 2007

This week's update ends in an odd place, but I can't put up three pages this week, and I didn't want to put up just one because what would be the fun of that? I'll be on vacation next week, so in order to have enough pages to spread across updates, there will likely only be two pages a week for awhile. Hopefully I can get back up to three pages a week in the near future. Also, for the record there will be a normal update next week. I was able to get engouh pages down that I could set them aside (although that means that I've exhausted my backlog).

 

There's a Storm Brewing

Friday, August 17th, 2007

At just after 3 O'clock, I'm pretty sure this is, by far, the latest update I've ever made. Sorry, I really thought that the pages had been cleaned before I left and simply needed to be lettered.

 

In any case, Hurricane Dean is rolling around in the Atlantic. If he should happen to make landfall nearby, expect for us to miss an update. Not easy to get a whole lot of work done when you're battoning down the hatches.

 

And, on the same note, am I the only one amused that "Dean" and "Jerry" are on the list to be used the same year? (It'd be funnier if "Dean", "Jerry", "Martin", and "Lewis" were all on the same list, though.) Sorry, I find humor in the oddest things sometimes.

 

Feedback, Please

Friday, August 24th, 2007

Today's update brings us to a grand total of 80 pages thus far... Well, if you count the new page in chapter 1 that still needs to be lettered and uploaded.

 

In any case, we're looking for comments concerning what readers think about the webcomic. The art style, update schedule, story, character development, you name it. Not only does your feedback help improve Swordmaster Odyssey by keeping in touch with the fans, it also helps us as we continue to prepare future projects for Vision Riders. Our contact information can be found here.

 

The Black Background Means "Flashback"

Friday, August 31st, 2007

Borrowing from old manga conventions here, so don't hate me. I haven't gotten very much input from anyone on the comic, so I might put up a simple survey form some time next week if everyone would like that instead.

 

EDIT: The survey is up now.

 

It's Like an Episode of Lost

Friday, September 7th, 2007

Kevin's flashback continues as we discover where he got that scar on his shoulder. Next week we'll find out what became of the coup attempt.

 

Also, if you haven't already, please take our reader survey. You'll notice that as part of the survey we're running a character poll. If we get enough votes, I'll put together a special picture showing off the results.

 

Finally, we've set the release date for the chapter 1 download pack for September 18th. Keep an eye on the blog for pricing details. Remember, the download pack will net you the commentary for that chapter, as well as high-resolution versions of each page (among other little extras).

 

Flashback Still Isn't Over

Friday, September 14th, 2007

It's a flashback chapter, see? Besides, it's just getting to the good part. Jessie will get a flashback chapter or two of her own later in the story. Speaking of Jessie, she wants you to vote for her in the character poll so that she can pull ahead of Kevin. (The character poll is in the reader survey. Don't worry, it's only a few questions.)

 

As announced yesterday in the blog, the Chapter 1 download pack goes on sale Tuesday, and will sell for $1.49. If you pick it up this Tuesday, then you'll get it for only $1.15, and we all like to save 34 cents, right? The Chapter 2 download pack will go on sale the 28th. If there's enough intrest, we may do T-shirts in the near future.

 

Character Poll

Friday, September 21, 2007

If you look to the right you'll notice that we've made voting for your favorite character even easier. Just select one and hit "Vote". That's all there is to it! No need to go through the whole survey anymore. Obviously, if you already took the survey (Thank you!), you're not supposed to vote again. The results will be revealed sometime in October.

 

We're Almost to Chapter 5

Friday, September 28, 2007

As September comes to a close, we begin to near the next chapter in Jessie's journey. Next week we wrap up Kevin's flashback and end this chapter.

 

Chapter 4 Complete

Friday, October 5th, 2007

We close the chapter, and Kevin's flashbacks. Next week we'll kick off chapter 5!

 

By the way, the character poll ends next Saturday! Make sure you vote for you favorite character before then by using the ballot to the right. We'll announce the winners the following Friday.

 

Welcome to Chapter 5

Friday, October 12th, 2007

Here we are at Chapter 5. Sorry that it's a bit late. As the chapter name suggests, in the coming months we'll discover just what Kevin is up to and why he's trying to reach the capital of the Outlying Provinces.

 

Also, before I forget, tomorrow is the last day to vote in the character poll! Remember to cast your vote by using the ballot to the right. The results will be announced next Friday.

 

The Votes Are In!

Friday, October 19th, 2007

The votes are indeed in, but we still haven't counted them! It's been a lazy crazy week, you see. In any case, the results will be in the blog later today, so check back in this afternoon.

 

A New Challenger Approaches

Friday, October 26th, 2007

A new enemy has appeared in Jessie and Kevin's path. Can Jessie win the ensuing battle, or be defeated as in her loss to Silver?

 

EDIT: By the way, we've hit 100 pages!

 

There's Gonna Be a Battle!

Friday, November 2nd, 2007

The battle between Thanatos and Jessie is about to begin. This will likely be a longer, more involved battle than Jessie vs. Silver, so I think this is what all those people asking for more action have been waiting for. We're also getting closer to revealing what Kevin's purpose in reaching the capital is, so you've got a lot to look forward to.

 

Now, that being said, Christmas is coming up. This isn't official yet, but we're likely going to drop to one-page-a-week updates for the duration of December. Not only does this give us some time to relax, but it also gives me a chance to catch back up with the artwork (I've been falling behind), and to get our second series in gear (more on that another day).

 

Shock Wave

Friday, November 9th, 2007

The battle begins as Thanatos shows off his massive strength in a single, monstrous attack. But it looks like he's just warming up. Jessie will have to find and exploit his weaknesses quickly if she hopes to win.

 

So, What's Kevin's Secret?

Friday, November 16th, 2007

Hold your horses, we'll get to it before the end of the chapter. Just enjoy the battle for now.

 

The Villain Revealed

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

Kevin reveals the identity of the one behind the coup attempt. What has Jessie gotten herself into? And when am I going to get around to revealing Kevin's secret?

 

Next week will be our last multipage update for the year. Until Janurary 11th of next year, Swordmaster Odyssey updates will slow down to one page per week in order to allow myself time to plot out the next five or six chapters, as well as enjoy a lighter work load around the holidays.

 

Last of the Two-Pagers

Friday, November 30th, 2007

This is the last two-page update that we're doing until January 11th, so please enjoy it! I'll be using the lighter load to plan the next five or six chapters (the story was only laid out in detail up to this point) as well as prepare an all-new project for production. Have a merry December, everyone.

 

Only One Page? Bummer!

Friday, December 7th, 2007

"An apple a day" may keep the doctor away (it doesn't), but a page a week is really kinda boring after those long-gone days of four-page-per-week updates. We do plan still plan to go back to two page updates starting January 11th, but keep in mind that I'm not promising anything. Weekly updates will continue as they always have, but I may need to divert resources to our animation project in order to keep it afloat and get it out the door.

 

It Looked Better in My Head

Friday, December 14th, 2007

Well, it did. Kind of a dull update for a one-page day, in any case...

 

Realized that I colored Thanatos's gloves wrong a few pages back. I'll try and fix that after the weekend, I think. It's not a big deal or anything, but little things like that always bugs me.

 

Getting Close

Friday, December 21st, 2007

Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope you're enjoying the holidays.

 

Today's page is another one of my attempts to be creative with the layout of a comic that has a fairly rigid structure, as far as layouts go. Whether I succeeded or not is anyone's guess. It certainly isn't much to enjoy when we're only doing one page updates. Next week, however, the decisive blow will be delivered, so hang tight.

 

Auld Lang Syne

Friday, December 28th, 2007

Wow! It's our last update of the year! Has 2007 really gone by that quickly?

 

In any case, I was mistaken about th battle. It will be decided next week, not this week. I hate to admit it, but I forgot all about this page! Which is sort of a pity, because otherwise what happens next wouldn't make sense if Jessie doesn't explain it first.