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| Apparently the Author is working on another animated comic at the moment, as well as coloring some drawn ones, so I figured I'd keep you all busy for a while with a new Gothor article. But as none of you seem to have submitted any questions, I'm inventing one. Again. But this time, it's my own idea. We're going into background on the strip this time. Namely, I dug up some of her old sketches of early ideas for Midrange's character. |
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| This little beaut here was actually the second image ever done for Midrange. The first one, alas, was lost somewhere. I'll keep looking. Suffice it to say it looked quite a bit like this, save a little bit more like X. Midrange is and always has been based off reploids, though the story was never intended to be set in the X series. Or Zero series, as the case may be. Note the fact that she actually does have a blaster, just not equipped. |
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| This one never fully made a colored draft, because she made this as a prototype image for the sprite bases. Colors weren't finalised just yet, but were intended on staying roughly the same pink, purple, and gold combo. Midrange still seems to have blasters at this point in time, though they may simply be vestigal design plans, as she has a weapon in hand. It's hard to see, but in the original sketch, the ends of the weapons are energy beams, one making a distinct 'sword-chuck-esque' shape, the other more resembling the back curved scythe-chuck. Her ponytails are a rather unusual shape compared to how they turned out later, and her earpieces more flattened, more resembling headphones. Another important feature was that her feet were originally meant to be able to conceal rollerblades in this model. |
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| This picture ended up starting as trying to be a Capcom Vs. SNK card, showing Midrange in a motion shot, However, considering the Author stinks at drawing freehand on the computer, it is actually a composite from several other designs of cards, and not too badly modified. The ponytails take on their more destinctive shape, and the headphones a more rounded one. The hairties are small still and not so emphasised as they later become in the drawn version. Her shoulder guards are more rounded like sleeves, and her vestigal blaster design has faded to a wrist guard by now. |
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| Since being actually drawn in her final form, Midrange's form has been influenced by Sailor Moon. Transformation included, and her 'Battle Mode'. Midrange has the ability to mimick without duplicating Robot Masters' powers, further enhancing the Sailor Moon-esque image, though instead of being completely inept and needing about six other sailor senshi to help fight, she can do any element on her own, once she can copy it. Future power ideas include Rolling Thunder Vibration, Disco Ball Inferno, Hyper Sugar Rush, and Hundred Leaf Dagger Rain. |
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| So there you have it, another fabulous article by moi, the Gothor! Keep your eyes peeled for that new animated comic, it should be up by 2/26/04, and faster, if I kick her tail into gear. |