It looks like Santa’s helpers are a little behind on getting the tree finished, but it still looks great in the Renaissance Center.
Click to view and download this 1600×900 wallpaper
We’re certainly busy here working on Issue 24 of “Future’s Guardian“, but with the holiday season here, it does limit where we can work on certain scenes. We’re looking at the end of January 2023 for the tentative release.
Keep checking with the Battlerock Comics website for more updates and for any news from other members of the City of Comic Creators.
And we hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!
Back in 2019, the decision was made to skip forward five years in the world of “Future’s Guardian”. This was to match the gap of time between the releases of Issues 12 and 13. The matter of Malizia in “Psilence of Conscience” was over with, questions surrounding Galatea Future going back to the first issue were “answered”, and there was even a resolution with Starlett’s story. It was time to move forward.
At the start of Issue 15, five years had passed since the last issue. Obviously some things had changed. Right off the bat, we know that from the cover that Starlett and John Battle were together. Then we’re introduced to a new reporter named Mercedes Reale who gets us caught up on one of the other things that changed.
From “Future’s Guardian” #15
Mercedes go on to say that the Agent Wednesday would be killed while attempting to arrest Betters and his “security consultant”. It would later be revealed that the heroes of Project Mycroft were somehow involved with that incident, and that the aftermath had “poisoned” relations between the United Nations and the local authorities. Project Mycroft would be put under the supervision of an elite U.N. administrator named Lady Esther Glacia. Galatea Future would be sporting a new outfit and hung up in Congressional hearings, taking her out of the scene for much of the whole storyline involving John Battle and the “Real Truth”.
But the question remained… what really happened?
Issue 24 brings us back to the events of one year before the “Real Truth” storyline, and the mayoral race that cost FBI Agent Anna Wednesday her life.
We’re introduced to Ronald Betters, the wealthy businessman mentioned in Issue 15. He has a few things in common with a certain real-world businessman who also entered the political arena, but the similarities end when it comes to the election and how it turns out.
Campaign sign for Ronald Betters
“Betters is more your old-school mob boss,” said writer/creator David 2. “Think Al Capone or John Gotti if they ever decided to get involved with politics instead of bootleg alcohol and drugs. He’s made a name for himself in Chicago with some questionable actions but then he’s encouraged to show up in Millennium City and start running for mayor.”
Galatea Future, circa 2018, racing to the scene
The story of the mayoral election will be told through narration, flashback, and testimony during the sentencing phase of Betters’ security consultant, “Lunk”, who, at the time of the issue, would already be found guilty for murder.
“Each of the characters in the episode will have part of the overall story,” David 2 said. “Starlett will show the friendship she had with Wednesday and how she connected with the other heroes. Galatea will show what happened to Wednesday. And then there is Ronin Omega, who will be tying it all together. Because, of all of the heroes in Project Mycroft, he’s the one that knows all the details with Wednesday and how she got involved investigating the mayoral race. He’ll be explaining it all to Agent Piper, who is the new member of the team and has no idea why there would be this animosity between agencies.”
Agent Peri Piper with Ronin Omega and Miss Lady
By the end of Issue 24, David 2 says that everything will be made clear about “the incident”.
Agent Anna Wednesday
Issue 24 is still in production. Keep checking with the Battlerock Comics website for more details on this issue when they become available and when it will be released.
Mad Vyking and John Battle in Champions Headquarters for DawnCon 8
So yesterday (as of this post) was the “main event” for DawnCon 8, otherwise referred to as “DawnCon Prime”(in reference to the “prime boss” in video games) when the big things happen.
I (David 2) was there representing Battlerock Comics, as my third year as an invited guest, complete with my own convention lanyard, which everyone still talks about. I mean, you can’t be considered a convention “guest” if you don’t have your convention badge and lanyard.
By the way, people keep asking where I get my lanyards, and the answer is simple: WalMart. Go to the office supply section. Then I fire up Microsoft Publisher (same software used to make our comics), load up the convention graphic and add in a “label” with the guest name and who or what they represent. Print it up, trim it, put in in a pouch and hook it to the lanyard.
But back to the virtual convention…
I was in Champions Online inside Champions Headquarters in Millennium City as my “heroic” character John Battle. It was still several hours before my interview, so we listened to the two hour special broadcast from Louis Friend and his Super Sounds of superhero music from both TV and movies.
“Dawnconmination” hosted by Pogoman (upper right on the ring post)
Then we had “Dawnconmination”! A special exhibition match that took place in Carl’s Gym between two characters, hosted by Pogoman.
As an invited guest, I felt obligated to be there to cheer on the combatants, who seemed to spend more of their time trash-talking than to actually fight. Still, at least it was better than a Dragon Ball fight.
Afterward, I jumped on my patriot bike and flew back to Champions HQ for the “DawnCon Prime” event.
I was joined by Von from CoX Comics as we were both interviewed on Dawn Radio by Mad Vyking. We each talked about our respective comics, how we got into doing them, our history with shared universes, including Galatea Future’s crossover with her counterpart in the world of Star Trek Online, and her current activity with “The Crucible” at CoX Comics.
That led to the first of 2 surprises.
The first was a special dramatic audio from the forthcoming “Battlerock Comics Presents” #3, which will be online on July 29th.
This issue wraps up Galatea’s encounter with Watcher Twelve, Tombstone Zero, and the “family” that could overpower her at the end of Issue 40. She does make it home to Millennium City, but it’s how she gets back that will surprise you.
After our interview, I stuck around long enough to hear Mad Vyking interview Louis Friend before I had to be called away.
There’s still one more day of events as of this post, and it will cross several MMO mediums, so there’s still something for everyone online to help celebrate DawnCon.
I want to thank Mad Vyking and the folks at Paragon Dawn and Dawn Radio for having me as an invited guest. It is always a pleasure attending these conventions. I will say they are a lot better than FoxbatCon. And you’re not being overcharged for nachos and soda.
But set some time aside because Saturday July 23rd is when it really starts to get interesting!
Dawn Radio will be broadcasting DawnCon events LIVE starting at 2pm EDT. These include special guests, songs, and contests spanning multiple MMO platforms.
Then, at 5pm EDT, David 2 will be joining Von from CoX Comics for a special panel discussion about comics, MMOs, and related subjects. Just like last year, David 2 will have a special treat for DawnCon listeners connected to the upcoming release of “Battlerock Comics Presents” #3, and it is said that Von may have a surprise all his own.
You’ll also be able to join David 2 in Champions Online during the interview and chat with him online afterwards.
You don’t want to miss this!
Tune in, log in, bring your virtual snacks, and enjoy the extravaganza!
Yes, the annual virtual convention hosted by Dawn Patrol and Dawn Radio is back and David 2 will be once again representing Battlerock Comics, along with Von over at CoXComics.com.
You can check out their Facebook page for all the details.
David 2 will also be working on a special dramatic audio special to share the upcoming new issue.
For today only, participating comic book distributors will be providing exclusive free comics from major publishers such as DC , Marvel, Dark Horse, and Archie Comics.
Although all of the titles published through Battlerock Comics are free, we certainly encourage comic lovers to patronize these stores, not only for the free publications, but also to see other comics and merchandise that these stores offer. Who knows? You may find that one comic you always wanted to read but never got the opportunity to.
Meanwhile, we have some news regarding the next issue in the works here.
It’s been a while since her first encounter with the infamous Jack the Blade and, when she isn’t helping out other heroes like Starlett, our crimson vigilante has been busy tearing through the various gangs in Millennium City looking for him. And it’s not gone unnoticed.
But where has Jack been hiding? Why can’t she find him after all this time?
Keep checking here for more news and information on all things connected to Battlerock Comics.
It’s not easy for heroes to keep two lives. Either they wear masks as heroes to protect their civilian identity, or they wear disguises in their civilian identity to keep people from identifying them as heroes.
Think about Galatea Future. For most of her life before she went to the world of Champions Online, she really didn’t have a secret identity, because she didn’t have a personal life outside of who she was as a hero. Yes, in those early years in “The City”, she had a secret identity as a tailor apprentice, but that ended up being scuttled when she disappeared for five years and her civilian identity was presumed killed. After that, she was simply “Galatea” That’s what that whole universe knew her as.. Then, after she arrived in the world of the Champions, she was given a new civilian identity of Athena Rose Fairmore, but even that is a disguise for who she really is.
In fact, as we see in this preview of “Future’s Guardian” #22, Galatea’s civilian identity as a bestselling writer reaches new levels as she goes from pure fiction to crime drama.
Then there is Starlett. A former movie stunt-actor turned vigilante, Dee Risk tries to balance her personal live as a club DJ with her vigilante life as the sword-wielding Starlett. In this case, Starlett is Dee’s disguise.
But, just like the character in Athena’s latest book, Dee’s secret identity as Starlett was discovered by the wrong people, and they are using that to control her. And in this scene, that includes showing up at her civilian job in Club Caprice…
It’s clear that lines are being crossed, but how long will this go on, and to what extent will she be pushed?
Plus, we get another look at a certain “mad scientist” from Issue 21 and his creation.
What is going on with him? And how does this affect Galatea Future?
You’re just going to have to wait and see…
“Future’s Guardian” #22 will be going online on “Black Friday”, November 26th.
This is a dramatic audio scene from “Future’s Guardian” #21 that first aired on Dawn Radio as part of DawnCon VII. And now you’ll get to hear it as well. Make sure your speakers are turned on and get ready to experience a vigilante interrogating someone that you’ve all wanted to hear get it.
Yes, the annual virtual convention hosted by Paragon Dawn and Dawn Radio is back, and David 2 (aka Battlerock X/John Battle) will be attending as a guest along with fellow comic creator Von from CoX Comics.
The convention is a week-long extravaganza, starting on Sunday, July 18th, and concluding on Saturday, July 24th. This will encompass several online MMO games, not just Champions Online. There will be contests and prizes all week, with the big interviews (including our own) on the 24th.
Von will hopefully be releasing Issue 40 of “The Crucible” during that time. This will not only feature our own Galatea Future, but she gets to pay homage to the very first superhero comic.
(What is it with green cars that caped superheroes feel the need to pick up and smash?)
Yes, that is Galatea Future striking a pose similar to a certain blue-and-red superhero in “Action Comics” #1. Oh, and did we mention the Nazis? Yes, our favorite Guardian gets to punch some Nazis as well. Because, you know, they’re Nazis.
But that brings us to “Future’s Guardian” #21.
“Future’s Guardian” #21 won’t be released until after DawnCon, but we still have something planned for the event to help promote the issue. David 2 brushed off his old audio gear to come up with something special that hopefully will be broadcast on Dawn Radio.
(Just a peek at our humble creator’s desk to see where the magic is made.)
If you’ve ever heard a dramatic audio story before, you’re going to be in for a treat.
Issue 21 will focus mostly on Starlett and her ordeal with the two guys who discovered her secret identity and will be blackmailing her to keep it secret. As seen in Issue 19, Starlett managed to get some help from a certain red-hooded vigilante, but will it be enough? Or is the relationship between Starlett and John Battle doomed? Plus, the actions of certain people in Issue #20 have consequences. Who did steal Doctor Silverback’s examination data on Galatea Future? And who ended up with it?
(Future’s Guardian Issue 21 cover)
Future’s Guardian #21 will be online on Friday, July 30th!
Back in “Future’s Guardian” #14, it was revealed that there were several versions of “Galatea” in the vast multiverse.
There is, of course, Galatea Future; the “original” incarnation originally shown in “Guardians of the Dawn Spotlight” #0 and “The City’s Finest” #2, who goes on to become an Omega Incarnate, lives to become over a thousand years old, and then goes back in time to change things, becomes an anomaly in time, and is sent to the world of Champions Online to start her life over again.
Then there is the version of Galatea Powers whose life changed dramatically after her far-future alternate self changed things. Her whole life is changed down to the genetic level and she is also given a new life to live. She even gains a twin “sister” in the form of Leona Powers, the “original” version of Galatea as her supervillain genetic father designed her to be. Leona was even seen in a flashback in “Future’s Guardian” #13.
We can’t forget her Praetorian counterpart, Furia Powers. Not only did she make her way into the world of the City of Heroes, but she even had her own comic series; “Furia and the Guardians”.
And with “Future’s Guardian” #14, we are introduced briefly to a whole new “Galatea”… Galatea Quantum, captain of the U.S.S. Starreach in the world of Star Trek Online.
Sufficient to say, we have plenty of other alternate versions of “Galatea” just waiting in the wings to share. As long as there is an infinite number of universes, there are potentially that many women named “Galatea” waiting to be seen.
But for right now, we here at Battlerock Comics are curious as to which “Galatea” is your favorite. Since Galatea Quantum was only seen briefly in one issue (as of this post), we’ve excluded her from consideration. Same for Leona Powers.
The choices are between Galatea Future, Galatea Powers, and Furia Powers. You can vote below.
As of this posting, the poll has no set end. If it does end, you’ll see it in the poll window.
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