Introduction:

This is an online proposal of my new science-fiction comic project entitled, “Phoenix Epoch”
-Preview pages from issue 01 can be viewed by clicking the thumbnails above.
-This proposal is being submitted to several publishers for review.

If you are interested in publishing this project, or have any other questions regarding Phoenix Epoch, please contact me by:

Email: McGibs@gmail.com
Phone: 306-270-7403

Concept:

Phoenix Epoch is a series of diverse science-fiction short-stories encompassing four thousand years of genocidal global conflict.

Overview:

Phoenix Epoch is a dark science-fiction that explores the grim future of humanity, ravaged by perpetual global war. Rather then using contemporary story arcs driven by an ongoing cast of characters, Phoenix Epoch focuses instead on heavily developing the fictional universe as whole.
Each issue is a stand-alone short-story, depicting an important or interesting “snapshot” of the comic’s four thousand year long timeline. Every issue features a different cast of characters, settings, events, and perspectives allowing for an extremely flexible direction of the series.

Synopsis:

As each issue offers an entirely different story, this synopsis will describe the first issue, and then give a brief overview of the Phoenix Epoch universe in which all future issues will be based.

Issue 01: Conrad Statham has miraculously survived the end of the world. Trapped inside a bulky suit originally intended for mars exploration, he wanders aimlessly through the skeletal remnants of dead cities searching for signs of life. He recollects the world as it once was, teeming with great cities and happy people, and he recalls how it was all taken away. Swarms of ragged revolutionaries erupt from the streets and destroy everything in a flash of nuclear fire, leaving Conrad utterly alone in a cold and barren landscape. Teetering on the brink of despair and frustration, a patch of sunlight in the distance grabs Conrad’s attention. As he approaches, tiny blades of grass pierce the snow. Oxygen levels are higher, and radiation levels lower. . Before him, great monolithic stacks belch breathable air into the atmosphere in awe inspiring scale. This is the site of a giant terraforming facility, spewing new life onto a dead planet. Conrad drops to his knees, removes his helmet, and laughs.

To tell its short stories, Phoenix Epoch will primarily use these three main factions as focal points for characters and events.

Phoenix Continuum: A society of genetic purists derived from corporately manufactured clones, the Phoenix Continuum is responsible for the “apocalypse” as seen in issue 01. Attempting to re-establish the human race, they hope to create a utopia from the ashes of the old world. Unexpected survivors foul their intentions and the Phoenix Continuum launches a genocidal crusade against all outsiders in an effort to finish what the apocalypse could not. Nearly two millennia of warfare give rise to the Phoenix Continuum as a theocratic, technological superpower until their eventual downfall at the end of the timeline.

Durus: Appropriately nicknamed “Wolves”, the Durus are the end result of centuries of fierce guerilla warfare with the Phoenix Continuum. Conditioned and shaped by their violent lifestyle, the Durus have evolved over the millennia and are considerably stronger, faster, tougher, and more cunning then average humans. Their entire culture revolves around endless war, and they are largely considered to be the most lethal fighters in human history. Cold-hearted and aggressive by nature, stories featuring the Durus are packed with bloody action and dark humor.

Survivors: The various remnants of original human society. Scattered across the planet, these people struggle to scrape together a meaningful existence in the face of brutal adversity as they are constantly preyed upon by the Phoenix Continuum. Farmers, merchants, scavengers, militiamen, and miners, the motives and stories of the survivors are as diverse as their people.

End Game: Although the short-stories appear in non-chronological order, the Phoenix Epoch timeline has a definitive ending (though it does not necessarily mark the end of the series. Production can continue as long as there are interesting stories to tell).
During the last fifty years of the timeline, the Phoenix Continuum successfully destroys the majority of the Durus population, leaving only a handful of (very angry) stragglers. Rid of the Durus resistance, they attempt to finally complete their ultimate goal of cleansing the earth to bring about their own utopia. As the Continuum systematically executes millions, the remaining Durus work to assemble a massive standing army of combined Pyre militias and mercenary groups. With this army, the Durus make one final stab at the heart of the Phoenix Continuum in an act of vengeance. The Continuum capital-city is razed and the Phoenix government collapses. The Durus culture never recovers from its death blow, leaving the only bloodied Pyre Survivors to claim the planet.

Themes: Because each story is different, so too are the underlying themes. Some issues may focus on a mood of despair and depression, others may be heartwarming and uplifting, and still others may be action packed and exciting, it all depends on the story and characters. A common unifying theme of the series is the perception of morality. Because the reader is given access to all views, there are no “good” or “bad” guys. One issue, a faction may seem to be undeniably “bad”, but upon reading the next issue, they may become quite the opposite. In Phoenix Epoch, there is no good or evil, no black or white, no right or wrong. There is only points of view.

This established framework gives great potential to the scope of stories that can be told, and each one combines to further develop the overall universe.

To read the Phoenix Epoch timeline in its entirety, click HERE.

Format:

Phoenix Epoch is an open ended series printed in black and white with colour covers and splash pages.
Each issue is a stand-alone short story and will include a 15-20 page comic, appendix information related to the story (such as a suit diagram included with issue 01), and a small segment of the overall historical timeline in relation to the story. The comic portion focuses on characters and events, while the appendix information further expands the fictional universe without the need for lengthy exposition within the comic.

As the series progresses, the format may be changed in favor of multiple issue volumes.

Audience:

Targeted audience is primarily science-fiction fans, and history enthusiasts who enjoy learning about the details of a developed and believable universe as much as they enjoy reading the actual stories within it. Strong subject matter, violence, language and some nudity is present to add to the gritty atmosphere of the universe, and is not intended for young readers.  

Creator: Jesse McGibney

Phoenix Epoch is a one man show, with all writing and artwork designed and produced by myself.
I am an aspiring illustrator working hard to break into the comic and video game industry. Phoenix Epoch is my second comic project, heavily based off of my first self published project entitled “Locust”.
To see more of my work, visit my website HERE.

Contact:
Email: McGibs@gmail.com
Phone: 306-270-7403