Action Hero - The Silence

[MonteCristo]

1652...

The King has been Dead for 3 years, and Cromwell has England, Ireland and Scotland under his command...

The royalist, James Shaw, often wondered why tales of adventure and daring were almost exclusively crafted around the rich and powerful. Later in life he would come to wish things had remained that way. When Charles I was executed, James took to the highways of England and, like many of his compatriots, became a Knight of the Road, stealing from Cromwell's purse, occasionally giving it to the poor -- usually humble inn-keepers, or hard-up wenches in possession of a loose-fitting blouse and an ample bosom to match. Certainly, Shaw's was a roguish, hand-to-mouth kind of existence.

His woes began on Christmas night in 1651, when he cried the immortal words "Stand and Deliver" to a solitary rider approaching him beneath the spire of St Jude's.
"If it is in your mind to rob the hapless traveller, mark him well."Lucifer smiled, "He may be your undoing".
James neither believed in the Devil, nor was he impressed by the single silver coin that sat overly warm in the palm of his hand. A feeble bounty, to be sure. With a groan, he shot the impudent stranger and left his body for the crows.

Days later, upon an inauspicious stretch of road, James was caught by a particularly intolerant patrol of Roundheads, whereupon he was hanged from the bough of a copper beech . He awoke the next day, still hanging, apparently immune to death, though evidently not to pain. At length, a passing friar cut him down.
His throat crushed and his voice stolen for ever, James could barely thank the man. Nevertheless he took this meeting as a sign from above and resolved to find salvation... of a type at least... Salvation's path is difficult one to tread to those with a wayward step.

[SolidSnakexxx]

Interesting way for the hero to lose his voice.......from hanging by the neck... Your character design's very strong..your sketch is great.... can't wait for your ZBrush model ....

Oh...I like is:--->"..or if they were particularly pretty and in possession of both a loose-fitting blouse and an ample bosom.."

[Jharford]

Gripping story and great presentation. Can't wait to see those qualities mirrored in the sculpting.

[gregoconn]

I really like the detail of your hero. IT will be nice to see how you pan this out in zbrush.

[Captain Sensible]

Ah very cool! Really nice sketch and a well thought out story. I'm sure your sculpt will be as impressive. Keep it up!

[Gordon Robb]

Fantastic concept sketch. adn cool looking character too.

[sazar26]

great concept and story but the your design looks like a concept from fable 2 from the weapons to the costume \, you mght wanna change it up a bit.....

[Slosh]

I really like the way you presented the back story and the poster to go along with it. I wish I could write with that kind of mystique. I look forward to seeing your work.

[Ustos]

don't u take part in creating Fable2 ?
design wondeful..

[Lucky_1]

Awesome sketch !
keep it up.

[ray----]

Im really dissapointed that i cant watch the film . Such a griping backstory, it draws you in. I cant wait to see your renders.

[montyband]

Why cant i register at cgchain.com registration form seams like not working?!

[MonteCristo]

montyband - Sorted. Works fine on my side. Check your PM...

Thanks very much for all the kind comments all. Guess I got carried away with the presentation a bit, but what can I say? I was having too much fun. Really pleased that you all liked the writing, too, as I consider this to be my true vocation, so I care just as much about how this goes over as I do the art. Still the sketch itself could use a bit of polish, but... nah.

The design, strangely isn't inspired by Fable 2 at all, although I love that game, I was a Plunkett and Macleane fan before that + Brotherhood of the Wolf. The 17C period and 18C have always fascinated me, particularly in a sense of aesthetics. I agree that the costume could do with fine-tuning, but to be honest, I have my starting point, and I have much more capacity in ZBrush to alter and experiement than I do in a painting programme. That's why I love it so much!

[Flack]

Very nice back-story. The 2d art work is well done too, I wish I had those skills. Judging by your Laura Croft sculpt it looks as if you'll be a major player in the contest. Good luck and can't wait to see more updates!

[GoK]

This is really looking great, I love the Idea of the noose and the sinister look he has. Loving the bucket too

Awsome!