quarta-feira
Audiobook Dragon Slayer Azeviche (The Chronicles of Oluf) Chapter 1, Part 1
terça-feira
The Oluf Chronicles (The Dragon Slayer) Azeviche Dragon Huntress Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13 - THE COWARD
A swift glance of green eyes surveyed the burning expanse of Muddy Peaks, situated to the south on that last hooked piece of land, known as the devil's finger. Kevin beheld a vision of an impending battle that would surely become unforgettable. From the mountain's peak, the Drakonites appeared less formidable. They were diminutive creatures, just as they ought to be. Many of them lay sprawled across the battlefield, their lifeless forms left to the scavenging ravens, their decaying bodies returning to the earth in a torrent of blood for Mother Earth to feast upon. However, twice as many of our soldiers were scattered across the land, crushed beneath the reptilian foot of the dragons, incinerated by their deadly breath, their bodies never collapsing like the salt statues from the ancient book of Genesis.
Kevin could feel thousands of men and women staring at him, their mouths muttering silent curses. There was only one shadowy figure like that in these lands, only one person with a head full of fiery hair, and they hated him. Rage took hold of every soldier as they saw him in the distance, and for a brief moment, they fought with such fury that victory seemed within reach. Kevin was hated because he had fled from the QuasiFinger training camps.
"A nest of vipers," he would often call that place as he escaped to live in the mountains, bringing shame to his father and his ailing mother, who wouldn't survive much longer after his abrupt departure. Forever doomed to be branded as a quitter, a cowardly rat. Now, from the mountaintop, he would watch their imminent defeat, and they would wrong him once again.
Greenberg was far from a coward. He fully understood the impending danger the southern border faced in a Drakonite attack like this one. He stood ready to battle, just like any other soldier. However, he could not condone their commanding officer's tactics and the brutality of their training.
"Look before you die, Muddy Peaks. On top of that mountain is the face of a coward," a soldier screamed. His lifeless body, pierced by a lance, was lifted into the air and hurled into the distance by a Drakonite.
"He will die like all the others," the Drakonite spat on the floor.
"Move ahead, push further into the land, and take what is rightfully yours, Drakonites!" shouted a tall figure at the top of his lungs. His golden mane danced in the wind, and his long blade gleamed in the sun. Dressed in a leather suit, Njal Sten was the fearless lord commander of the Drakonites.
The large-caliber bullets of war machines were reserved for use in slaughtering dragons, as they were unlikely to be brought down definitively otherwise.
A brave woman leaped at Njal Sten, brandishing her sword. He sent her flying with a backhanded blow.
"No! Ronna, leave it be. The battle is lost, and we can't stop them from taking the land," Marcus Abbe screamed.
"Kevin is here. Look!" Ronna cried, pointing her crimson-stained sword at the mountains.
"Forget that coward. He only came to spit on our corpses," Marcus rushed to help Ronna to her feet.
"He promised he would bring an army of elves with him," tears ran down her cheeks in desperation. Marcus cupped her face with his hands.
"It's over, my love. Let's face death with some dignity," he wiped away her tears.
"We're surrounded by death. There's no fairy tale that ends like this," Marcus said.
"Let's die fighting."
"Look, he's about to engage," Ronna said, her voice faltering.
The day was far from over. Atop the mountain, a resolute man gripped the hilt of a sword. Its silvery blade hissed as it left its scabbard and pointed toward the sky. It was the signal the 10,000 elven soldiers had been waiting for, concealed and ready for battle. Many of them rode fearsome Direwolves, their gritty teeth bared for combat.
"Let it be known that Kevin Greenberg always keeps his word," he bellowed towards the field. His voice was said to sound like the trumpets of Armageddon. The battlefield froze in silence for a long moment. "It's Greenberg," a voice broke the deathly hush. "He brought an army."
"Kill ‘em all!" Kevin shouted, pointing his silver sword at the field.
At the command of the red-haired giant, a veritable tsunami of elves and direwolves flowed through the trees of Muddy Peaks and down the hill, crashing onto the battlefield like surging waves hitting a wooden brig. Direwolves tore through bone and flesh, while the elves' silvery swords sliced through scales and sinews of the dragons that landed to finish off what remained of Muddy Peaks' army.
"Stop these damn little dwarfs!" shouted Njal Sten. "Exterminate every form of life that walks the earth." From his vantage point of arrogance, the Lord Commander witnessed the tide turning before his eyes. Day suddenly turned into night as a deadly cloud of arrows rained down upon the battlefield, striking down dragons by the hundreds. With eyes bulging out of their sockets, Njal Sten felt his blood freeze in his veins. Two of his formidable beasts crashed to the ground with a resounding thud, lifeless, brutally ending anyone who was too near.
"What has this lunatic done?" Marcus Abbe screamed. "He unleashed an army of madmen onto the field."
"This is the help we needed," Ronna shouted back at him. "Fight!"
"We're out of ammunition, Commander Abbe," a soldier warned Marcus. "Use swords; we can still repel the Drakonites' attack." A spear was thrown toward Marcus' chest, but just as it was about to pierce him, an Elf riding a huge Direwolf leaped into the air, breaking the spear in two with his glittering sword and saving Commander Marcus Abbe's life. "Who saved me?" Marcus exclaimed. "Who are you?"
"I am Halv-Har, the king of the elven nation. There's no time for introductions. Order your men to rekindle the fire and heat the tar cauldrons," he commanded.
"Relight the tar cauldrons. Aim for the dragon's legs and wings." The battle was far from over, as the dragon's flames turned Devil's Finger into hell on earth. The smoke and the smell of burning bodies made the name of that place even more ominous. The Drakonites had not yet engaged with the elves in close combat. They now understood the unique abilities and dexterity of these people, whether with a sword or spear. The expression on Njal Sten's face shifted from impatience to fear. This fearless lord commander couldn't bear to see his men and his entire campaign go to waste.
"We are being defeated by dwarfs," he said, clenching his fists, grinding his teeth, and filling his eyes with tears of pure hatred. How could he return home with such a defeat weighing on his shoulders? How could he explain to the King Ukrit Zoltar that they had been defeated by an army of elves?
"Dropping like fleas, all of us," Njal Sten shouted as he pierced another victim with his long black sword. "Sir, we must retreat while we still have dragons to take us back," a soldier shouted at Njal's side.
"You won't need any Dragon." The commander's arm and his sword slashed through the air, the blade opening his subordinate's throat. Njal felt a strong blow to his back, throwing him violently to the ground. It was Kevin, mounted on a powerful destrier, with the blade of his sword pointed at a terrified Drakonite.
"Remove your fetid carcass from our lands and don't come back," he said, holding tight to the reins of his black horse unnerved by the heat of battle.
"We came here today to die defending our homes. I came to show that we do not fear you; this place belongs to us, and we will never hand it over to you without many of you dying trying."
"So says he who comes with an army of elves behind him," Njal Sten spat on the ground.
"Yes, an army of elves on the backs of puppies broke the swords and tactics of an organized army. The skill and dexterity of my men made yours look like foolish little children. Go back and tell your king that a coward was leading an army of elves," replied Kevin, struggling to control his horse, which wanted to return to battle. These strong words shook Marcus Abbe and Ronna, who were just beside them in battle. The shame of defeat and the fear of dying made Njal drop part of his armor to make himself lighter and run away in a tremendous sprint, his eyes bulging out, moving his head nervously side to side, desperately trying to find in the heat of the battle any dragon that could take him away, back to the calm waters of Drakonia. Kevin calmly sat on his horse, watching as Njal moved desperately, trying to avoid what would be his certain death.
Halv-Har spurred his Wolf and stopped when he reached Kevin's horse. His hand reached for an arrow in his quiver and he knocked it on his bow, aiming at the Drakonian who had just found a wounded dragon. Njal knocked away two elves who were trying unsuccessfully to bring down the dragon with their ropes. "Greenberg, if you're going to let him escape, I'll finish him off myself," said Halv-Har, taking an arrow from his quiver.
"This arrow I reserved for him."
"Wait—" Kevin made a gesture with his hand, but it was too late. Before Kevin could stop Halv, the arrow was already in mid-air, its aim accurate. The arrow penetrated Njal Ster's shoulder, and he screamed in pain. Even so, the infamous commander mounted his mount, and it began to take flight.
"Your men fight like mad dogs. Look at what you're doing," Marcus Abbe also spat on the floor.
"We're doing what must be done," Kevin shouted.
With his heart pounding with urgency, Kevin tightened his grip on the reins, leaned forward in the saddle, and kicked his horse's sides. His powerful steed lunged forward, its muscles rippling beneath its coat. The thundering sound of hooves echoed through the battlefield, stomping on piles of Drakonites' dead bodies as the horse surged ahead, its nostrils flaring and eyes wide with determination. Together, they raced toward the dragon, the warrior and his steed, a perfect partnership in the chaos of battle.
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quarta-feira
As Crônicas de Oluf (Azeviche)
O vento, como uma carícia suave, despenteia meus cabelos de ébano enquanto minhas pernas cansadas me carregam com passos deliberados até o topo do vale. Cada passo, carregado com o peso da batalha, raspa o caminho de cascalho, e minha espada, com sua lâmina ainda com o tom sombrio do sangue Draconita, é finalmente devolvida à bainha. Aqui estou eu, minha fiel lâmina de prata e eu, cansados pelas provações que enfrentamos, mas obrigados a contemplar os restos de Muddy Peaks. Quantas almas valentes sacrificaram suas vidas para afastar os implacáveis dragões, mesmo que apenas por um dia? Que a trégua daquele único dia seja suficiente."
Meus olhos marejados, pelo cheiro de fumaça negra e ardente, e meu coração chorando ao ver a devastação ao redor. Os vales e o rio que serpenteia pela cidade remontam ao dia em que pisei aqui pela primeira vez. Lembro-me daquele dia fatídico em que minha vida foi alterada para sempre e embarquei nesta jornada de descoberta.
"Ah, se eu pudesse escolher, eu embarcaria de bom grado nesta busca fantástica mais uma vez, mesmo sem saber de sua conclusão inevitável. Apenas para me reunir com todos aqueles que são tão queridos em meu coração. Vocês são minha própria essência , os membros e órgãos que completam minha existência. O próprio ar que escapa desses pulmões, agora em chamas com o cheiro de carne fumegante. "Meu amor por livros, juntamente com as duras provações da vida, forjaram a própria essência do meu ser. O amor que descobri neste lugar ancorou minha determinação. É por isso que persisto em defender essas terras. É por isso que anseio para presenteá-lo com uma história - minha história."
quinta-feira
quarta-feira
Silvio Spotti's Sword Of Justice Volume #2 (issue 3) (Kickstarter)
REFLECTING ON THE PAST...
It feels like just yesterday that the Sword of Justice, our first mini-series, launched with a resounding "Bang!" Now, after years of hard work, we are on the verge of completing the second mini-series (Kickstarter coming soon!).Click Here and get a warning when we go LIVE: CLICK HERE
Sword Of Justice, brought to you by Top Secret Press. Created by the talented Silvio Spotti and beautifully colored by Veronica Lopez, this captivating three-issue story arc chronicles the thrilling adventures of Brenna, Tanet, and Muriel as they valiantly battle the relentless hordes of enemies on a futuristic Earth. Thanks to the incredible support from backers like you, all six installments were successfully funded on Kickstarter. Once again, we embark on a campaign to bring you the remaining pages, fully penciled, inked, and lettered. We will need to fund issue #3 and do the colors.
Issue #2 of volume #2 is coming from the print shop and soon will be at your door step as always Top Secret Press do.
Writer/Artist: Silvio Spotti.
Colorist: Veronica Lopez.
Publisher: top Secret Press.
terça-feira
Silvio Spotti's Sword Of Justice Volume #2 (issue 2 and 3)
"The Sword of Justice" Comic Book by Silvio Spotti
1. Title: The Sword of Justice
2. Creator: Silvio Spotti
3. Artist: Silvio Spotti
4. Colorist: Veronica R. Lopez
5. Publisher: Top Secret Press
6. Genre: Action, Fantasy
7. Overview:
"The Sword of Justice" is an exhilarating comic book series written and illustrated by the talented artist, Silvio Spotti, with captivating colors by Veronica R. Lopez. Published by Top Secret Press, this thrilling series transports readers to a world where one young heroine battles against the tyranny of her scientist father, who controls a lunar colony known as New Atlantis. Guided by her companions, the mage Muriel and the warrior Tanet, our protagonist Brenna embarks on a dangerous quest to overthrow her father's oppressive regime and bring justice to her people.
We are preparing the campaign for issue #3 and issue #2 is printing right now and soon will be at your door step.
sábado
The Misunderstood Artistry of Image Generators: Debunking Misconceptions
Image generators have emerged as powerful tools capable of creating stunning visuals with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). However, despite their potential to enhance creativity and streamline the artistic process, image generators have been subject to unwarranted criticism from those who lack a comprehensive understanding of their inner workings. This essay aims to debunk the misconceptions surrounding image generators, highlighting their benefits and addressing the concerns raised by skeptics.
terça-feira
AI and the future of Comic Book industry.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made remarkable advancements in recent years, particularly in the field of image generation. AI image generators use complex algorithms to create images that can resemble those produced by human artists, and this technology is rapidly evolving. As we continue to improve our ability to create images using AI, the possibilities for its application in various fields, including comic book art, are becoming increasingly exciting.
sábado
AI Image generators and the 80's generation
Imagine, just relax for a nano second and have fun. Your eyes are getting heavy and you are a kid from the 80s or 90s with the superpower to generate images like this. They are somehow imperfect, six, nine-fingered characters, and you don't care because the images are so vivid. It's so cool to have the power to generate images of anime girls and you have it right now. You can evoke any of those images in 15 seconds. They are colorful and so fun to see, but now back from the hypnosis, it's 2023, and you are a grumpy old man living in a dystopian world, a prison for your mind. You can't have fun with anything and won't hesitate to pass judgment on one and all. When was it that the world became a place full of people with resentments and in needof Carl Jung's treatment? Why can't we just have our nano seconds of fun? We have so many important things to worry about and be concerned about, and we just let it slide. People are killing that inner child. Why can't we laugh off anime characters with 3 legs and enjoy them because they are giants on top of a building? At some point, I am that young man from the 80s, I sit and relax, looking at those deformed, unedited images. They are so colorful in a way that I could not imagine. I forget all my troubles, and it makes me happy, and that's all that really matters.
Generating images using AI has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's not uncommon to see AI-generated images being used for various purposes, including in blog posts, social media, and other forms of digital media. However, some people might wonder if using AI to generate images is ethical, particularly when it comes to creating art.
terça-feira
AI. Is it art or not?
I don't know what you guys do in your spare time as a hobby. I have entertained myself with these images. Several years ago, I used to buy heavy metal magazine, Cimoc and others in this genre, to see fantasy illustrations. People bought magazines to see these images. Now, we have amazing resources, and some people take them for granted. Some write to me, calling me names on Deviantart. Maybe they want me to use charcoal or animal blood on a cave wall, them take a picture with a Kodak.
quarta-feira
Dragon Slayer (Azeviche)
Silvio Spotti Interview with Comic Book Corner
Thanks for this interview! You have had a long and successful career in the comic book industry, both as an artist and a writer. You have worked on a wide range of projects for different publishers, including Disney comics, "Stargate" comics, and even "Sesame Street" comics. You have also been recognized for your inking work, winning the Ângelo Agostini award in 2003. Can you tell us a little more about your creative process and how you approach working on a new project?
Spotti.
"Each and every new book is always a baby to me. I have the tendency to put everything I have into it, including the things I like and my vision of the world. As for the writing, I use the Marvel method. I develop a plot, which will evolve into a page, and then I do the lettering myself, at least for the books that I write and draw myself.
Comic Book Corner.
It sounds like you are very passionate about your work and take a hands-on approach to each project. The Marvel method of developing a plot and then turning it into a page before adding lettering is a popular method used by many comic book writers and artists. It allows you to focus on the visual storytelling aspect of the comic while also giving you the flexibility to make changes to the script as you go along. How do you balance your responsibilities as both a writer and an artist on a project? Do you have a preferred role or do you enjoy the challenge of wearing both hats?
Spotti.
"When I started back in the 90's, the struggle was to try to make art and break into the comics field. That was the very beginning of the 90's and working for Marvel or DC from Brazil, was somehow a delusion."
Comic Book Corner.
I see. It can definitely be challenging to break into the comic book industry and make a name for yourself as an artist or writer. It sounds like you were able to persevere and eventually achieve your goals. Do you have any specific techniques or approaches that you use to balance your responsibilities as both a writer and artist on a project? It can be tough to juggle both roles, but it can also be very rewarding to see a project through from start to finish with your own vision and voice.
Spotti.
"Sorry, I forgot to answer that. The only way for me to balance writing and art is to let the characters speak for themselves. Sounds weird, but characters acquire a voice as you write them and in a good story, they tell you where they want to go. It's up to the author to decide if they will win this argument."
Comic Book Corner.
Ah, I see what you mean. It sounds like you let the characters guide the direction of the story and make decisions about where the plot should go. This can be a very organic and natural way to approach storytelling, and can help to create more believable and dynamic characters. Do you have any other tips or insights that you could share about your creative process or working in the comic book industry?
Spotti.
"In terms of art, the sky is the limit. You can create art that is 100% digital without paper, or work in a traditional way. As for writing, please do read as much as you can - books, comic books, etc. We are living in an era where we have the resources, but some people won't use them. It's never been so easy to find a book for free or to buy one."
Comic Book Corner.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on art and writing. It's definitely true that there are many different ways to create art for comic books, from traditional media to digital techniques. And reading is certainly a great way to improve your skills as a writer. It's important to expose yourself to a wide range of styles and genres in order to develop your own voice and perspective. Do you have any favorite comic book writers or artists who have influenced your work or inspired you in your career?
Spotti.
Alan Moore, Roy Thomas, John Byrne, John and Sal Buscema,Frank Miller and Jim lee to name a fell. It seen obvius but they are good in what they do. Pay attention to them.
Comic Book Corner.
Alan Moore, John Byrne, Frank Miller, and Jim Lee are all highly influential and respected figures in the comic book industry. Their work has inspired many other writers and artists and their contributions have had a lasting impact on the medium. It's always a good idea to study the work of other creators and see what techniques and approaches they use to tell their stories. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Silvio! If you want to add anything else, now is the time.
Spotti.
Let me take this moment to thank Top Secret Press, for the huge respect that they treat me and my work. They are awesome.
Comic Book Corner.
I'm glad to hear that you have a good relationship with your publisher, Top Secret Press. It's important for creators to have a supportive team behind them and a publisher who values their work. I hope your collaboration with Top Secret Press continues to be successful and rewarding. we like Sword Of Justice. Do you have any upcoming projects or events that you'd like to tell us about?
Spotti.
There are aways upcoming projects in my mind and I will let you all know in our next interview. How about that? It's been a pleasure.
Comic Book Corner.
Sounds good! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your future projects. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, Silvio. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and share your insights with us. Take care!
Spotti.
Thank you.
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