COSMOBALLISTICS Armored Soldier Valkyrion

Stacy talks to herself?

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:10:59 -0800

Man, have I been busy...
There are lots of things going on in Valkyrion lately...
I'm gonna be posting some pictures soon!!
Stay Tuned!!

Authors Thinking Like Scientists~Do readers do the same?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:40:00 -0800

Do you make science fiction stories? What is the difference between making a “science fiction story” and making a “science fiction universe”? It is this question which I often ponder. You see, the wonderful administrator at a science fiction website’s forums had, quite some time ago, cleanly denounced Armored Soldier Valkyrion and it hit me pretty hard. Ever since then, I have struggled to understand why SF people would have problems with Valkyrion. The answer, quite pathetically, always seemed to come to some very unflattering descriptions of mainline SF supporters (if there is such a thing). Clearly, that would be, as my dear Admin put it, “defensive,” and a different answer must be the right one.
But is that really true?

“Science fiction,” for you historians out there, pretty much evolved from nerdy-ass scientists getting bored of writing theses upon physics, mechanics, electrical builds, and biology. They took their in-depth, nothing-spared-mention style built in the halls of scientific study and started writing stories about what would happen if the vaccuum-tube computer came to life and spawned children and took-over Yale University before aiming to rule the world but was defeated when the Nazis joined the Royal Air Force to defeat it and force it to live its years on Mars, instead. Now, this sounds like it could be a two-hour motion picture nowadays, but with everything backed-up by hard science, it filled two or three E.E. Smith-style books, each at three-hundred-plus pages. Damn, that’s some serious shit.

Over time, some authors became enamoured with the technology and decided to screw the explanations that detracted from telling a story. If a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral works (and we all know it does), then why waste your time reading about why? Just launch the fucking rocket and go to the Moon! See you tomorrow!—This attitude was a new breath for a genre called “science fiction” which was often unapproachable by all but the diligent readers of the planet Earth just because two different things were going-on at once and in-full—“science” and “fiction.” So one got prominence—the “fiction” story—and the science was simply de facto, existing because (duh) it exists. The stories became easy to approach, less reliant upon science, and eventually, written by authors who knew little about science itself but could bullshit their way through a story by just keeping a limiter on how crazy the “futuristic machinery” was going to be.

The two above descriptions are the most basic lines in science fiction—that is, “hard” science fiction and “soft” science fiction. Some like only one, some like the other, but most self-professed fans see the merits of both. Like any production, of course, it must be done well. Just because somebody liked Ridley Scott’s production of “Blade Runner” does not mean that they would enjoy his work on “Alien,” pure and simple. So when I ask a person in-charge of a science fiction community for their opinion, I understand that not all SF may be his or her cup of tea.

But when your sorry ass criticises my work without addressing a single part of the story (“soft” SF) or the universe in which it operates (“hard” SF), what am I supposed to do except wonder what biases, prejudgments, or just fucking laziness drove you to express that opinion?—With twelve books already in-print, Valkyrion moves across the line between “hard” and “soft” at will, and that makes it hard for people who hold prejudices to get-into it while making it very easy for open-minded people to get into it.

Do you like humanoid combat machines—Valkyrions? Read “Girl’s Squadron War Chronicle.” Are you biased against “dem thar Jap robot story” and want something that echoes our own world? (Why are you reading fiction?)—Read “Mountain Fox.” How about in-depth descriptions of the weapons the air force uses?—There’s “Cosmoballistics” waiting for you there, professor. Not very much into science but love a good SF story?—“White Rose” kicks some serious ass and has romance around every corner.

But don’t you dare judge a book by its cover. Science fiction has its roots in intelligence and processes of analysis. Euclid would kick you out of his school if you decided to assume that a cube supports itself “uh, because its a cube.” Carl Sagan would laugh your silliness aside, pat you on the back, and give you a kind “y’know, that’s a good theory, but we should look closer” and hopefully, make you feel really dumb. So take a good, long look at Valkyrion. I do not mind if you do not like it, but I would enjoy the chance to discuss it with you.

Why?

Because I write science fiction.

Until next time,

Adam Schiller

Valkyrion website redesign!

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:07:00 -0800

XD The website has just had a massive overhaul thanks to Adam!! :) It makes me so happy to see it all decked out for White Rose. Go Valkyrion!!

~Stacy

Cover without text and final layering of ArmoredSoldier...

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:57:00 -0800

Cover without text and final layering of ArmoredSoldier Valkyrion: White Rose.

White Rose finally finished and APE 2008

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:55:11 -0800

It’s been a huge for Valkyrion since we’ve posted last. Aside from financial troubles and stuff, we’ve successfully completed ArmoredSoldier Valkyrion: White Rose, our first full color graphic novel (thanks to Christan Kaw’s wonderful coloring). It takes on the main story of Valkyrion with ace pilot Plato Auralion and PURE leader Trindat Stavchyn as they battle for what they hold dear and change the course of their world forever.

It’s really awesome. Too bad there’s only five of the first run of this issue and we’re only giving them to big companies (I don’t even get a copy yet!!). People will still be able to order it off of Indy Planet soon but currently the link isn’t up yet. Doukeshi Production’s website is going to be given a big update soon in celebration of White Rose. From what I’ve seen of what Adam’s doing with it, it’s a major improvement (especially since the website has been giving me trouble all morning. :D Neither of us are web designers but we try our best.

The big thing that’s going on at APE though is that there are free copies of the the Source Book, Anetai Taisenki (Girl Squadron War Chronicle), KAZUMI Project/Technical Manual, and lots of others. If you can spot me, I’d be giddy to autograph it too but we didn’t get a table this year so you’d have to find the girl in blue with red hair and glasses walking around to do it. I’ll be wearing a retarded hooded sweatshirt with a patch sown on with the Doukeshi logo on the hood, probably…. :P If you find me you can buy copies of the RPG and stuff from me. I’ll have everything including the band new Rated X book Valkyrion X.

Yeah, we made a Valkyrion Sex book called Valkyrion X too. It’s pretty cool, very hardcore. You can get it if you find me at APE or e-mail us to order it.

I’ll keep making Valkyrion! Please tell me what you think about it!!! XD

The hardest working independent comickers around?

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:58:59 -0700

Whew. Let me tell you, if you’ve never made books one-hundred percent on your own, you don’t know what it’s like. I just finished a minor update to the website, and by “minor,” I mean “added the fact that, yes, there is a new Armored Soldier Valkyrion book available for purchase from Doukeshi Productions.”

It’s worth a good laugh every now and then to think about how much work we really do around here. In less than a year, we’ve released seven books. That number will increase next month, and likely the month after that. Not bad for a couple of social misfits armed with nothing except hot blood and a never-say-die attitude, is it?

So, without further ado, the new book is entitled “Planetfall.” It tracks the Neo-Tactical Armored Corps’ Seventieth Armored Cavalry as they are sent on a pioneering mission to Venus alongside the Transatmospheric Defense Corps’ heralded Delirium Squadron. Aiming to set-up a mobile base of operations in distant orbit in case the Second Birth do in-fact win the Galactic War and force Earthians out of their home, the odds are certainly against success. But as if this was not enough of a daunting task, P.U.R.E. Russia has some plans of their own, sending the bloodthirsty Sergeant Verx Beter after the pioneer shuttles and giving him free rein to use every tool from cannons to plastic explosives to the talents of P.U.R.E. Japan’s best vaccuum-fighter pilot in order to ensure that Earthians remain exclusively on Earth.

I sincerely hope that you enjoy it.

—Adam Schiller

ArmoredSoldier VALKYRION: E.C. 999 (update)

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:07:45 -0700

Well it has been a while since I’ve posted, huh? The newest news with E.C. 999 is that we changed the release format again. :) Don’t worry, we didn’t extend it again. We will be releasing E.C. 999 in a double issue standard-size saddle-stitched book (regular comic book with tons of pages) from what we’ve discussed. The art is nearly done (in the next few days?) aside from the ever important cover. So, the book will definitely get sent out to get printed this month. When it will be available for sale though… that’s up to the printing place I suppose…

:/ Prince of War II and the new Designworks books should have been available a month ago… X/ available and shipped and in our hands a month ago… arrg

Anyway…. I’m also working on an illustration project on the side along with some request art for Ada… So I’ve been pretty busy… O.o; but I’ll be working harder! :) Have fun! Work hard! See you next time!

~Stacy

ARMORED SOLDIER VALKYRION: E.C.999 -- Page 50 is finished!!!

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:27:06 -0700

Today is the fifty page day for E.C.999 as I have reached page 12 in issue two. Is the book out yet? No. The book will be at least 100 pages when it’s finished but man, fifty is a nice number to think about isn’t it? It seems like only a short while ago I was getting so excited about the first few pages of this comic book… but now that I’m working on issue two with an kick-ass faster page rate and fuck-you-awesome better artwork I don’t spend much time to get excited about how many pages I’ve done unless you count those zoned-out moments where I’ll be cross-hatching for hours, but I have so many random thoughts during that time to keep myself from falling asleep that it never really hits me very hard.

I’ve done so many pages of comic books that never went anywhere. Well over one-hundred — I would guess by how full that box is — but with this comic I really feel like I’m where I want to be with my artwork. I really feel like this is a work that is really something great. With every page I’m more excited wanting to see what happens next; to see where life takes my main character. I can’t wait for it to be done so I can share it with all of you.

This is the marking point of page fifty. The comic has taken off and going at high speed to the finish line.

( ‘ ‘) {…)

~Stacy

c(^ ^ c ) ~ I went outside today.....

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:06:58 -0700

With the E.C.999 graphic novel, I’ve had my hands full lately… :) issue two -of the four issue book- looks and feels really great. I’ve really been having a blast working on it… so much in fact that I’m missing the really great spring weather outside…. All I know is that in Valkyrion it’s still winter… and it’s snowing where Plato is right now… but outside my window? Beautiful spring breezes… Great setting for drawing brutal war, huh? ;D I better work faster so Plato and I can be in the same season! …. ;D

~Stacy

A few panels from Valkyrion E.C.999 issue one :D

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:35:19 -0700

A few panels from Valkyrion E.C.999 issue one :D

Valkyrion Update: E.C.999

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:11:00 -0700

What’s new in the world of Valkyrion? Quite a bit! EC999, the Valkyrion comic book, has, again, had it’s release date pushed back… this time by months. Doukeshi Productions has officially decided that EC999 will be released as graphic novels/trade paperback comics instead of issue to issue as originally planned. That means each book of EC999 will have around four issues each so each book will have a nice conclusion while still retaining the ability to expand. Issue one is finished. Issue two is in the works.

Quality is waaaay up and still going. This comic is really gonna be something great.

~Stacy

WEBSITE UPDATE!! c(^ ^ )

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:15:00 -0700

Adam has just updated our website!! YAY!! With better coding than I could ever muster-up! It now has a few character descriptions, a description of what Valkyrion is, book listings that include Prince of War 2, and contact information (AKK! My hair is still blond in that picture!! O.o` ) … (hah! I fixed it and I messed around with Adam’s picture.)

THANK YOU ADA!

Just to mention, the Valkyrion comic book, Valkyrion: E.C.999, is gonna knock your socks off… Just you wait and see… >:D

~Stacy Smith

Valkyrion: Doukeshi Productions NEWS

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:21:58 -0700

Well, Prince of War book two is done and going to print. WHOOO!! It sports a cool wrap-around cover, excellent writing and highlight artwork by me. It turned out great and really shows off Adam’s writing talents. :D We don’t have a solid release date right now but I’ll post it as soon as I know.

Valkyrion: E.C.999 (the new title for the comic book series) is nearly done. Tomorrow, the bulk of the artwork should be finished, after that, I’m working on the cover and any supplemental art that goes-along with this first issue. O.o it might be done by the end of the week … but definitely by the end of next week we’ll send it out to be printed I think…

Valkyrion RPG is still in the works. I’ve not been updated on the status. There’s a lot of it done though.

Valkyrion Prince of War book 3 just started. The small bit of work done on it has been really great. The Prince of War series is my favorite besides my biased opinion about E.C.999. Prince of War one was all about Battalion Hall, the United Earth Alliance soldier and what they’re all about. Book 2 got really into the ground level people of the Valkyrion world. Civilians, what they think about the government and how the Armies of the Blue Planet affect them. The third in this series seems to be about rising up against it the United Earth Alliance… but again, I haven’t read very much and the main character is really unpredictable, which makes for a really exciting read.

Girl’s Squadron War Chronicle or 姉体大戦記 book 2 has a good portion of it done but has been sitting on the back burner… This, again is another of Adam’s books I’m looking forward to… so far it’s damn good.

A Valkyrion Mecha Design book should be coming out soon also. :D Doukeshi’s first all color book. This book involves a great artist known on the Internet as MedMapGuy who, if you haven’t heard of him does excellent color artwork. The book is very near completion from what I hear and looks beautiful.

We have more projects coming up? Yes. We do. Not all of them have names yet but there are even more Valkyrion projects being worked on right now. Not to mention E.C.999 issue two which stands to maybe get a bit hot and heavy…. :D (the script hasn’t been written for it but pre-production talk has gotten me all excited about it…)

Doukeshi Productions is moving Valkyrion along at light speed! Just wait! in a few months there will be even more stuff!!! XD

That crazy girl with glasses,

☆★☆★Stacy

E-mail....

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:31:41 -0700

Stacy: Man, I hate waiting for e-mail...
Inner Stacy: ...But you like getting them, right?
Stacy: Yeah... unless they're spam... I hate spam...
Inner Stacy: ... but that's e-mail, too. Right?
Stacy: Yeah, but it's not surprising when I get those.
Inner Stacy: ....

The date draws nearer...

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:24:24 -0700

Well, things at Doukeshi’s main office have been a little slow, while still being quite (!) exciting. I’ve taken a bit of a pause from my normal schedule of “wake up, get dressed, sit at desk, draw comics, fall off chair, repeat” to do some design work that I kinda wish I’d done two pages ago…. stupid space battleships… They were entering atmosphere …. so I guess it’s not too much of a problem but I’m just picky… it is my job after all ;)

That’s not all that has been happening lately though! Doukeshi’s staff is growing more and more. XD We started this project with just two people, Adam and myself, but now have five working on Valkyrion’s many aspects (three artists including myself and two writers including Adam)! A lot of what we’ve been doing as of late has just been answering and preparing content for e-mails… :D I’ve been really excited! We’ve even been overhauling our website lately. it’s not done yet but it will be soon.

Probably the most important thing to me at the moment though is … ::whispers:: Adam’s birthday … it’s tomorrow …what should I get him? DX I’ve got an idea… but it’s a secret okay? XD Well, until next time!! Have fun!

~Stacy

(.`_ .`; ) )= ::sneaks around::

"Once upon a time… someone said ‘Fuck this!’ I think it was yesterday."

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:02:02 -0700

““Once upon a time…
someone said
‘Fuck this!’
I think it was yesterday.””

- Modern Folk Tale

Book four Prince of War:

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0700

:D I’m always happy when we send a book out to be printed, but nothing compares to finnaly getting the prints in the mail. Prince of War arrived on Doukeshi Production’s doorstep yesterday and I must say that…. it’s our best book yet. XD It’s still one of our unconventional books, combining Adam’s story writing skills with a comic book supplement, along with lots of visuals and new mecha designs… :) Project Valkyrion still has three (four?) more books coming, so check us out and look forward for more! :D

Sexy. Science Fiction. Valkyrion.

~Stacy ~(( ’ ‘) ::walks off back to desk::

"‘Science fiction’ shouldn’t mean ‘science boring.’"

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:44:42 -0700

“‘Science fiction’ shouldn’t mean ‘science boring.’”

- Valkyrion Sourcebook One

What? Updates?

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:20:57 -0700

That’s right, our blog might have had some spiderwebs but here we are! Still churning out more Valkyrion! Four books done so far, and plenty more coming, so hang on people! XD It’s gonna be awesome!

~Stacy

Updates!! Whoo! Go Blog!!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:16:00 -0700

STACY: Hey, how are we lookin'?