A marathon project

I wrote out a list yesterday of all the characters I need to draw. It's not a short list. I've developed over 400 characters and only a portion of them are on the fan page or DeviantART. Put that with all the writing I want to get done and it's a marathon project.

I'm still working the kinks out of the query letter for Chessmen. I look forward to getting it out to be looked at by agents and publishers. Becoming a graphic novel would be awesome too, but I need more artistic help in that area. Most of the time, I'm okay with my own artistic talents, but they are slipping. The kind of work needed for a graphic novel is not the kind I can do.

Speaking of artists, I'm happy to say there has been interest in the guest artist program. It will still take a while, but eventually I think we'll see some cool guest work with articles here and postings to show it off. So off I go with lots of work to do. Back soon with more to show!

The You will rise project: King Falcon Poster

Through my page at DeviantART, I was contacted about an amazing project. You can check out this project HERE.

It was asked of me, would I be interested in submitting the King Falcon anti-bullying poster. Of course!

The project is all about rising above bullying. If you've been a victim of bullying and you use art or writing to overcome it, they want to hear from you. You can see the King Falcon entry on their blog site HERE.

I think any project that takes on bullying is worth while. Especially one that shows people with talents who have overcome or are in process. You see, you don't have to listen to the bullies. They put you down, but they are wrong. Just check out the talents on that page to see what I mean.

And don't say you have no talents, it only means you are still finding your way. Things will get better and you can rise above bullying. I did.

Spotlight: King Falcon

King Falconus is the monarch of the distant planet Arconia. Arconia is the richest planet in the known universe of Galaxy Zento. It's rich in all sorts of wealth, from gold and treasure, magic and knowledge, to mineral and resource.

King Falcon stands 7ft, 11in tall.

As the King, Falconus is gifted with special artifacts that allow him to protect his world and others. First is the Amulet of Arconia, found at his waist, attached to his mystical armor. It does two things for him. First, it enhances the phoenix blood in his royal veins. Should he fall in combat, the amulet will resurrect him in a giant ball of phoenix fire. This is potentially hazardous to his foes. If someone manages to take the amulet and slay him, the amulet must be delivered back to Arconia. It will resurrect him there. It's not perfect, the amulet is "sensitive to fate". There is always a chance that it is King Falcon's time. At that point, the amulet will vanish and reappear in it's holding case at the royal palace.

Second is his personal weapon, blessed for him alone. It's called the Axe of Arconia. It can respond to King Falcon's will and cannot be lifted by anyone but him without his permission. He can recant permission at any time.

To fly, he summons wings of fire and lightning (only royalty can do this) and he can fly the voids of space. With his wings he can fireblast large areas and raise temperatures to molten levels around him. His wings also enable him to fly at extreme speeds through space and even to warp to other worlds instantly. His other natural weapons include cosmic class phoenix rays, a war shriek that can shatter steel and stone, and his incredible strength. King Falcon can lift 100 tons with ease and more if he takes time to "gather" and absorb energy from the universe. King Falcon has moved moons in their orbit.

He is immune to disease and impervious to base physical damage.

He also carries one of the legendary Rings of the Multiverse; the Ring of Knowledge. It allows him to gain all knowledge on any given thing or subject he comes across. It also gives him a lie-detecting sense. He also took the Ring of Alchemy from Maestro, but doesn't carry both rings at the same time.

On Arconia they believe in Monarch Worship, who ever is King, is their god. There is no technology on Arconia. They don't need it. The only military is the royal guards and they are to protect villagers and palaces in royalty's absence.

King Falcon helped to form the Council of Leaders, a panel of leaders from various planets for the good of their universe.

King Falcon is one of the most powerful heroes of Galaxy Zento. He's always ready to lend a helping hand to stop the evil forces of the universe.

Two special posters

So I've done two special project posters. One on Bullying and the other on Autism awareness.

You see the Autism aware poster here first. I drew my character, Dimension Man for the very first time in making this poster. I've put it in several groups and have it available for purchase at my DeviantArt page. Just click on the "prints" tab toward the top of the page. A large poster is only about 20 bucks and I get a small commission of that. Past that, it's okay to share on your website so long as you post links back to me. It's okay to share on your Facebook page so long as you post link to the fan page or share about me. Fair enough, right? I also want to give access to the Autism Society.

Dimension Man is a cool but rare character. He exists on multiple dimensional planes so nothing can physically stop him from going where ever he wants. His evil counterpart is Tick Tock.But more about him later.

I chose King Falcon for the anti-bullying poster because he's the defender of several planets in his stories. It just made sense to me. I wanted that arm to come across really huge in the picture and then I did my own form of lettering. I ordered a print to donate to my son's elementary school.

So, how easy is this for me? Well, as you can see in this picture, I tried to draw a single line. My hands shake so badly at times, that it takes me quite a while to get a drawing done. It gets frustrating too. I'm hoping, once my diagnosis tests are done, there will be something that I can do to help steady my hands and slow the tremors. Till, then, no giving up!

Still no entries for the guest artist program, but it takes time so I'm hopeful that maybe the holiday week will stir things up. I really look forward to writing an article here about a fellow artist!

Touch ups

I'm almost through the touch ups on the Chessmen novel. I've found a lot of problems with my "it's" and "its" being mixed up. I really don't know why I keep doing that. Good ol grammar program does help by marking it at least.

We have a copy of this years Writer's Market and I need to start going through it and seeing what there is in information on agents and publishers.

There's still a lot of illustrations to do and I'm adding pics over at Deviantart. For the fan page, I've actually caught up with myself and now have to post my custom miniatures to fill in while I do more illustrations.

I have had a couple of artists show interest in the Guest Artist project. It will take time.

The current count in three weeks at Deviant art is 359 page views and I'm on four peoples watch list.

On the Facebook fan page, current likes are at 38. I would really like to see that number climb some more. People are looking and I love that. I've had some very nice correspondence and I love that too. There has been a very nice show of support. It's still a good start, and still early too.

So, it's just a short update today as I catch up on a few things around here. We just got our dog home from heartworm treatment and I had to make a hundred mile trip yesterday to a neurologist. As for that dr trip? There's more testing to do. I had lots of blood drawn to do an "auto-immune" panel. An auto-immune" condition is a disease that causes your immune system to attack itself or other points of your own body. MS is an auto-immune condition, but we still don't know if that's the one we are dealing with.

Looking forward to posting more soon!

Guest artists, what's in this for you?

Yes, this is another bid for guest artists to come and take part in Galaxy Zento. But I realize you must be wondering if it's worth it. After all, I'm just getting started. Still, I'm not showing any signs of stopping, and I won't. Just check these places out.

My deviant art page!

My Facebook fan page!

My Facebook page! Add me, I have over 3000 connections and growing.

My Twitter! Follow me and I'll follow you!

Numbers are growing, even if slowly. So what will I do for you?

- Blog article all about YOU. I'll post links to your pages where ever they are and I would also like to interview you about your art and influences in art. The article will include the piece you do for Zento and hopefully a couple other pieces of your work to showcase your talent. I've been writing for some time and gathering a decent following of readers, just look here: Wildeman's Words So, I'm putting my writing to work for you, plus the publicity.

-Exposure across all my mediums. I will create a guest artist folder on both DeviantArt and the Facebook fan page. When the official website launchs there will a guest section there too! I will put links to you with your work in any place that I can. As I get more attention out there, so will you.

Naturally, you also get to post the work you do on your own pages so long as you do the same in links for Galaxy Zento. That way, we create publicity for each other.

Want another twist? Did you create your own universe and characters? Tell you what, you draw one of mine; and I'll draw one of yours!

What am I looking for? For you artists, no matter how good you are, to do a Zento character in any medium except adult themes. This could include doing just pencils, inks, caricatures, cartoony things, what ever. If you want to get cute, try doing a Zento character versus one of yours (I'll do the same). Do one against any fave character of yours, whatever! But please, no adult themes. Galaxy Zento is family friendly and for a young audience.

Special considerations: Galaxy Zento is all about overcoming disabilities with me. Why? Because I have conditions that I am fighting with daily. I live with Asperger's Syndrome, Bipolar disorder and a degenerative condition yet to be identified (possibly MS- I see the neurologist tomorrow because my MRI was "abnormal"). So I consider anyone who clicks LIKE on the fan page to be a supporter of the same idea. This is why I'm pushing as hard as I can to make something out of Galaxy Zento, while I still can. That includes a series of novels. That being said:

Special consideration goes to any pictures that mix theme with Autism Awareness, Anti-bullying, Anti-child abuse and Anti-suicide. I plan to do some portraits in that way soon too. This will involve yet another special folder in the websites. If there are enough pics done for Autism, I plan to submit work to the Autism Society of the United States. Other considerations are possible.

Special consideration will also go to guest artists when it comes to the novels or any possible graphic novels (at least that's the pitch I will give the agents and publishers).

Remember, it doesn't matter how good you are, it's a show of support with lots of possibilities. I don't care if you are just 10 years old (with parental permissions) or a top notch pro. And that's not to say a 10 year old can't be a top notch pro.

So what do you think? Do you want to be a guest artist for Galaxy Zento? I would love to have you.

(We do reserve the right to refuse any work deemed a conflict of interest or inappropriate for Galaxy Zento)
(Galaxy Zento and it's characters are property of David J Wilde)

Great friends remembered

The picture you are looking at was drawn by my best friend and brother, Denver Steele. This blog is a dedication and memorial that shall live on in Galaxy Zento for me, forever.

You see three characters in that drawing. Those characters are an interpretation of three friends who formed a kind of trio when they met at Clearfield Job Corps Center, in Clearfield, Utah. The middle one is Denver, I'm the "falcon" and the bear? The bear repesents another dearly departed friend, Nelson Howell.

Denver wanted to be an actor and he was very good. We lived in Henderson, Nevada and he had a job at a small video store. I was working at a cabinet shop. With my writing and his acting, we hoped to get something started out there. That plan was cut short when his store was robbed and they shot him three times with a .22 revolver. I was the last person to see him alive (that was considered family)on the double shift he agreed to work. His killers were caught, and because I was part of that timeline, I testified in court back and forth for two years. They rot in prison to this day.

The news hit us all hard, but life goes on and more is always to come.

Ten years later, after we all had moved one. Nelson had a family of his own in Washington, Iowa. I had a family of my own too in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nelson was a big man, no denying that. We called him the bear because of it. He never worried about his weight. It ran in family heritage so he just took it as it went. It was early in the morning when his mother called me with the news. Nelson was out on his paper route when he simple passed out and fell. He was on blood thinners for a clot in his leg. There were already concerns that the doctor had him on too high a dose for his body, but it was too late. He left behind a wife and two kids.

So, that makes me the last of the trio from Job Corps, but there's one more who deserves just as much recognition.

Zach was a great kid, who was part of my last gaming group for Galaxy Zento. He went to Gen Con with us twice and I considered him and his sister as "god-children" to me. These two were very special to all of us. At first they were scared to hang out with us and join our little group. Why? Because they and their mother had to hide from and abusive man. He was dangerous and had tried to kill them before by setting fire to their home. To say the least, we took these kids under our "wings". Our group was comprised of people who worked heavy jobs, law enforcement, and bar "bouncing". No one was going to hurt these kids with us around.

But then, life changes again, one of us got a new job, and I moved to Wisconsin. I don't think it was six months after we moved before the phone call came. Zach was killed in a head on car accident with a truck and trailer. He was on his way to a heroclix game across town. He was 19 and studying architectural drafting. At his funeral we all put dice in and on his casket to send him off as a gamer should.

All three of these special and still missed people, created characters to help test Galaxy Zento. Those characters will live on in memory of them so long as I can keep it that way. So, if you are looking through pics on the fan page and see their names, you'll know why.

Spotlight: The Cyborians

The Cyborians are a highly intelligent and scientific race. For many eons they lived in peace on their metallic planet until they were forced to drastic change for survival.

Cyborians are metaloids. Metaloids are beings with organic metallic skin. To look at their faces, you would see two large black eyes and two sets of gill-like slits in a v-shape (like: / \) from the nose area to just above the chin. Their mouths are located under the chin. In this fashion, digestive tract and airway are separate from each other. They speak through the gills,so they can actually talk with their mouth full. They digest their foods with powerful acids. For that matter, their blood is called "metaphoric acid" and is the strongest acid form in the known universe (of Zento). Naturally, Cyborians themselves, are unaffected by acids. In reproduction, Cyborians are A-sexual and each capable of creating offspring.

The race is proud to have one of the highest technology levels possible in Dimensional technology. They perfected the use of linking dimensional pockets, anomolies, and energies to each other for power and tools. For example, they developed a high powered energy called Metron. One tool using this energy is a one ton cannon made for excavations through Cyborus's metal mountains. This massive device is harnessed in an easily carried, wide barreled, rifle shaped device. Because the tool is completely anchored and buffered in a dimensional anomoly inside the rifle, it's power can be fully used, hand held, with no kick back.

Being peaceful, the never thought twice about building a military until the Rotanians came along and nearly wiped them out. Because of the severity of damage and dwindling numbers of their race, they Cyborians took drastic action. They had all adult citizens bonded to multi-dimensional combat armor. That's right, it never comes off. Never again, would their race be defenseless.

Cyborian armor is formed to the scanned personality of it's wearer to maintain individuality. The armor itself, carries hundreds of computers and programs to maintain it in every way. Because the wearer is actually in another dimension attached to the armor, they are very hard to hurt. Past that, all manner of weaponry is capable of extending from nearly any surface of the armor. It's common to find a Cyborian armed with laser cutters in their optics and all manner of rifles, cannons and small missile launchers extendable from their arms, legs, and torso (front and back). The armor can cloak itself, fly through space, teleport from planet to planet, and link to or decipher any lesser technology they come across. Enough damage to the armor or it's total destruction, will kill the host. Still, that's no easy feat.

The armor comes in different sizes because of the personality traits scanned. Some Cyborians or as much as 50 feet tall. The Cyborian Overlord is as tall as the Sears tower. Larger Cyborians are given purposes to match their size, such as construction or anti-enemy starcraft details.

There is one drawback. A rare side effect of the bonding process is criminal insanity. This created the renegades, dangerous beings who could be anywhere. Most of them are wanted for reprogramming to try and correct the side effect. Some have to be destroyed.

Despite all their armor's abilities, Cyborians also created a fleet of star ships. These are huge craft with just as many capabilities of the armor itself. The Wrecker class is the largest of these powerful ships.

Cyborians are just one of the feature races in Galaxy Zento. You can see more of them at the FAN PAGE. Hope to see you there!

Table of Legend

So, how serious or crazy about my characters am I? Well, about 11 years ago, I built a table and burned a mural of my characters in it. The whole pictures goes from one end clear to the other.

It's a heavy thing, around a hundred pounds. I made it from a solid wood door and some banquet table legs. Once the picture was all burned in via a woodburner, I put some brass corner fittings on it. This was our gaming table.

We sat around this table for several games, but mostly for playing Galaxy Zento. What was special about this table, was that I didn't just put core characters on it. I put many current player characters on it too. So who all is on this thing and have you seen them already? Lets see, and remember you can click on a picture for a larger image.

In this first image, you can see King Falcon and just behind him is Lord Kestrel. This is the left side of the table centerpiece. Up in the right you can see someone's legs, that's EO, the Equal and Opposite man. EO is the upper center of the centerpiece.

Now, you see Maestro clashing with King Falcon. In the lower section from left to right there's General Zarose (bad guy), Galose, and Crazy Harry. You can see and arm up on the right and that belongs to Anubis's best bud, Horus. You'll see soon enough. Did I mention the table is made of oak? Well, now I did.

Now you see EO. To the left you can just make out Doomsday Weapon. On the right is a big clawed hand belonging to the Stardragon, Gilgameer. You can see a leg belonging to Nyhtwulf too.

In this image you see Anubis and Horus fighting a villain named Mr. Wicked. You can also see a tornado twisting away behind them and someone's shield. Yes, this table took a long time to do. Currently it's my work station where I do art.

Left to right, you see Lord Turindell (half angel/elf bard legend), Serka the gray elf, Jojo the dwarven sized lizard man, and Monolith the stone demon. Yep, there's more behind them, but too much to put into just one section now, so next;

Okay, so I really do need to take better pictures of my table now. When I took these, I was using a pretty basic grade point and shoot camera. It served the purpose but you have to look closely here to see all the characters. At this point, I could name them all, but you don't know all of them close up yet. Even if you've been following the FAN PAGE. You can make out Gilgameer's head, Boreas the wizard, the Kyte, the Serpent, and the other giganto guy is called Warhammer (yes, even those he's covered with axe blades). See what you can make out.

A closer look at the upper left of the table. You can see the dragon, the wizard, and one the right is Captain Bizarre. Look in the upper left hand side and you'll see a cosmic faerie. Yes, a faerie.

To the right, you find Red Rhok, Barger, and the spacey looking guy is called Omni. There's more to see as you go. These characters are on the fan page.

In this section you see Maniac and the Sphere. I will have a color pic of Maniac coming soon!

Here's another small faerie who appears on the table. Her name is Ecstasy.

So, I do need to get better photos and all of these will show up on the fan page as linked above. If you haven't already, visit and click LIKE. I appreciate all the support. Enjoy Galaxy Zento!

Making miniatures of Zento characters

First; these custom figures I made of my characters are for my own enjoyment and not for sale or to be marketed as Heroclix figures. Heroclix is property of Wizkids/NECA and no infringement of any kind is intended. Heroclix modding is quite popular and there are several popular artist who sell their renditions of well known characters. Again, I made these for my own personal enjoyment and to give a 3D rendition of what my characters look like.

Since that's out of the way, let me tell you about this work that I've done. I've even started a new folder at the Galaxy Zento fan page where you can see more when I post it. Unfortunately, these are not the most accurate views of my characters. You can compare the drawings if you like. It's just for a general idea. Some came out great while others stayed, well, "general". I've made almost a hundred pieces, so the photos you see are just the beginning.

I used to mod heroclix a long time ago and make quite a few characters that people wanted. This was before those characters got put into a heroclix set. To see some of those, you can check out my Facebook Album.

I keep all my Zento figures on a shadowbox shelf above my work table. That table, by the way, shows up in the photos. More of it to come soon. The important point is that I built that table. So I wanted the photos to be taken on the center of it. Unfortunately, the light isn't all that good so I will have to get some help or more light, or both.

In any case, this file will be one more reason to come on over to the Fan Page and hit LIKE. Stick around, there's much more to come.

Chessmen sample!

Here is a portion of Chapter one of Chessmen: Dangerous Moves. I hope you enjoy it.

The Queen of planet Chyssia is dead. She died in childbirth while her infant girl survived. The humble and peaceful people of the planet were wrought with grief. The Queen was loved greatly amongst her subjects and her death came as a great shock. Nothing would sooth this pain for some time. Even the proud beauty of their world; the luminous grasses and high red mountains, could offer no comfort or peace.

The Falconer has served proudly as leader of the Royal Guard for two generations. He stood just outside the door with the King, while the Queen labored. When the Chancellor came out to report her death, the Falconer had to catch his King who crumpled toward the floor. As his beloved monarch cried and asked how this could be, it pained him to have no answer. Falconer’s mind raged in turmoil.

He went to the top of the highest spire of the castle, where he took time to think and reflect. This was, to him, the most peaceful place in all the kingdom. He could gaze out upon the beauty of the land and clear his mind. This time, the mind clearing wouldn’t be so easy. There were things that didn’t make sense about the Queen’s death, but Falconer couldn’t put a finger on it. The Chancellor had reported her death as natural from complications in child birth. Despite those findings, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something evil was involved. So he needed to think and think hard. It had now been three days since her death and he felt like the clock was ticking toward some horrible event. He took a deep breath and closed his silvery eyes. He felt the wind course through his ash white hair and press against his chest. Up there, he could let go of everything and just be one with the air and sky. In his mind, he only saw the smile of the Queen and the face of the infant Princess. He breathed deep and hoped for some answer to come to him, but it was only the sound of the wind. His eyes snapped open as he felt a pair of small feet land on his shoulder. Sharp talons rested against thick black cloth but didn’t pierce through. His spirit-mate, Sersi, nudged his right temple with her beak.

“You still fretting?” she said in his mind.

“Yes,” he answered aloud, not even thinking about their psychic bond. He stared out over the countryside.

“It’s a terrible tragedy, I know. But we don’t have any proof of our suspicions. Shouldn’t we concentrate on protecting the ones that are left?”

“Sersi, you are right, as usual. I just needed to clear my head. We should get back down there now.”

She fluttered away from his shoulder, “See you there!” and she dove fast toward the courtyard below. Few creatures anywhere are as fast as a falcon in a dive. Sersi dropped like a missile toward the ground below. In only a second or so, she spread her wings and lightly landed on the head of a statue in the courtyard. She made flying look ridiculously easy. Sersi craned her neck to look up and watch Falconer.

Falconer gazed down at the courtyard, hundreds of feet below and let go of the pole he stood by. He and Sersi were no strangers to heights. For that matter, no one in the castle was. The entire royal palace was built into the high cliffs of the red mountains. It could only be reached by airship. Falconer leaned forward and let his body yield to gravity. Air rushed past as he sped toward the ground head first. His clothes rustled and wind filled his ears. The courtyard below grew quickly in visual size. The rounded stones of the courtyard floor seemed to reach for him as he plummeted. With a few yards before impact he slowed, turned his body and gently landed on his feet.

“Always catching yourself at the last second,” Sersi chuckled.

“It’s good practice for the reflexes,” Falconer replied, “And as I remember, it’s a trick you taught me. Come, let’s go and check on the King.” He held out his left arm and Sersi fluttered down and landed on it.

My autistic gift?

It's no big secret that I have a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome. I've been an advocate for autism education and awareness for several years now. Children with Asperger's are often called "little professors" because they get so absorbed in one interest that they can tell you almost everything about it. The interest is an obsession really and they have a hard time breaking away from it to anything else. There are pros and cons to such an obsessive interest, of course. Pros being that interests could turn into careers. Cons would be that they take over the persons life and effective freeze them from going any further.

I have been asked many times, if my art and story telling might have been my interests. Well, my mother (who also has Aspergers) is an artist. I pale in comparison. My father was also very creative in writing and became an aerospace engineer to boot. My interests? Maybe. I also loved animals and can still tell you almost anything you could want to know about them. Thanks to some events in my life, I developed and oversensitive sense of justice and went into law and protective jobs. So, I had more than one interest really. The unfortunate side was that my life was very random and it put me in strange places. Cant' help it, it went the way it went. I was on my own at 14 because I ran away from school bullying and an abusive step parent. So I had a lot of life to build and learn.

Through all that, I appeased myself and entertained friends with my role playing game based on my stories. I didn't get the writing done back then because I still had a lot to learn, and my medical conditions were undiagnosed and in control.

I think my creativity may well be linked to my autism. I have a way of seeing the world that others don't.

In any case, I don't post this because I want any pity. No need for that. I've survived this long haven't I? I have a wonderful family, great kids, and a loving lady in my life. Being disabled is just another life challenge. And I don't want you to come and enjoy Galaxy Zento because of any of that either. I want you to come and enjoy it for fun.

While I'm making every effort to become published (like so many others) I want to share my universe with you while I still can. I have a lot to overcome and it's not going to be easy, but hopefully you will come along. That's what this is, you see, "overcoming". Nothing else.

That's why I will always stand for autism education and awareness, even through Galaxy Zento. Maybe that's my gift, I'll let you decide.

Galaxy Zento Fan Page