Seeking Amazing Creators

I want to do something for my fellow creators out there. By creators, I mean writers, authors, artists, illustrators, and more. Who knows who or what I will find, but that's the idea. Of course there are some parameters.

I'm looking for the types of creators who fit the vision of Galaxy Zento. So I won't be seeking out things like romance, erotica, historical fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, or westerns. Does anyone even write westerns anymore?

I'll be looking for fantasy and adventure in several venues. It is possible some romantic work may fit there as well as some mystery. I'll also take horror.

In art I'll be seeking the most creative and unique styles I can find. Yes, comic book art will be high on my list, but not my only target.

You do not have to be published to gain my interest in writing about you. You do need to have something I can show off about you. That can be a website and some photos of your smiling face. The more you have, the more I can show about you. Follow that with details about what you do, maybe some snippets of your current work in progress and whammo. Article! All I ask for me to write about you is that you share what I write about you in this blog with all your social media. It can't get easier than that.

I write all about you and you share. Simple and effective.

Articles of this kind will be titled "Amazing Creators" followed by your name (or whoever's name).

And that's it. Want to be considered? Just send me a message on any of my social media or comment on this blog. Give me links to your website, FB page, and twitter if you have any of it. Instagram works too.

Let's do some good for creators!

Still Seeking my A-Team

It's no big secret that I'm still looking for a team to take GZ to the next level. While I do have a couple of people pitching in some artwork here and there for the board game expansions, I'm definitely seeking more than that.

I want to find someone who can be committed to the project from beginning to end. Not just an artist who does a few illustrations and walks, but someone willing to do more than that. I need people to help me get the word out and take on social media marketing, preaching to the masses, and yeah; even selling some games. Someone with a work ethic that may even rival my own (and mine is pretty strong if I do say so myself).

GZ can totally go places and I know it can. That's why I'll never stop creating, doing the artwork, or writing or trying to sell the game and get it in peoples hands.

I know what I seek is not a small or minor request. It comes with all the risks of failure that anyone could dream of. I've certainly taken some hard knocks in moving forward. But look, I'm still here. That  has to count for something. As a partner, I don't think you could find anyone more serious about it.

But it will take commitment and hard work with rolled up sleeves to make it happen. I'm not looking to give out ownership, but do know that I never forget those who help me and I will give back. Upon success, it's like this. If the game makes money, YOU make money. If I make money, YOU make money.

You have to be strong, have geek roots and be willing to work with me.

Who has what it takes to be part of my A-Team? Well, here are the places I want to go:

Graphic novels
App Games
Video Games
Card Games
Board Games
Already doing novels and short stories to establish a history.
Coloring Books

GZ needs a pro website with all the bells and whistles. It needs consistent and cool art postings of the characters in action. It definitely needs better pics of the female characters! I admit it.

The person or persons I'm talking about would have access to the GZ Facebook page as Admins so they can freely post GZ stuff and same for any websites or the blogspot. I do have a couple of people in mind that I'm about to approach, but we will see what happens.

How game are you? Are you who I'm looking for?

Artist Spotlight: Gray Taylor

From life as a Jurassic Park Ranger to avid Godzilla fan; today we take a closer look at GZ artist, Gray Taylor.

Gray recently joined up to do artwork for GZ and he dove in head first, getting to know the characters and giving them some cool intricate looks. Some of what you see here are just beginning sketches, as he would say, but they speak volumes.

Gray is 21 and a student of Louisiana Tech where he is studying Communication (Graphic) Design. He is the son of multi-talented artist and actress Geri Givens-Taylor. (<LINK!) He's been drawing as long as he can remember. He's a geek fan after our own hearts with a love for Doctor Who, Godzilla, and superheroes. Not sure if it gets much better than that.

Sure it does.

Gray has a mind for design perks, or bells and whistles as he calls them. In the pictures you can see where he's added some serious coolness in design of characters. As we go, there will be a more distinguished look for the GZ universe. Here, check out Maestro and Maniac. (Gray's work is on the left)

I love the speaker grill in Gray's rendition of Maniac and the grin is way evil on Maestro.

Falconer and Sersi from Chessmen. He has them looking positively stoic.

Finally, King Falcon himself with awesome design technique on the bracers. I wish I had done them that way myself.

So, suffice to say, Gray is here to stay (unless he's kidnapped by ninja turtles) and we are glad to present this work. Be sure to stay tuned to Google+ postings and the Facebook page where there is an album for his art.

Stay true, heroes!

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.

Guest artists invited to Galaxy Zento

While I’m working on illustrations and writing, I want to make an invitation to you artists out there. I want to invite you to be a guest artist at Galaxy Zento. Here’s how you’re invited and what it includes.
You are invited to draw any of my characters in any format (except adult or rated x stuff). If you do, your work will be posted on the fan page and upcoming website and I may even include you in my blog. Your name will be posted and if I write about you in my blog and you have a website, I will include links. So, basically, it’s free advertising for your talents as an artist (or just for fun- you decide). You may also post your art at your website provided you state property of DJ Wilde/Galaxy Zento. I would also greatly appreciate you posting links to the fan page where ever you post my characters.
To have your work posted on the fanpage or website, you must email it to me at mrnycegy@gmail.com
That will change once the website is up.
If you want to be as character accurate as possible, just message me and I will give you any details you require, otherwise, HAVE FUN and let’s post some art!
Just remember that I cannot pay you. This is for interaction and you get publicity out of it as this grows.
Other requirements past copyright stuff: You must come and click LIKE on the Galaxy Zento fan page on Facebook. Wow, that’s not hard, right? You don’t have to add me on FB but it would be cool if you did. Also cool if you click on “follow” at the blog site, but also not so much necessary. Of course, if you do and spread it around, better chance someone will wind up reading about YOU.
Galaxy Zento and it’s characters are property of DJ Wilde (me) copyright 1987-2011

How it started

I loved drawing characters and monsters ever since I was a kid. I got in a lot of trouble in school for doodling instead of doing my class work. My hero fantasies were my escape in many ways from tough times.

While I attending Job Corps in the late 1980's out in Utah, a new idea for my characters came about. I decided to incorporate them into my own role playing game. I couldn't afford the cool Dungeons and Dragons books that others had. Beyond that, I was taught by my Godfather to make my own games. He felt my artistic abilities would be best utilized that way and he was right. I made all sorts of my own games as a child. Now I would make the biggest one I had ever made.

I had no idea what I was doing or getting myself into. I didn't know the first thing about designing character statistics. What I knew, was how to tell a story. In all the years of developing and playing my game (called Galaxy Wars back then) what my friends came around for most of all, were the stories. They were stories they got to take part in, but that was the key point to the game.

I was often criticized for not writing these stories rather than playing them out as a role playing game. They were right, I held myself back. Now the books are well under way and this will change. I still have bound copies of the game now called Galaxy Zento. We even took it to Gen Con. With some basic improvements it could be a great role player. But first, the novels. Those need to be done now.

So now I have so many characters and stories to share, that is why this blog is under way and the Facebook page I hope you all will follow. I will also be doing some spotlights in this blog with info you may see on the website once it launches... or not. Only by following along will you know.

Facebook fan page link -Hover your cursor before these words for a link that refuses to show.

Welcome to Galaxy Zento

Hello and welcome to my new blog and first post on my fantasy universe. This has been a long time coming. Zento means "the journey ahead" and I do hope you will join me for this wonderful and exciting journey.

Zento is a fantasy/hero/sci fi universe that boasts over 200 alien races and over 400 characters. I've been building on it and working on it since I was a kid. Now that books are being completed, I feel it's time to start sharing.

Not only am I the writer and creator of Zento, I'm the sole illustrator (for now) so all the pictures you will see right now are by me.

What you can expect upcoming: Information on the background of Zento that you won't see anywhere else; news on the upcoming website; sample chapters; artwork and even challenges directed right at you. Also coming up very soon will be the Facebook fan page. On that page you will see lots of artwork with names and a tidbit of info. You won't get the full bios on these characters until the website, but don't worry, I'll keep you posted!

As I circulate this, first I will send to friends and family and post on my Facebook page. I will also post this in a couple of interesting areas. I will put this in the autism groups that I am part of for two reasons. Reason one is that I have a mild form of autism. Reason two is that the Zento Universe will also support autism education. It's our way of giving back to a community that needs it. No, I'm not talking about money or donations. It's just what I stand for, therefore so does Galaxy Zento.

I will also post this on at least one Heroclix forum because I made custom heroclix of my characters for my own use (not to sell) and I hope to share those soon too.

So stay tuned! There's much more information to come on what Zento is and how it came to be. No doubt you will find it quite entertaining how a universe in a kids head came to this.