Nick Davis's Blog, page 63

End of the Beginning – Chapter Two from Nevermore, Book Three of the Tether Saga

Chapter Two – End of the Beginning

The Shade stepped around the chair making an eerie creaking noise rubbing his neck; he was dressed in a black suit buttoned high across his chest with a high collar gray shirt that must have been white at one point and a black neck tie. His skin was gray in color and pulled gaunt all over his face, his hair still black and mustache was still as thick as day he died sat just above his top lip.

“Edgar Allan Poe at your service.” said Edgar bowing awkwardly. “Please excuse the mes, it so much harder getting help these days… Now I am complete may I ask why do you insist in keeping you’re Demon loose in here?”

“My Demon?” said Sarah confused.

“Yes you’re Guardian,” said Edgar.

“Oh, he’s not a Demon, I think he is more like an Angel,” said Sarah looking at Paul standing silently next to her.

“You would be surprised how fine the line is between Angel and Demon Sarah,” said Edgar. “Did he ever tell you he was one of the fallen?”

“What do you mean he is one of the fallen?” said Sarah completely baffled by Poe’s remark. “Actually what do you mean fallen?”

“Well, to be fair to your Guardian he is only a Nephlim,” said Edgar playing with his neck tie as he tutted. “Dearie me, where did I put that mirror… Are these ties even in style anymore?”

“Huh, no… I don’t know,” said Sarah annoyed. “Neph… What? What are these fallen?”

“Ahh here it is,” said Edgar pulling a cloth off an old upright mirror and looking at himself in it. “Hrmm… Not looking too bad, of course it helps that I only use this body when I have company, which means less wear and tear. What do you think?”

Sarah look over at Edgar catching a reflection of herself in the mirror, she had completely forgotten she was still wearing her monster hunting outfit and the leather jacket she was wearing over the top of it looked very tattered, still showing signs of her fight with Solomon earlier on that evening. Almost unconsciously she found herself straightening her dark hair, brushing it out of her blue eyes and tying it back into a pony tail before glimpsing the Tether on her wrist made her stop, “Look you… Look great someone who’s been dead for over a hundred and fifty years. Could you please tell me what you mean by the fallen and what that has to do with Paul?”

“Oh… I am sorry Sarah it is most impolite to show impatience when you’re a guest in someone’s home. Have times changed so much?” said Edgar testily as he finished straightening his tie. “I have let you bring your Demon in here so a moment of your indulgence is to be expected.”

“I keep telling you Paul is not a Demon,” said Sarah looking over at Paul who was standing passively by the room’s fireplace. Even in the flickering light of the fire illuminating the room she could still see the wounds knot together across Paul’s body and once again she found herself thinking he really was quite nice to look at.

“Sarah, I can tell from your appearance that you’ve used the Tether and discovered that there are creatures in shadows around us that do more than just go bump. So you must have commanded him and his cohort to act on your behalf… Say where is the other one? Not that I miss him as he always chilled me to the bone…. Like he was death personified.

Edgar paused and walked over to Paul looking the guardian up and down, in turn Paul took a step back his hand on his sword, “See even now he is only restrained because you’ve told him too. Every instinct in his body is telling him to kill me. That I am unnatural and should not be of this earth, but he won’t act unless you tell him too. He has no moral compass, no independent thought left in him. A puppet for whomever can claim that infernal Tether for themselves, the poor bastard… A deadly unrelenting force, it is a miracle itself that so many good people have found the device. Where is the other one?”

“Long story,” said Sarah quickly not wanting to relive the painful memories of the possessed Zachari, “So you’re telling me I could get Paul to do anything?”

“Yes, I am sure you’ve noticed this fact for yourself and don’t need me to tell you this.” said Edgar brush dust off the sleeves of his jacket, “Dearie me I gather so much dust sitting still.”

“I have, but I think there is lot more going on in Paul’s head than he lets me know.”

“You’re quite right Sarah, these… These Guardians are quite unnerving… There that is better.” Edgar smiled straightening his jacket in the mirror.

“How do you know about them? I mean you mentioned being a Tether Keeper yourself, do you know how to remove it?” said Sarah picking at the dark beads. Could Edgar help her to finally get rid of this device?

Edgar laughed, “My dear young lady I awoke from a drunken stupor to find the damned thing attached to me.”

“But you have used it?”

“Yes, it opened a number of horrors to me that I felt compelled to fight for the greater good. Quite, quite haunting as I am sure you’ve found for yourself, even with the help of the bottle I could not drown some of my memories of those dark days,” said Edgar looking a little rattled. “Are you sure you don’t have anything to drink I would even settle for one of those vodka mixes that passes for drinks to you children.”

“I don’t have anything Edgar, so how did you lose the Tether?”

“Ahh… A young southern gentleman sort me out and became a great friend after the death of dear Virginia… He was the epitome of a scholar and a gentlemen. He had a huge knowledge of the creatures we faced, always making notes in a book. He claimed to have learned how to separate me from that infernal device without me having to die first. After one distressing episode facing those nightmarish creatures I begged him to remove it and to my eternal damnation he did.”

“Do you remember the words he used?” said Sarah feeling a burst of hope.

“I am sorry child I do not, I am afraid I was hopelessly drunk by the time he removed it, in actually fact I do not remember much of those last few days,” said Edgar sitting back down on one of the leather chairs and looking into the roaring fireplace. “Had I known I would walk in the undeath I would have never of left the Tether voluntarily.”

Sarah sat down a horrific thought ran through her head, “You mean the only reason you still live is because of the Tether?”

“It appears young lady that the Tether’s hold on you goes beyond death itself,” said Edgar. “And for that reason alone I am very sorry that blasted device has fallen to you.”

“Yes…” said Sarah looking into the fire. “I am sorry too, but I cannot keep feeling sorry for myself. Too many people have been hurt because me. Please Edgar…  Lamaria told me you can help me. If you don’t know how to remove the Tether can you at least tell me what you mean by calling Paul a fallen?”

Edgar sighed, his teeth clucked against each other and skin flaked off the back of his neck as he scratched. “This body is starting to stiffen up again, you will have to excuse me first I have to change again, could you please avert your gaze? It most rude that your stare like that when a gentleman is changing.”

Sarah looked the other way and felt a sucking sensation around the room, when she looked back at the Edgar she saw his body, gray and empty sitting in the leather back chair. Standing by him was the black humanoid shape of the Shade fussing over his body, “There… My… My I keep forgetting how confining that can be.”

“Edgar?”

“Yes?”

“You were going to tell me why you keep calling Paul a fallen, what does that mean?”

Edgar floated around the chair and the room before settling back by his body at the fireplace, “To be fair to Paul and that other bastard they aren’t really one of the fallen in the biblical sense. They were born of a mortal woman and a celestial being or whatever nonsense you wish to call it. Banished from the light and doomed to walk the earth until the end of times, to be nevermore.”

“You’re telling me that Paul really is an Angel?”

“Yes… No… He is complicated and I don’t know what he really is or how he came to be,” said the Shade hovering around Paul, who was looking increasingly annoyed at the Shade’s close presence.

“Tether?” said Paul glaring at Edgar’s Shade in front of him.

“It’s okay Paul,” said Sarah. “You are kidding me, right Edgar?”

“No Sarah,” said the Shade seriously. “He is a proof that there is something else out there beyond our world. Proof of something that is greater than us and you cannot tell me you doubt that too.”

“No, you’re right, I’ve seen too much with my own eyes to doubt that there is something out there, but Paul an actually Angel?” said Sarah.

“Why not?” said Edgar.

“I guess it would make some sense,” said Sarah chewing her lip. “But how do I find out what he really is?”

“Well you could ask him, but I found these Guardians are really complete blanks for any sort of conversation. I know from experience they are here for a purpose and that Paul and the other one were linked to that Tether for good or ill.”

“Salvation?” said Sarah staring at Paul.

“I’m sorry Sarah, what was that?”

“Salvation, it was something Paul said before,” said Sarah looking at the Tether, pulling at the dark beads. “Maybe it’s a quest for redemption for there are none good.”

To be continued…

See you at Baltimore Comic Con 2013 on September 7 & 8 at Artist Alley Booth A45 #bcc2013

The march on Baltimore Comic Con begins… This year I will attending the event at Artist Alley Booth A45, just look for the Teddy Bear Tale Banner and of course Tristan the Defenders Teddy Bear – check out the map for directions.

This year I am bringing a show exclusive, a preview Issue Zero of Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders Comic. Plus all the Alt World books which includes the illustrated story A Teddy Bear Tale I & II, the paranormal action adventure The Tether Saga, the unique graphic novel prose/comic book story of Fabula Zero, the original all-ages fairy tales The Wonder Tales and the illustrated Wonder Tale – The Daughter of Frost.

The entire range of Alt World books

Plus I will be bringing the Cuddly Sketch Cards, Superhero Prints, Postcards and the Cuddly Avengers prints and plethora of original art for sale. I might even be persuaded to do an in store commission or two.

And if this isn’t enough… I will be bringing the plushy versions of Tristan & Wilma including the Pocket Sized Defender Bear and… I will be joined by Charmingly Geeky the handmade jewellery of all your favorite characters from Doctor Who to the Avengers. We are going to have a lot going on for this weekend so stop by!!!

The SDCC Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer has leaked online… You will pop and Marvel at Rocket Raccoon

I’ve been looking online ever since I heard that the SDCC panel for the Marvel Movies Guardians of the Galaxy they had an exclusive trailer. Well, I found it and you can view it after the jump and fans of Rocket Raccoon you are going to pop!

You can also find the Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer here on Heronuggets.com The Guardian of the Galaxy Trailer – click through while you can I am sure it wont be there for long!

The Journey Ends with the Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith now a Cuddly Doctor Who Sketch Card

The Eleventh Doctor by Nick Davis

About two weeks ago I started my whovian quest to draw all eleven Doctor’s from Doctor Who, and now I am at my journey’s end.  The Eleventh Doctor played by Matt Smith in the 2010 Doctor Who TV Series.  This Doctor was much more confrontational than his last incarnation, a quick-tempered but compassionate man whose youthful appearance is at odds with his more discerning and world-weary temperament. In many ways he shared a lot of characteristics with the second Doctor.

Although the Doctor puts on a façade of cheerful arrogance, he secretly believes himself to be a bad person and often displays self-loathing for the things he has done throughout his life. The Eleventh Cuddly Doctor completes my journey this Cuddly Sketch Card was finished in black ink, charcoal and watercolors pencils.

A special preview peek at a special Baltimore Con Exclusive – Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders Issue Zero

The Baltimore Comic Con is almost right around the corner, this event is our homecoming event and has a very special place in our calendar. This year I am bringing along an event exclusive; I am taking the pages of Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders that is completed and putting together a special preview Issue Zero for this event. After the jump is a sneak peek at the first six pages of comic book see you at Baltimore Comic Con.

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For my Kickstarter Backers – this collectible issue zero will be included as a special FREE bonus for anyone who backed the campaign.

The Tenth Doctor David Tennant is now a Doctor Who Cuddly Sketch Card

The Tenth Doctor by Nick Davis

The Tenth Doctor played by Davis Tennant in the 2005 Doctor Who TV series on BBC. The Tenth Doctor was generally a lot less grim than his last incarnation and displayed a light-hearted, talkative, easy-going, witty and cheeky manner, but repeatedly demonstrates a vengeful and unforgiving streak as well.

This Doctor acknowledges that he is less merciful than he used to be and has stuck to his “one warning” code, punishing his enemies if they persist in their hostilities. The Tenth Cuddly Doctor was finished in black ink and watercolor pencil.

Moving into the modern era of Doctor Who with the Ninth Doctor Chris Eccleston as a Cuddly Sketch Card

The Ninth Doctor by Nick Davis

The modern era or the revival of Doctor Who began in the 2005 series, the Ninth Doctor was played by Christopher Eccleston and this Doctor ran the full gambit of all his popular enemies. Although we only had the Ninth for twelve episodes, we saw the rebirth of Doctor Who and the term Whovian was re-coined.

This new Doctor was darker the last remaining Time Lord; he carried a survivor’s guilt having been responsible for the destruction of his own race and the Darleks during the Time War. The Ninth Cuddly Doctor was finished in black ink and watercolor pencils.

Sneak peek of an action packed page from Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders Comic Book

A page from Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders. Art by Dan Nokes. Story by Nick Davis

As the layout of the first comic strip story in the Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders is complete I thought it would be fun to offer a sneak peek at an action packed page from this upcoming book… Enjoy

The Eighth Doctor Paul McGann from the Doctor Who TV Movie and now Cuddly Sketch Card

The Eighth Doctor by Nick Davis

We are getting close to what is considered the modern era Doctor’s with the illustration for the Eighth Doctor played by Paul McGann in the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie. This movie was intended to revive the Doctor for new audience by making him a little more human and more of an action hero. What happened was a little bit of a mess that left many fans a bit cold, and while the movie was intended to be a pilot for Fox, we can at least thank our stars that it wasn’t picked up.

After the movie the Eighth Doctor holds the distinction of his adventures are extensively portrayed in other media such as audio dramas and books. It was this Doctor that took part in the final days of the Time War. The Eighty Cuddly Doctor is finished in black ink and watercolor pencil.

The Fire – Chapter One from Nevermore, Book Three of the Tether Saga

Chapter One – The Fire

Tom pulled on his beaten up brown leather jacket over his worn black t-shirt with the white boxing glove graphic and looked out of the window. Even from his very limited view he could see the orange flicking glow of the fire reflected in the windows of the houses all down the narrow lane of Princes Street. The row homes huddled together glowing an eerie hellish brick-red as the fire grew in its intensity. He knew he couldn’t stand by and do nothing, there had to be people trapped within because there is always people trapped inside burning houses and the Fire Department would arrive too late to help.

 

Luckily he had the power to help, he had the Gauntlet an artifact of great power hurriedly placed in his charge by his Vigilie when his Custodiet Chapter disintegrated as the SAS stormed the complex. Tom liked to refer to those days as the dark days of his origin story.  Why he a lowly Auxilia clerk would be given this device, he did not know. Somehow his Vigilie must have found out that only he could bond with the artifact and in the chaos of the evacuation choose him to safe guard it. At first he tried to ignore the black case, but over time it gnawed at him until finally he broke the wax seals that bound the case shut and placed the Gauntlet onto this hand. It was like it was made for him, the confidence and power it bestowed upon his rotund frame was intoxicating. The Gauntlet over the last two months had allowed him to live out his superhero fantasies; he was Captain Avenger fighting against Doctor Dark and his Ninja minions. Every night he would go out and patrol his city righting wrongs and doing right. Even the local paper had started to call him the Gauntlet, as his often extremely violent vigilante antics made the local news, although he would rather they call him Captain Gauntlet; after all he made great pains in announcing himself to the villains he faced. All he needed was nationwide coverage and he could get his merchandising deal, maybe even a reality show. It was only a matter of time now and he was googling himself every night to see if Captain Gauntlet fever was catching on.

Tom ran his hands over the case and he was already breathing heavy; the case was warm to his touch and the Gauntlet was calling to him. He grinned at his reflection in the mirror as he pulled it on and donned his cowl with the stylized fist icon. His blue eyes looking back at him burned with an inner light, he could feel the power flow through him as the dark gem set into the hand seemed to pulse. He felt invincible,  “Time to Punch!” he shouted before leaving his house via the backdoor, it was hero time.

Panting he worked his way through the back alley and entered his street from the far end. He knew from his intimate knowledge of superhero comics that he didn’t want to give his Neighbors a clue who he really was and misdirection was the best way for a hero to keep their identity secret. As he ran towards the blaze he could feel the heat a crowd was already gathered and were just standing around not knowing what to do. Some of them were already pointing at him and he was certain he caught a glimpse of a camera phone.

“Never fear good citizen’s! Captain Punch is here!” he pulled his best heroic pose and do not fear grin.

Tom then took a deep breath trusting the Gauntlet would protect him from harm and ran headlong into the inferno to the collective gasp of all the onlookers.

He felt a flash of heat and then everything turned blue; the air around him cooled down and the flames danced around him. Frantically he looked around the downstairs rooms, the fire wasn’t as intense here yet but the rooms where filling up with smoke. Tom stepped out of the kitchen to work his way upstairs as part of the back bedroom fell through the ceiling. He had to hurry as the entire building was in danger of collapsing – he could feel another presence in the house and he had to rescue them from the inferno.

Tom made his way up the flame covered stairs, it did feel very surreal walking through the fire and not feeling any heat and stepped out onto the landing. The entire upstairs was a blazing  inferno and he couldn’t see who could still be alive up here.

“We are very glad you could make it.”

The voice sounded like two people speaking at once slightly out of sync with each other. Startled Tom span around to see a lanky man in a dirty brown long coat and unkempt straggly hair standing in front of him. The man’s eyes were wide and his face was bent to one side with a nervous tic as if he was struggling to contain something. He didn’t seem to be affected by the fire at all.

“Come on,” said Tom stepping towards him. “I’ve got to get you out of here before this place collapses.”

“Yes you are here to save us…” said the man quietly his tick disappearing. “Ledo is ferreus in vultus…”

Tom felt like a wall hit him and he staggered back, “Wha… What was that?”

“Nothing you should concern yourself about,” said the Man grinning lopsidedly before gesturing towards him.

“Ledo is ferreus in vultus…”

This time Tom was knocked flat onto his back and he felt winded, it was like huge hand had slapped him across the face. Puzzled he tried to stand up finding that he couldn’t and he started to feel the heat of the flames. The lanky man scampered towards him before sitting down on his chest and pulled at the Gauntlet, “I believe this is ours.”

With a sucking sound the artifact was removed from Tom’s hand and instantly he could feel the intense heat shearing at his flesh and he started to whimper. The man pulled his face close to Tom’s, “Your foolish antics saved us weeks of divination, we thank you.”

“Plea… Please help me,” whimpered Tom his body burning.

“No, we don’t think so,” said the man standing up putting the Gauntlet on his hand fastening it to a matching vambrace that also was decorated with a dark gem.

“What are you?” croaked Tom looking up into the man’s soulless eyes.”

“A new beginning Tom, a new beginning…” said the man as he dissolved into thin air.