Red Light Bytes: 4-21-2023
Overview
This week’s been a little slower, but certainly productive. Work has moved ahead on all fronts, and considering how I’m not water-logged with releases and announcements this go-round, expect a little Streetwise Caviar with your weekly briefing. Let’s roll!
Updates
WRITING! - Progress has been made on all stories for forthcoming Issue 5, and all exclusives therein, including the first installment of our brand-new serial Steeled Spies!
FOR ONE WEEK ONLY! - We will sharing the first full story starring secret agent Roger Steele, originally released in our 2022 Annual Collection. “Lions Among the Lambs” sets up everything you need to know before the start of the serial, but isn’t truly necessary to diving in.
MUSIC! - Mixing and overdub work continues on “Wolves of Steel,” as well as the composing of a special intro for the track. We aim for a May launch, but we’ll keep those details close to our chest for the time being.
ART! - Work on “The Avenger’s Creed” rolls on, as well as pre-production on Issue 5’s round of exciting artwork to compliment the action and drama of the written word.
Supporting the Force!
Here are all the awesome ways you can help us out and keep us rolling in the fight for quality independent entertainment:
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The 2022 Annual Collection - Collect all 24 of last year’s electric tales and a bonus 25th exclusive to this special print collection.
Alan Firedale: Original Soundtrack Vol. 1 - Dig into the wild world of a young loner and his magnificent machine with this half-hour blend of vintage electronica and classic orchestral radio scoring. Buyers get THREE FREE MONTHS of 365 Infantry’s paid membership.
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Donate via Ko-fi - Our goal is to raise $900 USD to cover all basic production costs for the rest of 2023. This includes three issues worth of art. We have raised $100 of our goal, with $800 left to go!
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Streetwise Caviar
Today, it’s time to crack open File 0-37, and talk about television’s original comic strip, courtesy of a genuine artist and an animation studio like no other.
From American legends Hanna-Barbera and comic journeyman Doug Wildey came a half-hour cartoon unlike any other on the air. While some point to Cambria Productions and their “Synchro-Vox” cartoons as having spearheaded this particular breed of action show (Wildey himself having worked under the great Alex Toth on sci-fi serial Space Angel), it was only when the peerless and determined vision of Wildey was teamed with the resources and powerhouse work-ethic of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera that a forthright animated action show like Jonny Quest could come to fruition.
The sci-fi adventure series centered on sharp 10-year-old Jonathan Quest, his adoptive brother Hadji, father and polymath scientist Dr. Benton Quest, and their government-assigned bodyguard “Race” Bannon. The quartet (with pet pup Bandit in tow) travelled the world solving mysteries and getting into trouble everywhere they landed, often forced to contend with many a greedy and dastardly villain along the way.
I’m three episodes in and having a blast. The kind of tight pacing and endearing character dynamics I strive for thrive in this show, loaded with heart, humor, and hardware, all with a blend of expressionist style and realistic character design. Not to mention those legendary scores by composer Hoyt Curtin, who pulls off the hottest jazz this side of Peter Gunn or Johnny Staccato to ever grace small screen speakers.
Jonny Quest is a one-of-a-kind show that stands tall and proud alongside the white-hot actioners of its day, a series I can comfortably watch back-to-back with the works of, say, Gerry Anderson. But more on that fellow next week…
I picked up this H-B classic on blu-ray from Warner Archives and I encourage any self-respecting aficionado of fine action entertainment to do the same. These prints are jaw-droppingly beautiful, highlighting the blend of graphic-style backgrounds, detailed characters, and shadowy lighting design.
The Byte of the Week
This week’s story also concerns a fellow named Jon, though he isn’t young, he isn’t athletic, and he can’t seem to find the bright side of life anywhere he looks. And when left in the dark, seeks his own light of truth, but at a cost.
“Acc Vult” is the tale of one wolf’s extremity revealing unto him a world unseen, and knocking over the first domino in a row that will stretch on into infinity. A cyberpunk suicide note where the end is truly the beginning.
Read on to watch the first piece fall…
May God Bless You and this Force. Until next time!