Original Webcomic Manga: The Iron Wizard

[Agent Elrond]

Welcome to TPM's Official The Iron Wizard Webcomic Manga Thread!

Hello there, this here is a "little" manga project I've been working on together with my brother (ralts_mudkip or Arofa Tamahn), for some time. So far we only have chapter one finished, but are over half done with chapter two.

Anyway, the links I'll be giving have [previous] and [next] link on each one, so you only have to click on the first one to read the whole thing. NOTE: If you are NOT a member of deviantART you will have to click on the image again once the page has loaded to see a bigger version. Thanks.

Now, on with the Show:

Intro Page

Pages 2 and 3

Pages 4 and 5

Pages 6 and 7

Pages 8 and 9

Pages 10 and 11

Pages 12 and 13

Pages 14 and 15

Pages 16 and 17

Pages 18 and 19

Page 20

And as a little bonus, here's a special Cover Picture for you guys.

I'll post links to more pages as they're put up, but if you are a member of deviantART you can keep tabs on our progress by adding our account to your devWATCH.

You can browse around and read more about the world of The Iron Wizard at our main dA site HERE.

Read, question, comment, all welcome! (Please keep critiques down to a minimum, we worked really, really hard on this and if something seems like it could be better, it probably will be in Chapter Two.

Chapter Three Estimated Post Date: September 22nd 2005

Thanks for reading!

Posting original manga in Other Anime and Manga approved by Dark-San, many thanks bro!

[Dark-San]

Sorry for me not appearing in the forum for such a long time. Lolz~ I'm like rushing 3 weeks of Continual Assessment and 3 projects that are due in 2 weeks all at one go. Besides that I still got my regimental duties in addition to the normal working hours in my army base. Man I've learn my lesson, this is the last time I am going to study part time again.

Hey at least facing on the brighter side, I still got my fair share of animes to watch. This week alone I caught up with all 4 movies of Inuyasha as well as my regular anime intakes from the 12 titles that I'm now currently downloading. I'm also thinking of purchasing Kenran Butoh Sai - Mars Daybreak DVD.

Oopz enough blabbering on my part! hehe... Hey sis, you have a nice manga there. Scar kind of remind me of Winry from Full Metal Alchemist. Both are mechanic wiz and both are taking care of a Cyber dog as a pet. It just bothers me that Scar has a scar right on her face. What happen to her face actually?

Besides that your plot is interesting too. And also original. Lands floating above the another land. Just like the anime Erementar Gerad, the setting that is. Man I like the part on the wizard being part machine part human. Totally rocks, I simply can't wait for the next chapter.

2 thumbs up! ^^

[Agent Elrond]

Hee hee, thanks very much! The idea of the floating island was actually inspired by something similar (only not) in Battle Angel Alita.

Yeah, I found fan pics of Winry after I had designed Scar, and I was like WTF she's like MY character! ...which is why I want to get familar with the FMA series. >.<

Uh, yeah... Scar's scar... well.... did your parents ever tell you not to run with sharp objects? Scar's forgot.... >.<; Oops.

Thanks very much, I'm glad you like it!


.... now, back to inking chapter two!

[EVme15]

Holy... have you ever tried to enter Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga thing? Because your art is way better than some of the stuff in there.
I'm being serious.

Anyway, I like the story. The whole "floating land" idea isn't exactly one-of-a-kind (I've seen it in Eden's Bowy for one) but it's certainly not used a lot. The characters seem interesting, and its fun to watch them clash. Their personalities seem completely different. I found it funny how Rucipher's like "I don't remember anything but [names a whole bunch of things about himself]... and that's it."

[Agent Elrond]

Yeah, Ruci and Scar are a good match. ^^

Oh yeah, the Rising Star contest, I remember looking at their website and it seemed cool, although their requirements and the copyright stuff they wanted seemed a bit stiff for me. (I couldn't be sure exactly what rights I would keep when entering a piece, and since obviously I put a lot of work into an entry I'd want to keep at least SOME of the rights and... yeah. I'll probably enter one of these days... ^^)

Oh yes, one of the reasons this comic looks so good is my bro's AWESOME shading he did on the computer. Gotta give him credit.

(When chapter two is done I may make HIM come on toTPM and post it. Even though he hasn't logged o forever. )

Thanks very much!

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Do keep us updated on the chapters that you plan on working on.

You know life in the office really sucks without your manga to entertain me. ^^

[Agent Elrond]

Yep yep! I'll be posting Chapter Two as soon as it's ready, dun' worry!

(Oh yeah, and I have ANOTHER manga, that I did all by myself, which should be ready to post at the beginning of August.... but you didn't see me type that. )

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] I know that. It's already one month past the datedue. >.<

About this race in which they are going to particpate, can you explain further? Any spoilers?

[Agent Elrond]

Woops! I put June in instead of July... fixed that... so:

The Iron Wizard: Part Two!

(This should answer most of your basic questions about Robbo Racing.)

Cover

Pages 2 and 3

Pages 4 and 5

Pages 6 and 7

Pages 8 and 9

Pages 10 and 11

Pages 12 and 13

Pages 14 and 15

Pages 16 and 17

Pages 18 and 19

Page 20

Next Chapter Post Date: August 18th 2005

Enjoy!

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Three cheers for sis for yet coming up with another brillant episode.

Talking about the manga, I love the part when Rucipher got in a bit of shock when Scar decides to ride on him. Brillant development on the story plot. However I just feel that you might have introduced the main bad guy a bit too early into the plot. I note that mostly in all new Japanese animes all the main bad guys were introduced either episode 3 or in mid way through the story.

Another comments is that you may want to add in a bit of romance. Yup Full Metal Alchemist, Full Metal Panic and Chrno Crusade, even if they are action animes, they still have the romance link. Like in Full Metal Alchemist's Wendy and Edward or Full Metal Panic's Sagara and Chidori. It is still not too late to introduce romance into the manga.

I might suggest a plot whereby somehow Rucipher might in a way looked or behave like Scar's former love interest. Maybe we can add to the plot that she lost her love interest due to some incident and hence that explains the scar on her face.

Well just some constructive comments that you may want to looked into. ^^

[Agent Elrond]

Thanks very much! And thanks very much for the concrits!

Some notes though: Whoever said that was the main bad-guy? ^^ Oh, and if you want to learn more about Scar's past love-life (or lack there-of) just hang on a bit 'til August 18th.

At this point in the story arc things are still expanding, and I'm only just starting to introduce the rest of the regular cast. As a matter of fact, I don't plan on anything being seen of the "main baddies" for several chapters.

Thanks for the ideas! And glad you like!

[EVme15]

So... he's like a rival-thing maybe? I dunno. I guess we'll see.

Its coming along nicely. I'm not going to recommend what you should add or shouldn't have done, since each story is different. Some don't need certain elements to be awesome, so what you use is up to you. Keep going and stuff.

By the way, Dark-san, I almost made the same error a while ago that you did. Check for quotation tags first. :p

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] My mistake. Me bad >.<"

Anywayz, my point here that the rival story plot is now a bit way too old. From the list of recent animes, the only rivalry that I've seen is love rivalry. The only anime that still continue with the challenge sort of rivalry is only Pokemon.

So it is up to Elrond sis whether she wants to go with the trend now or back to the basics.

[Razola]

It's quite a big project you have there, and I can say that I officially am tired of the word "Robbo".

[ralts_mudkip]

It's quite a big project you have there, and I can say that I officially am tired of the word "Robbo".

Heh, I don't blame you.

Besides, *giggle* we were both drunk when Æ came up with that, so I didn't have the presence of mind to object.

[Razola]

My biggest complaint of it is that it hits a personal annoyance I have with comics and animation. And that's the habit of overexplaining everything.

This is not to say you AREN'T supposed to explain everything, it's just lacking a subtle touch. Look at Star Wars, Cowboy Bebop, and other such works. They don't hit their audience over the head, "HEY WE'RE IN THE FUTURE, THIS IS HOW EVERYTHING WORKS." They drop off hints in an organic and natural fashion.

This why I hate shows like Pokemon and even Fullmetal Alchemist. The world is fucking ABSORBED in the gimmick. EVERYONE has something to do with Pokemon and God forbid something be happening in the world besides alchemy. I warn you now to minimize explanations and avoid getting all hyped up on the "cyborg" issues. Did you need mechanical animals? We have a cyborg man, and we have the other character's reactions. Use the writing to toss out hints if cyborgs and robots are unique or not to the world. Do not spend 50 pages of bullshit about robotic animals and damn "Robbo Races". That's just lazy fluff posing as a substitute for good writing.

Now this is just me, so don't get too worried about it. It's a REALLY large issue for me, whereas others might find your content adequate. Consider it food for thought.

EDIT: Scar's gender is still a mystery to me:

[Agent Elrond]

*munches thoughtfully*

I know, plot exposition is really, really, and I mean, REALLY hard. Because you don't know exactly how much the reader wants, how much the reader can take, and most of all, how much the reader is understanding.

Of course, if it's the subject matter, if you don't like the word Robbo, I suggest you go find yourself a less mechanical story. You know, there's really nothing I can do about it.

The Iron Wizard is a big story. There are lots of threads to it, and I can assure you it will not be cyborg centric. (I can never keep myself interested in such a single streamed idiom.) Of course, cyborgs, and cyborg nature will always be very important, since that is, after all, what Rucipher IS.

If you're getting worried, please calm down. Yes, the story does start off with a lot of robotic works, but let me remind you of something: this is not a future world. This is a fantasy world; there is magic here too.

Finally, here's some food for thought for you:

Do you know who Rucipher is? Have you lived with him inside your head for the past two months? Do you know what this world is? Do you have any idea what's going to happen... at all? Do you know what it's like to try and write one of these things yourself?

You've only read two chapters. Two chapters is nothing.

You have no idea what this story will be like. You can't imagine what's going to happen.

I can.

Because I'm the one writing this.

I'll take your warnings to heart, but let me say this; in the end, this story comes out of my heart. And if I'm not true to that, no story will come out at all.

Whatever I do, I do because I feel it needs to be done. I'm honest with myself. I'll try to make it as fun, as satisfying, and as enjoyable as I can. But as with any writer, I can't write to please other people. I have to write to please myself, and hopefully others will enjoy it as well.

If you really don't like it, no one's forcing you to read this. No one's paying me to write it, anyway.

Of course, if you stop reading, you'll have no idea what you're missing.

Chapter Three is on schedule to be posted this Thursday! (The 18th.)

PS: I'm afraid you'll just have to figure Scar's gender out for yourself. She's not as confusing as Tsubasa Kurenai I can assure you!

[Razola]

I know, plot exposition is really, really, and I mean, REALLY hard. Because you don't know exactly how much the reader wants, how much the reader can take, and most of all, how much the reader is understanding.

Like I said, don't take my comments too seriously. I'm only one person.

Of course, if it's the subject matter, if you don't like the word Robbo, I suggest you go find yourself a less mechanical story. You know, there's really nothing I can do about it.

My problem is not the word "Robbo", it's the fact that you seem to being gett enthralled with the concept. Everything is robotic and you feel compelled to share every detail of the world. To me this feels forced and therefore hurts the overall feel of the story.

The Iron Wizard is a big story. There are lots of threads to it, and I can assure you it will not be cyborg centric. (I can never keep myself interested in such a single streamed idiom.) Of course, cyborgs, and cyborg nature will always be very important, since that is, after all, what Rucipher IS.

Let me clarify, so I don't come off the wrong way: it is not the cybernetics that bother me, it is how they are handled.. I realize the story is young, which is why I posed my comments as a warning. I do not want everything in the world to revolve around cyborgs and every concept you create explained to me. It makes the story feel...simplified and the dialouge unnatural.

If you're getting worried, please calm down. Yes, the story does start off with a lot of robotic works, but let me remind you of something: this is not a future world. This is a fantasy world; there is magic here too.

Trust me: I'm not losing sleep over it. It's just constructive criticism. I

Do you know who Rucipher is? Have you lived with him inside your head for the past two months? Do you know what this world is? Do you have any idea what's going to happen... at all? Do you know what it's like to try and write one of these things yourself?

First off, do not try the "I want to see you do something better!" argument. That's arguing from authority. I'm an english minor: I've had to write several poems, short stories and other wonderful projects. I understand that fiction is by no means an easy process. That does not make you immune to criticism. So don't pull that one on me.

Secondly: no I don't know the world. My entire point is here is HOW you reveal the world. Subtle hints and whatnot are much better than dedicating pages to explaining one event. Did Han Solo sit down and explain a Kessel Run? No, but we still understood what he meant when he made the boast. Did Anakin explain a podrace to us all? Negative. I realize your race is a bit more complicated (and your main character needs it explained to himself as well), but I feel it's current presentation was fluffy.

You've only read two chapters. Two chapters is nothing.

I wish to state again that it was a warning. I'm by no means calling the project a failure.

You have no idea what this story will be like. You can't imagine what's going to happen.

What happens in the story is different from how you tell it. Again: the complaint is about execution, not content.

I can.

This leads to the exciting potential of improv authors.

Because I'm the one writing this.

See, this is what I mean by over-explaining. In other words: no shit Sherlock. While we're playing Captain Obvious: I read your work. I post on a forum. I breathe air. The sky is blue!

I'll take your warnings to heart, but let me say this; in the end, this story comes out of my heart. And if I'm not true to that, no story will come out at all.

While I am glad to hear that, do not react so negatively to criticism. I don't you to get all dramatic about you work's origin, I'm just trying to offer some comments and perspective.

Whatever I do, I do because I feel it needs to be done. I'm honest with myself. I'll try to make it as fun, as satisfying, and as enjoyable as I can. But as with any writer, I can't write to please other people. I have to write to please myself, and hopefully others will enjoy it as well.

If you are not going to heed the comments of others (to a degree), then please do not publish your work. Keep it to yourself and close personal friends.

If you really don't like it, no one's forcing you to read this. No one's paying me to write it, anyway.

You need to chill. Just because I'm concerned about the direction the style is going in does not mean I want to come to your house and burn your harddrive. If you wish, I can use a smiley to establish proper tone: See? I am happy...with sunglasses.

I will say I wish I could draw half as good as you.

[Agent Elrond]

Aw shucks. Well, Im glad you like the drawings at least.

And I'm glad (I think) that you feel the story is good enough to make it better. Ya know, it's not one of those "Ah it's flawed but who cares it's a throwaway thingy" ... things.. yeah.

Hum tee tum... Oh yes, one last thing: Ever heard of Ursula K. LeGuin? JRR Tolkien? They wrote for themselves. To please themselves.

Aren't you glad they published their stuff? I sure as hell am.

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] 'lax Raz.

Elrond is only into her second chapter and you are already too rough on her. Let her continue with her story plot until the time is ripe for us to scrutinized it into details.

Afterall anime critics (You sounded like one ) usually comment on the manga when the publication of the manga is done halfway. So let us see what her manga can offered further.

Anyway sis, today is the 18th! Where is Chapter 3?

[ralts_mudkip]

Thanks Dark-san. *whew*

*Ahem*, now then, here's chapter three for you guys.

Cover

Pages 02 - 03

Pages 04 - 05

Pages 06 - 07

Pages 08 - 09

Pages 10 - 11

Pages 12 - 13

Pages 14 - 15

Pages 16 - 17

Pages 18 - 19

Last Page

Okay, I hope all the links work. Next chapter will be posted on September 22nd assuming there aren't any unexpected delays.

Have fun!

[EVme15]

... Member sn mix-up? Oh well...

I found some portions of this rather amusing. And... um... I can't think of much else to say, but I have no problem with your storytelling style. ^^

[Razola]

[b][size=3] 'lax Raz.

Elrond is only into her second chapter and you are already too rough on her.

Do your job read and actually read my post. Just because it is long and full of words doesn't mean it's angry in tone. I'm sorry if you come from the land of Sugarcane where criticism is a foreign idea, but in the real world we are mature enough to handle that thing without freaking out.

I think YOU TWO need to relax.

EDIT:

Hum tee tum... Oh yes, one last thing: Ever heard of Ursula K. LeGuin? JRR Tolkien? They wrote for themselves. To please themselves.

Did they get defensive when people criticized their work?
You can write for yourself, but once it is out in the public domain do not be surprised or get hostile when criticism is raised. That was your active decision.

[Dark-San]

... Member sn mix-up? Oh well...

[b][size=3] Nopez, read the first post of this topic! It's her brother's account.

I'm sorry if you come from the land of Sugarcane where criticism is a foreign idea, but in the real world we are mature enough to handle that thing without freaking out.

[b][size=3] Sugarcane isn't my kind of sweetness and criticisms are a lot from where I come from. I meant you are not giving the manga any chances to develop. It's just like even before the baby gets to say 'mommy', you are already demanding it to read out the letters in the alphabet. 0.o"

Oh and btw, what about halfings? Is there any logical explanation that with pure human with more flesh can perform better magic?

[Agent Elrond]

Raz: I sent you a PM explaning myself and my reactions. If they annoy you in anyway I'm afraid that's your problem.

EVme: Yup, Ralts_mudkip is my little brother, AKA Arofa Tamahn on most other message boards. He is responsible for all the awesome shading jobs you see.

Dark-San: *grins* A "Halfling" is an extremely rude thing to call a cyborg. Kinda like "Mudblood" or "nigger." The idea with them being half strength spiritually is that, while they may hold the same amount of spiritual power as "real" humans, they cannot channel it as well through their metalic limbs as through living flesh. However, this little detail is often lost upon the masses, who simply find that "can't channel magic" = "no spiritual strength" = "weak halflings."

(As you may guess, Scar has given Rucipher a nifty way to get around this handicap: i.e. a special magic conducting arm.)

[tsugi]

hmmm, interesting comic, i'll check it out more later.

[Agent Elrond]

Chapter four is now posted! Enjoy.

Cover

Pages 02 and 03

Pages 04 and 05

Pages 06 and 07

Pages 08 and 09

Pages 10 and 11

Pages 12 and 13

Pages 14 and 15

Pages 16 and 17

Pages 18 and 19

Page 20

Chapter five is to be posted on October 20th! Look forward to it!

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Saw chapter 4. No comments, however I am very surprise on why Cyborgs could only touched the robots and not the humans? Is this rule has something to do with the later episodes?

[Agent Elrond]

That is a a so called "safety net" rule. Since Cyborgs and mechs (and so on) are more sturdy than humans. Before that rule was introduced human injuries were very high, and casualties not uncommon. (Aside from that, it will come into play in the next chapter.)

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] I'm so looking forward to Rucipher kicking that low life Jack's ass. Sad case. =(

It looks like I would have to wait for future episodes to see that happen! For now, I will do fine with Scar's kick to his face.

[Agent Elrond]

OKAY!!!!!! I'M LAAAAATE I KNOW!!!!

But, better late than never.... RIGHT?

So here it is... CHAPTER FIVE:

Cover

Pages 2 and 3

Pages 4 and 5

Pages 6 and 7

Pages 8 and 9

Pages 10 and 11

Pages 12 and 13

Pages 14 and 15

Pages 16 and 17

Pages 18 and 19

Page 20

And as a special bonus:

Happy Halloween TIW style!

Enjoy that one for now — Chapter Six will be posted Thursday, November 17th 2005, Æ's memory permitting. ^^;

[EVme15]

I love Scar's expression on page 19 XD

Well, this is certainly interesting. I look forward to seeing how the whole race turns out. ^^

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] You are late by 2 days. I was waiting for it to be up while being cooped up in the place where I was deployed at.

I saw the manga and it makes me wonder. What on earth is the dub? Are they some sort of underwater- activated bombs?

Now that Rucipher and Jack somehow stuck and they both fell into the dub. I wonder what is going to happen next.

[Agent Elrond]

Ah, sorry about that Dark-san! *begs forgiveness*

The idea with "duds" is that they are specially altered platforms that, when put under pressure, release an explosion of pressurized water, causing whoever triggered them to be thrown up into the air and subsequently lose a lot of time. These duds are fairly able to avoid, however, and the only precaution you need to take is to know the course.

On pro circuits of course there is a variation of this obstacle wherein the duds look exactly like the non-duds, and furthermore and rearranged before each race — this tests the racers luck, as well as their ability to recover from misfortune.

But I talk to much! Glad ya'll enjoyed the chapter!

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] XD

You are forgiven for answering my questions...

Hey sis, one more question regarding the Happy Halloween TIW style. Is it just a picture cover or is there a short manga to it?

[Agent Elrond]

Hehe, sorry, just one picture!

(I know, seems like there's a story behind that... Rucipher and Scar's Halloween Party... o.O;; )

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Your halloween special makes me happy for a short while. I was hoping for a special manga...

[Agent Elrond]

Okaaaay! Here we go with Chapter Six! Would have posted it ealier but my connection ws being slow for some reason. ¬.¬

Cover

Pages 2 and 3

Pages 4 and 5

Pages 6 and 7

Pages 8 and 9

Pages 10 and 11

Pages 12 and 13

Pages 14 and 15

Pages 16 and 17

Pages 18 and 19

Page 20

Chapter Seven to be posted December 15th! Look forward to it!

[EVme15]

Oooo... interesting...

I like the way you presented the memory. Didn't seem like it revealed too much, but there was quite enough to grab my interest.

Can't wait for the next chapter now!

[Dark-San]

[b][size=3] Just asking sis! Have the real bad guy appeared or do we still have to wait for more chapters? A spoiler for this would be nice! :p

Another nice is that I do find some similarites in the mask. Which reminds me! Lately there are quite of masked villians the animes these days. First we have the mysterious masked villian from Gundam series, then those from the Chess no Koma of MAR and lastly the hollows from bleach.

Speaking of which the mask is quite unqiue especially of the cirular pattern on the forehead of the mask. Maybe we should recommend the pattern to the producers of naruto. So that they could come out with another more hidden village Shinobi.