The Red Star
Encyclopedia
The Red Star is a comic book
series by Christian Gossett set in a sci-fi/fantasy
world described by Gossett as "Mythic [Soviet] Russia". The "Lands of The Red Star" were inspired by both Russian folklore and military history. The series is thus heavily reminiscent of a post-World War II
Soviet Russia mixing technology
and sorcery
.
The 'United Republics of the Red Star', often simply called the 'State' in the comic, are shown to be coterminous with the historical Soviet Union
in a map at the beginning of the first issue. The main enemy of the first novels, Al'Istaan, is a stand-in for historical Afghanistan
and occupies a similar area of the map.
However, the ancient protector of the Nistaani, Kar Dathra the Immortal, appears, and powered by the mystical energies of his thousands of dying followers - manages to destroy almost the whole of the Red Fleet.
The further three of the first four issues deal mainly with the panicked attempt of Maya to reach her husband, fighting a grim and hopeless infantry battle on the ground where suddenly, the might of the Red Fleet crashes down and burns, turning certain victory into history-changing defeat. The deaths and the spiritual energies released by the dying soldiers waken other mystical beings, whose goals and allegiances are still not fully known in the first issues. Their apparent warring over the dead souls, especially that of Marcus Antares, become a major plot of the later issues.
Marcus himself is saved by the appearance of a mysterious ghost known only as the Red Woman. She saves his soul from becoming a captive of the evil sorcerer Troika - servant of the evil Imbohl. Defeating Troika in a duel, the Red Woman spirits Marcus away into the Spiritrealm, informing him that "It was not our people who were defeated here, but our past-- and the path to our future begins with you."
Subsequent issues chronicle the further adventures of Maya and Marcus, who lives on in the spirit realm, working from within to undo the tyranny of Imbohl's legacy. In issue 9, Maya is contacted by The Red Woman, who explains the source of the world's magical power and what Marcus has been doing since he went missing almost ten years earlier. The issue concludes with the crew of the skyfurnace R.S.S. Konstantinov, led by Maya's brother-in-law Urik Antares, mutinying and fighting their way to a transport gate.
This series is colored by the Weta Workshop
Design Team, known previously for their film work on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, King Kong, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Studios Austin in 2002. Work on the originally intended Xbox
video game has been more or less completed, but it was never published due to Acclaim's bankruptcy. While the Xbox version never saw a commercial release, the game itself has been found on some peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, and a demo was available on a disc which shipped with the Official Xbox Magazine
. The PlayStation 2
game rights were picked up by XS Games
with a release originally scheduled for early October 2006. The PS2 version has been listed with a release date on GameFAQs
since September. It was released on April 24, 2007. The OFLC of Australia, an agency similar to the ratings board ESRB in the United States did in 2006 classify the game as "PG" for mild violence.
roleplaying game, covering rules for playing in the setting of the comic books. As well as rules, it contains much background material not found in the main storyline, fleshing out the characters and backstory more. It features internal art mainly taken directly from the comic, along with additional art from James Ryman.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series by Christian Gossett set in a sci-fi/fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
world described by Gossett as "Mythic [Soviet] Russia". The "Lands of The Red Star" were inspired by both Russian folklore and military history. The series is thus heavily reminiscent of a post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Soviet Russia mixing technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
and sorcery
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
.
The 'United Republics of the Red Star', often simply called the 'State' in the comic, are shown to be coterminous with the historical Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in a map at the beginning of the first issue. The main enemy of the first novels, Al'Istaan, is a stand-in for historical Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and occupies a similar area of the map.
Volume 1, Issues 1-4
The first four issues of The Red Star tell the story of the war of the state and the Red Fleet / Army against Al'Istaan, told in a retrospective by Maya Antares, who remembers her husband's death in that war. Having penetrated deeply into Al'Nistaani, the fleet of Red Star skyfurnaces, gigantic flying warships up to three kilometres long, seem to destroy their enemies when the volcanic fury of their engines is directed on the massed enemies below.However, the ancient protector of the Nistaani, Kar Dathra the Immortal, appears, and powered by the mystical energies of his thousands of dying followers - manages to destroy almost the whole of the Red Fleet.
The further three of the first four issues deal mainly with the panicked attempt of Maya to reach her husband, fighting a grim and hopeless infantry battle on the ground where suddenly, the might of the Red Fleet crashes down and burns, turning certain victory into history-changing defeat. The deaths and the spiritual energies released by the dying soldiers waken other mystical beings, whose goals and allegiances are still not fully known in the first issues. Their apparent warring over the dead souls, especially that of Marcus Antares, become a major plot of the later issues.
Marcus himself is saved by the appearance of a mysterious ghost known only as the Red Woman. She saves his soul from becoming a captive of the evil sorcerer Troika - servant of the evil Imbohl. Defeating Troika in a duel, the Red Woman spirits Marcus away into the Spiritrealm, informing him that "It was not our people who were defeated here, but our past-- and the path to our future begins with you."
Volume 1, Issues 5-9
Issue 5 tells the story of the Fall of the Red Fleet from the perspective of the Prison Laborers whose grim toil maintains the massive Skyfurnaces.Subsequent issues chronicle the further adventures of Maya and Marcus, who lives on in the spirit realm, working from within to undo the tyranny of Imbohl's legacy. In issue 9, Maya is contacted by The Red Woman, who explains the source of the world's magical power and what Marcus has been doing since he went missing almost ten years earlier. The issue concludes with the crew of the skyfurnace R.S.S. Konstantinov, led by Maya's brother-in-law Urik Antares, mutinying and fighting their way to a transport gate.
Run Makita Run
This standalone issue was published by Archangel Studios in November 2002 as their first (and only) annual. This issue takes place between the events of Volume 1, issues 5 and 6. Makita has one hour to reach her father before he dies. Along the way she encounters and defeats a squad of red soldiers and a Hydra class krawl. Her father entrusts her with a letter from Marcus to his wife Maya and charges her to complete his mission of delivering it to the sorceress.Volume 2, Issues 1-5
Published by Archangel Studios/CG Entertainment Group, this series picks up exactly where the Image comic leaves off, with the crew of the Konstantinov fighting off the crew of the R.S.S. Taktarov which has followed them through the gate into the "Storm of Souls". By the end of issue five, Maya has gained the ability to see the souls within the storm and the Konstantinov begins to follow them to the invasion of Archangel: the Prison of Souls.The Sword of Lies 1-5
The Red Star: Sword of Lies is the continuation of the comic series that brings readers back to the events as we left them in the previous Red Star Trade Paperback, 'Prison of Souls'. It also takes readers back into the time of the Great Revolution, revealing the downfall of the summoner Imbohl. Once a leader of the Revolution, Imbohl's embrace of evil is the origin of The Red Star saga. This run is currently on issue #3. Issue #3 premiered at Comicon International San Diego 2008This series is colored by the Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar, New Zealand, producing effects for television and film.Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger as RT Effects, Weta Workshop has produced creatures and makeup effects for the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys...
Design Team, known previously for their film work on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, King Kong, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Characters
- Marcus Antares is an Infantry Captain of the Red Fleet and the husband of Maya Antares.
- Maya Antares is a Warkaster (sorcerer and human energy cannon) of the Red Fleet and the wife of Marcus Antares.
- Urik Antares is the commanding officer of the Skyfurnace R.S.S. (Red Star Skyship) Marshall Konstantinov. Older brother of Marcus Antares.
- Kyuzo is a guardsman to Maya Antares. Considered to be the deadliest of all the guardsman.
- Makita is an orphan of the War of Nokgorka. Member of the Nokgorka Resistance Militia.
- Alexandra Goncharova is Maya's oldest and best friend. Killed In Action in the Massacre of the 13* st armored division (War of Nokgorka).
- Andrei Torin is Chief Engineer of the R.S.S. Konstantinov and a powerful 'rogue' sorcerer.
- The Red Woman is the mysterious leader of the Forces of Liberation, seeking to free her people from their slavery to the legacy of Imbohl.
- Troika is a servant of Imbohl, leader of the national security agency known as the 'Third Department', seeking to maintain the order established by the rule of Imbohl.
- Imbohl is revered as the leader of the Great Revolution. Imbohl was a sorcerer who led the Red Councils to victory over the corrupt Monarchy of the Ancient Dynasties.
- Iakos described by Goss as a "soul thief."
'Team Red Star' 1999-2004
- Christian Gossett - Creator
- Bradley Kayl - Writer
- Allen Coulter - 3D
- Jon Moberly - 3D
- Junki Saita and the Komputer Graphics Bureau - 3D
- Snakebite - Co-Art Direction, Design, Special Effects, Digital Paint and 2D/3D integration
- Johanna Olson, MD - Business Manager/Co-producer
- Sir Nathaniel Downes - Finance Manager/Co-producer
- Paul SchrierPaul SchrierPaul L. Schrier II is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role of Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier in the Power Rangers series. He portrayed the character for seven seasons from 1993–1999, returning in 2011 for the eighteenth season of Power Rangers Samurai, and was the last original cast...
- 3D Artist/Development
'Team Red Star' 2006-
- Christian Gossett - Creator
- Weta Workshop Design Team - Colorists
- Paul SchrierPaul SchrierPaul L. Schrier II is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role of Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier in the Power Rangers series. He portrayed the character for seven seasons from 1993–1999, returning in 2011 for the eighteenth season of Power Rangers Samurai, and was the last original cast...
, Emil Petrinic, Kostas Koutsoliotas - 3D Team - Jennifer Quintenz - CoWriter
- Jhennifer Webberley - CoWriter
- Johanna Olson, MD - Publisher/Editor
- Ned Downes - Archangel Studios
On iPhone, Google Android
In March 2009, Team Red Star partnered with iVerse Comics, a digital comic company that produces digital long form comic books for the iPhone, iPod Touch and Google Android, to release an adaptation of The Red Star in digital media. The Red Star #1, #2 and #3 are currently available.In video games
The Red Star video game began development at AcclaimAcclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment was an American video game developer and publisher. It developed, published, marketed and distributed interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms, including Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Game Gear, Nintendo's NES, SNES, Nintendo...
Studios Austin in 2002. Work on the originally intended Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
video game has been more or less completed, but it was never published due to Acclaim's bankruptcy. While the Xbox version never saw a commercial release, the game itself has been found on some peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, and a demo was available on a disc which shipped with the Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001, with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and...
. The PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game rights were picked up by XS Games
XS Games
XS Games, LLC is a New York-based publisher of budget-priced video games, operating in North America and Europe. They are exclusively distributed by Take 2 Interactive and Jack of All Games in the U.S.-Sony Playstation games:*Jigsaw Madness...
with a release originally scheduled for early October 2006. The PS2 version has been listed with a release date on GameFAQs
GameFAQs
GameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...
since September. It was released on April 24, 2007. The OFLC of Australia, an agency similar to the ratings board ESRB in the United States did in 2006 classify the game as "PG" for mild violence.
In roleplaying games
In 2004, Green Ronin published a supplement for the d20 ModernD20 Modern
d20 Modern is a roleplaying game designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan. It was published by Wizards of the Coast in November 2002, and uses the d20 System...
roleplaying game, covering rules for playing in the setting of the comic books. As well as rules, it contains much background material not found in the main storyline, fleshing out the characters and backstory more. It features internal art mainly taken directly from the comic, along with additional art from James Ryman.
External links
- The Red Star (official website of the comic book)