Story/Manga Creation: Tips?

Here's the deal. In about a year when I get done with school-related stuff (and after I get plenty of drawing practice) I will start to write my own manga, Nachtsoldat.

This story has been very important to me and I've been working out the details and such for about 5 years now. Here's the main plot.

As the dust settles following WWIII, and after a series of worldwide viral outbreaks and natural disasters, right-wing Swiss businessman Reinhardt Nietzsche uses his charisma, economic power and his own private security force to take control of the weak, ineffectual remains of the UN. After gaining control, Nietzsche attempts to unite the majority of the first-world nations through both military power and a promise to defend the people within them from rebels and terror groups, as well as to gradually rebuild the world market.

What the people do not realize is that Reinhardt Nietzsche is, in fact, a harbinger of the Prince of Darkness and is the prophesized Antichrist who will take control of the planet. However, many small groups within a number of countries realize the threat that the NWUR poses to all people, and thus form the Coalition of Separatists (COS) to counter-propagandize and aggressively resist Nietzsche's growing military power.

But, the COS is not the key player in this struggle against the Antichrist. Indeed, it is Tobias Edan Lane, the estranged son of the COS war minister Jeremiah Lane, who truly holds the key to resolving this struggle. (Continued in next post)

Now, I know that may sound a bit corny, especially since it concerns themes from Revelation, but hear me out.

Rather than telling this story from a ridiculous, sensationalist and right-wing fundamentalist perspective as drivel like Left Behind did, I intend to explore themes of politics, human suffering, deep religious topics and human nature with this story. Unlike most Revelation-oriented works it will be told from a (mostly) left-wing, and yet also Christian perspective. This story means a number of personal things to me, but it's not going to be preachy or censored or any shit like that. I'm trying to create something that can appeal to people even if they're not a Christian. Which is more than I can say for the crap fundies spew out every five seconds. (continued in next post)

So, what I was wondering is, would you like character lists or for me to talk more about the themes of this story? What would you suggest for me to aim for when writing this, and what cliches should I avoid? (Yes, I know the Antichrist is a bit cliche already, but I'm trying to view this from a totally new perspective that I think is much more accurate.) Also, what particular aspect should I focus on? The themes of this story, to name them all, would be: war, science fiction (limited), religion, romance, action, psychological, horror. So, if you have any questions or advice, feel free to tell me.

Sounds alot like the manga Eden. Worldwide viral outbreak, chaotic political situation, 15% of world population dead and more crippled by virus, private military force overthrows UN in pursuit of power, follows religious (Christian/Gnostic) themes, explores politics/human suffering/religion/human nature, etc. The only differences i see are that there is no opposing coalition (as far as i've read, anyway, only a few small insurgent groups and renegades/fugitives), no WWIII, and there's no Anti-christ figure.

>>4
Yes, when I first heard about Eden a few months back, I was surprised at how similar both the art and story are to mine. ^^;;

However, of course there are a few differences, one of them being the large role played by angels (and demons) and introspective dialogue within Tobias Lane's mind. Think of the psychological scenes from Evangelion, only much more to the point and a lot more interesting.

So... Does anyone have any advice on this?

my advice is to get really good at drawing boobs, every manga could use a bit more boobage just to round things out a bit.
also steer clear of the angsty shit. oversaturation of that in the manga market.

Well, due to the subject matter alone Nachtsoldat is fairly depressing... It's not going to be really humorous except for a few things in certain spots and I've already decided not to use chibi/SD expressions. Since this story is serious I highly doubt I'll be having much fanservice, but drawing good boobs is fine.

Sounds like its gonna suck

Sounds like its gonna suck.

>>9
>>10
same idiot

>>1
       Here's a tip, become japanese, the create Japanese Comics

>>9
>>10
You know what? You suck.

>>12
Seconded
Thats the best tip for creating manga

>>12
FUCKIN SIGNED NIGGER

>>1
Sounds like you need to stop worshipping Japan and start working on something original. Learn Real(tm) human physique and develop your own style of drawing comics. Last thing we need is some "cool" megatokyo-like wannabe-manga that sucks donkeyballs.

>>16
Actually, Japanese culture in general kind of gets on my nerves. What I do like is the "style" of manga, but that's a pretty broad category. In all actuality, my own art style is more influenced by Western art than it is by manga. There are still some similarities, of course.

If I had to name one anime/manga that's even close to my style, I'd probably say Big O. Kind of a hybrid, you know? Also, just FYI, Megatokyo is weeaboo bullshit and the last thing I want to do is emulate Fred and his faggoty comic.

>>17
In that case you've got my full support and respect.

>>17
also, if your style is more western than it is Japanese why is this in /anime/?

>>19
Well, it still has some of the designs of anime, but the subject matter has nothing to do with Japan and there's been a definite influence from shows like Batman. I'd say that Big O is probably the closest to my style, but I've also heard it compared to Berserk and RoLW, as well. Really, it's more about the way that things look in motion that attracts me to manga. I say my style is more Westernized because for one thing the majority of my characters have normal eyes and proportions and I'm going for realism here. One or two girls and the children of the story look a bit more like "normal" anime/manga characters, but I'm deliberately avoiding stupid chibified expressions and such.

I say just one thing. Research, research and study storytelling methods. Well put out and researched stories are true classics.

Your story sucks. Its been done.

I AGREE BUT WE STILL NEED A BUILDING UP TENSE /SHOWDOWN OR WHATEVER. WHATEVER IT IS: EDWARD FNDS IN THE END SOMETHING WHAT BLOWS THE AUDIENCE AWAY, OR THE PROBLEM IS THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE MISSING, MORE CREATURES OR BIGGER CREATURES ARE COMING UP ... ! We WANNA MAKE A UNUSUAL AND GOOD MOVIE - BUT DONT FORGET THE CLASSICAL - MUST'S - OF STORYTELLING

>>22
He hasn't even given us the info about all of his story yet, though. Maybe ask him some specifics about it?

I cant belive I read all your shit

>>7
please dont load it full of fanservice, it ruins a good story

>>26
Don't worry, I won't. My focus in this story is going to be primarily on religion, war and the inner workings of the human mind in relation to traumatic experiences and to encounters with supernatural entities. Showing loli panty isn't exactly high on my list of priorities.

EITHER increasing numbers of people are getting kidnapped or killed by monsters, so that everything is threatened to go out of control and Edward has to stop the monsters – otherwise everything is lost in the end – OR Edward has to solve a specific case and stays on it – needs to go on an island (see ALONE IN THE DARK 4) or solve a murder. I was really angry, because I don’t think, that you’d ignore so many things, that apply to story telling basics!