[FIRST LOOK] FATHOM, WHO'S WHO?

Due to the intricate and ambitious nature of "Fathom," our focus on development has far exceeded the norm. At this juncture, we could practically assemble a second book solely comprised of rough sketches and concept art for the series. The complexities we encountered were unexpected and multifaceted. When it comes to creating comic books and manga, we often emphasize hard work, passion, inspiration, grit, creativity, and technique, but what many overlook is that comic book creation largely revolves around problem-solving.

From inception to the final artwork, if done correctly, the process involves constant troubleshooting. Page real estate holds paramount importance in a comic book. Extend a scene too long, and it risks losing reader interest, not to mention inflating production costs, rendering the project unsustainable. Many novice artists and indie creators circumvent this by embracing the "bigger is better" mentality, but ultimately, it's about serving the story and maintaining feasibility.

When "Fathom" began development, the goal was clear: to craft a Grim-Dark Deep Sea Detective Story. The series' lead protagonist, Mizuo, alias Devilmanta, epitomizes a no-nonsense character with unwavering dedication and familial bonds. Given the military-themed detective narrative, it's no surprise that he shares traits with the Batman archetype, embodying hard work and staying mission focused.

Naturally, as a military tale, Mizuo needed a squad - individuals who could complement, challenge, and contrast his character. The challenge lay in ensuring each member of the squad, when clad in their Diving Hardsuits, remained visually distinct. This was crucial for reader engagement in a series where you are reward for your attention to detail.

In the accompanying image, my artist and I explore what works best for each member of the Manta Corp. We realized that in longer shots, facial visibility might be limited by the visors. To maintain uniformity while also reflecting each squad member's role or personality, we issued the team numbers, and tailored the breathers on their helmets accordingly.

For instance, Domingo, the mechanic, sports an industrial-style breather, while Mags, a former sex-slave metahuman, has arrow-shaped breathers pointing upwards, accentuating her beauty. Though seemingly minor, these choices are meticulously considered and experimented with as we approach the series' production phase. While this may not be the comprehensive "Fathom" update promised for months, it signals its imminent arrival.

So, here it is, the first real glimpse of each member of the squad (Left to Right):

Murdoch, the peacemaker, is a repentant service man and faithful fanatic who joined Mantacorp seeking an honorable death in service to a greater cause. 

Lumis, the leader, is a prefect with unparalleled tactical acumen and unwavering dedication to Acheron Fisher's dream and the Xeo-Arcadian Military. 

Mizuo, the operative, is an expert in information gathering and solving mysteries, using his sharp mind to unravel complex plots within the enigmatic archology of Xeo-Arcadia. 

Rama, the gambler, is a cunning criminal scoundrel who joined the Manta Corp to evade a gambling debt and underworld enemies. 

Riptide, the soldier, is a tough super soldier with resilience forged in adversity. 

Dom, the engineer, is a pilot and mechanic driven by familial duty after his chop shop business faltered. 

Siri, the executive officer, is a noble-born military leader with a wise but wrathful demeanor. 

Mags, the operator, is a geneie (metahuman) repurposed as a technical specialist after being discarded for an imperfection by her previous owner. 

Saidy and Nip, are additional members of the Corp that do not require helmets or hardsuits for identification, so they do not appear above. 

But worry not True Believers, their update is coming later, along with a more detailed breakdown for each of the character's mentioned above.