Future Now is a narrative setting and web series by the creators of WHAT IF, the internet’s most-watched science & technology series. Each webisode is based on expert predictions from science and technology fields.
For this client, I designed scenarios and wrote the pilot script. To do this I researched science-based predictions, dove into their lore and world-building and found inspiration to create a number of character-driven narratives. Each of these would be in a different setting, and tell the story of a different faction in the world.
The script was called Shattered Coast, we used the hypothetical question, What If the Ocean’s Rose 30 Feet as our jumping off point. It had to do a lot of heavy worldbuilding to introduce our viewers and potentials funders. Like the first five minutes of any game...
To do this I created a world-weary yet hopeful protagonist of Cinder kind of a Generation Alpha teen who still believed in beauty while getting raised in a flooded Boston. Now she just has to escape both the queen of the salvagers and the storm of the century to get away with her life.
This was then turned into in a development trailer with a series of animatic style visuals. Doing so helped my client obtain $250K from the Canada Media Fund.
Main Offender
or
The Fine Art of Industrial Robbery
a new graphic novel coming in 2021
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by John Lang
Charcoal is a supernatural story of revenge that takes place at a high school near you! Inspired by 'true events' from growing up in Toronto.
Charcoal was published by Tor Publishing.
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by Ho Che Anderson
Layouts and Character Design by Kalman Andrasofszky
Edited by Liz Gorinsky
A skeptical reporter must investigate a paranormal tabloid whose classified ads threaten the lives of anyone who answers them. Along the way she finds her grip on rationality shifting as the publishers reveal their sinister purpose – to make her one of their own. New Series proposal.
Written by Ian Daffern
Art and Tones by Frank Fiorentino
Digital Inks by Diego Moreno
Letters/Designs/Logo by Ted Rouse
Hungry is the story of a middle manager thrilled to get his first invite to a corporate retreat, unaware the other traders are just waiting to have him for dinner...
Originally published in Monstrosity Vol 1. anthology published by Alterna Comics.
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by Martin Macintosh
Edited by Phil McClorey and Brian Evinou
A supernatural romance that puts the love back in Lovecraft-- about an ocean spirit who falls for a young woman who used to live by his shores. But will their tides draw them together or tear them apart?
Written by Ian Daffern
Illustrated by Rachel Idzerda
Lettered Ted Rouse of TakeDanger
Edited by Sarah Sheehan.
It’s tough growing up during an alien invasion. Alice and her mom have been waiting for a rescue. When it arrives, they embark on a journey that could expose the invasion’s truth.
In August, 2008, Shock Effect was featured on DC Comics’ web imprint, ZUDACOMICS.com (which has since been retired) where it competed against nine other webcomics to become an ongoing series. Despite a strong showing, the public vote left Shock Effect in 3rd place.
PRESS: LA TIMES | SEQUENTIAL | OPEN BOOK TORONTO | NOW MAGAZINE
VIDEO: “Making Shock Effect”
Written by Ian Daffern and drawn by John Lang.
Story created for DC Comics' Zuda online contest.
Freelance Blues
Graphic Novel - 6 issue limited series
Alterna Press / Blowout Productions
Ever thought your job was sucking the life out of you? Imagine knowing you were right.
Every time Lance Bunkman starts a new job his bosses turn out to be evil and trying to take over the world. Fortunately, he's the only one who can stop them. He's got to fight his boss, save his co-workers, and then he needs a new job, because being a hero doesn't pay the bills. Lance has been too busy working (not to mention dodging fireballs, chainsaws or poison arrows) to ever ask "Why me?" Now events are set in motion, that will make Lance learn more about himself, and the secrets of his sketchy employment, than he ever imagined. It's a supernatural workplace horror comedy for anyone who ever felt that their job was sucking the life out of them.
Written by Ian Daffern and Mike Leone
Art by Vicki Tierney
Additional Art by Becca RT
Letters by Rob Petek
Additional Inking by Diego Moreno
Covers by John Lang, Mike Del Mundo & Steve Sayer
A group of young braves sets out to destroy a beast from the heavens... but what will it reveal about themselves? Originally published in the anthology book Monstrosity II, edited by Phil McClorey and Brian Evinou, and released by Alterna Comics.
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by John Lang
Bird of Paradise
Inspired by watching too many episodes of BBC Planet Earth, wondering just how lonely it could be for two people trapped in a blind on the far reaches of the globe. What would happen if one of them lost their way? Originally published in the 215 Ink Anthology: Ignition Volume 1 a collection of 30 different modern creators with original stories. Can also be found in my short story collection A Nail in the Heart.
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by Shari Chankhamma
Another urban horror, this one about young people who make a bad decision not the way to their local ATM. And more incredible art by Ho Che Anderson, who knows what monsters really look like. Not in print--designed for Another Nail in the Heart - release date TBD!
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by Ho Che Anderson
A couple from the city is lead astray by their own devices, and the kindness of strangers.
From the short story collection "A Nail in the Heart"
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by Frank Fiorentino
After the events of 9/11 it was said that certain members of the US administration required tangible proof of the vanquishing of their enemies. This story imagines a twist on that concept.
Written by Ian Daffern
Art by Noel Tauzon
Part of the short story collection A Nail in the Heart.
