Chapters 1&2

I have recently noticed that The NOVUS Multiseries has three main influences. Our first influence (going all the way back to our beginnings in 2003) is traditional superheroes, and traditional comic books. Recently we have been specifically influenced by Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers. (I would like to thank Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch).

Our most recent influence comes from the hit TV series Heroes, which has taught me how to tell it more as a drama serial than independent adventures. My third influence comes from Frank E. Peretti’s Piercing the Darkness and This Present Darkness, which I thoroughly endorse. These books are my influence to the spiritual battle in the NOVUS Universe.

Chapter 1 takes place in 2005, within weeks of our main character, Zack Powers, becoming a superhero. Zack is a special agent with super powers, who works for a secret international organization. Although Zack is a kid, he has been thrust into war, two wars actually. He works for the Global Intelligence Agency, fighting their super-threats, but Chapter 1 introduces Zack and the audience to an invisible war that will be fought in the NOVUS Universe for years to come.

Chapter 2 skips to present day, 2010, and presents different problems more clearly. Superheroes, costumed crime fighters, and super humans have been under the radar of the public and even the government (somewhat) since their existence. (Costumed heroes are getting some recognition.) The Super Corp, Zack’s new team of super-soldier comrades, uncovers an international drug ring led by Aleksandr Carethia. Aleksandr is a monarch of a small, but powerful country in the east. We hint at the history of the NOVUS Universe as the connection between Aleksnadr and Commander X (the Super Corp mentor) is noted. We also meet a new character named Smoke Bomb, who is intended to be a one-shot character. Smoke Bomb is based off of costumed crime fighters who exist in real life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_life_superheroes). We also introduce Tommy, a character to keep your eye on, who is an old friend of Zack’s true identity – Ryan Gates. Tommy has been around (as a character in my head) for as long as Zack. So the interesting thing with this story is that I am entertained to see Tommy’s past unfold before us. It’s as if I am learning with the audience. Tommy’s life has been taking many turns down bad roads. He has been discovered to be involved with drugs for quite some time and has been hanging out with a bad crowd. Tommy’s future remains undetermined but he seems to think him and his friends will “save the world”.