True Believer Reviews

Terra is a little-known Science Fiction web comic with a definitive space opera style.  Earth is a war mongering empire who’s trying to squash rebels, and there’s other dangers in the universe as well.  Holly Liang has created and drawn this web comic for over 100 pages, and the story is really starting to pick up in new and interesting ways.  Terra is one of the most interesting web comics I’ve had the pleasure to read.  The plot and art are some of the better I’ve seen on web comics,  and so I spoke with Holly and some questions about what drives her and her art.  You can check out Terra, which updates twice a week at http://www.terra-comic.com

Otomo: You mentioned you started programming in college.  Is that where your eye for graphic design began?  What were you studying?

Holly: I began taking an interest in comic book illustration when I was 11, I had just bought an issue of Top Cow’s Tomb Raider, and absolutely loved Andy Park’s artwork. It was several years after that I began experimenting with Photoshop and during that time I decided that illustration was no longer a hobby but something I wanted to pursue as a career.

I attended college for one year, in a new media design program. While they did offer some instruction on illustration and graphic design, the main focus was on animation and video production. So after a year, I decided it wasn’t for me. However, during that time I did learn a substantial amount about composition, color theory, and graphic design in general. This has helped me develop my comic a great deal.

Otomo: And you make your career in illustration in addition to Terra now?

Holly: Well, I just finished college in late April, so I’m really just getting started with my career. I want to start out by doing commissions, and when I feel I’m ready, I want to try applying to a professional comic book company.

Otomo: Well, Terra’s a great start for that.  Your illustration quality is pretty high for a web comic, and the storytelling is intriguing as well.  How did Terra come about originally as a concept?

Holly: I’ve always had these characters in the back of my mind since I was 14, I kept drawing them and refining their personalities, so finally I decided to build a world around them. Terra is really a product of all the science fiction I’ve watched over the years, it’s a genre I’ve always loved, and wanted to pay my own tribute to it.

Otomo: I’ve felt there’s quite a bit of elements from Starship Troopers, Babylon 5, Farscape and of course Star Wars.  Were these some of your influences?

Holly: I watched Starship Troopers as a kid when it first came out, and I really liked the camp and the storytelling. However, out of those options I’d say Star Wars is definitely the biggest influence. I first saw Return of the Jedi when I was 9, and was completely hooked. I love the classic trilogy, the world seemed so thought out and alive and that is something I’ve always admired about those films. As for other influences, I’d say that Serenity/Firefly is a big one, as well as the first two alien movies, they have inspired me not just with their intriguing, believable characters, but the environments and atmosphere that they create.

Otomo: In terms of art you were mentioning Andy Park and Top Cow.  Top Cow has had some of the highest quality art in comics over the years.  Is there anyone else who influenced you stylistically?

Holly: Actually, I think I lot of the artists that have influenced me over the years had worked at Top Cow at one point or another. Some of the artists that come to mind are Adam Hughes, J. Scott Campbell, and Michael Turner.

Otomo: How much time does it take to get 2 pages a week out?

Holly: Well, each page takes around 6-7 hours, including the roughs, lineart and colors. I usually manage to get both pages done within a few days, since I don’t exactly love sitting at the computer for that amount of time. But, I have an awesome chair, so that always helps.

Otomo: All fantastic artists.  Let’s talk about Terra itself.  I just caught up and it feels like the real meat of the story is just getting started at 100 pages.  The main characters have finally met, but they haven’t really banded together yet.  Is there a little insight without spoiling too much that you can give us about what you have planned?

Holly: You’re absolutely right; the story is only just getting started. I’m really excited that the main characters have all met up, because now the story will see a lot of character development in terms of the relationships they have with one another, and the difficulties they will have to face together. Later in the comic the reader will see a great deal more of the galaxy, and the threats that the Resistance must overcome to obtain peace. I cant say too much without spoiling it, but I will say I’m planning on having 4 volumes of Terra, with each volume containing 6 chapters. That might give a clearer picture on how far along the story actually is.

Otomo: That sounds very exciting.   You have all the stories planned.  Do you have the scripts written panel by panel?  Or is that something you leave for when you’re drawing out the concepts of each page?

Holly: Its kind of a bit of both. I have a detailed outline of the complete story, but I only write one chapter ahead of what I am currently illustrating. I find that way I can keep the story fresh, and implement new ideas easily.

Otomo: I suppose a lot of keeping a web comic interesting in general is keeping the content fresh and exciting for yourself.

Holly: Definitely, I actually can’t think of anything better to refine your skills. It keeps you working on a deadline and constantly wanting to try new things, it is great experience for an artist.

Otomo: I have noticed a big improvement in the art from page 1 to page 100.  How much of that is conscious refining?

Holly: I’d say about 75 percent of it. College has really helped me with creative problem solving, so now instead of ignoring my issues I try and nip them in the bud. I actually make it a point to get my work at a certain standard now, even if that takes quite a bit more time. I find that I am much happier releasing a polished page that took me 8 hours, then a half-assed one that took about 4. Though I cannot stress the importance of practicing, I think you can only learn so much from instruction, the rest is up to you and how much dedication you have to your craft.

Otomo: And it definitely shows that you put that effort in.   Drew Dailey is listed as Co-Creator and writer, how do you two split up the writing duties?

Holly: Well, since Drew is my boyfriend and I live with him it makes that whole process a lot easier. We usually just throw ideas back and forth and figure out which ones will stick and which ones wont work. We both have a great amount of enthusiasm for the story, so we take care in what direction the comic will go. As for writing duties, I’m in charge of the script, and Drew usually will write certain plot details that I will implement into the finished draft.

Otomo: Thanks a lot for your time.  It’ll be very interesting to see how Grey reacts to Alexis falling down the same path that was thrust upon him in the prologue, and the decisions Alexis makes in that situation.

Holly: Thanks so much the time to interview me, I’m really glad you’ve enjoyed the comic so far.