Category ArchiveFan art



Fan art &Vol2 Updates 26 Oct 2011 12:49 am by David !

Quick submissions update & Fan Art license

I know everybody is super excited and champing at the bit for Volume 2 announcements. Well guess what! There are none in this post. (But it won’t be much longer!)

A FEW IMPORTANT TIDBITS while you wait:

Regarding the title cloud of Volume 2 submissions. Some folks have become worried because they can’t find their title. Regardless, in all likelihood, we did receive your story. Generating the cloud required wrangling data through four different programs, and some slippage through the cracks is regrettable but inevitable. (I have you covered, though! On the poster version I included a little blank for you to write in your title, if you found that it was accidentally omitted.)

So while I tried my very best, the cloud is unfortunately not one hundred percent comprehensive, and the blame for that falls on me. I apologize! But don’t worry — if your title’s missing, you’re in good company. Here’s another dude whose story title is not in the word cloud:

Who is that? Why it’s only ERIK ZIMMERMAN

WHO JUST SENT US A STORY

FROM ANTARCTICA

Erik, a globetrotting firefighter, had also previously sent us a submission from Afghanistan, which was awesome, but this… this quite frankly fulfills our lifelong dream.

Erik’s story (appropriately titled “FULFILLING A LIFELONG DREAM”) was quite a late submission to MOD2, but we have unanimously voted to amend our submission guidelines to accept all late submissions if they come from Antarctica. Thanks so much, Erik!

Also, it turns out that one of the stories that was submitted earlier got double counted by mistake, so we’re still at 1,958 total submissions. IT ALL WORKS OUT.

NEXT ITEM. Reader C.S. Markle, organizer of the Perth, Australia branch of 24-Hour Comics Day this year, used MOD as his group’s theme! As you may know, 24-Hour Comics Day is when folks undertake the challenge of writing and drawing a complete 24-page comic in 24 hours. C.S. prepared MOD predictions for each participant to use as prompts for their comics!

We think this is a fantastic idea. One of the completed comics has posted online by its author already — you can read the entire thing here, and the author discusses the work in a Reddit thread here.

“FATED” by Kat Zhang

A note about fan art

Lots of folks have expressed interest in creating their own Machine of Death-themed projects of various types, and we couldn’t be more excited to hear it! We’ve been incredibly honored to see folks make films, stage plays, and generate art of all sorts.

Because we get the inquiry a lot, though, it’s probably best to clarify our stance on fan art for the record. Since (most of) the individual stories in the book — as well as the introduction — are covered by a Creative Commons license, you should absolutely feel free to create noncommercial MOD adaptations of your own so long as you follow the guidelines of the license, i.e. provide attribution and release the resulting work under the same or a similar license. You can also feel free to quote from the book’s introduction if you like.

Here is an easy way to do it above board! Just include the following disclaimer:

Inspired by the “Machine of Death” concept created by Ryan North. This independent adaptation was created under the MOD Fan Art License and is not officially affiliated with Machine of Death. For more information, visit machineofdeath.net.

If you choose to release your work under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial license, we’ll be happy to feature your work on a Fan Art page here on the MOD site — just contact us! Hooray!

I should also clarify that this covers noncommercial adaptations only. School assignments, stuff for fun, blog posts etc. all qualify. If you’re interested in any commercial use of the MOD concept — basically anything that might make a profit — contact us so we can steer you in the right direction. Thanks!

Fan art &Stories 07 Sep 2011 09:40 pm by David !

Fanfic Flash Fic WINNERS


“I can’t believe there wasn’t one entry about me.”

Thanks for entering our Fanfic Flash Fic micro-contest! The little stories were very fun to read.

Here are our favorite entries, organized by theme. Each 55-word story takes place in an existing pop-culture, historical, or literary universe.

Comic Strips

TIGER – Nicole Kalstein
     When he opened the envelope, the slip of paper screamed, “TIGER.” His heart sank as fear and suspicion bubbled up slowly, a toxic swamp in his stomach. Sure, the prediction didn’t indicate any specific tiger, much less his tiger friend, but Calvin was suddenly aware that he would never have a peaceful night’s sleep again.

UNTITLED DINOSAUR COMICS STORY – Eli Rose
     2000+ comics, and they haven’t gotten him yet.
     He’d thought the prediction was ridiculous. But then they started appearing. Always in the fourth stage of his conversations, always in pink sweaters. He stomped the first one fearfully, instinctively. Now it’s routine.
     He’s conquered death.
     Later, the Louisa May Alcott novel hits him at 3,000 m/s.

UNTITLED DINOSAUR COMICS STORY – Rodrigo Ortiz Vinholo
     It didn’t matter what the slip said, it was too unreal. Too ridiculous. Jenny just couldn’t believe it. Even when it appeared on the TV, bright and green, it looked like something out of Saturday morning cartoons, even destroying houses, killing people. Now, as the creature’s foot loomed ominously over her, it felt vaguely familiar.

DEPRESSION – Nathan Kitler
     Life had always been rough for Charles, but this last week took the cake. First his kite got him struck by lightning; then his dog died. Holding the slip of paper in his hand, he walked past adults with voices like muted trombones. Charles read the single word to himself: “depression.” Good grief, he thought.

Literature

SUFFOCATION – David Hilder
The paper’s “Suffocation” would not make him shriek nor weep nor swoon.
The Captain of the Pinafore, he showed no fear — it was a boon
To know that at his time of death he’d simply be deprived of breath.
Not looking, he slipped off the deck, and, oh, my stars, he drowned too soon.

REVENGE – Laura Breitenbeck
     The captain’s bone leg thumps the deck in sea-time. Thump. Grips his white paper, chews the word and paces. He’ll get what he’s after? Aye, and drag us all down, like as not. Thump. Thump. Death glimmers in the sea’s dark. White weight in the great black belly of the earth, named and marked: Revenge.

FOR LOVE – Jen T.
     When his name was called, Sydney Carton stumbled forward and submitted his finger to the Machine’s prick. He hoped the presence of alcohol wouldn’t interfere with his prediction, reeking of whiskey as he did. The Machine buzzed and deposited a slip into his hand.
     For Love, he read aloud. Mr. Carton brightened, and sobered immediately.

Sitcoms and Cartoons

CAR – John Chernega
     “This prediction says DUE .”
     Carl froze. “How’d he die?”
     “Shootout, Mr. Winslow. Our machine said DUEL,” said Neil.
     “We’ve never had any other inconsistencies,” Harriette confirmed.
     “So it’s only incorrect with four-letter deaths ending in L?” Neil goggled.
     “Sounds like tampering,” said Harriette. “Hey, didn’t Steve use it before his accident, Carl?”
     Carl was gone.

CANNON – Tucker Cummings
     Maude never told Ned about the night she got her prediction. She knew he wouldn’t approve. Death prediction might have been a science, but it was still too much like witchcraft. And the Bible’s position on such things was very clear.
     Besides, she didn’t expect to be near a cannon anytime soon. Not in Springfield.

INVITATIONS – Jonathan Dillion
     Susan pondered George’s assertions — hours trying to convince her. Naturally, the word surfaced. The secret luxury of knowing, due to wealth, never ceased being a curse. A confusion. Getting fired had helped. So had a newfound lifestyle and eventual desertion.
     George. Barely three friends. Detestable. Safe. She would say “yes.” No more worries about Invitations.

THAT CRAZY THING – Axel Arth
     “Well Dad, what’s it say?”
     “I think you need to take over walking Astro from now on, Elroy.”
     “But Dad — ”
     Shock setting in, George waved his children out of the room, and Jane moved closer.
     “George?”
     Silently, he handed her the freshly printed slip of paper.
     It was only three words long. THAT CRAZY THING.

Superheroes

UNTITLED SUPERMAN STORY – Carl Poffley
     “We’ve got the machine’s predictions in!” Perry White said to the Daily Planet staff, holding the results aloft.
     They clamoured around him curiously as he slowly flipped through them, until one suddenly piqued his interest. Realisation flashed across his face.
     “Clark,” he said, “could you take your glasses off for a second…”

BATMAN – Tracy Canfield
     “I always knew that only you could kill me,” said the Joker. “Just regretted I wouldn’t be around to enjoy Gotham City’s reaction. But when I show them this…”
     He slapped the prediction down. BATMAN, it said.
     “The Machine doesn’t use purple crayon,” said Batman.
     The Joker sighed. “You really are the world’s greatest detective.”

CHILL – Peter Bloem
     “It’s just a silly trick, Bruce. I regret ever taking the test.”
     “But what could it mean… CHILL?”
     “If we knew that, it wouldn’t work. What it tells you is that your father’s an idiot. Your mother’s the smart one.”
     Martha Wayne bites her lips, and puts on her pearls. “We’re going to be late.”

Science Fiction

CLEVER GIRL – Jim Warrenfeltz
     Robert Muldoon got his results young, and feared them.
     He avoided anything associated with his results. Bars, colleges, and especially college bars. He was a confirmed bachelor.
     When the experts arrived on Isla Nublar, it happened that “Dr. Sattler” was a woman. A smart woman. This worried him.
     Unfortunately, that’s not what “CLEVER GIRL” meant.

CANCER – Kevin Anderson
     Dr. Silberman somehow managed to remain genial and smiling. “So you see, Miss Connor, there’s nothing to worry about. No horrible nuclear holocaust, no bullet from one of those big bad deranged killer cyborgs. You’ll have a perfectly normal death from cancer. Would you please not stab me in the knee again?”

UNTITLED STAR TREK STORY WRITTEN IN KLINGON – Tracy Canfield
     “reH lugh Hegh jan,” jatlh matHa’. “<<Hargh quv>> jatlhchugh navlIj, Hargh quvmo’ bIHegh. navvetlh vIHevchugh, jIHem. toQDuj tlhoy’Daq Dochvetlh’e’ vIHuS.”
     mon la’. “‘ach chaq jaghlI’vaD quv Harghvam, SoHvaD quvHa’.”
     “bISov DaneHbe’a’?”
     “ghobe’!” jach la’. “DIch SaHbe’ SuvwI’. batlh ‘oH Doch’e’ neHbogh. jISuvnIS, jIHeghnIS, ‘ach SanwIj vISovnISbe’.”
     jIH chu’Ha’ la’. nav laDqa’. <<choljaH>>, jatlh. ro’Daj SoQqu’moH.

IMPALED BY HUNGRY TONGUE – Nik Houser
     Even when Parker won the pool with IMPALED BY HUNGRY TONGUE, Brett declined to share his results.
     “Aw, he’s just jealous,” Brett grinned. “Nobody’s got a card sexier than IMPALED BY HUNGRY TONGUE.”
     Have your moment, Parker mused, his thoughts straying to his own pre-flight test. What could it mean?
     FACEHUGGER
     It sounded so sexy.

History

CRUCIFIXION – Michael Williams
     The contraption was from somewhere east, beyond the provinces: clanking brass pipes, rattling wood frame and a slim slip of flattened reed with tiny text inked in three languages. Everyone stared at it, then at Josh, then at one another.
     “Maybe if I’m just really…nice to everyone? Maybe then it won’t happen?”
     Judas snorted.

ASSASSINATED BY TIME TRAVELER – Brigid Cassin
     The scientist shuddered in fear. “We’ve tested it countless times, mein Fuhrer. I do not understand the problem.”
     “Das ist doch Scheiße!” the Fuhrer shouted. “Rubbish! Impossible! The most ridiculous thing I have ever read!”
     He shoved the slip of paper into the scientist’s trembling hand. In bold letters, it read “assassinated by time traveler.”

Other

UNTITLED ZELDA STORY – Nathaniel Forsythe
     Lounging atop Hyrule castle, Ganon consulted again the strange scrap of parchment, then looked over his evil to-do list.
     “Triforce — acquired.”
     “Princess Zelda — kidnapped.”
     “Master Sword — hidden in unsolvable forest maze.”
     “Sausages — banned forever.”
     “Golf courses — burned.”
     He paused, in piggish thought. “Should I clear my browser history?”
     Ganon vowed to watch what he clicked.

ORANGES – Andy Jordan
     Vito Corleone ran his eyes down the list and frowned.
     “And you really expect me to believe this?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at the man sitting before his desk.
     “Don Corleone, it’s what the machine said. I can’t explain it.”
     “Oranges?” Corleone said. “Half my men are going to die because of oranges?”

Fan art 17 Aug 2011 04:54 am by Ryan

SHARD OF GLASS: a Machine of Death short film

This film is really great. I’m in it (at least a character with my name is, and he has an incredibly plausible prediction for me) so I may be a bit biased, but it’s a lot of fun and kinda creepy. Recommend! Why not watch it RIGHT NOW (or at lunch, in case you don’t have time right now, WE UNDERSTAND).

Fan art 04 Jul 2011 07:19 am by Ryan

The last Machine of Death Monologue is now up!

Here it is, the last in the series by Orpheos! You can watch them all here!

Episode 8 – Waiting for the End of the World from Orpheos.

Big ups to Orpheos for pulling these all together! The quality and professionalism evident in these videos is really great. If you haven’t seen them all yet, check them out! Orpheos has them all on their site, and we’ve got them linked to here.

Hooray!!

Fan art 20 Jun 2011 09:17 am by Ryan

Second-last Machine of Death Monologue

Here it is, the second-last in the series by Orpheos!



Episode 7 – A lonely oddball, infatuated with the girl next door, worries at the prospect of never seeing her again.

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