Character Q and A: Brandon Bradford aka Bluuhd

Q: Can you tell me more about Bluuhd? A: Brandon Bradford aka the crimson Auk Mentar(werewolf) called Bluuhd. He is a third stage Auk Mentar(werewolf) which means that in Auk Mentar form he has an extra set of arms and demonic wings. In human form he is a Caucasian male, with long black hair. He tends to wear a black leather vest and black cargo pants which are connected by chains. He has a genius IQ and no native abilities. He has learned a series of skills called Blood Memory. Q: Sounds pretty awesome. What is Blood Memory? A: It is the ability to read the thoughts, memories and even skills of a person by coming into contact with their blood. Q: Like a psychic vampire? Does he drink blood? A: Funny you should mention that. Blood Memory is a skill that naturally belongs to Vampirial lords. He is however not a Vampirial at all. He is an Auk Mentar(werewolf) who received the ability artificially. No, instead he keeps it in capsules on his belt and uses a special rapier that collects blood from targets in said capsules. Q: Sounds pretty cool. Does he ever run into issues with his powers? A: No, but the process that granted him the ability has left him with severe trauma and trust issues. Q: I can understand how that could be. How is he dealing with these issues? A: All Auk Mentar(werewolves) see a therapist regularly. Primarily so the Wolf Council can decide who is fit for missions. Insert medical industry joke here. Q: Ah, that is interesting. Does the Wolf Council send out missions like an army or are they an independent organization? A: Missions are assigned to either individuals or groups via a messenger of the council. Brandon is part of a group that was specifically tasked with wiping out the Vampirials who have declared war. The war is at its end by the beginning of the first book. Q: This sounds like a book. Are you currently writing it? A: Already written. I am actually in the process of converting it into a series of comics. The original book was a choose your adventure story with 95 endings. Each issue was a section of the story that has been adapted, with a choice at the end of the issue. Q: That is impressive. Are you doing the art? A: Mostly, yes, but I would like to get other artists involved. Especially being as each character uses a different art style when they are narrating. Q: Now I am curious. What style will Bluuhd's sections be in? A: A horror comic style. Due to his trauma, he sees the faults in others instantly and monstrously exaggerated. Q: That is pretty awesome. What comic artist is your inspiration for his style? A: Can't say I have any specific influence, I just looked at different horror artists until I found one who's style fit and I hire him when I need artwork done involving Brandon. Q: That sounds cool. What about the other characters that narrate? A: Each has their own style, such as the only person Brandon does not see negatively, she uses a Chibi style when she narrates. Q: Okay, so what is his goal in this series? Is it to overcome his trauma? Kill any vampires that are a threat? Or something else in the story? A: He is trying to prove to himself that what he went through was worth it. He does not strive to overcome as much as learn to live with it. The order he and the group received was all of them and that means all of them. Q: That sounds really interesting. What are his relationships like with the other members of the group? A: It varies. He is looked at with respect of the group and is the unofficial second in command. Q: Are there any romantic relationships between the members? A: Yes, but that is for the reader to figure out as they aren't blaringly obvious nor relevant to the story. Needless to say, any relationships are at the puppy stage as most of the group are teens, which includes Brandon. Q: Cool that you aren't rushing into the romance. Are they going to school or anything like that? A: Yes, but how much of that you see really comes down to the choices of the reader. Q: That is an interesting mechanic. How will the choices for the comics be done? A website? A: All choices will be made, section to issue, exactly as they do in the original book. At the end of each issue the reader chooses by reading the issue that corresponds to that choice. Q: Very interesting. This should be a pretty cool read. How big an audience do you hope to reach? A: All of them, lol, shoot high right? Q: Good motto. Are you going to sell the series as a single book or as separate comic issues? A: Separate issues and as volumes including so many issues. Q: What is the name going to be? Is it going to be the same as the original book? A: Yes as a matter of fact. Each issue takes the name of the section they were based on. For example, the current issue, issue 05, is adapting Passage 05: Masters at the Front. Thus the issue is Issue 05: Masters at the front. Q: Cool. When do you think the first issue will be released? A: It already is, as I said, I am working on issue 05. Q: Can you share a link? I'd love to check it out. A: Unfortunately no, normally I have already started working on it. But this time I am trying my hand at crowdfunding and I am waiting to see if I can gather the funds to hire artists. If it fails, I will just continue as I have been and do it myself. I can show you a page involving Brandon from the previous issue if you want. Q: Sure, I would love to see it. A:

Q: That is really good artwork. I like the use of shadow and the blood drops are a nice touch. What is Brandon thinking about in this panel? A: Everything he sacrificed for the Wolf Council, including everything he was put through to obtain Blood Memory. Q: Oof. That looks like a painful memory. Any clue how long it will take between issues? A: Normally, I try to get them done in a month, with the whole crowdfunding thing, we will see. Q: Understandable. Good luck with crowdfunding, I hope you reach your goal. A: Same. Thanks. Any further questions about Brandon? Q: What is his relationship like with his family? A: Ooh... Good one. His parents are responsible for the experiment that gave him Blood Memory. His mother is distant at best. She is renowned trainer among the Auk Mentar and weaponized Blood Memory. Beneath it all, they do still care for each other. Then there is his father, who developed the experiments that gave Brandon Blood Memory. He loves his son and also fears him. Brandon in turn loves his father, even if he is the spitting image of a forgetful genius. Though they have gotten a bit distanced as Brandon's father is a Vampirial sympathizer. Q: It sounds like Brandon's father may cause Brandon some trouble down the line. Does Brandon have siblings? How do they relate to him? A: He might, he may we'll have a sister twice his age, but if he does she is about twice his age, could be confused for his mother and he is slightly younger and are so casted out of the family that Brandon doesn't even know about them. Q: That seems very lonely. Does Brandon find time for friends outside of the group he is part of? A: Not really, but his best friend is among the group and for him, that's good enough. Q: What is his relationship like with his best friend? A: Like brother and sister, but that is an entirely different story. Q: You're already trying to get me hooked. So their relationship is complicated? A: No, but the identity of his best friend is. Q: Now you have really peaked my interest. What is the identity of his best friend? A: Nope, going to have to read when it comes out and figure it out. Q:Now you have me more hooked. Is it someone within the group or someone outside of it? A: Within. But that is all you are getting, next question please. Q:What is Brandon looking to gain out of going on missions for the group? A: Just to prove himself, subconsciously to get the approval of his parents. Q: That makes sense. Does he see a lot of combat? A: Yes. Q: What is his favorite weapon to carry with him? A: Rapier. Q: Cool, why is that his favorite? Does he always carry it with him? A: It allows him to collect blood for Blood Memory. Yes. Q: Is it specifically designed for that use? A: Yes. Q: Cool. What is Brandon's role in the group? Is he a leader or more of a front line combatant? A: He is the unofficial second in command. He helps the leader strategize and keep the group organized. Q: Sounds important. What is the main source of conflict in Brandon's story? A: Proving that there was value to his suffering. The choices of the reader decide the outcome. Q: It sounds like the trauma he experienced will play a huge role in the story. Does he have anyone helping him work through his trauma? A: The Wolf Council approved therapist and his best friend. Q: I am glad that he has a supportive team around him. Are the rest of the group aware of his trauma? A: No, the group knows little of each other's human lives and identity, with few exceptions. Q: Will it be something that the group learns about as the story progresses? A: Depends on the reader's choices. Some times you don't learn about it until sequel stories that take place after the endings. Some times you never learn about it. Q: Sounds like a lot of content for readers to sink their teeth into. What are the stakes in this story? A: Depends on the choices of the reader. Could be preventing a zombie outbreak, could be a war against the Wolf Council themselves, or other outcomes. Could be the end of the world or reality, or everyone could live a boring life. That's the power of choice. Q: Cool. How many issues are you planning on making? Do you see the choice mechanic as a gimmick or a narrative tool? A: There will be 190 total, 00-189. Neither, I see it as an example of our very humanity, as a lesson of the impact of our choices.