About Marooned
Captain John and his robot companion, Asimov, have been stranded on Mars. John and Asimov are not what you’d call best buddies, but they learn to get along when unforeseen events happen - like evil robots trying to destroy them, for instance.
They are aided by some friendly Martians. Ugo has led the guys to an underground sanctuary and given them living quarters. He seems to be some kind of leader, and he is green. Ril is a young feisty girl Martian who touches John’s heart. She’s pink.
There’s another mysterious Martian race called the Geborga that look kind of like strange birds with no wings, and they are scientists.
And we’ve just been introduced to a third Martian race called the Volotrum - otherwise known as “The Dark Ones.” They live deeper underground and we know next to nothing about them, other than they don’t like to be bothered.
A great tragedy has befallen Mars and there are many mysteries to be revealed. And it doesn’t appear things are going too swimmingly on Earth, either.
The Characters
Captain John
Wearing his ego as protection against his insecurities, John acts and speaks too quickly and often only thinks of himself. However under the shell of a selfish man is the makings of a truly great astronaut.
Asimov
A robot sporting a highly advanced brain developed by Nanoganics, Inc., Asimov seems to know a lot of things of which John is not aware. He has little use for John’s failings, but is a faithful companion when it’s crunch time.
Ugo the Martian
Ever friendly and happy, Ugo quickly befriended John and Asimov shortly after they landed. He brought them below ground to their Martian refuge which has a breathable atmosphere and food. He appears to be some sort of authority, but to what extent remains unknown.
Ril the Martian Orphan
Ril is a sassy, young orphan girl who gave Captain John quite a rough welcome when he arrived in the Martian refuge. An orphan himself, John took a chance and spoke with Ril, making a connection with her. The fact that this led to Ril’s capture by Bob is very upsetting to John. Although it does appear Ril can take care of herself.
The Geborga
Scientists of great skill, the Geborga apparently destroyed the Mars that was with some kind of experiment with time. This also nearly killed off their whole race, so that only the scientists who performed the experiment remain. The Geborga communicate telepathically and do not appear to have facial organs other than eyes. During the conflict with Bob, the Geborga fixed Asimov after he had been shot, and fitted him with their own technology.
The Volotrum (The “Dark Ones”)
Dwelling deep in the caverns of Mars, these lumbering tripods are a mystery.
Atha
A red female Anfald Martian, Atha is a healer. She tried to tend to John when he came down with a serious fever, but with his unfamiliar physiology, she was unable to help. Atha acts as a caregiver to the orphan Ril.
Bob the Robot
Bob is a Nanoganics, Inc. Series 7 Prime Robot - the top of the line - created after Asimov. Obnoxious, violent and angry, he wielded some sort of device called The Time Cube that somewhat resembled a Rubik’s Cube. His plans were thwarted and his disabled chassis was taken into custody by the Geborga.
About the Artist
I’m Tom Dell’Aringa, and I make this silliness. I’ve loved comics since childhood, and I’ve always dabbled around with writing and drawing characters. I grew up reading Peanuts, Shoe, Mother Goose & Grimm and any other good comic I could read in the daily papers. I also spent plenty of time with my nose buried in Marvel and DC comics, as well as fun stuff like Disney comics, Groo and even Mad magazine.
So I finally decided to do one basically just for the fun of it. Well, I’m definitely having fun, and the fact that people seem to like it only makes it that much better!
My goal is to do Marooned as long as I enjoy it, regardless of whether it becomes “successful” or not. Besides, my daughters would be crushed if I didn’t keep drawing Captain John, Asimov and of course Ril.
Awards and Recognition
Marooned placed 3rd in Bomb Shelter Comics’ 2008 Webcomic Idol.
Articles, Interviews and Reviews about Marooned
- A review by Storming the Tower by Elle Dee, March 2009
- Review by Christopher Schultz of Webcomicz, March 2009.
- Jason at Digital Strips interviewed me about print viability of webcomics and other assorted webccomic topics, including monetizing and making webcomics. February 2009
- A review at ArtPatient.com. July 2008.
- Interview with Palace in the Sky Webcomics, September 28th, 2008
