Rough layout sketch; comic idea

( PS: Files attached at the bottom of this post: two pages / two files)

Back in the days, this was how I used to get my ideas down: grab a pen, start sketching one panel, and just see where it goes from there. No planning, no script, no chance of editing or fixing stuff cause you're using a pen, no time to be a perfectionist; just get that shit down.

It worked before, then for a few years I stopped doing it, but I've recently gotten back into the habit of using this method for idea brainstorming, and although it looks half-crappy and stuff, it is more inspiring and motivating than any other method I have.

It's like a very rough capture of the little "video" in my head, and despite the numerous imperfection it really helps me understand my own idea and remember the thoughts around it, what the story behind it is (when I write my ideas, I have to waste time describing the pres and post as well as adding a brief description of what's going on and why the following is about to happen. Takes time and kills the flow..).

In short; I can see why I used to love drawing crappy comic shorts like these. 

..That's actually a good name for them: Crappy Comic Shorts. CCS..

..A brief presentation of this particular CCS is quite simply that it is a memory Terrance has of his childhood, so that plump little nerd - bless his heart - is none other than Terrance Nicodemus Torrent.
Other "hidden" details or useful intel is that Terrance (especially in the human version of him) has partial albinism (there's a name for the exact type of it he has but I can't recall it right now, sorry ^^; ). This affects his melanin in the way that his hair is white, his skin is pale and his irises are a pale sort of gray-ish blue (Terrance has some pigment in them, but not a lot). It also affects his eyesight, making him terribly nearsighted. Hence the glasses. And his sensitivity to light (mild photophobia) has his mother freaking out about him not wearing sunglasses outside.
When Terrance is older, he switches out his glasses with contact lenses, and uses his dreads to block the sun out.

Other little hints is in the frog, and Nico's compliment on Terrance being smart.
Terrance wanted to be a marine biologist, and was majoring in marine biology and philosophy back in college where he met Saunders - who studied botany.

Terrance later gave up on his dream, but still has a huge interest in anything water-related.

He also wishes to learn surfing, but never got the chance to as a kid due to his mum refusing to take him to the beach ( "I will not have you get scorched just so you can practice drowning yourself, young man." )

Terrance's mom was very strict and overprotective to the point where it almost bordered neglect, but she was also a solid cliff in Terrance's life and someone he could always rely on and encouraged him to build a solid, inner strength and self esteem.
Terrance's father, Nicodemus (whom Terrance is named after), was supportive and mild, had a childish curiosity and loved interacting with his sons and taking part in their games. ..I have drawn him too similar to Saunders here lol, but they are somewhat similar in how they treat their kids. Nico, however, does not have the same solid core as his wife, Caya, and is more prone to shy away or back off when things get rough. Does everything to avoid trouble or getting yelled at or put in an uncomfortable situation. A 'pleaser', one might say.

Terrance has picked up the best qualities from both his parents, and have found good use in these qualities in helping raising not just Sam, but raise Saunders as well in a sense ;)
Calm and patient, and full of childlike curiosity and enthusiasm like his father, yet he is also rock solid to the core like his mother, there when it matters and will never shy away when it comes to protecting his loved ones.
Terrance is someone who is perfectly fine with being a background observer when others are happy, and always there for them when they need him the most.

Terrance's childhood was, as he remembers, a generally happy one.
School was okay. He kept mostly to himself, and later on found a best friend in this other shy kid who was a music enthusiast and comic book nerd.
Not Saunders - not yet. This kid was James Aurelius Whyte, aka "Jam" - cause he kept jammin' on his guitars.

Jam and Terry were best friends for years and even went to college together.
There they met Saunders, and the three of them became the best of friends, the three-leaf clover, the unbreakable trio and so forth...

They were inseparable - until one party where Terrance got a little too much to drink, and kissed Jam.

Due to Jam's very strict parents and their particular beliefs, Jam did not approve of this gesture at all.
He reacted pretty much the way Spike did when he learned about Sam's feelings for him.

Long story short, Jam left the trio in anger. Half chased out by Saunders who confronted him and rather aggressively expressed his disappointment in Jam for the way he treated Terrance.

Saunders ended up being the only person in Terrance's life who supported him, as when he told his parents about his fallout with Jam, his mother disowned him. Not even his father would take his side.

So Terrance stayed with Saunders and his newly started little family.
Terrance stayed loyal to Saunders, and supported him in every way through thick and thin, risked everything to ensure Saunders and Sam had a chance of a happy life.

Years later, his younger brother wanted to get back in touch with Terrance. Though he didn't go by the name Geoffrey anymore; her new name was Felicia.
Knowing their parents would show no support, Terrance's transgender sibling came to him for support - and Terrance supported his sister fully, even helped finance her transitioning.

- so yeah. Kinda rambled for a bit there, but that is.. was, a failed attempt at a brief description on the thoughts surrounding this comic / CCS. :p

Curious to hear what you guys think though, and if you'd be interested in seeing more shorts like this :) (cuz I got MANY.. O3O )