For the longest time, I have been considering challenging myself to a personal modding challenge. Originally the concept I was batting around was doing a 52 week challenge where each week I would complete one custom Heroclix mod from one of the books I read from that Wednesday's new releases. Logistically it became a problem for me to acquire the parts I would need for each week's challenge in under a week. Laziness crept in and the project never got off the ground. I am also about 18 issues behind in most of the books I'm reading!

I've also been toying around with custom maps for the past two years and slowly have been teaching myself the in's and out's of various programs like Dundjinni, Paint Shop Pro, Google Sketch Up and Daz. I have dozens of maps half started. So it seemed logical for me to start to complete my custom maps.

The fuel that really started the fire burning was the Secret Santa exchangeI wanted my first printed map to be my Secret Santa gift. It's recipient loved it and it was well received by the gang at my venue. This was a map of a Nativity scene for Christmas. All the positive compliments I received have really motivated me to push myself further.

So here is my personal challenge... 52 weeks... 26 completed maps. The goal is for me to produce one map every other week. When you consider that my career, family life, new home and responsibilities judging at my local venue all will take time out of my week; one map every two weeks seems daunting to me.

Also at this point, I do not plan to release any of these maps for sale or mass distribution. Especially given the fact that I'd like to challenge myself to make some very specific comic locales. The cost to print a 24x36 map at Kinkos is $44, so actual production of these maps will be limited for my personal use.

I've posted the first map over at my blog. Sorry the image is too large for the realms!

http://curiouslurkings.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading my post!

Dude! I run the Heroclix Online software (real time games over the Internet with a fully-functional interface) and we've currently got like 140 maps with new ones all the time, but your project sounds like a perfect fit, since... well, the cost of someone playing a game on a map over the Internet is zero.

If you're keen to have people downloading and using them, I would love to include your work, especially based on that first one.

If you want, check out the software (see my sig). All the maps I use are 24 squares on the long side (or 24 x 24 square) and 696x696 pixels in JPG or PNG format. PM me if you're interesting - I think the community that plays on HCOL will love it.

Awesome looking map!!!
Cant wait to see the other you come up with.

holy rap, thats amazing!

Very cool! I hope the BatCave is one of the locals you are thinking of doing.

You should show them that SHIELD HELICARRIER you sent me! It was really nice. I still want to buy some printed versions of these off of you soon enough

a church would be cool

It's been a quick two weeks and I barely got the next map finished in time.

Here comes map 2 of 26! - WWII Invasion!

Check it out here:
http://curiouslurkings.blogspot.com/

One day, sure. The first few maps in the pipeline use imagery or .pngs that I never checked the licensing to see if I could reproduce them electronically. Probably, I'll make a specific map solely for you and mind my intellectual copyright p&qs.

Yup, it is in the final stages. I'm working on the bat specific imagery right now. Currently I refer to it as Plain Manor with Mancave since it's laking some big pennies and such. I just bought a 3" inch penny replica off eBay that I need to photoshop in.

The Helicarrier is a labor of love. I'll finish it one day, but creatively it's breaking me!

Hey Lurker--

I notice that you state on your blog that it would cost $44 to get these maps printed. I found a place that will print on nice vinyl for $2 a square foot, and they look really nice, too. The site is bestdecal.com, and since I discovered them a few weeks ago, I've been sending them steady business. Today I get my third order from them.

They charge $8 to ship, apparently no matter how many you but (at least up to 2x3 14 maps).


Also-- do you give or sell any of your designs?

Thanks for the link, I will give them a try.

I dig the fact you made it in black and white.

Not to repeat that same idea but it could bring you to maybe do some sort of old noir type setting. Or maybe even a Sin City style of map. Which would be good for stuff Like the Spirit, Doc Savage or any other sort of hero of that time. And of course for a modern flair would be a great city style map for Batman.

Now just make a 2x8 version of the WW 2 map, and I will have a huge Axis vs. Allies game.

I'm punching out......later.

If you are accepting ideas, I have always wanted a fully water map with scattered islands, each island being no more than 3x3. Good luck with your project and tell your family it's for a great cause.

I have accepted that challenge and posted my next map! Check out your suggestion here...

http://curiouslurkings.blogspot.com/

Poor Batman.