Far Trader #2 Comic - Now Available!

[MongooseMatt]

Volume #2 of the Far Trader comic for Traveller is now available, in both print and PDF formats!

You can grab your own copy right here: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/products/far-trader-issue-2-comic



Aramis Subsector. The Imperial frontier. This isolated and volatile region is where the brave crew of the Nelanaak, or "Slowhand" as they call her, make their way as tramp traders. Buying low and selling high is the name of the game. Sometimes a single trading ship can make all the difference in a backwater place like Aramis, but sometimes such a ship is unwelcome. Traders must tread carefully.

Traveller is the role-playing game of the far future, first published in 1977, now brought to you by Mongoose Publishing. Traveller: Far Trader is a foray into Traveller's celebrated Charted Space setting, where ordinary spacers take on extraordinary challenges.

This issue also includes bonus material for the game that describes Carsten Station, an orbital space station on the Imperial frontier, a place your Travellers can visit, engage in trade, have adventures, and brave the dangers of a wild frontier starport.

 

[ottarrus]

Awesome! To the comic store, Growf!

 

[Feagal]

I am liking this comic, particularly as you get some game-based snacks at the end.

 

[TripleOak]

Loved the first two issues. When is issue 3 planned for release? I would totally subscribe to this.... Otherwise, sorta plan my other orders around the release schedule.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Issue 3, I think is late June or July - they will be appearing much sooner now.

 

[Sigtrygg]

Far Trader Issue #3 Comic

Since 1977, Traveller has been the top science-fiction role-playing game of the Far Future! Set in Traveller's Charted Space universe, and written by Chris Griffen, Far Trader is the tale of a bold group of Travellers who take a job on the dangerous frontier of the Spinward Marches. They just...

www.mongoosepublishing.com

Any plans to advertise this on the forums? Not everyone goes to the front page

 

[Sigtrygg]

By the way issue 3 is really good.

 

[Lurking Grue]

By the way issue 3 is really good.

I just read it and, I'm sorry to say, I'm disappointed with it. I really liked issues 1-2, but this issue 3 took a nose-dive both in art and story quality, IMHO. Everything is subjective, of course, but the new artist draws in a very different style to the previous one, which looks much more amateurish and rushed to me. Also the change to the colored line art style is very jarring from the more painted look of previous issues (which I actually liked a lot, once I got used to the style). The backgrounds in many frames seem to be just "static" (little rhyme or reason), which also makes it look poor in my eyes. To add insult to injury, the 1:1 exact copy of the APC from Aliens was a bit too much (see example below) - no imagination, just copying. Disappointing.

Spoiler: Spoilers for the story

Then there's the story, which has some strange, dissonant scenes. Like the one where the captain is having fun in the sack while in orbit, while her crewmembers on planet could call for her pickup at any moment being inside a warzone, under fire and all. Really? She also just puts her crew in danger, goes flippantly against the local law, starts smuggling weapons and what not, because she can, giving little thought to her crew, it seems, and ignores their objections. Then there's the whole, 'I have this magic gizmo so I don't have to worry about snipers', even when the shots are hitting right next to the ground. Must be 110% effective and reliable piece of tech to just casually walk there without a care in the world. Sheesh! Took me right out of the story and made me roll my eyes.

The first two issues showed promise, but now I'm practically out (unless the 4th issue somehow manages to bring the quality back up).

All this just my 2 cents and IMHO, of course.

 

[Vormaerin]

The problem with the previous artist it that they couldn't actually finish the art in a reasonable time. That's why the first two issues took ages to come out. There was a mention a while back about having to change artists so it could be a proper monthly-ish comic instead of 2-3 issues a year.

 

[Micky]

The problem with the previous artist it that they couldn't actually finish the art in a reasonable time. That's why the first two issues took ages to come out. There was a mention a while back about having to change artists so it could be a proper monthly-ish comic instead of 2-3 issues a year.

Yeah I rewatched Chris Griffen's CyborgPrime Mayday 2024 interview today (slow day at work) with an eye on the comics, plus just wanting to hear him talking about Singularity again ... and sure enough he talked about the comics. Seems the outfit he/Mongoose is using has something like two teams that can work on them. Perhaps really speeding up production. Might already be seeing that with the two new ones in the last month or so.

and added the new one to my shopping cart, along with the first two. Once my wife's attention is diverted away from my Traveller expenses again, as I'm laying low and keeping an innocent smile on my face, I'll drop that order woo hoo.

 

[Vormaerin]

The difference in the art between the first couple issues and this one was jarring at first, but I don't dislike the art and overall I'm pleased with the way the story is going.

 

[paltrysum]

Hi, everyone. I don't recall exactly what I said in the Mayday interview, but yes, we're really happy with the two Italian teams working on the comics now. Xavier's work was brilliant, but he did the layouts, illustrations, and colors all by himself, balancing the comics work with his other projects. We're really grateful that he stepped up and did the first two issues, but it was very time consuming for him. People want their comics delivered on a regular basis, ideally one or two months between issues. Andrea Corsi (Far Trader) and Luigi Iannelli (Riftbreaker) can deliver that. There's a little delay on Riftbreaker #2, but once Luigi gets rolling, I'm sure we'll have it on track.

Andrea and Luigi have very different styles, but the main thing we're trying to do is establish creative synergy and good storytelling. I write the scripts and then collaborate with the artists. They often come up with visual devices that warrant a change to the script. It's been a great way to work. We're still finding our sea legs a bit, but I hope to see each issue continue to get better.

We proposed three four-issue stories of Far Trader with the final one wrapping it up for these characters. The second series will feature many of the same characters and some new ones during the run-up to the Fifth Frontier War.

As for Riftbreaker, I could write that book for 100 issues! I love the exploration theme and will have a lot of fun with the adventures (and misadventures) of Revo, Sandy, and Wasata as they cross the Great Rift.

If we're able to renew our contract, what types of stories do you want to see? I'll post a poll to see what's popular. Part of the fun of the comics is creating stories that should feel uniquely Traveller, including all of its many themes and settings.

 

[Micky]

Andrea and Luigi have very different styles, but the main thing we're trying to do is establish creative synergy and good storytelling.

take it for what its worth, nothing I suppose, but as Riftbreaker was the first comic I've bought since a Pink Floyd comic way back in the day, you know when they were still a band and Roger scowled and walked the earth spewing his anger lol. I've never had an interest in them TBH, I really enjoyed Riftbreaker and am inspired to order the 3 Far Trader ones. Love the visual side of it, and think you are an extremely good storyteller. An excellent writer, Being new to the game the Page121 Traveller reviewer recommended your Third Imperium book as one of the first sourcebooks I should get and, naturally being a sucker for good advice, I did order order it right after the core books and it has not just become one of my top two favorite books (the Imperial Navy sourcebook being the other). I would tend to rate it one of the best RPG sourcebooks I"ve ever read. Like you mentioned in your interview.. I still find myself going back to it and enjoy just reading it again.

 

[paltrysum]

take it for what its worth, nothing I suppose, but as Riftbreaker was the first comic I've bought since a Pink Floyd comic way back in the day, you know when they were still a band and Roger scowled and walked the earth spewing his anger lol. I've never had an interest in them TBH, I really enjoyed Riftbreaker and am inspired to order the 3 Far Trader ones. Love the visual side of it, and think you are an extremely good storyteller. An excellent writer, Being new to the game the Page121 Traveller reviewer recommended your Third Imperium book as one of the first sourcebooks I should get and, naturally being a sucker for good advice, I did order order it right after the core books and it has not just become one of my top two favorite books (the Imperial Navy sourcebook being the other). I would tend to rate it one of the best RPG sourcebooks I"ve ever read. Like you mentioned in your interview.. I still find myself going back to it and enjoy just reading it again.

Thank you for the kind words. I've been dying to read Martin's Imperial Navy, but I've had my head down working on Singularity and haven't taken the time yet. Very soon! I love good sourcebooks and he has received almost universal praise for this one.

Back on topic: A navy comic, I think featuring an Element-class or Tigress to tie it into game materials, would be super fun. I wonder if Martin would consider writing it. He's eminently qualified, obviously.

 

[Micky]

Thank you for the kind words. I've been dying to read Martin's Imperial Navy, but I've had my head down working on Singularity and haven't taken the time yet. Very soon! I love good sourcebooks and he has received almost universal praise for this one.

Back on topic: A navy comic, I think featuring an Element-class or Tigress to tie it into game materials, would be super fun. I wonder if Martin would consider writing it. He's eminently qualified, obviously.

it was well deserved.. one of the Youtube reviewers (RPG Imaginings)called it perhaps not just the best source (splat) books done for Traveller but one done for any RPG. High praise indeed and the thing is it really is hard to disagree, ie have one come to mind that you thought was better, was as well done.

A navy series of comics would be really great. Hopefully the community has and would continue to embrace and support your comics and allow you to explore all the possibilities. Just look at that poll you did, some many different ways you could go and all of them would be pretty bitchin'.

 

[Calael]

I just read it and, I'm sorry to say, I'm disappointed with it. I really liked issues 1-2, but this issue 3 took a nose-dive both in art and story quality, IMHO. Everything is subjective, of course, but the new artist draws in a very different style to the previous one, which looks much more amateurish and rushed to me. Also the change to the colored line art style is very jarring from the more painted look of previous issues (which I actually liked a lot, once I got used to the style). The backgrounds in many frames seem to be just "static" (little rhyme or reason), which also makes it look poor in my eyes. To add insult to injury, the 1:1 exact copy of the APC from Aliens was a bit too much (see example below) - no imagination, just copying. Disappointing.

Spoiler: Spoilers for the story

Then there's the story, which has some strange, dissonant scenes. Like the one where the captain is having fun in the sack while in orbit, while her crewmembers on planet could call for her pickup at any moment being inside a warzone, under fire and all. Really? She also just puts her crew in danger, goes flippantly against the local law, starts smuggling weapons and what not, because she can, giving little thought to her crew, it seems, and ignores their objections. Then there's the whole, 'I have this magic gizmo so I don't have to worry about snipers', even when the shots are hitting right next to the ground. Must be 110% effective and reliable piece of tech to just casually walk there without a care in the world. Sheesh! Took me right out of the story and made me roll my eyes.

The first two issues showed promise, but now I'm practically out (unless the 4th issue somehow manages to bring the quality back up).

All this just my 2 cents and IMHO, of course

Hi! I’m the artist of the number 3 of Fartrader. I’m sad that you don’t like my drawings but, we can’t be liked by everyone anyway I try to do my best for the next issue. I would like to say that is my fault for the sniper scene: Chris imagine it like you said, and that the girl was scared by the shot. But I like to develop the character: so I imagined her like a girl really cold that she doesn’t really care too much about what happens around her( if you see in other panels she act physically to represent this idea). So I proposed this to Chris and he liked the idea. The use of APC is an homage to one of the best sci-fi movie, is not stealing, is not something because I don’t have creativity, but something meant to homage that. Just that. I hope to let change your idea with number 4. See ya.

 

[Lurking Grue]

Hi! I’m the artist of the number 3 of Fartrader. I’m sad that you don’t like my drawings but, we can’t be liked by everyone anyway I try to do my best for the next issue. I would like to say that is my fault for the sniper scene: Chris imagine it like you said, and that the girl was scared by the shot. But I like to develop the character: so I imagined her like a girl really cold that she doesn’t really care too much about what happens around her( if you see in other panels she act physically to represent this idea). So I proposed this to Chris and he liked the idea. The use of APC is an homage to one of the best sci-fi movie, is not stealing, is not something because I don’t have creativity, but something meant to homage that. Just that. I hope to let change your idea with number 4. See ya.

Thank you for your sincere reply. Art, like music, is so subjective that opinions about it will naturally vary a lot between individuals. My tastes are by no means any better than someone else's. The great majority here doesn't seem to mind the change in art style and like it just fine, so there you go, you have no need to worry. There's always one curmudgeon in the crowd, eh?

Hopefully Issue #4 will win me over. Godspeed!

 

[Calael]

Thank you for your sincere reply. Art, like music, is so subjective that opinions about it will naturally vary a lot between individuals. My tastes are by no means any better than someone else's. The great majority here doesn't seem to mind the change in art style and like it just fine, so there you go, you have no need to worry. There's always one curmudgeon in the crowd, eh?

Hopefully Issue #4 will win me over. Godspeed!

Thanks to you for your opinion and for your kindness: i totally respect your taste. This is one of my first approach in comics and i know that i need more experience to build, so, for me is useful having critics so i can improve my work. Obviously i will wait you for #4

Best regards