FREEZONE

Here’s what you’ll find:
📖 The first two chapters of Episode 1, where the story kicks off and the world begins to unravel.
🧟 A standalone short story featuring the one and only Hal Grymm—the most feared bounty hunter of the apocalypse.
🎨 A bunch of videos and artwork from earlier versions of Dark Times—think of it as a time capsule of how far we’ve come.

You’ll get a real sense of how the story has grown and changed over time. And here’s the cool part: where it goes next is up to our patrons. Supporters don’t just fund the project—they help steer it.

So dive in, explore, and if you’re into what we’re building, consider joining us on Patreon and becoming part of the team shaping the future of Dark Times.

Free Comics

(Just click on the image to open the comic)

1) A Nun on the Run – Chapter 1

It all starts here. I know I’ve made mistakes on this – things that now I feel I should’ve done differently but that is what this site is supposed to be all about – a community working together to make the Dark Times Universe the best it possibly can be. I’ve left comments under some of pages with what I think should be different. YOUR opinions are what the community needs to grow. Feel free to say whatever you want (Constructive or otherwise).

2) A Nun on the Run – Chapter 2

This was actually the first chapter I made so it was in effect my first attempt at a comic. I was really pleased with the overall look of the chapter. I was still experimenting with how to do the speed and motion lines so they look a bit icky but I was very happy with the noir lighting effect I got.

(Episode 1 – A nun on the Run continues in the Patreon Zone.)

3) Once upon a Time in the Apocalypse

A stand alone story about how the young vampire, Hal Grymm, became the most feared bounty hunter of the apocalypse. This was originally planned as just a short scene – a gunfight between Hal and his bounty – but I guess I got carried away and it ended up as a complete back story.

Free Video

Episode 1 – A nun on the Run (version 1)

When I first came up with Dark Times, I imagined it as an animated comic book. I even built a whole visual novel using Ren’Py, packed with animations and cool effects.

The only snag? Comic fans weren’t really into visual novels… and visual novel fans wanted something more interactive. So yeah—getting readers was a bit of a struggle.

The video below is basically a playthrough of that original Ren’Py version, so you can get a feel for where it all started. (37.5 minutes)

Introduction to the Dark Times Universe (version 1)

This animated intro comes from the original Ren’Py visual novel version of Dark Times. It was part of my first attempt at bringing the universe to life—back when the project looked (and felt) pretty different from where it’s at now.

I’m including it here alongside the game walkthrough video so you can see how the whole concept has evolved over time. It’s rough around the edges, but hey—it’s where it all began!

Free Galleries

A sexy photoshoot (11 images in total) of everyone’s favorite badass nun, Sister Baby.

Evolution

This is to give an example of what will hopefully be discussed in the forums and eventually voted on. This particular example shows the evolution of the Priests as I developed the Dark Times Universe. I’m still not happy with the way they look so I’m hoping this will be one of the things that will change and evolve as the community grows.

Click on an image to enlarge:

Version 1 was my first idea for the church’s soldiers. Not priests at this time but the reformed Order of Templar Monks. The idea was that the apocalypse had partially thrown mankind back into the middle ages. There were still vehicles but few aircraft capable of getting through the dust. There were still guns but bullets were a premium so swords and bows were also used. So the templars were the church’s military Order – created to save the faithful from the vampire menace. The only problem was that the Templar image is more one of hero with the white tabard with red cross. I wanted them to look more menacing and evil which is why I decided to change them. I still think the Templars will make a comeback at some point though I don’t know if they will be good guys or an elite church force (it’s up to the community to decide from now on)

Version 2 I loved. The helmet shape is reminiscent of the Nazi stormtroopers and the heavy leather coat of the Gestapo. The glowing eyes also gave more a menacing look. However when I tried to create the 2d comic the coat lost all its menace. I couldn’t get that heavy, leather look in the comic book style plus it was a pain in the ass trying to pose it sometimes. Still think it looks cool but I ended up abandoning the coat. I think it might return bus as part of a Gestapo type group of priests.

Version 3 is what I eventually settled on for the comic book but I still don’t feel happy with the design. I think it looks too sci-fi and not apocalypse enough. Although the church has all the more advanced tech I think they need to look a bit more like survivors. The helmet yes but less of the body armor – maybe just a black overall with equipment added for different roles (eg interior guards or battle troops). just my opinion to get the conversation started. Up to you guys now.