My name is Shannon Cronin, the creator and writer of Lifespan. I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit this electronic comic book pitch. My goal is to secure a deal with a comic book publisher and continue Lifespan as a full color ongoing monthly series. You may contact me at spcronin@gmail.com or (626)488-0183.
Index
- Overview
- First Story Arc
- Sequential Pages
- Characters
- First Issue Script
- Concept History
- Miscellaneous
Lifespan takes place in an alternate reality Los Angeles where money has been done away with and the estimated human life expectancy is now used as currency. When someone spends all of their “life span” they are taken to a discontinuation facility and terminated. People no longer trade dollars for necessities and wants, instead they trade years, months, days, hours and minutes of human life for things money once bought.
At first glance, this concept may sound like science-fiction, but the technology in the Lifespan world is the same as ours. There are no flying cars, no teleportation devices and cops still use bullets, not lasers. This world is very similar to ours and takes place in the present.
For the most part, society accepts Lifespan as the current economic system and the laws of that system as enforced under the Rights of Balance Act. But beneath it all, a small group dubbed by the local media as “The Underground,” is beginning to stand up against what they believe is a corrupt system that eliminates basic human rights.
The Underground consists of four members; Ryan Brown, Daniel Das, Gregory Maddock, and their unofficial leader, Michael Maddock. The group is still in infancy and has begun assisting people who are destined to be sent away to discontinuation facilities. Think Robin Hood meets the A-Team, in a world without money.
The Underground pulls off their second jailbreak, freeing Michael Maddock and a few others destined for the discontinuation facility. With the media attention brought on by the recent prisoner escapes, Louis Lott invests a majority of his department resources in hunting down those responsible, while using the publicity to promote his own political ambitions. Meanwhile, while on the run, Michael sets his sights on Ryan Brown, a youth he identifies with, and whom he hopes to recruit into the group. Unbeknownst to the Underground, one of the prisoners they have freed is a mole and is feeding information to Kevin Caruso, who in turn is using the information as a way to earn political favors from Louis.
NOTE: It is my goal to also write the occasional stand alone issue, exploring the history of Lifespan as well as the characters.
You currently do not have permission to view this portion of the site. If you are a comic book publisher, and would like to view the 5 issue synopsis for the first story arc, please contact me at spcronin@gmail.com.
The following five pages are from the first issue and introduce the Beanie Man, who will end up on a prisoner transport bus with Michael Maddock. While on the bus, they are freed in a daring daytime jailbreak, by both Gregory Maddock and Daniel Das. Meanwhile Ryan Brown witnesses both the arrest and jailbreak of the Beanie Man. All the characters are intertwined before they are aware one another exist.
All artwork for Lifespan has been illustrated by animated feature film director and former Walt Disney animator Phil Nibbelink. Colors by Marco Dominici. Letters by Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt.
This version competed in DC Comics online Zuda contest in January of 2009. It was viewed over 100,000 times and I received numerous inquiries about developing the idea into a Film or Television series. I ended up signing a short-lived production deal with Hollywood based Castlight Pictures. They shopped the story around to various productions houses but the idea was never picked up.
Additionally a story ran in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in regards to the concept and fact that I was competing in a DC Comics contest.
A thirty-something guy whose parents were killed due to the “Rights of Balance Act”. He holds a deep grudge against what he labels imperialism and any government that supports Lifespan. He has devoted his life to helping others in need, in hopes of one day overthrowing Lifespan. His father was a politician who rallied against the Rights of Balance Act when it was first proposed. His mother was of Japanese decent who moved to America to live the “real” American dream.
He is currently “off the grid” and there is no official record of his existence. He is the unofficial leader of “The Underground” and is also the older brother of Gregory Maddock.
Younger brother of Michael, he too holds a grudge and blames current economic structure for the death of his parents. Unlike his brother he can’t really remember the world and how it was before the Rights of Balance Act was passed. When not fighting or hiding from the law, he is quite the ladies' man.
Daniel started off as an employee of the Rights and Balance Enforcement Agency and was one of their best information technology experts. Witnessing firsthand the corruption and deceit associated with Lifespan, Daniel decided to join Michael and Gregory. He wants to help with their attempts to change people’s minds about accepting Lifespan and help overthrow the establishment. A well educated man in his mid-to-late twenties, he is a genius when it comes to computers and networks. He is a fast talker, goes off on rants about life and is an extraordinary hacker.
He has been studying martial arts, like his dad, his entire life. He’s a young kid who recently lost his parents after they ran out of Lifespan by paying for his medical bills after a horrible car accident that nearly killed him. Before being recruited by the underground he lived with his uncle Will. He is currently the mixed martial arts champion in his division.
The Beanie Man, real name Clarence Whitaker, is a shady character who sometimes appears to have a kind heart. He's the type of guy we never know if we can fully trust or not. Unless there's something in it for him, don't ask for help. He got his nickname, The Beanie Man, because he's always wearing his "lucky" beanie. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? He's both.
She is an on the scene reporter for one of Los Angeles County’s major television channels, KBNC. She’s extremely intelligent, very good looking and devotes numerous hours to her job. She’s in her late twenties and has only worked for the channel for a year or so and feels she needs to work extra hard to prove herself as something more than just a pretty face. Eventually she’ll become the top reporter the Underground goes to when they need to get a message out. Additionally her and Greg Maddock will develop a love/hate relationship.
To put it bluntly, Lott is the absolute king of corruption. He's in his early forties, good looking and married to a beautiful wife. They have two kids and a dog. Too bad this pure scum is the head of the Los Angeles County Rights of Balance Enforcement Agency. He's the guy who has his hands in all the cookie jars. Very smart, sly and deadly. He's in charge of the County's four Discontinuation facilities and also is obsessed with bringing The Underground "to justice."
This is Louis Lott's right hand man. He does all of the dirty, illegal, dealings that insures Lott’s safety. He may appear to be just a dumb jock type, but he is extremely intelligent – especially when it comes to street smarts -- as well as loyal to his boss. He always seems laidback and enjoys his personal space. When you cross him or Louis, you're going to get hurt.
Kevin is the owner of a company that manufactures security products and sells them to various private and public law enforcement agencies. He's always looking for ways to make more, and doesn't care who he hurts in the process. While he's not a violent guy, he intimidates with his words. He's the type of guy that would let you die if he could make $100 off of it.
- Tribune article on Lifespan.
- Original Zuda version of Lifespan. Note: The origin has been written out of the story.
You currently do not have permission to access the Lifespan portion of this site. If you are a comic book publisher, and would like to view the comic book pitch for Lifespan, please contact me at spcronin@gmail.com.