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aericmon

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I really like Disney's "Aladdin". I don't really know why- maybe it's because of Robin Williams' Genie or Alan Menken-Howard Ashman's amazing music.


I first watched the original 1992 cartoon in 2018 and ever since then I have been really interested in doing my own version of the story. Long before the 2019 remake came out, I had an idea for a version of the story combining elements of the 1992 film and the Broadway show (which I was able to watch via bootlegs posted on YouTube), which featured Jasmine's mother as a supporting character. However, I never got to work on it (apart from making some concept art for what it would have looked like).


I wrote a script for a comic book adaptation of the 2019 remake and I even started drawing it the same year, but halfway through it I wrote another script featuring musical numbers from the Broadway show and including Jasmine's mother (in addition to Dalia the handmaiden) as a supporting character. As a result, I cancelled the previous comic and then decided to do the new, mostly original script I had written.


Here are my ideas for comic book adaptations of the "Aladdin" story:


1. Aladdin (my take)-

This version features Aladdin, Jasmine, Jafar, the Sultan of Agrabah, his wife the Sultana, Dalia, Abu the monkey, Rajah the tiger and Iago the parrot. Originally Iago was going to be a falcon, but I felt making him a falcon would be "disrespectful" to falcons (they are an important part of Arab culture and falconry has been practiced by the Bedouins for hundreds of years). Some scenes from the 2019 remake are incorporated into this story. The songs are a mix of the 2019 songs and the Broadway show's songs. "Speechless" is not featured in this version, and instead I will give an original song called "Once More" which will play during the end credits. "Once More" is based on the melody of "Harvest Dance" from the 2019 adaptation.


2. Aladdin (film adaptation of the Broadway show)-

This version has Agrabah depicted as an Arab Gulf state (a lot like historical Dubai, Kuwait or Qatar). The costumes, architecture and other aspects of the cultures of the Arab Gulf are what I used to make this particular comic- for example, the ruler of Agrabah is referred to as "Emir", not "Sultan". This adaptation also features all the human characters from the previous adaptation I mentioned here, but Abu is replaced with Babkak, Omar and Kassim; Rajah is replaced with Dalia, Aisha and Laila (handmaidens of Jasmine- the last two, Aisha and Laila, are my original characters); Iago is Jafar's human personal assistant. Genie also does not have a romantic relationship with Dalia. All the musical numbers from the Broadway show are featured in this version of the story.


3. Aladdin (second film adaptation of the Broadway show)-

This is more of a direct adaptation of the Broadway show, and the costumes match the original Disney style of the 1992 film. The only difference between this adaptation and the one I mentioned just before is that Iago is a parrot here. However, I do have Easter eggs for Rajah and Abu in this- one of the 95 Persian monkeys in "Prince Ali" wears a hat and vest, and leaps on Aladdin's shoulder to give him a fist bump. Also, Aladdin (as Prince Ali) gifts Jasmine three falcons and a royal Bengal tiger as a present. Genie has an implied romance with a cupbearer called Rukaiya in this version (she appears in the beginning as the wife of the Merchant- Genie in retirement/disguise, who introduces the story).



4. The Thief of Baghdad-

This version of the Aladdin story (set in a fictionalized version of Baghdad) is more of my own work than something based directly on any of Disney's versions of the story. For one, it's less family-friendly than the Disney adaptations. Another thing is that this one is (tentatively) a non-musical film, so no songs. It is based on the original 1001 Nights story, but Aladdin is depicted as a poor thief (like in the Disney versions) who struggles to feed his mother and is accompanied by Abu Bakr, his best friend, and Abu's sister Jamila. There are also two genies- the genie of the lamp and the genie of the ring. The princess is named Badra, not Jasmine, and she has two younger siblings- a brother and a sister. The story has more of an action-adventure feel than the previous versions (which are more like buddy comedies). There are also at least three villains in this version- the evil African magician, Abdullah the grand vizier and Abdullah's son Jafar.


I haven't written the scripts for three of these (only the first one); so far I have only written the basic storylines and drawn concept art and posters. Hopefully I'll get to make these in the years/months to come.

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Hello everyone!


I wanted to just share with all of you my ideas for 4 different takes on the Lion King (I will refer to it as "TLK" for short) musical. So here they are:


1. The Lion King (Original Broadway Musical)-

This is a comic strip adaptation of the show's original Broadway production. It follows mostly the same number of ensemble performers, set design and musical numbers.


2. The Lion King (Antarctica)-

This is supposed to be a comic strip adaptation of what I like to imagine as a Christmas special performance of the show, based on the April Fool's prank they pulled in 2018. However, unlike in that video, Zazu is a hornbill, like in the original story. Not a penguin. Many of the set pieces will have icicles and snow on them, and the costumes will be trimmed with fur or made of thicker fabric, covering more of the performers' bodies.


3. The Lion King (India)-

This is a comic strip version of a fan-made production of the show set in Mumbai, India. It is actually based on the 2000 Los Angeles production that played at the Panteges Theatre- same set design and number of ensemble performers. The only thing is that this performance takes place in India.


4. The Lion King (Arabia)-

This is a comic strip adaptation of the show but with the costumes redesigned to look like traditional Arab clothing as worn by the people of the Persian Gulf countries.


The last 3 versions of the TLK musical feature a modified version of "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", as well as the original versions of the songs "The Morning Report" and "The Madness of King Scar". "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" has some of the deleted lyrics of the song from the movie added in order to replace the musical interlude with the aerial dancers.


I am really excited to make these in the coming years and I hope you all will enjoy them once I begin posting them online.

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First journal in months (or maybe a year; I don’t know).

This is completely random, but I just had to share it-
I have read a bit about the Shroud of Turin, which is thought by many to be the linen sheet in which Jesus Christ was wrapped in for burial after His death. Some things about the cloth, in addition to what I know about Jesus’ personality, don’t seem to add up.

For one, the cloth’s fabric had been proven to be genuine ancient linen from Palestine/Israel. There is a ton of information about the presence of limestone dust and pollen from flora that grow in Jerusalem only during springtime being present on the cloth. Not to mention the countless tests done on the image that show that it’s an extremely strange form of photography or imprinting (my definitions for the image; not sure if the people who studied it actually called it that- the image is a photographic negative). The blood is also real human blood.

The wounds on the man whose image is on the Shroud perfectly match the descriptions of Jesus’ sufferings as prophesied/described in the Bible.

But here’s the thing- it doesn’t seem in Jesus’ nature to leave behind an imprint of His physical appearance on His burial sheet. We know that the image has not been painted on the cloth- it’s a photographic negative. We also know that whenever God/Jesus manifested His glory before His followers, He shone brightly- with a light brighter than the sun. Could this light be capable of making a photographic imprint like on the Shroud? I don’t know. The Bible never says anything about this.

I have also considered whether the Shroud is a clever work of Satan. Satan would like to mislead people from the truth, so he makes stuff like this all the time. I believe many of the Marian apparitions or so-called revelations received by many religious leaders and followers were actually induced by Satan.

Satan hates Jesus because Jesus is capable of freeing lost souls from Satan’s bondage. He has always been challenging God from the beginning of human history. But if the Shroud is supposed to represent Jesus’ mutilated and dead body, then why would Satan make an object of deception that displays his defeat? Because the Bible says Jesus defeated Satan by His suffering, death and resurrection (all of which the Shroud proves- if it is really Jesus’ burial sheet).

It’s very strange that a cloth like this has divided so many people. Jesus said that you shall know the tree by its fruit. He said people will be divided on His account- family members and people of the same community will be opposed to one another because they believe in Him. This division is for our benefit, because we can see who is on the way to life and who is on the way to eternal death by this division of souls.

Satan also likes to bring in division. He divides churches, households, people of all sorts. The division he brings causes misery, sadness and death.

I do not base my belief in Jesus because of physical artefacts from His time or any sort of historical research on Him. I believe in Him because His Holy Spirit convicted me of sin and revealed to me my need for a Saviour. Even if the Shroud is not really Jesus’ it wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) bother me.
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Hello, everyone!

I recently began a new YouTube channel, and I am seeking to gain 100 subscribers by the end of this month. It would mean a lot if you can subscribe to my channel if you haven't already. Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkW0Eqw9J5Fud46N3Dan4dA?view_as=subscriber


Also follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/artist_without_passion/

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THE LION KING 2: SIMBA’S PRIDE

Synopsis:


Act 1:

As the sun rises, the animals arrive to witness the presentation of Kiara, the newborn daughter of Simba and Nala. The kingdom rejoices as Rafiki shows Kiara to the gathered animals (“He Lives In You”). Timon and Pumbaa talk about how to raise Kiara, thinking that she is a boy but Nala corrects them. They get shocked and faint.

Later that day, Rafiki draws Kiara’s image on her tree. Mufasa’s spirit visits her and tells her about the son of Simba’s sworn enemy Zira, who lives in the Outlands, a termite-infested wasteland with her band of lionesses, called the Outsiders. The cub, named Kovu, was chosen by Scar sometime before Simba’s return as his heir and Rafiki learns that Zira plans to train him up to kill Simba and rule the Pride Lands.

Meanwhile, the lionesses loyal to Scar celebrate the birthday of Zira’s cub Kovu. Zira looks at the cub and longs for their return to the Pride Lands after Kovu comes of age (“Born To Be King”). Zira’s other two children, Nuka and Vitani also join in the celebration, but Nuka is jealous of Kovu as he desires to be Scar’s successor (“The Little Prince”).

Later, Sarabi and Simba speak with each other at Pride Rock. They talk about how the kingdom must be governed as the memories of Scar are still fresh in many of the animals’ minds. As they do so, a few of Zira’s cronies attack them, but Simba and Sarabi, with Nala joining them later, fend them off.

In the Outlands, Zira teaches Kovu how to hunt. Kovu is learning to catch a cricket. Zira tells him to kill it, but Kovu says that the cricket hasn’t hurt him so he sees no reason to kill it. As the lionesses of her pride report their unsuccessful attack, Zira reminds Kovu of who he is and that their pride has no room for weakness. Zira admonishes the lionesses for attacking without informing her.

Moving back to the Pride Lands, Simba and Kiara look at the savannah. Kiara notices a butterfly fluttering by and runs off to chase it, but Simba stops her. He reminds her of who she is and tells her to stay out of trouble. Nala comes in and tells Kiara to mind her father (“Princess Kiara”). Zazu also comes by and tells her of the Outsiders, and Simba tells Kiara to stay away from the Outlands. Kiara asks why, but Simba simply says that she’ll understand it later. Kiara rushes off. Nala reminisces about her and Simba’s childhood, noting how similar Kiara is to Simba when he was a cub. Nala assures Simba that Kiara will be fine, in spite of which Simba discreetly tells Timon and Pumbaa to follow Kiara as she plays. The duo does as Simba says.

Kiara chases a butterfly across the plains. She stumbles upon a rock while trying to catch the butterfly and sees the Outlands in the distance. Timon and Pumbaa frighten her and she hides behind a rock to escape from Pumbaa’s stench. Timon and Pumbaa discuss babysitting as they try to look for Kiara, and then they catch her walking away from the rock. The duo rush to her side and try to make sure she’s okay but she doesn’t like that they constantly keep following her. They try to get her to eat bugs but she finds them disgusting, and runs off towards the Outlands as Timon and Pumbaa argue about slimy and crunchy bugs.

Kiara bumps into Kovu but the cubs get off on a rough start. Kovu tells Kiara about how he lives on his own, but as he steps on a rock they are confronted by some crocodiles. The crocs try to eat the cubs but they manage to outwit them and make it to safety. Kovu and Kiara bond and start playing together (“What We Could Be Together”), but Simba and Zira come in between them. Simba and Zira face off as Zira introduces Kovu to Simba. Simba orders them to never come to the Pride Lands again and sends them away. Simba and his pride return to Pride Rock. On the way, Simba has a talk with Kiara and reminds her of who she is and that they are one (“We Are One”).

Zira takes Kovu back to the Outlands and scolds Nuka for not keeping an eye on Kovu. Zira confronts Kovu but then gets an idea to kill Simba using Kovu to lure Kiara (“My Lullaby”). Later, Rafiki is visited by Mufasa’s spirit who tells her that the key to ridding the Pride Lands of the danger of the Outsiders is the union of the prides via Kovu and Kiara’s love. Rafiki doubts Mufasa’s plan but he insists. After that, the Pride Lands royal family hold a meeting at which Rafiki tells Simba what Mufasa informed her. Simba is outraged and says that the Outsiders and Pridelanders will never see eye to eye. When Rafiki tells him that it is what Mufasa would want, he becomes defensive, but thoughtful (“My Father’s Footsteps”).

Several years pass and Kovu grows up. Zira declares him ready to kill Simba and retake the throne (“Born To Be King” reprise 1). In the Pride Lands, Kiara goes for her first hunt (“Princess Kiara” reprise). Simba tells Timon and Pumbaa to keep an eye on her. They follow her secretly.

Kiara stalks a herd of gazelles as Timon and Pumbaa follow her. However, Pumbaa grunts, frightening the gazelles and Kiara discovers them. She runs away to hunt somewhere else, away from the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, Vitani and Nuka appear with lighted sticks, in order to start a fire in the savannah, intending to trap Kiara in it. Zira and Kovu observe the action from atop a cliff and Kovu leaps off to rescue her. Kiara sees the fire rushing towards her and she tries to escape. She manages to climb up a cliff and Kovu finds her, exhausted and unconscious. He takes her and manages to evade the fire. Zazu finds them and he alerts Simba and the pride (“The Fire Rescue”). Simba asks Kovu what he was doing but Rafiki tells Simba that it was Kovu who saved Kiara from the fire. Simba reluctantly agrees to let Kovu stay with them.

As the pride retires for the night, Kovu tries to get inside the cavern with the other lions but Simba blocks his path. Kiara speaks to Kovu before she goes to bed and gets him to agree to train her the next morning onwards. The whole scene is observed by Zira and Nuka hidden in a corner, after which they leave.


Act 2:

The next morning, Kovu sees Simba outside the cavern, preparing to go on a stroll. He is about to move for the kill but Kiara surprises him and they go away to the plains to train.

Kovu tries to teach Kiara how to hunt by teaching her how to focus and be stealthier. Timon and Pumbaa walk in and surprise them, interrupting their lesson. Timon asks Kovu to scare away the birds that have infested their feeding ground, which turns the training session into a game. The foursome run across the plains until they come face to face with a herd of rhinos. The rhinos give chase but the group manages to evade them. Kovu and Kiara decide to go somewhere else to train as Timon and Pumbaa head back to their feeding ground (“The Hunting Lesson”).

Kiara and Kovu run through the plains and Kovu teaches her how to stalk some wildebeest. However, they are confronted by a leopard. The leopard tries to kill Kovu but Kiara outwits the leopard, saving Kovu’s life. This act of hers makes an impression on Kovu. After their training session, Kovu and Kiara head back home as night falls.

Back at Pride Rock, Simba sees a nightmare- he is taken back to the moment where his father dies. Scar tells Simba to trust him as he slowly morphs to Kovu. Simba awakens suddenly and looks to the stars for guidance. Nala talks to Simba, who tells her that he fears for Kiara’s safety as Kovu is an Outsider, but Nala tells him to look beyond what he sees and that perhaps Kovu doesn’t necessarily want to hurt Kiara.

The next morning, Kiara and Kovu head out for another training session. Simba sees them going away and tells Timon and Pumbaa to follow them, which they reluctantly agree to do so. They keep their distance as Kiara and Kovu train and grow closer (“They’re Falling In Love”). The pair manage to remain hidden but grow tired as Kiara and Kovu continue to train. Kovu becomes accustomed to having fun and begins to defy his mother’s rules, and Kiara begins to trust Kovu more. Nuka and Vitani see what’s happening and report back to Zira. She is overjoyed that their plan is working all too well.

Later that evening, Kovu and Kiara stargaze. They have a heartfelt conversation where Kovu almost tells the truth to Kiara and finally realises how much he loves her (Born To Be King reprise 2), but as he prepares to leave Rafiki comes in and helps the two of them fall in love as she leads them in a musical show to “Upendi”(“Upendi”). Kovu and Kiara realise that they love each other and head back to Pride Rock where Simba allows Kovu to sleep in the cavern with the rest of the pride. Vitani watches from a corner nearby and is shocked when Kovu doesn’t make an attack on Simba. She heads back to the Outlands and tells everything to Zira. Zira is furious and decides to secretly ambush Simba herself, suspecting Kovu of betrayal (“Betray Us”).

The next morning, Simba decides to speak to Kovu for a while before he goes to train Kiara. Kiara is delighted and the two lions have a chat as they walk through the plains. Simba tells Kovu the true story of Scar and Kovu starts to question everything he’s learnt about Simba and Scar from Zira. However, Zira and a few Outsiders creep up on Simba and he blames Kovu for inviting them. Kovu denies any wrongdoing and he tries to fight them off but Vitani knocks him unconscious. The Outsiders chase Simba down the middle of the gorge, and Simba tries to climb up a pile of logs. As Simba struggles to reach the top, Nuka attempts to kill Simba but Simba accidentally makes a log fall on Nuka, killing him in the process (“The Ambush”). Kovu arrives to find Zira mourning Nuka. She blames Kovu for Nuka’s death but Kovu denies any wrongdoing and defies his mother. Zira strikes Kovu on the face and scars him. Kovu runs off and Zira decides to mount a final and fatal attack on Pride Rock.

Meanwhile, Nala, Sarabi, Timon and Pumbaa find an injured Simba and take him back to Pride Rock. Zazu brings in the animals to Pride Rock as Simba prepares to pronounce judgement on Kovu. Kiara tries to intercede on Kovu’s behalf but Simba silences her and exiles Kovu(“Not One Of Us”). Kiara tries to plead with Simba but he refuses to let Kovu come back (“Why Can’t You See”). Simba orders a strict watch on Kiara, which makes Nala argue in Kiara’s defence. Zazu tries to make peace between them all by reminding them that they mustn’t be divided over this matter. Kiara runs off to find Kovu. Timon and Pumbaa rush off to bring her back.

Kiara runs through the plains in search of Kovu and finds him wandering in the desert. They confess their love for each other (“Love Will Find A Way”). Kovu tells Kiara the truth, and she finds it difficult to accept but decides to forgive him anyway and gives him a chance to prove himself by asking him to join her in reuniting their divided pride. The couple run off to Pride Rock to talk things out with Simba.

As the sun sets, Zira and the Outsiders head to the gorge to face Simba. Meanwhile, Timon and Pumbaa tell Simba that Kiara is missing. Zazu alerts Simba of the impending attack and the lions make it to the gorge to face the Outsiders.

The Pridelanders and Outsiders fight hard. As the fight comes to a heat, Simba and Zira face off in a duel. Just as Zira is about to deliver the killing stroke to Simba, Kiara and Kovu rush in between them. Kovu openly defies his mother and Kiara gets Simba to acknowledge that they are one. Simba embraces his daughter. Zira orders Vitani to attack but she refuses. She joins Simba’s pride. Zira threatens to kill her, which shocks and disgusts the Outsiders, and they join Simba’s pride as well. Zira goes into a rage and tries to attack Simba, but Kovu jumps in to stop her. Mother and son duel and Kovu finally defeats Zira, who is at his feet near the rim of the gorge. Kiara steps beside Kovu and reaches out her hand to help Zira get up. However, Zira smiles evilly and tries to attack Kiara, but Kovu blocks her attack, making her lose her footing and she plunges down to the flowing water below as Kovu and the Outsiders look on in horror.

The Pride Landers comfort the Outsiders and Simba officially welcomes Kovu and his family back into their pride, and they all return to Pride Rock as Mufasa congratulates his son and Rafiki blesses the union of Kiara and Kovu (“Finale- We Are One reprise”).

__________________


Soundtrack listing For The Lion King 2 Simba’s Pride Broadway Musical:


Act I:

  1. He Lives In You (Rafiki)

  2. Born To Be King (Zira)

  3. The Little Prince (Nuka, Vitani)

  4. Princess Kiara (Simba, Nala, Zazu)

  5. What We Could Be Together (Kovu, Kiara)

  6. We Are One (Simba, Kiara)

  7. My Lullaby (Zira, Nuka, Vitani, Outsiders)

  8. My Father’s Footsteps (Simba, Rafiki, Nala, Sarabi)

  9. Born To Be King- reprise 2/Princess Kiara- reprise 2 (Zira, Outsiders, Nala, Pridelanders)

  10. The Fire Rescue


Act II:

  1. Sisi Ni Sawa (entracte)

  2. The Hunting Lesson

  3. They’re Falling In Love (Timon and Pumbaa)

  4. Born To Be King reprise 2 (Kovu)

  5. Upendi (Rafiki, Kiara, Kovu)

  6. Betray Us (Zira)

  7. Not One Of Us (Simba, Pridelanders)

  8. Why Can’t You See (Kiara, Simba)

  9. Love Will Find A Way (Kiara, Kovu)

  10. Finale- We Are One reprise (Kiara, Simba, Pridelanders, Outsiders)

____________________________


Songs not included in soundtrack, but featured in the show:


Act 1:

  1. The Circle Of Life Elton John version (Sarabi)

  2. Born To Be King+My Father’s Footsteps instrumental (for the surprise attack)

  3. Born To Be King Zira reprise (Zira)


Act 2:

  1. Sisi Ni Sawa (Swahili version- entracte)

  2. Love Will Find A Way instrumental (after leopard attack)

  3. Stampede+Scar’s theme instrumental (nightmare scene)

  4. Endless Night/My Father’s Footsteps reprise

  5. The Little Prince Vitani reprise (after Upendi)

  6. Scar’s Theme+This Land instrumental (Simba and Kovu’s chat)

  7. The Ambush instrumental theme (BTBK+MFFs)

  8. My Lullaby+Betray Us reprise (Zira to Kovu, as well as Kovu, after Nuka’s death)

  9. My Father’s Footsteps Zazu reprise (after Kiara runs away to fetch Kovu)

  10. Pridelanders vs Outsiders (instrumental reprises of BTBK, TRFIL, MFFs, VR1, My Lullaby)

  11. We Are One Kiara reprise (Kiara to Simba)

  12. Kovu vs Zira instrumental (My Lullaby)

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