OMAHA 01-My idea and pitch for an adult-animated adaptation of an existing comic book

If the title of this blogpost isn't a tipoff, then of course, I'm interested in pitching a series.

But why this Cat of all protagonists? 

Well..... here's the backstory.

On Sunday November 14 2021, TUBI premiered their animated adaptation of GILBERT SHELTON'S THE FABULOUS FURRY FREAK BROTHERS.

Except, instead of looking like that art above, they completely redesigned the characters to that goddamn PUPPET-RIGGED art style show below. 

And the show is now called THE FREAK BROTHERS.

I've actually never watched an episode of this adaptation but I'll dedicate my time to watching it if I get a chance to but anyway, I'd figure, if someone or some network wants to create a TV Series based on an ADULT COMIC, why can't I?

Here's what I think should get adapted into TV or Streaming:

OMAHA THE CAT DANCER.

Why OMAHA? Because it hasn't been adapted yet and FURRY FANDOMS are large enough that I think it warrants it. Also, I would love to work with REED WALLER since he's still alive and well.

OF COURSE REED WALLER WOULD NEED TO WORK ON THE ADAPATION. It's important to have the original creator of the comic to serve as creator or producer of an animated adaptation.

If bringing in the likes of DOUG TENNEPEL for CATSCRATCH

SCOTT ADAMS FOR DILBERT

is possible, then it should be POSSIBLE to bring in REED WALLER.

The series is set in MIPPLE CITY, MINNESOTA so.... the setting is already perfect.

Of course, I understand that there will be fights over whether to stay true to the series explicit routes or tone everything down to make it palatable for the animation market.

Honestly, I'm against toning down content for the sake of art but I understand that the explicit adult nature of the comics as written by Reed Waller and Kate Worley would never get past the bastard executives, nor the censors, nor THE FELLAS AT THE FREAKING FCC.... so I've been thinking about how this should plan out for my pitch and here it is:

The story is set several months after Minnesota's BLUE LAW was passed , putting OMAHA and her friend Shelly Hine out of a job. 

Also, OMAHA'S boyfriend CHUCK KATT has disowned his tycoon father but now must work for his former boss ANDRE DEROC who has opened a Computer Manufacturing company in Minnesota.

The name of the company is called KATERERIFIC DATA CORP, or KDC.

Chuck, Omaha, and Shelly apply for positions as TECH SPECIALISTS at the company but they don't share adjacent Cubicles but at least they provide the only TECH SUPPORT in NORTH AMERICA that isn't outsourced and frustrating for other people.

So yeah, it's sort of a workplace comedy but I still want to keep the SOAP OPERA aspect of the series but at the same time I always wonder, who watches SOAP OPERAS NOWADAYS?

In essence, I want the feel of the series to have a similar feeling to THE OFFICE

or maybe even THE IT CROWD.

So who are the characters?

Obviously we have OMAHA JENSON(Real name SUSAN JENSEN)

The title character. She's a former exotic dancer turned TECH SPECIALIST who's charm, wit, sarcasm, and charisma prove her to be popular within the company.

Then there's Chuck KATT(Real Name Charles Tabey Jr.) 

son of business tycoon Charles Tabey Sr and another tech specialist. Omaha's boyfriend and one who just wants to take seriously the life of a responsible adult that's easier said than done.

Then there's Shelly Hine. 

Omaha's bisexual best friend from their night club days. She was caught in the line of fire of a gangster who tried to assassinate Andre DeRoc. While saved Andre she did, she got shot in the spine and now is in a wheelchair but even then, she refused the motorized chairs and stuck with the traditional one's. She is more snarky than Omaha but still friendly nonetheless. Also works as a tech specialist.

Then there's Jerry

Chuck's high school friend and a former alcoholic. Also works as a TECH SPECIALIST. He's a rather weird nutjob but like Chuck, he just wants to get the job done.

Maria Tabey

Chuck's mother who lives close by as Writer for the Mipple City News Website dedicated to providing the most real of all news in the city.

The list of characters will expand but this will have to do for the time being.

But what I do ask for this particular adaptation is..... 

NO PUPPET RIGS!!!!!!

I WANT THE GODDAMN SERIES TO BE DRAWN BY HAND,

FRAME-BY-FRAME!!!!

NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS!!!

But will this animated show use physical tools like pencils, Col-Erase pencils, animation paper, acetate celluloid, acrylic paint, or ARRI digital cameras?

Of course not. 

The pencil and animation paper, maybe. 

But nowadays, even if everything is drawn by hand frame-by-frame, it's all done on WACOM CINTIQ displays on software like TOON BOOM HARMONY or ADOBE ANIMATE.

But why OMAHA?

Well I need to start small. I'm still not yet ready to pitch my MARYLANDIA series until I have all the knowledge, resources, and guts to keep all creative control to myself. 

But I want to address the issue with the whole paradigm of taking an existing comic book and turning it into an animated adaptation but I want to preserve the integrity of the artist's and writer's vision without executives mucking it up for all of us. That's the problem that permeates today's contents.

As for what NETWORK will air or stream OMAHA, I'm not sure. 

As long as it's with a network that does not screw with creators over company tax purposes, I'm fine but I still want complete creative control.... and so does Reed Waller.

But what about the art style. Will that have to change? 

I hope not. I want the art of OMAHA as drawn by REED WALLER to remain as is but I will have to study the drawings and experiment with construction, body mechanics, acting, etc. just to get used to drawing the characters.

"I hope you draw me exactly like Reed Waller does and not your style, Dan."

Shelly..... of course I'll draw you and your friends the same way Reed does. Just like with my caricatures, you and your friends will remain the same. 

And thanks for referring to me by my real name. All the other animated/anime characters just call me Maverick but thanks for using my formal name.

No Maverick LTD. art style and No puppet rigs. Just pure REED WALLER art from there on.

I'm going to end this post with just the pitch idea. I'll get to drawing the characters and experimenting with Reed Waller's art style and showing them off in a future post.... Not sure if I'll post a part 02 this month but I'll get to it.