Introducing the DULO Cinematic Universe - Part I

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Hey peeps, time for this week's newsletter and let me tell you, it's going to nearly blow your socks off...

Or not, BUT I AM really excited to share and put this idea out into the world and from here start developing it, ideally with your input!

So, to take you back a while, we always thought that branding is THE most important thing when it comes to business, so a few years ago, we had the idea of starting a comic book strip, with a main character that wears our clothes.

(Stories will outlast any product. Brand IP (Intellectual Property) and storytelling?are the most powerful business/branding assets in my opinion.)

We had no concept, or vision of what the universe of that character would be, or the plot, but we just thought it was a cool idea. We even had a designer friend of ours illustrate something for us:

However, in the spirit of our past (but hopefully not our present and future!) we kind of left it sitting there and did not develop it further.

Fast forward a few years and a few days ago I decided I'd ask ChatGPT the following question:

"ok, I run an e-commerce brand that makes performance dress shirts and polos, what would be a cool and unique story universe to build around these products and our target group - athletes?"

He came back with a concept around "The League of Extraordinary Athletes", but to me that sounded a bit basic and default, so I continued fleshing it out and after a few rounds of back and forth I want to lay out the first version of the DULO Cinematic Universe to you now!

The Villain

For some reason, I thought that I'd start with the villain and this is what we came up with:

"A compelling villain for the League of Extraordinary Athletes could be "Dr. Sedentarius," a nefarious scientist who aims to spread a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits throughout the world. Driven by a twisted belief that human progress is best achieved through inactivity and reliance on technology, he seeks to undermine the values of fitness, health, and teamwork.

Dr. Sedentarius employs a range of advanced gadgets, mind-control techniques, and bioengineered creations designed to discourage physical activity and promote laziness. His ultimate goal is to create a global society dependent on his inventions, granting him immense power and control."

The place that my mind went next, I think inspired by the Power Rangers as a child, I thought - "what would his army be comprised of and introduce some mini villains", this is what we came up with:

"The Procrastinators: A group of time-manipulating henchmen who can slow down or freeze time, making it difficult for people to find the motivation to engage in physical activities. They embody the spirit of procrastination and aim to delay or prevent people from taking action.

The Couch Commanders: These villains have the power to control and animate household furniture, turning couches, chairs, and beds into irresistible traps that keep people glued to their seats and screens, fostering a sedentary lifestyle.

The Junk Food Juggernauts: A team of villains who can conjure up unhealthy snacks and fast food, manipulating people's cravings and making it challenging for them to maintain a balanced diet. They promote overconsumption and poor nutrition, undermining the importance of a healthy diet for optimal athletic performance.

The Energy Drainers: A group of psychic vampires who can absorb people's energy and motivation, leaving them feeling lethargic and unwilling to engage in physical activities. The Energy Drainers aim to create a world where people lack the drive to pursue sports or exercise.

The Tech Titans: These technologically-enhanced villains use advanced gadgets and devices to distract people from physical activity, promoting excessive screen time and digital addiction. They capitalize on people's dependence on technology to encourage a sedentary lifestyle."

From there I thought that it was high time we create our main characters, our protagonists. For now, there are three of them:

Character 1: Blaze Swift

Appearance: Blaze is a tall, lean, and muscular sprinter with short-cropped, fiery red hair and eyes that seem to spark with energy. He wears a performance dress shirt and polo that features a flame motif, symbolizing his incredible speed.

Backstory: Growing up in a small town with limited resources, Blaze discovered his love for running at a young age. With the support of his community and a dedicated coach, he overcame numerous challenges to become a record-breaking sprinter. Blaze's determination and hard work have inspired others in his hometown to pursue their athletic dreams.

Skills: Blaze possesses superhuman speed, allowing him to outrun any opponent and cover vast distances in the blink of an eye. His incredible reflexes and agility make him a formidable force on the field.

Incentive: Blaze wants to spread the message of hard work, resilience, and the power of community support. He fights against Dr. Sedentarius to ensure that people have the opportunity to pursue their athletic passions and experience the joy of an active lifestyle.

Character 2: Luna Ascend

Appearance: Luna is a tall, slender, and toned mountain climber with long, dark hair often tied in a practical braid. She has piercing blue eyes and wears a performance dress shirt and polo adorned with mountain peaks, representing her love for climbing.

Backstory: Luna was raised in a family of experienced climbers and developed a deep connection to the mountains from a young age. When she lost her parents in a tragic climbing accident, she dedicated herself to mastering her skills and promoting safety in the sport. Luna has since scaled the world's highest peaks, inspiring others to overcome their fears and embrace the outdoors.

Skills: Luna has unmatched agility, stamina, and strength, allowing her to conquer even the most treacherous terrain with ease. Her keen intuition and knowledge of the mountains make her an expert in navigating and surviving in extreme environments.

Incentive: Luna is committed to sharing the importance of safety, preparedness, and respect for nature in outdoor pursuits. She fights against Dr. Sedentarius to protect the beauty of the natural world and help people rediscover the benefits of connecting with the outdoors through physical activity.

Character 3: Remy Striker

Appearance: Remy is a medium-height, well-built soccer player with short, curly dark brown hair and captivating green eyes. He wears a performance dress shirt and polo featuring a stylized soccer ball and a dynamic zig-zag pattern, signifying his exceptional ball control and strategic thinking.

Backstory: Born in a bustling city known for its love of soccer, Remy grew up playing the sport in the streets with his friends. Despite facing financial hardships, his undeniable talent caught the attention of a professional soccer scout, who helped Remy join a prestigious soccer academy. With unwavering determination, Remy rose through the ranks and became a renowned player, known for his incredible skills and sportsmanship.

Skills: Remy possesses extraordinary ball control, precision, and tactical acumen, making him a formidable presence on the field. His ability to read the game and anticipate opponents' moves allows him to outmaneuver and outsmart even the toughest adversaries.

Incentive: Remy is passionate about using his success to give back to his community and create opportunities for other aspiring athletes. He fights against Dr. Sedentarius to promote the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance that soccer embodies and to encourage people to embrace the camaraderie and joy that sports can bring to their lives."

Now that we have our initial cast, I thought we can start creating the environment. I followed up by prompting the name and descriptions of two planets, one for the athletes and one for Dr. Sed:

"A fitting name for the universe of your characters could be "Athlonis Prime." This slightly futuristic planet would be home to diverse landscapes, advanced technology, and a population passionate about sports and physical activity. Athlonis Prime represents a perfect setting for the League of Extraordinary Athletes and their quest to promote health, fitness, and an active lifestyle.

The planet from which your main villain, Dr. Sedentarius, might originate could be called "Apathion." This distant world, shrouded in darkness and perpetual gloom, is home to a society that has succumbed to a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. Apathion serves as a stark contrast to Athlonis Prime and symbolizes the bleak future that Dr. Sedentarius seeks to impose on other worlds."

So there you have it ATHLONIS PRIME and APATHION.

Once we have the initial stage set, I thought it would be nice to crystalize the initial motivation of our villain and start creating the incentive structure for our characters:

"Dr. Sedentarius's motivation to take over the universe stems from a deeply rooted belief that physical exertion and effort are unnecessary and a waste of time. He envisions a universe where everyone relies on technology for every aspect of their lives, eliminating the need for physical activity. Dr. Sedentarius believes that by creating a sedentary and inactive population, he can bring about a more efficient and unified society under his control.

As he witnessed the advancements in technology throughout the universe, Dr. Sedentarius saw an opportunity to exploit these developments for his own gain. He seeks to spread his twisted ideology across planets, turning their inhabitants into lethargic and dependent beings who will ultimately succumb to his rule.

Driven by a lust for power and control, Dr. Sedentarius is relentless in his pursuit of galactic domination, convinced that his vision of a sedentary universe is the ultimate path to progress and prosperity."

At this point, I remembered that we didn't have the same description for Dr. Sed as we had for Blaze, Luna, and Remy:

"Appearance: Dr. Sedentarius is a tall, imposing figure with a gaunt face and sunken eyes that betray his disdain for physical activity. His once-robust physique has withered away due to his sedentary lifestyle, leaving him with a hunched posture and an air of frailty. His wardrobe consists of dark, flowing robes that conceal an array of advanced technological devices he uses to execute his nefarious plans.

Backstory: Born on the gloomy planet of Apathion, Dr. Sedentarius was a brilliant scientist and inventor. As a young man, he became disillusioned with the emphasis his society placed on sports and physical fitness, believing that they were distractions from intellectual pursuits. Over time, his resentment grew into an obsession with proving the superiority of a sedentary lifestyle.

Dr. Sedentarius dedicated his life to developing technologies that would eliminate the need for physical exertion, ultimately achieving remarkable success. However, his inventions came at a great cost to the health and well-being of Apathion's citizens. As their society deteriorated, Dr. Sedentarius seized power, convinced that his vision of a sedentary universe was the ultimate path to progress.

Incentive: Driven by a deep-seated belief in the supremacy of a sedentary lifestyle and a desire for power, Dr. Sedentarius seeks to take over the universe and impose his twisted ideology on its inhabitants. He aims to create a universe where everyone relies on technology for every aspect of their lives, eliminating the need for physical activity and cementing his rule.

Dr. Sedentarius views the League of Extraordinary Athletes as a significant threat to his vision and will stop at nothing to crush their efforts to promote health, fitness, and an active lifestyle. In his quest for galactic domination, he is relentless, cunning, and ruthless, making him a formidable adversary for the heroes of Athlonis Prime."

Now a more detailed description of the planets:

Athlonis Prime:

Athlonis Prime is a vibrant and diverse planet with a slightly futuristic atmosphere. The landscapes range from vast, lush forests and majestic mountains to sprawling cities with awe-inspiring architecture. Advanced technology seamlessly integrates with the natural environment, creating a harmonious blend of progress and nature.

The cities on Athlonis Prime are designed to encourage physical activity, with ample parks, sports complexes, and pedestrian-friendly streets. Public spaces are often filled with people engaging in various sports and recreational activities, highlighting the planet's passion for fitness and well-being. The air is crisp and clean, and the overall ambiance is one of energy, vitality, and enthusiasm.

Apathion:

In stark contrast, Apathion is a dark and gloomy planet shrouded in perpetual shadows. The once-beautiful landscapes have withered away, leaving behind a desolate and barren wasteland. The cities are characterized by monolithic, oppressive structures that loom over the population, creating an atmosphere of despair and hopelessness.

The technology on Apathion is primarily focused on minimizing physical effort, resulting in a pervasive reliance on machines and gadgets for even the simplest tasks. Public spaces, once designed for recreation and activity, have been replaced by vast networks of automated transport systems and virtual reality hubs that encourage sedentary behavior.

The air on Apathion is thick with smog, and the skies are perpetually overcast, adding to the bleakness of the planet. The citizens of Apathion live a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, a stark contrast to the active and vibrant inhabitants of Athlonis Prime. The somber environment on Apathion perfectly reflects the twisted vision of its ruler, Dr. Sedentarius.

Congrats and thank you for making it this far!

To avoid making this newsletter too long, I'll continue with setting up the universe for you next week, we have some baddies - Lethargos, Procrastinos, Technotron, Inactivia, and Gluttorius, of course, a great interplanetary tournament and to top it off, a mystical resource that might be the reason for all of this - Energem.

Cannot wait to share the rest of the initial universe setting next week!

If you are curious about the details of creating this, from prompting ChatGPT to generating AI art, just let me know and I can make a post on that as well!

Julian

Read Part II here .

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