SkullGirls sketch book by Lened

Thank you for contributing to the Skullgirls Indiegogo campaign! The resounding success of the campaign ensured that Skullgirls will continue to have a future. Therefore, it felt appropriate to offer this Sketchbook, an artifact of the game’s origin, as a reward. We’ve created a lot of artwork for Skullgirls over the years, for both the characters and the unique world they inhabit. A physical version of this sketchbook was originally sold at Alex’s various convention booths from 2008 to 2010. After that, it ended up contributing to the Skullgirls pitch process, serving as a physical item for publishers to hold onto at the end of a presentation. Now that the game has been successfully signed and published, now it serves as an interesting time capsule and symbol of our gratitude to you, our loyal fans. In it, you will find Skullgirls concept work leading up to that point, mostly consisting of Alex’s early college to post-college designs for the Skullgirls universe. This even includes a peek at some of the characters planned for the future. However, you’ll see that much has changed since then, such as Ms. Fortune’s design and pre-Samson Filia. The other things you find in this book may be different in the future when and if they’re ever implemented. From everyone at Lab Zero Games, we sincerely appreciate your generosity and the second chance you’ve given Skullgirls. Now... enjoy the book!

Seven years have passed since that wish was realized. Memories of the calamity fade, letting the desperate and foolhardy pursue the Heart once more. Rumors spread of a monster risen from the ashes of No Man’s Land, birthed by the lingering phantoms of war. All signs point to the new Skullgirl moving towards the still-recovering Canopy Kingdom, coming to remind them of their transgressions. In this cycle of blind ambition and hate, the nation faces being consumed by the sins of its past. Those who hope to triumph over the siren call of doomed dreams will have more to face than the Skullgirl. But only then can they unravel the secrets of the Heart, and the dark shadow cast over the land since ancient times.

T H E

S T O R Y

Every seven years, a mysterious artifact known as the Skull Heart grants a woman a single wish. However, should that woman’s soul be less than pure, both her wish and her being shall be corrupted into a living nightmare that haunts humanity. She will be called the Skullgirl. Those who seek the Skull Heart for themselves must destroy the Skullgirl for possession of the relic. Seven years ago, three great nations of the world waged a terrible war among one another. Their relentless campaigns left between their borders a desolate No Man’s Land. The gentle queen of the Canopy Kingdom, in possession of the Heart, saw that this tragedy would only spread. She made a wish that the kingdoms come to terms and cease this battle. Her desperate cry for peace instead called forth the strongest Skullgirl yet. Faced with an even worse adversary, the three nations had no choice but to end their war and form an alliance in order to survive. For the price of countless soldiers’ lives and the soul of a queen, the Skull Heart had brought an end to the great war. The queen’s wish had been granted. The memory of its devastation keep the kingdoms in peace to this day. The Skull Heart was lost amidst the carnage and has not been seen since.

S K U L L G I R L S

FILIA

PAINWHEEL

PEACOCK

SQUIGLY

PARASOUL

UMBRELLA

MS.FORTUNE

CEREBELLA