Squiddy Skies!-visual comic with AI-Splinterlands Art (Week 344)

Although Flying Squid are not truly capable of flight, their moniker comes from their ability to launch themselves from the water and glide above the surface for long distances before resubmerging. These aggressive predators shoot ink into the eyes of their prey to blind them before attacking with their lengthy tentacles.
The Chaos Legion captain stood at the helm of the ship, gazing out at the empty sea. The sky was an overcast gray, and a brisk breeze ruffled his hair. A large flock of seagulls skimmed the surface of the water, flying ever closer.

He squinted his eyes. The birds drew nearer. As they did, he saw they weren't gulls at all. They were white, yes, but instead of wings and feathers, they had smooth, sheeny skin and tentacles that waved through the air.

From high above in the ship's crow's nest came the cry of alarm. “Flying Squid, twelve o'clock!”

The crew sprang into action, but it was already too late. Before most could reach for their weapons, the squid were upon them. The creatures fired sprays of ink, blinding the men and women below. Those that were able to take up arms flailed uselessly at the creatures, who stayed just out of each, striking with their long and muscular tentacles.

The captain drew his saber and swung at a squid as it whizzed at his head. He missed, and it shot a stream of ink into his face. His eyes burned, and the blinded captain wiped at them futilely.

A tentacle wrapped around his ankle. Another encircled his wrist. He struggled, but his other ankle and wrist were soon grabbed by more tentacles.

Card lore

All Picture Credit AI

The Inspiration Behind Flying Squid

The character Skyz is inspired by the real-life flying squid, a fascinating marine creature known not just for its agility in water, but for its unique ability to launch itself out of the ocean and glide through the air—sometimes covering up to 30 meters! While not capable of powered flight like birds or bats, these squids use jet propulsion, shooting water from their mantles to create enough thrust to lift off.

Here are the main inspirational elements that shaped Skyz as a comic character:
Contest Link:

🦑 Comic Title: "Squiddy Skies: The Soaring Menace"
Panel 1
[Underwater scene, Flying Squid floats silently]

Caption: "In the deep ocean, danger is always just beneath the surface..."

Panel 2
[Squid spots a school of fish]

Caption: "Meet Skyz, the Flying Squid—fast, fierce, and always hungry!"

Panel 3
[Skyz narrows his eyes and builds pressure in his mantle]

Caption: "Locked on target. Boost mode: engaged."

Panel 4
[Skyz blasts out of the water like a rocket, trailing ink]

Caption: "BOOM! Launch sequence initiated!"

Panel 5
[Gliding majestically over the surface, tentacles flowing behind]

Caption: "Though he can't truly fly... Skyz soars like a predator of the skies."

Panel 6
[A seagull watching from above is shocked]

Seagull (speech bubble): "Since when do squids fly?!"

Panel 7
[Back underwater: fish notice the shadow above, start to scatter]

Caption: "The ocean dwellers know what comes next..."

Panel 8
[Skyz shoots a stream of ink downward mid-flight]

Caption: "Ink attack! Blinding his prey before the strike!"

Panel 9
[He dives in at high speed, tentacles wide open]

Caption: "Tentacles primed. Eyes locked. Impact in 3...2...1!"

Panel 10
[He grabs a large fish in dramatic fashion]

Caption: "Direct hit. Lunch is served!"

Panel 11
[Skyz rests on a coral rock, satisfied, while the seagull from before watches nervously]

Seagull (muttering): "I’m never mocking seafood again..."

Panel 12
[Skyz looks straight at the 'camera', smirking]

Caption: "Who needs wings... when you've got rage, jet power, and 8 arms?"
Title splash at bottom: “Skyz the Flying Squid – Coming Soon to Air & Sea!”

comics Credit AI
The Splinterlands Art Contest is a fantastic platform to showcase creativity and connect with an amazing community. Through this comic, I aim to celebrate the rich lore of Splinterlands while sharing my passion for art. I hope you enjoy my take on the Flying Squid and their journey.

I am excited to embark on this journey with the Hive community. Art is not just about creation but also about connection. I look forward to connecting with fellow artists, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the transformative power of creativity.

Thank you for welcoming me into this vibrant community. Let's inspire and uplift each other through the universal language of art.

Warm regards,

Rifat