Inside44: A decade-long sci-fi saga, crafted entirely by visionary Darko Markovic DARMAR is set to launch on Kickstarter..

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WELCOME TO THE INSIDE 44 SCIFI UNIVERSE

In a galaxy where space travel is routine and interstellar wars have carved scars across planets, one boy’s defiance of destiny becomes a tale of obsession, betrayal, and unrelenting survival.

Darko Markovic, born into the suffocating poverty of Earth’s lowest quadrant, was a mere child when the Mars War for Independence left his world in ruins. The aftermath didn’t just scar planets—it tore into Darko’s fragile life. Stricken with Type 1 diabetes and haunted by the chaos of war, he was deemed weak, insignificant, and destined to fade into obscurity. Yet, amidst his pain, an insatiable hunger grew—a burning dream of becoming an R1 supercar legend, a symbol of invincibility.

When Darko defies all odds to race on Reness, the galaxy’s ultimate battleground for speed, the Universe bites back.

Betrayed by allies and sabotaged by unseen enemies, his speeder crashes in an explosion of violence, leaving him broken, bleeding, and abandoned. As whispers of treachery ripple through the cosmos, Darko faces a horrifying truth: his enemies aren’t content with his destruction—they want his very soul.

Ravaged by despair but driven by a ruthless need for vengeance, Darko must claw his way out of the wreckage, reshaping himself into something stronger, darker. His path to redemption lies in the shadows, where lies fester and power is won at a cost few dare to pay. The stakes? Not just his life, but the fragile existence of the Universe itself.

Will Darko’s hunger for survival consume him? Or will he master the chaos within and become the very force that reshapes the galaxy? This is not just a journey—it’s a reckoning.

INSIDE44 CHARACTERS AND HEROES

Each character in Inside44 isn't just a visual design—they come with a full backstory, unique special abilities, a game-like leveling system, and a detailed history of their equipment and past

DARMAR

DarMar, originally named Darko Marković, comes from the White City in Bersia—the only country not recognized by the Earth System. Bersia was once a nation of noble warriors who served Earth in times of crisis. But after a series of political conflicts, Earth orchestrated events to paint them as a threat, ultimately pushing them aside. They knew Bersians could challenge the system if left unchecked.
During the Mars War for Independence, DarMar survived a brutal bombing, an event that led to his diabetes. At just thirteen, he had no idea he was about to embark on a journey that would define his life. The people of the White City are known for their resilience, bound by a strict code of honor—something DarMar witnessed firsthand while growing up.
Overcoming diabetes and the hardships of life wasn’t easy. At twenty, he was accepted into the Academy of Reness for racing. But betrayal by a close friend led to a near-fatal crash that left him severely injured.
By sheer luck, he was sent back to Bersia, where he met Dr. Soul—a master of ancient and forgotten energy techniques. Under his guidance, DarMar not only recovered but also gained a deeper understanding of the vast universe and his place in it.
Eventually, he received a specialized diabetes suit, which gave him a new lease on life. With it, he stepped into a world of endless adventure within the Inside44 universe.

TINY THE ELEPHANT

Like Boris the Ram, Tiny the Elephant was created to give Martans an edge in the war and help save their planet. But Tiny’s story started long before that—back when he was just a small elephant, forced to watch his kind being hunted, eaten, and exploited by humans on Earth.
For centuries, elephant bone had been a rare and highly prized medical ingredient across the galaxy. That made Tiny a target from the moment he was born. When he was still young, a botched kidnapping attempt left him critically wounded, barely clinging to life.
Bleeding out and on the brink of death, Tiny was saved by his owner, Marija Jing, who acquired a powerful serum to heal him. But survival came at a cost—the serum had unexpected, life-altering side effects.
Tiny’s body shrank, and he transformed into a biped. Despite the changes, Marija nursed him back to health and came to see him as her own son. Determined to protect others from the same fate, Tiny trained as a police officer in the Chinese Quadrant, vowing to defend all endangered animals. During the Independence War, he fought on the front lines, rescuing abandoned animals left to fend for themselves. To this day, he continues that mission.
Like any elephant, Tiny is both proud and stubborn—traits that serve him well but often land him in trouble, especially when his ego takes a hit

C-PLEX

C.PLEX is a cutting-edge, high-tech defense system developed by the Rita family. After becoming one of the wealthiest beings across 44 galaxies, Christian Rita decided to follow his true passion—creating a safer world. Growing up, he never felt protected, so he dedicated years of research and a fortune to building a specialized C.PLEX unit designed to defend any region it was deployed in, no matter the cost.
To achieve this, he used rare metals from Hope 2069, fusing them with the planet’s unique energy signature to create an almost indestructible shield.
C.PLEX was first deployed during the Bersia protests, where units were stationed at the borders to prevent the inhabitants from escaping or causing unrest. The system handled the situation so effortlessly that governments across the galaxy quickly adopted it as a way to maintain control—without risking human soldiers.
Standing 2.8 meters tall and weighing approximately 400 kg, C.PLEX became the ultimate security force.
When Rita rose to power, she used this influence to access classified intelligence, manipulating human leaders into serving her agenda. With C.PLEX under her command, she gained a crucial advantage in launching her assault on the human race.

ANYA ASSASYN GIRL

Her father, Musa Hamad, is still the commander of Earth’s 23rd Division, while her mother, Noa, is officially retired. However, rumors persist that she still works behind the scenes, handling mission briefings—whispers that circulate among both old allies and enemies.
From a young age, Anya knew exactly what she wanted to do. She joined the 32nd Division, following in her parents’ footsteps to become a marine in the Terran forces. Her sharp mechanical skills and natural understanding of battlefield logistics quickly put her on the fast track, and she was tapped for Special Forces upon completing her training. But her rebellious streak, combined with a history of substance abuse, shut that door fast. By the time she was 18, she had been discharged from the Division.
After being kicked out of the military, Anya spiraled into a deep depression, cutting herself off from everyone. Her parents, desperate to help, enrolled her in an art college in the American Quadrant, hoping it would give her purpose. It didn’t. She clashed with them, dropped out, and disappeared.
To survive, she took up work as a bounty hunter—but she had a habit of not bringing her targets back alive. This caught the attention of an elite assassins’ guild, who saw her potential and took her in to refine her skills. She trained with them for years, but the guild’s strict codes and limitations eventually became suffocating. The only reason they let her walk away was because she had once saved the guild leader’s daughter from an assassination—a life for a life.
Not long after, Anya resurfaced as a member of the infamous motorcycle club, Hells Angels. She rose through the ranks faster than anyone in the club’s history, eventually taking over as leader. The club and its bikes—machines not so different from the vehicles she trained with in the military—rekindled her passion for life and gave her a new sense of belonging. Her custom bike is now her go-to ride for carrying out contracts.
Anya currently has four outstanding lawsuits against her, facing charges for murder, burglary, and aggravated assault. Her last known whereabouts? Riding with the Pink Panthers, a notorious Lunar gang.

EDDIE THE SNAIL

Eddie comes from Shell City on Gastropodes. He’s one of fifty siblings, born into an ancient family known simply as "Family 432"—a lineage that stretches back over a million years.
Growing up, Eddie never had big ambitions. Snails just existed—they ate, mated, and that was about it. But when Earth colonized Gastropodes and gave snails enhanced mobility through prosthetic limbs, everything changed. Suddenly, snails could take on real professions.
Terrans assigned Eddie a job as a police officer, but it never felt right. He wasn’t the type to follow rules, and law enforcement was the last thing that suited his personality. He was young, reckless, and lived for the playboy lifestyle—money, drugs, and sex all rolled into one messy package. Before long, he became the textbook definition of a crooked cop.
Still, Eddie had a few things working in his favor. He was smart, charismatic, and knew how to talk his way out of trouble. Those qualities earned him a transfer to the detective force, where he found his real niche. These days, he prioritizes work for high-paying clients, bending the rules when necessary and stepping on toes without a second thought.
Eddie carries himself with unshakable confidence, often calling himself a modern ninja. And honestly? He just might be right.

XORGIAN PARA

The Xorgian race hails from the planet Xorg, located in the Arai quadrant, the easternmost part of the known universe.
Xorgians are renowned for their unmatched brute strength, zest for life, and a perceived lack of intelligence. They are often seen as typical brutes, quick to resort to violence to solve problems.
Centuries ago, they waged war against the Babylonians, inflicting heavy casualties on their enemies. The attack was launched without any strategy or clear objective, catching the Babylonians off guard and leaving them unprepared.
On Xorg, both females and males have equal rights. They can both serve as warriors and lead armies. Xorgians are great allies, but they are not the kind of enemies anyone wants to have. Biologically, they are nearly identical in appearance, with the primary distinction being the color of their skin. They reproduce at a rapid rate by laying eggs.
Para and Suzanne are two Xorgian generals who have been married for twenty years and have ruled together during that time. The two offered to aid Mars during its war, but the Martian council, though desperate for freedom and independence, wisely rejected their help, knowing the consequences of involving them.
However, due to the corrupt influence of Michele and Rita, the Xorgians were ultimately persuaded to travel to Hope 2069 to support their plan.

Deeper understanding of Inside44 universe

These additional parts delve deeper into the world of Inside44, offering a richer understanding of the universe that Darko Markovic (DarMar) crafted over 10 years of dedication. While not all of these scenes appear in the main story, they add valuable layers to its narrative.

BROTHERLY WAR

The battle between Mars and Earth's forces was relentless, a brutal clash that stretched over endless days and star-lit nights. For the first time in over a century since Earth united as one to conquer the stars, humans found themselves at war with each other. Mars demanded its independence, fighting for the right to forge its own path, free from Earth’s control. Who could blame them? Mars had evolved, with its people dreaming of a society where they could shape their own future, their own economy, and their own rules.

The only visible difference between the two sides lay in the colors of their armor: Earth’s soldiers clad in imposing blue, Mars’s in blazing red. But beneath the armored shells, they were all the same—humans, made of flesh and blood. They had encountered countless species throughout their cosmic conquests—the Xorgians, Babylonians, Neptunians, and more—but in this conflict, only one species stood on either side: humankind.

This war for Mars’s independence would be etched in history as the Brotherly War, where friends and neighbors, once close allies, were torn apart and forced into battle. A tragic reminder of how thin the line between unity and division can be, even among our own.

FRANKIE OUTLAW MEETS BABYLONIANS

Mars couldn't achieve independence in this war because Earth’s forces outnumbered them eight to one. Desperate, Mars’ leader, Frankie Outlaw, adopted unconventional tactics.

For the first time in history, humanity sought help from an unexpected ally—the Babylonians.

The Babylonians, a race of intelligent, speaking primates from another planet, shocked humanity with their advanced technology, despite holding primitive and contradictory views on life. After careful negotiation, the Babylonians agreed to join Mars’ fight for independence in exchange for 30% of the planet’s land—a high price, but one that Frankie had little choice but to accept.

A few things to know about the Babylonians: social status is all about the biggest G-ech (their version of a car), which is a sign of attractiveness among their kind. Their society, while technologically advanced, is highly individualistic and lacks a sense of collective responsibility. Criticism is not tolerated, leading to a civilization that, despite its advancements, remains morally and socially stunted—though they are, after all, monkeys.

FREEMAN AND OUTLAW

20 years before the main events of Inside44, the Mars War for Independence shattered humanity’s future. Mars, the second human colony after the Moon, had become the largest and most advanced settlement outside of Earth. When Mars declared its independence, Earth resisted, sparking a brutal war.

Once brothers and sisters, soldiers from Mars (red) and Earth (blue) fought fiercely, their armor dividing them by color, not humanity. The conflict left both planets weakened, their ambitions in ruins.

The war was driven by two leaders: Frankie Outlaw, the rebellious voice for Mars’ freedom, and Mr. Freeman, Earth’s steadfast leader. This brotherly war would change the destiny of humanity and set the stage for the Inside44 universe. Key characters like Darmar, the Bersian hero, emerge in its aftermath.

R1 RACING

In the universe of Inside44, racing is more than a sport—it's the ultimate test of skill, bravery, and endurance.
The most revered gladiators of this era are the R1 racers, individuals who have risen to the top of a highly competitive and brutal system. Across the galaxy, many aspire to race at this elite level, but only a select few ever make it to the coveted R1 races.
Before entering the legendary R1 car, every racer must prove themselves at the Rennes Academy, the training ground for the best and brightest competitors from every corner of the universe. It’s here that they refine their skills, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit, while learning the secrets of mastering the most advanced racing technology. The Academy is a place of intense discipline, where only the strongest, most determined individuals make the cut.
After passing the grueling tests of the Academy, they are ready to take on the R1 car—a state-of-the-art racing machine capable of mind-boggling speed and precision. The first race takes place on the treacherous and unpredictable planet of Nambia, where extreme conditions and dangerous terrains await. Every corner and every second can be the difference between life and death.
The stakes in the R1 races are higher than anything else—whoever emerges victorious wins everything: eternal glory, untold wealth, and a place in history as one of the greatest to ever race. The competition is fierce, and only the bravest, most skilled individuals can claim the ultimate prize.
In the world of Inside44, the R1 racers are more than just athletes—they are legends, idols, and the true heroes of their time.
Everyone dreams of joining their ranks, but only a few ever succeed. Will main chracter be one of them?

Charly from MARS

Charly is the leader of the robot forces that helped Mars gain its independence.

At the end of the war in , Robolex was the first production unit to be given the same rights as Martians. He chose the name Charly for himself, as a tribute to the service operator who had once taken care of him.

Charly was main logistics resource for Mars during the war, working as a general for the robot army. He coordinated the defence of Martian borders.

He fought many land battles and led the operation Electric Charge which resulted in the robots’ liberation. During the war, when Earth tried to sabotage Mars’ power grids in a bid to starve them of electricity essential for charging their battle units, Charly was assigned the task of liberating the occupied grids and regaining control.

His team — comprised of ten humans, fifteen Babylonians and twenty-five robots — was remarkably successful despite Charly not being a general at that time, but just a soldier. It was thanks to his logistics skills and smart moves that their missions were successful in restoring electricity to Mars. This turn of events was said to be a major turning point for the Martian war effort.

After the war, robots — who had never had a leader before — elected Charly to be their first. He accepted under one condition: he would lead Mars and his people as long as his circuits would permit him to, and that once they became too deteriorated to keep going, they would not replace them. He is of the belief that in order to fully treasure his freedom, he needed to be able to feel fear and ultimately die when his time comes. Life has no meaning if it can be artificially perpetuated just by replacing damaged components.

Today, Charly’s circuits are down to 28% capacity and nearing their end. He has been given an estimated seven years until he reaches critical system failure.

R1 Gladiators

In the world of Inside44, R1 Racing isn’t merely a sport—it’s a modern-day gladiatorial spectacle where lives are changed, legends are born, and glory is eternal. This high-stakes competition draws the galaxy’s most daring, but it remains out of reach for most, especially for someone like DarMar. Hailing from Bersia, a quadrant left in ruins after the Mars War for Independence, DarMar faces insurmountable odds. The war’s aftermath brought crushing sanctions, leaving Bersia isolated, heavily regulated, and deprived of opportunities to rise above its circumstances. In this bleak reality, even daring to dream feels like rebellion.

The elite world of R1 Racing is controlled by the Rita family, the wealthiest and most influential dynasty in the universe. For the Ritas, R1 is more than entertainment—it’s a symbol of their immense power. They handpick racers from across the cosmos, showcasing their ability to elevate the chosen few. This isn’t altruism; it’s a calculated display of their dominance, a way to proclaim their unmatched influence. For them, every sponsored racer is a living testament to their control over destiny itself.

For DarMar, the road to R1 is fraught with more than just social and political barriers. A victim of Bersia’s medical deprivation, he becomes one of the first new cases of a long-eradicated disease: Type 1 Diabetes, or "Diabetesy," as it is called in this future. After vital medicines were stripped from Bersia, the disease returned, making DarMar’s survival a daily battle. This condition, seen as an outdated relic in the rest of the universe, becomes another obstacle on his path—a fight not only against a system that deems him unworthy but also against his own body.

Yet, DarMar’s spirit remains unbroken. Determined and ingenious, he refuses to let his origins or his condition define him. His journey isn’t just about racing; it’s about proving that even the most oppressed and underestimated can reach the stars.

How does DarMar defy Bersia’s crushing restrictions, the Ritas’ monopoly on opportunity, and the odds stacked against his very survival? That’s a story only the pages of Inside44: Story Graphic Novel can reveal when it launches on April 4, 2025.

This isn’t just a tale of speed—it’s a chronicle of resilience, rebellion, and the indomitable spirit of a dreamer who refuses to be silenced.