I have recently decided to go back to a project that's an utter waste of time, infringes copyright, yet I can't get it out of my head since I first started thinking about it many years ago - a Raiders of the Lost Ark graphic adventure.

I am a writer and a game designer - a paid one at that (albeit, it should be said, modestly paid) - and graphics are not my forte. Still, I refuse to involve anyone else in this affront to creativity and hope to make all the images on my own.

The horrible results are below.

So, which is better...




...the one with outline or the clean one?

Also, what is the soldier doing here? Is the sprite readable?



Finally, any suggestions that could help even a man as terrible with paint as myself?

Thank you.

EDIT:

Some more graphics - Satipo & Indy in action as well as my first crack at looping background:



I will be very grateful for any comments.