In an unprecedented move, this short film was produced to introduce a graphic novel series featuring the character and world of Kieran Murphy. With limited resources and absolutely no drawing ability, shooting a short film was one way the writer/director had of gaining attention for the budding, illustrated, sci-fi franchise. The short is an immediate prequel to the graphic novel, set just before the first adventures begin.
A number of references within the film are "easter eggs" foreshadowing future graphic novel storylines, including the signal intrusion framing device which begins and ends the film.
The framing device of an unauthorized signal intrusion was devised to underscore the absurdity of the character's world. Titles in the entertainment navigation menu are intentionally ridiculous, with many designed to lampoon reality television. Others were homages to favorite shows and films including COMMUNITY (KICKPUNCHER 41: THE STREETS OF LAREDO), ROBOCOP (I'D BUY THAT FOR FIVE CREDITS!), STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES (BREAD AND CIRCUSES) and STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (THE KOBAYASHI TWINS).
The framing device was inspired by the "Max Headroom signal intrusion" in Chicago on November 22, 1987. That night, an unknown person in a Max Headroom mask took over the airwaves of WTTW-TV, interrupting the airing of a DOCTOR WHO episode with a bizarre, pre-taped video. To this day, the culprit or culprits have never been identified.
The film's themes of dangerous corporatization, the poor treatment of soldiers and the distraction of the population from real issues with technology and entertainment are cornerstones of the graphic novel series, as well.