Monthly Archives: October 2012

30 Characters in 30 Days Challenge

Posted on October 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on 30 Characters in 30 Days Challenge

This is one of those awesome ideas that I am kicking myself for not thinking of. Basically you're challenged to come up with 30 characters in 30 days. They can be any genre, and any type. It lasts for the whole month of November; you sign up for free, and commit to posting your creations on their site. If you're a writer, you can come up with a character description or bio, or maybe a short scene that describes them. If you're an illustrator, you can draw your own or you could use HeroMachine to create yours.

It sounds like a fun way to stretch your creative muscles and challenge yourself. Apparently only 100 people have completed it, which sounds like the gauntlet has been thrown! If you're of a mind, head on over and check it out.

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Posted in Meta, Things I Like

Black Widow vs. Catwoman

Posted on October 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on Black Widow vs. Catwoman

Our Versus today features two of the deadliest leather-clad females in the Marvel and DC universes:

Black Widow is a highly trained, extremely deadly assassin. She can fight alongside the Marvel Universe's most powerful heroes in the Avengers and is much, much more than just a gun and some wrist bracelets.

Catwoman, on the other hand, is largely a petty thief, much more interested in avoiding conflict than engaging in it. However, she too fights alongside (and against!) arguably the most deadly member of the DC Universe in Batman.

Both are nimble, agile, and quick. Both have deadly weapons and savage wits at their disposal. The Black Widow is arguably a superior strategist, but Catwoman is fantastic in a tactical situation where rapid reactions are vital.

I think this one is pretty close. But overall I'd probably go with the Black Widow since she's trained to be a killer, whereas Catwoman is primarily a thief.

But what say you, HeroMachine Nation?

[polldaddy poll="6577737"]

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Posted in Versus

Friday nights with the Blue Thong

Posted on October 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on Friday nights with the Blue Thong

(From "Lightning Comics" volume 2, number 2, 1941.)

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

Hail to the King

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on Hail to the King

Hail to the King

By: Andrew Hines

We finally get a real glimpse into the life of young Arthur Curry, before he became Aquaman. This is a tried and true origin story, they way they used to do it. Like in the "Others" arc, we see a much angrier Arthur. He is also a man just discovering his powers and his legacy. We also meet the classic character, Vulko, his most trusted compatriot.

Geoff Johns has fone a great job penning the origin of Aquaman. Taking cues from the classic version, he has breathed new life into the character. With new trials and tribulations in his path, I believe that we can see much more awesomeness in the next year. I think this version makes Arthur a much more realistic character in the way he deals with his father's death and the realization that he is next in line for the throne of a mythical continent. It would be enough to turn most people's hair white from the shock of it. He handles it about as well as can be expected, albeit with a slightly larger dose of fury and adrenaline. It's good writing for the most part, though with a few fluctuations in pacing.

For the 13th issue in a row Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Rod Reis have been the art team on one of the breakout hits of the New 52. Reis and Prado's art is consistent the whole way through, just like every other issue of Aquaman in the last year. The colors from Rod Reis, both in back and foreground are very good. They add a nice touch to the action scenes and really bring us into it. There are some great effects throughout the issue where the three work perfectly together.

This earns an "A" for all four of the men who brought this issue to comic stands around the world. It's a fantastic origin. If you enjoy reading Aquaman, this is a great addition to the last year's run.

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Posted in Super-Hero Stuff

Pop Quiz "Small Gods" Results

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on Pop Quiz "Small Gods" Results

Saturday was all about "Small Gods" 'round these parts, and the entries we got for our Pop Quiz on the subject were just great! But don't take my word for it, see for yourself:

Among the fun and inspired concepts were Pluggo, god of tangling cords; Mrs. Boggs, punisher of men that leave the toilet seat up; Manilla: Goddess of Impulsive Shoe Purchases; Vian, the God of Things You Can’t Find Despite Putting Them There Only a Moment Ago; Beezus Chrusht, Savior of the Insects!; Zarsas, the god of little sharp, stabby things that poke you in the bottom of the foot, but when you take off your shoe, there’s nothing there; Confusia, Queen of the Junk Drawer (her tentacles ensure that whatever it is you need from her is buried in the very bottom of the pile); and my favorite name, "Lag Demon". I think that could really catch on.

My overall personal top choice this time out, though, is Melmo44, who had two entries that were both really good illustrations and fun concepts. I know that Zarsas is a constant presence here in the country, and if I could figure out what to sacrifice to propitiate him I'd be all over it.

But really, everyone did just great; I hope you had as much fun creating these as I did seeing them.

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Posted in Challenge Favorites

Update: nerd rage weekend

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on Update: nerd rage weekend

I apologize for the delay on the latest reviews. I've been reeling from massive nerd rage attacks, due to both the mid-season finale of Doctor Who and the end of Amazing Spider-Man, coming in December. That and two new part-time jobs are keeping me busy. I WILL have the next 2 reviews done by day's end California time.)

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Posted in News & Updates

Character Design Challenge 101: Gamma Madness!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on Character Design Challenge 101: Gamma Madness!

via Redditor Skitchbot.

When I was in high school, one of my favorite RPGs was "Gamma World", a post-apocalyptic setting where you could get the most random and bizarre creatures you've ever imagined. Playing a three-eyed human-plant hybrid with psychic powers and a bird leg growing out of his back was pretty much de rigueur. It was about as surreal as a game could get, and it's what inspired me for your character design challenge this week:

Create an awesome character portrait based on a randomly generated Gamma-World NPC via this great web site. Include the text description you're given in the comment where you post your image link!

You will get ten random character descriptions, from which you can choose one or all. I'll pick my personal favorites when the week is over, with the one I like best being featured in the right column for the week. The rules otherwise are the same as always:


(Click to embiggen.)

No limit on entries this week, so knock yourselves out. Just make them good!

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Posted in Challenges, Character Design Challenges

Caption Challenge 130 Results!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on Caption Challenge 130 Results!

We had some really fun entries for Caption Challenge 130, which asked you to come up with replacement dialog for this comics panel:

The ones that gave me the biggest chuckle were:

  • DC-Lover: I TOLD YOU A TV RUNNING ON DYNAMITE WAS A BAD IDEA!!!
  • JR19759: This new 3D Tv is taking the Big Bang Theory a bit too literally.
  • Mark: AAAAAAAAA! Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo!
  • fuzztone: Wow! 4D TV!
  • DiCicatriz: “We’re sorry, but the program you were watching has been canceled… PERMANENTLY.”
  • dblade: Ugh. Another episode of the Real Housewives of Krypton.
  • ams: Wow, video really did kill the radio star!
  • William Peterson: “Ahhh! When they said Saturday Night was LIVE, I didn’t think they meant THAT Live!”
  • P.F. Bruns: When you said “violent television,” I thought you meant the content!
  • gozuforce: I knew this movie bombed, but i didn’t take it that literally.
  • Renxin: Grandpa tried to program the DVD player again.
  • Myro: “I guess we’ll call that myth confirmed, you can blow up a TV set by showing enough explosions.”
  • alphaalpharomeo: The Capitol tricked us with an exploding tv … Worst Hunger Games ever.

This one was a real toss-up for me, I could easily have gone with any of those as my personal favorite. I would probably say that Myro, dblade, and JR19759 were my Top Three. Myro summed up my favorite show, "Mythbusters", really well. And JR19759 nailed the crossover of 3DTV and pop culture. But I'm going to go with dblade's entry, because I thought it was the cleverest actual show title that still made sense of the scene:

Thanks everyone for making us all laugh this week, I know I'm not alone in saying I needed it.

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Posted in Challenge Favorites

Character Design Challenge 100 Winners

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on Character Design Challenge 100 Winners

As you saw from the gallery of entrants, HeroMachinists are a very talented bunch. I'm glad it wasn't up to me to pick just five of the many entries for our centennial character design challenge! But you all stepped up to the plate, and after a week of intensive voting, the results are in:

Continue reading →

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Posted in Challenge Favorites

When did we weaponize thongs?!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on When did we weaponize thongs?!

(From "Lightning Comics" volume 2, number 2, 1941.)

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Posted in Daily Random Panel