Author Archives: AFDStudios

Open Critique Day #47

Posted on September 28, 2012 | Comments Off on Open Critique Day #47

My full-time (non-HeroMachine) job might keep me from actually getting to these before this evening, but it's time for another Open Critique Day!

If you have a HeroMachine illustration or another piece of artwork you've done that you'd like some help with, post a link to it in comments along with your thoughts on it -- what you think is working, what you're struggling with, etc. I will post my critique of the piece, hopefully giving some tips on how to improve it.

Of course everyone is welcome to post their critiques as well, keeping in mind the following guidelines:

  • Make sure your criticism is constructive. Just saying "This sucks" is both rude and unhelpful without giving specific reasons why you think it sucks and, ideally, some advice on how to make it better.
  • Each person should only post one illustration for critique to make sure everyone who wants feedback has a chance.
  • I will not critique characters entered in any currently running contest, as that doesn't seem fair to the other entrants. You can still post it if you like for the other visitors to critique, but I will not do so.

That's it! Hopefully we can get some good interaction going here and help everyone (me included!) learn a little bit today.

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Posted in Open Critique Day

It's a thin line between super-hero and creeper

Posted on September 28, 2012 | Comments Off on It's a thin line between super-hero and creeper

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

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

META: New forum topic

Posted on September 27, 2012 | Comments Off on META: New forum topic

I just added a new sub forum called "How Do I ...?" that's meant to be a central location where people can go to get advice on how to create a given effect they want. For instance, I just got a question from someone on the best way to do stripes on a shirt, but I use the program so rarely I don't really have a good answer.

So if you ever get stuck on a design and aren't sure what to do, that's your new home. Hopefully you pros will poke your heads in from time to time to answer the questions there as well.

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Posted in Meta

You're Going To Die VII

Posted on September 27, 2012 | Comments Off on You're Going To Die VII

In the interest of catching everyone up, I am going to reprint our entire adventure so far, but with only the bits where we live. Here goes! Next week I'll do one of just the ways we die.

Continue reading →

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Posted in RPG Corner, You're Going to Die

I've got my lipstick on and I'm ready for action!

Posted on September 27, 2012 | Comments Off on I've got my lipstick on and I'm ready for action!

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

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

The eyes have it

Posted on September 26, 2012 | Comments Off on The eyes have it

We all know Batman has gone through some pretty weird stuff throughout his history. From fat guys dressed as penguins to Bat-Dogs and a pre-pubescent orphan boy in scaly underoos, the guy runs into more than his fair share of absurdities. For instance, I give you the Ten-Eyed Man:

My favorite part of the character concept is this:

A brilliant doctor named Dr. Engstrom reconnected his optic nerves to his fingertips, enabling him to see through them.

That's right. In Gotham City, they can't actually make you see through your eyes, but they can make you see through your fingertips. Let's pause for a second to imagine all the problems with a setup like this. No, not that dirty. No, not that dirty, either.

OK, class, let's take a step back and just go with eating. How the hell do you eat when all you can "see" is the greasy burger wrapper and salty fries you're gripping in your eyeball-tipped fingers? And let's not even get into picking your nose. Or what happens when you try to punch someone and suddenly you can't see because your eyeballs are tucked into fists.

Maybe that's the reason for the disturbing Line of Eyes marching down his torso, leading you down between the pecs, to the washboard abs, down just over the belt and HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THERE'S AN EYEBALL STARING AT ME FROM HIS CROTCH!!

Your clothes say something about you, folks, and what this eye design says is "Creeper". Back away slowly, call the police, and for the love of all that's holy, do not shake hands!

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Posted in Bad Super Costumes

Going through that door would only slow you down, good call.

Posted on September 26, 2012 | Comments Off on Going through that door would only slow you down, good call.

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

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

Superman vs. Superman

Posted on September 25, 2012 | Comments Off on Superman vs. Superman

This week we're going to change up Versus a bit, and instead of asking who would win in a fight, I'm wondering which costume you like better. The guy on the left is Henry Cavill from the upcoming "Man of Steel" film, while the fellow on the right is Brandon Routh from the 2006 release "Superman Returns". Which do you like better?

In terms of the actors themselves, I prefer Cavill. Routh's small chin and big eyes always made me feel like I was watching Anime Superman, while Cavill's got a more square-jawed, somewhat rugged look to him.

The outfit reinforces that for me. The low-rider Speedo is gone, along with the scalloped neckline and cape that attaches at the shoulder. The Cavill version with its "modern" hexagon pattern, military style piping, squared-off neck, and forward-attaching cape are all more rugged and strong. This is a Superman who'll be just fine punching you into orbit if need be. Routh looks more like he'd want to take a long walk on the beach with you. Which is sort of what he did with Lex at the end of that movie, now that I think about it ...

So for me, I go Cavill all the way, but what would you say?

[polldaddy poll="6560001"]

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Posted in Versus

Sensitive powers, ACTIVATE! Form of, Oprah!

Posted on September 25, 2012 | Comments Off on Sensitive powers, ACTIVATE! Form of, Oprah!

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

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

Caption Challenge 130

Posted on September 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Caption Challenge 130

It's time for another new Caption Challenge! This week you're tasked with coming up with the best caption for this comics panel:

I'll pick out some as my personal favorites to highlight in a post next Monday, and then I'll choose one of those to bear the standard as the "Featured Creator of the Week" atop the right column.

All entries must be left as a comment (or comments) to this post. Keep ‘em clean (appropriate for a late-night broadcast TV show), but most importantly, keep ‘em funny!

No limit to entries, but please, self-edit and only put up ones you genuinely think are good!

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Posted in Caption Challenges, Challenges