Monthly Archives: August 2010

Poll Position: Alter egos

We tend to focus on the flashy side of the super-hero business, but there's no denying that secret identities are an integral part of the genre. Which brings us to this week's question:

{democracy:149}

Discussion to follow!

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RP: Like wearing our underwear outside!

(From "Wonder Boy" number 17, 1955.)

Caption Contest 83

This may be the most random yet of the comics panels with their dialog whited out that Glenn3 has ever posted. And that's saying something, because goodness knows, there have been some very random panels there indeed.

Regardless, your challenge for this week is to come up with the best, funniest replacement dialog for this comics panel:

I have no idea what was going on here originally, but I bet if I did I'd need therapy. That is seriously weird. So, yeah, good luck with that! The rules are simple:

  • Leave your entry or entries (no limit) in the comments to this post (it's fine to put all yours in one comment, they don't have to be separate);
  • Keep it clean, appropriate for a late-night broadcast television program;
  • Next Monday I'll pick what I think are the funniest entries as Finalists, and everyone will have a chance to vote on who they think should win.

Good luck everyone!

Caption Contest 82 Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of Caption Contest 82, by a margin of 66 votes to 55 -- Galactic Ketchup!

Ketchup, let me know what you'd like as your prize either via email or a comment to any post. And thanks again to everyone for entering!

RP: How could they tell?

(From "Stars and Stripes" number 5, 1941.)

Character Contest 41 Winners!

The only thing worse today than the massive head cold I am sporting is my craptacular internet connection. Thus I am at the library using their wireless network while spreading my germs to the other patrons. Don't say I never gave you anything, library lovers!

Since the latter item meant it took me three hours just to download half the entries for Character Contest 41 and the former item means I feel like death, I am not going to post the individual images of the Finalists like I usually do. Instead I am going to put them all into a gallery, where you can click through to each one.

Congratulations nonetheless to all of our Finalists, however -- Alex, Blue Blazer, Decolda, Gargoyle323 (x3!), Imp (x2!), Kaldath, Knitesoul, Morzan, Mr. Q., Phatchick, Rosco, Watson Bradshaw, and Zyp. Well done, all of you! Some of these I liked a specific element or technique, others were great designs, and others were just fun. I will leave it to all you healthy people to figure out which was which, and why you think these made it to the Finalist status, in the comments.

Somehow I managed to put each one in twice. I don't know how I did that, or how to make it stop, so get ready for twice the lovin'.

Finally, out of all those I had to pick one winner. And I had to agree with those who exclaimed in the comments how awesome this one is, because I just love it. All of the effects work, the design is spot-on, and the character just looks utterly fantastic. Definitely one of the best entries we've had in the history of this series, just a great, great job by Morzan with his "Junkie":

Morzan, let me know either via email or in a comment to any post what item or portrait you'd like as your prize. Thanks for the illustration and congratulations!

Comically Vintage

If you enjoy the Daily Random Panel here at HeroMachine.com, you'll love Comically Vintage, a Tumblr feed featuring similar out-of-context panels from various comic books. As they say on their site, "a virtual wellspring of sex, drugs, violence and poor table manners". What could be better on a lazy Sunday?!

Here's a sample:

Enjoy!

RP: Beneath the Mask. And shirt. Pants. Etc.

(From "Stars and Stripes" number 4, 1941.)

RP: "I'd pick up a bat and help!"

(From "Stars and Stripes" number 4, 1941.)

A call to arms. Or those bearing arms.

As Neon_N64 said, we're already in the room so we opt to head to 199 and search the farmhouse further:

Most of the cupboards and drawers are empty. Whoever lived here took nearly everything they owned with them, but you do manage to scrape together enough fruit in the cellar for one Meal. You may mark this on your Action Chart.

Turn to 81.

(81): After nearly an hour, the Kraan and their cruel riders vanish towards the west. As the shocked refugees start to emerge from the woods, you can hear the sound of horses in the distance galloping nearer. You stay hidden and wait as the riders come closer. They are the cavalry of the King's Guard wearing the white uniforms of His Majesty's army.

[polldaddy poll="3682386"]

I would pay the authors cash money to add another option in the next edition of the book, saying "If you wish to stagger outside, shaking your fists above your head at the sky and, while staring skyward in agony yelling 'KRAAAAAAAAAN!', you win this book." But that's not an option, so we'll just have to pick one of those given.