Open Critique Day #50


Wow, we've done fifty of these! Unreal.

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.

Love your pets but don’t, you know, LOVE your pets…

(From "Spotlight Comics" number 1, 1944.)

30 Characters Challenge #15: Fezz

The Fezz-o-Tron 3000 is delighted to serve you. He is also planning to kill you in your sleep, but for now just sit back and enjoy your drink.

Jiu-Jitsu teaches you how to disembody your leg?!

(From "Spotlight Comics" number 1, 1944.)

30 Characters Challenge #14: Chantelle

Chantelle's break is in ten minutes. And she's taking it, zombie apocalypse or no.

Adam Orion

Today's "Bad Super Costumes" entry comes to us via "Steve Does Comics", and features Legion of Super-Heroes villain "Adam Orion":

I suppose he could remind Bouncing Boy of Otto Orion. Or maybe its because he resembles the filthy love spawn of Harley Quinn and Kraven the Hunter. By way of Nick Fury. Seriously, I'm trying to imagine a scenario where pink pig tails and an eye patch are a good combination, but I'm drawing a blank.

But perhaps I'm being unfair. Maybe when push comes to shove, Adam Orion is a certified, card-carrying member of the Bad-Ass Club. Let's see him in context to give him a fair shake:

I believe I speak for all of HeroMachine Nation when I say, for the love of all that's holy do NOT show me what happens as soon as those gravatar boots are strapped on. I don't want to see the results of a pig-tail-sporting, zebra-print go-go boots and leopard print bustier wearing hunter (hunter! as in camouflaged!) whose big weapon is neon pink finally getting to interact with the flesh and blood model on whom his Real Doll was built. I really, really don't.

Look, if you're a pink-weapon-toting, pig-tailed and eye-patched man running around in animal-skin corsets, I think it's probably time to reevaluate your priorities, particularly when your arch rival is Bouncing Boy. Bouncing Boy. A guy whose powers are indistinguishable from a beach ball. Imagine Bouncing Boy is at a baseball game, and someone picks him up and starts throwing him around, batting his blue-clad butt around the stadium until he ultimately lands on the field and has to be hustled off by an embarrassed groundskeeper.

That's your prey.

Maybe horrible fashion sense isn't this guy's worst problem after all.

Wood pussy?

(From "Spotlight Comics" number 1, 1944.)

30 Characters Challenge #12: Throckmorton P. Moneybears

Because why not? Linky link here.

Best Childhood Toy: Action Figures or LEGOs?

Our "Versus" poll this week is going in a different direction, focusing not on battles between characters but rather cherished childhood memories. Specifically:

[polldaddy poll="6687630"]

Continue reading

You need to set your goals higher, Barry Kuda. Literally.

(From "Spotlight Comics" number 1, 1944.)