Character Contest 48 was a lot of fun, thanks to everyone for taking us on a tour of your most demented, funniest, and in some cases SUPER circuses!
I've picked out the entries that I thought were either just flat-out the best, or had some particular feature I enjoyed, or that were in some other way outstanding. If you don't see yours here, it's not that it wasn't good, it's just that only a few can make it in.
First up is Kingslaughter's "Grumpy Balloon Clown", because it made me laugh and because I thought he did a great job using completely non-traditional, random parts to make up the balloon clown head in a very creative way.
Next I picked AJW's "I don't know what it's called because he didn't tell me and the file wasn't named properly", which features a necromatic lion tamer and his out of control latest minion. What I like about this is how AJW has managed to capture the essence of the comic book panel, showing a moment that moves through time even though it's a static image of just one moment. You know what's going to happen, and what just happened, and can envision everything happening off-panel even though it's not shown. A really nice job.
Now we come to the entries that I thought were outstanding illustrations in every way, starting with Martian Blue's "Freak Show", a poster-advertisement style collection of performers that literally made me say "wow" out loud. At the library. So yeah, I'm not so popular here right now.
Samurai Pineapple's "Jack Zeilger" uses consistent colors to outstanding effect. I love the glowing eyes and the line color on the purple overcoat, it creates a truly creepy image.
I think "Sister Foresight" is one of DiCicatriz' finest illustrations, which is saying something because the guy knocks it out of the part every week. I love love love the star effect in the hair, the shading on the dress and its smoke pattern, the fog in front of her, the blindfolded, scarred eyes, the frame, everything. Just fantastic.
Blue Blazer turned in the best evil clown by far, with "Hysterix":
Cliff's "Cannonball Kid" is awesome. This is one of the most unique and enjoyable characters I've seen to date, giving a completely unique body type without looking forced or distorted or too bizarre. The transitions between the various body bits are almost seamless. A great, cool, unique, fun character design, exceptionally well executed.
Our winner this week has won several times before, and this week turned in two unbelievable images that were each worthy of a win just on their own. To have TWO was pretty amazing, and really provided the extra edge to put this person at the top over the other entries above that were also outstanding.
I am talking of course about SpiderCow2010, who brought us first a mind-blowing elephant-amok circus scene in "Circus 911". I love how believable and specific the faces of the fleeing couple are, and how much care was put into their outfits. The elephant is totally believable as well, right down to the cape and marching hat. Stomping on the teddy bear was a perfect touch.
The clenching entry by SpiderCow2010, though, was "Thingmaster". I love that expression, the pose, the flying cloaks, the flame vest, just every item choice is spot-on to make an extraordinarily compelling character image. Great, great job, and definitely deserving of a win. Congratulations!
Thanks again to everyone who entered, and to our finalists for sharing the fruits of their imagination with us!
Excellent job guys.
SpiderCow2010, that stampeding elephant scene is top-notch! You can only skim down so far before that catches your attention, and– with white-knuckled determination– never lets it go! Kid…you are on your way. Congrats!
Congrats Spidercow2010! I knew it was the winner as soon as I saw it. Awesome job on creating a really cool character! Also congrats to all the others. Good work by all,as usual.
Congrats all!
Thanks once again for the mention Jeff. Congrats to all mentioned, and SpiderCow2010 on the win. Alot of other good entry’s that didn’t get mentioned, maybe my fault for almost getting Jeff kicked from the library, lol.
Congrats to all on a great job! I especially like MartianBlue’s and, of course, SpiderCow2010’s. Oddly enough, when I first read the title “Thingmaster”, I thought it said “Thighmaster.”
well jeff i got to hand it to these ppl great work u deff picked well, now do u remember contest 47 “weather weather everywere”? well i have an incredible photogrphic memory and i remember seeing one of the characters named “doctor tornado” and this is were i have seen him b4….http://www.heromachine.com/2009/11/17/character-contest-21-winner/#more-5771
now i fig this is unfare to those who have talent and deserve to win, yet have lost dur to the fact that someone got lazy and cheap and submitted a previeous winning character….and i speak for everyone when i say this.
http://www.heromachine.com/2009/11/17/character-contest-21-winner/#more-5771
Great stuff! Ironically, they actually gave me an IDEA, now that the contest is over!
those guys’s things are awesome. u chose right for choosing them
Spedercow, Congratulations. Circus 911 is simply fantastic.
I was dissapointed in not having “The Ringmaster’s Confession” up there, but everybody that was had a great entry. I loved Martian’s “The Freakshow” so much that I actually made it my desktop, something I have never done with a contest entry.
I cry foul! As good as the Thingmaster was, I still thought that Circus 911 was a stronger entry. Spidercow totally got robbed…by himself. Sorry dude.
@spidercow2010: Congrats, “Circus 911” is awesome.
@All: Fun as always.
@Depends: I like “Houdini.” Nice work with the bubbles and the shadow effect of the cabinet.
@Conner, thanks. I’m honored 🙂
WOW! Thanks Jeff!
And Congratulations to all those mentioned!.
I agree I would have voted for Circus 911 for the win between the two, but that is just a difference of taste, and I am often odd man out … since I’m such an odd man who’s out LOL! As ffar as it goes Cannonball Kid was my least fave of all of mine. I was hoping Strong Man for his pipe chain, or Fat Lady for her KFC bucket would make it. But I am just grateful I made the grade considering the amount of talent once again displayed.
Also people please try to be nice. If we piss off Jeff too much, he may wonder why the heck he puts up with it and pack up his toys and go home.
I understand people being upset, but give a guy the benefit of a doubt he could have entered so many contests he might have honestly forgot he entered and won with it before. Or maybe not, but don’t accuse and condemn him without even asking. It could have been mentioned to Jeff in private and let him deal with it as he saw fit. But then, here I am trying to be peacekeeper when ultimately it’s Jeff’s job. But still, lets play nice in his sandbox.
Thanks for the opportunity Jeff.
It never fails…
Also, to address jason ransom’s complaint:
Doctor Tornado is my creation. Let me point out first that he has never won a Character Contest, though he has received Honorable Mention both times he was submitted. In fact, I have yet to win one of these, to my chagrin.
Second, Cliff is correct in saying that I forgot I had submitted him in a previous contest. See, my method for entering in the Character Contest is to look at the theme for the week and then go through my Hero Archive on UGO and pick out characters I have already created that I deem appropriate tot he contest at hand and then submit them. I the better part of 2,000 characters in that archive, so yeah, I forgot.
Given that Doctor Tornado has not been a winning submission, I don’t really see what the fuss is about. However, if you have that big a problem with it, I’d be fine with Jeff removing the second entry of said character. But I will say that if this is a problem worthy of so much of your energy, I envy your lack of stress.
I want a pumpkinhead.
My thanks to Jeff and to all for their kind words. I had a great time working on those entries, and, as always, stiff competition. Y’all are amazing.
While I’m here, I’m curious about something. I had another entry, Galvanico the Electrified Man, of which I was very proud (and thought better than my other two, IMHO), but that I entered in the wee hours of the morning (that’s when I have the time to do this). I’m certainly not complaining, mind you, but I need to know: Was it entered too late? If so, what is the cutoff time? I realize we’re all in various timezones, but I’d love some sort of guideline.
Anyway, seriously, for my prize I want a pumpkinhead, and, to push my luck, the ideal thing would be if it could be broken out into an uncut pumpkin with a separate jack-o-lantern face. (“The NERVE of this guy!”)
Of all the sub-top-ten items from the previous Unclaimed Prize poll with multiple advocates, I agonized over picking the pumpkin head versus the throne, but in honor of Halloween I had to go pumpkin.
Oh, one more thing. My winning entry from two contests ago, the Vespanaut, is still hogging the masthead. Get it out of there, would ya? Give the spot to MScat for Oya, which should rightfully have been there all this last week.
great work Spidercow (now how about taking a few weeks off for the rest of us) 🙂 sad to see one of my ladies didn’t get a mention but the competition is getting better and better.
Till next time gadget, next time!
I knew it! I called it!! I knew that was the winner the instant I saw it! Congratulations!
Addendum: To judge by a lot of the entries from this contest, a lot of us are fans of Ray Bradbury’s classic Something Wicked This Way Comes. I know I was, and it inspired me in this contest. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and read it this Halloween.
I’m not worried about Blue Blazer, it seems like an honest mistake. It didn’t win a prize, so no big deal. It IS a cool character, and I DO prefer people not to submit entries twice, but like I said, honest mistake.
My internet access has been so horrific I haven’t been able to get Vespanaut off but yeah, it needs to go.
Awww dingle berrys….I was hoping to see atleast one of my freaks in a runner up ile…..Oh well congrates spidercow!
Also….this felt like it had “fewer”? then last times contest for runner ups and what not…but maybe thats just me…
Also spidercow! I love ya man! Thanks for taking my pumpkin idea! In the words of “Stinky Wizzel teits & Stimpson J. Cat”: Oh happy happy joy joy! I was soo waiting for some one to pick it! WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
@MythMaster: God forbid you should continue in your belief that I’m kind of a jerk. “I don’t think you’re HAPPY enough! I’ll MAKE you happy!”
@Spidercow: I thought you were a putz once! Just once, honest! Never again my fine sir!
xD
Also Jeff you said “part” instead of “park” on DiCitraz’s pic of the Gypsy-fait-thingy-woman……Yeah…
not bad people. not bad.
Some Spectacular Entries! Best Overall Circus: DiCicatriz
Some Favs:
Flame Master
The Body Mangler
Psychozo
Bango
The Amazing Mancinis
BeastTamer
Stilt Stut
Killjoy
Thing Master
Rodeo Jester
Jack Zeigler
Liza
Gian Carlo
Bobo
Houdini
Ringmaster
Acrobat
Firedancer
The Ringmaster’s Confession
Festivus
The Karamasovs
Amazing Zombos
Affie
Top 5-8 (No Particular Order)
Ajak The Lion Tamer
Always Leave Them Laughing
The Goliath and The Tumble Twins
Carnival Sideshow
Top 4 (No Particular Order)
Electrified Man
Ringmistress
Sister Foresight
The Freakshow (I think the clown here rivals Hysterix in evil creepiness)
nice works!
have a look at my Hero Machine fantasy characters gallery – http://trojda.deviantart.com/gallery/