I went two ways with this, I’m not sure which is better. If either is any good at all, that is.
Posted in Sketch of the Day
UGO has just launched updates to all of the previously existing HeroMachine “Editions”. They share a more coherent set of controls and links now, and are all viewable at the larger browser size of the standard UGO layout. That’s the good news. On the downside (depending on your perspective!), they all also now included ads in the upper right section.
I think the original HM Classic actually comes out the best for the revamp:
It has a simplicity that’s still appealing, and which I think gets lost somewhat with the much more complex later iterations. I also still think that the Real Life Edition has the best overall look, the designers (i.e. not me) did a great job on that one. Finally, the changes we discussed here for the 2.5 version are now live as well, I think they look great largely due to your input. Thanks again for that!
Anyway, it was fun strolling down memory lane while doing these, I hope you get the chance at some point to go back through them.
Posted in Meta, News & Updates
For the first time in almost fifty years, Wonder Woman is getting a major makeover courtesy of J. Michael Straczynski:
And of course, it happens on Bad Costume Wednesday. Fate? I think so. Of the rationale behind the new costume, in aninterview with CBR’s Kiel Phegley, he explained:
Form follows function. She has to exist a great deal in an urban setting. So I wanted her to have an outfit that she can close up and pass more or less without notice, or open when she’s in a fight to reveal her full appearance. I wanted the outfit to express her own situation, in that she lives in two worlds, which is also in a way the trap in which she’s found herself.
I also wanted it functional. As so many female fans have said over the years, “How does she fight in that without all her parts popping out? Where does she keep stuff?” She can keep or shed the jacket, there are pockets, it’s tough and serious looking while still attractive. It’s a Wonder Woman designed for the 21st century. Not to get all “Project Runway” on this, but what woman wears the same outfit for 60 years without at least accessorizing?
They’re also retconning her origin, via the time-honored “Gods can do whatever the heck they want, including destroying and rewriting the timeline” hook. They’ve destroyed Paradise Island, leaving Diana the baby to be smuggled off the island and to gritty urban America to be raised. I suppose the Kents were busy.
I doubt I’ll be reading the book since so far I haven’t been able to find a comics shop here, but I’m not overwhelmed by this look. I immediately thought “Black Canary” when I saw it, or any one of a dozen X-Men or X-Factor female characters from the Nineties. It’s just kind of boring and Madonna-ish for me.
I also don’t really see Wonder Woman as a street-level, down-and-dirty, gritty urban fighter. She’s like Superman, someone who ought to be in the sky, duking it out with gods and aliens and giant monsters threatening whole cities, not drug pushers and gangbangers.
But hey, he’s JMS and he knows what he’s doing. Although, he did come up with the whole Spider-Man Mephisto concept allegedly, so …
Anyway, what do you think?
(Wonder Woman and image ©2010, DC Comics.)
Posted in Bad Super Costumes
(From “Police Comics” number 12, 1942.)
Posted in Daily Random Panel
I just wanted to give a quick update as to what all is going on here at HeroMachine World Headquarters in the greater metropolitan Bayfield, Colorado area.
First, I am still finishing up details of updating all the old HeroMachine mini-Editions to the new UGO.com page dimensions and layout. Hopefully they’ll all function in a more similar fashion after this and be easier to work with.
Second, I’m working full tilt on the HeroMachine Mech Edition for the paying client, which you’ve seen a bit of art for in the Pilots preview.
Third, Friend of HeroMachine Mark is working on Rifles. So don’t think all progress on HM3 has stopped just because I am working on a mini-Edition — it hasn’t. He’s doing a great job on them, I’ve seen the first 40 or so items and they are his usual outstanding effort. I think you’ll all be pleased when they’re ready. We’ve got plenty of material for those so no need to post requests or links.
Just for funsies, here’s another Pilot I did the other day.
Posted in Meta, News & Updates
Most of the “Versus” matchups we’ve thought about involved melee characters beating the snot out of each other with their fists. And I’m all for that. But the ranged specialists in comicdom have been sadly neglected, an oversight I aim to correct this week:
Discussion after the jump.
Posted in Versus
(From “Police Comics” number 11, 1942.)
Posted in Daily Random Panel
We haven’t done one of these in a while, but it was so fun the first time around I wanted to try it again.
Whoever comes up with the best character based on a random name generated by Seventh Sanctum Superhero/Villain Name Generator will win his or her choice of either any item they like, or a portrait, to be included in the final HeroMachine 3 version! The rules are fairly simple:
No limit on entries this week, so knock yourselves out. Just make them good!
Posted in Challenges
Three middle-aged nerds (including yours truly!) review all of the MCU movies in chronological order. Short, funny, and full of good vibes, check it out and let us know what you think!
Nerdmudgeon.com
