I've theorized before that comics creators sometimes draw inspiration from objects lying around the room where they're drawing. Apparently whoever created Changeling was inspired one morning while shaving, because I swear that's a massive purple Norelco razor on his head:
Seriously, that may be the single worst piece of headgear I've ever seen. And I've read Jack Kirby comics! What's his tag line, "I warn you, I have THREE floating heads to shave you even closer"? Not to mention, if he ever falls down on his head really hard, that back spike is going to get him pinned to the ground in pretty short order. Maybe that's why he has twin jet nozzles on the side, for that extra bit of oomph needed when arising.
I also like to think that the giant Thor-like discs on his chest are actually big screw heads, likely for the purposes of cleaning out his lint trap. A razor that big, especially with three floating heads, is going to collect a lot of stubble. He probably keeps all his cleaning supplies (lubricating oil, screwdriver, lint brush, etc.) in his purple European man-bag, because you don't want those things getting dirty or rusty. Otherwise, the next time he tries to defeat an enemy by running his helmet over their chin, never actually cutting them thanks to the safety mesh, the gears might jam and then he'd really be in trouble.
(Character and image © Marvel Comics.)
The best thing about Changeling is that since he’s a shapeshifter, the headgear not only looks ridiculas, it’s completly pointless. Unless he’s hiding in the bathroom. “Honey, I don’t like this new holder you bought for my razor. It look’s like a big blue and purple doofus.”
Plus, you (Jeff) have issues with purple costumes…..
Is the pointy end on the back a nose-hair trimmer?
Jeff, you seem to have lost me in the sharing day. I’m posting again, because I’m a snarky little narcissist.
Jeff, when the site ran that ad for “make your own character ‘Avatar’ now,” being that you’ve made it clear you don’t have a high opinion of the film, what were your thoughts on the piggyback promotion? Also, did you have to design the ones in the ad yourself?
This looks like the work of someone that was given a stack of Kirby characters at 4pm on a Friday and was told:
‘We need something original with that “feel” by the end of the day’
Blackjack, that was sharing “day”, but you posted your comment several days after. I don’t usually formally close those threads, but … yeah, one day is the concept, typically, not “many many days”.
To answer your question, though, I thought the promotion was fine. I don’t expect everyone to have the same opinion on anything that I do, and I’m happy that others get enjoyment out of something, even if it’s not my personal cup of tea. Plus, it helped the overall HeroMachine cause, which I was very happy about.
I did indeed do the characters used in the ad.
I can’t decide whether that headgear looks like a bizarre alien life form or a really perverse sex toy
speaking of Avatar, Changeling seems to be wearing one of the motion capture suits used in the movie. I think the headgear is used to capture the shocked look on his face when he gets laughed at and pummeled by superheroes.
“Hey, it’s not a purse, it’s called a satchel. Indiana Jones wore one.”
That’s some messed up headgear, but I can’t help but think this is really any worse than some of the crap that Kirby did come up with on some of his stranger designs. I’m pretty sure the only reason Kirby didn’t come up with this is he shaved with a razor, not an electric shaver.
Oh, okay, I understand. I’ll try to be more punctual. 😀
GOD I look at this guy’s head gear and my neck kills just LOOKING at it!!!
I agree totally with Jeff. It DOES look like a Norelco shaver, but I cannot believe no one picked up on the blue granny panties with purple ruffles. PURPLE RUFFLES!!! I can’t take a villain seriously with PURPLE RUFFLES!!!
Who ever Bill Reinhold is he should be fired for this .
Punkhay, I think you’re onto something. Chameleon does look like he may have raided Victoria’s Secret for parts of his costume. *shudders*
Yeah, I meant “punkjay.” Stupid phone!
All right, somebody has to say it:
“Hey, Jeff, that helmet would be a great HM item!”
And yes, S_Kaine, I believe that is a giant nose-trimmer on the back, and dual ear-trimmers on either side. “It is I, the Changeling, Groomer of Galactus!”
Why does he have crotch stubble?
spidercow2010 said:
Geez, are you really going to ask that? I mean it’s just that he tried to see how far he could bend down. I’m a little uncomfortable explaining why. It’s just awkward. Let’s just say, he was drunk one night, got a little bit curious about something, and he missed. Yeah, that’s how I’m going to say it.
Sorry Myro. I suppose the answer is really on a ‘need-to-know’ basis, and NOBODY really needs to know. Except his chiropractor…
But, dammit, I want that hat. And, all of you, admit it: SO DO YOU!!
…not as an HM item. I want to wear it. With a tux.
@spidercow, I have a bad neck, so unless it’s made out of styrofoam, I’m not gonna risk it.
Some fun facts about our friend the Changeling, while he started as a villian, he was actually a “member” of the
X-Men, and he techically the first X-Man to die. In Uncanny X-Men 42, Marvel deceided to kill off Xavier, so that the team could “grow up”. This was changed in Uncanny 65, when it was said that it was actually Changeling. He also was later used in Age of Apocalpse under the name Morph, after the charater the debuted on the 90’s X-Men cartoon. Apparently Marvel couldn’t use the name Changeling anymore because DC had the copyright from the Legion character.
Also, in the Age of Apocalypse stuff, I remember Magneto saying something like “Anything you can imagine, and you pick that?” about Morph’s original outfit.
I have the marvel encyclopedia and saw this guy a while back and laughed but I think it says that he actually later on becomes the character known as morph but gets stepped on by a sentinel?
@Dan and @TOOL
I didn’t know he was the same character as Morph. I have been reading Exiles Volume 1 and Morph is a riot. Actually it make a lot of sense. Morph is just the kind of guy to wear a giant electric razor as a hat.