Character Design Challenge 98: Electrifying!

Your Character Design Challenge this week is to create the most awesome illustration possible featuring a redesign of an electrical character from the Electrical Heroes section of Public Domain Super Heroes.

You have 23 characters from which to choose. You can either stick with their original story and concept, or completely revamp it for a modern audience. You can change genders and more if you like, but the "essence" of the character should stay.

I'll pick my personal favorites when the week is over, with the one I like best being featured in the right column for the week. The rules otherwise are the same as always:

  • All entries must be in JPG or PNG form (BMPs are too big), posted to a publicly accessible website (like the HeroMachine forums, ImageShack, PhotoBucket, or whatever);
  • Entries must be made as a comment or comments to this post, containing a link directly to the image and the character name;
  • The image cannot have been used in any previous HeroMachine challenge;
  • Please name your files as [your name]-[character name].[file extension] before you upload it. So DiCicatriz, for instance, would save his "Bayou Belle" character image as DiCicatriz-BayouBelle.png.
  • Please make the link go directly to the image (like this) and not to a hosting jump page (like this). See this post on how to get the direct link for most sites.
  • All entries must be in by next Monday, when I'll choose my personal favorites.

No limit on entries this week, so knock yourselves out. Just make them good!

104 Responses to Character Design Challenge 98: Electrifying!

  1. Darthtoa says:

    My take of Lash lightning:
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Lash_Lightning

    I’m not entirely sure that the Old Man from the Pyramids isn’t immortal and like, a thousand years old, so I made Lash’s costume more ‘Link’-ey. I also eliminated the green in the main costume, but put a green scarf on him to not entirely do away with it. Oh, and I made the Amulet of Annihilation not a strip of fabric. Now it’s some kind of power holding crystal-like stone.
    http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad11/darthtoa/Darthtoa-LashLightning.png

  2. djuby says:

    The day that high school drop-out Guy Newton “got” his “kick-ass” belt from “this dude” his life changed. It allows him to harness the electrical energy around him, including the static electricity caused by his own movement. By night he is Volton, battling those who deal in darkness. By day he performs at kid’s parties making balloons stick to just about everything.

    http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/djuby/2012/08/djuby-volton.jpg

  3. DarkWarrior076 says:

    (Hi, I’m new here and I use HeroMachine but never tried out the competitions so I hope my first post is good (: )

    Mastermind, the genius behind the mask, hiding his deformed face because of how his powers can make him powerful but at a price of his disfigured face!
    http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/EDXROX/Mastermind.png

  4. Jeff Hebert says:

    Welcome, DarkWarrior076, and thank you for participating! Your link is good, but the name of the file should have your name on it as well. If you could rename it to darkwarrior076-mastermind.png and re-upload it, you’d be golden.

  5. livewyre1014 says:

    My take on Volton. Kinda a silver age feel for the character, also my first robot.

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/livewyre/livewyre-volton.png

  6. barbario says:

    Great robot ^

    Here is Magno. Not so much a redesign… My first attempt at “lighting”.

    http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii579/barbario1/Barbario-Magno.png

  7. kitkat says:

    This website’s a great time killer on night shift I usually just make a quick character and never post it in response to the challenges—I decided to give it an actual go this time. Here’s my revamped Sparkman.

    http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/kitkat/2012/08/Kitkat-SparkmanRevamped-1.png

  8. JR19759 says:

    Electric Ray
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Electric_Ray
    Mine- http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/234/8/0/electric_ray_by_jr19759-d5bzrj3.png
    I decided to stick with the factory worker with superpowers idea because that’s what makes the character so interesting, he’s just an ordinary guy who got superpowers. I kept a few essential bits, such as the rubber gloves, but I added a few scars ’cause, lets face it, if you’d been thrown about in a giant dynamo, then you would have some.

  9. punkjay says:

    VonoverHomes: My modernized take on Pyroman.http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7954/vonoverhomespyromanpng.png

    Of all the remakes so far yours seems the most likely to be able to be put in a comic now and not look dated. Well done!

  10. JR19759 says:

    Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl
    Originals-http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Lash_Lightning
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Lightning_Girl
    Mine- http://th04.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2012/234/e/9/lash_lightning_and_lightning_girl_by_jr19759-d5c08gt.png

    Duo shot this time, hope that’s allowed. As they are hero and sidekick I thought it would be alright.
    I’ve changed the arm armlet/bracelet thing for a pendant on Lash.

  11. Haxxx5 says:

    Two Pyroman for the price of one:
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Pyroman

    I liked his origin story the most and felt like he would make a really cool 90s anti-hero (like Ghost Rider or Spawn).

    First, a very slight redesign on the classic Pyroman:
    http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz123/haggai5/Supers/Haxxx-ClassicPyroman.png
    Next, XTREAM 90s PYROMAN:
    http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz123/haggai5/Supers/Haxxx-90sPyroman.png

  12. Haxxx5 says:

    @Blue Blazer:
    Where did you find the tendrils? I was looking everywhere for some a couple of minutes ago.

  13. NHA247 says:

    Here is my second entry.

    Volton!

    http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9569/nha247voltonpng.png

    -NHA247

  14. Blue Blazer says:

    @Haxxx5:

    Backplane – Tails – Page 2

  15. DC-Lover says:

    Heres my first few
    1.Granted powers from a experemental Machine, reporter Vincent Carthwright became Volton.
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/Dc-lover-Volton.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Volton_%28Holyoke%29
    2. Successor to the Hero Voltan,University student Candice Simons fights crime under her predeccessors title
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/Dc-Lover-Volton-2.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Volton_%28Bilbara%29
    3. The Electric Cowboy Electric Ray
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/Dc-Lover-Electric-Ray.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Electric_Ray

  16. ams says:

    VonoverHomes:
    My modernized take on Pyroman.

    http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7954/vonoverhomespyromanpng.png

    (Sorry Jeff for hyjacking) @VonoverHomes- Where can I see more of your pics? AWESOME!!!

  17. NHA247 says:

    Here is my third entry!

    Lightning Man!

    http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9733/nha247lightningmanpng.png

    -NHA247

  18. VonoverHomes says:

    ams: (Sorry Jeff for hyjacking) @VonoverHomes-Where can I see more of your pics?AWESOME!!!

    Well I have a Deviant Art and I have a folder of some other ones I’ve uploaded…

    http://vonoverhomes.deviantart.com/gallery/38789654

  19. joelstadler says:

    Entry #1

    I don’t know if anyone else found this strange, but I immediately noticed the superhero with the power to control electrical currents named Pyroman. So here’s my version of Pyroman (probably the longest time I have spent on any creation on heromachine)

    http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/234/e/5/pyroman_by_onikagenoken-d5c3ena.png

  20. Arioch says:

    ams: (Sorry Jeff for hyjacking) @VonoverHomes-Where can I see more of your pics?AWESOME!!!

    I concurr. Thanks for asking, and thanks to VonoverHomes for sharing 😀

  21. Marquis Samedi says:

    Trained and raised by the Old Man of the Pyramids, Lash Lighting uses the power of the Amulet of Annihilation to battle the forces of evil!

    http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/marquis_samedi/MarquisSamedi-LashLightning.png

  22. Bobby Scatigna says:

    Well the fact that I have been away, I have to play catch up!I LOVE electrical based characters so i jumped on it as fast as could1
    here’s MASTERMIND
    http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7321/scatmanmastermind.png

  23. Skybandit says:

    Cousins Isobel and Lois Blake both ended up with electrical powers after hooking up with superheroes, Isobel with Lash Lightning and Lois with Blue Bolt, and the four of them held a double wedding shortly after WWII ended. While continuing to adventure as Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl, Robert and Isobel Morgan spent more and more time raising their daughter and less and less as heroes. Their neighbors and relatives Fred and Lois Parrish, AKA the Blue Bolts, raised their son next door in the same manner. Their respective children inherited their powers and in the early 60s Louise Morgan and Bobby Parrish debuted as the two Lightning Bolts: Lady Lightning and Lord Thunderbolt.

    http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af309/skybandit/Skybandit-LadyLightningLordThunderbolt.png

  24. Asder says:

    Well it´s been a while since i posted something in here, not because i lost interest, i just had too much going on in my life. But is good to be back, and i hope that by the end of the month or mid september i´ll be a regular again. And this is my entry for this one, it´s inspired on 3 things Metallica´s ride the lightning album cover, whiplash and of course the lightning girl.

    http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/204/0/e/elemental_warriors_lightning4_by_asder0072-d41f1pt.jpg

  25. Herr D says:

    I can’t seem to focus on a pic without a story. (?)

    Lightning Girl suddenly had to face a giant crab that emerged from old wreckage of a nuclear submarine on the shores of the Bering Strait. The idea hit her: borrow a kayak, steer by holding a force bolt, boil sea with heat lightning–boil the crab!

    http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/jamais5/hm3/HerrD-LightningGirlVsGiantCrab.jpg

    Enjoy.

  26. Skybandit says:

    Photobucket’s down, and Imageshack threw out my “-“! What’s up with that?

    Anyway, if Radior is really the “X-Ray Powerman,” he should look more like this!

    http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8113/skybanditradior.png

  27. fuzztone says:

    Not much time this week but I wanted to enter the comp so no fancy posing, just route-one HM.

    Lightning Girl, 2012 edition. No longer a sidekick, and the name’s remained the same out of respect for her predecessors. Otherwise, she’s right up to date.

    http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj596/largebluecat/HM3/fuzztone-lightninggirl.png

  28. Calvary_Red says:

    Guess i’m not the only one that thinks an Ancient Egyptian Mystic handing out green and red spandex is odd. Anyway, my version of Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl.

    http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/Calvary_Red/Calvary_Red-LashLightningLighningGirl_Redesign.jpg

    Originals:
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Lash_Lightning
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Lightning_Girl

  29. Scatman says:

    well here’s another,I want her to be my girlfriend but she said it wouldn’t work and it’s complicated..Oh well.Here’s the electrifying
    LIGHTNING GIRL
    http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1463/scatmanlightninggirl.png

  30. DC-Lover says:

    My Next set of heroes.
    1. Mastermind.
    A mad scientist given powers by a botched experiment. Has a brilliant mind, ability to shoot electricity from his body and can fly.
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/DC-lover-MasterMind.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Mastermind
    2. Shock Gibson.
    Electric hero out to serve his country no matter what. Can shoot electricity from his body, has super strength, and can fly.
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/DC-Lover-Shock-Gibson.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Shock_Gibson
    3. Nazi Shock Gibson.
    Shock Gibson’s Nazi counterpart. Has every ability his counterpart has.
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/Dc-Lover-Nazi-Shock-Gibson.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Nazi_Shock_Gibson
    4. Radior.
    A brilliant Scientist who was almost killed by a group of thugs and was given superpowers by the machines he worked on. With the ability to read the thoughts of his enemies, super strength and electric/Magnetic abilities.
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/Dc-Lover-Radior.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Radior
    5. Lightning Girl
    A simple high school girl given super powers by a strange meteorite. She can fly, shoot lightning from her body and has super strength.
    Mine- http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/dc-lover/2012/08/Dc-Lover-Lightning-girl.jpg
    Original- http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Lightning_Girl

  31. RobM says:

    I used this redesign of Lash Lightning http://www.robertmckercher.com/RobM_Lash_Lightning.jpg for the public domain redesign contest, so I know it’s not eligible, but I thought I’d post it anyway.

  32. Skybandit says:

    A combination of all three of Shock Gibson’s outfits.

    http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af309/skybandit/Skybandit-ShockGibson.png

  33. Jawsabi says:

    HOW DO YOU GET AN ACCOUNT PIC!!!!!!?????

  34. Jeff Hebert says:

    Jawsabi:
    HOW DO YOU GET AN ACCOUNT PIC!!!!!!?????

    Step 1: Remove caps lock.
    Step 2 : Use only one punctuation mark per sentence.
    Step 3: Go to http://www.gravatar.com and sign up for an account there using the same email address you used here (it’s free). After a day or so, your icon will automatically appear here (and on any other site that supports Gravatars, which most do nowadays).

  35. Jawsabi says:

    My cpu is running slow so mine might be late.

  36. Jeff Hebert says:

    It does seem kind of random how fast or slow it is for Gravatars to catch up.

  37. Jawsabi says:

    Jeff Hebert: Step 1: Remove caps lock.
    Step 2 : Use only one punctuation mark per sentence.
    Step 3: Go to http://www.gravatar.com and sign up for an account there using the same email address you used here (it’s free). After a day or so, your icon will automatically appear here (and on any other site that supports Gravatars, which most do nowadays).

    Ahaha .

  38. Jawsabi says:

    Jeff Hebert: Step 1: Remove caps lock.
    Step 2 : Use only one punctuation mark per sentence.
    Step 3: Go to http://www.gravatar.com and sign up for an account there using the same email address you used here (it’s free). After a day or so, your icon will automatically appear here (and on any other site that supports Gravatars, which most do nowadays).

    Sweet!

  39. Jawsabi says:

    Another question I accidentally hit R as rating does it accept that?

  40. Jeff Hebert says:

    Jawsabi:
    Another question I accidentally hit R as rating does it accept that?

    Ah, that’s probably it, then. No, this is a PG-13 site.

  41. Vampyrist says:

    Here is my take on a more modern Lash Lightning. First of all the powered amulet is now a powered gauntlet. A little armband didn’t really look like an almighty weapon to me, but a gauntlet seemed more appropriate.
    http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/vampyrist/2012/08/Vampyrist-Lash-Lightning.png

  42. Skybandit says:

    All Magno needs are some sleeves and pantlegs.

    http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af309/skybandit/Skybandit-Magno.png

  43. Marquis Samedi says:

    No matter how evil men try to conceal their crimes, no secret can stay hidden from Radior, the X-Ray Powerman!

    http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/marquis_samedi/MarquisSamedi-Radior.jpg

  44. Alexander of Limbo says:

    So here is my version of electric ray.His description says that he uses electricity through touch, so i tried to convey that.

    Original-
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Electric_Ray

    Mine-
    http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9238/alexanderoflimboelectri.png
    or
    http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/9238/alexanderoflimboelectri.png
    (can’t decide which one is best)

  45. Watson Bradshaw says:

    entry 2

    shock gibson.
    rallying troops in world war two.

    http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/watson_kaboos/watsonbradshaw-shockgibson.png

  46. Jawsabi says:

    Yo

  47. Jawsabi says:

    Jawsabi:
    Yo

    My entry will probly be in today

  48. Jawsabi says:

    Jawsabi: My entry will probly be in today

    http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8990/voltage1.png My look on Voltage…the lions on his shoulders are INSIGNEAS, not mini-lions that you put grenades in their mouth and when they hit some one the s’plode and go “meow”,and a ball of epic surrounds them.(if you forgot they’re insigneas)

  49. Jawsabi says:

    Jawsabi: http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8990/voltage1.png My look on Voltage…the lions on his shoulders are INSIGNEAS, not mini-lions that you put grenades in their mouth and when they hit some one the s’plode and go “meow”,and a ball of epic surrounds them.(if you forgot they’re insigneas)

    By the way plz rate (personal issues), 🙂 :l 🙁 :.(

  50. Jeff Hebert says:

    Jawsabi: By the way plz rate (personal issues)

    I generally don’t want people to comment on entries here — it clutters up the comments and makes it a lot harder to go through for entries. And it doesn’t quite seem fair, since it’s sort of a contest and all. Open Critique Day or the Forums are the places to go if you want to get feedback from folks on a given piece of art. Thanks!

  51. Jawsabi says:

    Hey Jeff , How do you pick you hall of fame pics?

  52. Jeff Hebert says:

    Jawsabi:
    Hey Jeff , How do you pick you hall of fame pics?

    Mostly contest winners, and then we had a nominations post a few weeks ago.

  53. Jawsabi says:

    Um this is my second try at Lightning Girl . My first one REALLY sucked!

  54. Jawsabi says:

    One more thing , can you lower the time for moderation PLEASE?;)

  55. Jeff Hebert says:

    Jawsabi:
    One more thing , can you lower the time for moderation PLEASE?;)

    Once you’re approved, you’re not moderated any more. Which you’re not. It’s a manual process, so how long it takes to get a moderated post approved depends on what I have going on, there’s no set time limit or way to know.

    Please keep the remainder of the comments on this post on-topic. Thanks!

  56. Jawsabi says:

    Jeff Hebert: Once you’re approved, you’re not moderated any more. Which you’re not. It’s a manual process, so how long it takes to get a moderated post approved depends on what I have going on, there’s no set time limit or way to know.

    Please keep the remainder of the comments on this post on-topic. Thanks!

    Ah. Thank you.

  57. Marquis Samedi says:

    Omar Kavak, classical violinist, created a pair of gloves that allowed him to shoot electricity from his hands, becoming the superhero Sparkman!

    http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/marquis_samedi/MarquisSamedi-Sparkman.png

  58. Jawsabi says:

    http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/6931/magno.png Mah artisquik spin on Magno (Couldn’t find dah horseshoe, so I improvised! 😛 )

  59. Jawsabi says:

    Jawsabi:
    http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/6931/magno.pngMah artisquik spin on Magno (Couldn’t find dah horseshoe, so I improvised! )

    He looks like a l legionare because his name sounds like “Magnus or Magnum”. Some people know this means ” large or great or big or huge” in Latin.

  60. Calvary_Red says:

    i love the story of Shock Gibson joining the army in WWII, trying to maintain his secret identity, but ultimately having to drop the masquerade to properly fight the harsh realities of war. It’s a great concept.

    So here is my take on Shock Gibson as a WWII Soldier:
    http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/Calvary_Red/Calvary_Red-ShockGibson_WWII.png

    Original Shock Gibson:
    http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Shock_Gibson

  61. NHA247 says:

    This is my redesign of Magno!

    I wanted to give him a more bad*** modern look!

    http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7852/nha247magnopng.png

    -NHA247

  62. Ploughed Jester says:

    Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl

    When looking at those two I really kinda liked the color scheme and symbols used, so I didn’t want to change that bit. I think the most important bit was making the armbands NOT the item of power. This resulted in subtle, but I hope enjoyable, differences from the originals… minor modernizations, really. Although, I did go terribly 70s with the pose. I still love it, and that’s what really matters.

    http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s435/PloughedJester/PloughedJester-LashLightningLightningGirl.jpg

  63. Jawsabi says:

    A little off topic (well allot off topic), but does H.M 3,2,and 1 have a phone app ? I’m often on the move on weekends

  64. Jeff Hebert says:

    Jawsabi:
    A little off topic (well allot off topic), but does H.M 3,2,and 1 have a phone app ? I’m often on the move on weekends

    You knew it was off topic, you knew I asked you to stop taking the thread off topic, and yet you hit “post” anyway. Fascinating.

    No, there are no HM mobile apps since HM is built in Flash, which does’t work on the iOS.

  65. Radior, the X-Ray powerman, has electric/magnetic powers, possesses super strength, and is able to make a subject’s thoughts visible.”

  66. Skybandit says:

    The Nature Family done anime style: Nature Man, Nature Boy, and Nature Girl. (Mother Nature omitted for clarity)

    http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af309/skybandit/Skybandit-NatureFamily.png

  67. Kytana says:

    http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7841/kytfirebrand.png
    Firebrand is the doughter of Ray O’Light.
    Title: act of desperation

  68. Jeff Hebert says:

    OK folks, contest’s closed, thanks for playing along! Results will go up in a bit.