Monthly Archives: November 2012

Character Design Challenge: Squire Random of Randomberg

Posted on November 12, 2012 by | Comments Off on Character Design Challenge: Squire Random of Randomberg

If this isn't random, I don't know what is.

We haven't done a "random name" character contest in six months, so I think it's about time we revisited this always-fun concept. It's pretty straightforward and a great way to stretch your creative muscles.

Go to the Seventh Sanctum Superhero/Villain Name Generator and choose "10" from the number of names to generate. Leave the other selection boxes at their default and hit "Generate". Your character(s) must be based on one of these generated names. Try your best to limit yourself to one spin of the wheel instead of generating names over and over till you get one you like!

It would also be fun to post your list of ten when you get them, just for grins.

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:


(Click to embiggen.)

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

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Posted in Challenges, Character Design Challenges

Caption Challenge 133 Results

Posted on November 12, 2012 by | Comments Off on Caption Challenge 133 Results

Many thanks to all who took up the last Caption Challenge, wherein you had to come up with the best replacement dialog for this blank comics panel (edited to add, the original comes from The Gutters!):

In no particular order, my personal favorite entries were:

  • Skybandit: These bagpipes are out of tune!
  • NHA247: “Soft Kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur! Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr!”
  • EldritchSandwich: “My god…this cat ISN’T EVEN PLUGGED IN!”
  • Onikagenoken: ‘Yes, I’m seeing something. Your grandmother wants to speak to you from the other side. She says…meow.”
  • Jack: “I CAN’T SEE WHAT I’M TYPING!”
  • DiCicatriz: Foggy, I don’t get this new ‘Angry Cats’ app. How do you even play?
  • frozen_scarecrow: The internet really is full of cats!

Having just come off an epic Reddit session, I'm going with Frozen_Scarecrow as my overall favorite entry. Because the Internet really IS full of cats.

Thanks to all who entered!

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Posted in Challenge Favorites

I dunno, he looks fishy to me

Posted on November 12, 2012 by | Comments Off on I dunno, he looks fishy to me

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

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

30 Characters Challenge #11: Gyphhin

Posted on November 11, 2012 by | Comments Off on 30 Characters Challenge #11: Gyphhin

This is a tribute to Keith Giffin, who created some of the funkiest supporting characters in comics history in his distinctive style.

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Posted in 30 Characters Challenge, Sketch of the Day

Mascot Pop Quiz Results

Posted on November 11, 2012 by | Comments Off on Mascot Pop Quiz Results

We only had ten entries in the "College Sports Mascot" Pop Quiz this week, but they were a lot of fun. So score one for quality over quantity! Without further ado, here they are.

As I said, those are all a lot of fun. But my personal favorite is Rick's, which simultaneously looks like an actual mascot costume and scares me a little bit. As a good mascot should!

Thanks to everyone who stuck around and gave this odd one a whirl.

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Posted in Challenge Favorites

30 Characters Challenge 10: Dragonrider

Posted on November 10, 2012 by | Comments Off on 30 Characters Challenge 10: Dragonrider

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

Pop Quiz: Mascots

Posted on November 10, 2012 by | Comments Off on Pop Quiz: Mascots

Saturdays in the US during the fall and winter tend to center around college football, along with each team's ridiculous mascot. So your one-day challenge this week is:

Make a college sports mascot in HeroMachine 3!

It can be for a real school or for one you make up (Hogwarts, anyone?!).

You only get one entry -- that's right, just one! So make it your best. Most of the other rules are the same as for a regular challenge, but instead of a whole week I'll announce my favorites some time tomorrow. Here's how to make an entry:


(Click to embiggen.)

I'll pick one entry as my personal favorite, which will get to be featured in the side bar to the right for ultimate glory! As a bonus you're allowed to say you won the Internet for a few days.

Good luck!

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Posted in Challenges, Pop Quiz

Great moments in bad character names

Posted on November 10, 2012 by | Comments Off on Great moments in bad character names

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

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Posted in Daily Random Panel

30 Characters Challenge #9: Coquemancer

Posted on November 9, 2012 by | Comments Off on 30 Characters Challenge #9: Coquemancer

Elena the Coquemancer creates her magics through cooking. When you hear she has a bewitching dessert to serve you, she's not kidding!

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Posted in 30 Characters Challenge, Sketch of the Day

Sharing Day: You Did It!

Posted on November 9, 2012 by | Comments Off on Sharing Day: You Did It!


I'd like you to take a moment to post a comment telling us something you're proud of, an achievement or project you've accomplished that you think is cool. Maybe it's your blog, or a book you've written, or a particularly great illustration, or that you lost fifty pounds, or a volunteer organization you help out with, or the deck you built, or a photo of an awesome cap you knitted. Just anything that shows off your interests in a great way and that you want to share with the community.

Imagine it's like we're going around the room and you're asked to introduce yourself by saying "Hi, I'm Jeff, and I _______." So I'd probably say "Hi, I'm Jeff, and I built a web site that lets people make their own super hero drawings at heromachine.com". I want to give you a chance to brag on yourself a little and to point the rest of us at something you've done or been involved with that you think is great. Or even pretty good. Or even just mildly interesting.

Lay it on us, String Bean!

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Posted in Sharing Day