Author Archives: AFDStudios

META: Commissions

Posted on February 17, 2012 | 21 comments

Totally random, but would anyone be interested in commissioned artwork from me, the kind of thing you’d get from an artist at a convention? So you’d say “Jeff, I want a drawing of Catwoman kicking a thug in the face”. You’d pay me $x, I’d create your drawing, and Bob’s your uncle.

21 Comments

Posted in Meta

Open Critique Day 33

Posted on February 17, 2012 | 90 comments

Although my new full-time (non-HeroMachine) job might keep me from actually getting to these before this afternoon, it’s time for another Open Critique Day!

If you have a HeroMachine illustration or another piece of artwork you’ve done that you’d like some help with, post a link to it in comments along with your thoughts on it — what you think is working, what you’re struggling with, etc. I will post my critique of the piece, hopefully giving some tips on how to improve it.

Of course everyone is welcome to post their critiques as well, keeping in mind the following rules:

  • Make sure your criticism is constructive. Just saying “This sucks” is both rude and unhelpful without giving specific reasons why you think it sucks and, ideally, some advice on how to make it better.
  • Each person should only post one illustration for critique to make sure everyone who wants feedback has a chance.
  • I will not critique characters entered in any currently running contest, as that doesn’t seem fair to the other entrants. You can still post it if you like for the other visitors to critique, but I will not do so.

That’s it! Hopefully we can get some good interaction going here and help everyone (me included!) learn a little bit today.

(Image ©2011, Inkygirl.com.)

90 Comments

Posted in Open Critique Day

Seriously?

Posted on February 17, 2012 | 4 comments

(From “Blue Bolt” number 2, 1940.)

4 Comments

Posted in Daily Random Panel

Bikers! And not the Lance Armstrong kind.

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 11 comments

In our previous installment of “Freeway Road Warrior But Not the Mel Gibson One Oh Hell Let’s Call It Highway Warrior Instead”, we were debating whether or not to raid the rotted corpse of the local DJ. Knowing the personal hygiene habits of your average radio personality and the virulence of the various organisms usually living on them, I’m dubious that searching this rotted husk is a good idea. Nonetheless, that’s what we decided to do:

Do we want any med kits? Speak up in comments either way.

Meanwhile:

Despite our shockingly low Stealth score, somehow I actually rolled well for once and we got above a 9! Maybe the Austin air is blowing a fair wind on my dice …

Wait a minute, why is it called Stealth if they meant Dexterity? We didn’t hide from the bikers, we rolled out of the way. Whatever.

The good news is we’re alive with no damage, and now we get to decide on the form our swift, savage justice will take!

[polldaddy poll=”5950474″]

Frankly I see us as more of the stand far away and shoot people type rather than up-close and personal, but maybe you’re feeling especially Rambo-esque today.

11 Comments

Posted in Freeway Warrior: Highway Holocaust, RPG Corner

"General Washington, presence of skinny dippers confirmed, sir!"

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 5 comments

(From “Blue Bolt” number 1, 1940.)

5 Comments

Posted in Daily Random Panel

The Reason Quasars Exolode

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 18 comments

My main problem with Quasar’s costume is the combination of the headpiece and the cape:

The cape portion covers his shoulders and upper chest, and looks full, heavy, and massive. Combined with the chin covering I feel like his entire top half is weighted down. Leaving off the crown to expose his hair adds to the confusion: though you’d think it would free up the claustrophobia, in a strange way it contradicts the feeling of the cape and creates some confusion, at least for me.

I do like how the interior of his cape reflects space, as if it’s some kind of portal. But otherwise the colors and other bits lack imagination and style, leaving me a bit cold. Plus having bracelets on top of full gloves is weird, like my “two boots” aversion.

Overall I’d give Quasar a “C” for a couple of nice elements offset by a dull design and a suffocating top half. How about you, what would you say about this costume?

18 Comments

Posted in Bad Super Costumes

Life after the Finishing Move

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 5 comments

(From “Blue Bolt” number 2, 1940.)

5 Comments

Posted in Daily Random Panel

Godzilla vs. Optimus Prime

Posted on February 14, 2012 | 41 comments

Two titans battling it out in the heart of a major city, one atomic-fire-filled giant lizard and one space alien transforming robot! It’s technology versus biology, West versus East, rubber suit versus CGI in a battle for the ages. Who will win? Only you can decide!

[polldaddy poll=”5942035″]

Lay out your case in the comments and may the vest best giant creature win!

41 Comments

Posted in Versus

Caption Contest 117: The Vow!

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 63 comments

Your challenge this week is to come up with the best replacement dialog for this comics panel (which comes to us courtesy of the always awesome Glenn3’s “Say What?” PhotoBucket site):

The best entry (as judged by yours truly) wins the author’s choice of either any item they like or any portrait to be included in HeroMachine 3′s final release, or a custom black and white “Sketch of the Day” style illustration (you pick the subject, I draw it however I like).

All entries must be left as a comment (or comments) to this post. Keep ‘em clean (appropriate for a late-night broadcast TV show), but most importantly, keep ‘em funny!

We’re going to mix it up this week and say there’s no limit to entries, but please, self-edit and only put up ones you genuinely think are funny!

63 Comments

Posted in Caption Challenges, Challenges

Character Design Contest 82 Winners!

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 26 comments

Thanks to everyone who entered the very difficult Character Design Contest 82: Pride! Without further ado, here are your Finalists, the submissions I thought had something particularly special about them.

Continue reading →

26 Comments

Posted in Challenge Favorites, Challenges, Character Design Challenges