(From “Dynamic Comics” number 1, 1941. I couldn’t think of a funny headline, it just struck me as a bizarre panel. I don’t usually think of “ha ha ha” as either insane or gurgling, or “WHEEEE” as unearthly.)
Posted in Daily Random Panel
Here’s a quick tip if you’re considering going into the super-heroing business: Unless your opponent is The Human Casserole, no one is afraid of oven mitts. Someone should clue Bantam in to that keen insight:
Also, “yellow-bellied” is not meant as a compliment, so you should avoid making your costume literally give you a yellow belly. Just pick up the phone and call Yosemite Sam if you’re unsure how he means it.
Finally, I’m sure we’re all very impressed that you were able to steal some headgear from the local boxing gym to finish out your costume, but next time, don’t staple red poster board to it. That’s not what your mom meant when she told you to “comb” your hair before leaving the house.
In fact, I’ll go a step further and encourage you to rethink the entire “I’m a big chicken!” motif completely. It sends the wrong message to your inevitable opponents (“Hey Stilt Man, want to go fight a big chicken?” “Sign me up!”).
Besides, the timer just rang, and I need those oven mitts back.
(Character and image ©Marvel Comics.)
Posted in Bad Super Costumes
Full disclosure time: I’m actually in Arizona and have been for a couple of days, taking a sick donkey to the vet. Thus my posting schedule has been a bit messed up, and I apologize for that.
The long and short of it is that I am going to be driving nine hours towing a trailer today, so I won’t be able to do Open Critique Day as planned; I’ll be moving that to Saturday in all likelihood.
In a few minutes I’ll be putting up a Bad Costume post that should have gone up yesterday, which got bumped because I missed Poll Position Tuesday due to the drive.
One day I’ll get back on schedule and then you’ll all be sorry!
Also, don’t forget you only have till midnight tonight to vote on who should advance in Friday Night Fights!
(From “Four Favorites” number 7.)
Posted in Daily Random Panel
Let’s pretend you work at DC Comics HQ as a mid-level creative producer. One day your boss comes to you and says it seems that the Big Bosses at DC, ever envious of Marvel’s success (a stretch, I know, but stick with me here), want to introduce more commercially adaptable super-hero teams to promote some of their lesser-known properties. Sort of a West Coats Justice League, if you will.
In fact, let’s pretend your boss literally comes to you and says “Bob, the Bosses want you to develop a West Coast Justice League, like the West Coast Avengers, because we want to sell a zillion comics and make a movie and become rich like the Marvel guys and retire to Bali.”
You manage to resist pointing out that your name is not, in fact, Bob (unless it is), and that this is the stupidest idea since Secret Wars II, which probably accounts for how you managed to navigate your way through ten different rounds of downsizing to occupy your current lofty corner cubicle.
Instead you put on your thinking cap and set about finding some obscure characters that you think would make a “viable” West Coat JLA. Maybe you check with your fellow creative professionals, which is a mistake because henceforth WCJLA will stand for “Water Closet JLA”. Also, they smell funny. Your friends, that is, not the WCJLA, though if Swamp Thing makes the cut that would probably apply as well.
What six characters would you choose to flesh out the team? Any that you would add?
To make things more complicated, your boss only wants third-tier or less popular character. Why? He’s a pin-head, that’s why — he helps run a comic book company, what do you expect?!
The only exception is for Billy Batson, because … um, because I forgot this rule before I put up the list, is why. And any other character who I was also unaware had been on a team before. Sometimes it’s good to be the Pinhead in Charge.
Defend your choices in the comments!
Posted in Versus
(From “Four Favorites” number 3.)
Posted in Daily Random Panel
I’ve decided that each month I am going to dedicate one character design contest to the Signs of the Zodiac, because I’m all about living your comic book like according to what the stars tell you. And I don’t mean just Robert Downey Jr.
So your challenge for this week is to design the coolest character image possible with the theme of “Scorpio“. You might design something around a scorpion (traditional animal symbol of the sign), or something based on the 1973 movie featuring Burt Lancaster, or a character that you think exemplifies the astrological profile of those born under the sign, or something completely different. It’s up to you so long as it in some way ties into the theme!
The person with the winning entry as selected by our expert panel (i.e. me) will win their choice of a) a portrait to go in HeroMachine 3, b) an item to go in HeroMachine 3, or c) a custom black and white “Sketch of the Day” style drawing (also by me). The rules otherwise are the same as always:
Good luck everyone!
Posted in Challenges, Character Design Challenges
Congratulations to the winner of Caption Contest 86: Joshua!
I ultimately went with him as the winner because he had three different entries that were all very good. This one I thought perfectly captured the spirit of most Internet debate.
He was not the only person worth of singling out, however, so forthwith I present your other Honorable Mention Finalist Type People:
Jake’s in particular gave me a good snort, but I thought all of those were very funny. Thanks to everyone who entered, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Joshua, let me know what you’d like for your prize either here, via the Contact Us link, or by direct e-mail (afdstudios at the gmail to the com).
Posted in Challenge Favorites, Challenges
(From “Yankee Comics” number 1, 1941.)
Posted in Daily Random Panel
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
