Author Archives: AFDStudios

Skulltastic

Don't get me wrong, I love me some Iron Skull. The crazy eyes, the improbable origin, the dubious power set, it's all so wonderfully bizarre that you can't help but like him.

But this "super" version of his costume is just wretched:

Is that skull and crossbones insignia tattooed on his bare chest? Or is it one of those peel-and-stick magnetized decals like you see on business vehicles? It's not helped any by the cape, which is either magnetized as well or just ties at his throat, since there's no shirt to stitch it to. Completing the stunning ensemble are the blue swim trunks held up by the obnoxious red studded belt, and matching red studded fringe on top of his boots. I don't know why the boots need a belt, maybe he has troublesome ankles.

In general, you should either go nude or go home, but running around mostly naked with a few super-hero bits tacked on looks terrible. It feels like somehow he rolled out of the shower and was only halfway dressed when The Call came in.

He was much better off when he just wore a suit and tie and tried to taunt his enemies into only firing at his head. Although apparently he took one too many slugs to the ol' noggin and switched to this outfit instead. Pity.

(Image from "Stars and Stripes" number 5, 1941.)

RP: "Clearly you're happy to see him … "

(From "Wonder Boy" number 17, 1955.)

Poll Position: Alter egos

We tend to focus on the flashy side of the super-hero business, but there's no denying that secret identities are an integral part of the genre. Which brings us to this week's question:

{democracy:149}

Discussion to follow!

Continue reading

RP: Like wearing our underwear outside!

(From "Wonder Boy" number 17, 1955.)

Caption Contest 83

This may be the most random yet of the comics panels with their dialog whited out that Glenn3 has ever posted. And that's saying something, because goodness knows, there have been some very random panels there indeed.

Regardless, your challenge for this week is to come up with the best, funniest replacement dialog for this comics panel:

I have no idea what was going on here originally, but I bet if I did I'd need therapy. That is seriously weird. So, yeah, good luck with that! The rules are simple:

  • Leave your entry or entries (no limit) in the comments to this post (it's fine to put all yours in one comment, they don't have to be separate);
  • Keep it clean, appropriate for a late-night broadcast television program;
  • Next Monday I'll pick what I think are the funniest entries as Finalists, and everyone will have a chance to vote on who they think should win.

Good luck everyone!

Caption Contest 82 Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of Caption Contest 82, by a margin of 66 votes to 55 -- Galactic Ketchup!

Ketchup, let me know what you'd like as your prize either via email or a comment to any post. And thanks again to everyone for entering!

RP: How could they tell?

(From "Stars and Stripes" number 5, 1941.)

Character Contest 41 Winners!

The only thing worse today than the massive head cold I am sporting is my craptacular internet connection. Thus I am at the library using their wireless network while spreading my germs to the other patrons. Don't say I never gave you anything, library lovers!

Since the latter item meant it took me three hours just to download half the entries for Character Contest 41 and the former item means I feel like death, I am not going to post the individual images of the Finalists like I usually do. Instead I am going to put them all into a gallery, where you can click through to each one.

Congratulations nonetheless to all of our Finalists, however -- Alex, Blue Blazer, Decolda, Gargoyle323 (x3!), Imp (x2!), Kaldath, Knitesoul, Morzan, Mr. Q., Phatchick, Rosco, Watson Bradshaw, and Zyp. Well done, all of you! Some of these I liked a specific element or technique, others were great designs, and others were just fun. I will leave it to all you healthy people to figure out which was which, and why you think these made it to the Finalist status, in the comments.

Somehow I managed to put each one in twice. I don't know how I did that, or how to make it stop, so get ready for twice the lovin'.

Finally, out of all those I had to pick one winner. And I had to agree with those who exclaimed in the comments how awesome this one is, because I just love it. All of the effects work, the design is spot-on, and the character just looks utterly fantastic. Definitely one of the best entries we've had in the history of this series, just a great, great job by Morzan with his "Junkie":

Morzan, let me know either via email or in a comment to any post what item or portrait you'd like as your prize. Thanks for the illustration and congratulations!

Comically Vintage

If you enjoy the Daily Random Panel here at HeroMachine.com, you'll love Comically Vintage, a Tumblr feed featuring similar out-of-context panels from various comic books. As they say on their site, "a virtual wellspring of sex, drugs, violence and poor table manners". What could be better on a lazy Sunday?!

Here's a sample:

Enjoy!

RP: Beneath the Mask. And shirt. Pants. Etc.

(From "Stars and Stripes" number 4, 1941.)