Author Archives: AFDStudios

Dr. Fate vs. Dr. Strange

Posted on October 9, 2012 | 18 comments

The marriage of magic and super heroes has never quite worked for me. Even when I read Golden Age comics featuring the likes of Marvo the Magician, something about seeing a beturbaned wand-wielder uttering mystical phrases alongside someone in tights and a cape seemed off somehow.

Having said that, I think the two best examples of magical super heroes from the major publishers are DC’s Dr. Fate and Marvel’s Dr. Strange. On the one hand you have one of the most awesome helmets ever seen in comics, and on the other you have a killer Seventies mustache and the biggest cape this side of Thor. Fate embodies Order, while Strange is left to protect the Earth however he can, messy though it might get.

It all got me wondering what would happen in a clash between these two mystic titans, so I turn it over to you:

[polldaddy poll=”6595551″]

18 Comments

Posted in Versus

META: UGO Forums now closed

Posted on October 9, 2012 | 6 comments

The HeroMachine Forums at UGO.com are now officially closed to new posts. They will remain up for the foreseeable future as a static repository for all of the awesome stuff that went on there over the years, but starting today no one will be able to add anything.

Instead, I would urge you to use the forums here at HeroMachine.com for all of your character-sharing, comics-discussing needs.

I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank WillyPete, the longtime moderator of the forums there. His service has always been the major determining factor in keeping those going as long as we did, and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate it. You are the man, WillyPete!

6 Comments

Posted in Meta

Back in MY day, comics didn't have to make sense!

Posted on October 9, 2012 | 11 comments

(From “Lightning Comics” volume 2, number 2, 1941.)

11 Comments

Posted in Daily Random Panel

Caption Challenge 131: Gorilicious

Posted on October 8, 2012 | 54 comments

It’s time for another new Caption Challenge! This week you’re tasked with coming up with the best caption for this comics panel:

I’ll pick out some as my personal favorites to highlight in a post next Monday, and then I’ll choose one of those to bear the standard as the “Featured Creator of the Week” atop the right column.

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!

No limit to entries, but please, self-edit and only put up ones you genuinely think are good!

54 Comments

Posted in Caption Challenges, Challenges

Character Design Challenge 101 Results

Posted on October 8, 2012 | 25 comments

First off, let me acknowledge that “Character Challenge 101: Gamma Madness!” was much harder than I anticipated. So congratulations to everyone who powered through and produced an illustration, you should pat yourself on the back. I do think that sometimes it’s a good thing to stretch your creative muscles and try something that’s not necessarily in your comfort zone. And, we got some really nice work out of it! Bonus!

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, here are the entries for this week:

Continue reading →

25 Comments

Posted in Challenge Favorites

HM Love: Boomtube Gear

Posted on October 8, 2012 | 3 comments

Friend of HeroMachine John and I rocked these shirts from Boomtube Gear (“Apparel and Gear for the Discriminating Geek!”) at Dragon*Con this year. I think they’re brilliant, the perfect combination of geekery and subtlety one expects from the discerning geek. Those in the know will know, while those who are not will not. You can fly under the radar AND look awesome to our people! Check ’em out:


The shirts are super (get it?!) high quality and the designs are excellent. They’d make a great gift for the knowledgeable nerd in your group of friends, even if that nerd is you. I give it the highest possible HeroMachine ranking of love, so please check them out! He’s got more designs coming soon, as well.

3 Comments

Posted in Things I Like

A classic two-panel take

Posted on October 8, 2012 | 6 comments

6 Comments

Posted in Daily Random Panel

Pop Quiz Results

Posted on October 7, 2012 | 10 comments

Our tribute to the leaves of autumn in the last Pop Quiz went really well! Here are all of the entries we received:

Continue reading →

10 Comments

Posted in Challenge Favorites

Moognation Prize

Posted on October 6, 2012 | 10 comments

I’m starting to work on the five winning prizes from Character Design Challenge 100. The idea here is that I will use their image as the basis of an illustration. It isn’t necessarily to recreate the image they made, or to redraw it, but to do something inspired by it. After all the originals are already kick-ass, I don’t know that I could really improve them at all.

First up is the number one vote-getter, Moognation’s “Ninja”. To refresh your memory, here it is again:

Continue reading →

10 Comments

Posted in Challenge Prizes

Pop Quiz: Fall

Posted on October 6, 2012 | 32 comments

Happy Saturday, folks! The colors have changed here in Colorado, and my wife and I will be taking them in while on a hike today. So your one-day quick-fire challenge is to create an awesome image using the leaf aura from ItemRight-Energy:

You can use it once or a hundred times. It can be front and center as the main centerpiece, or a background element, so long as at least one copy is in there somewhere.

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!

32 Comments

Posted in Challenges, Pop Quiz