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(From "Target Comics" volume 2, number 1, 1941.)
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Posted in Daily Random Panel
Midichlorians vs. armored thongs
We all know that few things rival a full-on nerdgasm for sheer, frothy power, the kind of perfect storm achieved while watching Captain America and Iron Man go at it in "The Avengers" or waxing poetic about why "Lord of the Rings" is the greatest thing ever.
One of those rival feelings, however, is a full-on nerd rage. Talk about sheer frothy power! I sometimes think we like tearing things down more than we do building them up, which is a shame because it makes us like the rest of humanity. And that's a downer.
Two geek films in particular have, over the years, taken up a pre-eminent position in the pantheon of nerd anger: "The Phantom Menace" and "Batman and Robin". What I'm interested in is not so much bashing either of these movies (that's been done to death), but rather why these two in particular are such hot buttons. I mean, there are plenty of other "franchise destroying" films out there, from "Superman III" to "X-Men 3". They come in for their share of revilement, sure, but nowhere near the level of the other two.
And it's not even like either of these actually destroyed their franchises. The last time I checked, both Batman movies and Star Wars projects were doing just fine, thank you very much.
So my question for you is really two-fold. First, which of these two did the most damage to their franchise in your eyes. And second, WHY? Why do you take it personally in a way you haven't for other wretched geek movies?
Also, let me apologize in advance to frequent commenter Nick. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, I'm honestly curious as to what elevates a film from not being just another bad movie, but to something almost personally offensive. It's fascinating to me.
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Posted in Versus
(From "Target Comics" volume 2, number 1, 1941.)
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Posted in Daily Random Panel
Note: Phantom Stranger is already taken so don't do it!
I'm going to try something a little different this week with our own HeroMachine version of Mad Libs. You'll have to fill in the following description for your character, replacing the blanks. For instance, the name is "The Phantom _______," so you'd replace the blanks with a word to name your character. You might go for "The Phantom PIRATE" or "The Phantom NINJA" or "The Phantom CHIPMUNK."
So here's your description. You don't have to do any of these except the character title, but it would be fun to play along if you are so inclined:
The Phantom _____!
Straight from the pages of _____ Comics, it's the _____-spangled adventurer! Along with sidekick "_____ the _____ Wonder ", racing through _____ City on the astounding _____-mobile, you won't believe what you see!
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:
No limit on entries this week, so knock yourselves out. Just make them good!
Comments Off on Character Contest 91: The Phantom ________
Posted in Challenges, Character Design Challenges
Thanks to everyone who shared their humor with us in Caption Contest 122! I picked out a dew of my favorite lines of replacement dialog for this comics panel:
And the winner is ... E350!
A lot of folks used the odd shot count (3 blams in, 4 blams out, yet 6 bullets exiting ... so I guess the math on the winning entry being off sort of makes sense), but I thought this one was phrased the best.
Congratulations, and thanks again to all who entered!
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Posted in Daily Random Panel
(From "Target Comics" volume 2, number 1, 1941.)
Comments Off on The Choosing of Robin, the untold story
Posted in Daily Random Panel
Many thanks to everyone who entered Pop Quiz 10, which challenged you to create a new cool character using one of the ones pictured in "Companions-Humanoid". I did have to disallow two entries, one for violating the Fantastic Four copyright and one for coming a little too far over the line for a Superman reference, sorry about that. I have to be a lot stricter about what I allow posted on my sites than you do on yours.
Regardless, here are your entries! Click on any one to start the slideshow.
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Posted in Challenge Favorites
Happy Saturday, people! Unless you're on the other side of the world in which case it's already Sunday. If so, drop us a line and let us know what the world is like in the fuuuuuuuture ... Ahem.
Your one-day quick-fire challenge is:
In other words, make a character illustration like you normally would, only the body has to be one of the items from Companion-Humanoids. You can do a little or a lot, but the Companion has to be the main character.
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 contest, but instead of a whole week I'll announce the winner either tonight or first thing in the morning.
The winner will receive their choice of either one item or one portrait to be included in the final HeroMachine 3 release, or one Sketch of the Day style drawing where you pick the subject and I draw it how I like.
Good luck!
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Posted in Challenges, Pop Quiz
(From "Target Comics" volume 2, number 1, 1941.)
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Posted in Daily Random Panel
My full-time (non-HeroMachine) job might keep me from actually getting to these before this afternoon, but 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 guidelines:
That's it! Hopefully we can get some good interaction going here and help everyone (me included!) learn a little bit today.
Comments Off on Open Critique Day #39
Posted in Open Critique Day
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
