You ARE the Critic, Black Condor Edition

For this week's "Bad Super Hero Costume" edition, I thought I'd turn it over to you all to provide the critique. Our subject was suggested by Kaldath, and I think it's a great example. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Black Condor!

In the comments to this post, take your best shot at explaining why this is (or isn't!) a bad super hero costume. It's going to be hard to pass up the "jazz hands" look of this specific drawing, but that's why we're paying you the big bucks.

Have at it, intrepid fashion reporters!

P.S. It isn't relevant to the costume necessarily, but it probably bears mentioning that in this guy's original origin story, he learned how to fly because he hung out with condors. Not magic condors, or alien condors, just regular old endangered species condors. Apparently just living close enough to living beings that have an ability is enough to grant you that ability, although that fails to explain Pauly Shore.

ZINGOW!

(From "Weird Comics" number 9, 1940.)

Poll Position: Superman vs … Superman?

I thought we'd take a break from "Who can beat the crap out of whom" series of Versus Poll Positions and instead focus on one of our favorite subjects -- super-hero fashion! Thus:

{democracy:203}

Here are the major differences as I see them (actors aside):

  1. Cavill's midnight blue vs. Routh's more primary tone;
  2. No undies vs. Undies;
  3. Hex texture vs Spandex;
  4. No belt vs. Belt;
  5. Fatter, more traditional "S" logo vs. more angular, smaller logo;
  6. Wrist cuffs vs. No cuffs;
  7. Squared-off collar vs. tighter round collar;
  8. Piping details vs. No piping at all;
  9. Costume-sculpted abs vs. What God Gave 'im.

For me personally, I think I prefer the Cavill version for one reason -- it tells a story. The problem with the "Superman Returns" costume was that it was just a redesign, but it didn't really tell you anything about the man (or alien) wearing it. When I look at the costume from the upcoming "Man of Steel", I get at least a general "Kryptonian" vibe from it, which tells me that this is someone trying to retain some vestige of their history, their culture, their heritage. I don't know in what way or how it will translate into the story, but I get the feeling there's thought and story behind the choices that were made, and not just "Let's modern this baby up some".

But that's just me, I'd love to hear how you voted and why!

Good point

(From "Hard Ones" number 1, 2011.)

Character Contest 74: Libra

This week's Character Design Challenge brings us the conclusion of the Zodiac Cycle with the final sign, Libra!

Libra usually shows as scales, though sometimes that's joined to the Roman concept of the goddess of justice. You could design a character named Libra, or twins who are diametrically opposed (balancing each other out), or a massive weapons system code-named Libra, or a straight-up set of cool looking scales, or anything else you can think of that fits in any way into the name, concept, or history of Libra. This is your last Zodiac, so be sure to make it count!

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:

  • All entries must be in JPG or PNG form (BMPs are too big), posted to a publicly accessible website (like ImageShack, PhotoBucket, the UGO Forums, whatever);
  • Entries must be made as a comment or comments to this post, containing a link directly to the image and the character name;
  • The image cannot have been used in any previous HeroMachine character design contest;
  • Please name your files as [your name]-[character name].[file extension]. So DiCicatriz, for instance, would save his "Bayou Belle" character image as DiCicatriz-BayouBelle.png.
  • Please make the link go directly to the image (like this) and not to a hosting jump page (like this). If you see "preview" or "rotate" somewhere in the link you're probably doing it wrong.
  • All entries must be in by next Monday, when I'll choose a winner.

Good luck everyone! Since this is the last one, no limit on entries. Knock yourself out!

Caption Contest 109 Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered Caption Contest 109! We had some great submissions, including this selection of Finalists:

  • TopHat: You’re the one who wanted to meet in ‘Stinky’s Bar’.
  • Twiggyseed: Are you gonna join our gang of horrible neckwear or not?
  • Dan: “They should really start handing out Right Guard at these Comicons.”
  • Watson Bradshaw: Sorry, Willie Nelson scented candles seemed to be a good idea.
  • sean from edwards: Then maybe the sewage treatment plant wasn’t the best place for a wine tasting.
  • TheNate: “You can’t unring the Taco Bell.”
  • TheNate: That’s how it works here. I toot, he shoots.
  • Joel: “Hey, when you called the assassin’s guild you asked or some one silent but deadly.”

Those are all a hoot, but ultimately I decided to go with three-time Caption Contest Winner, TheNate, for a clever and completely appropriate take on a classic saying:

Congratulations to TheNate and all of our Finalists!

More "Life before the Comics Code Authority"

(via Chris' Invincible Super-Blog.)

Power User Profile: Jessica

Although she has yet to win a contest outright, she has made it as a Finalist several times and is always a fun, interesting, and motivated participant in our discussions. Thus it gives me great happiness to present to you the Power User Profile of Jessica! Has anyone noticed how many different countries HM folks are from? I think that's one of my favorite things about our community, you really get a sense for how comics (and art!) can bring people from very different backgrounds together.

Anyway, heeeeeeeeere's Jessica!

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Too … much … subtext …

(From "Red Seal" number 15, 1941?)

FNF3, Consolation Round 2: Energy Blasters

As you can see, there are some fantastic Energy Blasters whose teams unfortunately did not make it into the top 16. But never fear, you can still see and vote for your favorites! No stories in the consolation rounds due to time and space constraints, but the images speak for themselves.

Good luck everyone! You can vote for your top five, but only once. Click on an image to see it at its largest size.

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