Random Panel: Because spandex > school

bulletman-9-1942-rot

Random Panel: Great moments in awkward banter

bulletman-9-1942-pencils

(From "Bulletman" number 9, 1942.)

HM3: Prize item updates

I've just uploaded a lot of Contest Prize items to the HeroMachine 3 Alpha that I hope you'll enjoy. Previews, links, and images to follow after the jump.

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Random Panel: They might start shooting at something besides our heads!

bulletman-9-1942-gunfire

(From "Bulletman" number 9, 1942. The crooks must be the same ones who used to shoot at Iron Skull.)

Thundering manpower

Imagine a comics panel. You've got a dramatic visual layout, the brightly-colored and powerfully muscled Bulletman barreling into hapless thugs with lowered shoulder. A vigorous starburst explosion heightens the impact of the crash, separating men from hats and setting limbs akimbo, thugs flying. A simple black and white divider in the background enhances the tension.

Meanwhile the caption at the top spells out what we're seeing, employing powerful words like "fury", "thundering manpower", and "hammer". All of which sets us up nicely for the ensuing onomontoPOWia. Perhaps a WHAM or the traditional POW? Or, more daringly, a BOOM or SHA-KOOOM?

bulletman-5-1941-manpower

No. Oh no. Because in a world with ninja tanks and villains slapped silly, a world where the two most powerful heroes get flung around the skies by their necks, limbs flapping like chickens spun at the end of a farmer's arm, "thundering manpower" goes "POOOOFF".

Random Panel: Wait, THEM?! We’re doomed.

bulletman-9-1942-cantendwell

(From "Bulletman" number 9, 1942.)

At the boutique

Hammerknight was asked in the last recipe posting for help dressing up the admittedly very primitive and limited female figure, so he was nice enough to provide the following quick guide. Many thanks to him as always for the help! If there's anything in particular you want to see him put together be sure to let him know in the comments.

Thanks HK!

Random Panel: Great moments in battle cries

bulletman-9-1942-slapsilly

(From "Bulletman" number 9, 1942.)

From bad to worse

Choosing between two different levels of epic failure can be tough. What was worse, "Superman IV" or "Batman 4"? What's longer, infinity or infinity plus one? Or even, which is worse, the original Falcon costume:

falcon

Or the red and white one that replaced it?

falcon_001

On one hand, the original costume was a masterpiece of Seventies Blacksploitation tropes, from the crazy bird medallion to the plunging neckline to the Michael Jackson-anticipating single glove. You also have to admire anyone willing to go out wearing red and green year-round and not just at Christmas. He's sort of like Disco Santa, but with an edge.

On the other hand, the "modern" red and white version is a travesty of both form and function, from the pathetically inadequate armpit feathers to the absurd tiny yellow faux talons on his feet to the is-that-a-beak-or-acne yellow doohickey stapled to the bridge of his nose. Honestly, I don't understand how any self-respecting raptor could bear to be seen in public with that travesty of an attempt to look like a bird.

For the love of Pete, he's got fake red wings on his stomach! I bet half the screeching that bird does is a vain attempt to say "You don't fly with your tummy, idiot!" and the other half is "Someone shoot me, please!"

At least he kept the virile plunging neck, although without the big gold belt buckle it looks more like a vest. And nothing says "Fear me, villain" like a vest.

I suspect that scholars will debate this deep question of relative suckitude for as long as we have internets. Or retinas to be burned by looking at these outfits. Or a flock of angry falcons, their wings ceaselessly beating out their plaintive wail of fashion-inspired despair.

Random Panel: If only

whiz-comics-4-1940-golf

(From "Whiz Comics" number 4, 1940.)