The Crimson Fist

So, it turns out that your boring dimension has its own super-hero after all...! And unlike that "Superboy-Prime" goober? He's cool.

His codename is "The Crimson Fist" and here's how balls-punchingly cool he is: he contacted yours truly about designing a costume for him! (For money!) It doesn't get much cooler than that, people.

Designing a costume for your dimension presented some unique challenges. For instance, I had to go easy on any parts that could be grabbed onto during a scrap (like capes and hoods and such). Why? Because you fuckers fight dirty! It sure ain't that way where I live! In my dimension, if I'm wrestling with some (other) burly dude, and he touches grabs my glorious beard? I know exactly what he's asking for, and it ain't a sock to the jaw. Er, but I digress.

This design features body armor, based on the kind used by dirtbike enthusiasts and, I dunno, cops or sumpin'. Note the protective collar, which comes in handy when some jerk tries to stab you in the back of the neck. Which, I guess, happens where you shmoes live. The cowl has integrated lenses. The buckled boots are combined with kneepads. As a design element, I left the forearms bare. So I guess it's not 100% practical, but hey! I'm an artist.

This next one would be suitable for riding a motorcycle. Just add helmet! I surrounded the fist logo with stylized wings for additional bad-assery. I mirrored the wing pattern on the boots. I went a little Anime in the hair, for fun.

I actually doodled around with a full-on Japanese hero look for the Crimson Fist: armored pants, metal girdle, bare nipples, fun little vest. It made him look like he was one of those twee Final Fantasy characters (not that there's anything wrong with that), and it didn't exactly scream "tough". But I guess I had to go that far, in order to dial it back down to this design. It's my personal favorite!

But the Crimson Fist prefers this third one, and I can't say as I blame him:

This design is clean and classic, with a good balance of color and silhouette. It looks the most like a 21st century super-hero from my own dimension, but it was still designed with practicality in mind. For instance, there is a definite top layer and bottom layer. The tunic is bordered with red at the hem, and it's pulled over the leggings. The boots and the gloves are both pull-ons; you'll note that they are drawn as fitting more loosely than the buckled versions in the other two designs. I'll be producing an illustration -- using this design -- for the Crimson Fist!

Awesome!

The Sith Sense

After I posted my kicky uniform design for for Jon the Intergalactic Gladiator, fellow commenter Darth Nepharia asked me to concoct a costume for her. Since she's a Sith Lady I didn't really feel like I could say no. (Plus she's just super-nice.)

Nepharia sent me a ton of links to other Star Wars character designs, and for additional inspiration I went to one of Jeremy's books on Japanese folklore. A print showing a fox-demoness reclining on a stylized thundercloud gave me the idea to do a fox-themed facial tattoo, and I stole the cloud pattern wholesale for the fabric. The kimono-like elements are a nod to the Japanese styling in the films, and of course I gave the ensemble a lot of black leather and a high collar to echo the near-sadomasochistic severity seen in a lot of Sith costumes. The combination of white skin and long red hair are reminiscent of Kabuki plays and anime, to further my Japanese theme.

Set Phasers To "Stunning"

Jon the Intergalactic Gladiator asked me to design a uniform for him... just before Jeremy's computer imploded. Now that it's repaired, I can finally show you all the result!



Jon requested something formal with a button-up front -- like 19th century military uniforms (or Captain Marvel) -- in black or slate gray. I went with the latter color for the tunic and the trousers and used black for the gloves and boots. The circular insignia on the shoulders and on the helmet is from Jon's profile pic, which he informs me is Shane Gooseman of the Galaxy Rangers. That inspired me to incorporate curving lines into the front panel of the tunic and the visor of the helmet. And here's a photo of the earthbound version of Jon, which I used as reference for the head. No idea if Jon's nose actually looks the way I made it look in 3/4 profile, but he hasn't complained about it. Yet! Anyway, I'll take that as a good omen. Also, I think I'm starting to get the hang of depicting shiny black surfaces. Yay, me!

For a broader look at the fashions of the Intergalactic Gladiator's world, check this out:

Fashion show! Fashion show! Fashion show in space!

Chairman of the "Sword"

Now it can be told! Here's the super-duper, triple-reverse secret project I've been working on. It's a grand parody of that "Sword of Aquaman" picture that's cracked the internet in half, or at least chipped it a little. It was the idea of my internet pal Scipio, of Absorbascon fame. That's him in the center, in a stunning costume designed by yours truly (to Scip's specifications), gladly replacing the mysterious pseudo-Aquaman (or "Arthur Curry Joe Dorita," as I like to call him). Instead of a big heavy sword, he's holding a fencing foil and his pet dog! In place of the original pic's be-tentacled sorceror is Starman; in place of King Shark is Orca the Whale-Woman. And lounging seductively at Scipio's feet is the throbbingly powerful Vibe, looking right at home despite having been choked to death by a robot about twenty years ago... oops! Hope I didn't spoil any old comics for you. Anyway, they're all Scipio's favorite characters, and truth be told, I'd rather read a comic about them than this tedious-looking Conan knock-off DC is about to foist on us all.

I drew the whole thing myself. Well, Jeremy helped. A little. Mainly in plastering his surname on it, even though he didn't have a damned thing to do with it. Hey, just like Edith Head with the costume designs for "Sabrina!" Also, he insisted on crediting the original artist, Jackson "Butch" Guice... even though I personally happen to think it's abundantly clear that this is a perfectly legal parody. I'm not a "swipe artist," and I'll fight any man who says I am! (Preferably after dinner and drinks.)

Off the Rack

Sorry about the long wait between posts, but I hope it will be worth it. I've been busy creating new costumes for my highest-profile client yet: Wonder Woman('s daughter, Fury)!!! I'll post those in just a few days. And to tide you over, here are two generic outfits I made for sale. And they sold! See, some people actually do like my costume designs. I guess they just don't like it when I tell them what's wrong with the clothes they're wearing at the time. Attention, dumbasses: I'm doing you a freaking favor! (clears throat) Sorry, got a bit off-track there. On to the outfits!

First up is your basic "omnipotent overlord" armor. I'm keeping one suit for myself, on the off chance that I ever get possessed by some ultra-powerful evil entity. (Heck, it happens to one of the X-Men every other Thursday.) You'll note I added an Interlac "B" to the helmet.

Yes, it's the evil version of me, saying, "Stop in the name of Dark Blockade Boy, destroyer of worlds and monarch of all that is unholy! Hey, I said 'stop.' Wait, where are you going? Come back here right now or I'll, um, turn into a really big steel wall! ...Aw, the heck with it." (Granted, it's not much of a battle cry.) I sold one of these babies to the Toad, who figured all his leaping and gadding about would look much more imposing in a suit of armor with a huge holographic purple flame around it. I must admit I have my doubts.

Ooh, here's a good one!

It's a paramilitary number with a spot for "your super-logo here" on the vest. The kicker is the Tron-style metal gauntlets which project energy in both shield and "vibro-force" configurations. Yes, whether you're a patriotic super-hero or a faceless henchman, you can kick ass in style! Mask sold separately! (That's where you can really make a profit: accessories!) The Taskmaster ordered three hundred of these, but a week later he tried to reduce that number to twelve. Apparently most of his men had been defeated by Captain America (That bitch again?!) and now they're in a S.H.I.E.L.D. concentration camp or something. Hey, maybe I should design prison uniforms!