Need a name for a Superhero

[Saberteeth]

Myself and my friend have gotten together(I'm writing and he's drawing) and we are trying to get a new hero in the works. We plan to go about approaching different companies hoping to get somewhere preferably Marvel(high hopes i know don't need to hear it). Dave's an awesome artist and i've gotten nothing but praise too and we work very well together, only one problem though we need a name for the hero. I've been advised to give minimal info (he's watching and is TOTALLY paranoid about idea stealing and i just got slapped :p ) but here's what i can say.

The guy has shoulder length wavey blonde hair, a brown leather trenchcoat and he's "gifted" with knives. We've got most of his background done, he's Irish (we really wanted him to be Irish we are very unrepresented in the SH world), he's a dark character with a messy background (killed his abusive father basically but there's more). He may sound like Sabertooth but Dave's drawings are soo different that you wouldn't really make the connection. The name we are using temporarily is "Dagger" but that's lame for one and taken. So any ideas, something Marvely?

Note: Sorry i can't give out more info but Dave's a funny one when it comes to this he REALLY thinks we got something and so do I really.

I appreciate any help you can give!

[Evil-Spidey]

Kniveman!

easy as that



or what about

Captain Ireland

[Haunt]

Knives Culligan

Sharper

Stab-Man

Mr Ginsu

Jack Knife

Leatherman

Kabar

[dingo]

The Iron Chef!!!

[Harlock]

Stabby.

He's Irish you say?

Stabby McStabber.

There you go, I only require 2% residuals on a monthly basis.

[dingo]

Stabby.

He's Irish you say?

Stabby McStabber.

There you go, I only require 2% residuals on a monthly basis.

Surely that would be

Stabby O'Stabber.

[Saberteeth]

Wow quick. Ok the Irish is only in his actual name so i don't need any stereotype's ok. God knows i get enough of them. This is cool though you're all giving me ideas. :)

[StoneGold]

Captain Rapedinprison

[Joe Acro]

It would be easier if I knew his task, but I understand that you don't want to give out that information, so that's okay. How about Knife Knight? (And be wary with going to Marvel. They have a form to fill out that basically says they can copy your character or idea and you can't sue them.)

[Haunt]

It would be easier if I knew his task, but I understand that you don't want to give out that information, so that's okay. How about Knife Knight? (And be wary with going to Marvel. They have a form to fill out that basically says they can copy your character or idea and you can't sue them.)

i think i'd be honored to have Marvel 'steal' one of my ideas. how else am i, a non-writer, going to get to see them in print? i still think they should make a superhero version of Mysterio.

[Harlock]

Skiver? I still want 2% residuals monthly.

[Young Avenger]

Danger Doom

Crimson Ash

Drunken Avenger

[DDM]

Stiletto (I prefer this one because it's more obscure & less an association with knives)
Switchblade

[TonyJaymz03]

My Advice? Don't worry about the name until you have a story to go with it. I've got characters who don't have any "super-heroy" names until I write the story, and then I can come up with one that feels natural to the story.

STart with his real name, his age, whats his favorite color, what's his eduacation level, who was his best friend growing up, does he have powers or is he just naturally skilled etc.

You may not write any of this into the story but coming up with a fully fleshed out character who feels real is tons better than another sabretooth/wolverine

though I do like the name Stiletto.....I may steal that :)

[The Foreigner]

Myself and my friend have gotten together(I'm writing and he's drawing) and we are trying to get a new hero in the works. We plan to go about approaching different companies hoping to get somewhere preferably Marvel(high hopes i know don't need to hear it). Dave's an awesome artist and i've gotten nothing but praise too and we work very well together, only one problem though we need a name for the hero. I've been advised to give minimal info (he's watching and is TOTALLY paranoid about idea stealing and i just got slapped :p ) but here's what i can say.

The guy has shoulder length wavey blonde hair, a brown leather trenchcoat and he's "gifted" with knives. We've got most of his background done, he's Irish (we really wanted him to be Irish we are very unrepresented in the SH world), he's a dark character with a messy background (killed his abusive father basically but there's more). He may sound like Sabertooth but Dave's drawings are soo different that you wouldn't really make the connection. The name we are using temporarily is "Dagger" but that's lame for one and taken. So any ideas, something Marvely?

Note: Sorry i can't give out more info but Dave's a funny one when it comes to this he REALLY thinks we got something and so do I really.

I appreciate any help you can give!

The chances of Marvel giving you a shot with a creator-owned character like that are pretty much zero. I know you've heard it before, but I'd check out Image or Dark Horse.

I also think that a typical super-hero name doesn't seem to fit this character, based on the description you're giving. There has to be a real reason why this guy would go by any nickname at all, and only YOU can know what that would be. If this is a guy with a messy background who carries knives around, why would he have a "Marvely" type name? What's his purpose? That's what will help you come up with a good name.

Does he call himself this name? Does the general public call him this name? Do his enemies call him this name? I can't imagine any 3 of those groups actually calling him "Dagger."

TonyJamyz is right on the money, too. A name like Stilletto sounds pretty badass-- But would be cheesy and cliche if it was the name for a woman who where's Stilletto shoes.

Just some things to think about.

[Arrjay]

Any of the following will guarantee publication with Marvel:

C***rag Fishtaco.

F***in' Knives.

Johnny Cutsya.

McMurder.

Sharpie.

The Incredible Carving Dude.

Envy.

You can use any one of those and I won't even sue you...

[Haunt]

Any of the following will guarantee publication with Marvel:

C***rag Fishtaco.

F***in' Knives.

Johnny Cutsya.

McMurder.

Sharpie.

The Incredible Carving Dude.

Envy.

You can use any one of those and I won't even sue you...

i'd go with McMurder but not have it be an irishman.



if you don't actually want a variation of 'knife' in the name, i would go with 'Springheeled Jack.' it makes me think of a mischievous character who could, arguably, use knives and be very agile.

[TonyJaymz03]

You know, your best bet probably isn't even Marvel...they're better than DC but they don't have the best history of just taking a random guy off the street, and offering a job to.

Even Image and Dark Horse are probably long shots. Honestly, best thing for you to do, hook up with an artist also trying to break in, and self-publish. It's hard as hell, but worth it(believe me, I'm working on a one-shot, and its a taxing process).

But again, like Foreigner also said, don't just make a super-hero. He's gotta be a super-hero for a reason, he's gotta have a marvely name for a reason. Hell, if he's just this bad ass avenger ala The Punisher, his name could be Jack, and he could be good. Just make sure it's a fleshed out, multi-layered character. Nobody wants to read the further adventures of Wolverine clone No. 13.

As far as names go, I like Stiletto, but I think you shoud stray away from a name thats so, on the nose. Try something that at first isn't that threatening, but those in the know (the bad guys) get terrified hearing it. How about Cillian? Unassuming name, at first, but just imagine if it was someone people were afraid of.
"Holy shit, he's coming for us!"
"Who?"
".....Cillian"

[streator]

las brasas or three-hole punch

[StoneGold]

Does he call himself this name? Does the general public call him this name? Do his enemies call him this name? I can't imagine any 3 of those groups actually calling him "Dagger."
.
Marvel already has a Dagger, anyways.

http://www.dragonhero.com/graphics/marvel2/dagger.jpg

[Haunt]

You know, your best bet probably isn't even Marvel...they're better than DC but they don't have the best history of just taking a random guy off the street, and offering a job to.

Even Image and Dark Horse are probably long shots. Honestly, best thing for you to do, hook up with an artist also trying to break in, and self-publish. It's hard as hell, but worth it(believe me, I'm working on a one-shot, and its a taxing process).

But again, like Foreigner also said, don't just make a super-hero. He's gotta be a super-hero for a reason, he's gotta have a marvely name for a reason. Hell, if he's just this bad ass avenger ala The Punisher, his name could be Jack, and he could be good. Just make sure it's a fleshed out, multi-layered character. Nobody wants to read the further adventures of Wolverine clone No. 13.

As far as names go, I like Stiletto, but I think you shoud stray away from a name thats so, on the nose. Try something that at first isn't that threatening, but those in the know (the bad guys) get terrified hearing it. How about Cillian? Unassuming name, at first, but just imagine if it was someone people were afraid of.
"Holy shit, he's coming for us!"
"Who?"
".....Cillian"

actually, his best bet is to not even worry about ownership of the character. if he just wants representation, he should suggest to Marvel that they make their next new character an irishman. and i think the character's chance for success would be better if the name was somewhat familiar. ex. the new Foolkiller or Devilslayer could be from the region. i'd almost prefer it since, as can be seen by this thread, the temptation to create a stereotype is great.

btw, i don't know if it counts Saberteeth but the 2 main characters in October's Ant-man series have very irish-sounding last names; Chris McCarthy and Eric O'Grady.

[Faded]

Sharp, Dart, or Pierce.

[HoboHitman]

Dagger
Blunt
Knives
Sharp
Pierce
Stab
You could just do his last name (ex. McStabby)
Look in the dictionary for a clever word
Lethal
Dea.dly
stiletto (means knive)
steel
saber
scalpel
matchete
bayonet
poniard
blade
cutter
cutler
lethaly
murderer
filth
liatram stra (I dunno', it's martial arts backward. I'm just guessing)
uh....i'm out of ideas

[Zombienorthstar]

How about Hilt...it sounds kinda messy and more like a name than a superhero title

What sorta book is tis gonna be...will be hunting supernatural creatures? Aliens? or will it be quite grounded like Daredevil-ish in that hes taking out crime lords etc.

[Michael P]

Stiletto (I prefer this one because it's more obscure & less an association with knives)
Switchblade
I think those are both taken.

I like "Jack Knife." A bit silly, but still cool.

Or, you can always go with MacHeath. Y'know, Mac the Knife?

[Saberteeth]

The chances of Marvel giving you a shot with a creator-owned character like that are pretty much zero. I know you've heard it before, but I'd check out Image or Dark Horse.

I also think that a typical super-hero name doesn't seem to fit this character, based on the description you're giving. There has to be a real reason why this guy would go by any nickname at all, and only YOU can know what that would be. If this is a guy with a messy background who carries knives around, why would he have a "Marvely" type name? What's his purpose? That's what will help you come up with a good name.

Does he call himself this name? Does the general public call him this name? Do his enemies call him this name? I can't imagine any 3 of those groups actually calling him "Dagger."

TonyJamyz is right on the money, too. A name like Stilletto sounds pretty badass-- But would be cheesy and cliche if it was the name for a woman who where's Stilletto shoes.

Just some things to think about.


Dude i'm not going for Dagger it was just a fill in name anyway. The plan is to have him Marvel Knights cause he's GONNA use the knives but even looking at it now. We never actually showed them more suggested there's the occasional one here and there but not enough to make us MAX.

OK how much detail can i give..... ok basically he hates superhero's not like punisher where he hunts them, he just hates them. It's contradictory but i go into that in the story plus it's basic info. He's a P.I. which gets him away with being"on the scene" and lets him work on his enemys during the day too.

The names that jump out at me in this are Switchblade and Skiver. They kinda fot him.


You know, your best bet probably isn't even Marvel...they're better than DC but they don't have the best history of just taking a random guy off the street, and offering a job to.

Even Image and Dark Horse are probably long shots. Honestly, best thing for you to do, hook up with an artist also trying to break in, and self-publish. It's hard as hell, but worth it(believe me, I'm working on a one-shot, and its a taxing process).

But again, like Foreigner also said, don't just make a super-hero. He's gotta be a super-hero for a reason, he's gotta have a marvely name for a reason. Hell, if he's just this bad ass avenger ala The Punisher, his name could be Jack, and he could be good. Just make sure it's a fleshed out, multi-layered character. Nobody wants to read the further adventures of Wolverine clone No. 13.

The problem,and we have thought about this, is I simply don't know enough about the DC universe ,I realise the IC might have changed this *NO SPOILERS PLEASE* but i'm still too wary plus Dave's drawings look more Marvel anyway. I have the character down to the eye colour too, i know him like a somebody i've known for years. I know EVERYTHING. Just the name is so important to me that i want to get it right, Switchblade and Skiver keep sounding better everytime I think about him.

Zombienorthstar he's gonna be like a regular Marvel hero with his enemy's(god i wish i could tell you about his arch-enemy he's sooo cool) and well he's a PI so he has regulars to deal with too. Ok i've been informed i can't say anymore about him cause DAVE'S OVERLY PARANOID!!! Look i'm not trying to be the next Neil Geiman or Mark Millar here (and am trying to be better than Bendis :p ) I'm just trying to break into the industry and then make a name ya know. This is the comic i think i can do it with. I've written crap over the years some of which i look back on and shudder (Sniper ugggh), but this one just feels right so the help you're giving me is REALLY appreciated...Dave says thanks too.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

The Shropshire Slasher....
How about
Blade
Shredder

Taken, I know I know

Chainsaw Charlie
Shank
Butcher
Etch- (I actually like that one)
GW Carver (he should also know his way around a peanut)
Hey I killed My Father with a knife, but yet I can call myself a hero-man
The Blonde Knife (the blade is yellow and the handle is made of gold)


Real Names:
Scott Peterson
Orenthal Simpson
Jason Krueger
Freddie Vorhees

[Starkicker]

Why do you need a goofy super-name? Especially if the character is a bad ass. Why not called him Bill?
Some thug:"I got my ass kicked by Bill."
or
Some thug:"I got my ass kicked by Blade-Man."
okay I guess both are silly.

Its a little more realistic and Marvel was supposed to be the real world, if you want to emulate Marvel just use a normal name.

[Michael P]

Why do you need a goofy super-name? Especially if the character is a bad ass. Why not called him Bill?
Some thug:"I got my ass kicked by Bill."
or
Some thug:"I got my ass kicked by Blade-Man."
okay I guess both are silly.

Its a little more realistic and Marvel was supposed to be the real world, if you want to emulate Marvel just use a normal name.
Well, you do need something to stick on the cover, and "Bill" won't quite cut it.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

Not to be a dream shatterer, but I don't think Marvel would be interested in a regular human who is good with knives as a title character for a new book.
And someone who intentionally killed his father, for whatever reason is not someone Marvel would call a hero. More likely a villain or an anti-hero at best.

If you want a shot, i'd suggest you and your friend, pitch a story for an existing Marvel Character and submit that. Down the line if you do get a chance to work for Marvel, you can see about introducing your character. But odds are he'll just be a villain in Daredevil.

But if you're set on having this guy be a leading man, think about self-publishing.

Keep in mind I don't know exactly how it works, just offering a process I think is more viable.

[Chinchalinchin]

Spider-Man.

[Bretlee]

Slash. His gimmick is that you never see his eyes.

[Starkicker]

Well, you do need something to stick on the cover, and "Bill" won't quite cut it.

I guess I'm thinking along the lines of a title like "Hellblazer". The title isn't the character's name but more like what the book is about.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

you could steal the DJ's name from the movie CB4...Stab Master Arson

[PrimalScream]

U could try blade but darn it thats already taken.lol.

but to be serious here do either of u guys have any qualifications? and what exactly without giving out too much info makes ur character stand out? why would marvel want another knife wielding punisher type? what gives him an edge? hey edge is a cool name. how are you approaching the idea-through this charcters viewpoint or otherwise? do you have any other characters or did you just come up with one mysterious anger issued testosterone pumped tortured trench coat wearing guy and hope to build a story and other characters out of him?

[WolverinesSon]

How about Nerdy Nerdstein.

[Web_Spinner]

Hey!

Someone suggested Pierce. Kinda like Pierce Brosnan, aka, James Bond, and also has the meaning of the knife's ability to pierce things.

As a last name, I thought Kiliney would work. It's a remote area near Dublin, not very stereotypically sounding, but people with even a little knowledge of Ireland might recognize it.

In addition, it kinda sounds like, 'kill,' which is appropraite to the vioolent character.

So, how about...

Pierce Kiliney, Private Eye.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

because Dakota North was such a raving success.

[Zombienorthstar]

You could show us some of your friends drawings that might help...its not like people can steal his talent by just exhibitng some character sketches

But i think asking you what qualifications you have is irrelevant. Not everyone who draws comics went to the Kubert school...and the writers come from all walks of life so to be fair it doesnt really matter if the talents there that what matters...Marvel dont ask for a CV they ask for a portfolio.

[ultimatespyder20]

The Bloody Dagger
:cool:

[Saberteeth]

Not to be a dream shatterer, but I don't think Marvel would be interested in a regular human who is good with knives as a title character for a new book.
And someone who intentionally killed his father, for whatever reason is not someone Marvel would call a hero. More likely a villain or an anti-hero at best.

If you want a shot, i'd suggest you and your friend, pitch a story for an existing Marvel Character and submit that. Down the line if you do get a chance to work for Marvel, you can see about introducing your character. But odds are he'll just be a villain in Daredevil.

But if you're set on having this guy be a leading man, think about self-publishing.

Ok he isn't a regular guy he gets his powers. How i'm not aloud say it's a HUGE part of the stroy and is really cool so it'll work, it also defines him as a person and as a hero. He doesn't intentionally kill his father either it's not like he planned it, it happens and it makes sense if you read it! We have a few Ult. X-men stories in the works one i'm keen on so we are looking into that angle and maybe even introducing "Dagger" (for lack of a name) into that universe, God knows fans want a new hero to appear there!!!

but to be serious here do either of u guys have any qualifications? and what exactly without giving out too much info makes ur character stand out? why would marvel want another knife wielding punisher type? what gives him an edge? hey edge is a cool name. how are you approaching the idea-through this charcters viewpoint or otherwise? do you have any other characters or did you just come up with one mysterious anger issued testosterone pumped tortured trench coat wearing guy and hope to build a story and other characters out of him?

I honestly don't think it's any of your business whether i do have qualifications or not and it's kinda rude to ask to be perfectly honest with ya.I already said he's like punisher but very different. I'll admit he's anti hero too but not to a huge extent he still does good his ways are just not PC lets say. He's.....sorry i really wish i could say more but you know! I don't have a scanner but i'll see if i can get some of his drawings up. He has reasons as to why he's a hero which is explained in the back story. I can't remember what exactly it's called but his thoughts are shown but not through thought bubbles, so it's kinda his viewpoint but not as much as Spidey does. Like when he wakes up it says (uggh it's gonna be one of those days) for example not in bubble but in the top.

Finally he does have an arch enemy and we have plans to introduce more but it's surprisingly hard to get new if not newish ones, but he will interact with other hero's(not in a good way i might add). Think of it like Spider-man from the start, brand new, discovering him and his life as both a citizen and a hero, who he interacts with how he interacts with them, the gradual build up of villians (I have a cool way of doing this) and how he feels about everything.

Ok that's the max info i'm allowed give i'm cut off. I'll try to answer yer questions as best as i can but Dave's insisting i stop giving info away. Sorry this is what i have to deal with...and i just got hit again :p ! He may sound overly paranoid but he's a nice guy really and is a great artist IMO, you take the good with the bad you know

[Zombienorthstar]

How old are you two?

Out of interest...

[Saberteeth]

Oh i thought you meant am i two lol! I was kinda pissed there for a minute :o ! I am 24 and Dave's 22 not sure it's that relevent but hey.

[Zombienorthstar]

It would help to see some sketches...

To be honest i think Marvel is setting your sights a little high...i think try out Image or someone like that first.

[Saberteeth]

Oh I know i heard it before, but it's just that i know that universe so well that it would easier and cooler. Plus i don't know ANY Image heros or the most of the other ones I read very little outside the DC/Marvel branches...unfortunatly. I'll see what i can do about those sketches though it could be a while...

[Mariah]

I don't have one but the ones i liked the best are Captain Rapedinprison and C***rag Fishtaco. I'd pick up a book with those two names on the cover :evilsmile

[Shellhead]

Stiletto is no good. Marvel has had a Stiletto for nearly 35 years now, and he might even show up as a villain in the new Heroes for Hire series:

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/stlto13.gif

[Forefinger]

Myself and my friend have gotten together(I'm writing and he's drawing) and we are trying to get a new hero in the works. We plan to go about approaching different companies hoping to get somewhere preferably Marvel(high hopes i know don't need to hear it). Dave's an awesome artist and i've gotten nothing but praise too and we work very well together, only one problem though we need a name for the hero. I've been advised to give minimal info (he's watching and is TOTALLY paranoid about idea stealing and i just got slapped :p ) but here's what i can say.

The guy has shoulder length wavey blonde hair, a brown leather trenchcoat and he's "gifted" with knives. We've got most of his background done, he's Irish (we really wanted him to be Irish we are very unrepresented in the SH world), he's a dark character with a messy background (killed his abusive father basically but there's more). He may sound like Sabertooth but Dave's drawings are soo different that you wouldn't really make the connection. The name we are using temporarily is "Dagger" but that's lame for one and taken. So any ideas, something Marvely?

Note: Sorry i can't give out more info but Dave's a funny one when it comes to this he REALLY thinks we got something and so do I really.

I appreciate any help you can give!
"Forefinger"...what? That's a great name!

[PrimalScream]

Ok he isn't a regular guy he gets his powers. How i'm not aloud say it's a HUGE part of the stroy and is really cool so it'll work, it also defines him as a person and as a hero. He doesn't intentionally kill his father either it's not like he planned it, it happens and it makes sense if you read it! We have a few Ult. X-men stories in the works one i'm keen on so we are looking into that angle and maybe even introducing "Dagger" (for lack of a name) into that universe, God knows fans want a new hero to appear there!!!



I honestly don't think it's any of your business whether i do have qualifications or not and it's kinda rude to ask to be perfectly honest with ya.I already said he's like punisher but very different. I'll admit he's anti hero too but not to a huge extent he still does good his ways are just not PC lets say. He's.....sorry i really wish i could say more but you know! I don't have a scanner but i'll see if i can get some of his drawings up. He has reasons as to why he's a hero which is explained in the back story. I can't remember what exactly it's called but his thoughts are shown but not through thought bubbles, so it's kinda his viewpoint but not as much as Spidey does. Like when he wakes up it says (uggh it's gonna be one of those days) for example not in bubble but in the top.

Finally he does have an arch enemy and we have plans to introduce more but it's surprisingly hard to get new if not newish ones, but he will interact with other hero's(not in a good way i might add). Think of it like Spider-man from the start, brand new, discovering him and his life as both a citizen and a hero, who he interacts with how he interacts with them, the gradual build up of villians (I have a cool way of doing this) and how he feels about everything.

Ok that's the max info i'm allowed give i'm cut off. I'll try to answer yer questions as best as i can but Dave's insisting i stop giving info away. Sorry this is what i have to deal with...and i just got hit again :p ! He may sound overly paranoid but he's a nice guy really and is a great artist IMO, you take the good with the bad you know

While it's true an excellent portfolio of strong work presented well can possibly get you the job qualifications in the art world is a major for some people and lets face it hardly any1 has totally exceptional portfolio to start with. It is also usually only after working with a company as big as marvel for a couple of years with their own characters that you'd be allowed to create new characters with there own series. what in your own worlds do u think makes ur character worthy of it's own series? and do you think we can get ur partners side of the story?how did you come about this charcter?what were your major influences? why marvel-is it the name or just because you love the marvel universe? do you think u are aiming abit high? you'll probably have to gain experience with marvel or another comic company before you get to put ur own character in his solo book.

[Marc Spector]

Shiv. :mad:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiv_(weapon)

[The Foreigner]

Well, I've read through the thread so far, and my attitude has started to switch gears, it seems.

Honestly, the more and more I read about this character, the more and more bored I become. An anti-hero named Switchblade with a shady past who uses knives to hunt criminals. It seems Cliche Man would be a pretty fitting name.

And I'm tired of hearing that you can't give away any more info. If you can't tell us about the character, what's the point? Dedguy, from the Spawn.com message board openly discussed his character and story ideas, and posts sketches and artwork. He recieved feedback and input from the boarders, and he developed an incredibly badass vampire super-hero named Tim. Yeah, you heard me: his name is Tim. Not Vamp Master, not Blood Stake, not Veinheart... He's a 15 year old kid named Tim. And it works beautifully. I've seen dozens and dozens of sketches of Tim, as well as some of the villains and supporting cast, and it's really cool to see the development of the concepts behind them. Yes, the character is based on all kinds of cliches, but he became MUCH more than the sum of his parts. Dedguy's Tim is one of the coolest and most unique non-published characters I've ever come across.

I have had zero indication that this Switchblade/Dagger fella is anything more than Wolverine and the Punisher wrapped up in a trenchcoat. If Dave the Artist is so great, then post some sketches; or some finished artwork. If this character is so great and unique and awesome in your eyes, how come I've heard it all before? I'm just not buyin' it-- If you want us to care, then make us care.

Okay, I'm done. :cool:

[TonyJaymz03]

i secound all that....so far, this guy is just a 90's era cliched anti-hero. He's brooding, he cuts people, he's a loner.....its been done before. And so far, I haven't read anything that would make me want to pay 2.99 for a comic starring this Knifey Guy.

And honestly, you chacnes with Marvel are slim to none, bordering on none. You've no experiance(otherwise you wouldn't have gotten mad when asked if you did), Marvel doesn't listen to every fanboy off the street that thinks they have an idea, and even then, when was the last time Marvel took someone with no experiance, and let them create a brand new character, starring in their own comic? You can call me a dick, but Marvel isn't going to just publish your work, especially with no experiance, and a character that so far, has no hook and seems to be nothing more than a wolverine clone. Stop being so paranoid about people taking your story.

Just to be fair, here's a character I'm writing for a self-published comic I'm producing, and I wrote all of this and decided all of his background before I could even think of a superhero name: Sean McMullen was born into a rich family. He was well cared for, and well brought up, except for the fact that his father is the head of the largest organized crime family in Charm City, and helped usher in the "powers" era of crime, leading to the death of Sean hero, Charm City's protector, The Shroud. Disgusted with his family's lifestyle, and hating his father for killing The Shroud, Sean leaves Charm City, and eventually, the country, traveling the world, to get away from his family, and the blood on their hands. Sean eventually finds himself in the heart of Africa, deep within a secluded area of the dark continent. It is there were he is welcomed in by a tribe, and recieves guidance by a mysterious shaman(how does he know english? is one of many questions) The Shaman asks Sean, what does he truly want? Sean wants to redeem for all of his familys crimes. The Shaman can teach him how, but at a price. Sean, of course, doesn't care what the price is, so the Shaman instructs Sean in the Rite of Blood, wherein putting blood from a fallen foe/animal/whatever on a special tribal tatoo, wil enable him to gain their strength, speed, etc, I strength he can tap into to help others. But having this power is a beacon, to others who prey on, and devour power. He is running on borrowed time. Nonetheless, Sean sets of for home. Now believed dead, he now has a chance to save Charm City as....

and there you go....now, it's soo much easier for someone to help me come up with a name, as opposed to "he likes knives". If you are going to be a writer, youve gotta get a thick skin. Is this the best thing ever? No. It's got shades of batman, daredevil, and now spider-man. But I'm trying to put my own spin on it. And if there are flaws I may not see, hopefully someone else will see, and tell me.Its a contradiction to call yourself a writer and not let anybody read what you write.

so basically, give us more information, write something like i just wrote.

[xakko]

i've always been fond of the name "dirk". as Douglas Adams once pointed out, it's got that Scottish dagger feel to it.

Silverdirk, Shadow Dirk, maybe even "The Dirk".

of course, that's just inviting his enemies to switch from an "r" to a "c"...

Stiletto would just make me think he's a frog's henchcrow and he's trying to stop Danger Mouse.

[StoneGold]

I don't have one but the ones i liked the best are Captain Rapedinprison and C***rag Fishtaco. I'd pick up a book with those two names on the cover :evilsmile
Even better, make it like the old Power Man and Iron Fist book, stick them both on the cover.

[DoubleShot]

Hey Saberteeth why don't you use the name of... Saberteeth? Or some variation on the name. Yeah, it's like Sabertooth but if you do get into Marvel with it then link the two characters somehow and you've made him part of the Marvel U.

Heck, get out your thesauras and look at the variations on the words saber and teeth to come up with a different sounding name if you think its too close. A thesauras can be a great way of coming up with names for superheros.

Good Luck!

[theflyingfrogunderdog]

How about Sean Shamrock! Sounds Irish and tough.

How about a superheroine sidekick...Four Leaf Cleavage!

And how about using the old Master of Kung Fu title as a guide?

THE KNIVES OF SEAN SHAMROCK
MASTER OF GINSU :D

[PrimalScream]

i secound all that....so far, this guy is just a 90's era cliched anti-hero. He's brooding, he cuts people, he's a loner.....its been done before. And so far, I haven't read anything that would make me want to pay 2.99 for a comic starring this Knifey Guy.

And honestly, you chacnes with Marvel are slim to none, bordering on none. You've no experiance(otherwise you wouldn't have gotten mad when asked if you did), Marvel doesn't listen to every fanboy off the street that thinks they have an idea, and even then, when was the last time Marvel took someone with no experiance, and let them create a brand new character, starring in their own comic? You can call me a dick, but Marvel isn't going to just publish your work, especially with no experiance, and a character that so far, has no hook and seems to be nothing more than a wolverine clone. Stop being so paranoid about people taking your story.

Just to be fair, here's a character I'm writing for a self-published comic I'm producing, and I wrote all of this and decided all of his background before I could even think of a superhero name: Sean McMullen was born into a rich family. He was well cared for, and well brought up, except for the fact that his father is the head of the largest organized crime family in Charm City, and helped usher in the "powers" era of crime, leading to the death of Sean hero, Charm City's protector, The Shroud. Disgusted with his family's lifestyle, and hating his father for killing The Shroud, Sean leaves Charm City, and eventually, the country, traveling the world, to get away from his family, and the blood on their hands. Sean eventually finds himself in the heart of Africa, deep within a secluded area of the dark continent. It is there were he is welcomed in by a tribe, and recieves guidance by a mysterious shaman(how does he know english? is one of many questions) The Shaman asks Sean, what does he truly want? Sean wants to redeem for all of his familys crimes. The Shaman can teach him how, but at a price. Sean, of course, doesn't care what the price is, so the Shaman instructs Sean in the Rite of Blood, wherein putting blood from a fallen foe/animal/whatever on a special tribal tatoo, wil enable him to gain their strength, speed, etc, I strength he can tap into to help others. But having this power is a beacon, to others who prey on, and devour power. He is running on borrowed time. Nonetheless, Sean sets of for home. Now believed dead, he now has a chance to save Charm City as....

and there you go....now, it's soo much easier for someone to help me come up with a name, as opposed to "he likes knives". If you are going to be a writer, youve gotta get a thick skin. Is this the best thing ever? No. It's got shades of batman, daredevil, and now spider-man. But I'm trying to put my own spin on it. And if there are flaws I may not see, hopefully someone else will see, and tell me.Its a contradiction to call yourself a writer and not let anybody read what you write.

so basically, give us more information, write something like i just wrote.

yeah I agree with this dude here ^. give us more information. we're not trying to ruin ur dream or ambition but ur only giving us limited info and when someone asks you a question u don't like or don't have an answer to u get all offended. Marvel and any other comic company will ask u these types of questions so u have to be prepared on the off chance u get an interview. I do hope it works out for u but to me ur marketing urself and ur character the wrong way. u need promo art,a strong,detailed,convincing and original background. onlty then ul get a name for this character. why does he even need to have a superhero name why can't he just be joe or dan or something to that extent?call the book something other than the characters name like amazing fantasy or something.

[Saberteeth]

Christ i leave for one day and i attacked by all of ye. You wanna know my qualifications 3 years of Literary and Psychology studies!!! You wanna know Dave's 2 years of art and art history!!! Want to know my pants size?

All i asked for was a little help naming the friggin' character and i didn't realise how much ye "needed" to know. I never thought since i know alot about the character that i didn't need the info. TonyJaymz03 i NEVER said the guy was a loner here's a bit of info that you can work on HE'S MARRIED!!! His wife is a filthy rich business owner who supports him in his life. His father beat him savagly as a child and put him into hospital with both his arms and wrists broken,(i'm not getting into how the dad got away with it, it's long) a doctor gave him a new experimental cure and he fell into a coma. When he woke, the doctor, it comes to be revealed never worked there and this sparks off his quest so to say to find the doctor hence the PI. Andrew's enitre arms was fixed and he later discovers his uncanny accuracy with knives when playing with his friends throwing knives as his friends father worked in the military and loves all things deadly. Later in the story he walks in and finds his mother half beaten to death and his father running around upstairs. He runs to the kitchen and picks up the entire set of knives and waits by his mother until daddy gets down stairs. His father screams at him to pack his bags and leave his mother. Mid sentence Andrew throws a knive and it pierces his throat with the hilt of the knife sticking out of his mouth. There's ALOT of story after that but i feel like i've given more than i friggin' should have just note that's roughly the story obviously it 's missing bits here and there and we're working on the throwing knives discovery cause we don't feel it's solid enough. And for God's sake i KNOW Marvel's aiming high i said it! It's just where i saw the character based ok so lay off me!

Last time i ask for help here...

[dingo]

Christ i leave for one day and i attacked by all of ye. You wanna know my qualifications 3 years of Literary and Psychology studies!!! You wanna know Dave's 2 years of art and art history!!! Want to know my pants size?

All i asked for was a little help naming the friggin' character and i didn't realise how much ye "needed" to know. I never thought since i know alot about the character that i didn't need the info. TonyJaymz03 i NEVER said the guy was a loner here's a bit of info that you can work on HE'S MARRIED!!! His wife is a filthy rich business owner who supports him in his life. His father beat him savagly as a child and put him into hospital with both his arms and wrists broken,(i'm not getting into how the dad got away with it, it's long) a doctor gave him a new experimental cure and he fell into a coma. When he woke, the doctor, it comes to be revealed never worked there and this sparks off his quest so to say to find the doctor hence the PI. Andrew's enitre arms was fixed and he later discovers his uncanny accuracy with knives when playing with his friends throwing knives as his friends father worked in the military and loves all things deadly. Later in the story he walks in and finds his mother half beaten to death and his father running around upstairs. He runs to the kitchen and picks up the entire set of knives and waits by his mother until daddy gets down stairs. His father screams at him to pack his bags and leave his mother. Mid sentence Andrew throws a knive and it pierces his throat with the hilt of the knife sticking out of his mouth. There's ALOT of story after that but i feel like i've given more than i friggin' should have just note that's roughly the story obviously it 's missing bits here and there and we're working on the throwing knives discovery cause we don't feel it's solid enough. And for God's sake i KNOW Marvel's aiming high i said it! It's just where i saw the character based ok so lay off me!

Last time i ask for help here...

First I want you to take a deep breath and calm down.
Next I want you to remember where you are (the internet).
Finally, good, I am glad you won't be asking any more questions if you react that way. Most of the questions and comments are perfectly reasonable. If you can't handle this, I suggest that comics with their fans are not a career for you.

[TonyJaymz03]

Christ i leave for one day and i attacked by all of ye. You wanna know my qualifications 3 years of Literary and Psychology studies!!! You wanna know Dave's 2 years of art and art history!!! Want to know my pants size?

All i asked for was a little help naming the friggin' character and i didn't realise how much ye "needed" to know. I never thought since i know alot about the character that i didn't need the info. TonyJaymz03 i NEVER said the guy was a loner here's a bit of info that you can work on HE'S MARRIED!!! His wife is a filthy rich business owner who supports him in his life. His father beat him savagly as a child and put him into hospital with both his arms and wrists broken,(i'm not getting into how the dad got away with it, it's long) a doctor gave him a new experimental cure and he fell into a coma. When he woke, the doctor, it comes to be revealed never worked there and this sparks off his quest so to say to find the doctor hence the PI. Andrew's enitre arms was fixed and he later discovers his uncanny accuracy with knives when playing with his friends throwing knives as his friends father worked in the military and loves all things deadly. Later in the story he walks in and finds his mother half beaten to death and his father running around upstairs. He runs to the kitchen and picks up the entire set of knives and waits by his mother until daddy gets down stairs. His father screams at him to pack his bags and leave his mother. Mid sentence Andrew throws a knive and it pierces his throat with the hilt of the knife sticking out of his mouth. There's ALOT of story after that but i feel like i've given more than i friggin' should have just note that's roughly the story obviously it 's missing bits here and there and we're working on the throwing knives discovery cause we don't feel it's solid enough. And for God's sake i KNOW Marvel's aiming high i said it! It's just where i saw the character based ok so lay off me!

Last time i ask for help here...
wow...you can't take criticism at all. Everyone in this thread has been trying to help, but we've all also just given our two cents namely:1. you haven't given us enough information and 2. Your chances with Marvel are slim to none. Did you expect for you to go "Its about a guy who likes knives" and us to just go "OOH Knifey McStabaslot!" Get a tougher skin. No matter what you write, someones going to criticise it, sometimes it'll be people on a message board, sometimes it's going to be your editor. Learn to deal with it in a mature manner, as oppossed to going "Stop attacking me....This comic is the best comic ever! I Don't care what you say!" Listien to what they're saying, its not personal attacks. True, honest criticism is the best thing for a writer. Hearing "It's the best story ever" does nothing to help you improve as a writer. Learn to deal with crticism, or don't be a writer, that simple.

And you never said he wasn't a loner. You didn't tell us anything, except that he sounds like Wolverine. Okay, now here comes some crticisms, you think you can handle it?

-You say his wife is a filthy rich business owner, now, did she inherit the business, and so, was raised well? If so, how did your main character meet her?

-He killed his father, is he on the run from the police? Is he a wanted man? Or was he somehow found innocent?

-Experimental cure for broken arms and wrists? I'd try and make the injuries a little more substantial, so that he needs the cure. Right now, he really didn't need the cure, they could've just given him a cast.

Honestly, I don't think he needs a Marvely-name. To give him something like "Stiletto" or "The Stabber" would take away from the story. Try bsomething that desciribes the story as a whole.

[Linguini]

The story sounds way too, you know, wolvereenish.

[Saberteeth]

wow...you can't take criticism at all. Everyone in this thread has been trying to help, but we've all also just given our two cents namely:1. you haven't given us enough information and 2. Your chances with Marvel are slim to none. Did you expect for you to go "Its about a guy who likes knives" and us to just go "OOH Knifey McStabaslot!" Get a tougher skin. No matter what you write, someones going to criticise it, sometimes it'll be people on a message board, sometimes it's going to be your editor. Learn to deal with it in a mature manner, as oppossed to going "Stop attacking me....This comic is the best comic ever! I Don't care what you say!" Listien to what they're saying, its not personal attacks. True, honest criticism is the best thing for a writer. Hearing "It's the best story ever" does nothing to help you improve as a writer. Learn to deal with crticism, or don't be a writer, that simple.

And you never said he wasn't a loner. You didn't tell us anything, except that he sounds like Wolverine. Okay, now here comes some crticisms, you think you can handle it?

-You say his wife is a filthy rich business owner, now, did she inherit the business, and so, was raised well? If so, how did your main character meet her?

-He killed his father, is he on the run from the police? Is he a wanted man? Or was he somehow found innocent?

-Experimental cure for broken arms and wrists? I'd try and make the injuries a little more substantial, so that he needs the cure. Right now, he really didn't need the cure, they could've just given him a cast.

Honestly, I don't think he needs a Marvely-name. To give him something like "Stiletto" or "The Stabber" would take away from the story. Try bsomething that desciribes the story as a whole.


Ok look i'm sorry. I just had a really bad (don't ask family matter too) night out, I'm extremly hungover and prob'ly shouldn't go online first thing after it so yet again sorry. In responce to you're questions yes she inherited it from her father. Their meeting is long so i'll spare you the mushy details.

The murder he gets away with, we have considered him on the run and his wife hiding him but we don't want to have that always on the readers minds you know it constricts the story too much.

The injuries he gets are his entire arm and the joints in his fingers I meant to tell ye that but forgot. The father is mad and it's known so it's also helps him get away with it. His father beats him this savagly because he finds the journal Andrew's been keeping saying he hates his father and what he'd like to do, be it run away or kill him(what do you think too weak?). The doctor as i said doesn't work there and nobody knows who he is so he spends his life tracking him down and it plays a huge part of the story which we will let go for a while.

Note i don't mind critisism as long as it's constructive, sorry for exploding at ye but where easier to take out tension than at people you don't know. So sorry!

[blackbolt]

When you say 'Irish', do you mean he was born in Ireland?
Or that his family were Irish immigrants to the USA?

[Saberteeth]

The story sounds way too, you know, wolvereenish.


See that's my biggest problem right there. It's soooo hard to come up with a character without him being similar to an already existing one. Andrew originally looked like Sabertooth and we changed it enough so you can see the similarities but they're vague. Plus everybody i've said this to says knives oh must be wolverine then. This is a writers nightmare when your character/story constantly is refered to another character/story. This is also the problem with my book although nothing like the Matrix the idea of it seems to spark it off mainly cause of how the characters dress! This story i got one of the few A's my lecturer ever gave out so i plan to send it to an editor when i complete my course, look out for it it's called "The Watchers" but i'm not dealing with that now just using it as an example. We're trying so hard to make it fresh and new but almost every turn we make seems to bump into "well isn't that very similar to...". So please understand my frustration when it comes to that.

[Saberteeth]

When you say 'Irish', do you mean he was born in Ireland?
Or that his family were Irish immigrants to the USA?


Born in Ireland, lived there till his dad's death, needed a fresh start, moved to the US. He was about 16 when daddy died. So he's basically Irish, he'd have the excellent sexy accent and the awesome personality :D :D :D !!!!

[PrimalScream]

i wasn't being overly or unnessicarily critical of u and ur work. if u read my last post i said i hope this works out for u but market it better and u r starting to do this by giving us ur characters past. i still say don't give him a a marvely name jsut something like andrew McDrewer or something. name the book something like blade hunter or Blade of blood or something to that extent. however if u desperatly want him to have a super name how about Stabb (could also his last name) or death angel or lock-down or target. despite ur description i am picturing some one more like keiser soze in his younger years wi the long flowing hair. i admire ur ambition and creativity but being a writer and so close to ur artist and ur character i doubt any name given on here will be just right for u. i think the best name will come from either of u 2 in the end. if it were me id start a story with him looking at his knives and say something like "each blade carries a story,a name,a life" and then cut to a flash back revealing his past over a certain story arc.

[Zombienorthstar]

I think finding a character that resonnates is the most useful thing and nothing about the story ressonates with me...her just does feel like a book of clieches...if your struggling so hard to make him different to exsisting characters then maybe this isnt the story for you.


Look for aome inspiration outside of comics....that way your not jsut repeating anything. Your a literature student so it shouldnt be too hard.

[DDM]

Stiletto is no good. Marvel has had a Stiletto for nearly 35 years now, and he might even show up as a villain in the new Heroes for Hire series:

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/stlto13.gif

I didn't know Marvel has a Stiletto character. Therefore, the "Stiletto" name can't be used unless the published wants to be sued by Marvel...

[DDM]

See that's my biggest problem right there. It's soooo hard to come up with a character without him being similar to an already existing one. Andrew originally looked like Sabertooth and we changed it enough so you can see the similarities but they're vague. Plus everybody i've said this to says knives oh must be wolverine then. This is a writers nightmare when your character/story constantly is refered to another character/story. This is also the problem with my book although nothing like the Matrix the idea of it seems to spark it off mainly cause of how the characters dress! This story i got one of the few A's my lecturer ever gave out so i plan to send it to an editor when i complete my course, look out for it it's called "The Watchers" but i'm not dealing with that now just using it as an example. We're trying so hard to make it fresh and new but almost every turn we make seems to bump into "well isn't that very similar to...". So please understand my frustration when it comes to that.

Since you're aware of the Wolverine & Sabretooth, make your character antitheses of said characters. Many writers today have not enough knowledge of comic book characters, then they end up with comic book cliches without being aware they created an established cliched character.

[BizarroBeachHead]

I think you need to read this (http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=bmb&article=2352)

I know you've heard it before(from everybody else in this thread no less) but why exactly are you so intent on immediately pitching this idea for Marvel? It sounds to me that you guys have stars in your eyes and letting yourselves get blinded from reality. Great portoflios are a wonderful thing to have, but nothing speaks like experience. If you try to pitch you're book without any real world work experience, I doubt they would even give you the time of day.

"Sure, we could listen to this guys pitch, but we've got all these other guys who have been making real comics for the last 5 years to listen to first."

And, "My professor really liked my story" isn't going to have much pull at Marvel.


And yes, I do want to know your pant size...

[ultimatespyder20]

I think getting the name for a character is always the hardest part. You could make the character's personailty and stories for him and all that stuff, but when it comes down to it the name is the hardest part. For my character it me awhile, but I did finally get it. I'm 14 and I write alot, stories about my super hero character, USM stories that I think would be cool, etc. My dream job one day would be to work for Marvel. I can't draw to great, I'm ok at it. But I need some work, next year I will take a art class though.

But back to your problem here is what you should do don't worry about the name right now, just right the stories. After you right a few the name will come to you. Write your stories a figure out the character's personality, then base the name on the personality.

Alec

[Shellhead]

I didn't know Marvel has a Stiletto character. Therefore, the "Stiletto" name can't be used unless the published wants to be sued by Marvel...

I'm surprised you haven't seen him before. Claremont and Byrne, at the time when they did their best work together on X-Men, did this issue which featured Stiletto:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/63084497308.50.gif

[Doom]

Hey!

Someone suggested Pierce. Kinda like Pierce Brosnan, aka, James Bond, and also has the meaning of the knife's ability to pierce things.

As a last name, I thought Kiliney would work. It's a remote area near Dublin, not very stereotypically sounding, but people with even a little knowledge of Ireland might recognize it.

In addition, it kinda sounds like, 'kill,' which is appropraite to the vioolent character.

So, how about...

Pierce Kiliney, Private Eye.
The place you are thinking of is actually Killiney. Two L's. But I don't think too many people (if at all) have that as a sirname.

All I will say that if the character is Irish, it should be done in a manner that's not stero typical or insulting. I know you said yourself that you don't want him to be badly done, so that's good. (The fact that you say he's Irish and he's ACTUALLY born in Ireland as opposed to being born in America and claiming Irish ancensestry = Irishness is a good start.) Since there has been way too many Irish stero types.

One suggestion might be that his name be something Mc-something. (Like Frank McCormack.) Mc being the Irish for "Son of" so it's a common sirname.

And his superhero name could be Mac the Knife, just like the Sinatra song. (though nods to Micheal Pullman for posting the suggestion first.)
It's larger then life, has an air of danger to it and it also has just a smidgen of irony to it giving his real name slightly plays into his super hero name. (Just not in any way that anyone could deduce it.)

And in a sense him using that name, means he's aware of who his father is and carries that around with him. (It's a nice little introspective about the character that can be brought up.)

[tchungsp]

I just got the name and idea, maybe you will like to heard out, how about
The Ripper?

this one come form Jack the Ripper, I know he is bad guy, but I don't think your hero is a nice guy either. He is dark character and he killed right? not unlike other heroes, so I don't think you need a really good hero name, but a scary hero name will fit.

[Saberteeth]

The place you are thinking of is actually Killiney. Two L's. But I don't think too many people (if at all) have that as a sirname.

All I will say that if the character is Irish, it should be done in a manner that's not stero typical or insulting. I know you said yourself that you don't want him to be badly done, so that's good. (The fact that you say he's Irish and he's ACTUALLY born in Ireland as opposed to being born in America and claiming Irish ancensestry = Irishness is a good start.) Since there has been way too many Irish stero types.

One suggestion might be that his name be something Mc-something. (Like Frank McCormack.) Mc being the Irish for "Son of" so it's a common sirname.

And his superhero name could be Mac the Knife, just like the Sinatra song. (though nods to Micheal Pullman for posting the suggestion first.)
It's larger then life, has an air of danger to it and it also has just a smidgen of irony to it giving his real name slightly plays into his super hero name. (Just not in any way that anyone could deduce it.)

And in a sense him using that name, means he's aware of who his father is and carries that around with him. (It's a nice little introspective about the character that can be brought up.)


Ok i just want to make this clear, I am Irish, not saying that you said anything on the contrary just you brought up no stereotyping so i can use you to get this out :D :D :D . The thought of stereotyping this character sickens me to the core of my being. I love this country too much to do it cause you have NO idea how much it pisses us off when Americans (and they ACTUALLY do this) ask us stupid questions like "Do you actually eat potatos every day?" or once when working for the tourist shop i was asked "Is this actually what a leprechan looks like. I'm not from Ireland so i can't tell i'm not able to see them"!!!!! Well newsflash i HATE potatos and i've never seen a leprechan as well as many more stupid stereotypes so...... rant over sorry i needed to get that out. I also wanted to avoid an overly Irish name or as we call it "Oirish" hence Andrew, hell my second name is Russell and that ain't Irish but God knows I am. I don't believe that an O' or Mc is necessary to show his Irisness in the story you shouldn't need it to believe it.

Oh and one more thing I would name the character after MY GRANDAD, but I don't think he'd appreciate it. Yes that's right you named my grandad and have permanetly weirded me out. I wondered who that was in the bushes!

Ps BizarroBeachHead that was really helpful. Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat. There's a bit of Irish for you. ;)

[PrimalScream]

got a name yet?

[Harold of the Rocks]

i've always been fond of the name "dirk". as Douglas Adams once pointed out, it's got that Scottish dagger feel to it.

Silverdirk, Shadow Dirk, maybe even "The Dirk".

of course, that's just inviting his enemies to switch from an "r" to a "c"...

Stiletto would just make me think he's a frog's henchcrow and he's trying to stop Danger Mouse.Or the 'i' to an 'o'. I had a roomate years ago who's last name was 'Dirkers' and he referred to himself as "The Dirk" (an athlete referring to himself in the 3rd person, there's a shocker). Stay away from that. Miles away.

Stilleto, also a better fit for a femme fatale... in stilleto heels!

I have no good suggestions, because frankly, I'm not inspired by hack and slash types. Nothing personal, just not my thang. Why not make him 'gifted' with spitballs or something original?

[Orah-kel]

Switchblade
Athame
Rondel

These names could be given by the authorities to him when noticing the kind of weapon he uses... So you would have to give him the kind of dagger he's named after.Also, the Athame is more mystical, being associated with Wicca and the Element of Air, so they would fit better in story a la Blade.Hope these to might end this :)

[Joe-Dono]

how about Tuna Melt, they that crazy mexican can come back and make us laugh again ^_^

[maniacmatt]

This guy doesn't sound like he'd want a name. He sounds like he'd get a name like the Punisher did, people just start calling him whatever. So it could be something stupid/stereotypical to make it realistic. "McKnives"

[twilight]

Johnny Stabson;The killer with a song in his heart