Create Your Own Superman Pastiche

[Jon Clark]

Does he have a secret or a public identitity? And is he permanently joined to the costume or can they be seperated? If seperated does he revert to "normal" or remain in the perfected form?

If he has two identities how about having an obvious injury, not something like a limp or eye-patch but more like a facial scar or missing fingers in his "normal" ID. That way the fact he is obviously whole in his hero form makes his dual ID less obvious.

Also could his perfected ID look less like his normal ID- possibly with the more exotic hairstyle/color as well as slightly altered facial features. Again somthing so he isn't just the same guy in a costume sans glasses.

[Daybreak_st]

Does he have a secret or a public identitity? And is he permanently joined to the costume or can they be seperated? If seperated does he revert to "normal" or remain in the perfected form?

If he has two identities how about having an obvious injury, not something like a limp or eye-patch but more like a facial scar or missing fingers in his "normal" ID. That way the fact he is obviously whole in his hero form makes his dual ID less obvious.

Also could his perfected ID look less like his normal ID- possibly with the more exotic hairstyle/color as well as slightly altered facial features. Again somthing so he isn't just the same guy in a costume sans glasses.

Yes he has a secret id. The suit/symbiote allows him to return to his unaltered form. Imagine steve rogers could make himself look the way he did before the serum then become captain america at will, Paradigm functions in a similar manner. However he does visibly look different, like you mentioned i'd like to do something with his hair and facial features so the looks "altered" enough to not raise suspicion while not looking so different he looks like two completely different people, that's more along the lines of captain marvel, while i want some of that i'm trying to find a balance.
Example: an actor wears prosthetics to alter their appearance for a role, but it can still be discerned who the actor is under the makeup. That’s essentially what I’m going for.

For instance most Superheroes have a nice square jaw with square shoulders. But most regular guys don’t look that way.

Take the guy who plays Chuck Bartowski. Many people say he’d be a great clark kent but he doesn’t have the “look” for Superman, the square jaw and the like. Now imagine you’re a guy like him, but you can “remake” yourself. Same guy but with a square jaw, better nose, different hair etc, he’d look very different but still believable like the same person. I’d like to try something along those lines and really push myself artistically but make it look like the same person with serious alterations instead of just drawing him as a completely different person.

the symbiote is in the process of bonding with him, it takes years to complete, as such, it can be separated though it's difficult and that will be one of his weaknesses.

Really appreciate the feedback. Of the three which costume do you prefer?

[Jon Clark]

[QUOTE=Daybreak_st;12133798]Yes he has a secret id. The suit/symbiote allows him to return to his unaltered form. Imagine steve rogers could make himself look the way he did before the serum then become captain america at will, Paradigm functions in a similar manner. However he does visibly look different, like you mentioned i'd like to do something with his hair and facial features so the looks "altered" enough to not raise suspicion while not looking so different he looks like two completely different people, that's more along the lines of captain marvel, while i want some of that i'm trying to find a balance.
Example: an actor wears prosthetics to alter their appearance for a role, but it can still be discerned who the actor is under the makeup. That’s essentially what I’m going for.

I can see that. The Captain Marvel bit is a bit more complex since depending on the writer Billy and Cap at points are actually two different people. Plus you have the fact he only has powers as Cap. I was thinking more in terms of say J'onn Jonnz but with less range of shape-shifting. Your pre-Cap Steve Rogers shifts to his Paradigm form gaining a bit of height and muscle plus a slightly different length of hair and altered facial features- but only to hide his ID as the powers would be accessible even if he looked exactly the same as his "normal" self. The new look is the same as Batman putting on the cowl.

For instance most Superheroes have a nice square jaw with square shoulders. But most regular guys don’t look that way.

Take the guy who plays Chuck Bartowski. Many people say he’d be a great clark kent but he doesn’t have the “look” for Superman, the square jaw and the like. Now imagine you’re a guy like him, but you can “remake” yourself. Same guy but with a square jaw, better nose, different hair etc, he’d look very different but still believable like the same person. I’d like to try something along those lines and really push myself artistically but make it look like the same person with serious alterations instead of just drawing him as a completely different person.

The Sims3 game has a character creation part that might help there. You can alter various facial features with a slidebar. Essentially design the normal ID and then use the slide bar to "adjust" the features to the perfected form. You seem to have the artisitc skill to then adapt that into the face of your hero.

the symbiote is in the process of bonding with him, it takes years to complete, as such, it can be separated though it's difficult and that will be one of his weaknesses.

Really appreciate the feedback. Of the three which costume do you prefer?

What I was wondering with the Sybiote was whether it made the changes to the body or whether it simly sustained the change. In other words if I remove the symbiote does Paradigm look the same or would he revert to his non-powered appearance? Do the "unlocked" powers remain unlocked with him simply losing powers inherent to the suit (like being repaired), does he gain slighly better than normal abilities (ala Captain America) as a result of his altered physical body, or is he reverted to the same physical abilities he had before the bonding began (Rogers pre-serum)?

To my eye the costumes looked close to identical except for the middle one replacing the black with navy blue and the end ones looking like the first was pencilled while the end one was darkly inked. Any of them could work, though the dark blue/black does seem to need more offset in the bottom half than just the knee design and a few bits of "boot trim". Maybe tou might change out the boots as pat of the design- either the navy blue for the black or vice versa.

[MisterBlah]

These ideas are pretty interesting.

Demi-God is neat. It uses Superman's origin with a Invincible-esque vision of Krypton (Viltrumite) but takes a half-step in Thor's direction with theme and more of a Captain Atom or Doctor Manhattan power set.

Paradigm I like too. He makes me think about what it would be like if the Venom symbiote went with a Superman theme instead of a Spider-man theme. The debilitated identity that overcomes it makes me think of a Stan Lee flawed hero like Daredevil.

It's actually different enough that you could easily spin it away from being a pastiche. Imagine of the Marvel character Nova was red and blue instead of yellow and blue and had a cape instead of a helmet. BOOM! Superman pastiche! Instead he's just a flying brick with energy powers, like a lot of Superman pastiches, without being one himself.

[Daybreak_st]

Ok so i saw the Big Bang Theory and found an example of the kind of physical transformation i was talking about. Not the perfect example just a kind of similarity between two different actors.

Here's the type of look PARADIGM would have before bonding with the symbiote:



and this is something like he would look afterwards:



Obviously this is just an example to get the point across although i am a big fan of Tahmoh Penikett.

As you can see the first guy is skinny, doesn't have the square jaw or Superhero look, but the second guy does and is around 6'3. That's the type of transformation i'm talking about, small guy around 5'9 to a very muscular 6'3 guy with square jaw etc.

[Daybreak_st]

I can see that. The Captain Marvel bit is a bit more complex since depending on the writer Billy and Cap at points are actually two different people. Plus you have the fact he only has powers as Cap. I was thinking more in terms of say J'onn Jonnz but with less range of shape-shifting. Your pre-Cap Steve Rogers shifts to his Paradigm form gaining a bit of height and muscle plus a slightly different length of hair and altered facial features- but only to hide his ID as the powers would be accessible even if he looked exactly the same as his "normal" self. The new look is the same as Batman putting on the cowl.

Yes exactly. Thanks.

The Sims3 game has a character creation part that might help there. You can alter various facial features with a slidebar. Essentially design the normal ID and then use the slide bar to "adjust" the features to the perfected form. You seem to have the artisitc skill to then adapt that into the face of your hero.

Cool i may look into this.

What I was wondering with the Sybiote was whether it made the changes to the body or whether it simly sustained the change. In other words if I remove the symbiote does Paradigm look the same or would he revert to his non-powered appearance? Do the "unlocked" powers remain unlocked with him simply losing powers inherent to the suit (like being repaired), does he gain slighly better than normal abilities (ala Captain America) as a result of his altered physical body, or is he reverted to the same physical abilities he had before the bonding began (Rogers pre-serum)?

This is something i haven't quite figured out yet. I'm thinking it be similar to the episode of Batman Beyond when bruce was dipped into the Lazarus pit and regained his youth and strength but the effects gradually wore off. Something similar may happen with Paradigm, initially when separated while it is painful at first he still maintains his rebuilt body with its height and strength. Progressively however he learns he grows weaker and weaker, his new body minus the suit can't sustain itself. Something along those lines. He would be along the lines of Captain America, enhanced strength etc but not flight and some of his more exotic abilities but as time progresses, if he remains separated from the suit his body will start to deteriorate again.

These ideas are pretty interesting.

Paradigm I like too. He makes me think about what it would be like if the Venom symbiote went with a Superman theme instead of a Spider-man theme. The debilitated identity that overcomes it makes me think of a Stan Lee flawed hero like Daredevil.

It's actually different enough that you could easily spin it away from being a pastiche. Imagine of the Marvel character Nova was red and blue instead of yellow and blue and had a cape instead of a helmet. BOOM! Superman pastiche! Instead he's just a flying brick with energy powers, like a lot of Superman pastiches, without being one himself.

Thanks very much, yeah it started out as a pastiche but i do think it's taken on a life of it's own. Hoping to do something really interesting with it. As soon as i work out more of the details i'll start writing issue #1.

[Zembo]

Didn't Marvel have a Superman-type who showed up for one issue?

I need to refine my idea before I post it.

[Daybreak_st]

I finally settled on a symbol for Paradigm

[liheibao]

Does he have a secret or a public identitity? And is he permanently joined to the costume or can they be seperated? If seperated does he revert to "normal" or remain in the perfected form?

If he has two identities how about having an obvious injury, not something like a limp or eye-patch but more like a facial scar or missing fingers in his "normal" ID. That way the fact he is obviously whole in his hero form makes his dual ID less obvious.

Also could his perfected ID look less like his normal ID- possibly with the more exotic hairstyle/color as well as slightly altered facial features. Again somthing so he isn't just the same guy in a costume sans glasses.

You've described Captain Marvel.

[Daybreak_st]

You've described Captain Marvel.

actually it has very little in common with captain marvel. It's not a boy turning into a man. Even in Kingdom Come adult billy was shown to look exactly like Captain marvel. What we've been describing is more along the lines of pre and post formula steve rogers. He's the same guy but he looks drastically different as a scrawny short guy versus his super-soldier body. Chris evans transformation well illustrates this from the new film. On top of that i'd like to show that this guy doesn't have the square chin or good looks of the average comic character. He looks like a skinny guy, not over masculine features, but just very average. When he transforms he not only gets size and muscles but also his appearance is "perfected" so to speak. He gets the square jaw, his face clears up, etc. So he looks reminiscent of his old self but in a "perfected" form.

[liheibao]

actually it has very little in common with captain marvel. It's not a boy turning into a man. Even in Kingdom Come adult billy was shown to look exactly like Captain marvel. What we've been describing is more along the lines of pre and post formula steve rogers. He's the same guy but he looks drastically different as a scrawny short guy versus his super-soldier body. Chris evans transformation well illustrates this from the new film. On top of that i'd like to show that this guy doesn't have the square chin or good looks of the average comic character. He looks like a skinny guy, not over masculine features, but just very average. When he transforms he not only gets size and muscles but also his appearance is "perfected" so to speak. He gets the square jaw, his face clears up, etc. So he looks reminiscent of his old self but in a "perfected" form.

Does he have a secret or a public identitity? And is he permanently joined to the costume or can they be seperated? If seperated does he revert to "normal" or remain in the perfected form?

If he has two identities how about having an obvious injury, not something like a limp or eye-patch but more like a facial scar or missing fingers in his "normal" ID. That way the fact he is obviously whole in his hero form makes his dual ID less obvious.

Also could his perfected ID look less like his normal ID- possibly with the more exotic hairstyle/color as well as slightly altered facial features. Again somthing so he isn't just the same guy in a costume sans glasses.

Sorry for that, mate. He was referring to your own character, not just giving a general description. He does suggest ideas that are very similar to Captain Marvel, and, with the obvious injury, Freddy Freeman.

[lonewolf23k]

Here's my Superman concept for an all-furry Superhero world, in the vein of Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew, or Darkwing Duck:

Alpha Dog


Here's my original write-up for the guy. I may revise it with some new ideas I've since had:
"Within the Lorai Collective was the technologically-advanced, Canid civilization called Sirius. The Sirians were an advanced, peace-loving civilization which was tragically annihilated by the Dark Armada of Dreadlord Kruul, the star-wandering conqueror and despoiler of worlds. One Sirian master scientist, Darnian Javinar, realized the doom of his homeworld, and used an experimental transtellar teleporter he was working on to send his only family, his son Braddor, to another world for his safety. The child was found by the Boston family (ironically based out of South Carolina), where he was raised in a humble suburban family. Raised as the second youngest in a loving family of four children, the renamed Brad Boston developped super-powers as a side-effect of the teleporter's effects. His adopted family taught him to use his powers responsibly, and as he grew up, knew he would learn to use his powers for the benefit of others.

As he approached adulthood, however, he became disillusioned with the increasingly dark and selfish anti-heroes who had replaced the heroes of his youth, and resolved to instead live up to the ideals embodied by the long-vanished Wonder-Dog. At first operating in secrecy as a teenager, he finally rose up as a public hero during the Elite Force uprising (when a group of Iron Age anti-heroes decided to try and take over the world to save it from itself), and gained public acclaim for his actions during the uprising, thanks for very publically rescueing tv reporter Kikyo Kishu of KNN news, who scored her first interview with him.

In his secret identity as Brad Boston, he now works as a Board Operator at KNN, and has become friends with the people who work there, especially Kikyo herself. There is a shared attraction between them, but Brad, to his annoyance, finds himself rivaled by his own heroic identity. His official status as "most eligibal super-bachelor" doesn't make things any easier for the somewhat shy canine hero. He nonetheless puts on a brave face and continues fighting heroically for Truth and Justice, having become the Number One hero of (insert city name here). "

[BBally]

I've thinking of character that might not seem like a Superman pastiche, but he is inspired by many influences especially Superman.

My character is basically his world's first "true" superhero as superpowered beings do exist, but are either part of squads funded by governments or underground communities and terrorist groups. He's a youth (possibly early year of high school), his powers include superhuman strength, ability of flight, X ray and aura beams. He's originally of Arab ethnic (Egyptian possibly like me) since his powers come from an Ancient Egyptian artifact however his suit that includes a mask, isn't just to hide his identity but also because he wants people to see him as a more global hero, which is how I see Superman.

I don't have a name for him yet.

[liheibao]

I've thinking of character that might not seem like a Superman pastiche, but he is inspired by many influences especially Superman.

My character is basically his world's first "true" superhero as superpowered beings do exist, but are either part of squads funded by governments or underground communities and terrorist groups. He's a youth (possibly early year of high school), his powers include superhuman strength, ability of flight, X ray and aura beams. He's originally of Arab ethnic (Egyptian possibly like me) since his powers come from an Ancient Egyptian artifact however his suit that includes a mask, isn't just to hide his identity but also because he wants people to see him as a more global hero, which is how I see Superman.

I don't have a name for him yet.

Wouldn't the world identify him as Egyptian if he's wearing an Egyptian artifact? This is just me, but I've all ways felt that Superman pastiches should show their faces. Lads with that much power need to be seen to be trusted. Also, I would really hope his ethnicity wouldn't keep him from being seen as a global hero. When I was in Egypt, what I thoroughly enjoyed was the plurality of features, complexions, appearances. So long as I didn't say I was American, no one knew that I wasn't Egyptian. Coming from the States, where so much is judge on what you are and not who you are, it was liberating. I would hope that your hero could have the same pluralistic view, and would not feel the need to hide himself for wanting to be seen as global. Superman, pastiche or not, is Superman, regardless of where he hangs his cape, and I would cheer him on regardless of where and what, so long as the who is what he should be.

[BBally]

Wouldn't the world identify him as Egyptian if he's wearing an Egyptian artifact? This is just me, but I've all ways felt that Superman pastiches should show their faces. Lads with that much power need to be seen to be trusted. Also, I would really hope his ethnicity wouldn't keep him from being seen as a global hero. When I was in Egypt, what I thoroughly enjoyed was the plurality of features, complexions, appearances. So long as I didn't say I was American, no one knew that I wasn't Egyptian. Coming from the States, where so much is judge on what you are and not who you are, it was liberating. I would hope that your hero could have the same pluralistic view, and would not feel the need to hide himself for wanting to be seen as global. Superman, pastiche or not, is Superman, regardless of where he hangs his cape, and I would cheer him on regardless of where and what, so long as the who is what he should be.

The thing is I'm also a Spiderman fan so I was going for a Sups/Spidey look minus the Spider motif, I might a mouth like shape on his mask (since his powers have sort of magic based that he can imagine what he wants to look like ala Green Lantern except his powers would be much more limited than that) and the artifact would connected to his suit that he won't be recognizable or just disappear like in those Japanese Ultraman shows.

Also the mask comes from his love of lucha libre wrestling, early in his career he'll use a lot of wrestling moves due to not being in full power yet.