Costume Design Forum II

[Acroyear]

Since I had so much fun with the last one, I'm kicking off another one.

This one is a submission. Here's the description:

The armor stands roughly six-feet-tall. The majority of the outfit is of a gold colored high-tech metal compound, particularly at the helmet, gauntlets, foot coverings, and torso plate. Upon the chest armor is a lightning bolt symbol vaguely shaped like an "S." The arms, legs and eyeholes of the armor are space-age blue plastics. When active, the outfit hums and crackles with electricity, tiny arcs dancing across the surface.

A mention was also made that the character was like an "electric Iron Man."

Like last time, feel free to vote and then add commets like "the helmet of #4 on the body of #3" or whatever. Also like last time, these initial images are the barest bones of doodles intended only to design the look. At the end, I'll put together a more polished image that continues to use the fun Timm style templates and add fancy special effects like little lightning arcs.

<img src="http://herogame.dans.cust.servlets.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=24717">

[Hermit]

They're all pretty good. Speaking just for myself, I'm not a big fan of the helmet shape of number three.

[Acroyear]

I also wanted to add this one will be a little slower in revisions (it's the work week, after all).

Also, even if you don't have comments...please vote (even if it's the ick vote). The vote leader will get primary attention to comments and revisions.

[Agent Escafarc]

I like #2 the best the only thing I might change is to make the triangler face shield a little bigger.

[Burnout]

I like #4 the best because it has the most detail. However I would suggest taking another look at the shoulder-pads. As they stand right now, they are the weakest point in the outfit since they have the least detail.

[Doug Limmer]

Time for some off-the-cuff, completely uninformed opinions.

I like #2 the best, but it's too yellow (add more blue trim, or something), and the blue isn't dark enough. For my tastes, anyway.

[Enforcer84]

Originally posted by Burnout
I like #4 the best because it has the most detail. However I would suggest taking another look at the shoulder-pads. As they stand right now, they are the weakest point in the outfit since they have the least detail.

Agreed. I would also add that some more blue would make 4 even better.

[Kevin Scrivner]

I prefer armor No. 4. It looks most like "real armor." Armor No. 1 is OK but looks more like a standard super hero suit. Armor No. 2 looks like an homage to "Attack of the Clones." Your hero might undergo subtle electronic reprogramming while wearing it. The helmet on armor No. 3 has to go. Looks like your metal man is wearing an 18th century powdered wig. Of course, you could change the color scheme to red and white and name him Ironsides after the British troops. ;)

[Acroyear]

Helmet #2 has little blue eyes inside the black area (didn't come out when I reduced resolution). It's intended to be kinda like the helm from those guys in Checkmate..

Some design notes - the description was vague... so I tried to create a range of super-slim to more bulky and also didn't really take any liberties with tossing color all over the place (yet). That's what you folks are for ;)

[Lord Liaden]

Oh, goody! This is gonna be fun!

All right, let's see... once again, very nice choices. Overall, I agree with Kevin that #4 has the most "armor" feel to it. Unlike the others it also has obvious extra armor over the abdomen, which would certainly make me feel more secure wearing it. ;)

Beyond that, this is again a mix and match selection process for me. The helmets on #2 and #4 have the most "personality", but helmet #4 has a very grim "expression" on it; great for a villain, but if this is for a hero I prefer #2 (complete with the blue neck). I also favor the wing-like epaulets and the solid but sleek gloves and boots of #2. And the "S" bolt symbol looks more striking over the heart than centered on the chest, but not as tilted as on #4.

The blue and gold are a classic combo for superheroes, and I like the orange as well, but I think you could use more of the last. My suggestions for orange areas would be the chest symbol, the belt (which would break up the uniformity of gold in #4), and the eyes (which might make them stand out more on helmet #2). Perhaps also on the raised bars on the gloves and boots for #2, assuming you use them.

Eagerly awaiting the next revision! :cool:

[Crusader108]

I like the design of 2 best but it would be improved with the helmet, waist and boots of 4.

[Karma]

Really it depends on what he's like. Hero? Then 1 or 2, villian then 4 with the blue bolt of either 1 or 2 (avoid Gold on Gold, it's kinda hard to see and you want your emblem to be visible).
Really this is a vote against 3 whose helmet looks like one of those Cybermen from Dr Who. which while they were cool are not really what you want to be compared to.

[Rage]

I like armour 4s armour but with the gauntlets of armour 1 and armour 2's head (slightly enlarged, its a helmet not a mask IMO.)

:D!

[Acroyear]

Ok, it seems to me that the feedback is asking for a little more color variation (which is understandable, considering the flat colors used so far) that #4 is preferred, but with elements of #2 and part of this choice is that we like "more detail and armor looking stuff."

That said, I've put together something that is sort of a hybrid of 4 & 2 and worked in some more color variation (perhaps a little more subtle than desired) and worked in some more detail to get away from the metal Iron Man-esque spandex look a little more.

I find myself pretty fond of the result, in fact, and could conceiavbly start polishing this one up... but don't let that sway your opinions, please :)

Also, like before, I might backtrack on some design elements or take a whole new angle (if the voting changes favor or someone has some ideas I like).

Well, here...

<img src="http://herogame.dans.cust.servlets.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=24806">

[winterhawk]

The above revision...by jove, I think he's got it! Nice work!

[Hermit]

Hard not to like that one. I like the mixed shoulder parts, very nice combo :)

And thank you, the details on color shine a LOT.

[Crusader108]

Ding,ding ding....we have a winner!!!!! :D

[Enforcer84]

Very Nice. I appreciate the additiona color and contrasts.

[Lord Liaden]

The word I'm looking for here would be, Wow.

That is a beautiful synthesis of those diverse elements. The detail is impressive - it really looks like hi-tech armor now, rather than super spandex. I particularly like the two-tone blue on the arms and legs, giving an impression of articulation. The two shades of yellow would do the same, but the difference between them is almost too subtle to pick up. (But I still think you should keep it.)

The only suggestion of any significance I could make would be to use the brighter blue of the mask eyes for the crest on the chest. That would make it look more "electric". The sparks of electricity that you planned to add when the armor is active could be the same shade.

But I was hoping this would go on longer! :(

[lemming]

I like what you've done with the revision. I didn't like the helmet of #4 since it looked angry. I wouldn't use it for a hero.

The revision still looks a little frowny, but that could just be me.

[Dynamo]

I really like the revision, except that I think the helmet should be closer to that of number #4.

Of course, there are always alternatives...
<img src="http://www.herogames.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=234">

btw: It looks even better from the inside. <img src="http://www.herogames.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1086" alt="Mmm... Comfy">

[death tribble]

Nice one Dave. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

I voted for number 4. You have to cover the lower abdomen and I like the chunkier look. I like the revision as well.

I will post armour designs in the Superhero designs at some time, when I can get access to the scanner in work.

[SuperPheemy]

Never been much of a fan of the Blue+yellow color scheme. Even for electric themed superheroes. Well, maybe Yellow as an accent, a la Lightning Lad. But the scheme you have currently reflects too much CHESS. But that's just my asthetic taste. Go with what feels right.

[JmOz]

I like the revsied, two things I would do different (If I could draw) is the shoulders, just don't like the shoulders sticking out beyond the arms, and the emblem I would use the other design in the same place as you currently have it

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Dynamo
btw: It looks even better from the inside. :)

lol - That cracked me up


Originally posted by Lord Liaden
But I was hoping this would go on longer! :(

I didn't expect to hit so close with one revision, either.

I'll try a lighter blue when I do the snazzy one and see how it looks and maybe one at a more severe angle like JmOz suggested, too. I went with lighter blue eyes for that sort of lit up look. The face area of the helmet is actually kind of Optimus Prime joins Checkmate.


Originally posted by JmOz
just don't like the shoulders sticking out beyond the arms

Too many Gundam models as a kid, I guess. ;) I figured they were a strong part of the design of the #2 armor (which is picking up fast in the poll. I might have to do another revision, after all!)

What does everyone else thing? Keep the big shoulders or should I crop them down to something more practical?

[winterhawk]

Originally posted by Acroyear
lol - What does everyone else thing? Keep the big shoulders or should I crop them down to something more practical?

I like the big shoulders, but I'm biased because I recently discovered Gundam G and have become a total addict.

[Hermit]

I showed the four original designs to two friends, they liked four best. Hadn't shown them the new revision yet, but I think they'd like it. :)

As for the shoulders, well, I liked them as I said before, and I'm not even a Gundam fan. If it was just them sticking out, it would look a tad silly, but the mix of styles makes them look reinforced to me.

Funny about the Optimus Prime mention helmet. I thought that last night myself, but then, I LIKE Optimus Prime. He's the robotic equivilent of Johne Wayne.
"Autobot's, roooll out."
(Can't you hear the drawl?) :D

[Lord Liaden]

I would keep the shoulders pretty much as they are now. I like the pseudo-wing look in this case - it would look hokey on a sleeker suit a la classic Iron Man, but with something bulkier I think it fits. And as Hermit said, the combination plates look functionally protective, almost like football shoulder pads. Heck, they're good enough for Defender! (Just scroll left.) ;)

SuperPheemy, I personally would have liked to see another color scheme besides blue and gold (I was thinking green and bronze, actually), but Acroyear pointed out at the start that he's doing this as a submission according to someone else's specks, which limits his room to interpret.

BTW, Acroyear, would it be prying to inquire what this is a submission for?

[Burnout]

Great job! A happy melding of the 2 concepts.

[Acroyear]

It was a submission that I requested. I sent PMs out to a few people who participated in the last costume design thingy and asked for them, saying first come first serve. This was the first to come.

I will likely send out a couple more invites tonight to add to the couple still floating out there (some people don't check their PMs, I guess). I know of one person who would have gotten one but disabled the feature. But I was hoping to do this sort of thing now and then as my time permitted... since I think it's fun.

While I know the "invite" system is prone to criticism for exclusion or playing favorites, I'm trying to be fair and reality must be heeded - I can't possibly do this for everyone (but if it lasts long enough, I might end up doing just that). The "price" for the free "art" is the end result is determined by participants of the forum as intepreted by me to the extent that we all enjoy it.

[Lord Liaden]

Y'know, having looked at the two of them side-by-side, I think I actually like Dynamo's head on that suit better than the current one. With a slight color modification, I think it would look pretty snazzy.

Which is apropos to nothing at all, of course... I'm just saying. :rolleyes:

[MarkusDark]

I agree, the revamp looks great. I was noticing many similarities between the four you previously posted and some other comics already out there but this amalgamation works great.

[Dynamo]

Originally posted by Acroyear
What does everyone else thing? Keep the big shoulders or should I crop them down to something more practical? Something more practical? This is comicbook art we're talking about here! Style over substance, man. The shoulders on the revision look great.

<ol>All five sets of shoulders in order of preference:<li>R1</li><li>#4</li><li>#2</li><li>#3</li><li>#1</li></ol>

[Supreme]

I like the revised version better than the original four, definitely. Though when it comes to powered armor, I prefer less detail and less menacing. Unfortunately, the trend with PA these days is just the opposite.

[Acroyear]

This is the proposed "final" version of this design. I fiddled with some of the later suggestions, but didn't polish them up or anything. I kinda liked this one, myself. If we have a sudden sweeping opinion one way or another, I'm still set up to make changes.

Again, I'ma make ya clicky.

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Supreme
I like the revised version better than the original four, definitely. Though when it comes to powered armor, I prefer less detail and less menacing. Unfortunately, the trend with PA these days is just the opposite.

My original longer running character was a PA guy. He looked more like a rounded out ROM than anything else.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Acroyear
This is the proposed "final" version of this design. I fiddled with some of the later suggestions, but didn't polish them up or anything. I kinda liked this one, myself. If we have a sudden sweeping opinion one way or another, I'm still set up to make changes.

Again, I'ma make ya clicky.

Man, that's beautiful.

By the way folks, just to fess up, I'm the lucky guy who responded first to the PMs, and the description I gave was for Surge. My character in the Titans of Tommorrow PBEM I'm in.

It's been really cool watching him 'visually' form up, as it were.

[Hermit]

I used to think "I killed the thread" when this happened.
However, someone suggested I put it a better light.

So...
I clearly have awed you all into silence. :D

[Lord Liaden]

This is really, really good. The electrical effects look neat, and the sheen effect added to the armor gives it that metallic look. (Good placement of shadow to give the impression of unidirectional light shining on the front of the armor.)

You did well out of this, Hermit. Congratulations. :)

[Lord Liaden]

Originally posted by Hermit
I clearly have awed you all into silence. :D

Save for The One who gave you your splendor. :p

[Hermit]

Well, I would word it that Acro did well, and you guys' opinions and views formed his work nicely. But yes, I'm to be congratulated for my good fortune :)

Soon, Surge the Animated Series, Surge the movie, Surge on a Fast Food cups! MWAhAHAHAAHA!

Maybe not :)

Anyways, I agree with you about the sheen of the armor Lord Liaden.
Acroyear, I know it's redundant after what others have said, but you really did kick butt there in making the metals and plastic look more realistic.

P.S: L.L. I don't suppose we could change that to 'Save for the one who first RECOGNIZED your splendor?' :p

[SuperPheemy]

You just lucked out in finding my disad Vulnerability: Hermit's HERO Board Pre Attacks: 1 1/2X Effect. I knew those five points were going to come back and bite me one of these days...

[Blue]

Looks damn sharp.

Think I'll keep my own tries to myself... Yer makin' us look bad :eek: :D

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Blue
Think I'll keep my own tries to myself... Yer makin' us look bad :eek: :D

Oh no way. I loved the way you did the shading on those samples.

[Blue]

Well, thanks! You know you're opening yourself up to this...

This is the larger size version of NPC audra blue.

[Blue]

And here's the latest one... PC "Gabriel", who a friend modeled on one of his miniatures.

[Hermit]

Acroyear is right Blue, you are good with shading.

[KawangaKid]

Originally posted by SuperPheemy
Never been much of a fan of the Blue+yellow color scheme. Even for electric themed superheroes. Well, maybe Yellow as an accent, a la Lightning Lad. But the scheme you have currently reflects too much CHESS. But that's just my asthetic taste. Go with what feels right.
Isn't that supposed to be CHECKMATE! not CHESS? I think that the CHESSMEN were an homage to CHECKMATE.

[JmOz]

Goodjob Acro, if you ever need another idea give me a yell, I've got a few semi blankstate characters in the back of my head that I would love to see done up...

[Blue]

Originally posted by Hermit
Acroyear is right Blue, you are good with shading.
Thank you both :D

The chest plate needs fixing on the "Gabriel" one. It's all crooked.

But, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you... Young Foxbat!

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Blue
But, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you... Young Foxbat!

lol! That's hilarious.

[winterhawk]

Originally posted by Blue
But, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you... Young Foxbat!

Good One!

[Mightybec]

I like...
Head #1
Torso #3
Gauntlets #4
Boots#1

Mightybec

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Blue
Thank you both :D

The chest plate needs fixing on the "Gabriel" one. It's all crooked.

But, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you... Young Foxbat!

Okay... I'm officially scared because I find myself wondering what the character sheet for this version will be like.

[Burnout]

Originally posted by Hermit
Okay... I'm officially scared because I find myself wondering what the character sheet for this version will be like.

Well clearly a VPP with a multipower (Ping Pong Ball Gun) Multipower in it. Duh. ;)

[MisterVimes]

Revision #1 is perfect

[urbwar]

Originally posted by Acroyear
Since I had so much fun with the last one, I'm kicking off another one.

This one is a submission. Here's the description:

The armor stands roughly six-feet-tall. The majority of the outfit is of a gold colored high-tech metal compound, particularly at the helmet, gauntlets, foot coverings, and torso plate. Upon the chest armor is a lightning bolt symbol vaguely shaped like an "S." The arms, legs and eyeholes of the armor are space-age blue plastics. When active, the outfit hums and crackles with electricity, tiny arcs dancing across the surface.

A mention was also made that the character was like an "electric Iron Man."

Like last time, feel free to vote and then add commets like "the helmet of #4 on the body of #3" or whatever. Also like last time, these initial images are the barest bones of doodles intended only to design the look. At the end, I'll put together a more polished image that continues to use the fun Timm style templates and add fancy special effects like little lightning arcs.

<img src="http://herogame.dans.cust.servlets.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=24717">

For the initial Design (Design1), I like #2 and #4. How about #4 with the helmet and insignia from #2?

[urbwar]

This one looks pretty good! I think this one is a winner

[urbwar]

Originally posted by Acroyear
This is the proposed "final" version of this design. I fiddled with some of the later suggestions, but didn't polish them up or anything. I kinda liked this one, myself. If we have a sudden sweeping opinion one way or another, I'm still set up to make changes.

Again, I'ma make ya clicky.

I love the crackling electricity around the gauntlets.

I also enjoy the more metallic look of the blue on the arms and legs.