Another SPACE sketch, this one of The Living Torso, Prince Randian, best known from the movie Freaks, which at one time I was going to adapt into a graphic novel, until I found out that a much better artist than me had already done it like 12 years ago.
053 – Prince Randian
051 – Stick figure
Failed experiment.
050 – Arachno-Man
Another Marvel Evil Doppelganger thing. This one… eh. It’s really hard to make a variant or redesign of the Spider-Man costume that hasn’t already been done. Plus, what my pal Jim pointed out in the comments on The Devil piece from yesterday, I’m not exactly grasping the whole “Earth-3” concept properly. I’ll give it a shot, but I’m also pretty “eh” on that too. I think I’ll add this to the list of “try it again later” pieces.
Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider, which drives him insane. He is given “spider” powers, but goes on a rampage and during the scuffle, he bites Flash Thompson just before being shot and killed. While hospitalized, Flash’s wounds heal quickly and he realizes that he now has spider powers too. He decides to use his newfound abilities to become a wrestling superstar. He witnesses the promoter get robbed, and decides that he can use his powers better as a thief. He tracks down the robber and kills him and steals the money. People think he’s a hero for stopping the robber, a position and reputation he now uses as the Amazing Arachno-Man, public superstar by day, thief and murderer by night, making his way up the ladder of the underworld.
049 – The Devil
Inspired by my Crime Syndicate drawings, I decided to make up Crime Syndicate versions of Marvel characters. I’ve only got two so far, and I also plan on finishing out the DC CSA line-up. And also recolor them in the future when I have more time.
So here we have The Devil. Young Matt Murdock saw the old man crossing the street when the truck full of radioactive waste was barreling down the street. Matt pushed the old man in front of the truck because he thought it would be funny and wanted to see what happened when the old man got hit. However, the radioactive waste splashed in Matt’s eyes and blinded him. He soon discovered that the waste that removed his sight enhanced his other senses and abilities to superhuman levels. Using these abilities, he gained work with his father as an enforcer in the mob and fixed boxing matches. When not helping run his father’s racket, he studied the law and went to law school, becoming the consigliere to the Kingpin, Jonah Jameson. Secretly, as The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, Murdock is actively bringing down the Kingpin’s organization – to take it over.
Or something. Man, I’m tired.
048 – Johnny Quick
Johnny Quick is the Crime Syndicate’s evil Flash, who mainlines a (literal) speed drug. Not as awesome as any Reverse Flash, and not the heroic Golden Age Johnny Quick. Oh well. He looks cool (the original CSA Johnny Quick does not).
047 – Owlman
Owlman, the Crime Syndicate version of Batman. He’s an amazing character in Grant Morrison’s Earth 2 graphic novel, and that is totally trumped by the version of the character in the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths direct-to-DVD movie.
046 – Ultraman
Ultraman, the Superman of Earth 3 (or Earth 2 if you’re a Grant Morrison fan). He is the evil leader of the Crime Syndicate of Amerika. I love dopplegangers, especially evil opposites. Morrison’s Earth 2 graphic novel is a major highlight of his JLA work. Highly recommended if you haven’t read it.
045 – John Constantine: Hellblazer
Hellblazer is my favorite non-superhero ongoing comic, I’ve been reading it for years, and only once has it ever gotten to a point where I thought I might drop it (author Denise Mina’s run a few years ago, for what it’s worth). I’m even one of the only people who love Paul Jenkins’ run on the book – one of the only writers whose work on Hellblazer has never been collected. Constantine is a fantastic character, though the archetype of “charming, lovable asshole” is reaching new heights of popularity, Constantine has a ton of staying power. Outside of Daredevil, Hellblazer is the only comic I have consistently collected and read since I started buying it, and have more issues of than anything else.
Also happy St. Patrick’s Day, and one of the only love interest of Constantine’s to have survived their relationship was Irish, so there you go, something or other whatever who gives a shit?
044 – Self Portrait
From me in the future. On a post-it note with a ball-point pen.