Artistic Challenge 20 - Origins (Assignments posted!)

[Pyroclasm]

Wow, where did August go?  I just noticed the date and remembered I have to put the new challenge thread.  :doh:
The last two "original character" challenges seemed to be popular, so here's another.  This challenge's assignments will be given out Sept. 1st.

This new challenge is called
ORIGINS
Here's the gist:  Entrants sign up by posting a very brief origin for an original character (No more than 5 lines describing where or how the character came to be).  The origins are randomly assigned, and each entrant designs a new character using said origin.  They have full control over everything concerning their character EXCEPT they must somehow include they character's origin in the concept.  Participants are not required to write an extensive origin or fanfic when they post their image, but kudos to you if you choose to do so.

Here is an example using an existing character to show you what I'm looking for:
This character was sent away from his dying homeworld.  He/she arrived on Earth and was adopted by human parents.  Around his teenage years he/she develops new powers or abilities beyond those of humans.

Note there is no specific reference to the types of powers or appearance.  Nothing in the origin describes motivations, style, what he/she does once they get those powers, etc.
Now I'd prefer your nomination be original, but if you can't come up with something, you can still sign up using an existing character like I did in that example.  For those who want to be helpful, you can also PM me a "bonus" origin just in case someone wants to join in after assignments are given so I can have something to offer them.
Disclaimer: I may choose to edit the nominations for grammar, length, clarity or content before handing them out.

IF you want to be told a random art style to attempt, please indicate so in your signup post. (This may include but is not limited to Kirby, Timm, Anime, etc.  See the Ideas thread for a better list.)  This is not mandatory.

Also, some may prefer to be given a little direction with a Randomizer theme.  I have no problem with that either, so if you want to be given a theme, just say so in your sign up post.  Again, this is not mandatory.

Start posting as soon as your image is done.  There is no due date for the actual posting, so don't panic as it approaches the challenge's "end date".

The next challenge starts on Oct. 1st.  If you want another assignment or to sign up for the first time anytime after this challenge starts you can.  Just post here and send me a PM so I don't miss you.  I should have extra origins to hand out.  I just won't do this after Oct. 1st.

Rules:
1) It must be your art.  No reposting or "kitbashing" of other people's art.  Obviously it's an honor system, but you don't wanna get called out on it and end up ruining it for others.
2) Nothing from Freedom Force or City of Heroes/Villains.  (Both have their own sections on FR.) If you make something (like a skin) that coincides with your art entry, you can link to the other thread.
3) Although technically not a work in progress thread, you can update the image in your post at any time.  You can also create a new thread featuring your work in progress and link to it.  I just don't want other artist's work buried under repeated postings of your progress.
4) Forum rules still govern subject matter.

Remember this is open to artists of all levels and all styles!

List of randomizer themes: (If you request to be given one)[spoiler]
1) Horror: Your character has been or is transformed into a creature of darkness.
2) Western: Your character came to be during the height of the Old West.
3) Ultimate: Reimagined for a gritty modern world.  This isn't your 616 kind of hero!
4) Child: Any age from baby to teenager.  Your character started his adventures at an earlier age.
5) Pirate: Forget modern times, your character existed durring the age of pirates.
6) Post-Apocalypse:  Some sort of disaster has ruined the world.  Despite that, your character continues to survive.  Conversely, perhaps the character came into being in this harsh new world instead.
7) Failed Clone: Whether the result of genetic experiments, a duplication machine or a magical bolt of energy, the character was duplicated.  Only it didn't turn out so well.  The character may be underpowered, overpowered, or just plain ugly.
8) Movie: Due to the success of a related comic character's movie, you've been given the task of redesigning this character for a mainstream movie audience.
9) Medieval Fantasy: Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Warcraft, etc.  You know the drill.  The character exists in a medieval world of magic & monsters.
10) Space Opera: Aliens, Space-age knights, Smugglers, etc.  Your character exists in a sci-fi fantasy universe or perhaps just a galaxy far far away...
11) Old: The character is just shy from living in the home of retired superheroes.  Perhaps this is at the tail end of the character's existence, perhaps how he/she would look on his/her last mission...
12) Robot: The character was built, not born.  It's abilities are completely artificial, perhaps being a robot, cyborg, android or other construct.
13) Fascist: Cold and imposing.  Where heroes are enforcers and villains are dictators.  Everything you'd expect for a Cold-War Soviet Union, 1984, Logan's Run, V for Vendetta, Equilibrium, etc.
14) Megalomaniac: Not just a villain, but the uberpowered bast**d that destroys the world's supers for their cause.  If you get this theme and a megalomaniac, just try and push the envelope further.
15) Silver/Golden Age: Totally retro.  The character existed in comic's past.  Part camp, Part innocence, all hero.
16) Pet/Furry: Lycanthrope (Captain America as Wolf), animal hero (Underdog) or perhaps just the character's faithful companion (Krypto)...
17) HEROES: This is a world where the ordinary are extraordinary and vice versa.  Just regular people who come upon powers.  What would their job be like?  What would they look like in a world where the heroes aren't musclebound beefcakes and their identity takes precedence over their abilities?
18) Evolved: The character's abilities have been increasing and adapting.  Think how over the years some comic characters gain new abilities or mutate into new forms.  Perhaps their powers are forced into overdrive making them freaks among freaks...
19) Magic/Supernatural: All heroes in this world derive their abilities from a magical or supernatural source.  Magical items, deals with demons, magical spells, etc.
20) Pro Wrestler: The world has no superpowered people.  But the luchadors are the most popular form of entertainment.  When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room... It's for fun...
21) Historic: The catchall category for other historical time periods not covered in other categories.  Ancient Greece, the Renaissance, Ancient Egypt...
22) Steampunk:  Victorian era sci-fi adventure ala Jules Verne, Alan Quartermain, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen...
[/spoiler]

Sign up!

PS: Have an additional theme idea you want added to the list?  Have a non-randomizer idea you'd want considered?  Just head over to the Challenge Ideas Thread.

[Pyroclasm]

I'll start this off.

Due to a freak rock climbing accident, this character was presumed dead as no body was ever found.  No one would have expected him/her to return one year later displaying superhuman abilities.

I'm going to take a randomizer theme, and Unkoman has inspired me to take on a random style too.

[daglob]

The whole building seemed to be either on fire or exploding. One fireman got separated from his men by falling debris, and he was trying to work his way back to them. His radio went out as he neared a doorway from which all sorts or pyrotechnics seemed to spew. Looking inside, he saw people in heavy protective gear lying on the floor. Something in the room was glowing brilliantly as it shot sparks and lightning bolts. He also recognized the trefoil emblem on the door. He went in anyway.
The doctors said that there was no reason for him to be alive. What no one knew was that his grandfather had been part of a secret government genetic experiment. That experiment was deemed a failure, but the inactive template had been passed from father to son to grandson.
That template was inactive no longer.

Mmmmm... smell the '60s.

Yeah, I know, I take too long.

[UnkoMan]

Random it up! Yeah! I was going to accept this one straight, actually, but if you are doing it I'll get random theme and style, too.

They were young and just thought it would be a kooky summer job. Little did they know the mysteries that lay in store for them.

I'll probably be sending you a couple others later. This one is gonna be sweet.

[Hiroki8]

He/She had been part of an old pantheon of ancient Gods, who in the turn of a century had decided to retreat from human contact. They decided to be reborn as mortals but unknown to them some of their Godly powers still remained..

is this enough?

[Pyroclasm]

is this enough?

Sure is. :)

[Revenant]

"You and your twin sibling were always... different.  The doctors couldn't explain it.  Your Mom and I always thought it was that accident with the mirror while she was pregnant, that was the cause of it all... We kept your powers a secret until now, to protect you and our family.  But we think you should know."

[Pyroclasm]

Hmmm...not so popular idea, or has this one been overlooked?  Assignments will be given out Saturday, so don't miss joining up!
(Yes, it's a bump.)

[UnkoMan]

Oh man... how sad. People might just be really busy this month? I know I am, but heck this was my idea so I had to sign up.

[Pyroclasm]

Ok, there were so few entries, there really wasn't any need for me to recap the origins.  So I'll just tell you who wrote your assigned origin and you can scroll up and read it.  Remember to incorporate the origin into your design, but everything else is up to you.

Pyroclasm design the one written by Hiroki8, using a Pro Wrestler theme, in a 90's Xtreme comics style

Daglob design the one written by Revenant

Unkoman design the one written by Pyroclasm, using a Silver/Golden Age theme, in a Classic Magazine Illustration style

Hiroki8 design the one written by Daglob

Revenant design the one written by Unkoman

[Hiroki8]

Here's mine



The whole building seemed to be either on fire or exploding. One fireman got separated from his men by falling debris, and he was trying to work his way back to them. His radio went out as he neared a doorway from which all sorts or pyrotechnics seemed to spew. Looking inside, he saw people in heavy protective gear lying on the floor. Something in the room was glowing brilliantly as it shot sparks and lightning bolts. He also recognized the trefoil emblem on the door. He went in anyway.
The doctors said that there was no reason for him to be alive. What no one knew was that his grandfather had been part of a secret government genetic experiment. That experiment was deemed a failure, but the inactive template had been passed from father to son to grandson.
That template was inactive no longer, he could now release different wave lengths of radiation and must now constantly wear a lead laced protective suit to help control the massive amounts of energy he wields as Flux

[Mr. Hamrick]

Here's mine
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

The whole building seemed to be either on fire or exploding. One fireman got separated from his men by falling debris, and he was trying to work his way back to them. His radio went out as he neared a doorway from which all sorts or pyrotechnics seemed to spew. Looking inside, he saw people in heavy protective gear lying on the floor. Something in the room was glowing brilliantly as it shot sparks and lightning bolts. He also recognized the trefoil emblem on the door. He went in anyway.
The doctors said that there was no reason for him to be alive. What no one knew was that his grandfather had been part of a secret government genetic experiment. That experiment was deemed a failure, but the inactive template had been passed from father to son to grandson.
That template was inactive no longer, he could now release different wave lengths of radiation and must now constantly wear a lead laced protective suit to help control the massive amounts of energy he wields

does he have a name?

[Hiroki8]

I'm still the only one who posted?

[UnkoMan]

My computer is down right now! Oh nooo! To be honest, I wouldn't have had the time right now to really do it, but I'm thinkin' of some stuff.

Hiroki, your fella reminds me a lot of Lunarman's avatar. It's real nice though.

[Hiroki8]

really? what does his avatar look like?

edit: oh yeah it does look alike.....same color and mask...hmm maybe I should change the color

[daglob]

I'm still the only one who posted?

My computer's been in the shop, and while I have had access to a computer, it didn't have my pen and tablet nor Photoshop. Hopefully, I'll get something done this weedend.

[Pyroclasm]

It's been a slow couple of months.  Might be because of the start of the new "school year".  No problems guys.  If it doesn't work out, we can just post something later or just move on to the next challenge come October.  See the ideas thread for my proposed October idea.

[daglob]

I seem to be having a lot of problems this time around. Whenever I sit donw to do this I get sidetracked. Anyway, here is the SKETCH for it in case I don't get to finish it.


"You and your twin sibling were always... different.  The doctors couldn't explain it.  Your Mom and I always thought it was that accident with the mirror while she was pregnant, that was the cause of it all... We kept your powers a secret until now, to protect you and our family.  But we think you should know."

"Before the accident, your mother was carrying only one baby; afterwards, there were two. Then there were your imaginary playmates; at least thought they were imaginary until we saw some of them. Somehow, they are all you, the two of you. They aged as you aged, but sometimes they were.... different. Black, blue, female, scaly, winged... there were many variations.
"It defies explanation."