Comrade Hero

Yes, yes Mr Braithwaite is Awesome.

Shane can do standard color or black and white pieces, and it can't hurt to talk to him if you have a project of yours in mind for Airhead.

I was after something specifically pulp noir-ish as it would stand out nicely in the contestable arts applications I will be doing this year. Highly recommended artist.

As to what Operations is armed with:

The most difficult piece for Shane to do, as he had to incorporate holographic weaponry over the clothing that Operations wears - all in black and white.

Shane was asked to create a more aggressive version of Operations, a character with an ability to manipulate reality with the virtual in varied, useful and often lethal ways.

Inspiration came from Omni-tools in the video game series Mass Effect by BioWare.

Operations is Indian and it was fitting to try and incorporate holographic weapons that took her ancestry into account. What was settled on are stylized bladed weapons based on the traditional Pata gauntlet sword (right hand) and the Katara dagger (left hand).

Considering Comrade Hero is a flier, I would say that a roller-coaster would be somewhat sedate.

And yeah, the pencils are currently being inked, and then the coloring. First of about ten to sixteen sample pages for contestable arts funding applications this year.

Err yes... clockwise

Sample Page 4. Pencils by Felipe Watanabe.

Clockwise (from top): Comrade Hero, Four Five Two, Anderson and Operations.

Sample page work reference/promotional use in 2012 Contestable Arts Applications in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Errr... indeed a comradely hug of comradeship is always welcome between comrades...

Comrade Hero isn't that ancient, and he does have a winning smile that isn't too frosty.


Younger, but not teenage version Comrade Hero (shudders). And yeah, zoinks - you're in front of a camera - now smile!


Thanks BrandX! On to 2012 and pages as well as images.

Thanks a lot. Since holding and using a pen, pencil or tablet stylus for any period of time is pretty much out of the question for me (injury related), I rely on the artistic talent of others to breathe visual life into my characters. And sometimes, it's really worth waiting for the results!

Thanks VexXxa. Not so many commissions lately, but it's that crazy time of year. Things have slowed down a lot now, and won't start picking up again until January. When it's not so much a question of saving money for the Holidays, but making money to pay off Holiday bills!

Shane's pretty versatile with both color and black and white, but I definitely like the pulp noir vibe he brought to these commissions. The last of the four won't be started until after the New Year (that crazy time of year...) - but the wait is definitely worth it.

You're appreciation of the badassery is duly noted!

When I was in High School I was part of the Kapa Haka group and we trained and performed with Taiaha. The one big no-no was that you never planted the head (with the tip being the tongue) of the Taiaha into the ground as it was disrespectful to Tumatauenga, the God of War. The head of Taiaha is used for stabbing thrusts, while the back had an edge is used for slashing cuts and strikes. Made out of hard native wood with the eyes inlaid with polished paua (abalone) shell.

Not quite in the Bruce Campbell Chin of Fame category, but it's getting there


*Makes note* Thanks for the suggestion. At the moment it will be Comrade Hero teaming up with Hole in the Wallet Guy!

I like the pencil work Danny does as well.

And a no-prize for guessing what helicopter Comrade Hero and Four Five Two have exited from. Hint: It's not a large military helicopter.

Thanks very much for the vote of confidence on Comrade Hero!

I agree Airhead, and thanks to everyone else for your positive reaction. Shane is currently open for commissions if anyone is interested - both color and black and white. More information at his journal here.

You're to modest. Heh, nice flatting.

Glorious!

That's just gorgeous.