Comrade Hero Needs Your Support!

February 4, 2011

Interesting Facts about Comrade Hero: The Words In My Mouth

Thank you Comrade Hero for your rousing words of support. I'm sure the folks out there are suitably inspired.

And speaking of inspiring words, here's another question I got asked that has me stumped. That makes two questions in less than a week where I've had to go diving through my notes, scribbling and computer documents.

Does Comrade Hero have a Catch Phrase?

The answer to this is... I'm still working on it.

Quite a few heroes have catch phrases and titles attributed to them.


Titles:

Some titles reflect a character's physical attributes and abilities e.g. the Man of Bronze and the Man of Steel.

Some titles reflect a characters inner strengths and traits e.g. The Man Without Fear, The Dark Knight.

And some titles reflect an aspect of the characters superpowers e.g. the Unstoppable, the Incredible, the Amazing.

Comrade Hero has one title - The Man Who Fell To Earth. A title that reflects his origin story.


Catch Phrases:

Characters from literature, radio, film and television tend to have a memorable line associated with them.

Something these characters say that we immediately recognize as their signature.

"Dead or alive, you're coming with me."

"I'll be back."

"Shall we play a game?"

"I am going to count to three, there will not be a four."

Comic book heroes and villains also have a favorite catch phrase or two that tends to be associated with them.

Some catch phrases are rather articulate e.g. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows..." while others are less succinct (but no less effective) e.g. "Hulk Smash!"

But in a glaring oversight on my part, Comrade Hero has no catch phrase. Is that a good or bad thing?

Should Comrade Hero have a signature catch phrase or two that he defaults to in certain situations?

I would be interested to hear from anyone who believes they can put a fantastically cool catchphrase or two into Comrade Hero's impressive arsenal of powers, abilities, and traits.

But for now, Excels - oh right that one's already taken.

February 5, 2011

Interesting Facts about Comrade Hero: What If?

Over the past couple of weeks I've been asked:

'What would you do if you won the Create a Superhero for the Stan Lee Foundation Creative Invite?'

It's a valid question. But I don't think it's the most interesting question.

For me the question with that bigger unknown 'x' factor, is:

'What would you do if you don't win the Create a Superhero for the Stan Lee Foundation Creative Invite?'

That's pretty easy. The same thing I do every night. Try to convince a pair of laboratory mice to help me take over the world...

Well, maybe not. My plans at world domination don't necessarily start there!

This Creative Invite has given me the opportunity to try things which will ultimately make it into my Business Plan in one form or another – most likely in the form of data analysis.

The first thing I take away from this Creative Invite - and arguably the most beneficial from a creative point of view - is that I have written a lot of new material that I can draw upon. And I've learned more about the sorts of things you want to know about Comrade Hero, and just as importantly, what I don't know about my own creation.

The second thing I take away from this Creative Invite is a renewed sense of belief in own creative vision. It's quite easy to showcase new ideas and creative works to people who are already interested in your character, but quite another to pack up your traveling show and take it to a place where very few people know about Comrade Hero, and even less people know who I am.

And in the long run if you can't continuously get out there and sell yourself, your characters, and your creative vision to the People then you probably aren't going generate long-term interest with that potential to become something more.

The third thing I take away from this Creative Invite is a sense of encouragement. Be that praise, feedback, comments or a simple 'follow' or 'like' box marked, it's gratifying to get a sense that I'm on the right track.

And with encouragement comes the belief that you can take that creative vision and keep on moving forwards with it – no matter how long or slow the journey may be.

Getting a critical review, treatment, or assessment may be better from the creative and business point of view, but every once in a while you need that comment or remark that boosts your confidence and gives you that little shot of pride in your accomplishment.

What if I don't win?

From my point of view I have already 'won.' This Creative Invite has allowed me to test the waters with an untested character, to share my creative vision with a new audience and assess reaction, and to make contact with individuals and groups who are interested in both. Translating such interest into tangible project funding has always been my main goal for 2011.

And I've used this Creative Invite to see if I'm ready for that. The arts funding season for 2011 has started in Aotearoa/New Zealand and there are key dates in the next few months that I will be aiming for.

I've also received an invite to submit a Crowdfunding Project, and while that concept is relatively uncommon in New Zealand, it is something I will also have a crack at.

There's still the business plan and budget to refine, scripts to be written, edited and drafted, and both character design art and sequential art to get completed. And of course there is the promoting and profile raising. The Creative Invite will end, but my Comrade Hero Project won't.

This is my final Spotlight on Comrade Hero and I wish each entrant in this Creative Invite the very best to you and your heroes.

And thank you, dear readers and followers, for your support and encouragement, for your feedback and comments.

James Hansard aka Comrade Hero.

Nothing I can do about the vote but I'm rooting for ya all the same James.

One --> Artz Giveaway <-- To Rule Them ALL!

I will settle this. ORANGE FTW! - Ex Libris

Apologies for any inconvinience, but Talenthouse who is hosting the Create a Superhero for the Stan Lee Foundation contest has pushed the voting start date out by one day.

Voting will now start on Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 at 10am PST.

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

James Hansard aka Comrade Hero.

Go. Vote. Now.

Apologies to anyone who rang into a proverbial brick wall trying to vote for any of the entrants in the Create a Superhero contest, not just me.

Apparently the first 48 hours and the final 24 are the heaviest traffic-wise and have played havoc on Talenthouse.

Ah well!

Thanks for your support of Comrade Hero!

Big thank you to all who have voted and provided me with support, encouragement and feedback. Very, very appreciated.

It's Day 3 of the Create a Superhero for the Stan Lee Foundation on Talenthouse.

If you haven't already voted, please endorse Comrade Hero. Every single vote counts.

Regards,

James Hansard aka Comrade Hero.

Only 40 votes left when I sent in my support Good luck CH!

And again, it requires Facebook or SMS messaging? Uh. No.

I'm sorry CH, but this site is apparently hell bent on keeping me from voting for you, or anyone.

I just made a Facebook account to vote. I didn't like that I had to give Talenthouse the permission to access my info, email me, and post on my wall (whatever that means).

I voted for TA too while I was at it. It looks like they allow multiple voting.

I found ImagesbyAlex in the pile too, and put in a vote. Using my pseudonym. Like 'airhead' needs a pseudonym.

But it does add up to "who knows more people on Facebook", rather than anything to do with the art or hero concepts presented. I think you've hit the nail on the head, to treat the whole process as an education in such processes.

I did enjoy paging through a mountain of heroes. So much like a jar of M&Ms. Perhaps they could be categorized though, not just "most votes". More like a dating website. I had no luck "ISO curly haired heroine".

Arc: 379017: Outbroken See all your old friends in the Outbreak Tutorial sequel!
Arc: Coming Soon: The Incarnate Shadow Shard of Fire and Ice Mender Rednem needs you!
Massively.com opinion poll: Please Help Save CoH!

I didn't make the top 50, but will hopefully still get a shiny Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers Set.

A big thank you everyone who voted and supported Comrade Hero through this Creative Invite. It's both encouraging and humbling to receive interest not only in my character, but also my creative vision of creating a bilingual comic book in print and digital editions for the purpose of encouraging literacy skills development and promoting Maori language exposure.

Me te mihi nui mo a koutou manaakitanga,

James Hansard.


Would you like to know more?

Comrade Hero Profile: http://bit.ly/eUMTQh
Spotlight on Comrade Hero I: http://bit.ly/hGqFL6
Spotlight on Comrade Hero II: http://bit.ly/gVZUuR

Hi all, just wanted to thank everyone who voted for Comrade Hero in Create a Superhero for the Stan Lee Foundation.

I was contacted by Talenthouse on Friday who informed me that Comrade Hero was amongst the top 100 highest voted submissions in the Stan Lee Foundation and Todd McFarlane creative invite.

As a result of your support, a shiny new set of Prismacolor Premier Illustration markers will be sent to me.


Thanks you all!

James Hansard aka Comrade Hero.

Grats.

Enjoy those markers!!

Enjoy donating those markers!

I'm sure they will make some artist (or school classroom) happy.

One --> Artz Giveaway <-- To Rule Them ALL!

I will settle this. ORANGE FTW! - Ex Libris

Yayy! And of course, GRATZ!!!