10d
2

So few months ago i made a character design that ended up looking tooo much like Scorpion, like how @brohawx pointed out. So i made some tweaks!

To refresh memory: He's the MC of one of my future B&W/ comic book project. He's meant to be a vengeful, anti-hero, knight, Lava-bending superhero, basically creating lava constructs of objects.
- Quick update on the abilities: He could "imagine anything" and make lava constructs of whatever, but, he's limited to his physical strength
Example; In the beginning at best he'd only create basic weaponry like a sword or an axe, but, if he becomes physically stronger and is able to "bench press 100 kg" lets say, he would have the capability of forming a lava construct of a dragon and actually work! It compounds.

maybe too DBZ? idk lol.

Also, the thing on his sides are some secondary eyes.
Extra context
the PREMISE of my comic book is about quitting porn and showing the harmful effects of Pornography. Meaning, my mc is going to be fighting against Pro-porn people (pornstars, porn directors, gooners, etc) that are super-powered, obviously.

So the side eyes are served as a "anti-porn" tool to block temptations 🤙
Which could also be a weakness 👀
The hand "X" motif also represents this 'rejection' towards porn.

So yeah! I'd love some input/critique when it comes to good/creative character design, if it's iconic, if it's telling of his abilities, etc... As i attempt to create a persona that's a symbol of the anti-porn/NoFap.

But not be too on the nose on it, ya know?

7d
1

ON THE NOSE
I dont think it's too on the nose if that is his specific motivation. It is actually a little hard to tell.

I think the character is good enough for now. Maybe even a little over thought to the point of it having to be explained. Because what we understand as the opposite of "sexy" is "prudish" which looks more like monks or priests and stuff like that.

THE STORY
The thing that I wonder about is - the driving force behind your story. Maybe the whole comic isn't about this subject in particular all the time, but is the underlying motivation of this character. Maybe the problems start small with how he can fight this subject as an adversary. Maybe the inner conflict about it being human nature, or human behavior becomes a factor at some point to make a more introspective growth aspect to the character.

Because with a little fore-site I am wondering - is this going to be a comedic based? With Epic battle episodes?....

.....and- if his power is not equally met by an adversary, with an opposing purpose - then the story might end up boring. But if his adversary is someone with the power to....say - make things wet.... (being the opposite of fire)......see where this is going?

It will make for a hilarious comedy with all sorts of funny lines about "quenching his fire" or "being so hot" etc, etc. But if it's taken too seriously it will sound preachy and look like its made for a niche audience.

AT THIS POINT GOING FORWARD
Your goal is for a comic. That is your intent.

You've got your character. It's time for you to flesh out the world. :clap: :clap: lets go then.

Comic making is about building an entire intellectual property that creates a whole universe - that has people in it with special abilities sometimes - where only they can solve the problems. Sometimes they have adversaries. But the problems are crafted for them by the author.

You've got him down. Maybe he changes a little - gets redesigned or upgraded. Now you have to craft how he changes, grows, or descends mentally. Now you have to write a story with chapters and plot points, with story arcs that last so many episodes that cause that. A large trajectory plot that is the driving force behind this character and...its inevitable end. Is it a good ending or bad, or a nothing burger? A triumph? A Tragedy?

After that you have to illustrate that story with sequential storytelling techniques of comics. You have to be able to tell whats going on without word bubbles sometimes. Become an illustrator of mood with shapes and values. Its not just character design.

NEXT CHAPTER
Flesh out an episode. Lets get some pages going. I wish you the best of luck.

Ta for now

5d

I've been looking at your post for a few days by now, and been trying to figure out what's off about this design. Your design doesn't look bad, but what I notice while looking at it with the information your provided is that I'm feeling confused. What follows may be a bit harsh, but I think you need to hear this:

Why are you telling us instead of showing us? That's rule #1 of writing, especially with a visual medium like comics.

I shouldn't be told what he is or what he does, I should know it when I see it. Also, I'm very confused at how lava powers connect with an anti-pornography sentiment. There's nothing wrong with writing this kind of story if this is what you feel you should be doing as a creative, but I'm not seeing the link here. This may sting, but I feel like you've just designed this cool character, then you had the idea for the theme and slapped it onto him. While it looks good, I'm not 100% sure that this is the best look for your narrative. At the very least, it's not immediately obvious what he is.

If you're going to go with this theme, maybe another kind of power might be better? In other words, something that better fits the theme of your story. Try to think of what kind of actions and conflicts your character will go through, and how he'll remedy to that. How will he use his powers against things that tempt him? I'm not sure that blasting a stripper or a stag mag with lava communicates anything substantial.

Last thing, I would like for you to look at what it means to have this kind of addiction, and the therapy/treatments used work on those issues. This is what will get you to tell a compelling story. Make it real, get inspired by real life events or experiences that you've had or that other people had. Your story doesn't need to be serious, but I think it would be the responsible thing to do to address this kind of subject. If you picked this subject out of all things, it must mean something to you. Why not make it be a positive read for the people who may relate to your character. Why not talk to people who are very sex positive? Trying to understand the opposite side of things may make your secondary characters richer, too. Why are they such an opposite to your main character here? Are they willing to fight for what they believe in? Why? Does your character learn more about himself through this?

I don't want to discourage you with any of this, my message is just to say that some writing is what is going to flesh your project out. Like brohawx said, try to create a few pages! Even if it's a rough draft, it might help you figure things out better. Show us what you want to tell with your story, and take your project seriously. There will be good results, I promise! Looking forward for you to give us something to chew on! :muscle: