My Superhero WIP – Captain Toots!

[KevinTreaccar]

9yo Bobby (placeholder name) didn't wait for the fine print. All he heard was "super strength," "super speed," "flight" and more – and he jumped on board. That's when he discovered he was now Toots, the gas-powered super baby.

First question I have, can you tell what's happening with the 3/4 front neutral pose?

[Frogpunzel]

@KevinTreaccar LOL... My impression before I read your post was that the baby was passing gas AT the boy, and the boy was getting after him by saying his name, not that he was turning into the baby. What a surprise turn of events when deciding to go super! How does he turn into his super baby self? By saying the name? That's a tough one to show. Maybe use some arrows to show it's still him? Maybe make the clothes the same on the baby as on the boy? Maybe a faded out boy in between the sizes to show his change. Just some brain storming.
Good luck!

[Johanna Kim]

@KevinTreaccar Nice sketch! Initially, without reading your explanation, I see the boy reacting to the gas. I see gas between the boy and the baby, though it seems to be emanating from both figures. Then I see the baby, and the cape's movement seems to indicate the gas is coming from the baby, though still not clear by the movement lines. Is Bobby meant to transform into the baby by saying Toot Toot? If yes, maybe you can show a series of transformation stages between Bobby and the baby? OR keep it simple and just feature the baby as a superhero?

[KevinTreaccar]

@Frogpunzel @Johanna-Kim Thank you! Yes, when "Bobby" says, "Toot toot," he transforms into Toots. I'm actually kind of glad it looks like he's passing gas – the sound effects of his powers will be part of the humor play – but good to know it's reading as a fart instead of a transformation.

Thank you for the ideas, too! Yeah, I'm debating the character transformation. Or some comic boxes to show sequential-ness. Trying to figure out how to show it character sheet style, but I might just be dropping the alias for simplicity.

[KevinTreaccar]

Some progress. Leaving the transformation alone unless I get the rest of the poses in.

[Meekipink]

@KevinTreaccar Super cute!!! I love this idea!!

I think the transition would work if the boy initially had his arm raised or spread out in some sort of pose Sailer Moon style yelling out the power word, "TOOT TOOT!!" Right now there isn't enough movement to show these two characters are actually connected.

I think this scene from Alva's World where she transitions from the real world to the cyber world is what you might be aiming at. Get some clouds, lights and swooshy lines in there to show a magical transformation is taking place - make it epic!! ^_^

[KevinTreaccar]

@Meekipink Cool! Thanks for the video – and for the Sailor Moon mention. Helps, since Shazam is the main one in my head right now.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@KevinTreaccar CUTE superhero!

Yeah ... the transition still isn't clear to me. Without your explanation, I wouldn't have known that the boy is transforming into a baby. It looks like 2 separate characters with a cloud between them.

A few thoughts:

• For the transformation, you could try overlaying the characters and add some action shrinking lines, to make it clear that this is the same character -- they have become Captain Toots.

• What if it's a grown man transforming into a super baby? That might be even funnier.

• Does there have to be a transformation? Could it be muddying up the storytelling and making the character more confusing? I think there's a way to do it well ... you've just given yourself more of a challenge and will the payoff be worth it?

• Watch the expressions, especially the eyebrows. The way they are now, it looks like the boy is unsure or doesn't want to change into Captain Toots. What is he feeling when he says "Toot toot"? Brave? Fearless? Determined? Heroic?

• Are you married to the name Captain Toots? You may want to workshop a few other names. For example, Super Toots might make his superpower seem even more powerful. Megatoots might make his toots sound more explosive.

Just a few thoughts. Really looking forward to seeing what you do with this character! I'm rooting for him!

[KevinTreaccar]

@Melissa_Bailey Yeah, I think I'm really muddying the waters with the transformation, so I'm pulling the alias out for now. I do this every month – try to fit the entire book idea into one page.

Maybe I'll bring it back, if the rest of the sheet looks good, but I have to focus.

And no, I haven't really pushed it with the name yet. Captain Toots is just what I call my 4yo and 1yo at times, and I ran with it. I should definitely think about that as I'm working on the art. Thanks.

And thank you! Great thoughts.

[KevinTreaccar]

Adjustments, removing the transformation for now.

[ArtMelC]

@KevinTreaccar I think it looks clearer without the transformation now but I need the fart cloud back!!! Current poses aren't very clear on what Captain Toot is about and I'm really digging the idea of a fart-powered flying baby superhero.

[Meekipink]

@ArtMelC Agreed! That should be the action pose, haha.

[KevinTreaccar]

@ArtMelC @Meekipink Good news, the fart noise is already incorporated into the action pose! Just need to ink the sketch.

I might even be adding a bonus pose with a bonus fart noise…

[KevinTreaccar]

The fart cloud/sound effect returns...

[kirsten-mcg]

@KevinTreaccar I agree that this is much clearer without the transformation! And your subtle is great! I did a draw over for an idea I had to make it a little more clear that this is a fart rather than just a burst of air from his speed. I'm so excited to see this one finished!

[KevinTreaccar]

@kirsten-mcg Awesome! Thanks! That exact thought about it possibly not being the right cloud shape ran through my mind this morning. Thanks for pointing that out. I like your tweak.

[KevinTreaccar]

Still need to adjust the fart punch cloud (and add color and shadow), but I've finished the required poses.

I plan on adding one more pose on the right side, though. Captain Toots flying off (with another fart noise trailing behind). Adding a 6th pose doesn't disqualify us, correct?

Thanks

[KevinTreaccar]

How does this look before I add shading and color?

[KevinTreaccar]

Color added...

[KevinTreaccar]

And some shading now, too. See anything I need to fix?

Thanks