This is the design for my version of Optimus. hopefully to be followed by other characters. Motto: "Hope for change means nothing without action" (shortened in image) Alt Mode: Fire department Brush Truck Weapons/ gadgets: Ion displacer (club which can generate various weapon heads such as hammers, swords, and axes), Scatter-gun (with stasis, freezing, incindiery, armor piercing, and impact cartridges). Grapplers, and various other anti-riot armements. Bio: Was a simple guard of Iacon's archives content to reading of Cybertron's vast history before the war forced him to get involved. Megatron convinced him to let some Decepticons in to retrieve something that was confiscated by some Autobots. In his past naievity, he agreed, and every worker at the archives besides him and Dion died. He then volunteered to the Autobot militia to prevent these same Decepticons from doing any more damage and take them out if necessary. The war pounded every ounce of that former naivity out of him now molding him into a hard, reserved and pessimistic captain while still retaining his idealistic outlook. He eventually became a Prime himself, and is now leading a crew of his own to capture the recently resurfaced Megatron before he can ruin any other planet. Strengthes- Optimus' greatest asset is definitely his tactical mind. He can create complex yet sound plans even in the middle of the chaos and discord of the battlefield. His plans may seem crazy at first, but as he often says; "sometimes crazy works". Weaknesses- However, he is horribly shortsighted in his mission. He's still the same protectobot on the beat at heart; he just wants wants to help everyone and is sometimes unwilling to look at the big picture or make the big decisions. He also has a habit of doing things on his own; he'll help any member of is new crew with any problem, but he won't let them help him with his.
This is a pretty good start - I like how you put the bumper and wheels on his shoulders, replicating a little of the G2 Laser Rod design. I also like the profile: the strengths and weaknesses sections both give attributes to Optimus that most others haven't, yet they make perfect sense. Keep at it, man.
Thanks guys for some feedback. I was hoping someone would see what the shoulders were inspired by. It turns out, it's really difficult to make an Optimus that is both recognizable and your own so when I remembered those, I put them in and it also helped me figure the transformation scheme. I thought it was important to give Optimus some unique strengthes and flaws because most people seem to just make the leaders 'the best'. Speaking of 'keep at it', I think I finished Megatron. He's a lot smoother but also simpler than Optimus but that's one of the main reasons I'm posting these. I'm thinking some feedback, criticisms and tips will help me improve as an artist. Motto: "First rule of warfare; everyone is fodder" Alt Mode: Attack helicoptor Weapons: Flail, knee guns, Fusion Cannon (charges for a while then sends plasma ball which disintergrates what it hits) Bio: Megatron was one of the slave miners when the Quintessons were in control of Cybertron. When Zeta Prime freed him, he was quick to join him in freeing his race and (in Megatron's eyes) bring them back into the glory they deserve. Eventually, he became one of the first generals of Cybertron's official military under Straxxus. Straxxus took Megatron under his wing so when the former left the Prime for the Decepticons, so did the other. Towards the end of the war, Megatron abandoned Straxxus in the last battle on Cybertron; leaving him all alone to be killed by the advancing Autobot army. Strengthes- while he had his entire body remolded to be a weapon, his greatest asset is still his mind. He is silver tongued to the point that he is known for manipulating Decepticon and Autobot a like under his thumb. Weaknesses- He is very paranoid; never trusting anyone with the entirety of his plans lest they deem him expendable and kill him like he did Straxxus. While this ensures that the Decepticons need his guidance, it also hampers their ability to act independantly.
I'm curious - are you doing the art on your computer, or are you scanning it to your computer? Megatron's paranoia is a very fitting flaw given his listed backstory.
Thanks I think. Blackout was inevitable I guess, but I made it my own hopefully by the way the cockpit becomes his inner leg. As to wheeljack, the swords were an afterthought for what to do with the rotors when they aren't hanging flat on his back. On my computer. I like drawing and I found a program through school that allows me to do it without burning through three pages with erase marks. Thank you. Like I said before, I'm trying to make the leaders real characters with real flaws and strengthes as opposed to just making them extremes of their factions. This is also why I gave them original and slightly less original mottoes; I felt their iconic ones worked better as slogans for the entire faction respectively and made it accordingly. How do you like the design of Megatron?
Interesting. It's different from most Megatron weapons, in that it looks like he'll be doing more of the dual quarterstaff style of fighting. I've only heard of that type of fighting style, but I've never seen it. By the way, I'd be curious to see the blade cape you mentioned when you first proposed your series. On my computer. I like drawing and I found a program through school that allows me to do it without burning through three pages with erase marks. It's a good start, and the foundational concept is good. I'd keep working at your art to improve your skills.
Thank you, that's what I'm hoping for too. The blade cape hasn't been eliminated in concept, that is how I'm planning for him to hold his rotors when not in use. I might create an alternate Megatron that displays them down the road, but I think I'm going to focus on getting all the main characters done first. Well, here's Ironhide. Now that I'm done with the over-iconicness inherent to Optimus and Megatron, I was able to have more fun placing personality into the bots. Ironhide was supposed to look like a tough old man, and I think he looks the part. Motto: "High tech weaponry is no match for guts". Alt mode: Armored transport Weapons: Gatling gun named "Piecemaker", Grenade launcher named "Pathfinder", knuckle busters. Bio: Ironhide was literally molded for fighting; whether keeping the peace, or ending a war. Fighting in that war is where he met Optimus; who would come to be his closest friend. It was also where he first faced off against his future rival; Bludgeon. Ironhide lost his eye, but Bludgeon lost more. When the war ended, Ironhide was left with no idea what he was going to do for the first time in ages. When Prime asked him to join the Axalon's crew, he practically jumped at the chance. Now, he acts as the drill sergeant desperately trying to turn these 'chromedomes' into able Autobot soldiers before the next Decepticon attack. Strengthes: Ironhide definitely lives up to his name. He has more scars than you can count but still manages to get up kicking for round two. As the most elder of the crew, he also has enough experience under his belt to compete with Optimus; something he puts to great use both fighting cons and training his new family. Weaknesses: While quick with his fists and on his feet, he still is hardly an acrobat. Dodging isn't exactly his strong suit so much as blocking. Add to that his big blindspot caused by his scarred eye, and the Autobots are very glad that his armor is as hard as his head.
While I definitely see the resemblance (who wouldn't? ), the funny thing is it was entirely on accident. I was more inspired by basically a combination of Kilowog, Hudson from Gargoyles and a football tackler (with a little bit of Wildcat; but that comes through more in the character than the design). Anyways, here's Starscream and I'm really happy with him. Not necessarily more than the others because he turned out better, but just a general sense of accomplishment. This is the first pose that I did completely freehand without any reference for proportions and it turned out pretty good if I say so myself. Motto: "ambition is its own justification." Alt mode: Lockheed Sr- 71 Weapons: Nullrays (emp pulse which powers down energy weapons and slows bots down; leaving them defenceless. The shoulder turbines), laser sniper rifles, energon daggers from wing tips. Bio: During the Great War, Starscream was a scout mentored by the great Decepticon explorer Jetfire. He abandoned both him and later his new team, the Seekers, in order to eventually rise to the rank of Straxxus' favorite and Second in Command. However, Megatron killed Straxxus and took his place. Now, Starscream feels he he has sacrificed everything for his ambition only to reach the glass ceiling. Once he gets a taste of being on the top during Megatrons absense, he'll do anything to retain that power. Strengthes: Starscream is incredibly fast in both modes. He actually is a highly skilled fighter; when he forgets about the scratches and bruises he may get. Weaknesses: Unfortunately; he rarely stops thinking about the damage he might receive. He's an excellent soldier when he knows he's winning, but his self preservation instinct turns him into a coward when something, anything, isn't going as planned.
Is your Optimus Prime based on Optimus Primal. If so, I like. Optimus Prime with Primals personality seems crazy, but heck, sometimes crazy works.
Yep. I wanted an Optimus with personality, so I 'borrowed' a little from my favorite. I was wondering if anyone would notice the homage though.
Zoom in. I absentmindedly didn't think to shade the arm different from the chest so it would be clear in the thumbnail, but he's doing the Chinstroke of Scheming (patent pending).
Man, I am just tickled pink at the concept of Ironhide being a massive armored banktruck. That's probably one of the most apt alt mode choices since CyRaptor made Wheeljack a tow-truck.
Thank you. I thought so too. Besides, Ironhide's the type who doesn't want to look pretty, he just wants to get the job done. I love feeling like I actually accomplished something, so I waited until I had my next one finished; Autobot medic Red Alert. Motto: "Caution can never be overused". Alt. mode: SUV emergency ambulance Weapons/ gadgets: one arm is a multi-tool; it can be exchanged for various medical supplies. Surgical blades. Scoped rifle (leftover from her soldier days). Bio: Red Alert was once a very dutiful Autobot soldier during the Great War. That is, until the psychopathic mercenary Lockdown fought her, dismembered her right arm, and left her for dead. Her own team didn't search for her because they were occupied fighting but a Decepticon doctor took her in and fixed her up. Being disillusioned with fighting, she took up medicine. Strengthes: Expert in her field. When she does fight, she is a sharpshooter with her rifle. A majority of the time, she is the most levelheaded and reasonable of the crew. Weaknesses: Is a technical pacifist. She will fight when all other choices are expended, but can't be counted on to fight decepticons on a normal basis.
