Now I’m just amused with the thought of a cabal of mystics having a very difficult problem, calling the Magus, expecting Everard, but instead Charlotte shows up.
“I’m sorry, we needed the Magus.”
“I am the Magus. Don’t worry darlings, I’ll have this cleared up in a few moments.”
“You’re… you’re like fifteen.”
“While it’s none of your business, I’m technically 188.”
[considers that magic exists and the older someone is the more they usually know about it] “Sorry, my bad. Everyone give the lady some room to work!”
That’s marvelous, Mike – a bit daring in its short sleeves, but our Charlotte has shown herself to be a pragmatic girl. Indeed, while there are elements of Everard’s uniform, there are other bits that look almost Egyptian in nature. I’d love to see how she physically works her magic – casual gestures (as I imagine Everard), big sweeping Dr Strangean movements, etc.
From the waist down, coupled with the staff. Maybe it comes from too much references back to the Near East 2000-odd years ago this season, but skirt and sandles have that kind of look, and the staff pushes me to Egyptian for some reason.
I did some quick reading, and it seems the heyday of Middle Eastern archaeology (German, French, English) was post-Charlotte – but since now she’s kind of uncoupled from time, the fashion influence of that era might have affected her.
I was really inspired by some of the variant covers for Go Go Power Rangers, where they included the Rangers as teens as the focus and their Ranger Suits in the background. This isn’t quite that, but I did like the juxtaposition.
Anyway, I was thinking about throwing in some text to something of the effect of Into the Spiderverse’s “anyone could wear the mask” statement. Anyone have any ideas?
I almost feel like the upper figures need to be set back, as though the screen is in the foreground seeing the true image of the heroes in the background. Since I think that’s what you’re driving at.
The message is also a little different in some ways from the Spider-Verse film, given that so few of us (cough) even have masks (see also: irony of the name of the game for us). Except, of course, masks aren’t necessarily literal, but can be just about all the identities we wear whether folk recognize us on the street / classroom or not. But I belabor the obvious.
I don’t have any easy tag lines. I might make it more of a question. “Are you the mask, or what’s behind it?” “How many masks do you wear?” “You wear the mask you choose.” I don’t know that I like any of those, though.
It depends on what you are trying to say … is it about the characteristic emotion of each character? The role they play on the team?
Some options for each:
Harry - The Friend, The Supporter
Alycia - The Muscle. The Weapon. The Actor.
Summer - The Conscience. The Spirit. The Friend.
Adam - The Innocent. The Explorer.
Charlotte - The Explorer. The Wanderer. The Spirit.
Or maybe questions:
Harry - Who will I be?
Alycia - How can I be better?
Summer - Who am I?
Adam - How can I do this?
Charlotte - Why am I here?
I’m not in love with any of these, but I offer them as thoughts.
Also … maybe just first names on the bottom panel? Makes it a bit more intimate and personal.
Also, this whole thing brought up an interesting ontological question: would Ghost Girl still be Ghost Girl when she’s the Magus, or would she pick up a new name (even if that’s just Magus Charlotte Palmer)?
Well, being mostly satisfied with this, I think I’m going to let it sit for the rest of the evening to see if:
a) something jumps out at me after a break
b) anyone else has commentary
c) someone notices something horrible I missed (unlikely, but not going to discount it)
And then tomorrow it’s off to the zine organizer and that’s one of… five art projects I have done. :\
