Character: Yondu
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Artist: Nuno Alves
Reviewer: Chris Arrant

Yondu was created back in 1969, but I best remember him from the early nineties Guardians of the Galaxy series by Jim Valentino. If you’re familiar with Star Trek, I’d classify Yondu as one part Vulcan and one part Klingon, but as the series progressed, he became much more than that. Yondu was definitely the wild one of the GotG bunch, and Alves has heightened the alien factor in this design and made him more post-podern in a design I’d love to see put to action (you hear that, Marvel?)!

Alves does a remarkable feat of keeping Yondu’s humble roots with the simple sandals while still making it seem like something you’d see many decades from now. The hi-tech bow he’s sporting with the holographic 3D sight could definitely come in handy. The trademark fin of the Centaurians remains in full effect, and Nuno’s streamlined presentation of it makes this “noble savage” a formidable sight.

Break out your sewing machines, kids, it’s that time again! Project: Rooftop, the only site dedicated to presenting the finest in innovative crime-fighting fashion, is announcing its second annual costume contest: Fights, Flights, & Tights 2!

Entering the contest couldn’t be simpler, all you have to do is wow us with a cool, original costume that redesigns a classic superhero or villain. Take some photos and send them to tights@projectrooftop.com along with your name, age, and website (if any) by October 21st, 2007. The best entries will be featured on our site, and the first prize winner will receive an original sketch of their design by our own Dean Trippe!

Last year’s winner and top entries can be seen here. Here’s Dean’s rendition of this year’s promotional example, Green Arrow by Allyson Shaffer!

The deadline for entries is October 21st, 2007, so get cracking!

For further information, contact:
Dean Trippe & Chris Arrant
editors@projectrooftop.com
http://projectrooftop.com

Character: The Beefeater
Publisher: DC Comics
Artist: Ryan Estrada
Reviewer: Dean Trippe

The Beefeater, one of Keith Giffen’s many unforgettable contributions to the DC universe, is hardly in need of an introduction, but for the sake of any non-comics fans that peruse this site, I’ll offer this brief one. Michael Morice AKA The Beefeater is one of the most respected British superheroes of modern times. He makes Union Jack look like a sissy, and he once force-fed Captain Britain his own tights. His first (and sole) appearance in Justice League Europe #20 revolutionized superhero comics as we know them, and inspired all who read it to lead healthier, happier, and more upright lives.

Ryan’s redesign simplifies Beefeater’s color scheme and emblems, notably making the crown icon bolder and more utilized throughout the uniform. Removing the gold from the body of the suit is sensible, because any man called Beefeater could hardly be accused of being ‘yellow.’ The collared cloak adds a touch of class, and replaces the frilly collar nicely. My only criticism is the removal of the flowery emblems from the shoes, which I quite liked.

Like many designs we’ve run here at P:R, I heartily endorse this design as a revision worthy of immediate implementation as well as its own new monthly title. Great job, Ryan! Thanks for reminding us how a truly distinguished hero should dress.

As we’ve noted previously, this week’s Bart Allen (aka Impulse aka Kid Flash aka The Flash) redesigns are presented in honor of the character’s co-creator, artist Mike Wieringo, who passed away on August 12th. More info here and here. We ran six days of entries with review by the P:R staff, and would like to now present the remaining submissions. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this event, and in remembering our friend.

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Note: This week’s Bart Allen (aka Impulse aka Kid Flash aka The Flash) redesigns are presented in honor of the character’s co-creator, artist Mike Wieringo, who passed away on August 12th. More info here and here.

Impulse by Jon McNally

Dean: Gorgeous simplicity here! Jon’s really managed to work in the Jay Garrick helmet with a sweet redesign and a simple costume. The elbow guards are totally sensible and stylin’. I’m surprised by how clean and iconic Jon’s made this design without incorporating a logo. Very nice. I wish I was reading this comic or watching this cartoon right now.

Jessica: You and me both, Dean. I’m usually not a fan of the Jay helmet on Bart, but it really works here. I love this style, but I’d also like to see how the costume works in less cartoony art.

Vito: If they decided to add Impulse to the new Tiny Titans comic, they should go no further than John’s design here. Simple, sure…but absolutely catchy.

Joel: Yup, love the helmet. Also, this is a really nice sleeveless design. The elbow pads and gloves break up the bare arms keeps this simple design decidedly on the right side of “sporty.”

Impulse by Daniel Heard

Dean: I’m absolutely in love with this design. It’s wicked retro track. The sneakers rule hard, the ribbed shirt is awesome, and the lightning element really works.

Jessica: Agree on all points. I also love the Ringo-esque gloves and the modified goggles.

Vito: Sometimes it’s hard for me to divorce the redesign from the artwork. Daniel’s piece is just gorgeous…but the design, since that’s why we’re here, is just as fantastic. It’s titled as an Impulse redesign, but it could easily be a Kid Flash one. It’s really versatile.

Impulse by Mike Maihack

Dean: I really like the red-on-white lightning elements Mike’s used here. Looks like he’s stayed prety true to ‘Ringo’s original vibe. However, I would like to see a few more shots of this design in different actions or poses.

Jessica: I adore the energy in this piece. I’m wondering how those lightning bolts continue around the back, though - do they continue around his butt? The emphasis on the hips and rear seems very feminine.

Vito: My only issue is that if he was in motion, he’d want those goggles down because this Impulse is MOVIN’! My favorite part is that lightning coming down from the chest piece, Jessica. My advice would be to just have the one coming down and maybe instead of wrapping around, going straight down to his boot.

Joel: Nice design, marvelous drawing. Does the circle on the chest have a lightning bolt on it when Impulse isn’t zipping along? It could be a fun bit of nonsense if his icon was a captured bit of lightning crackling on his chest which then sparked his electric wake when in motion.

Impulse by Jason Horn

Joel: This costume has a structured look, almost like a nice business tailored business suit, due to its slight angularity and the emphasis on the piping. The result is a classy, jaunty look that reminds me of costumed adventurers from the Thirties. The subtle shift in reds on either side of the piping adds some nice depth to the costume. Paired down goggles leave most of Bart’s face free, which makes this superhero look open, approachable, and breezy.

Vito: You’re totally right, Joel. In fact, if you add a moustache to him and the Mercury hat, it could double as the design from JSA: Liberty Files. But where Jason’s differs is in making it less gaudy, as most costumes from back then had the tendency to do, and that belt is SICK!

Dean: I really like the attention to seams against a clean simple design. The over-the-shoulder lightning bolt works really well here, and the belt is wicked! Joel’s right, ‘classy’ it is. Love it. As usual, I’d like to see some more poses, but this is good stuff.