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Description

This is my redesign of the first patriotic superhero, The Shield, by what is now Archie Comics in January of 1940. My design is inspired primarily by Irv Novick's original take on the character in Pep Comics, but I've made a few tweaks. The initial sketches were done with pencil and ink. Then I crafted digital versions of my artwork in Adobe Illustrator and Clip Studio Paint. I have a little idea and rough draft for a full origin of this iteration of the character, but I'll give you a quick list of my key components.

- The Human Shield was a G-Man for the FBI. He was a chemist and a lieutenant. He utilized his father's research to make a chemical concoction for superhuman capabilities such as invulnerability and strength. My version has injection points for the chemical under key spots in the boots, gloves, helmet, and chest. The chemical effects are temporary, but may have permanent repercussions through extensive use.

- Joe Higgins a.k.a. The Human Shield, in my rendition, was a chemist by background and educational affiliation with his father, but he also specialized in reconnaissance. He made a stealth suit for the FBI that could become physically invisible and untraceable. He designed a special version of the suit that could project his symbol, stars, and flames when in the invisible state. These projections are used as a distraction or to cause fear.

- On the cover of the second issue of Pep Comics, The Human Shield has a flamethrower gun. My version has two in holsters, and he keeps extra capsules of flare bursts and fuel in his cargo pant pockets.

- The Human Shield's ear guards can intercept radio signals, and they serve as communication devices. The V design on the guards references "V for Victory". His red hair is lit up when in invisible form to reference Lady Liberty's torch.

- The Human Shield wears a gas mask when on assignment. In the old Pep Comics, poisonous gas was essentially The Shield's only weakness. Wearing a gas mask alleviates that problem. As with any self-respecting spy, Joe Higgins has a cyanide pill in his mask in case he finds himself in an impossible situation. However, the cyanide pill will have a strange reaction with the his superhuman concoction transitioning him into a semi-berserk mode.

TIME-LAPSE VIDEOS OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Character Model: vimeo.com/676413728
Portraits: vimeo.com/676424617

Invisible Form: vimeo.com/676431034

Logos: vimeo.com/676399709

Black & White Sketches: vimeo.com/676406793

Use this link to see close-up images: www.artstation.com/artwork/mzW…

"The Shield" is the intellectual property of Archie Comic Publications, Inc. The music in the time-lapse videos is a royalty-free track by Chris Huelsbeck.

Description

This is my redesign of the first patriotic superhero, The Shield, by what is now Archie Comics in January of 1940. My design is inspired primarily by Irv Novick's original take on the character in Pep Comics, but I've made a few tweaks. The initial sketches were done with pencil and ink. Then I crafted digital versions of my artwork in Adobe Illustrator and Clip Studio Paint. I have a little idea and rough draft for a full origin of this iteration of the character, but I'll give you a quick list of my key components.

- The Human Shield was a G-Man for the FBI. He was a chemist and a lieutenant. He utilized his father's research to make a chemical concoction for superhuman capabilities such as invulnerability and strength. My version has injection points for the chemical under key spots in the boots, gloves, helmet, and chest. The chemical effects are temporary, but may have permanent repercussions through extensive use.

- Joe Higgins a.k.a. The Human Shield, in my rendition, was a chemist by background and educational affiliation with his father, but he also specialized in reconnaissance. He made a stealth suit for the FBI that could become physically invisible and untraceable. He designed a special version of the suit that could project his symbol, stars, and flames when in the invisible state. These projections are used as a distraction or to cause fear.

- On the cover of the second issue of Pep Comics, The Human Shield has a flamethrower gun. My version has two in holsters, and he keeps extra capsules of flare bursts and fuel in his cargo pant pockets.

- The Human Shield's ear guards can intercept radio signals, and they serve as communication devices. The V design on the guards references "V for Victory". His red hair is lit up when in invisible form to reference Lady Liberty's torch.

- The Human Shield wears a gas mask when on assignment. In the old Pep Comics, poisonous gas was essentially The Shield's only weakness. Wearing a gas mask alleviates that problem. As with any self-respecting spy, Joe Higgins has a cyanide pill in his mask in case he finds himself in an impossible situation. However, the cyanide pill will have a strange reaction with the his superhuman concoction transitioning him into a semi-berserk mode.

TIME-LAPSE VIDEOS OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Character Model: vimeo.com/676413728
Portraits: vimeo.com/676424617

Invisible Form: vimeo.com/676431034

Logos: vimeo.com/676399709

Black & White Sketches: vimeo.com/676406793

Use this link to see close-up images: www.artstation.com/artwork/mzW…

"The Shield" is the intellectual property of Archie Comic Publications, Inc. The music in the time-lapse videos is a royalty-free track by Chris Huelsbeck.