Action Hero - Freak Show

[Captain Cartesian]

Case History:

Doctor Paul Hines oversaw the delivery of Nancy Watkin’s twin babies in the basement of the Westham County Rehabilitation Center. Nancy was a drug-addicted prostitute under court-appointed supervision in the county facility. Nancy’s babies were born conjoined and severely disfigured. David the larger twin had serious mental impairment, yet maintained control of the motor functions of the body. The other “parasitic twin”, off-handedly dubbed “Goliath” by the attendants, was little more than a deformed and shriveled body grotesquely embedded in the other. Nancy Watkins repulsed by the deformed life-forms she had created died shortly after the arduous birth. Dr. Hines, now ward of the twins, made plans to separate the boys as soon as they had aged sufficiently. It was assumed that the parasitic twin was non-sentient tissue that would eventually weaken David if left intact. Before the surgery could be completed a fire tore through the County facility. A desperate inmate rescued the children and sold the boys to a passing circus for drug money. Here amidst the mocking taunts and cruel stares of the crowds, the brothers grew into a powerful team. David had incredible strength, and Goliath was a genius and master-strategist. Together they escaped the shame of the circus keeping only their stage name…”Freak Show”.
Known Abilities:

David the physical powerhouse of the twins has incredible strength. His bone structure was chemically altered by the drugs he was exposed to in-utero. This condition made the composition of his bones more like the polymer compounds found in carbon fiber. Muscle structure is also affected and his skin tissue seems to possess hide-like characteristics, comparable to a rhinocerus. David's intelligence, however, is that of a little child.
Goliath, the "parasitic twin" is the brain of the team. His intelligence has not been quantified, but there is evidence of mental acuity that rivals modern super-computers. Several incidents have caused us to believe that his brain function has advanced to a level where telekinetic activity has been manifest.
Subjects were last observed performing feats of acrobatics and strength in a travelling circus prior to their disappearance. A billing from the show is attached for your reference. Obviously their exact identity can not be ascertained from this reference alone, however they will be hard to miss.
Concept Sketch.jpg

More to follow......
Captain Cartesian (Alias: Walt Shumway)

[SolidSnakexxx]

Brain and Brawn intermixed into one huh? This would be a great fun for ZB sculpting as well. :)

[skullbeast]

great "New" concept.

It reminds me of master blaster a little, but in a better more improved sort of way!
Who runs Bartertown? :tu: :tu: :cool:

[spaceboy412]

well to follow up on skullbeasts compairing route it reminds me of the corpse they found at the Norwegian base in the thing, but it stands on its own as well, i guess you could john merrick it up a bit more too.

[Harmonic]

Sweet concept, I really like it. I sure hope you gona put some cloths on him though. I don't want to see that thing naked! :eek: :eek: :lol:

[JUPITER]

LOL that's funny...look's cool,can't wait to see more :D

[maxinkuk]

Excellent idea!

[Captain Sensible]

Really nice idea. I like how this one has been a 'super hero' from birth. I think most entries so far, including mine, obtain their abilities from an incident during their life and were born 'normal'. The sculpt for this is gonna be great fun I'm sure. Good luck with it and looking forward to your progress :)

[canndis]

This one is going to be fun sculpting , Good Luck

[Pluie.]

Great concept and really good idea on your hero ! I can't wait to see the sculpt :tu:

[sendhilv]

Would be great.... awesome concept...

[pgarcia]

Great idea. I could see this with some Bernie Wrightson inspiration. One of my favorite artists.

http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=Bernie%20Wrightson&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #1:

A preliminary skeletal study is underway, although the process has been impeded by the normal festivities of the season, compounded by a lack of adequate imaging samples of the subjects. At the moment I am working with partial x-ray data collected from the patient files that were recovered from Westham, and some general descriptions obtained through interviews with a handful of characters still employed by that wretched circus. I am left with many questions as to the exact locomotion and dexterity of the subjects.

Much of the following images are at this time little more than conjecture... Signed Captain Cartesian

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[SolidSnakexxx]

Very neat progress so far...and you are starting from skeletal like base.. this is very good. :tu:

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #2:

By utilizing the previous skeletal studies, I have created a basic muscle and structure rendering of the subjects. This should give me a good indication of their general weight, strength and dexterity.

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Rumors have surfaced of possible sightings of the subjects not far from my present location. Apparently they were involved in a gang-related riot. Details are not forthcoming, though several alleged gang members are recovering under police custody in a nearby intensive care unit. I have made arrangements to interview those who are conscious in hopes of learning more.

The media has been faster than I had anticipated in their involvement. I fear this may cause difficulty in my search for the subjects. In this case, publicity will only serve to hamper my mission.

Signed....Captain Cartesian

[aiman]

This has a load of potential! You can have the two of them interacting with each other and be in action poses hah. It would be great to see them bickering with each other while trying to do something. One thing you can have a lot of fun with is going to be showing their different personalities and traits through their bodies - eg goliath can have a giant brain...lot of potential

[askutt]

Dude i love the freak idea and where you are going with it, if you havnt already it would be beneficial to check out movies such as hills have eyes, total recall and of course Freaks if you have the chance. ALso theres a couple x-files episodes full of freaks for reference i think one ep is called "home" and the the other one is about a big top circus...bnot sure what its called, either way awesome reference material for freaky stuff.

[Teyon]

So would you say they're more villain than hero? I'm just missing the fighting crime aspect...or are you going for a more 60's style Hulk, where the character just wants to be left alone but is always getting into trouble of some kind?

The back is interesting but I would suggest taking a quick look at the anatomy before you move on to the detailing phase it seems you're heading to. Of particular importance is getting the abdominal muscles and bone structure more clearly set up. At the moment, it's coming across somewhat haphazzard and I think the character has huge potential as a "Hulk-like" being. Have a look at the links attached. They'll show you an object that may help to see how to add fatty mass but also imply heroic muscles at the same time.

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hope that helped and good luck!

[jp_smith]

This is a really cool idea for a character. I'd try to distiguish the heads more, perhaps the smarter brother has a more alien looking head, big brain with some veins in it maybe? And the powerhouse, perhaps a more brutish look, heavy brow and jaw with an under bite? Good stuff dude, keep it up :tu:

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #3:

I have received a number of inquiries from my colleages at headquarters regarding my progress on the case. I shall address them here.

Of interest has been the nature of the subjects, specifically their intent to cause harm to the public. I have had an opportunity to question three of the men involved in the riot that I mentioned in my last entry. From what I could discover, David and Goliath (who apparently prefers the name "Gill") made an appearance in the area two weeks ago, looking for evidence of their mother's whereabouts. It would seem that they are not aware of the fact of her death. An altercation pursued and several gang members were injured. Whether this was an act of self defense or a fit of rage I can not say. It was apparent that nearly twenty armed gang members were severely injured and there have been no reports of injury or hospitilization regarding the subjects.

After submitting my progress on the physical characteristics of the boys to headquarters. I have received feedback from several senior operatives. They have been very helpful in their instructions, providing me with several sources of reference that will aid me in refining the study. However I must stress that this work is still only a rough study displaying only my best guess at the morphology of the subjects. When I have taken custody of the boys I will perform a complete work-up (radiological scan, blood work, tissue samples, and a 3D scan).

On another note, in my interrogations at the hospital, I was able to learn that the subjects have employed common sports equipment as a type of body armor. As I received very specific descriptions, I will be spending some time researching this and adding it to my rough composite sketch.

Signed...Captain Cartesian

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #4:

I just received a photograph from Westham County. Apparently it was recovered from the facility after the fire and was not located when I originally requested the case files.

Baby Photo.jpg

Given the condition of David (shown on the right) it appears that he has a form of microcephaly. A condition in which the cranial circumference is significantly smaller than average. This would account for his mental impairment, but leaves some doubt as to his agility.

Note that Goliath, AKA Gill, appears somewhat lifeless in this photograph. This lends some credence to the notion that Doctor Hines' had in fact concluded that the boy was non-sentient.

Signed...Captain Cartesian

[SolidSnakexxx]

Captain Cartesian, I really like how you update your contest thread..it's almost like we are living in the same universe with this character. Very cool "antique" look to the image as well. Wish I have more creative mind like yours :tu:

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #5:

I have finished a rough sketch of the subjects based off the descriptions given to me by the "victims" of the gang-riot. I am forwarding this to headquarters and asking for their cooperation in sending a capture unit as soon as possible.

Costume_Study (Large).jpg

Signed...Captain Cartesian

[DAnconia]

Wow that is a much better concept sketch. Like the costume and the fact that the brains of the operation is just a stump on the back lol. This one is gonna be cool.

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow, this is a much nicer concept work... It adds a lot to the dynamic of the 2. :tu: :tu:

[maxinkuk]

I love this revised concept, very well developed.

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #6:

I have finished the final sketch detailing the subjects' description. This will be distributed to the capture team.

Costume_Study 2.jpg

I just received word that the team is enroute. Optimistically I'm hoping that the boys come peaceably. I will make first contact and endeavor to bring them in alone. If that fails, the capture team will move in and recover the subjects by force. However, it is imperative to the study that we bring them in alive. This will take careful planning.

Signed...Captain Cartesian

[pitchepuck]

that´s crazy :D I love it...

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #7:

See attached anatomy study.


Connection Study (Medium).jpg

Signed...Captain Cartesian

[gang]

really a different and nice concept

[SolidSnakexxx]

I just love your newer concept sketches and a lot more defined about the props too... :tu: :tu:

[dustbin1_uk]

So many great entries!! Love the idea of case files!

I hope he/they don't get captured! he looks cute! :)

Be watching this thread with keen interest!

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #8:

I have nearly completed a clay study of the upper torso of the subjects. Attached for your review.

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The capture team has arrived and I feel we are close to finding the boy's location.

[Giantsun]

Love it. Cheers. :tu: Thanks for sharing.

Plus...nice reference in the signature. ;)

[maxinkuk]

That's the way!

[JUPITER]

YEAH CLAY.looks like fun..........keep it up!

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow, you've got skills both in digi and real clay.. Amazing sculpt BTW.. :tu:

[dustbin1_uk]

Nice work!! :tu:

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry # 9:

Using the descriptions taken from witnesses I am assembling the subjects' "costume". They are attached for your review and comments...

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Signed, Captain Cartesian


?????ILLEGAL OPERATION DETECTED??????

?????INCURSION ERROR OX0002451??????

?????THE FOLLOWING FILE IS SUSPECT??????

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[dustbin1_uk]

Nice progress!!

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #10:

I have started sculpting the base mesh for David's anatomy. I will get the main form in, posed, retopo, and then go hi-res.

ZSpheres Model Base.jpg

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Base Mesh from ZSpheres.jpg

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DAVID WIP (Large).jpg

You may have noticed that the subjects infiltrated the site and posted a letter. However genuine they may sound, I must assure you that they are confused. There is no ZBC. I have been sent by a non-profit firm to help the boys. However unfortunate their physical state may be, it has nothing to do with secret serums and super-soldiers.

Signed Captain Cartesian

[womball]

Ooh a freak superhero! Love that your going down to a skeletal level to design him.

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry # 11:

For the legs, I have started by cloning the mesh, sculpting one copy down to bones and then using the other as a sub-tool to flesh out the individual muscle groups.
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Please critique.

Signed, Captain Cartesian

[maxinkuk]

Wow, awesome anatomic study. To build on the bones is a new level of radicalism in this competition. I'm so impressed.:tu::tu::tu:

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow, what a cool way to do anatomy with muscle polypaint. This is really awesome and cool :cool:

[pgarcia]

beautiful.

[petekasim]

Seriously, wow! Inspirational stuff :tu:

I love how you have managed to pull off the muscle structure so far. Superb flow and form, I'm really excited to see this!

Good luck as you continiue onwards!

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry # 12:

Submitting a rough clothing/costume study for your comments and suggestions.

Costume Study.jpg

Signed, Captain Cartesian

[Captain Cartesian]

Case Update Entry #13:

The acquisition team is getting restless. I am doing my best to get them prepared for the challenge of subduing the subjects, while still searching for a solid lead on the boy's whereabouts. Attached is a rough sketch of our "TAG" team (Tactical Acquisitions Garrison) gear and outfit. Your comments would help me refine the equipment list they will be taking on the mission.

TAG AGENT (Large).jpg

Signed, Captain Cartesian

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow, that's some huge update...I like the body armor outfit you designed for the Freak. It would look extra cool when you add his conjoined brother. And oh...you've model the acquisition staff as well....The final result will it be like a diorama sculpt? :tu:

[Captain Cartesian]

SolidSnakexxx --- Thanks! Regarding a diorama sculpt, all I can say right now is that I anticipate a large recovery operation with heavy casualties.

[Captain Cartesian]

TAG AGENT 2.jpg

[Alliecat 08]

Dude, I'm freak'in out.

[pitchepuck]

your sculpting style is cool. so different.did you a lot of analog sculpting with clay before?
I would take more focus on the wrinkles. they seems to be a little too smooth.
proportions are top :tu:

[Captain Cartesian]

Alliecat 08 --- Can I get a rimshot please? Thanks for the post.

Pitchepuck --- I am enrolled in a sculpting class this semester. Last semester was traditional mediums, but this semester I talked the instructor into letting me focus on a digital to bronze workflow. Thanks, as well, for the tip on the wrinkles...I am still experimenting with the cloth process. I will see if I can get some live reference from one of the TAG agents here.

Signed, Captain Cartesian

[Captain Cartesian]

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[SolidSnakexxx]

Nice update there Captain Cartesian, the size comparison's great...he's looking quite big comparing the the SWAT agent. :)