Friday, September 14, 2007

Legion of Substitute Costumes: Tusker (Revised)

When I designed Tusker's last costume, I was trying to "think outside the crotch" and devise a male costume that didn't rely on sex appeal for it's primary visual impact. In retrospect, I wound up creating a garish eyesore. So I scrapped that costume -- literally, by tearing it off a startled and terrified Tusker and tossing it into the atomic incinerator while he watched with big confused tears running down his cheeks. Then I patted him warmly on the shoulder and buttocks and explained I was making him a much better costume. That cheered him up, just a little.

Tusker had trouble working those thought-controlled automatic dental tools on his old duds because, well, he's rock-stupid... so I decided to go low-tech this go-round. I also wanted a more iconic look for him. Starting with the dentist angle, the image of a bloody smock appeared in my mind, and from there I imagined a leather apron like butchers (and serial killers) use, and I finally had a concept that combined the stylings of dentists, butchers, blacksmiths and Olde Tyme executioners:

tuskernew091407



The leather is crimson instead of boring old black or brown because it stands out more, and it looks good with Tusker's pinkish skin and carrot-hued hair. And as you can see, ol' Tusker has some new mouth bling goin' on! The last time I tried to get him to replace one of his tusks with a gold-plated version he balked at the last possible second. But after Weight Wizard kicked one o' those choppers clean out of his mouth he really had no choice in the matter. I think it makes him look pretty tough! The two dental pliers can be held by straps on his belt when he's not using them to de-fang an enemy. The beautiful silver of the tools is carried through on his costume by his chrome-plated "T" symbol and his steel-toed/heeled boots. I'm taking the whole crew out on the town when we land on Rimbor and I think this new look should net him a lot of hot sexy action! And if he's lucky, some of it might even be with women! (Heh, heh...)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

hello! my name is delfina and i happened to come across your webpage, and i love that picture!
Yeah nice to meet you

Anonymous said...

You know, I'm actually starting to feel bad for Tusker. I don't know why.

I've got to tell you, though, if I saw this dude coming at me, I would pee my pants, and I'm not even ashamed to admit that.

Word Verification: "klkiee": the sound I'd make in my throat just before I sprint away from Tusker.

Anonymous said...

I have to know: can he still extend that gold tooth? I don't know why I have to know that, but I do.

Jeremy Rizza said...

Delfina: Nice to meet you, too! Thanks for dropping by!

Justin: Even if Tusker is a mopey milquetoast (when he's not fightin') he can at least look like a bad-ass.

Flint: Sadly, no. Because it's fake. It's no great loss, really... he never did master the whole tooth-growing thing.

Phillip said...

The chrome "T" has little tusks in it! Awesome!