Concept 4: Super Combo

Super Combo is an idea that seemed to suddenly pop into my brain, fully formed. Over the years, I'd mulled over having a character working at some dead-end job as either part of his backstory or a plot point. I had a few previously designed characters floating around that didn't quite fit into any of the concepts I was developing.

It hit me abruptly: why not have super-powered characters working a dead-end job?

Kind of like X-men at McDonald's.

I'd spent my early 20s working at Monsieur Felix & Mr Norton Cookies downtown, so I had plenty of experience with a 9 to 5 existence. I decided to skew the concept towards teens, since they tend to try out for menial jobs to support their school aspirations or daily expenses. A comic series involving adolescents trying to find their paths in life while making new friends working at a burger joint (while dealing with strange abilities) seemed ripe with promise.

Characterization and action sequences would go hand-in-hand. I tried to create interesting (visually as well as personality-wise), culturally diversive characters. Writing teens accurately will be the biggest challenge, as well as providing a glimpse into their thoughts and feelings as viewed through a super-hero lens.

Like I've said before, I think the idea has tremendous promise. I asked Ash Jackson to produce some pages, and have finally gotten around to inking and formatting the first four (which will also be part of my September ashcan).

I really like the results, and hope you will too.