Full Monty Spooky Pin-Up by WOODun

Fair enough, Thomas. I'm always happy to have a conversation about this stuff and I welcome hearing your perspective. :) By my lights, since abs don't start showing up until about 12% bodyfat (and you don't get the "six-pack" until about 10%), I would say that (with the possible exception of Spooky) all the heroes on the team have very healthy body-types. (Except for Spooky, they are all well under the 25% bodyfat that the medical community would use to label someone as "obese" and even under the 21% that is considered simply "overweight.") And, again by my lights, I think there is a danger of sending the message to both young women and men that what are in fact model-like standards is actually to be expected/the-"norm" and anything less than that ideal is a "problem." Clearly many people do find model levels of bodyfat to be sexy -- we wouldn't be deluged with those images on the Internet and magazine ads if that wasn't the case. But just like a post-pubescent guy being able to bench 400 lbs. is ultimately a matter of "discipline", getting to 12% body fat requires a level of discipline and sacrifice from most folks that is a pretty high bar. I myself find strength very sexy, and I believe barbell training is a tremendous boon to health over the entire life-span (much, much more than dieting down to create a six-pack IMHO) but I absolutely think people, both young and old, can be beautiful and lovable (and, yes, even healthy) without needing to do that. You make an interesting point about my art form being designed to set norms and ideals. As someone who creates media that actually defines characters as true heroes, I want to send a message that encourages what I believe to be a healthy relationship to weight and appearance (and food). And yes, I want to do that especially for my fellow members of gay culture. I, myself, am an average looking guy -- certainly no model -- and I remember how miserable I was in my younger years, believing that I would never be seen as lovable or sexy because I didn't look like an A&F magazine ad guy (and without some science-fiction level plastic surgery, never would). Luckily, reality is quite different than the messages I grew up with and, as I got older and more confident, I found that for most people, other qualities made me very sexy and lovable. And since I found that confidence in myself, I've had a lot of love and, yes, lots of sexy good times in my life. If I can spare a young gay guy even one day of the misery I felt as a young, non-model growing up, then I'd consider that a very good day of work as a creator. :) Yes, there are certainly levels of body-fat that are not healthy, and yes, Spooky, who is at 27% might fall into that category (not by much, but I'd agree it would be in his long-term health interest to lose a few pounds.) But I really don't think there's much danger in my one chubby character creating a culture-wide ideal of 27% bodyfat for men. But I do think it might help a chubby young guy realize that a lot of folks will very likely find him quite sexy just as he is, which might boost his confidence, and thus might allow him to meet folks who could bring love in his life. And I'd argue, at that point, he'd be in a much better place to make healthier dietary and exercise choices than laboring under the belief that you have to have a six-pack to be worth dating. That's my thinking, anyway. YMMV. :) All that said, you bring up an interesting question about energy expenditure. While it's not time for me to share the source of my superheroes' power, I would argue that there wouldn't be time enough in a single day to eat enough food to obtain the energy needed for, say, maintaining even ten seconds of Kyle's power through food calories. As for Superman, he's strong enough to push the Earth out of orbit -- I don't know where he gets his muscles from, but if you find out his secret, please let me know. ;) Anyway, this is definitely an interesting conversation and I'm happy to have it. Thank you, Thomas. :)

Alex Woolfson

i'm not a fan. the artist draws/paints/colors far better than i could, but the face is just off, the mouth in particular, and the posture and setting are just static. perhaps that is what you asked for, and if so, i am being unfair to the artist, but unless i have invested the character with something that isn't actually there, spooky always seems to have such an animated countenance, in the good way. the presence of a penis. also just "there", doesn't add a thing for me.

Jack Smythe

I like his insouciance.

Theadora

A great painting of the Spooky cap.

Klaus

Alex, thank you for your response. I think this conversation is quite pertinent to our 21st century culture and Gay culture in general. Please remember that I was making an observation. I surmised the reason for your artistic position as an inclusive perspective but I wanted to point out that this exacerbates a problem that is not genetic in nature but disciplinary. The great divide between jocks and nerds in grade school and High School is one of calorie expenditure through discipline. Your characters are YOUR characters. I simply would like to point out that there powers seem to be divorced from their energy expenditure. After all, Superman is not muscled because he is from Krypton but because he expends tremendous energy to exercise all his powers. Wizards aren't necessarily fit because they exercise their super powers by combining chemistry and psychology to produce an effect in the world. They can accomplish this and be quite rotund. Spooky's power is more magical in context except it is apparently genetic and therefore 'super' but his psychology is certainly average because he would apparently rather munch chocolate and potato chips than maintain a healthy body. Is this sexy? Sexiness as with beauty is in the eye of the beholder and culturally changes with the ages. Ruben's idea of beauty was certainly quite pudgy and most of the women of his time cultivated this look (or was it the other way round?). By attributing unhealthy habits to super heroes are you cultivating a lowest common denominator approach to an art form that was originally designed to raise the norm to the highest ideal? Perhaps. I thought this would make an interesting conversation.

Thomas Polk

Howdy Bart! I just checked and it looks like your pledge (made on September 30) went through in time. I'm still waiting another couple days to give time to let a few more folks fix some issues with their payments, but you should be getting your Spooky. :)

Alex Woolfson

Aw! I'm too late for the Spooky pinup? :(

Bart

I can see where you're coming from but I personally like that the characters have not been stereo typed. Spooky may not look 'perfect' but I feel WOODun has captured the character beautifully. Spooky represents a part of society, maybe he is overweight, maybe it's a heredity condition - it shouldn't matter. The fact Spooky is happy with who he is, is all that should matter. I'd personally like to see more characters like Spooky. I don't think it gives a bad representation to young people, if anything it may help them.

Michelle Rae

Alex, I would like to make an observation here. I notice that in these NSFW art pieces our younger heroes have succumbed to that modern day youthful disease termed obesity. Not that our heroes have attained that exalted status reserved for those kids addicted to video games but their condition can certainly be considered chubby. Have they joined those who spend all their time breakfasting and lunching at MacDonald's rather than at our healthy, fresh food offerings available in our great city of San Francisco. Is this a result of our artists taking a long break from the main Young Protector story and since our heroes are just sitting around they are not expending those calories normally burned by young superheroes? There were times in our main story when Kyle had much less than a six-pack but I attributed that to lazy artistry which sometimes occurs in sequential art. I know that Woodun, whose work I thoroughly enjoy, tends to the bearish but Spooky is certainly not a bear! And Woodun is very good at abs.

Thomas Polk

Ha! I'm glad you decided to elaborate, but your first sentence cracked me up. :) Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm delighted you like what I'm trying to do here. And working with WOODun was a real pleasure. :)

Alex Woolfson

You're very welcome, Chris. It means a lot to me that you like what I'm trying to do here. And very glad you like the art! :D

Alex Woolfson

I feel very luck to have the opportunity to do that -- and it's thanks to y'all that I can! :)

Alex Woolfson

He's doing it special just for y'all. :)

Alex Woolfson

I agree. Thank you, Michael! :)

Alex Woolfson

Thank you, Nadin! Glad you like the art and the setting! :)

Alex Woolfson

You're very welcome, Kendall! I'm really glad you like it! :D

Alex Woolfson

Thank you, Tahir! :D

Alex Woolfson

Spooky is not very bashful. :)

Alex Woolfson

Yay! Glad you think so, Amanda! :)

Alex Woolfson

Maybe yes. Maybe no. :)

Alex Woolfson

Yep, every artist will have their own spin on the character, but huggable is a Spooky Essential. ;)

Alex Woolfson

Heh. Glad you like that I'm doing that too, Olaf! (And that you like Spooky! :D )

Alex Woolfson

I'm really glad you like that, Jules! :)

Alex Woolfson

My first reaction was "I'll be in my bunk." Because Spooky is just HOT in this picture. But I'm going to elaborate because this piece of art deserves more than that. I think that this portrait gives a good feel of Spooky personality as I interpret it from the comic. I love that we have a SEXY character that has a different body tipe from the mainstream "muscled, ripped abs" tipe. I totally agree with Amanda Stock comment below about the luscious look of his skin. WOODun , whom I didn't know as an artist (I need to fix that immediately) made a superb job and they are a good addition to your team of artists.

Raistlinsama

Just one addition -- I so appreciate the effort involved in exploring race and ethnicity and yet still keeping character and appeal the way you both do in this image. I absolutely believe doing this just makes the TYP world richer and more exciting. That said, I agree with another commenter, you can only push boundaries like this when working with such talented artists. Thanks, Alex, for making this happen. It's not done often enough in the art-form and it is an excellent thing.

Chris Dangerfield

Okay this is an awesome take on our Spooks. I love that it feels like WOODun, but in every way that counts it really feels like he captured the look and spirit of Spooky. And most important! I'd recognize that swell weenie any where. Wonderful work. Thanks to both of you.

Chris Dangerfield

WOODun is one of my favorite artists. You're collaborating with such amazing people on all these pin-ups Alex. :)

Hours Left

Very nice. Although - considering he's always cold (learned from the Truth-or-Dare story), does he often hang out (pardon the pun) naked in his office?

Jim Short

I'm having trouble thinking of a comment aside from "hubba hubba". I mean wow, the detail in this is absolutely incredible. The way the light and shadow plays with his skin tone, the subtle hint of muscle under smooth skin, the proportions and posture... just the artist's demonstrated mastery of anatomy is awesome by itself, but then you combine that with Spooky's mischievous yet non-judgemental smile and that cheeky glint in his eyes and I'm just awestruck. Really amazing artwork.

Michael

Another awesome pin-up :D I still like Spooky's smile best ^^ awesome artwork! To make his other job's office the setting is a nice idea, too!

Nadin Brokop

:-) WOODun rocks, as does this painting. Thanks!

KendallPB

Stuff like this is why I gladly pledge $10 every month. This artist is lovely. Definitely someone that must be commissioned again.

Tahir Raines

Hello, SPOOKY! The art style is lovely, and the way it was painted is amazing. I really like the clothes strewn about, like he quickly stripped down to pose xD

Brendon Bradley

I love the way WOODun has painted Spooky -- his skin looks so luminous and soft and touchable! The lighting is also very beautifully done. Definitely a great addition to your roster of artists!

Goodyear

I think it's funny that all we see of clothes in this shot his socks and the trench coat. I hope he wore more than that to get the office. ;)

Passthecass

He looks a bit older than canon, but still huggable. :)

Nate Mentor

I totally agree with JulesJones: I love the variety of body types. They give the whole crew a sense of authenticity that normal cartoons do not always have. Ow, and Spooky *bucket of water* Phew! That is one attractive body type ;)

That's very nice indeed. :-) As previously noted by many of us, it's nice to see a variety of shapes and sizes (not just of *that*, get your minds out of the gutter, guys).