NuPerspective: VIBRAXAS

What's up peeps!! Welcome to another installment of Nu-Perspective, THEE home of revamps and updates of various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian (black) characters!!

This entry was supposed to drop in July, and I ask you to please forgive the lateness as we take care of some stuff. My Nu-P collaborator Fabian Wood is on me to catch up and we'll be dropping more heat soon. But without further ado we give you: VIBRAXAS!

And now our version....

 

Real Name: N’Kuno
Current Alias: Vibraxas
Identity: Public
Occupation: Adventurer
Place of Birth: Wakanda
Base of Operations: Wakanda
Affiliations: Hatut Zeraze
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #391 (1994)

Original Creators: Tom DeFalco & Paul Ryan

Story: The son of the original Vibraxas (N’Kano) and the disgraced Dora Milaje (female Wakandan Pretorian guard) Asira, N’Kuno’s life was already at a disadvantage. A pariah for his tainted parentage, N’Kuno only wanted to bring honor to himself and his family. Seeing the sincerity and nobility in young N’Kuno, T’Challa, The Black Panther and his king, sent him on the same academic and spiritual pilgrimage he undertook outside Wakanda. It was then that young N’Kuno got a taste of his latent mutant powers and the world of superheroes. Returning home with this newfound knowledge and inspiration, N’Kuno decided to become a superhero of Wakanda, even though it had the Black Panther as its champion. Rather than feel threatened, T’Challa encouraged N’Kuno’s role as the new “Vibraxas” and overseer of the Hatut Zeraze (secret service/national guard). With rising political tensions, social unrest and factions and sects looking to reshuffle the balance of power within his homeland, N’Kuno must remain watchful of sedition within his ranks and among his fellow elite guards while ever mindful of a new home-grown terrorist cell looking to plunge Wakanda into a state of anarchy. His quest to protect the state may send N’Kuno down a path that leads to Wakanda’s darkest and perhaps most shameful forgotten atrocities that will not only shake N’Kuno to his core, but the very foundation of the nation as well.

Powers/Abilities: Unlike his father who could not fully control, and by extension, master his vibration powers, N’Kuno is naturally imbued with these abilities. Like his father, N’Kuno can generate vibrations from his being to cause localized earthquakes, suspend objects and persons in vibrational stasis, crush objects and phase through solid matter. He can also generate powerful shockwaves, and while not true self-propelled flight, can use vibrations to levitate off the ground up to seven stories. His body has an above-average resilience to physical and energy attacks, which his body naturally absorbs the kinetic input and can discharge it as sonic bursts. He can also cancel noise within a localized area of effect. He can also induce vertigo and debilitating migraines in others through infra and ultrasonic pulses. Due to his naturally vibranium imbued DNA, N’Kuno’s physical prowess are on par with T’Challa, but lacks the Black Panther’s extensive training, intellect and discipline. N’Kuno is also an accomplished diplomat and negotiator. 

Paraphernalia: The suit he wears is a modified version of the suit his father wore, but unlike his father who had to wear it to help stabilize his powers, N’Kuno’s powers are more controlled, thus he only uses the suit amplify his abilities and grant added durability.

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And there you have it. 

Check out his original look and story and let us know if you like what we did with this revamp. Then see ya sooner than later for another Nu-Perspective.

What IS Nu-Perspective you ask? Well, it’s a bi-weekly column I started with my writing partner Fabian Wood with the purpose of spotlighting, revamping and updating various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian comic book and pop culture characters. Our goal is to showcase them in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.   

Fine print: All characters are copyrights and trademarks of the respective publishers and creators. This column is used solely for artistic enjoyment. We aim to showcase Nubian characters in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.


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Nu-Perspective: NIGHTWATCH

What's up peeps!! Welcome to another installment of Nu-Perspective, THEE home of revamps and updates of various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian (black) characters!!

Here we are in the dead of summer bout to drop even MORE heat on you. My Nu-P collaborator Fabian Wood and I will be shedding the spotlight on a character who started off as a Spawn rip-off, and who's backstory was a head-scratcher to figure out and revamp, but we think we nailed it. Without further ado we give you: NIGHTWATCH!!

Original Nightwatch design. Art by Ron Lim.

Shawn Alleyne Nu-Perspective redesign

Real Name: Dr Kevin Barry Trench

Current Alias: Nightwatch

Identity: Secret

Occupation: Physician, Vigilante

Place of Birth: North Dakota

Base of Operations: Los Angeles

Affiliations: N/A

First Appearance: Web of Spider-man #97 (1993)

Original Creators: Terry Kavanagh, Derek Yaniger & Alex Saviuk

Story: In the original story of Dr Kevin Trench, it was said that one night he witnessed a costumed crime fighter lose his life fighting a group of terrorists. Unmasking the deceased would-be superhero, Dr Trench made the horrific discovery that it was himself, but an older version. Hoping to avoid that tragic fate, Dr Trench stole his future self’s costume; but it was this very act that would lead him to become the nocturnal vigilante known as “Nightwatch”. He then fought alongside other New York crime fighters for many years, including the likes of Spider-man, Venom, Captain America, Deathlok, Firestar, and more, eventually retiring as NightWatch and even "dying". 

Years later a Kevin Trench shows up to hire attorney Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk to solve a mysterious case. It was eventually discovered by She-Hulk that the man known as Dr Kevin Trench was originally the super-criminal “Nighteater”, who had grown despondent with his villainous lifestyle, and through magically altering the “vibrational attunement of reality” was able to re-write his own history and make it seem as though he was Nightwatch, the selfless superhero. Thanks to the spell, which cost hundreds of people their lives, most of the universe is unaware of Trench's criminal history. Instead, they remember him as a heroic Nightwatch figure. As a consequence, some (if not all) of his recorded history as "Nightwatch" may be completely inaccurate, as the spell was cast at an unspecified point in his history. With the secret discovered She-Hulk brough Trench to justice.

Most recently, it was uncovered his original origin as Nighteater was much darker that initially believed. He was a chosen servant of the Illuminati-like cult “The Pride”, a clandestine criminal superpower (made up of surreptitious aliens, time-travelers and mutants). Growing to detest his overlords it pushed Nighteater to re-write reality so he could hide in plain sight.

However, now that the spell is lifted, The Pride (who answer to their own masters of the ancient, extraterrestrial mages called “The Gibborim”) are on the hunt for Trench. With this new development Trench must now stay alive, fight to bring an end to the remnants of The Pride once and for all, and perhaps atone for his crimes and the deaths he has caused in the original timeline.

Powers/Abilities: Apparently one truth is that Trench is skilled as a physician, and thus has an extensive knowledge of the human anatomy. An extension of this knowledge is that it has allowed him to develop his own form of self-defense which exploits weak points and critical areas of the human body to down foes in seconds.

Paraphernalia: Nightwatch’s costume is comprised of highly advanced self-replicating nanites that enhance his physical attributes and senses to super-human levels. They provide a considerable degree of durability (bullet-proof), but if damaged, can rapidly regenerate itself or damaged tissue, organs or bones. The nanites also possess environmental camouflage, giving him a cloaking ability. In addition they grant Nightwatch a level of tactile techno-pathy, and also allow him to merge other technology with his. Another feature is that it gives him an omni-directional “danger sense”, but only for an area of 100 meters. The nanites can, to a degree, supply protection and oxygen is dangerous environments such as irradiated areas, under water or places with extreme temperatures. The nanites in his "cape" can respond subconsciously to Trench's thoughts to form highly malleable "tendrils" to grab and hold things and they can increase or decrease in scale and form. In some cases it allows him to guide long distances on air currents, mimicking actual flight.

Extra: It is unclear how Trench originally gained his nanotech costumme. 

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And there you have it. 

Check out his original look and story and let us know if you like what we did with this revamp. Then see ya sooner than later for another Nu-Perspective.

What IS Nu-Perspective you ask? Well, it’s a bi-weekly column I started with my writing partner Fabian Wood with the purpose of spotlighting, revamping and updating various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian comic book and pop culture characters. Our goal is to showcase them in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.   

Fine print: All characters are copyrights and trademarks of the respective publishers and creators. This column is used solely for artistic enjoyment. We aim to showcase Nubian characters in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.


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Q&A with Fabian and Shawn with bonus sketches and ref pics 

Original pose and look but it wasn't coming together.

What do you like most about the character? 

I hate to say it but I never liked the character. However, THIS version Fabian and I did...? Imwould read that all day!!!

Did the character pose a challenge to update and if so what was the hardest part of the redesign?   

The hardest part for me was incorporating the Spawn-ish type designs of the original costume into the new look. Aside from that I had a pretty clear vision of what I wanted to do. Oh, and actually the second hardest thing was a pose. I couldn't get it right at first.

In hindsight is there anything you would do differently now? 
Nope  

What made you choose this character? 
If anyone needs the Nu-Persp[ective treatment it's THIS guy.



NP

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Nu-Perspective: BANTAM

Welcome to another installment of Nu-Perspective, THEE home of revamps and updates of various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian (black) characters!!

And even though we’re in July we have a late June entry to post. June is Caribbean heritage month, and with me and my Nu-P collaborator Fabian Wood both being from Barbados, we wanted to spotlight our fellow Caribbean comic book brothers and sisters. So without further ado we give you your representative from Puerto Rico: BANTAM!!

Original Bantam look. Taken from google; artist unknown

And now our Nu-Perspective version....

Nu-Perspective Bantam design by Shawn Alleyne

 
Real Name: Pedro Vasquez
Current Alias: Bantam
Identity: Secret
Occupation: Former professional Luchador, Vigilante
Place of Birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Base of Operations: Puerto Rico
Affiliations: Avengers

Original first Appearance: Captain America Annual #12 (1993)

Original Creators: Mark Gruenwald, David Wohl

Story: Born on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, young and impoverished Pedro Vasquez was shunned and ostracized in his small town when he started to develop a mutation that left his body with a partially avian physiology. Raised in an orphanage all his life, Pedro had little self-confidence or courage, until the day he saw the superhero Bantam on television.
Learning “the Battling Bantam” had opened a gym in San Juan, Pedro tracked down his idol. Roberto Velasquez (Bantam) gave the young, impressionable man an inspirational speech, and pointers on standing up for himself; even promising him private training when he returned from the US. It would only be months later that Bantam would meet his end, when he and other pro-registration heroes tried to confront the unregistered hero Thunderclap.
Devastated by his hero’s unceremonious demise, Pedro’s hopes were crushed. Going back to Roberto’s gym one night, he spotted some looters hoping to pawn Bantam’s memorabilia. Indignant by this desecration, the diminutive Pedro leaped into action, but was unable to fend off the would-be robbers. The severe beating landing him in the hospital, but it also activated his body’s secondary mutation, allowing him to heal at an accelerated rate. After his discharge from the hospital, Pedro dawned the costume of his brief mentor and become the new Bantam.
Blurring the line between entertainment and real-life, Pedro became the super-star luchador in the local fighting circuit under the same name as his hero persona. In short order, Pedro’s fame grew, and he used his newfound good fortune to help the poor of his village and become an inspiration to the downtrodden youths all over the island. A national hero, his fame even reached the attention of Triathlon and Goliath, who approached him to join their new team of Avengers. Seeing this as a way to further honor the original Bantam, and bring awareness to the plights of his people, the now confident and resourceful Pedro quickly accepted the invitation.

Powers/Abilities: Pedro’s original mutation, which manifested during puberty, endowed him with avian characteristic such as feathers on his limbs and half his body, as well as bird-like scales on his feet, but made him very frail. His secondary mutation saw those characteristics disappear and morphed his body to be stronger (he can lift around 5 tons) with an accelerated healing factor. He has powerful legs which allows him to run as fast as a steed and leap higher and farther than Olympic athletes. He is capable of aero-kinesis, which he manifests by condensing air around his fists giving his blows devastating power. Combined with his strength this can increase the impact of his punches to around 10 tons. He has honed his eclectic luchador training of quick dodges, grapples, holds and throws to evade, subdue and defeat opponents. His fighting style also incorporates aspects of yoga, Brazilian ju-jutsu and capoeira. Pedro also has bird-like eyesight which is many times more accurate and perceptive than a normal human’s. With more training it is proposed that his control over air will grant him further defensive and offensive capabilities.

Paraphernalia: His new Avengers suit is reinforced, granting him the same level of durability as the original Bantam, who could shrug off basic ballistics. 

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And there you have it. 

Now the original Bantam was killed in the Marvel U, but check out his original look and story and let us know if you like what we did with this revamp. Then see ya sooner than later for another Nu-Perspective.

What IS Nu-Perspective you ask? Well, it’s a bi-weekly column I started with my writing partner Fabian Wood with the purpose of spotlighting, revamping and updating various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian comic book and pop culture characters. Our goal is to showcase them in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.   

Fine print: All characters are copyrights and trademarks of the respective publishers and creators. This column is used solely for artistic enjoyment. We aim to showcase Nubian characters in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.