NuPerspective: Nightmask

Welcome back to another edition of Nu-Perspective, THEE column for all redesigns and updates of various Nubian (black) comic book characters you never knew you loved.

And yeah, I know I know, we're late. This entry was supposed to drop all the way back in April as an Avengers tie-in, but it’s finally here. We give you- NIGHTMASK!!

Nightmask original appearance courtesy of Google. Art by Phillip Tan I believe.

And now, our Nu-Perspective twist...

Nightmask NuPerspective revamp by Shawn Alleyne

Real Name: Adam Blackveil
Current Alias: Nightmask
Identity: Secret
Occupation: Explorer
Place of Birth: Mars
Base of Operations: Cosmic
Affiliations: Avengers; A.I.M.

First Appearance: Avengers #1 (2013) [gestating]; Avengers #3 (2013) [“born”]; Avengers #6 (2013) [as Nightmask]

Original Creators: Jonathan Hickman & Jerome Opena

Story: Born on the planet Mars, “Adam” was created by the Promethean-like trans-galactic extraterrestrial Ex Nihilo to be the perfect “human”. After a fierce battle with The Avengers, Adam was shortly taken into custody by the Avengers to study and decode his strange language. It was later discovered that Adam was to herald the coming of the trans-reality occurrence known as “The White Event”, which in turn heralded a new host of the “Star Brand” in the form of a young kid by the name of Kevin Connor. Adam- now known as Nightmask- lead the Avengers to the new Star Brand, but chose his own path and took Conner to confront Ex Nihilo, who revealed is was he who had caused the White Event with the intent to re-terraform Earth into a sentient planet. 

The situation was found to be far direr when it was announced that the universe was decaying, in an epic trans-universe annihilation event that would be known as “The Incursion”. It was in the best interest for Star Brand and Nightmask to join The Avengers. The odyssey’s effect led to Nightmask” – to revert back to nothingness, but simultaneously rejuvenated the Marvel universe of Earth 616. When the Incursion was averted, and the universe was brought back to life, so was Nightmask. 

Now friends, the two nascent superheroes Star Brand and Nightmask tried to live a normal college life, for which the universe and adventure had other plans. 

While grieving over the death of Connor at the hands of Robbie Reyes (the all-new Ghost Rider at the time), Nightmask escapes to the dream-like pocket dimension of Liveworld. There, he finds the dimension on the verge of merging with our reality. With his own powers compromised by the alien universe he now occupied, he escapes with a Canadian mutant with the power to traverse realms and realities at a whim, and her feral sister, to wage war against the megalomaniacal Dream Queen and her endlessly invading horde of imaginary monsters. But all this may just be a prelude to something far more calamitous, a meta-dimensional cataclysm equivalent to the Incursion crisis, “The Black Event”; one that will take Adam Blackveil and his new allies to the source of the Enigma Force, at the heart of the sub-atomic quantum realm.

Powers/Abilities: While created by Ex Nihilo, Adam’s true progenitor was the universe itself via the “White Event”. As such, Nighmask’s very existence is tethered to the universe’s seemingly sentient “Uni-Power” (an aspect of the omnipresent subatomic quantum energy known as the Enigma Force), much in the same way as Captain Universe, or more accurately the multiverse singularity known as the “Star Brand”. Therefore, Nightmask has access to (or is himself capable of) nigh-omnipotence. Nightmask possesses cosmic awareness equivalent to omnipresence in his native universe only. He can also create spatial portals of limitless distance and size. He can also discharge omni-directional energy blasts from his hands, eyes and glowing halo “runes” on his body, or form the energy into a barrier. Theoretically, Nightmask is capable of matter/energy manipulation on a quantum level, akin to the Power Cosmic. By design, Nightmask is functionally immortal and self-sustaining. He does not need rest, food/water or oxygen to live and is capable of unaided flight in the vacuum of space. His being is virtually indestructible, and the upper limits of his senses, strength and speed remain unknown. Nightmask has also exhibited vast techno-pathic and techno-kinetic abilities regardless of the machine’s origin or composition (even “organic” and cosmic-level machines used by the Eternals). Nightmask possesses super-genius level intelligence, enabling him to comprehend new information near-instantaneously through exposure. Nightmask’s only real hindrance is his novice level of experience and skills with his powers as technically he is still an “infant”.

Paraphernalia: N/A

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And there you have it. Check out Nightmask's original look and story (he started as a Caucasian character actually) and let us know if you like what we did with him. Scroll down a bit for some a little Q&A with me and Fabian then see ya sooner than later for another Nu-Perspective entree. 
 
Nu-Perspective is 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.


Q&A with Fabian and Shawn with bonus sketches

Nightmask first attempt by Shawn Alleyne. Just wasn't feeling it. 

What do you like most about the character? 

F: When god-like ETs decided to artificially create the perfect man, he had to be Nubian.

S: Those amazing circular patterns mixed into the black. Love it!!

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

F: Like most nigh-omnipotent cosmic characters ala Silver Surfer or say Dr Manhattan, it’s very difficult to find a satisfying purpose or journey for these “event” characters (someone created for or by a big story arc). As such it became about maneuvering in-story circumstances to facilitate that inherent need in (and for) Nightmask.

S: From an artistic standpoint it wasn't too difficult. I knew going in I HAD to give him a shirt. I don't know what's up with creators making Nubian characters shirtless like our brown skin is a costume. smh

In hindsight is there anything you would do differently now? 

F: Wished I’d seen Shawn’s final design much sooner beforehand. It had me thinking of a whole new (and more challenging) direction.

S: Sorry bout that Fabian. lol Personally I might have made him younger. And did something different with the crescent moon on his face. 

What made you choose this character? S: Unfortunately there aren't many Nubian Avengers to choose from.

Sketches and pose work

Was there a challenge as far as the art itself? 
S:I struggled with figuring out his look, both design wise and pose. I looked back at the original Nightmask, the Caucasian character, who had these tendrils coming off his costume. The modern twist of the scarf gave me that effect. I thought of him as a cool Nubian hipster/shaman. Hence the flowing robes and sandals. Getting his pose right proved problematic for some reason also.

Original Nightmask incarnation Keith Remsen

What was the most fun part to redesign? S: The scarf

Would you want this character’s powers?  

F: To quote one dead uncle; “With great power…yadda, yadda.” So no thanks. S: Nah, I don't think so.

Nu-Perspective: Dr Voodoo

Welcome back to another edition of Nu-Perspective, THEE column for all redesigns and updates of various Nubian (black) comic book characters you never knew you loved.

April was supposed to be a celebration of Nubian Avengers characters, and even though we're a little late, we're still going to drop these entrees for you.Cause really, with Endgame doing the numbers it's doing, Avengers hype isn't dying anytime soon. So without further ado, our first entry is Brother Voodoo, aka Dr Voodoo!!!

Real Name: Jericho Drumm

Alias: Doctor Voodoo (formally Brother Voodoo)

Identity: Public

Occupation: Psychologist; Houngan [voodoo priest]; Sorcerer Supreme (formerly)

Place of Birth: Haiti

Base of Operations: Mobile

Affiliations: Midnight Sons

First Appearance: Strange Tales #169 (1973)

Original Creators: Len Weinn & Gene Colan

A man of science and rationality, not dissimilar from Doctor Hugo Strange, Jericho Drumm was an educated and accomplished psychologist. When his brother fell under the curse of a rival bokor, Jericho sought out the tutelage of Papa Jambo, a powerful and reputable voodoo master. Naturally apt at learning, Jericho took to the mystic arts like a fish to water, mastering the basics far quicker than most disciples. In time, he even surpassed most other houngan in skill and power. Calling himself Brother Voodoo and fused with his brother’s disembodied soul, Jericho waged war against the formidable demons and malicious spirits/gods plaguing his homeland of Haiti.

His battle against the occult and otherworldly supernatural forces eventually brought Jericho onto the world stage, going against all forms of ancient evil deities, zombies, vampires, demons, deranged cults and the like, who threatened mankind and the innocent all over the globe. These extraordinary paranormal adventures saw Drumm team up on occasions with the likes of Spider-man, the Avengers, Daredevil, Black Panther, Blade, the Fantastic Four and even Dr Strange himself, among others; always ready to lend aid against the unspeakable darkness that lies just a veil away from reality.

His acts of valor did not go unnoticed, and having proved to be a pure heart with a clean soul, Jericho Drumm was elevated to the auspicious role of Sorcerer Supreme after Dr Strange (until he died and it reverted back to Dr Strange). Resurrected after a harrowing battle with the god Agamotto – by the often villainous Doctor Doom no less – Brother Voodoo’s battle against the malicious forces of the paranormal continued. Having to battle his own brother Daniel, who had been tempted with his own resurrection by the Hand, Jericho tragically had to end his brother’s life to save the world from a resurrected and possessed Hulk.

Since that event, the public whereabouts of “Doctor Voodoo” remain unknown. In actuality, Jericho has renounced his more public exploits to embrace a more humble path. Journeying wherever he is needed, wherever the uncanny forces of darkness prey and oppress the innocent, destitute, desperate and forgotten of society, Drumm will be there fighting for them, defending them as the Gunner of God, the Avenger of the Supernatural.

POWERS/ABILITIES: A paragon of the archaic and esoteric arts of voodoo magic, Jericho Drumm is an unparalleled master. This has endowed him with powers over the elements, hypnosis, spirit possession, illusion casting, clairvoyance, astral projection, communication with the dead and supernatural beings, limited necromancy, teleportation, invisibility, intangibility, flight and resurrection of others, among other yet exhibited abilities. His magical prowess grants him a high level of immunity/invulnerability against other magical attacks, spells and influences, on par with a Sorcerer Supreme. He can also discharge various forms of mystical energy in blasts, or generate nigh-impenetrable protective barriers. He is however vulnerable to carnal (physical) attacks and harm like any normal human, and voodoo magic can only be applied for rapidly healing of minor injuries or temporary boosts to his physical limits. While he has battled vastly powerful foes, Drumm can be outclassed by other formidable magic users who have mastered more than one discipline, or one he is not prepared for or familiar with. As an accomplished student in the field of psychology, Drumm can easily “read”’ people and is capable of manipulating them through conversation to do what he wants or tell the truth. He can even use this knowledge to deceive others (human, alien or supernatural).

PARAPHERNALIA: As a voodoo priest, Jericho is never without his miscellaneous ingredients for incantations, drugs or minor spells. He also carries a host of voodoo dolls to physically overpower and control select individuals. Since his inception as “Brother” Voodoo, Jericho has not been without his trademark Staff of Legba – an innocuous two-headed mystical rod – that greatly amplifies Jericho’s powers, while also granting him access to more and diverse powers that span dimensions/realms. When he was officially Sorcerer Supreme (although he is still a viable candidate) he had possession of various artifacts such as the Eye of Agamotto, the Cloak of Levitation, Wand of Watoomb and Book of Vishanti. 

NP 

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