mr. blues, how would you rip off a superhero? I really like speedster-type characters and love the design of golden-age flash, but I want to do my own thing instead of fanfic and avoid all the issues that come with using a pre-established character
I come to you since I believe you have a really good understanding superhero designs and would be able to give advice on how to get that kinda vibe right
You're in luck, because plenty of artists and writers have wanted to do this exact thing! Greats like Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, and Kurt Busiek have put out great Superman comics, each featuring a legally distinct man of tomorrow.
Their costumes are cut from the same cloth as Superman's (full-body tights, regal cape, chest-emblem), but use new details. A new reader might see True-Man and think "oh, he looks like Superman," which is probably just what Rick Veitch wanted. So, if you want to make a Flash story without using The Flash, that could be the way to go.
Or maybe you're just trying to make your own original speedster, and The Flash is just one of your inspirations. How could your design allude to the scarlet speedster without just copying him?
You could look at the inspiration behind The Flash! Jay Garrick, the golden age flash, sports the same helmet as Mercury. You could try borrowing different elements from Mercury, like his staff, or his flowing robe (I bet that would look great flowing behind him, mid-sprint).
And, while not as explicit, Garrick's costume (tights, sweater, helmet) isn't too far from what a college athlete in the 1940's might've worn. Remember, Garrick was introduced as "a scrub on the football team".
You can really wear your influences on your sleeve too! When designing Robin, Jerry Robinson drew heavily from N.C. Wyeth's Robin Hood:
Or you can let those influences filter naturally through your own sensibilities. Captain Britain and Jack Staff are both symbols of Britain, but they don't look very alike!
Inspiration could be anywhere, so look everywhere! Fairy tales, ancient myth, modern sportswear, high fashion and beyond—it's all up for grabs! Just keep it bright, keep it simple, and keep it fun!
