Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Molecule Man

Molecule Man

Here is the original entry for the Molecule Man to the "Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe".

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And here is my entry for Molecule Man to the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Redux.

I first read a story with the Molecule Man in the pages of "The Avengers" while a kid in the early 80's.  He had near-godlike power--able to manipulate inorganic matter (later, they removed that limitation and it became all matter) and some funky lightning bolt scars on his face.

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STEP ONE:  I created a New Document 1,000 x 1,500 pixels in PhotoShop and did some really quick digital pencils with a 50% gray.  Mostly, I just noodled around until I was more-or-less happy with the pose I would use.

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STEP TWO:  On a New Layer, I did some quick digital inks.

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STEP THREE:  I created a NEW LAYER set to Multiply to layout highlights and shadows.

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STEP FOUR:  I did some flat colors with a New MULTIPLY Layer.

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STEP FIVE:  I created several NEW LAYERS--one for each color--and add highlights and shadows over the top the flat colors.  Lastly, I added some vague Kirbyesque Krackle to give him some suggestion of power.

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When I was a kid, I always wondered about the lightning bolt scars on Molecule Man's face.  In this case, I decided to make some sort of suggestion that the scars are almost like seams where his face (and probably rest of his body) are just a third dimensional wrapping around the immense power he wields.  For a while, they got rid of the scars on his face, but I thought that was one of the more interesting things about him, visually.

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Created digitally in Photoshop.

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