Different Double Finale

1. As Voted by the Fans
2. The Daimyo Medal
3. Gobbo's Grab-bag

For the past month (and a half -- whoops!), there has been a surprising outpouring of participation in what was (in my opinion) the fun underdog of fan work in this community. There were thirty-three submissions this season (which is in no way defined by or compared to any other type of or form to a season). When you stand that number -- out-the-gate from the revival after the years of desolation (hey, that's a fun name for it, "Kirby's Rainbow Resort: The Years of Desolation, a tell-all memoir of the Why, the Huh, and Whaaa?") -- up against the previous trend of about fifty-some. That's some good carry-over, I'd say. So... success?

This event (event? yeah, I guess that can work for it. hey, what's with all these asides, anywise? is this a deeply repressed fragmented personality? ... probably~!) was a bit of a weird one, given that it was largely based on the concept of re-using sprites or 3D models to save time in game development. The concept which began as simple as, "spit fire or water" went some interesting directions with some very creative interpretations to boot. Another pseudo-trend was bumping up a regular baddie into some super baddie or mini-boss type. Remember, there's no wrong answers, kiddos, just one's that make ya think more.

1. 84% - Splatter Hatter
2. 83% - Snow Poppy
3. 80% - Mega Apollo
4. 76% - Saizō
5. 73% - Dandy, Von Venom

Fan Favorite: When I originally wrote this (a full month ago), there was more entries than have ever been put on the top-five pedestal since this all was started. There was a straight-up tie for first place as well as a triple-threat for third, which makes too many coincidental threes for my brain to handle. Then, these numbers separated out a bit, leaving only one tie for fifth. That's boring, folks. Couldn't you vote in a pattern that would create more ties?

It's interesting -- or, expected at this point -- to note that each of these entries, the highest voted and even close runners-up, possess a creator generated piece of artwork. I'd like to imagine that it isn't the picture that garners the more positive votes. Rather, I'd like to belive that the artist types just possess an extra edge in creative thinking when putting puffy thoughts into either paper or word.

I agree with this list; it's a very good showing. The idea of putting a paint brush into li'l Hatter's hands just works out so well while changing fundamentally nothing about the actual character animation. I almost could have sworn that Poppy Bros. did balance on giant snowballs. The conical headpiece makes an easy change to a drill. Lastly, the likeness between a bottle and a bomb are a perfect exchange. You go, people-types.

1. Griscuit's Twisted Style
2. LunarHalo24's Splatter Hatter
3. Sexy Slime's Takbir

Some years ago, a spunky up-start blazed into the Kirby fan community and utterly dominated the landscape with his mastery of all mediums: pencil, clay, work, even digital. Normally, when someone puts a ruling title in their user handle, they're a pompous pomp. Who pomps! But, this guy backed it up. And so, in his honor (even tho' he's still here, and was actual mentioned just above), homage is paid to the new artist types with-

The Daimyo Medal: Since there's no point in tooting his horn any more than it already had been or could be, I'm just gonna pat ol' Daimyo on the head and name an honor after him. That'll learn 'im!

We'll start with #1 ('cuz I'm a rebel), Griscuit, who's user name reminds me of some ursine bread-stuff. There were a slew of creations under this name, and they all looked great -- and did pretty well, too, with one making it into the top ranking. The rough yet flowing, pencil-like styling really speaks to someone who eye-rolls at the over-use of flat gradient fills and other built-in effects in modern digital art. Cross-hatching even made an appearance; now that's old school, G.

On to the next artist -- also ranked above in a tie for first -- LunarHalo24 made a picture so natural fit to the Kirby series that, until looking at in detail, I questioned if it was a modified version of official artwork. It's colorful, it has stunning contrast with it's non-black outlines, and makes great use of line width. Yes, these are things I consider.

The last mention -- wait, that's allowed? Huh. Well, I'm still just gonna say Slime -- submitted a wonderful piece that, if it ain't with markers, sure looks like it. It really stands out because... well, markers. Organic and all. ... I have predictable tastes, okay? Lines, texture, jagged expression. You go, Slimy.

Truly however, congratulations to all the artists. Special honorable mentions go out to BlueAizu21, GSnail, and Shouty: good job, youse; I had no real, significant comments to make, but perdy is perdy.

Gobbo's Picks: Normally, I think there should be a list here of the underdogs or such, but pretty much who I thought needed a nod got one. The big one is Biobark: not only does the name fit perfectly and arguably better to the foe than "spark" did to the original but his behavior is a nice parallel to boot. Granted, this guy was ranked pretty high (in the sixties at the time of this posting) but I thought it could have had more. For shame, everyone. Not giving it, like, five more percentage points in ranking. Shame.