For my second (and likely final) submission for Forgotten Heroes, I offer you: Mr. Muscles!

Mr. Muscles was another Charlton Comics character (that company is fertile ground for Forgotten Heroes inspiration). I have it on good authority (Carrion Crow told me) that “Mr. Muscles” is also Roger’s nickname, on account of his rampant ‘roid use. I’ve never seen Roger myself, but the Crow assures me his physique is not natural. Kind of like the Liver King.

(Disclaimer: All the above regarding Roger and the Crow may be untrue, as in might not have actually happened.)

Anyway, Mr. Muscles’s story is as follows: his real name is Brett Carson, and he had polio. His doctors all told him he’d never walk again and he should just give up. But Brett didn’t do that, and miraculously not only reversed his polio with sheer willpower and what would later be known as “dynamic tension”, but he became Mr. Muscles, a physically-fit guy who ended up fighting criminals and murderers by using his physical fitness and muscles.

Mr. Muscles replaced the Blue Beetle comic and lasted two whole issues before vanishing into comic obscurity. I did not know who Mr. Muscles was before last month. I have the League of Regrettable Superheroes to thank for that.

This book is a great resource for Forgotten Heroes. It already gave me Rainbow Boy, shown here.

Anyway, to make Mr. Muscles, I used this Johnny Quick miniature.

I know, I know. It’s basically a repaint, with no real conversion work needed. But it’s what I can do at the moment.

And here’s Mr. Muscles! Astute folks may see that Mr. Muscles doesn’t wear gloves, but removing them was more trouble than it was worth, so my version has black gloves. The M on his chest was [particularly challenging with my old eyes, but I did what I could.

In just seven days, he can make you a man.

Check out those glutes!

Now, there IS another miniature I hope to do before the end of the month, but the odds are long because: a) I am extremely busy with other stuff, and b) I’m not 100% happy with the base miniature I have available. But I guarantee that he’s forgotten, and if I get around to doing him, I’d wager none of you have heard of him. Guess we’ll see.

I love what I’m seeing everywhere else. Aside from the usual suspects who are here every year, Awdry’s Captain Caveman is spectacular and @groddsnsods has outdone us all with ten submissions, all fantastic and inspirational! And @spoontastic_minis on Instagram is working on a Golden Age Sandman miniature that shows some real promise. Head over to Carrion Crow’s Buffet for a full list of participants and show them some love!