The characters featured in The Blind Eye were developed based on generic archetypes that coalesced within the structure of the original story idea. Clearly, I needed something more specific, more…integrated… than “noble-but-disillusioned-former-partner-of-The-Blind-Eye-who-now-partners-with-The-Blind-Eye’s-ex.” Because The Blind Eye is a story about masked vigilantes, a certain iconography must be respected. Thus, I had to come up with a costume, a codename and abilities that qualified “disillusioned-former-partner” as a legitimate hero.
Street Saint - Early Headshots
Where to start? Well, I consider the basics for what I need this character to do on a practical level, since I know his role in the overall story. The masks in The Blind Eye are decidedly street level, so no super powers for “disillusioned.” And I figure he copes with his disillusionment by taking it out on the bad guys and with weapons…violently. Now, here’s where that noble part comes into play. Let’s see: weapons + noble = knight. Sword! Lots of those hanging around a flood-devastated urban wasteland, eh? Err…no. I need a congruent analogue. Baseball bat! Oh yeah, and I can solidify the urban knight aesthetic with a shield. Analogue, please? RIOT shield! Lovin’ it.
Street Saint - Working Concept
Okay, so “disillusioned” has his baseball bat and riot shield, and I’m very happy with those accoutrements. They just have to mesh with whatever costume theme I conjure up. Another bastardized idea from the round table? Nah. Let’s go with Knights Templar! Our guy is disillusioned, remember? He’s looking to regain faith in something, and faith, by definition, constitutes belief in some other power. “Disillusioned” wants to become “enlightened.” He’s on a mission from God, the Christian one given Port Typhon’s location deep within the American Bible Belt. How to represent that symbolically on the costume? Priest collar. Massive gold cross to make Mr. T jealous. Rosary beads around the bat handle. Throw in a touch of street style with a black skull cap and wicked shades and just a dash of medieval knight with a tabard, and “disillusioned” stands before me with all but a name.
That one is tougher to explain. It just came to me, and quickly. Street Saint. It covers both sides of his iconography. It’s alliterative. It just works. You’ll meet Street Saint and his partner for the first time in Screen 23. They’re major players in the story of The Blind Eye, and I think they’ll grow on you quickly, just as they have on Amanda and I.
