#14: Cutlass

Real Name: Maria Munoz

Age: 27

Height: 5’7″

Weight: 132 lbs.

Character info: I’m not a pirate fan by any means. My past interest in pirates pretty much began and ended with “The Goonies” and “The Pirates of Darkwater”. But several years ago, I had this pirate/superhero storyline festering in my head. Some of the storylines I had for this odd mash-up were/are being used in other ways, and some of the villains I created will also be used elsewhere. But the idea of a really tough, female pirate stuck with me, and she had the name Cutlass. I never drew her until I did this sketch, but I knew that I didn’t want her to look like the typical female we see in pirate stories and movies. She wouldn’t be wearing the frilly, lacey outfit with her cleavage popping out. She would be athletic and tough-as-nails, yet still attractive. She’d dress sensibly, not over-the-top. And she’d have gloves (it always confused me why we never saw pirates wearing gloves…I’m no sailor, but wouldn’t you want to wear them if you’re pulling on and swinging from those ropes on the ships constantly??). The name, of course, is a play on words…for her weapon as well as she’s a “lass”. I’m not sure how I’ll use her…maybe I’ll salvage some of that old pirate story and do something with it. But after sketching Cutlass, it’s obvious (to me, at least) that she’s got the potential to be a very cool character in a story.

Category: 2011, Drama, Fantasy