This week, Jezebel found in an auction of Playboy memorabilia several pre-publication centerfold shots with some unsexy editorial markup scrawled all over. (NSFW, nudity). It was an unsavory depiction even for one of magazines' most prolific airbrushers. Also, boobs.
Hold on, hold on. Get back here. Now, that got me to thinking about another population of experts that have harsh, blunt assessments and don't mind pointing out how even the most amazing body of work is far from perfect. That would be video gamers, naturally. This is where you come in.
You're on your own for source images, but take something - box cover, screen shot, noted industry figure - circle or underline some flaws and write out in the margins what needs to be changed, as if a disappointing game could be made into GOTY material with some magic-wand retouching. Alternatively, I know games have even more cartooned depictions of female proportions than does Playboy. You're welcome to mark them up as if Playboy had gotten a hold of, I dunno, Ivy Valentine or Bayonetta.
This is less about your 'Shop skills (although they certainly help) and more about how well you write. And while I have few rules, to encourage participation, I'll lay a couple of expectations: Racy humor is OK, that's why we're doing this. Don't go harder than that. You know what that means. Secondly, if you're going to use MS Paint to write your comments freehand, don't bother, that's not going to make the cut. But text and type tools are fine, I don't expect everyone to have a drawing pad where they can put their own handwriting over an image.
Post your submissions in the comments. The 20 best will get rounded up and published at the end of next Saturday. Meantime, I and the rest of the starred commentariat will approve and promote as many as we can so folks can see them and pass judgment. Remember, if you're trying to get a comment account approved, turning in a worthy 'shop is an easy path to the privilege.