Very nice topic, indeed. Concerning my characters I've used, I like to use examples from TV shows, then twist it a bit with my own ideas. So as in Calamity High, my character is an Ancient, which is from Stargate, but mine is cruel, ruthless, and builds weapons that can unleash un-worldly power. He would much rather use his rescorces to destroy his rivals rather than try to peacefully work things out, in contrast to the show's Ancients.
I'll do my best not to do a total rip-off, but occasionally I'll have a great idea for a comepletely original character and go with it if it fits the sign-up, like in the semi-lost Book of the Dragon King, I made up a double-crosser named Steven Radek, for the bad guys who works for the military, and is a brilliant scientist. He has two mechanical arms (lost originals in an accident) and his son is being forcibly used for the organization's horrible experiment, which was forced upon by Radek. He also speaks Czech, and English with a heavy accent. The only reason he hasn't been killed yet is because he is brilliant at genetics. He has a tempramental personality, when he gets frustrated, he'll start blabbering Czech, if he's really engrossed in his research, he won't answer to anything, and if he's happy, it'll show for about a few minutes, then its gone. Usually if he's just made some discovery or wasn't killed for finishing an experiment late.
Wow. I never realized how complex he is until I typed it all down...
I kinda agree with your views. Too...much...blonde...I usually have black haired or brown haired. I admit, I do use blue eyes, but it's a dark blue shade. Otherwise, I have no trouble playing the MacGuyver type, tons of bravado and sarcastic a good deal of the time. And a bit smart, too.
Yipes. I never knew I could type on one subject for a short time. I really think this is a good topic.