Hi Guys and Gals, this is my first Deadlock Hero concept (I did some for Dota2) 
As informed on Reddit, I'm posting this also here on the forums.
Feedback is very welcomed - please let me know what you think!
TLDR is at the bottom
Marlow was a journalist who believed in facts, sources, and verification. But this story didn't pass clearance. The material was rejected silently, without explanation.
Searching for answers, Marlow came across The Gatekeeper. A strange, semi-legendary journal, the only one that publishes verified materials about the occult world: real photographs of ghosts, interviews with mediums, demons, and sorcerers.
No one has ever seen the journal's editor. All decisions are made by the Editorial without faces, names, or explanations. It doesn't control the occult world, but decides what can be documented and cleared.
The Editorial accepted Marlow. His materials began to be published.
And his personal article, about Her, was accepted, edited, and laid out. And remains open.
Now Marlow works for The Gatekeeper, documenting what others prefer not to notice. He understands that the Editorial keeps him on the hook, but as long as the article remains open, the story is not finished.
Eventually, the Editorial gives him a final assignment. Not a material, not a publication. An interview.
Contact with the Patrons.
After that, he will receive an answer.
Suit and coat in 1940s–50s style
Wears a hat
Notebook in one hand, pen in the other
Camera on a strap (used only in abilities)
Black-and-white is the hero's core visual principle.
It appears in moments of documentation, publication, and clearance, emphasizing that what's happening is becoming a record, not just an action.
A hero about timing, choice, and resource management, not raw damage.
Shoots ink from the pen
Melee attack — strikes with the notebook
Active — "Press!":
Winding sound plays while holding Blinds only enemies looking at Marlow
After blindness, enemy's screen temporarily becomes black-and-white
Sensory disruption with counterplay and psychological pressure
Short window where the ability can be interrupted Inside the booth, hero and booth are invulnerable (~2 sec)
Only dial tones and line static can be heard
Visually: The booth and Marlow inside it are completely black-and-white, as if temporarily cut out from the scene.
After exiting — "Edits":
Outside interference is impossible
During ultimate:
Visual and sound:
TLDR:
Lore: When She disappeared, the story was buried. Now Marlow works for The Gatekeeper, a journal that publishes the occult truth, chasing the one article that remains open.
Abilities:
1. Notebook / Press! — Accumulate stacks, spend them to deal damage and disorient a target with a newspaper print run crash.
2. Flash — Charge a camera flash that blinds only enemies looking at you, then turning their screen black-and-white.
3. Editorial Call — Enter an invulnerable phone booth, then exit with floating pages that reflect projectiles and provide healing.
4. Interview (Ultimate) — Isolate an enemy in a silent black-and-white space, dealing damage over time based on consumed stacks.
As informed on Reddit, I'm posting this also here on the forums.
Feedback is very welcomed - please let me know what you think!
TLDR is at the bottom
MARLOW — JOURNALIST OF THE GATEKEEPER
Story
When She disappeared, no body was found. The story was closed, and it never made it to print.Marlow was a journalist who believed in facts, sources, and verification. But this story didn't pass clearance. The material was rejected silently, without explanation.
Searching for answers, Marlow came across The Gatekeeper. A strange, semi-legendary journal, the only one that publishes verified materials about the occult world: real photographs of ghosts, interviews with mediums, demons, and sorcerers.
No one has ever seen the journal's editor. All decisions are made by the Editorial without faces, names, or explanations. It doesn't control the occult world, but decides what can be documented and cleared.
The Editorial accepted Marlow. His materials began to be published.
And his personal article, about Her, was accepted, edited, and laid out. And remains open.
Now Marlow works for The Gatekeeper, documenting what others prefer not to notice. He understands that the Editorial keeps him on the hook, but as long as the article remains open, the story is not finished.
Eventually, the Editorial gives him a final assignment. Not a material, not a publication. An interview.
Contact with the Patrons.
After that, he will receive an answer.
Visual Design
Male, 40–50 years oldSuit and coat in 1940s–50s style
Wears a hat
Notebook in one hand, pen in the other
Camera on a strap (used only in abilities)
Black-and-white is the hero's core visual principle.
It appears in moments of documentation, publication, and clearance, emphasizing that what's happening is becoming a record, not just an action.
Role in Game
Control / isolation / pressure through preparation.A hero about timing, choice, and resource management, not raw damage.
Abilities
Basic AttackShoots ink from the pen
Melee attack — strikes with the notebook
1. Notebook / Press!
Passive: Marlow accumulates material stacks from:- dealing damage
- melee attacks
- being near enemies
Active — "Press!":
- spends 1–2 stacks
- deals damage and disorients the target
- effect strength depends on total stack count
- visually: a black-and-white newspaper edition with a headline and article specifically about the targeted enemy hero crashes down on them
2. Flash
Camera flash with hold mechanicWinding sound plays while holding Blinds only enemies looking at Marlow
After blindness, enemy's screen temporarily becomes black-and-white
Sensory disruption with counterplay and psychological pressure
3. Editorial Call
Marlow enters an old wired phone boothShort window where the ability can be interrupted Inside the booth, hero and booth are invulnerable (~2 sec)
Only dial tones and line static can be heard
Visually: The booth and Marlow inside it are completely black-and-white, as if temporarily cut out from the scene.
After exiting — "Edits":
- black-and-white sheets with editorial marks fly around the hero
- they reflect projectiles and some abilities
- provide brief healing and protectio
4. Interview (Ultimate)
Close range Marlow and chosen enemy hero are isolatedOutside interference is impossible
During ultimate:
- target cannot move, attack, or use abilities
- Marlow cannot attack or use other abilities
- damage is dealt in automatic ticks
Visual and sound:
- Marlow and target are completely black-and-white
- muted world around them
- recording sounds, rare flashes, quiet "clack" of a typewriter
- target is silent
TLDR:
Lore: When She disappeared, the story was buried. Now Marlow works for The Gatekeeper, a journal that publishes the occult truth, chasing the one article that remains open.
Abilities:
1. Notebook / Press! — Accumulate stacks, spend them to deal damage and disorient a target with a newspaper print run crash.
2. Flash — Charge a camera flash that blinds only enemies looking at you, then turning their screen black-and-white.
3. Editorial Call — Enter an invulnerable phone booth, then exit with floating pages that reflect projectiles and provide healing.
4. Interview (Ultimate) — Isolate an enemy in a silent black-and-white space, dealing damage over time based on consumed stacks.
