I created this in Illustrator. I used a 4 square checker pattern, top row black/white; bottom row white/black, for the pants tile pattern.
I used just enough blue/white gradient and gray shadow to make the white jacket and hat stand out from the white background.
I kept my line work simple, varying the thickness to give some of the 'under areas' and shadow-y areas more weight, ala "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" by Stan Lee and John Buscema. (A MUST have!)
I worked to keep the design of the character balanced, not just wanting to create a character, but an iconic image. :)
