I love the rejected characters! Really cool; nicely drawn; great gesture. I find the green a bit off-putting and monotonous (although I get why it's green, obviously), it's kind of like 70s public service flyers, which may not be the cool-enough kind of retro. Still, a total front-runner.
About my design
Has-bins
Green With Envy
Can-not
Tension at the Dumpster