A) I love the shoes, thanks for paying tribute to ZP that way!
B) You have some skill, the drawing looks great! Nice shading.
C) I can't wait to see what they look like when everything is added.
D) Wouldn't it be crazy if the mascot you painted on the right shoe turned out to be the one for THIS year!? That would be spooky.
In terms of the character's identity, his symmetry (or lack there of) and stem size are the giveaways for me. And well... the fact that I have one particular mascot starring right at me from massive banner hanging in my office also helps.
CB, haveyou tried transfer fluid? ..I used to use it in the 80's as a kid (a time when you were lucky to have access to a photo copier! & all pics were sourced from print adverts, oh how easy a google search is!
just thinking that the right subject matter lifted with a transfer fluid, set & sealed, could make for some freaking good designs...