Classic Monsters Conclusion

Ok, so I've spent the last couple of months taking various monsters from fiction and reinventing them. Now that that's done with, let's take a moment to talk about what I've learnt from this project.

If nothing else, I feel this project has more or less validated my Iconic Character Design Theory (Iconic Character = Number of Unique Characteristics, 1 around head + Limited Colour Palette) as the majority of the redesigns are still recognisable as the original 'monsters'. The exception, of course, was the Jabberwock, whose design is not totally defined in it's original source to begin with. In my defence, it's inclusion was suggested by Josh, whereas the others were chosen because their original designs fit the criteria. But, no use crying over spilt milk; the fact is I did a Jabberwock redesign and despite my grumblings it does have some traits from the original.

So, to summarise, the character traits of these monsters are as follows:-

Jabberwocky

Characteristics: 'Fiery' eyes (Head), large claws, whiskers/ hair tendrils (Head), wings/ wing-like sails

Colour: Variable (Jabberwocky colour isn't mentioned in source)

Cthulhu

Characteristics: Octopus/ Squid face (Head), wings, humanoid body

Colour: Green

Medusa

Characteristics: Snake hair (Head), snake lower body

Colour: Variable (Medusa doesn't really have a defined colour scheme)

Devil

Characteristics: Horns (Head), wings, pointed tail, trident, goat legs (optional)

Colour: Red

So... yeah, this project basically went as expected and proved I wasn't talking out of my arse.

The next project will be the final one and will focus on me using this Iconic Design Theory to design some original characters. Beyond that though.... I'm still working on the details. Watch this space.

Classic Monsters Design #1: Jabberwocky

Just finished the redesign of the Jabberwock, so here it is.
Once again, did all the concept work on pen and paper. You can also see the poem itself to the left of the sketches; it was there that I did my analysis of it and extrapolated what I could about the creature itself. From there, I focussed on sketching designs that reflected that description.

Design Sketches for the redesigned Jabberwock

You can see the end result above. My vision of the Jabberwock is a long, serpent-like beast that crawls on all fours, quietly snaking through the trees as it goes. It's fair to say that this is a rather radical departure from how it is usually depicted, but despite that, this design still retains a few elements from the original, namely the whiskers and the two 'hair' tendrils. It also still has wings, though they've now been downgraded to fins on its back (this Jabberwock cannot fly)
Next up is Cthulhu. Expect tentacles.

Classic Monsters Case Study #1: Jabberwocky

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought—

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"

He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

A nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll, Jabberwocky tells of a young man who ventures into a strange, dangerous forest to kill the titular creature that lives there. It originally appeared in Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865), and as such the creature, along with other elements from the poem, often features in works based on Alice in Wonderland.

The Jabberwock itself is described sparingly, with only a few details given about its nature and appearance, and many of the words used to do so are made up (it is a nonsense poem after all). As such, most depictions of the monster are based on an illustration from Through the Looking Glass by John Tenniel (seen above).

For my own Jabberwock design, I decided to dissect the poem and base my concept off what little I could gleam from it... which, surprisingly, was quite a lot. For one thing, I found that the poem mentions nothing about it having wings or even flying. I also noted the following:-

• The jaws that bite - The fact that the poem draws attention to them suggests that the Jabberwock's jaws are quite noticeable, and like it likes to use them
• The claws that catch - Suggests the creature likes to grab it's prey, which in turn suggests long, dextrous limbs
• Long time the manxome foe he sought - The key word here is manxome, one of the many nonsense words used. Apparently it means 'fearsome', but it's also a portmanteau of 'manly' and 'buxom'
• With eyes of flame - Again, like the mouth and claws, this suggests the eyes are quite noticeable, probably because they are large and possibly glowing
• Came whiffling through the tulgey wood - Despite being another nonsense word, describing the Jabberwocky's movements as 'whiffling' is actually quite telling. It doesn't sound like something that crashes through the trees or comes swooping down; instead it almost sounds like its slithering or gliding.
• And burbled as it came - More of a minor detail really, but as with 'whiffling', the choice of words suggests something about the creature. It's not loud or shrill, suggesting the creature may be slowly stalking its quarry
• and with its head - It has a clearly defined head. ...Ok, I'll admit, I'm grasping at straws with this one

Anyway, that's enough research and exposition. Next post will show the concept and design of the Jabberwock