BEING SHOT AT (more than once)

part 5

Who in hell did they pay to have it done

Essentially the Devil himself – long before Hades was ever a thing – Chernabog (named after the Black God of Slavic Mythology) is a rather unique villain in Disney’s ranks. The centerpiece character of Fantasia’s “Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria” segment, he hatches no evil schemes, he never attacks any living person directly, etc. He just…basically throws a party in Hell. That’s about it. It might seem weird to some to place him in the Top Three. And I can understand that, trust me…but here’s my simple argument: IT’S THE DEVIL. THROWING A PARTY IN HELL. Does that sound particularly non-villainous to you?! Actually, it’s very telling that, despite the facts I just mentioned and even the fact that Fantasia was not a huge success in its own time, and gained an audience steadily over the years, Chernabog is still regarded as something of a “mascot” for the Disney Villains franchise. He’s not a character with a ton of reinterpretations, nor a character you can meet in costume (presumably due to his gargantuan size), but nine times out of ten, when there’s a big gathering of Disney Villains, Chernabog is either going to be a big part of that, or at least be referenced somewhere. There is no voice for Chernabog, at least not in his initial appearance, and most appearances since have wisely kept him silent UNLESS it’s for comedic effect. Like so much in Fantasia, what makes Chernabog so powerful is the animation. The character animation was chiefly the work of Bill Tytla; in describing his process working on Chernabog, he was quoted as saying: “I imagined that I was a mountain…but I could think, and move.” Tytla was known as a master for creating powerful, massive figures and giving them the necessary gravity and drama they required, and many have credited Chernabog as his finest creation. Admittedly, some kudos must be given to the live-action reference used for the character. Originally, Bela Lugosi – yes, Dracula fans, THAT Bela Lugosi – was brought in to reference for the character. While Lugosi’s facial expressions were ultimately used as reference for the moments where Chernabog’s face was most clearly visible, most of his physical gestures were rejected, aside from a few key points. (For instance, apparently Chernabog’s iconic wing-unfurling entrance was a Lugosi moment, which is not surprising.) Instead, much of the bodily movement of the character was conceived with the assistance of director Wilfred Jackson.  All three of these artists, along with the concept art of Kay Nielsen, created one of the most infamous depictions of the Devil ever put to the screen. Chernabog may not be much in the way of a plot-based antagonist, but what he IS is a perfect Portrait of Pure Evil. He is the embodiment of sin and decadence; cruelty and darkness incarnate. He turns exotic beauty into base ugliness and unfathomable horror. He forces his minions to worship him and dance to his music, only to swat them like flies, crush them with his bare hands, or carelessly toss them into the fires of his volcanic home for his own amusement. He is the almighty terror, who has no reason to think of the affairs of any lesser being, unless he can take pleasure in their suffering. Ultimately, however, his shadowy majesty has no power over the hope-bringing light of the Sun or the sound of holy Church Bells. Ever since Fantasia, Chernabog has remained a mainstay in Disney; it’s fitting that, in re-releases of Fantasia, typically he and Mickey Mouse were shown together: Disney’s most iconic figure of innocence and goodness contrasted by perhaps their greatest depiction of absolute evil and corruption. He shows up over and over again, often in unexpected places: in “Once Upon a Time,” the character was reimagined as a carnivorous demon who fed on the bodies and souls of those with evil hearts. In the “Kingdom Keepers” book series, he was the monstrous and once again carnivorous leader of the Overtakers. In “Kingdom Hearts,” he popped up as a boss fight in a couple of games; the list goes on and on. It’s always fun to see Chernabog made fun of, too – most notably in “House of Mouse,” where he was sort of a big softie who just happened to look terrifying – but what makes him eternally iconic is the simple thing he represents. He is the King of All Disney Villains…yet he’s also only third place on this countdown of mine. One wonders what travesties I’m cooking up… Tomorrow, the countdown reaches its penultimate point with my2nd Favorite Disney Villain! HINT: He’s One Shadowy Character.

Each time someone calls me sweet or anything of the like I have a doubletake reaction of, “M-Me?” asdhfkljs.  You’re so sweet, thank you! And I’m glad you like my content, even if most of it is rambling nonsense haha.

as it is tradition, I should grace u with a picture of dumbcifer, but I'm feeling magnanimous as I am turning 23; so here's a picture of three of my cats instead.