#tricerak

ATOM Stop Motion Models: Tweaks and the Gang So Far

I decided to refurbish Tyrantis and Gorgolisk’s models a bit while I was making new ones. I made Tyrantis’s eyes a little larger and gave them some skin around their sides to show that he’s a creature with forward facing eyes and, y’know, make them look less buggy.  Gorgolisk’s modifications were more extensive - I replaced her old neck and tail armature pieces with a series of smaller ones, making her far more articulated and capable of coiling.  I would have done that in the first place but I wanted to save those small pieces in case other armatures needed them.  I also gave her a complete set of dorsal plats and a better rattle, because I half assed it the first time and she deserves better than that.

Book Title: Atomic Time of Monster, Tyrantis Walks Among Us! 

Author: William Cope, aka @tyrantisterror

Genre: Science Fiction, Sub Genre, Kaiju Fiction. 

Rating: 4.7/5 Pachycephalosaurs 

Favorite Character: Dr. Minerva Lerna

Favorite Monster: Tricerak 

Favorite Chapter/Section: Tyrantis in the Jungle of Green Hell

Villain I love to Hate: Dr. Motherfucking Rockwell. That absolute dick. 

Thoughts: If you really like monsters, you need to pick this book up now. Like what are you doing, stop it and get this book. With an amazing cast of characters and a monster roster than both feels diverse and developed at the same time, you can’t ask for more. Each monster seems to be lovingly crafted, and shows them all off with such splendor and wonder that you can’t help but smile or be excited when another one pulls itself up from some unknown corner. In an era that tries to grow out of the tropes and building blocks, the book embraces it in the monsters it shows and man does it feel almost like a refreshing breath of air. 

And that’s downplaying the human characters. While the monsters certainly steal the limelight every page they’re on, the human characters are great. Instead of embracing the traditional here, Will chooses to go and bring into the light subversions of the tropes. A majority female cast, and an african american, often neglected in monster films starring in a major role. And like it works so well, and creates more tension and perspectives through the lens of time that just doesn’t get that focus as much. And you know what? It works like a charm. 

My only nitpick is that some of those pages are a bit oddly formatted, but it is a nitpick at best. Amazon is weird and wild, and this book never really stops being a fantastic read. It’s been a long time that I haven’t been able to put down a book, and this one did that. 

In the long run, Will is insane to not stop here and add even more monsters for the future. But you know what? I can’t wait. 

The kaiju kick continues today with Tricerak, the Rodan/Anguirus to Tyrantis’s Godzilla!

I've been kinda tense this week, and it sort of came to a head last night when I almost - almost - broke my cardinal rule about not arguing with people on the internet.  My better side won out as I turned off my computer for an hour, watched a movie, and finally picked up some scraps from my sketchbook and turned them into inked and colored drawings.  I probably should have done something Halloweeny, but instead I was drawn to some of my retrosaur characters instead.  They're still monsters so it's kind of seasonal.

Tricerak's sketch was the one that made me say, "Yeah, we have to do these ones."  I was inspired to give Tricerak lips after seeing this picture.  It turns out the dragon-ish beak look REALLY works for the old brute, as it really gives him a fierce look that the beak undercut.

From there I drew the other herbivorous retrosaur kaiju in my story.  Pachydon (formerly Trachylophus) got some Red King style armor, while Stegronox was elongated to make her a bit more distinct from Tricerak.  I finally streamlined Bronton to make his armor visually distinct without being a pain in the ass, and his proportions are closer to what I want them to be as well.  He's probably benefited the most from the infinite canvas my tablet provides.

Then I dabbled with a couple of my carnivorous retrosaur kaiju, starting with the two that were the weirdest/least dinosaur-ish of the lot.  I was happy to see that Burodon fit in pretty well despite having anatomy that was basically pulled right out of my butt.  Spinonyx/Sobekroc stole some things from my 30 Day Kaiju Challenge entry, Krocogon - specifically his armor, in addition to having an even more crocodilian body (since his last was a bit too similar to what we now think Spinosaurus looks like for my comfort).  I think he might take Krocogon's name, too - it's got a better ring than either of this dude's earlier monikers.  Spinonyx and Sobekroc always felt a little forced.

After all of this I wondered whether Tyrantis was as distinct from real dinosaurs as his peers are.  So I drew my flagship kaiju first, then drew a Scientifically Perfected Tyrannosaurus Rex for comparison - even basing its color scheme off of this movie that paleontology fans creamed themselves over a while back.  I feel confident that Tyrantis is just as distinct from his real life counterparts as his brethren are.