I was a Stone Age Werewolf

Mat McGowan’s early designs for Tallon were quite different from the slender, nimble, Bruce Lee-with-fur look he eventually decided on. Originally he had far more of a werewolfy appearance, and this sketch of mine was based on those first drawings. As you can see, back then he was all muscles and fangs and wayward hairstyles, and I still think he looks rather cool; however, Mat’s redesign is infinitely far more suitable for the character. Tallon was always intended to be the tough guy of the group (the group being him, Crazy and Kitty), but he works much better as a lightning-fast kung fu-kicking wisecracker than someone who’d likely push people through walls while shouting “TALLON SMASH!”, or whatever. (Wolves aren’t generally known for their lumbering hulkyness, in any case.)

Incidentally, just in case you’re wondering why I-Tooth is chewing his leg, this picture was intended to give an idea of how the little frog was going to be introduced into the story. He was raised by wolves, you see, hence the tribal collar and the wildly inappropriate moniker, and is hugely territorial; as such, when a strange wolf happens upon his land, he immediately takes it upon himself to see off the intruder. Needless to say, much bafflement ensues on the wolf’s part.

Matthew Smith

Back to Main Page Back to Gallery Back to Sketch Book