3 Years of Monsters

I feel like I'm becoming a broken record but it remains true: I'm sorry for the long break! Things got extraordinarily busy (hell, they still are) and there just hasn't been the time for more monsters. And that's terrible. There should always be time for more monsters.

But don't worry! I'm still here and I'm ready to post some more. And before a new deluge of monsters, I thought it'd be time for another anniversary post, this being my third year and all at doing this.

Looking at the artwork over the years has been fairly strange; some of the art I produced still looks pretty good and others really show their age. There are some monsters I remember being pretty proud of that I now find slightly embarrassing. You're always improving as an artist and it's good to acknowledge that for a moment. Even if you don't think you're getting better, you are.

Another thing I've noticed is how abstract some of the monsters have gotten. There's some truly strange and surreal looking ones made during this last year. A lot of pictures don't even really have backgrounds beyond some weird splash of the texture brush. I can't say there was ever a conscious decision in that regard ("Many, Many Monsters," has never been about conscious decisions), but it's somewhat intriguing. What will this new year of monsters look like? I don't know yet but I'd sure like to find out.

Until then, thanks for being a reader and I only hope I've brought to you some manner of enjoyment. All I really want to do ultimately is make people happy and I'd love it if this blog is a way of doing that.

Thanks again,
Ryan

Here are some favorites from the last year, in no particular order:

Zep and Gunk

Monster #: 978,001 and 978,002

What Are They: Two weird little things.

What Do They Want: We don't know.

They Both Look Pretty Nervous: Yeah, they don't look too happy.

I Better If You Weren't So Lazy You Could Find Out: Yeah I bet-HEY!

The Ayng

Monster #: 67,003

What Is It: A small little monster.

What Does It Want: It doesn't want to hurt anybody. But it does.

How? Why: The Ayng has a strange condition where it causes paranoia and neurosis in people it comes near.

Oh Wow: Yes, it's pretty bad.

Poor Guy: Yeah, he doesn't have a great life.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Monster #: 60

What Is It: The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

You Mean, Like the Victor Hugo Novel: No, the University.

The Hunchback of the University of Notre Dame: Yes, the very same.

What... Huh... Uh... : Yeah, flunked out and now he hangs out with the bells.

This Is All Very Confusing: Look, it's a college thing, OK?

Flipjip

Monster #: 867,934

What Is It: A one-legged monster that hops everywhere.

What Does It Want: To hop in peace.

So, It Has No Arms and Only One Leg: Yes.

Yeah, I Guess It's Hop Or Nothing: His options are limited certainly.

Grabjb

Monster #: 35,789

What Is It: Sort sort of… thing?

What Does It Want: Man, we don’t have ANY idea.

It’s Pretty…Happy: Yeah, I guess.

I Dunno, I Still Don’t Like It All That Much: Neither do us.

Seriously, What IS It’s Deal: Some things just can’t be known.

Hedreg

Monster #: 400

What Is It: A big, blue monster that lives in Egypt.

What Does It Want: To figure out how those crazy pyramids work.

Yeah, There's Something Off About Them: Perspective's kinda wonky.

Are These the Ones Aliens Made: Oh my God, I think you're on to something.

The Rectangles

Monster #: 343

What Are They: Weird, rectangle-shaped monsters ruled by a single emotion.

What Do They Want: To do things bases on their emotional status (i.e. the happy one wants to be happy, the sad one wants to be sad, the angry one wants to be angry).

Where Are They: Somewhere beyond our realm of comprehension.

That Doesn't Sound Comforting: Most of the stuff on this blog doesn't.

The Gonor

Monster #: 300

What Is It: We have no idea. It's big though.

What Does It Want: We have no idea.

Where Is It: We have no idea. Some place scary?

Who's That Guy: We have no idea.

Why's He Not Wearing a Shirt: He's very proud of his body.

The Portal

Monster #: 902

What Is It: A portal to a strange dimension.

What Does It Want: While the portal may be a sentient creature, it has no wants or desires.

What Does It Do: Trap them and transport them to what lies beyond our reality.

How Can I Avoid It: For some reason the portal is related to glory holes. We don't know why, just avoid them!

The Eyes of Fate

Monster #: 991

What Is It: The Eyes of Fate. Duh.

No, Really: The Eyes see all and know all. They know your fate.

But What About Free Will: They know every decision you could possibly make.

Even...That Decision: Yes, especially that decision.

The Moon

Monster #: 4

What Is It: It's the Moon!

What, Really: Yep, the Moon is alive!

Huh: Yeah, haven't you ever heard of the "Faces of the Moon?"

I Thought It Was Phases: No, that's stupid.

Well, What Does It Want: We don't know. Make goofy faces at us maybe?

God I'm So Confused: Well, that's your problem.

Trello (Again)

Monster #: 612

What Is It: A very shy monster that likes to hide itself.

Why Does It Like To Hide: He's just a big baby, that's why.

Wow, That's A Little Mean: Yeah, yeah I know. I'm just going through some stuff right now.

Oh, I'm Sorry: It's not your fault. I shouldn't take it out on Trello.

Nicola

Monster #: 789

What Is She: Some sort of unearthly being. A ghost? An apparition?

What Does She Want: We don't know.

Does She Have Parents: Maybe. We haven't met them yet anyway.

Is She As Sweet As She Lets On: Maybe...

Bayon

Monster #: 233

What Is It: A strange creature that lives on a different plane of reality.

Is It Dangerous: Not as long as it stays on its plane of reality.

What It Happens If It Leaves: You don't want that to happen.

Why Don't I Want That: You really want to ask that question?

Raymor

Monster #: 223

What Is It: A big-ass monster that lives in the ocean.

What Does He Want: To eat? You know, stuff like that.

Who's The Other Guy: That's his sidekick.

What's The Sidekick's Name: I dunno. That's for another case file I guess.

Trello

Monster #: 612

What Is It: A very shy monster that likes to hide himself.

Why Does He Like To Hide: The world's a scary place.

Is It Possible To Find Him: No, he's very clever.

But I Can See Him In the Above Photo: Oh, uh, you're right, I guess...

Unknown #5

Monster #: 956

What Is It: Not Known At This Time

What Does It Want: Not Known At This Time

Where Does This Photo Take Place: No idea. We just received this photo one day in the mail.

Well That's Pretty Creepy: Yeah, there were a couple of other odd photos too...

Scrimm

Monster #: 57

What Is It: A strange tall creature that preys on the small and meek.

What Does It Want: Unknown at this time.

How Can I Avoid It: Don't fall asleep.

Where Can I Find Out More Information on this Monster: Consult the "Phantasm" documentary series.

The Shapelings #2

Monster #: 64

What Are They: Weird little critters based on shapes.

What's Going On: The triangle ones appear to be running away from the circle one.

Yeah, Sure I'll Buy That: Maybe it's like that level from "Super Mario Bros. 3."

The One With the Angry Sun: Yeah, and the circle is gonna try to hurt the triangles, but they gotta escape first! Man, that'd be pretty exciting.