In light of the newest update, here are my designs of the characters seen in the @myth-of-the-machine prologue. Created by @nortsauce @flygutzz
I've loved redesigning them!! It has been the most fun I've had with art in a while despite it taking a while. They all have quite a bit of change but I overall think I captured their vibes. Huge shout to @crowberryboo for having the greatest designs ever. I took hella inspiration from him!!
I am working on the others, but I have a lot of other things to do/draw... so don't expect em anytime soon...
HUGE YAPP SESS abt details and headcanons below (it's allat)
I assigned each of the main cast a card symbol. Only after I did, I remembered the Cup-Bros were given the opposite symbols by the fandom, but let me cook. I didn't think about the numbers and just put them in upsending order then made symbolism around it.
Bendy is the Jester! In tarot (upright) it symbolises a leap of faith and new beginnings which represents the entirety of the comic. Bendy is leaving his old life following this map, and the fact this story is a rewrite. The card and him represent the ups and downs in life. His old profession was entertainment and he's honestly seen as a joke by everyone around him, and sometimes himself. He's scrawny, charming, carries himself with confidence of a much taller man, and is a wild card if you only look at him with a surface level of understanding. I had trouble intergrating any jester like qualities into his design, Bendy looks more like a scholar if anything and it honestly fits
He reminds me of Philip from Hamilton.
Boris has 1 Spade on his nose, meaning he's an ace! In tarot (upright) it symbolises a breakthrough, which the map is for him. Traditionally, the ace of spades is the most valued card in the deck. Boris doesn't consider himself as valuable, but the rest of the mains would. He is reason and a reason to keep going. The spade was worn in battle as a sign of good luck but the ace is also known as the Death Card. He and the card are loved but they bring conflict to those around them. Like the death of Cuphead :D
Cuphead has 2 Clubs on his shoes! Clubs are clovers and double them up is double the luck (bars). Him being the two of clubs speaks for itself, it symbolises partnership, guidance and is surprisingly analytical. Cuphead has a loving brother, he's escorting the B-Bros to the machine, and just like the card he is surprisingly thinking a step ahead. In tarot (upright) it also means to step out of your comfort zone which is funny because he's having an out of body experience at the moment.
Mugman has 3 Heart buttons! The three of hearts generally has the same meaning all around, ie. companionship. Mugman is codependent on his brother but he's clearly growing to care for others like, Boris, and the card actively celebrates it. I'd like to note we have 3 hearts for 3 cups.
Like acne, the cups gain cracks in their porcelain when stressed. Cuphead didn't fix his handle after a huge breakout while Mug's continues to keep himself intact. Cuphead's coat fur is beer foam, and Mugman's bow is a reference to Swap! Sans and to show more of his femininity (trans he/she lesbian, trust).
Shelly has 4 Diamonds, three on her dress and Pebble is made up by the very shape; there is one on her goggles just in case she doesn't have Pebble on her. The four of diamonds generally symbolises financial security... Shelly is technically financially secure, she can eat and sleep without a worry, but assuming she can't leave Gardenview, she can't not be secure in her "wealth". She has no life to live where she could spend with reckless abandon. (I had a crack theory that Gardenview was ran like a cult, before the update)
I LOVE SHELLY BUT SHE WAS A PAIN TO DRAW. IVE RELINED HER A DOZEN TIMES!! (Boris is a close second)
When I saw Felix's cartoon design, I got the idea to not give him a shirt for a nice contrast. The tie has his signature pattern, and the burn scar on Felix was caused by Mickey so it looks like him too.
Sheba's outfit reverse mirrors Felix's, and one of my favourite details is her fish zipper.
Oswald has a flower on his hat to commemorate his wife.
The flower sprouting from Ortensia's hat is her antenna and it expresses her emotions; the Ozlings are the same shade as said flower because they are part flower on their mom's side.
All the Ink Paint employees have the same ruffle pattern.
I present to you, Benny the Bag, the campiest thing ever. I wanted to draw him in full but and I wasn't about to figure out the dimensions of a car that can fit in Mickey's office.
I know Roger Rabbit looks completely different but I am very happy with the result and his goatee.
I tried really hard on making all the anthros look distinct from one another while keeping families looking related :
The B-Bros have the same curved points and long nose bridge
Felix is made out of triangles in sets of two
Sheba is made out of singular softer triangles
The WishUpon brothers have very circular faces and big ears. People probably think they’re cousins
Ortensia has curly hair
The Ozlings have the mix of their parent's genes.
Roger Rabbit is fluffy, has hair seperate from his fur, and has long droopy ears (I needed to fill up space)
‼️ There are important details missing from some of the characters and that's because I only learnt about them after finishing their designs. So, pretend Bendy's goggles are in his bag and Felix is shrugging about his bag "magically" disappearing or sm... idk man😭😭
