THOMAS JANE ON WEREWOLVES

And the movies that inspired 'The Lycan'.

Today I just wanted to share this excellent article by my friends, Rich Johnson and Thomas Jane. For context, way back in the murky past I was meant to be drawing the series ‘The Lycan’ for Thom’s comic imprint, scripted by the wonderful Mike Carey. In the end I only did one poster/cover image, and a single interior page before I had to stop, as Madefire quickly and unexpectedly got funded, making me an executive, CCO and co-founder, and requiring us to hastily make the move to the US.

Thom was sad, but gracious. I gave him the above piece of art as a form of consolation, and we have remained friends.

Since then the title has suffered more misfortunes, with a revolving door of artists that could not - for a dizzying array of reasons, some tragic - finish the book after starting it. But now it has FINALLY seen completion. I have contributed a cover myself, which I look forward to sharing, but in the meantime go read this wonderful article on the cinematic influences that led to the creation of ‘The Lycan’.

Not many people know how steeped Thom is in the lore of the things he is passionate about. His knowledge of cinema, it’s history - globally, not just with regard to Hollywood - is truly staggering. I’ve had the pleasure of a few long nights listening to him talk about his greatest cinematic loves, and it is enlightening. (You can check out another excellent article that exemplifies that here.)

‘The Lycan’ is no different, and that deep interest in the material he’s working on is very much demonstrated in this loving tribute to the movies that paved the way.

Here’s a sample from the article. Click the title below to go directly to it.

Enjoy!

Best,

Liam

Thomas Jane’s Love, Lust & Lycanthropy

In sharing the “Top 5 Werewolf Movies” that inspired Renegade Entertainment and ComiXology Originals’ new comic book mini-series The Lycan, actor Thomas Jane digs deep into the lore and mythology of these magnificent beasts.

“Beware the moonlit path, for it is the playground of the werewolf, where it hunts with a hunger that knows no bounds.” — Stephen King, Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)

What is it about the werewolf that makes it such a powerful cultural icon? Studying “the animal” we understand the wolf is a pack hunter, while human nature tends to follow a herd mentality. We depend on the herd for our survival — whether it is the animals that sustain a village or the villagers themselves — and when this is threatened by a cunning hunter, we risk losing everything. The wolf lurks at the edges of the herd, stalking those who stray from well-trodden paths. However, while wolves hunt in packs, the werewolf is a lone hunter. Part man, part beast, it is left to its own devices and threatens to destroy us not only by bloody violence but by the fear and panic of this “wolf/man” running amok. A hybrid that has, over centuries conjured an extremely powerful and potent image. Iconic, for sure.

Typically (but not always) male, the werewolf is a virus of violence and lust disguised as a normal citizen, a wolf in sheep’s clothing that threatens to destroy what we have worked so hard to create: a civilized society of civilized men built to protect our most valuable assets: our women and children. In short: the werewolf is the beast in mankind that wants to destroy everything we love…

Fuck the Rules: A Prelude to Werewolfery

In medieval Europe, the werewolf legend became intertwined with witch hunts and superstition. People believed that certain individuals could shapeshift — often as a result of curses or a pact with the devil — and it wasn’t long until the fear of werewolves surged, particularly in the regions of France and Germany as numerous trials and executions were conducted in the name of eradicating these purported monsters. It was merely another witch hunt.

Above: A woodcut print by Lukas Mayer based on the execution of Peter Stumpp in 1589 at Bedburg near Cologne. The case led to a peak in werewolf trials based on accusations of lycanthropy (an individual transforming into a wolf) or the more believable wolf-charming and wolf-riding. Right: Georg Kress's woodcut of the She-Wolves of Jülich, Germany, 1591.

Within the modern world, our fascination with the werewolf still cuts deeply into our souls in a couple of different ways. While other monster movies typically revolve around humans running from an evil creature, the typical werewolf story revolves around the monster itself as the star of the show. This cursed hero is the outsider in society; the stranger in a strange land who finds himself surrounded by familiar, yet alien people and societal structures that we are obligated to follow in order to become a valid member of the community and, in the grander scheme, part of the human race…

Continued in the article.

Samples from the upcoming comic