This drawing was published all the way back on May 15, 2004, so it's almost certainly a complete coincidence. But I mean, REALLY. Especially the short coat, but also the slim style of the legs, arms, and fingers, and even the simplified chin, reminds me directly of Gadget's new series look.
%2B(edited%2Bframegrab%2B%2B%2BAndrewDickman%2Bfan%2Bart%2B-%2Bcropped).jpg) |
| Please note: While I've edited it somewhat for this comparison, the black-and-white artwork here belongs 100% to Andrew Dickman. |
Not that I'm an expert on Inspector Gadget fan art... maybe there are dozens of similar-looking pieces out there. But I do find it intriguing how alike people's design ideas can be. While I suppose there IS a chance that some of DHX's designers have seen the 2004 piece by Andrew, it feels just as likely that the similarities happened by coincidence. Ricardo Adrégo once suggested a practical animation reason for shortening the coat for the new CGI series: "Shrinking the trenchcoat at the bottom saves precious rendering time since the program doesnt have to calculate the collision simulation." That makes as much sense as any potential explanation I've heard... though I suppose someone also thought the shorter version looked cool.
You may have picked up on me NOT exactly being the biggest fan of the shortened coat. I think it looks far less iconic than the 1983 coat, and honestly, I wish they'd kept it long. In that regard, this stylish, classic-looking 2006 piece by Andrew is more up my alley (though those shoes sure are goofy-looking)...
Oh yeah, I remember that fan art... It does share a lot in common with the new-style Gadget. And the second drawing with the long coat is really great, I enjoy Andrew's more serious-looking version of Gadget while keeping it very toony.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for an Inspector Gadget series based on this fan art though...
Yeah, speaking purely from a personal viewpoint, I like Andrew's second drawing much better than the first. :) It stylizes the 1983 design but still captures all its essence. (My only gripe is probably those shoes... they work for the dynamism of the drawing, but their huge size kind of gives me clown shoe associations.)
DeleteIt's also nice that Gadget's face there opens up to interpretations of both a more serious take and the classic, bumbling Inspector simply looking determined/badass for a moment. The face in the 2004 piece doesn't feel like Gadget to me, but the 2006 face does. I'd love to see a 2D-animated version in this dynamic style.
"I'm still waiting for an Inspector Gadget series based on this fan art though..."
Heh, should have known it would be that one. :P You and a LOT of people are waiting for that version, it seems like. If we're talking seriously about it, I have to admit such a take on Inspector Gadget would probably, actually, be a bit TOO dark and twisted for my personal taste. I'm intrigued by the possibilities a darker interpretation could offer, but I don't think I need this Gotham-ish version where Gadget seems... pretty messed up, actually, and has even lost an arm. I want some humor and lightness to be retained too, ideally.
This fan art, on the other hand, makes my imagination run wild.
"I'd love to see a 2D-animated version in this dynamic style."
DeleteMe too. Wonder if we'll EVER see another traditionally animated series...
"If we're talking seriously about it, I have to admit such a take on Inspector Gadget would probably, actually, be a bit TOO dark and twisted for my personal taste."
Yeah, you're right... it would be waaaaay too grim-dark but it's fun to entertain the idea. In reality my ideal Gadget series wouldn't be anywhere near that dark. It would destroy the spirit of the character and might as well not be called "Inspector Gadget" at all if taken to such humorless extreme.
"This fan art, on the other hand, makes my imagination run wild."
Haha! Love that one! ...except for Penny driving the Gadgetmobile which will never happen. Completely unrealistic. :P
I wouldn't rule out another hand-drawn animated series somewhere down the line. CGI reboots of older cartoon successes are the trend right now, but trends can shift, and another different-looking reboot may be wanted later. (Just as long as we don't get a cheap-looking, 2D-animated flash series (*shudder*!), which is also becoming a TV animation trend to a disturbing degree these days.)
DeleteAnyway, I suspect what will be made in the future also depends on the success DHX achieves with the current CGI series. I wonder how it's been doing in ratings so far? Boomerang is certainly giving it a big, global launch; and both the various BM channels and Super RTL seem to be advertising actively for it.
Speaking hypothetically, I'd personally love a situation somewhat similar to the Scooby-Doo franchise, where new TV series and direct-to DVD movies are produced on a consistent basis, opening up for many different interpretations (and perhaps even animation mediums). That situation was what gave birth to a miracle like "Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated", for instance. (Not that the popularity of the Gadget franchise and the Scooby franchise can really be compared anyway.)
"...it would be waaaaay too grim-dark but it's fun to entertain the idea."
Yeah, I was kinda suspecting you weren't completely serious about that dark version. ;) It's always fun to speculate. Talking of "ideal" versions, I think my own ideal Inspector Gadget series would retain much of the charm and humor from the 1983 original, but go a bit darker, with more emphasis on continutity and long-term development (even though most of the stories would be self contained). There would also be great action sequences involving Dr Claw (of course!), and perhaps a bit more emotional scenes with Gadget, Penny and Brain, focusing more on their family bond.
"Love that one! ...except for Penny driving the Gadgetmobile which will never happen. Completely unrealistic. :P"
You're absolutely right, what was the artist thinking? :P BRAIN SHOULD DO THE DRIVING! Penny can handle that bazooka instead.