pants monsters

Steve Wang's pants monsters

2010-05-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

I was sent these pants monsters by creature design legend/director Steve Wang. I'll be updating this post for awhile - Steve is in pre-production on a new feature that he's directing so he's kind of busy, but I will doggedly bother him for more specifics on the pants his monsters are wearing.

The first is Illidan from World of Warcraft - a display piece that Steve made for the big gaming convention, E3. If you want to get a close-up look at the pants, it currently resides in the lobby of Blizzard Entertainment in Los Angeles.

The character below is from Blade Trinity, his name is Drake and in the movie he's the original Dracula. To his right is the actor that portrayed him in the film. I'm assuming that the pants that Drake is wearing are very nice because most vampires are wealthy, having accumulated fortunes over their very long lifetimes. In other words, I think they're leather - not vinyl.

Markus from Underworld:Evolution

Now if this one suddenly dissapears from this blog posting, it's because it technically does not fit my criterium of what constitutes a pants monster. But it's by Steve, and it's cool. It's the head crab zombie from the popular FPS game Half Life and Half Life 2. Steve made it as a Halloween costume for his son.

Unused tooth fairy creature from Darkness Falls. Steve tells me that it's not pants, but a skirt. In the interest of equality between the sexes I'm going to include it.

Abe Sapien from the Hellboy movies.

Bambooman from Kung Fu Rascals, a feature film directed by Steve Wang. The film was shot in Super 8! I'm searching for a better shot of his pants.

Keeper of the Gate, made by Steve for Screaming Mad George's first annual halloween contest. If you don't know who Screaming Mad George is, click here.

Rawhead Rex

2010-03-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Peasant pants with torn tunic (accessorized with shoulder pauldrons), natural leather, mocassins.

"They called him Rawhead!" And he sports the classic pants monster look with a medieval bent in this 1986 film. A monster with attitude, apetite, and a bad habit of urinating on priests.

NOT pants monsters!

2010-03-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

The Morlocks and Amazing Colossal Man/ Colossal Beast are NOT pants monsters. A pants monster is not just covering their genitals, they're making a couple of statements at different levels. Unfortunately, this disqualifies the Gorn:

The true pants monster is saying, "I may be a monster, but I live in a world of men. A monster who wears pants will be taken more seriously."

The pants monster movie producer is saying, "We're going to show more monster but I don't have enough money to pay for a whole suit and we'll probably just show him from the waist up anyway."

The Twilight People "Darmo the Bat Man"

2010-03-11T23:22:00.000-08:00

Light khaki peasant pants, loose-fitting, possibly linen to enable breathing in humid jungle environment. No belt.

This is one of my favorites, I'll try to get better images of him. The last of the "Blood Island" films shot in the Philippines in 1973. Directed by Eddie Romero and starring John Ashley. And Pam Grier as the Ayesa, the Panther Woman! The Bat-Man is a pretty great effect, done with wires I think. There's also a cel animated version of him which kind of flies into the sunset. Read all about the Blood Island films here.

The Island of Dr. Moreau "Humanimals"

2010-03-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

Utilitarian peasant pants, possibly burlap or hemp, with rustic rope belt.

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, "Mr. Hyde"

2010-03-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

Similar to "Curse of the Werewolf" riding breeches; black form-fitting pants with tapered leg and high boot.

Keeping the pants monster tradition alive is "Mr. Hyde" from the 2003 film, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Steve Johnson and his XFX company did the makeup/suit. Photo by Brian Best. Read all about the making of this amazing character here.

The Alligator People

2010-03-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

Flat front straight-leg work pants, with a belt.

Paul Webster stars as a man under the influence of alligator hormones. 1959

The Hideous Sun Demon

2010-03-11T19:23:00.000-08:00

Pleated loose fitting casual pants, with a belt, possibly wool. Comfortable shoes.

Produced, directed and starring Robert Clarke as the monster, 1959

This Island Earth

2010-03-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

Possibly rubberized cloth high-water pants with unique belt that hugs the abdominal ridges.

The Metaluna Mutant from This Island Earth, 1955

I Married a Monster from Outer Space

2010-03-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

Possibly middle eastern ceremonial pants, lame' fabric for sparkle, high form-fitting waist with unique taper at rear of ankle cuff.

Charlie Gemora created this classic pants monster, going a little further than most by having the "monster boots" sculpted above the ankle. Here's a better shot of the stylish pants, courtesy of Jason Barnett:

Curse of the Werewolf

2010-03-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

Stylish black riding breeches with high boots and a sash.

Thanks to Marc Mascot for the phrase "50's pants monsters", though technically this picture of Oliver Reed in makeup by Roy Ashton fits in the "60's pants monster" category, as it was released in 1961.