Okay, so I'm not really sure if this is the right thread for this topic. This is a list of my favorite modern werewolf designs from modern werewolf films, so I guess it's partially related.
Let me begin this thread by saying that I personally think werewolves in general are underrated. You see hundreds upon hundreds of films about vampires and zombies (not that I dislike either one), but I feel as though modern werewolves are lacking in "definitive" films. Yeah, we all know about Universal's The Wolf Man, but that's not a "modern" werewolf film, according to the forum. This was a tough list to make, but here I go (1 = least best, 5 = best):
1 - Werewolves - Van Helsing:
(http://static1.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11127/111277291/5129632-van-helsing-werewolf-wallpaper-3.jpg)
Think of this as more of an "honorable mention". I will clear up the confusion right now by saying that there are two werewolves in this film: the first is simply referred to as the "Wolfman", while the other is Van Helsing himself. Granted I like the design of both the original Wolfman and Van Helsing's werewolf form, part of why these two are at the bottom of my list is because I hate skin-ripping werewolf transformations. They're just something that's unforgivable to me, regardless how good the design of the werewolf is.
2 - Lycans - Underworld series:
(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/underworld/images/0/0b/William.png/revision/latest?cb=20100317015146)
The first time I saw Underworld was on the SyFy channel some number of years ago. The first film was very dark (in a literal sense), making it rather difficult to get a good look at the werewolves. The first werewolf, William (who I believe was introduced in the second Underworld film), is okay with me in terms of design. His muzzle looks just about the right size. He's 80% perfect to me.
(https://monsterlegacy.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/lycanfullside.jpg)
Unfortunately, I can't say as much for some of the other werewolves in this series. This one in particular has a very bizarre-looking muzzle. In all honesty I think this looks more like a bat or a rat, but the rest of the design is okay with me.
3 - Lawrence Talbot - Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman:
(http://s2.dmcdn.net/PG2Oe.png)
Well, this is an... interesting choice for the middle of my list. Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman was one of my favorite werewolf cartoons as a kid. The film had a lot of atmosphere and some good background music. From what I can gather from the film, Lawrence Talbot is intended to be a descendant of Larry Talbot, the original Wolfman. Now I'm not the biggest fan of the more human-looking "Wolfman" design, but I think they managed to pull it off pretty well in this film. His hair is red because Mr. Talbot himself is in fact a red head. My only real gripe with his design would have to be the whiskers, which are a more feline feature.
4 - The Kessler Wolf - An American Werewolf in London:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7f/40/2a/7f402a57e7c38625f7a02a32499149b8.jpg)
I'm sure you all saw this one coming. What can I say? The special effects in this film were beyond fantastic, especially that transformation scene. I'm not really a fan of films that sometimes have a hard time deciding whether or not they want to be a horror or a comedy, but AAWIL is definitely fine with me. It's a slaughterfest in some places, but still a good film. I can't find any high quality screenshots of the werewolf in the film, but the picture above (I believe it's a statue or prop replica of some sort) recreates it well enough. My only real gripes with Rick Baker's design were that the werewolf seemed a little too "chubby" sometimes, if you know what I mean, and the mouth seemed a little too extreme, but it's still overall a good design.
(http://www.tomspinadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/american-werewolf-transformed-into-puppy-1_1.jpg)
Although I'm obviously aware that the image above wasn't in the actual film, I have to bring this "puppy" version of the Kessler wolf by Tom Spina Designs to the attention of fellow UMA members. I fell in love with this thing the very first time I saw it. If it weren't for the fact that I'm sure it costs well over $1,000, I would definitely be ordering one of these.
5 - Lupine Wavelength Haemovariform - Doctor Who "Tooth and Claw":
(http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ep2x02.jpg)
Okay, I know this is a strange pick for my top 5 favorite modern werewolf design. In my opinion, the design of the werewolf in the Doctor Who episode "Tooth and Claw" is perfect. Just perfect. The head looks like an actual wolf, but still has a good degree of personality in the face. The rest of the body is mostly nude with some visible blood veins. The hands are still very human-like, only with claws. My only real gripe with this werewolf's design is that the tail is very small and flimsy, although I feel kind of bad for complaining about that since the rest of the design is perfect to me.
The plot of the episode isn't my favorite werewolf story of all time, but it is definitely interesting. In the episode, the werewolf is basically an alien who crash-landed on Earth in the 1500's in Scotland and was worshiped by a group of monks. Only a single "cell" of the werewolf survived the crash, so the monks would kidnap young farm boys and use them as "hosts" for the werewolf cell every generation. The episode involved a conspiracy plotted by the werewolf and the monks for the wolf to bite Queen Victoria and use her to start the "Empire of the Wolf". In other words, the werewolf wanted to take over the world.
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/ChakorChanning/Werewolf1.png)
Another reason why I have to praise whoever designed the DW werewolf is because it resulted in one heck of a werewolf action figure made by Character Options in 2006. What I can't understand is why this figure was supposedly a "peg-warmer" back when it was released. After all, who doesn't want a werewolf action figure that's this perfect?
Well, there you have it. That's my list. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?
It may not be considered "modern" but I like the werewolves from The Howling (1981) regarding film werewolves.
My favorite werewolves are from comics.
Frank Frazetta painting for the cover of Creepy #4:
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BAPC4QJMEP0/TQNaePXU8aI/AAAAAAAAIQw/wZkuZ-_5D-Y/s1600/04b_creepy_1965aug_fritz.jpg)
Bernie Wrightson illo from Swamp Thing #4:
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEIOAMmz_ZI/UmcPrf2UUxI/AAAAAAAA2uI/26el8ybCw44/s1600/swamp+thing+v1_004_19.jpg)
Neal Adams Werewolf 3-D poster:
(http://www.daleankrum.com/NealAdams_TheWerewolf.jpg)
Marvel's Werewolf By Night by Mike Ploog:
(http://basementrejects.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/marvel-spotlight-2.jpg)
Werewolf designs are almost always WAY easier to pull off in comic book artwork than they are in film, mainly because the special effects in films end up looking lame or they resort to CGI. Nice selection of comic werewolves you have there. ;)
I love the werewolves in "Dog Soldiers". Cool movie too.
Quote from: Mord on June 03, 2016, 10:38:22 AM
I love the werewolves in "Dog Soldiers". Cool movie too.
Ah good choice. I actually haven't seen the film because I don't really care for military-themed movies, but I keep meaning to give it a watch.
I felt the same way at first, but it won me over. Give it a try, you won't regret it.
I dug the 2010 version of the Wolfman.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4WWEsNAmg7A/TmeVITsbHaI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/iFQxZAX1zK8/s1600/17936_304276386855_672396855_4027126_7562681_n.jpg)(http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/wolfmanconceptart.jpg)
That's a good one Glenn! I never cared for the underbite though. The rest of the design is great!
I love the very Henry Hull like Ethan chandler/Lawrence Talbot werewolf from Penny dreadful. Just throw back and I love that and I hope they go a similar route in the reboot