Comment on Dire Wars baddies concept by NicGiraffe
I'm pretty late with this comment, but I do like the sketch(es). They all look like wolves to me too, except maybe the Smarmy Guy. I think it might just be the angle though making his muzzle look shorter and narrower.
I like the concept of a dire wolf empire too. xD
I wouldn't mind offering ideas for naming it/cultures to base it off either, but I'd rather hear your own ideas first. I will say though, after reading the other comments, that Lycaon is a Greek myth. Off-hand, I recall that Lycaon was the King of Arcadia, who, when Zeus stopped by for a visit, killed one of his own sons and fed him to the god. Zeus turned him into a wolf as punishment. But oddly enough in connection with the rites in Arcadia commemorating this Zeus was referred to as "Lycaeus" which to me suggests that he was also lupinised. (In fact I have an entirely different interpretation of the myth, but that's another story.)
The only connection I have between the Romans and wolves is that Romulus and Remus were raised by wolves. Not exactly lycanthropy, but an interesting connection.
One of my favourite legends is one Tolkien made up; in the Silmarillion one of his heroes assumes the shape of a wolf to infiltrate the Dark Lord's fortress.
I like the concept of a dire wolf empire too. xD
I wouldn't mind offering ideas for naming it/cultures to base it off either, but I'd rather hear your own ideas first. I will say though, after reading the other comments, that Lycaon is a Greek myth. Off-hand, I recall that Lycaon was the King of Arcadia, who, when Zeus stopped by for a visit, killed one of his own sons and fed him to the god. Zeus turned him into a wolf as punishment. But oddly enough in connection with the rites in Arcadia commemorating this Zeus was referred to as "Lycaeus" which to me suggests that he was also lupinised. (In fact I have an entirely different interpretation of the myth, but that's another story.)
The only connection I have between the Romans and wolves is that Romulus and Remus were raised by wolves. Not exactly lycanthropy, but an interesting connection.
One of my favourite legends is one Tolkien made up; in the Silmarillion one of his heroes assumes the shape of a wolf to infiltrate the Dark Lord's fortress.
No worries! Thank you, I'm glad you like them! I was trying to make Smarmy look like a teenaged wolf. Their snouts aren't as long as the adults are (howlingforjustice.files.wordpr…), but his could stand to be less narrow, I agree.
I was actually kind of wondering if I was going to upset people by making wolves the antagonists. XD But you and everyone else is down with the idea so far.
I like the idea of basing their empire off that of ancient Rome and the Aztecs thanks to Cakelesspixels, but I'm still open to hearing any and all ideas! Oh, you're right about the Lycaon myth actually being Greek. Derp.
And I forgot about Romulus and Remus. I didn't know that about Zeus. I know he was big on shape-changing though. I'd like to hear your interpreataion of the myth if you don't mind sharing.
I didn't know about that, but it does sound interesting! Can't say I've ever read Tolkien (I should), though I''ve seen the Lord Of The Rings films.
I was actually kind of wondering if I was going to upset people by making wolves the antagonists. XD But you and everyone else is down with the idea so far.
I like the idea of basing their empire off that of ancient Rome and the Aztecs thanks to Cakelesspixels, but I'm still open to hearing any and all ideas! Oh, you're right about the Lycaon myth actually being Greek. Derp.
And I forgot about Romulus and Remus. I didn't know that about Zeus. I know he was big on shape-changing though. I'd like to hear your interpreataion of the myth if you don't mind sharing.I didn't know about that, but it does sound interesting! Can't say I've ever read Tolkien (I should), though I''ve seen the Lord Of The Rings films.
I'm so late. But I didn't forget! I was thinking about sending my ideas and stuff by note, since it's not about the artwork as such. And I will try to get to that soonish.
I feel like I should have known that his muzzle would be shorter because he was younger, but it didn't occur to me. It's cool that you're going to incorporate that. :3
As for wolves as villains; you know I'm a fox guy. Wolves and foxes are traditional rivals/enemies. XD So it seems natural to me. There's also something poignant to me about making them dire wolves, because they're extinct -- it's kind of like you're invoking a lost civilization.
Only read them if you want to. xD I love them, but that doesn't mean they're for everyone. (Lots of people complain of the pacing, for instance, whereas I think it's perfect.)
I feel like I should have known that his muzzle would be shorter because he was younger, but it didn't occur to me. It's cool that you're going to incorporate that. :3
As for wolves as villains; you know I'm a fox guy. Wolves and foxes are traditional rivals/enemies. XD So it seems natural to me. There's also something poignant to me about making them dire wolves, because they're extinct -- it's kind of like you're invoking a lost civilization.
Only read them if you want to. xD I love them, but that doesn't mean they're for everyone. (Lots of people complain of the pacing, for instance, whereas I think it's perfect.)
Those who live in glass houses can't throw stones, so I won't say a word about someone else's tardiness. 
But cool, looking forward to checking that out.
Thanks!
Heh, true. XD Well, it's not as if we really see villanous wolves all that much anymore, so actually it strikes me as being unique to depict them as such I feel. In the story, the dire wolves are a lost civilization that returns after being sealed away/or shunted off by the good guys to another dimension (I'm still trying to decide exactly what happens to them, but they're basically sent away against their will for a long time to stop their warmongering).
*nods* I've heard that about the pacing, as well as some other complaints about Tolkien's writing style. But I figure I should at least give something of his a try just to see whether or not it's something I like.
But cool, looking forward to checking that out.Thanks!
Heh, true. XD Well, it's not as if we really see villanous wolves all that much anymore, so actually it strikes me as being unique to depict them as such I feel. In the story, the dire wolves are a lost civilization that returns after being sealed away/or shunted off by the good guys to another dimension (I'm still trying to decide exactly what happens to them, but they're basically sent away against their will for a long time to stop their warmongering).
*nods* I've heard that about the pacing, as well as some other complaints about Tolkien's writing style. But I figure I should at least give something of his a try just to see whether or not it's something I like.
Okay, wow, I almost feel like apologising again, though you know that my being late to reply is not *entirely* my fault. Anyway, I'm not entirely sure if you're still pursuing this idea of the Dire Wars or not. But I can still send you a note about lycanthropy and Lycaon.
I kinda hope you are still doing this, because that is a cool idea, though different from my first impression. xD At any rate, I think you have a point about wolves tending to be more positively portrayed. Though of the three wolf characters that are coming to mind two are villains, but that's just my experience.
Well Tolkien wrote a bunch of stuff, and pretty much every work has a different style. "Smith of Wootton Major" is dreamy, "Farmer Giles of Ham" is a comedic parody (of chivalry fantasy), The Silmarillion can only be described as Biblical not only for its matter and magisterial tone but because it's a compendium of various works. I think a good place to start would be The Hobbit, since it sets the stage for The Lord of the Rings in more ways than one.
I kinda hope you are still doing this, because that is a cool idea, though different from my first impression. xD At any rate, I think you have a point about wolves tending to be more positively portrayed. Though of the three wolf characters that are coming to mind two are villains, but that's just my experience.
Well Tolkien wrote a bunch of stuff, and pretty much every work has a different style. "Smith of Wootton Major" is dreamy, "Farmer Giles of Ham" is a comedic parody (of chivalry fantasy), The Silmarillion can only be described as Biblical not only for its matter and magisterial tone but because it's a compendium of various works. I think a good place to start would be The Hobbit, since it sets the stage for The Lord of the Rings in more ways than one.
Sure, I'd love to see it. And yes, Dire Wars is still very much a thing. 
I've been trying to work on doodling some more characters, and I've developed the overall idea a little more since this post.
Once upon a time, I would've loved all the positive wolf images in contemporary pop culture. Now I'm just bored with wolves. Not to say that there aren't individual characters I like (Lupe, certain OFCs), but in general there are more unique animals out there that deserve more attention.
Huh. I actually wasn't aware of his other works, since LOTR garners the most attention. but I'll have to give The Hobbit a shot.
BTW, don't feel like you have to apologize for anything. Like you said, what happened wasn't your fault.
I've been trying to work on doodling some more characters, and I've developed the overall idea a little more since this post.Once upon a time, I would've loved all the positive wolf images in contemporary pop culture. Now I'm just bored with wolves. Not to say that there aren't individual characters I like (Lupe, certain OFCs), but in general there are more unique animals out there that deserve more attention.
Huh. I actually wasn't aware of his other works, since LOTR garners the most attention. but I'll have to give The Hobbit a shot.
BTW, don't feel like you have to apologize for anything.
Like you said, what happened wasn't your fault.Okay. And I'm glad that this is still on, it's another thing to look forward to. : )
Ah. I can understand that, since similar things have happened with me -- start out liking something, or feeling indifferent, then getting to dislike it the more it gets hyped. Though in the case of wolves that's not exactly how I feel... I like wolves in general, as villains or otherwise; but it galls me when they are extolled as better than other animals. Besides I tend to prefer lone predators to pack hunters.
Haha, well if nothing else I'm glad to have made you aware of them. xD And I honestly couldn't say which was my favourite between LotR, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion or Farmer Giles of Ham, they're all so different, despite three belonging to the same setting. Anyway, yeah, The Hobbit's the place to start, though now I feel -- unnecessarily perhaps -- that I should point that it was written for children. It's probably not what anyone would expect given the hype that built up around its sequel... or the movie adaptations. >>
Ah. I can understand that, since similar things have happened with me -- start out liking something, or feeling indifferent, then getting to dislike it the more it gets hyped. Though in the case of wolves that's not exactly how I feel... I like wolves in general, as villains or otherwise; but it galls me when they are extolled as better than other animals. Besides I tend to prefer lone predators to pack hunters.
Haha, well if nothing else I'm glad to have made you aware of them. xD And I honestly couldn't say which was my favourite between LotR, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion or Farmer Giles of Ham, they're all so different, despite three belonging to the same setting. Anyway, yeah, The Hobbit's the place to start, though now I feel -- unnecessarily perhaps -- that I should point that it was written for children. It's probably not what anyone would expect given the hype that built up around its sequel... or the movie adaptations. >>