Hey everyone! Today’s blog is another Troop Spotlight, this time focusing on the Wasp.
In terms of initial design, the Wasp took a bit more trial-and-error than the Slime. Most graphic designers, illustrators, and concept artists will tell you that it takes a few dozen sketches to produce an idea that actually fits the client’s needs. I personally agree 100%. OgreWare has been great about giving me enough rein to do my art, but enough guidance that I can get them what they need – and yet there were still several sketch incarnations before the Wasp we wound up using was born.
I drew a lot of inspiration from a wasp-like character that was already very familiar to me: the mascot of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. My dad had earned his bachelor’s from GT in the 80’s, and we still had a ton of Yellow Jacket merch around the house when I was growing up.
So I based the Calling All Heroes Wasp on the Yellow Jacket – not really copying or tracing, but rather taking inspiration from that character’s gesture and the impression I had of it. There is a difference between using reference, gathering inspiration, and copying, and I feel that my Wasp falls well outside the latter.
The resulting character became our Wasp – the second Troop you recruit in Calling All Heroes. He’s small but fierce, and spoiling for a fight.
There are a few things in this world that one shouldn’t disturb. Let sleeping dogs lie, don’t poke the bear, leave the Ogre to his work – and don’t kick the Wasp nest!
Here is the standard Wasp, alongside one of his counterparts, the Gloom Wasp. This, like the Blood Slime, is a variant you’ll be able to unlock in the later stages of playing CAH.
The Gloom Wasp is endearing, but he makes me sad inside. What do you think of him?
~Admin Julian