Revenant100 Posted October 9, 2017 As I'm sure we're all very aware, our beloved Mancubus monster originated as a latex model created by Greg Punchatz and co. that was then digitized into sprites for the game. That original model is now said to reside in the lobby of id Software's current office, as often seen in photos such as the following: However, what if I was to tell you that the last statement... is a lie?! By examining contemporary photos of the Doom models circa 1994 during their original creation and capture sessions, we can observe some peculiar oddities beginning to form. Comparing the two Mancubi: 1994 model has pupils and sclera, modern model has pure green eyes like the sprites 1994 model has two large tusks which are also seen in the sprites, modern model has tiny lower incisors 1994 model has light and smooth gradient stripes, modern model has dark and jagged opaque streaks (especially comparing the belly ones) 1994 model has a fuel backpack, modern model has nothing (see mirror in lower right, photo courtesy of Buckshot) Different weathering on the plasma cannons (see black marks around the gun barrels) Different connection point for the hose on his left (our right) plasma cannon 1994 model has a nifty head harness and shoulder pad things, although these were seemingly removed anyway prior to recording, making this a moot point not worth including in this list but I've already typed pretty far into this sentence So, in conclusion, the conclusion clearly at hand is abundantly clear: that modern Mancubus in id Software's lobby... is a fraud! That's not the Mancubus we see in Doom! That's not our Mancubus at all! Just who is this mysterious modern model masquerading as our monstrous Mancubus, and what, mayhap, has become of our true six-nippled friend? Has this imposter been making fools of us for the past 20+ years? Perhaps this is a mystery we'll never solve. Of course, it's possible that Mr. Punchatz simply recast the Mancubus model for display purposes as he did exactly that for the Spider Mastermind on request by id. However, that begs the question: What happened to the original Mancubus? Has the OG model that served as the basis for the sprites we've come to know and love these past decades been forever lost to the ravages of time? Or is he still out there somewhere, waiting for us to somehow return again to him? Perhaps this is a mystery we'll never solve. 26 Share this post Link to post
Voros Posted October 9, 2017 Well. This is new. I honestly don't know what to say here. 2 Share this post Link to post
TootsyBowl Posted October 9, 2017 The most logical conclusion would be that the original broke, and they made a new one. The models seem to be prone to breaking. Here's a photo of the Spider Mastermind model with a busted leg. It was apparently never fixed. 2 Share this post Link to post
Maes Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) Latex simply doesn't hold up after all those years, and the originals have likely melted into goo long ago. Would you expect a 20yo condom to be still in one piece? 4 Share this post Link to post
fraggle Posted October 9, 2017 I'm convinced, sign me up. #MancubusTruth 6 Share this post Link to post
Captain Ventris Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) God, I love you people. #MancubusTruth Also someone needs to throw together sprite edits matching the modern model vs 94' model with the harness and shoulder pads! Edited October 9, 2017 by Captain Ventris 1 Share this post Link to post
Quasar Posted October 9, 2017 I've noticed the discrepancy but just figured two were made and one was an unused backup or something. 1 Share this post Link to post
Revenant100 Posted October 9, 2017 To a give a rough timeline to the events chronicled here, perhaps the earliest post-development images we have of the Doom latex models are from John Romero as posted here on his SmugMug account: https://romero.smugmug.com/Video-Games/The-Archives/ These particular photos are unfortunately undated, but they appear (quote obviously, actually) to be pre-digital developed photographs judging by the scanning artifacts. This would put them at mid-90s, likely before Romero left id after Quake. The important matter to note is that, even in these very early images, the Spider Mastermind model is already using Punchatz's newly recast head rather than the original digitized head. Note the recast head has deep red blood painted into the crevices, a telltale difference not seen in the original model. This suggests that the model switcheroo, at least for the Spider Mastermind but potentially also for the Mancubus, occurred almost immediately after Doom 2's development. This is not surprising based on Punchatz's story of having created them due to the original models being damaged during animation, but this also means the original Mancubus that has bedazzled us in-game for nearly a quarter of a century actually disappeared not long after it entered the spotlight. And unlike the Spider Mastermind, we don't know the current whereabouts of that original Mancubus cast or if it even survives to this day. In its place, we have a false idol purporting itself as the true Fatso, but we know better. The real Mancubus may not be living out his days in glamour inside of a display case in id Software's lobby, but he will surely live forever in our hearts. And DOOM2.WAD. And yet, there's still one more mystifying conundrum to tackle: the case of the missing Revenant armor vest. But that's another story... 4 Share this post Link to post
SaladBadger Posted October 9, 2017 The guns are interesting, the paint details look pretty much the same across the two models, but they're flipped on the new one, which definitely indicates its a different model (incorporating the same guns). I wouldn't be surprised if it is a newer model made for display, incorporating some parts from the old one. 0 Share this post Link to post
Gpunchatz Posted October 26, 2017 Maybe I can shed a little light on the subject. Indeed the original mancubus skin was recast for display , the original skin was pretty beat up after the animation process. I actually took a bit more time painting the display models than I did the originals , that is why there are differences, I wanted them to be better the second time. The original skin was torn off the metal armature and ended up in the trash, I still have the mastermind skin. Gregor 35 Share this post Link to post
Job Posted October 26, 2017 From my perspective, they all look the same to me. 0 Share this post Link to post
Linguica Posted October 26, 2017 28 minutes ago, Gpunchatz said: I still have the mastermind skin. The only person to have collected a spider mastermind pelt, impressive. 4 Share this post Link to post
Reisal Posted October 26, 2017 35 minutes ago, Gpunchatz said: I still have the mastermind skin. Photos, if possible? 1 Share this post Link to post
Revenant100 Posted October 26, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, Gpunchatz said: Indeed the original mancubus skin was recast for display , the original skin was pretty beat up after the animation process. Much appreciation for the insight, Mr. Punchatz, and of course your work for Doom as a whole. Just out of curiosity, did you also recast the Revenant or Arch-vile models for display purposes as well? 1 hour ago, Glaice said: Photos, if possible? He posted a photo of the original Spider Mastermind skin on his Facebook page. 1 Share this post Link to post
Gpunchatz Posted November 1, 2017 I did not recast any of the others, in fact I can say the molds for the other Doom characters are gone as wellthey went the way of the Arlington landfill.... :( I wish I had a clue how popular these guys would become way back then. I still have the molds for the spider mastermind and mancubus... one of these days I will pull my own copies. G 9 Share this post Link to post
RjY Posted November 1, 2017 18 hours ago, Gpunchatz said: they went the way of the Arlington landfill.... :( Anyone here live over that way and own a shovel? You know what you must do. 0 Share this post Link to post
Scorpinax Posted February 22, 2018 Is it a possibility that they intentionally mutilated the models for the death sequences, or were those hand drawn? Both the Mastermind and the mancubus have extremely gory deaths which destroy a large part of their body. 0 Share this post Link to post
VGA Posted February 22, 2018 Now I wanna see a mod with sprites based on these imposters! 0 Share this post Link to post
