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He kids, want a pedantic, nitpicky rant about the armadillo featured in #RayaAndTheLastDragon trailer?
While I'm not an expert on armadillos, I did study them and discuss them with experts to write my two novels.
And that, my friends, is no armadillo.
While I'm not an expert on armadillos, I did study them and discuss them with experts to write my two novels.
And that, my friends, is no armadillo.
So here's this armadillo critter. Cute, eh? And from the trailer, we learn he (or she, as I don't know their gender or name yet) will at some point grow to the size of a horse and be rideable.
We see them roll into a cute little ball and set off a bunch of traps. Awesome!
We see them roll into a cute little ball and set off a bunch of traps. Awesome!
The common trope in entertainment is that armadillos can roll up into a ball as a form of protection. And that's...partly true.
There are 21 different armadillo species. Only 3-banded armadillos in the Genus Tolypeutes (Brazilian & Southern) can actually roll into a ball.
There are 21 different armadillo species. Only 3-banded armadillos in the Genus Tolypeutes (Brazilian & Southern) can actually roll into a ball.
Ball!
Many (though not all) armadillo species are identified by the number of bands on their carapace. There's the 6-banded armadillo (right) and the 9-banded armadillo (left), as well.
Fun Fact: the main character of my novels, Dilbert Pinkerton, is a 9-banded armadillo. And he HATES when people joke about him rolling into a ball because he literally can't.
At the end of this thread, I'm gonna share sketches from artist friends of Dill, just because.
At the end of this thread, I'm gonna share sketches from artist friends of Dill, just because.
There's also the pink fairy armadillo (left, about the size of a squirrel) and the aptly named giant armadillo (right).
Oh, and there's also the VERY aptly named screaming fairy armadillo. Who make the most delightful noises when threatened.
But back to Raya & the Last Dragon.
So, about the bands on armadillos. The "bands" or "plates" used to identify them are around the middle. Species other than the 3-banded can't because they have TOO MANY plates that make it impossible.
So, about the bands on armadillos. The "bands" or "plates" used to identify them are around the middle. Species other than the 3-banded can't because they have TOO MANY plates that make it impossible.
You'll see the bands don't take up the entire carapace. They have larger plates at the front and back.
Raya's critter friend is basically all bands. I count about 8, but there's no larger bands in the front or back. Comparing bands, they're closer to the pink fairy armadillo.
Raya's critter friend is basically all bands. I count about 8, but there's no larger bands in the front or back. Comparing bands, they're closer to the pink fairy armadillo.
Either way, that little critter is basically Band City. From the way the bands are designed, from an animation or anatomical viewpoint, I can see how they it roll into a ball, though.
But it shares little resemblance to any existing armadillo.
But it shares little resemblance to any existing armadillo.
Of course, it's also a critter that can (or will) grow to the size of a horse in a movie about seeking out the last dragon, so it's not like this is an animated nature documentary on armadillo anatomy.
And as promised, sketches of Dill! Provided to you by various friends who either willingly drew him for fun or because I begged them.
In no order of preference:
1) @Captain_A_Haf
2) @Mythvoyager
3) @dsamowen
4) @tygenco (one of the first to draw Dill)
In no order of preference:
1) @Captain_A_Haf
2) @Mythvoyager
3) @dsamowen
4) @tygenco (one of the first to draw Dill)
And more:
1) @Zapdraws
2) @WaffleyMan
3) @ChrisShehanArt (cover for The City of Smoke & Mirrors!)
4) Larry Nadolsky! (who I don't think is on Twitter; cover for The Dame was a Tad Polish!)
1) @Zapdraws
2) @WaffleyMan
3) @ChrisShehanArt (cover for The City of Smoke & Mirrors!)
4) Larry Nadolsky! (who I don't think is on Twitter; cover for The Dame was a Tad Polish!)
And course, shameless self-promotion (not that I expect a pedantic thread about armadillos will take off, but you know).
My blog, which I really should post on again. https://nickpiers.com/
My blog, which I really should post on again. https://nickpiers.com/
My first novel, THE CITY OF SMOKE & MIRRORS. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDSCHUU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_AuhLFbB4DTQX6
The second book in the Armadillo Mysteries, THE DAME WAS A TAD POLISH. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7V5FPL/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_.vhLFbATPTZRG
And finally, my YouTube channel. Like my blog, it also hasn't seen an update in a long time. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa10ubKQa77AWs0U_zFklMw
Actually, I also want to tag @HaileyPiperSays, who helped edit my second book (and the third, but that was never completed or published) and has given me some of the best feedback. Unlike me, she's still writing up a storm and has a book out soon! https://twitter.com/HaileyPiperSays/status/1312749180981567493
Shit, I forgot Larry Nadolsky's cover for Dame was a Tad Polish in this tweet. Here it is:
(Fun fact, it was blatantly based off the cover for Mickey Spillane's THE KILLING MAN.)
https://twitter.com/NickPiers/status/1320074105580904449
(Fun fact, it was blatantly based off the cover for Mickey Spillane's THE KILLING MAN.)
https://twitter.com/NickPiers/status/1320074105580904449
