Luis Royo: Dead Moon
http://phistars.blogspot.com/2011/11/luis-royo-dead-moon.html
Luis Royo: Dead Moon
Hi!! Chibis!! Did you like the last blog? Sure it was a nice change of pace from the usual chibi blogs. Well, onto other important Royos. This one has some selective 5 star worthy pictures from the Dead Moon Collection of Royo. The Dead Moon Concept is based of one of those traditional Chinese tragedies. Basically, there are two warring tribes Mars and Moon. The two champions from Mars and Moon meet in an epic clash. They say that ninjas' and Samurais can communicate through their weapons. After the battle ended, both the Mars Champion (champion as in top fighter not as in a champion knight or Champion Champion) and the Moon Champion fell in love with one another. Their bodies combine into one. The End...
Here, Luis Royo was going for a compare and contrast between gore and beauty. Before the time of the unified monarchy of China, there used to be lots of War. Eventually, Emperor Ching unified China. I think that it was during his reign that the forbidden city was created. Inside those castle walls, lied the entire wealth and splendor of China. Eventually, China became the people's Republic and the forbidden city ceased to be forbidden. Now, we can visit the place and marvel at their beauty. Oh! were was I going with this? Luis Royo picks up this trend. So if you are interested in seeing the beauty and the horror of ancient warring China, then Dead Moon is a must see collection.
From the entire album, I picked out the images that I found to be 5 star worthy. The first image shows the main girl from the Moon Tribe. She is wearing her ninja attire. She must have been working hard today judging by the blood on her frail legs. Her dragon tattoo looks freaking awesome. The dragon is one of China's four guardian beast. His polar opposite is the tiger (you know yin and yan). Behind her you can see the dead moon. The eye that is glancing toward the viewer has a tear drop. Even a ninja gets sick and tired of war. In any case, this Dead Moon picture is 5 star worthy.
Here we see the Dead Moon empress. In the old days, the Chinese emperors trained in martial arts. Assassinations where commonplace back then. This is the reason why the empress also fights along with her ninjas. In matters of war, one needs all the help one can get. In this image, we see her wearing a black Chinese attire. She also has her lil fan. If I remember correctly fans also serve as weapons. Also, her two giant hair pins can also be used as a weapon. Around her I can see incense plates. The entire image is darkly beautiful. 5 stars for this lovely Dead Moon image.
Above we see the front cover of Dead Moon. Here we see the main girl crying. Behind her we see the full moon. The entire cover looks quite lovely. Her arm tattoo or paint design has some lovely flowers. Her face is painted completely white following the traditional face painting style of China. What is 100% Royo is the odd chain earrings. I never seen anything like them. Truly, they alone are 5 star worthy.
Judging by this image, the maiden from Moon must be a sort of enchantress. She is wearing the traditional dark robes. Her hands seem to be making a simple V ninja sign. Behind her we can see her two helpers. When it comes to "Great Magic" it is best to have a helping hand or two. This helps dilute the backlash from casting the "Great Magic". In any case, the maiden from Moon is 5 star worthy.
Above we can see the Martian army marching (hahaha). Only the moon lights up the night sky. The soldiers seem to blend with the surroundings. Both have the strange bluish overtones. Truly, they are all 5 star worthy.
The next Dead Moon image shows a very angry looking Mars Prince. He has just dropped his wine goblet. Perhaps, it was poisoned. The way he is reclining in bed (plus the bandages and stuffs) implies that he is recuperating from a terrible battle. He might be wounded but he looks quite menacing. In any case, this Prince is worth 5 star rating.
Here we see the Frail Moon Empress. Her back is turned toward the viewer. I seen lots of depictions of Chinese Maidens in such a pose. She has in her hair one of those fancy (what do you call it?) ornaments (?). You know those things that Chinese ladies used to wear so long ago. Her makeup is using a V shape pattern. It seems that the V is gonna be her identifiable trademark look. In any case, this Moon Empress is 5 star worthy.
Damn!!! This is one gory image. The entire wall is tainted in blood. Inside we see a dead guy. The sentries seems oblivious. It seems the Moon Empress has made a successful kill... Cool, 5 stars rating.
Above we see the Mars army marching. The floor is stained with so blood that its scary. Their blades are stained, dripping with blood. The contrast between the darkly armors and the bloody ground beautifully .Truly, this is one gory epic 5 star worthy Dead Moon image.
In the next image, the Moon Empress is receiving the blessings of the dragon. Dragon is the guardian of heaven (so he combines pretty well with the moon). She looks so cute and humble. Well, one needs to approach with humility in order to receive the blessings of a Dragon (on pain of death). In any case, she is 5 star worthy.
Above we see the Moon Empress with her mages. They all have recipients that emit strange white fumes. The entire image is super eerie, tense even. The way that her dress swirls in the wind looks really neat. Her arm painting this time has some red and some giant blue flowers. In any case, she is 5 star worthy.
In the next image, the Moon Empress is on the move. She has two very sharp blades. This time the Moon Empress is wearing a warrior's armor. She must be dueling someone. Her usual style of fighting is that of ninja. Ninja Gear requires fluidity to climb and stuff (u perfect for assassination). I guess she can fight regularly as well. The whole rain thing is a classical scenery of Chinese final battles. The entire scene looks pretty cool, 5 stars.
Above we see the Mars Prince all dolled up. The geisha look suits him rather well. I like at lot the neck tattoos and the pins in his hair. This look gives the Mars Prince a more gentle look. At least, he does not look like he wants to kill you. Royo, deserves 5 star rating for this Dead Moon image.
The Moon Princess came out very pretty with all those symbols all over her Body. The three pins look cute on her hair. The bird in her dress is a blue phoenix. The sword look pretty cool. 5 stars for this princess.
In this Dead Moon image, the Moon Princess has just made quick work of someone. Judging by her dress, she must have entered the enemies' layer incognito. She pretended to be a dancer and when they least suspected it she killed them with her fan. In any case, Luis Royo gets another 5 stars.
Here, Moon is wearing a fancy tear drop makeup. China has a great tradition of varied face and body paint. Their ancient metal work is also pretty cool (if I remember correctly one of their key elements is metal). I wonder what her forehead says? In any case, she is 5 star worthy.
Above we see Moon being bathed by her assistants. It is forbidden for commoners to touch a princess. That's why they wear thick gloves. One of them is offering Moon a mirror. The entire image is quite eerie. Have you noticed that most of the furniture is made of metal. They must not have entered the golden age of China. It takes time and money to refine gold. It is better to work with metal that can be easily converted to swords and arrows during war time. Gold is a useless metal in all respect. Its just cute, for fun. In any case, Moon Bathing is 5 star worthy.
Here we see Mars and Moon together. Mars has just fought his way through Moon's guards to claim the girl he likes. It looks really epic, 5 stars.
Here is the first sketch of Moon. Here Luis Royo was building up the concept of the Moon Princess. Her pose is quite traditional of Chinese paintings. In any case, she gets 5 stars.
This is the rough version of Mars. The blood suits him rather well. I think this is his young self. His face is more clear, less harsh. Eh, he used to be a cute kid before the war began... oh well, 5 stars for Mars.
Above, Mars is unsheafing his sword. He is about to slash a person who is right behind him. Neat, the pants look good on him. 5 stars for Mars.
You know, red Suits Moon Pretty well. Behind her you can see the moon. Her frail legs are all scraped. I think she goes barefoot 24/7. Does anyone speak Manderine here? 5 stars for whoever can translate for me her leg tattoo.
The next Dead Moon image shows Moon just sitting there. She must be having an audience with someone Her pose is formal. The leather skirt looks pretty cute. 5 stars.
The next image is from flashback of Moon's childhood. Here we see her like a regular lil girl surrounded by toys. I think there is even a pet midget (for those that do not know, little people used to be kept as pet in royal houses. Despite the humiliation, most obliged cause it allowed them to live a better life than regular folks). Behind her you can see her attendants. Despite all this luxury, Moon is all alone. She has no other child to play with. Only the moonlight is her companion. For this lovely flashback, Luis Royo gains 5 stars.
In the next image, Mars is walking epic under the rain. If you look closely you can see one single tear coming out of his left eye. There is like a "something" that dictates that guys should not cry (although there is no law against feeling pain) . He must have suffered a lot of have let one single tear slip. In any case, he is 5 star worthy.
That is one super cool looking black metal armor. The horns look cool on the helmet. Its pretty neat the blood splatters on the painting. Behind him you can see all the people that Mars has killed. 5 star.
This one shows Moon in a simple black dress. I think this one is an oil painting. 5 stars.
That is one terrible slash on his chest... Mars is standing there like a war deity ready to strike. Pretty epic uh? 5 stars.
The net image shows Moon wearing a lovely black dress. The blue leafs looks awesome. She looks really pretty. 5 stars.
This is the last Moon picture. Moon seems to be going into exile. Behind her you can see her attendants carrying torches. You can see the snow beneath her feet. 5 stars for this pretty maiden.
In the next Dead Moon image we can see the wounded Mars Prince kneeling. Judging by the blood on his sword, Mars must have injured his quarry. He looks pretty disappointed (can't blame him, its not every day a tough looking guy gets injured by pretty girl). In any case, he is 5 star worthy.
Well Chibis, lets wrap things up. 5 stars for this cool looking Mars. I hope that you have enjoyed this Luis Royo Dead Moon blog. After this, I will rate his Dream works. So stay tune.
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Not to rain on your parade, but Dead Moon doesn't take place in China. According to Royo the characters are a cross between East and West, so they won't be following usual Chinese or Japanese customs. Its like a Chinese opera crossed with a victorian play. You can even tell that mars looks rather European in his face. So the whole Chinese custom guesses are off base.
ReplyDeleteOh, well, swing and a miss. I was close. though... hehehehe. thanks anyway...
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