As a person who couldn’t even draw a passable stick figure to save my life, I deeply admire those who can create stunning, detailed imagery using just their hands and a set of colors. What is even more remarkable is that some of these artists are capable of creating what many would consider a masterpiece having never really had any formal education, i.e. having learned it all on their own.
One such artist is Marcelo Ventura, a 36-year-old drawing hobbyist from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who reimagines TV, movie, and video game as well as other pop culture characters all the way from the ‘80s and ‘90s in a darker, unglamorous, and sinister comic book style. Bored Panda invites you to get acquainted with Marcelo’s art thus far and with the artist himself through an interview with us.
[Interview originally conducted in Portuguese and translated into English]
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The Little Mermaid
I love this one so much, I think it really shows how pollution is affecting underwater life, it's really sad but I love the artist's art style
Scooby & Shaggy & Into The Wild
“I am a nostalgic of the ‘80s and ‘90s. I love to resurrect characters from this era in a comic book style. In a style that is strongly influenced by legendary artists such as J. Scott Campbell and a duo that inspired me a lot in my teens (and continue to do so), Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo,” Marcelo explained the inspiration behind his art.
Princess Merida
Baby Yoda
We asked Marcelo how he decides what pop culture characters to reimagine in his unique comic book style, to which he responded: ”I like to connect and associate different universes. I usually choose a character and try to insert it into a certain context, whether it is from a movie, series, or a book. For example, mashing up Buzz Lightyear with Alien, Scooby & Shaggy with Into The Wild, Mario Bros with The Walking Dead, and so on.”
Alice The Madness Returns
Rick & Morty, Beavis And Butthead, South Park, & Others
Now, Marcelo has an interesting way of introducing himself: the Frustrated Artist, a hostage to a secular Freudian materialist education of a Cartesian Newtonian paradigm. We asked him why he considers himself the Frustrated Artist: “Like many artists, I would love to live only on my art. However, the lack of opportunities and a little bit of self-esteem, too, hinders me from taking bigger steps forward in this career.”
The Strange Things Kids
Harley Quinn & The Jokers
Lastly, we asked Marcelo if he is willing to spill some beans for us and to reveal what other characters he’s thinking of drawing in the near future: “I have many drafts and ideas that will soon materialize on a piece of paper. It’s things like Hellboy, ThunderCats, and, most definitely, Rick and Morty, who are currently the two characters I like to draw the most.”
Po (Teletubbies) & Sadako (The Ring)
The Little Prince
Captain Planet
Buzz Lightyear vs. Alien
Vanellope & Wreck It Ralph
Hotel Transylvania
Dumbo Joker
Princess Jasmine & The Genie
This is more a technicality than a weird way to represent Disney's Genie: Djinns like also Eefrets in many saharian cultures are demonlike spawns.
Princess Peach & Zombie Mario & Luigi
Pucca
Pennywise & Coraline
Him, Jessie, Cruella De Vil, & Others
Bananas In Pyjamas
Bojack, Rick, Bender, & Others
Scooby & Shaggy
Rick, Morty, & Summer
Princess Peach & Yoshi
Naruto & Hinata
Captain Planet
Finn, Marceline, & Jake
Masha & The Bear
Sorceress Of Castle Grayskull
I don't really like darker themes like this, but nevertheless, these are some amazing drawings!
I don't really like darker themes like this, but nevertheless, these are some amazing drawings!