Samus Aran Archives - Lousy Canuck

Ever wanted some artwork you could hang on your wall that would please both art connoisseurs and video game fanatics alike? Jed Henry has you covered. On his tumblr, he’s released three pieces of art rendering classic video game characters in ukiyo-e style, reimagining their most recognizable traits as the accoutrement of great samurai warriors.

To wit, Samus’ blaster is a severed dragon head tied to her arm:

Samus Aran from Metroid in ukiyo-e (Japanese wood-cutting) style

The other two characters he’s done so far are Link and Megaman, both of which are incredible. Can’t wait to see what’s next. He’s evidently planning a kickstarter in August, to which I’ll almost certainly donate what I can. I would love the hell out of large bamboo scroll versions of these.

One of the things that bugs me the most about Zero Suit Samus is that Samus is, ordinarily, a tank, and a female in armor is a rarity in fantasy and science fiction whereas every man is allowed to wear sensible protection. Video game heroes who wear armor get to keep that trademark armor through their service, and are very rarely ever shown in skintight spandex, unless they happen to also be girls. There are now pretty much no unsexualized female video game characters.

So it’s a fair bit of turnabout for Mister Bolk to take a similar character, Master Chief, and show what he must look like without his armor.

In a boobs-and-butt pose, no less.

And no, Master Chief is not a girl. Bungie took a stab at making a female Spartan, and it apparently worked like this nonsense. At least she gets to wear armor.

Lousy Canuck

… Because I don't watch enough hockey, drink enough beer, or eat enough bacon.

Samus Aran

Jed Henry’s video game samurai: Edo pop for gamer nerds

Zero Suit Master Chief: Turnabout is fair play, except for your spine