Client : VerSache the Barbarian comic book ( in association with Ian Versace.)
Pen sketch (on Cartridge) 20cm by 28cm : Drawn by Ian Versace. Coloured and Enhanced in Adobe Photoshop 2007 a.d by Anthony Marriott.
Character Design notes : Gustav performs all the janitorial duties at Niteramm & Niteramm Advertising, consistently leaving the place spotless. There is a suggestion that Gustav's present zombie-like condition is due to the occult intervention of Jim and Jewelie Niteramm.

Concept Notes : Gustav means "staff of the Goths", derived from the Old Norse words Gautr "Goth" and stafr "staff".
In mediaeval times, it was commonly believed that the souls of the dead could return to earth and haunt the living. The belief in revenants (someone who has returned from the dead) are well documented by European writers of the time period. The revenant rises from the dead usually to avenge some transgression committed against the deceased, most likely a murder. The revenant usually had the appearence of an emaciated corpse or a skeletal human figure, and staggered around graveyards after dark, zombie style.
The "Draugr" of Nordic mythology were the animated corpses of viking warriors. Views differed on whether the personality and soul of the dead person would still linger within the Draugr. All Draugrs possess superhuman strength, the ability to increase their size at will and carrying with them the unmistakable stench of decay. They were also noted for the ability to rise from the grave as wisps of smoke. The draugr slew their victims through various methods including crushing them with their enlarged forms, devouring their flesh, and drinking their blood. A subtype of the Draugr was the Haugbui. The notable difference between the two was that the Haugbui was unable to leave its grave site and only attacked those that trespassed upon their territory.
The Draugrs were said to be either hel-blár ("death blue") or, conversely, nár-fölr ("corpse-pale")
Notes : Original character created by Ian Versace.
Soundtrack (music to colour the undead to) : Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds ( various )