Gary Gygax is frequently cited as creating several iconic monsters in Dungeons & Dragons from a bag of plastic toys. But research has shown that toys came from a very specific source, Japanese knockoffs of giant monsters from the Ultraman franchise. Using the previous article as our jumping off point, we investigate the second creature on our list: the umber hulk.
The strongest connection to the umber hulk was that it was painted an umber color, although later iterations were bright red and white. Common wisdom cites the kaiju from Ultraman, Antlar, as the inspiration for the patchisaur. This is an easy association to make because Antlar looks a lot like the umber hulk in its final incarnation. But there is evidence of another possibility.
Closer examination of the sonosheet shows that the patchisaur originally had wings and was capable of breathing fire. It looks a lot like a dragon, a connection which other fans have made about the toy.
The connection between the patchisaur and the umber hulk pivots on the appendages protruding from its face. For the umber hulk, the bristly things were interpreted as tusks. But the sonosheet tells a different story.
If we interpret the patchisaur as an Asian-style dragon with their resemblance to carp, then what might first be perceived as tusks in the patchisaur can be interpreted as a dragon's barbels instead. This "mustache"-like appendage fits more with the patchisaur as a dragon than as a beetle.
One kaiju candidate is Depparas, a walrus-like kaiju, but the timing is all wrong as that kaiju debuted in 1973, the same year the umber hulk did -- not enough time for a plastic toy to be created and inspire Gygax.
The blog 1/72 Multiverse submits Gomora as a possible candidate:
But if we stick with the dragon theme, Dodongo is a strong candidate, appearing in 1966. That said, it's a charitable interpretation to move the wings on Dodongo's back to its face. Dodongo has a breath weapon (smoke) that was never used in the series, which is a far cry from the fire displayed in the image.
We may never know the exact origins of the umber hulk, but it seems clear that the original incarnation had more in common with dragons than beetles.
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The Incredible (Umber) Hulk?
Umber Hulks first appeared in the first Original Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Greyhawk, in 1973:Throughout editions the umber hulk has remained relatively unchanged. They have gotten larger and more ferocious, but their ability to burrow, their giant mandibles, and confusion-causing eyes are staples that exist in every incarnation.
Antlar, is That You?
The original patchisaur that may have inspired the umber hulk is a curious bipedal creature standing upright, arms spread, covered in scales, with a dragon-like snout and two appendages protruding from its face. Its eyes were black dots that certainly stood out, which may have inspired the confusion ability.The strongest connection to the umber hulk was that it was painted an umber color, although later iterations were bright red and white. Common wisdom cites the kaiju from Ultraman, Antlar, as the inspiration for the patchisaur. This is an easy association to make because Antlar looks a lot like the umber hulk in its final incarnation. But there is evidence of another possibility.
A Different Kaiju?
Famous D&D artist Tony DiTerlizzi is not convinced Antlar is the origin of the umber hulk:The sonosheet picture above shows a clear lineage between the patchisaur -- a giant monster that may have been inspired by Ultraman but never actually appeared in the show -- and the patchisaur toy. Sonosheets were flexible records that were included in booklets, including sound effects and music that fans could play on their turnstiles.
Closer examination of the sonosheet shows that the patchisaur originally had wings and was capable of breathing fire. It looks a lot like a dragon, a connection which other fans have made about the toy.
The connection between the patchisaur and the umber hulk pivots on the appendages protruding from its face. For the umber hulk, the bristly things were interpreted as tusks. But the sonosheet tells a different story.
If we interpret the patchisaur as an Asian-style dragon with their resemblance to carp, then what might first be perceived as tusks in the patchisaur can be interpreted as a dragon's barbels instead. This "mustache"-like appendage fits more with the patchisaur as a dragon than as a beetle.
One kaiju candidate is Depparas, a walrus-like kaiju, but the timing is all wrong as that kaiju debuted in 1973, the same year the umber hulk did -- not enough time for a plastic toy to be created and inspire Gygax.
The blog 1/72 Multiverse submits Gomora as a possible candidate:
The timing is right: Gomora appeared in The Prince of Monsters, which debuted in 1967. There's even a red version known as Reionic Burst Gamora, but his "mustache" is placed behind his head, which doesn't match the description of the sonosheet appearance.
But if we stick with the dragon theme, Dodongo is a strong candidate, appearing in 1966. That said, it's a charitable interpretation to move the wings on Dodongo's back to its face. Dodongo has a breath weapon (smoke) that was never used in the series, which is a far cry from the fire displayed in the image.
We may never know the exact origins of the umber hulk, but it seems clear that the original incarnation had more in common with dragons than beetles.
Articles in this series:
