Obsessive Pop Culture Disorder Season 2 Episode 5 5 Terrible First Drafts of Iconic Characters

Obsessive Pop Culture Disorder is a web series that delves into the many fascinating facets of pop culture, taking a closer look at the characters, shows, and movies that have captured our hearts and minds over the years. In season 2 episode 5, titled "5 Terrible First Drafts of Iconic Characters," the show's host, Daniel O'Brien, takes us on a journey through the early, flawed iterations of some of our favorite fictional figures.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the creative process behind character creation in movies, TV shows, and comic books. O'Brien explains that while many iconic characters may seem like they sprang from their creators' minds fully-formed, the reality is that it often takes multiple drafts to get things right. As a result, there are plenty of discarded character concepts that are laughably terrible in hindsight.

The first terrible first draft we're introduced to is an early version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. O'Brien shows off artwork depicting the turtles as monstrous beasts with bulging muscles and savage expressions. Needless to say, this version wasn't very cute or kid-friendly, and it's not hard to see why it didn't make it to the final version we all know and love.

Next up is a look at an early version of Wolverine, the beloved X-Men character who's far more popular today than he was when he was first introduced. In this early draft, Wolverine was a diminutive creature with a tail and a secondary mutation that allowed him to shoot "adamantine" spines from his back. Needless to say, this version of Wolverine was pretty ridiculous, and it's a good thing the character was eventually refined into the brooding, clawed antihero we all know and love.

Moving on, we get a glimpse of an early version of Spider-Man that Marvel fans will be familiar with: a clumsy, overweight Peter Parker who could only shoot webs from a gadget in his wrist. In this version, Spidey couldn't cling to walls or shoot webs organically, which makes him something of a lame duck when compared to his sleek, acrobatic modern counterpart.

The final two terrible first drafts are something of a surprise, as they're from two beloved franchises that we might not suspect of ever making such big mistakes. First up is a concept sketch for the T-1000, the iconic Terminator villain who was played to perfection by Robert Patrick in Terminator 2. In this early version, the T-1000 was a Blob-like creature made of mercury that could take any form it wanted. While this is an intriguing idea, it's not hard to see why James Cameron ultimately decided to go in a different direction.

Finally, we get to an early version of the majestic dragon Smaug from The Hobbit, a creature that's been captivating audiences since J.R.R. Tolkien's book was first published in 1937. In this early draft, Smaug was depicted as a more cartoonish dragon with bulging eyes and a long, drooping tongue. Again, while this version of the character is undeniably interesting, it's clear that Peter Jackson made the right call when he decided to portray Smaug as a more sinister, regal beast.

Overall, "5 Terrible First Drafts of Iconic Characters" is a fascinating look at the creative process behind some of our favorite fictional characters. By examining these early drafts, we're able to see just how much work goes into perfecting even the most seemingly flawless concepts. Whether you're a diehard pop culture fanatic or simply someone who enjoys learning about the creative process, this episode of Obsessive Pop Culture Disorder is sure to delight and entertain.