"The Future Looks Viral" is a weekly series where we profile the people behind an innovative, new online project, be it a parody Twitter account, web series or artsy Instagram profile. They all have one thing in common: the potential to go viral.
There is much to be found on Reddit, lovingly referred to as "the front page of the Internet." Sometimes too much. But one of the most enjoyable recurring threads is the one that encourages Redditors to choose a movie, remove a letter from its title and give a brief description of what this new film would be about.
Now we know what some of these suggestions would actually look like thanks to writer and illustrator Austin Light. He spent each day of last month creating an illustration and a description of what might happen when a letter from a beloved movie title goes missing. Light's project was part of Jake Parker's annual Inktober challenge where the illustrator encourages artists all over the world to create one ink drawing a day for the entire month of October.
Though Light initially rolled out each illustration on his Instagram and Twitter profiles as he finished them each day, he posted the entire gallery on Reddit at the suggestion of a co-worker on Nov. 3. That same day, Light's project quickly crept up on the site, eventually making it to the coveted front page. At the time of this writing, Light's original post has garnered 4,581 up votes and has been gifted 10 months of Reddit gold, the site's premium membership program.
"The Reddit community response has just been incredible," Light said in a phone interview with T-Lounge. "You know, I wasn't a frequent user of Reddit before, but I definitely will be now."
Due to the demand, Light has set up a pre-order form on his website for those interested in purchasing a print, T-shirt or other merchandise featuring his so-called doodles. The Pup Fiction illustration above is currently up for sale in print and T-shirt form.
"I doubt I will wait until next October to do it again," Light said. "When I was doing this while my son was sitting there watching Yo Gabba Gabba!, I was not thinking about people actually wearing this stuff."
Here are some of the best illustrations from Light's project that are sure to make you laugh, or at least chuckle to yourself.
Oct. 5: Jurassic Par (Originally Jurassic Park)
"Two dinosaurs set out to prove they're more than just killing machines. Thanks to a loophole in the rules they find a spot on the PGA tour and golf their way to the top of the food chain."
Oct. 8: Harry Otter (Originally Harry Potter)
"A young boy finds out who, and what, he is. Magic ensues."
Oct. 12: T (Originally E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial)
"A boy finds a jewelry clad alien who speaks exclusively in aggressive yet well-meaning catchphrases."
Oct. 13: Raining Day (Originally Training Day)
"Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington play two narcotics officers who play hookie and spend a rainy day inside playing board games and drinking cocoa."
Oct. 20: Ron Man (Originally Iron Man)
"A disgruntled government employee builds a robo suit in his garage to help him stop the government he works for from getting any more work done."
Oct. 24: Alen (Originally Alien)
"The story of a lonely cashier named Alen who yearns for something more. Something like eating astronauts."
Check out Light's full Inktober gallery here.
Image: Courtesy of Adam Light
