time travel western

[The Watt O’Hugh“weird-western” podcast drama, available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts, has just aired the first of eight new episodes; a brief animated teaser that brings author Steven S. Drachman’s characters to life has just hit the internet. In this article, Mark Matcho, the artist behind the teaser, describes his work and inspiration.]

This animated teaser was inspired by film serials of the ’30s and ’40s, like Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars, and The Phantom Empire, starring Gene Autry. There’s something compelling about the overall aesthetic of those shorts — the type, pacing, and music — and I wanted to evoke a similar vibe with this trailer. I used artwork I’d done previously for Steven’s three book covers, in hopes that the different settings and depictions would further the idea of Watt O’Hugh as a time-hopping, daredevil adventurer. I wanted it to be fast-paced and exciting, like the inspiration I was drawing from, and indeed, the books themselves.

As far as what a Watt O’Hugh movie might look like, my default position is: I like stuff to look like it was done in the ’30s and ’40s! I think the timeline of the books lends itself to a similar treatment. In any case, I’m excited for the possibilities this series has to offer, and I’m looking forward to seeing Watt O’Hugh brought to life on the big screen.

Click below to watch Mark’s animated Watt O’Hugh teaser.

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MARK MATCHO is an LA-based illustrator and visual artist. His bold, concept-driven illustrations have been featured in publications far and wide since 1990, and his work has been selected and recognized in the award annuals American Illustration, 3 x 3, Society of Illustrators, The Society of Publication Designers, and Print’s Regional Design Annual.