r/Cyberpunk • u/tommythefool_art • 2d ago

Recently reread Neuromancer. Drew Molly and Case.

Gallery image

Gallery image

I first read Neuromancer around a decade ago. Didn't understand what was going on. Finally reread it and it was great. Here's some fanart.

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1.4k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

75 comments sorted by

106

u/CloudMafia9 2d ago

Super cool! Now do an animated series of the entire book.

I'll take it any day over a live action series.

25

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Haha that would be a dream project if anyone would fund it. But, I do plan to design some of the other characters in the novel so that'll be fun.

Not exactly optimistic about the live action, but I'm praying it'll be good.

16

u/magikot9 2d ago

Apple's been doing good work with their original shows, so I'm quietly optimistic they'll do Neuromancer justice.

7

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

I mean, Severance is fantastic. I'm just always a little cautious with adaptations. I agree though! There's a little part of me that believes....

3

u/strangedistantplanet 2d ago

Their Slow Horses adaptation is spot on, if that helps

1

u/akiratech 1d ago

Foundation is not too bad as well

4

u/THElotusthief 2d ago

A company like Apple funding a Neuromancer series would be hilariously Ironic

1

u/CloudMafia9 2d ago

But not so much for Adaptations. Foundations is a travesty of an adaptation.

6

u/boo_jum 2d ago

I agree - animation opens up SO much more potential for stuff like this. While I love a good live-action adaptation, animation allows for flat-out impossible things to render in live-action, even with the best SFX and CGI.

2

u/CloudMafia9 2d ago

Absolutely. Especially true for adaptations vs OG stories.

30

u/Synaps4 2d ago

Thanks! Thats a seriously huge jacket case has!

39

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

haha yeah, well the novel is relatively sparse on clothing details. Case is described as being unshaven and having a khaki windbreaker. I always imagined him as a drug-addled, beat up looking guy, so I gave him a big baggy jacket for that homeless/hobo aesthetic? It may have been too much.

Thanks for the comment though!

10

u/Ephemere 2d ago edited 2d ago

It’s funny, I generally agree with your interpretation but I had pictured both of them as being much uglier than you drew them as. Really cool though! I love seeing other people’s impressions.

10

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Totally get it. One of the difficulties with character design is that it's easy to draw a very attractive person or a very weird-looking person, but the entire spectrum in between is hard to capture... Definitely something to work on! Thanks for the comment though!

3

u/Gloupil 2d ago

No no, don't worry about it, your Case is perfect ! Really love your work... Thank you for sharing!

2

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

thank you!! Really appreciate it :)

1

u/Synaps4 1d ago

I get it! Makes sense and looks a lot better than the emaciated meth-head case that i imagined when i read the book!

Kind of gives a cyberpunk edgerunners vibe with the big coat.

20

u/cannon_god 2d ago

This is amazing, love the shape of Molly's razors & eyes.

So many nice details on the cyberdeck too, especially the 'trodes

7

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Thank you so much for the kind words! I wanted my version of Molly to be unique in some way, so I took some liberties. Glad you like it!

1

u/PCouture 2d ago

I was just gonna post I think Molly's cyber eyes are off but NICE

11

u/TomCorsair 2d ago

Just about to start it for the first time. 😊

8

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Happy reading!! It might be tough at first but power through! It'll be worth it!

2

u/boo_jum 2d ago

If you like it (or even if you appreciate it but don't LOVE it), I highly recommend reading Burning Chrome as well -- short story collection, including a Molly Millions' story (which is the source material on which the Johnny Mnemonic film is (very loosely) based).

5

u/el_caveira 2d ago

Draw Maelcum next

8

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Was planning to draw Peter and Armitage but maybe I'll draw Maelcum for the next batch!

1

u/EasyMrB 2d ago

Would love to see your interpretation of Peter and some of his...dreams.

4

u/Unlikely-Win195 2d ago

That depiction of case is amazing.

2

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Thanks! Real glad you dig it.

3

u/Unlikely-Win195 2d ago

He's got an incredible "kid holding teddy bear" vibe with that deck.

5

u/GimmieGnomes 2d ago

Currently reading the book for the first time and am really enjoying it. Thanks for helping bring these characters to light!

3

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

My pleasure! Hope they can be visual aids for you as you go through the book!

3

u/AMACSCAMA Edgerunner 2d ago

Man it has been a while since I read this classic, to see these two characters drawn out is just *chefs kiss*

2

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Thank you! Looks like it's time for a reread!

3

u/DonJaper 2d ago

Aki nails

3

u/Remcin 2d ago

I am always down for more Neuromancer fanart. Have you read Snowcrash?

3

u/boo_jum 2d ago

I feel like Molly Millions and YT would either get along so well they'd conquer the world, or else Molly would demolish YT in ten second flat. 😹

2

u/Remcin 2d ago

They're either best friends or sworn enemies :)

2

u/boo_jum 2d ago

ngl, if someone invented wheels for my skates like YT's deck wheels, I would be over the moon. My absolute favourite part of Snow Crash is the description of her skating skills and gear.

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

No I have not! Currently reading Count Zero, but Snowcrash is definitely on the list.

2

u/Remcin 1d ago

I’m sure you’ll dig it! Hope some art comes outta that, it’s very stylish as well.

3

u/morchorchorman 2d ago

I like the shoulder pads on the leather jacket. It’s subtle, but changes the looks enough from a standard leather jacket while still keeping its identity.

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Thanks! Wanted to change something up without altering her essence.

3

u/Folium249 2d ago

I like Molly and how you drew her eye!

Different take on Henry than my mental image, for some reason my brain always picture Henry looking sorta like Idris Elba.

3

u/willdagreat1 1d ago

Oh you did such a good job with my girl Molly!

2

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Appreciate it! Had to do her justice!

2

u/Hopeful_Coconut_7758 2d ago edited 2d ago

Those are fantastic!!

Edit: TIL Case's first and middle name. I can't believe I missed that detail all those years. Is it in the book?

1

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Thank you! And yes, I think the book mentions it exactly once. But I never remembered what it was until I saw it again on the wiki so don't worry about it!

2

u/Hopeful_Coconut_7758 2d ago

Oh I won't, I've already forgotten it :D Poor Case haha

2

u/TracerBulletX 2d ago edited 2d ago

Definitely one of the best versions of them I've seen. Love it.

1

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

It's humbling to hear you say that. Thank you!!

2

u/molinitor 2d ago

Oh heck yeah 😎🔥🔥🔥 

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/winknugget 2d ago

Very cool!

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Thanks for the kind words!

2

u/germlines 2d ago

rad! You ever see the comic book adaptation that was started, never finished, I think in 1989 or 1990? Different take from yours but it's kinda cool.

https://totally-epic.kwakk.info/2020/01/28/1989-william-gibsons-neuromancer/

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

I've seen images of some of the pages. Would love to have a copy of it some time.

2

u/EricMalikyte 2d ago

That's a great design there.

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Thanks man!

2

u/make_sure_to_come 2d ago

I just finished All Tomorrows parties of the Bridge Triology, Finished Sprawl long time ago.

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Bridge Trilogy is definitely on my reading list. Which did you prefer?

2

u/SoundEffekts 2d ago

I love your take on the characters! The mirror lenses look especially cool :)

BUT ALSO THE JACKET

1

u/tommythefool_art 1d ago

Thank you!!!

2

u/594896582 1d ago

I always pictured Case as being more raggedy and gaunt, with real bad drug cheeks.

2

u/lookin_like_atlas 1d ago

Molly looks cool! I always imagined her with big 80s permed hair, but this looks so good!

3

u/angrypacketguy 2d ago

Proportions are a little weird.

1

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Appreciate the feedback!

6

u/Eric_Senpai 2d ago

I like the proportions because they are weird.

0

u/Hot-Category2986 2d ago

Molly's lenses should be black.
Why the Cyberpunk 2077 jackets? It feels off.

5

u/metalpony 2d ago

I believe the permanent inset lenses are described as “mirrored” and then she wears big black sunglasses to hide them when needed.

3

u/tommythefool_art 2d ago

Yup, the lenses are described as both mirrored and silver!