C.O.W. - #020: Brain Stealer

[Fozzybar]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/images/cow/cow.jpg


Round #020

Topic:
Brain Stealer

Deadline:
Monday, 05 September 2005




- for any questions or help go here:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37512

note: The deadline won't be EXACTLY after a week...it can last up to 24 hours more, i am human and have to work also, you know ;)

Post your creature for this week!

[Carnifex]

*must...think...of...something...else...than...zom bie...*
:D

edit: oh,and of course:
http://www.heartofeugene.org/images/MartyFeldman.jpg
;)

[arteric]

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeee................ ain't got no boooooodddyyy! And.... no body... cares for me..... yatta da da yatta da dah! - Random Young Frankenstein Quote.

Brain stealer is quite interesting..... will begin the thought process immediately. Hmmmmm, THINKING about BRAIN STEALERS? I sense some irony here.

Eric

[brokk]

awesome topic! :D

[Xpose]

The hardest part is going to be trying to stay away from the Starship Trooper bugs...

[redehlert]

My initial thought too, Xpose - cool creature in that movie!

[Lake]

good topice, although generic. watch out for mind flayers.

[shadoman]

Damn!! I have a great idea for this topic too, but cannot do it. I have to start my Thunderdome piece now or it is never going to get finished!

[nightfend]

http://www.icondream.com/images/cow/brainstealer.jpg
Kuldugar Brain Stealer:
The gas miners of Kuldugar IX have but one thing to fear and that is the deadly Brain Stealer. Attaching itself to the stalagtites and rocky crevices in the ceilings of the mines, the Brain Stealer skulks about waiting. It prizes above all else the warm brains of the human miners that work on Kuldugar, though it can sustain itself on the brains of lesser creatures that sometimes enter the mines.

[Mike Corriero]

Nightfend - that was an insanely quick turn around. Nice job

[nightfend]

Well I really need to work on my cityscape image for the Thunderdrome out for blood contest, and buildings take *forever* to paint, so I figured I'd spend the evening last night and get as much of the COW image done as possible. :^^;:

[vigostar]

yeah what mike said.. very nice... being that you have some time make sure you do refine it!!!! why not right??? great work! i think i may submit something but, i get this feeling my lil' creature looks like something Ive seen before.. oh. well... thats the way he brain workS!!!

[shadoman]

Hell yeah, that brain eater rocks, Nightfend!!

[Lake]

hmm... almost done with mine. post tonight or tomorrow.

[Lake]

amend to that, I just noticed a BIG booboo... prolly take another day on it. maybe 2 or 3, depending on my work schedule.

[possessed]

The many different species of Icharus VI all have one thing in common. A well placed fear for the brain stealer (Cephalo Furtum). This intelligent predator starts hurting it’s prey when it’s still miles away from it. With it’s complex mind it can sense the brain activity of higher organisms within a wide range. The proximity of it’s target triggers a series of internal events that will help to overcome even the mightiest of foes. The first action is a vibration that punctures through most types of organic matter. This vibration causes the Olfactory cortex and the Occipital lobes to function at a very low level causing the prey to lose it’s sense of smell and identify potential predators and greatly reduces the vision of the prey.
The second action is delivered through a neuron toxin injected by piercing tentacles in the victims neck. This specialised toxin concentrates on the Cingulate gyrus. It’s effects are the inability to feel emotions which in tern triggers the loss of any feeling of pain and negates all potential aggressive behaviour. Basically the shutting down of all the instincts so needed for survival. The third action has the Brain Stealer grabbing the back of it’s victim’s head with a horned beak similar to those of a cephalopod. This beak is attached to a number of sucker tubes which soak up the contents of the pituitary gland. The Brain Stealer receives a multitude of hormones from this last action which it needs for growth and to strengthen the organs it uses for this delicate matter of prey catching. The prey, if it’s strong and fit enough, never instantly dies from the psychic assaults it had to endure. Instead it reduces them to mindless, gibbering half-beings. When their crazed cries are heard you can sometimes see a bulbous shape floating ominously through the
sky.

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/8108/brainstealer4at.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vigostar]

thats dope possessed!

[WARHEAD]

The rare Brainius Stealius worm from the desert planet Hur'aa.....
a species of symbiotic worm lived on this desolate waste preying on humanoids. Due to the lack of water and resources the worm when hatched would make for the nearest source of brain activity via prionic sensors in it's skin within 24 hours or it would die (humanoids living close to stagnant water were easy targets for newly hatched worms). They would then enter via the ear canal controlling the nerves and sensory organs of it's host. Locals calling them 'brain stealers' since they completely overtook there humanoid hosts so they were only living, breathing vessels......

The Brain Stealer worm has backward growing spines so that once entered the ear cavity it cannot be pulled out. It has hook like teeth and sucker lips to attach itself to the host's brain, controlling it via chemical and nerve impulses, so it is always near resources that it otherwise couldn't obtain........

ps this was the science behind my concept New Scientist (http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7927)


http://www.war-studio.com/HostedImages/COWbs.jpg

[redehlert]

Star Trek, anyone?

[Lake]

red: seriously, we need our atomic blasters.


*chuckles* brainius stealius.... hehe.

[Ben powis]

Hi there,

http://www.benpowis.net/images/Brain%20Stealer%20Comp.jpg

'The Brain Stealer enters its victim in its earliest form, as a small bug, and makes its way to the head. It is here that it begins to spawn, and in a matter of hours it will grow through the facial orifices of its victim, rendering them unable to move, thou still conscious.
It is in this form, that the Brain Stealer begins its most morbid act of removing the victims brain, with the aid of a vast number of varying sized tentacles it creates a suction motion with its body and literally sucks the brain out from within the victim, pumping it into a translucent sack on its body, which it fills with the fluids from within the victims own head, to protect the brain.
Once the brain is removed the brain stealer is able to detach from its prey and retract its scuttling legs from within its now fully formed body.
The brain stealer feeds off the brain of its victim, it is this which keeps it alive from anywhere to 3 weeks to 2 years, depending on the maturity of the brain cells.
It is not know where Brain Stealers originate from, thou many of their victims are infected while in extreme terrains such as jungle and deserts.

The Brain Stealer is also known by the nickname ‘The Brain Jelly’.'

WARHEAD, Possessed & Nightfend - Cool work! :)

~ Ben

[BrainBug]

nice, Ben... new and (very much) improved futurama brainslug:
http://tfp.killbots.com/scans/034_brain-slug-man.gif

[redehlert]

red: seriously, we need our atomic blasters.
*chuckles* brainius stealius.... hehe.

Set phasers to liquify.
:rolleyes:

[Kaylon]

My Brain Eater hangs from cave ceilings waiting for un suspecting adventurers...and..is a worm sorta thing....

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6650/braineater010us.jpg

K.

[Helzon]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Helzon/BrainStealerpost.jpg
"I don't give a fiddler's fuck how you do it. Get it done, tonight!"

Do you see that!?!? That was Bill Mellinsen CE friggin O of THE largest financial firm in this hemisphere! I will have nothing if it doesn't happen...Damon my life will effectively end. I won't even be able to get a job mucking out the gay booths in a back alley porno shop. Don't smile at me like that you sanctimonious prick. My future is on the line here!
What the hell am i gonna do?....If those investment projection figures don't magically shit themselves out....what?!?

You got two hours?

Yeah....

Then that's more than we'll ever need. What's the name and address of the lead data cruncher?

Gustafson, three blocks that way Arlington Tower 1028

Consider it done. But you will owe me so goddamned big...you're lucky I'm not asking for your first born.

What are you talking about?....what do you have in mind, kidnapping?...We can't touch him...everyone in that building is under the heaviest security they can barely shit without someone watching them. What the FRIG is that?

Latest in corporate espionage 'brain stealer'....Hackers can be expensive, sloppy...traced...hunted down, with you paraded infront of the media. Very embarassing. These little beauties ..untouchable as they are discreet. Supply it with a target...it secreets 9 different types of anesthetic and neuro relaxers and voila..his entire memory perfectly copied. Mr. Gustafson won't know what the hell happened other than a wonderful night's sleep with the woman of his dreams. He'll probably even have a little accident too....

Don't you think someone will notice this thing has bored into his brain?!

You are a simple bastard aren't you?.. It first puffs a numbing agent up his nose to deaden the hairs...then crawls up the nasal cavity...into the sinus...and only has to puncture through a thin wall of bone and tissue...no fuss no muss...in/out...and in less than two hours...data beyond your wildest dreams. Everything he has ever thought...from when he was a friggin baby on his momma's boob. All stored right there..in those sacks back there... Collect the data...this thing dies... No one the wiser...and you very much the richer.

(Vigostar: shit!..i'm sorry i didn't see your backstory before...I don't know if mine cleaves to close to your idea....if you or fozzy think it does...then I would ask FOZZY to delete my text and just present the pic...i don't have time to come up with another story..:(

[vigostar]

The Einsteinian Muncher is a very small animal that was found in Germany in the ealry 1900's.. Legend has it that Albert Einstein was the only living person to ever domesticate this small creature. A nocturnal animal that was said to be a carnivore loved to eat small birds. Although no hard evidence is found, it is rumored that this creature had a very unusal appetite for an odd delicassy. A person's mind. Once Albert was able to tame the wild animal he discovered that it was unusually smart and like to loom over the head of the beds at night. It used it wide feet and hands that acted like suction devices and abled the creature to place itself on the wall and from what it seemed to meditate. Einsteins curiosity grew deeper and began doing varius experimants with th creature. He learned that the creature had the ability to literally steal the smarts from someone's brain rendering them useless. Although, Einstein knew this was a dangerous experiment it went on for months until the day it stopped. the creature was rumored to have been poisoned but, not before it helped Albert make one of the most facinating discoveries of all time. E=MC2! and the rest is history!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/vigostar/einsteinianfinalweb.jpg

[Lake]

VOILA!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/viapanda/Brain-stealer-sm.jpg

The Cranul Ephemerus, known as the "Brain Stealer Beetle" is rare, but not ludicrously unheard of. It has been known to appear atop the skulls of chieftains of the Mer'teba tribes of the southern Grebulan peninsula. It hangs from high branches, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to wander by. Having no external sensory organs, the only way it can tell that prey is beneath is the brain waves that they emit. Having dropped onto the skull of the intended victim, the brain stealer beetle burrows in its eight legs, each tipped with a minorly conductive surface, much like the body of an electric eel, but more subtle. The brain stealer beetle recieves sensory information in the form of electric signals through its legs (this is what it feeds on), but can also transmit its own signals to the host body, taking control of all of the senses.


full version of the pic:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/viapanda/Brainstealerlg.jpg

[Mattinian]

Cool stuff so far people... Panda - maybe you can define the bug a bit more, and change the black background it`s just too sharp as in contrast imo.
I`m pretty stumped myself on this topic but weekend`s almost here so maybe something will come up

[Legato]

i think this is my first post here in a little under a year... i guess life just took me a different direction. hopefully with my first year of college coming up i don't get too bogged down... but anyway, though i would try my hand.

keep in mind this isn't done, its just an hour in or so. did the lines in sketchbook pro (brilliant program) and have just started layering in photoshop. keep in mind i am a pencil artist, and literally have never done a photoshop colored piece using proper layering techniques and the like. this is my first time using multiply layers and so far, im loving it. im not sure how shading, highlights and details will go/how they will work, but im sure it will turn out.

wasn't wanting to go with an obvious "head crab" esque idea, but i think my straying away from the obvious made me tip in the direction of zerg. this was not my intention, and hopefully the colors i add will pull it away from the brown monochromatic slum.

http://incolor.inetnebr.com/legato/Digital%20Art/Brain%20Eater%20WIP%203.jpg

[Fozzybar]

glad you entered Legato...the pencil work looks promising!

[leckronium]

http://home.comcast.net/~leckronium/onlinestorage/manowar1.jpg

In the deep jungle dwells a creature with a developed taste for human knowledge, literally. Observed by Dr. Nole Ongeround in the late 90's, the Cranial Man-O-War was spotted after finding piles of chimpanzee remains in areas south of where Dr. Ongeround was camped. After examining a few of the skulls, Ongeround noticed damage in the sides of all the skulls around the hearing canal. Curious, he decided to investigate further and sent his team out to different watchposts to try and catch one of the culprits in action.

In his journal you can read about the events that followed as Dr. Ongeround took careful notes to document his findings. Here is a brief excerpt of what happened afterwards:

"Day 2. Heard awful screams off in the distance that were short as if they were silenced right away. I went to investigate and found my fellow colleague's limp body hanging from a nearby plant with his head encased in it. Steven, one of the equipment helpers, said the plant opened up like a giant mouth and a tongue-like tentacle came down and wrapped around Dr. Fredov Memin's head and pulled him up into the plant...Could this be a new species?

Day 3 Examined my colleague's body after it dropped from the plant. Body was untouched but the head showed same markings as those found on the chimp skulls along with suction cup-like markings all over the face. Brain seemed to be removed...Noticed that the plant is no longer there. Maybe this isn't a plant I write of?...

Day 6 Wierd things have been happening. Our camp gear is missing and I've been noticing many more of the horizontal vines that stretch for a hundred yards from tree to tree overhead. Very similar to the vines that held the creature Memin died from. I haven't seen Steven in two days.

Day 7 It's just me. I can't find anyone else and our campsite has been trashed. I'm out of food and running low on fresh water. I hiked to a new area in hopes of finding a new way out of here and to get away from those...things. Hope they don't find me..."

...Found one! I was crossing a shallow river when I noticed the vines laying in the water. Very strange creature indeed. I followed the vines for about 150 yards and found the head at the end. Have yet to see the insides since I don't have the strength to pry it open. The outer part is like a rock or some kind of hard plating. This one had moss and vines growing on it which would make great camouflage and I noticed the head looks as if it's being dragged. Perhaps that is the way it gets around. Hope I'm not being followed."

From the last journal entry, it is assumed that this creature followed Dr. Ongeround till they managed to get him. His remains showed the same markings as those described in the previous findings. The creature he found and examined was not there when we arrived to search for the missing party and we're still not sure whether he was describing one or a group of creatures. Future studies have been planned to see if this mystery creature can be explained. :^^:

:painting:

[redehlert]

Woot! Great story and visual Leckronium. Looks like Helzon's story mindset (no pun intended) is rubbing off on you too.
:^^:
Cheers!
D

[Lake]

leck - oh that's badass. great story, reminds me a little bit of lovecraft (that's good, right?)

I suggest you take a closer look at the vine in the lower part of the picture... It looks stiff and if you meant to have the head suspended from it, it doesn't look that way, at least for that particular vine.


oh, and I actually did do the background AND the sweatshirt... but my laptop ran out of freaking battery and closed without saving! *cries* I got so pissed off that I just posted; I didn't want to do the work again. Lazy me.

[redehlert]

Blah....spent an hour on the color. It shows.

Minamata disease epidemic, September, 2065

A recent rash of deaths preempted by severe convulsions, bouts of psychosis, severe Tourette's syndrome, and a very high fever was reported along the fishing banks of Minamata, Japan, home of the neo-ethanal and PVC mega-giant Chisso II Corp. Pun intended, something smells fishy here.

Chisso II's factories have affected the waters with their plastic development and waste dumping. The life of the lake have mutated over the 10 year time Chisso II has been in operation. One such creature has been titled the Hydrargyros, meaning of water and silver, based on its appearance. Should a fisherman or bather get brushed by the fins or the pair of barbed whiskers, their descent into death is painful and swift as mentioned above.

The GTFO Research Lab of Kumamoto, Japan captured and preserved the specimen shown here. Determined as a female juvenille of 20 weeks at 11 inches in size. The hydrargyros' fins and whiskers course with mercury. Once contact is made, all functioning capability is lost. Some have reported it is like a thief in the night robbing you of not your possessions, but your mind. No cure is in site and the death toll in this fishing village is already climbing toward a thousand.

Chisso II denies all claims of their use of mercury as a reaction catalyst for their plastics enterprise. GTFO and the public hope to prove and shut down Chisso II. Stay tuned.

http://www.cognitionstudio.com/conceptart/redlrt_cow20.jpg

[leckronium]

Thanks guys! Every once in a while I'll get an idea that just continues to develop in my head and I am basically forced to limit it because of time. This one I wanted to just keep writing because I could see this whole story as if it were like watching a movie. Same thing happened when I did the sewer beast a few rounds ago. Unfortunately, I need to work on my Thunderdome round 2 entry so I'm not sure if I can even do next weeks but I'll make that decision then.

This whole idea got me thinking about a possible feature at conceptart where writers or members are encouraged to write short stories and post them for us to read. Then the artists can post the concept art or illustration that goes with the story. I'm no writer but it would be fun to post short stories like I did here and see everyone's take on it. I consider writers to be a form of concept artists. Just an idea though, what does everyone else think?

panda -If it helps, the view in the picture is standing from below the creature. The arms or tentacle would be fairly tightened to support the weight of the head. Plus, considering that the arms are rather long, I think tension would be expected. The vines in the background are just regular vertical vines as seen in jungles. If it looks funny then I didn't realize it at the time but I don't have the time to go back and fix it. Sorry :[

[Mike Corriero]

http://pratt.edu/~mcorrier/sketch/brainstealer1-web.jpg

Brain Stealer: This insectile creature is actually a part of both the Insect and crustacean family. They are extremely agile with similar characteristics to that of a spiders movements. Thier body is covered by an exoskeleton for protection and they are equipped with both strong fore arms and nimble back legs adding to thier capabilities as a predator. A very unique blend of both species gives this predator the edge over its predecessors. The Brain Stealer is about the size of your average basketball ( just perfectly fitting around the face of a human head). It moved in quickly jumping on to the back of the head and using its 4 limbs to cling on to its prey which are usually intellectual animals ( humans included). The stinger is used as an anesthetic to render its victim helpless and unable to move, yet still aware as to whats going on. Then the creature works its magic, using its claws and highly evolved mouth to get at the specific nutrients it craves which happen to lay hidden within the brain.



I apologize- i think I may have made the size of the file too large: If its not loading quickly for people let me know and ill resize it. I wasnt paying attention.

[Lake]

curse you, mikecorriero! making the rest of my efforts look so paltry!


hehe. kidding. no but seriously, curse you. :teeth:

[Mike Corriero]

I actually didnt see anyones work before doing mine, other than nightfend. I just had it in my mind to make this thing insect-like with claws for gripping on to its prey and feeding, kinda like a bat on a cow sucking its blood.

It was done in a couple hours today. I need to start my tdome :bashful:

[guggemmaneuver]

• mike c> gorgeous concept--w/ the always impressive corriero painting style.
• nightfend> somehow this reminds me of a "foray into the unexplored" photo piece for an outer dimensional geographic magazine. So impressive and unique in the painting style! :)
• legato> gorgeous pencil work indeed-i like how the colors are muted, but are still demonstrative of that THANG's anatomy
• warhead> the triangular mouth and sea cucumber type anatomy are a frightening combination––Sea cucumbers Freak my isht out. nice and subtle indication of scale.

excellent work everyone!
joel

[Pixeldragoon]

(Entry Removed)


Lookin good so far guys!

[BlkCelebration]

Ah, I missed out on the last COW...


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a40/ketzel84/brainbro1.jpg

Ursu-Reybro

This creature inhabits in the gaseous plains of the planet Mor'mop. It hides in the mist awaiting its prey. When an unsuspecting local wanders close it propels its body back and flings its long neck fowards aming for the victims head.
The Ursu-Reybro steals the hosts brain (their food of choice) in order to sustain its body's consistency. The specimen pictured above has missed a few meals thus its body begins to slowly evaporate and form part of the abundant gas found in Mor'mop.

[Carnifex]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/siansaar/braineaterC.jpg
The brain eater is very thick-headed -literally. When it spots victims it will try to ram them till they can't move anymore. If necessary, it pursues them for kilometers.The bonecrest atop its head (used for ramming) provides cooling organs (and presumably others to help it spot brain activities) that make it last much longer than them in the desert area it inhabits. After the victims can't move anymore,the brain eater cracks their skulls open with said bonecrest and feasts on the brain.

[Main Loop]

http://www.remtek.net/0/mainloop/default/images/13/336.jpg http://www.remtek.net/0/mainloop/default/images/13/337.jpg

A very small insect, dozens will latch itself upon a victim's head behind the ear where it's easiest to enter underneath the skull.. it will use its 4 serrated blade-like appendages to burrow through far enough to be able to use its proboscis to worm through to brain cells and suck them in much like a snake devours a mouse..

[Oblio]

Uh oh...
great entries this time too.

One thisg first about mine:
I tried to make a BRAIN STEALER - not a brain eater, mind stealer, or anything else.
Here u go: (sry 4 the size)
SHIT - the resize screwed details :frustrated:
http://www.conceptart.org/gallery/files/7/3/Oblio_BrainStealer_COW_2b.JPG

This is a drug.
The latest fashion in drugs here.. these creatures are made from humans after implementing alien endocrin glandes.
The human body accepts the alien hormones and transforms in time.
Clients can obtain a huge range of sensations and emotions and even delirious dreams attacking speciffic problems.
The "Brain Stealers" are using very very small insects to damage or perform mutations in the brain, solvants for altering huge portions of the brain and so on.
They come with mouth, nose, eyes and ears and rear plugs. The solvent model just pours his saliva on shaved heads and the drug acts trough infiltration.
The brain stealers were discoveder in medical labs while looking for brain cancer remediums - advanced models were initially used for these operations until the thechnology evaded to the drug cartels.

{edit}
Initially used for sensorial pleasures only later they discovered that they mess up your nervous system by taking out of your brain speciffic neuron fields.
Some models replaced damaged area with a special wax.

Heavy users were reconised by the powereful acne they developed.
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:chenv8iB-OYJ:www.telemedicine.org/aafpavul.jpg

THE MODEL:
The huge model represented here is the most expensive and the very rare one. It can be made from a pregnant 15 years old girl - the transformation takes 66 years while the baby is stoped from growing and multiple endocrin glandes are implemented to both mother and child.
This model is used for suicides only - as any person going for it will die.
It can not be used for crimes due to drugs nature.
It eliminates all your fears, it fixes all your moral prolems, and you may die by the sensory overload.
Such a model it is said it could kill you only by overloading your smell functions. "The perfume is si beautifull i can;t stand it" said a victim shortly before his end.

After the use, this model can not be re-used.. and it will die in 2 months.

Additional models attached:
For orders.. please PM me.

[Eriboss]

http://www.reelfilms.co.uk/images/brainstealer.jpg

Little is known about this dog sized creature, nick-named the “brain stealer” by the urban legends and late horror night stories of old ladies and little kids.

With only 3 ever recorded on Earth since the asteriod storms of 2012 the actual details of this other worldly predator are a little shakey.
This is what we have -
These creatures hunt both human and animals, but with an appetite for only the brains. They would use their razor sharp serrated tail to effectively scalp their prey, and would then, apparently, do what is essentially a “handstand” and devour the brains of its victim with its seldom seen mouth, which actually reside between its back legs.
Its “front” head doesn’t appear to have any real function other than maybe being used as a decoy - luring its victim into a false sense of security – although no one has been able to study it in any great commodity as no one has lived long enough to do so.

Cheers

Eri :evilmustache:

[Pixeldragoon]

Eriboss- Your is so much like mine... I want to take mine down though, because it's mostly just a sketch... not fitting of the COW...

[young paddy1]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/youngpaddy1/braineating.jpg

This cat sized creature prowls nocturnally through the troglodyte communities of Castica 3, it's grasping forepaws allow it to grip the face of its humanoid prey while theysleeps passing a neuro toxin through the skin, paralysing the poor victim and starting the digestion process. The mouth parts consist of a toothed sphyncter which can twist up to 180º to saw through the skull and a rasp like tongue that pulls the partially liquified brain matter out of the hole. During the day as the 'Brain Stealer' digests its meal it generates a lot of heat, which it must dump from specialised fins on its back, as well as its bald head and feet, if it did not its thick night based fur would cause it to overheat in the hot daytime suns of the Castica system.

[Fozzybar]

Oblio

I read your concept 3 times not to misunderstand it (it still was confusing, also mixed with all this pictures)...but it seems that your entry doesn't stick to the rules or the understanding of this activity in common.

As far as i understood the "Brain Stealer" in your concept is the alien drug or insects which is found in human bodies. But what we see on your images are the brain stealers' deformed/mutated victims not the actual brain stealers.....

This means i can't accept your entry, sorry... :\

[Oblio]

Uh.. hell - you missunderstood indeed.

What you see are creatures that are used for... sensorial pleasures.
I called them drugs since... they are illegal and produce the same effect.
These creatures were obtain by surgery (implementing alien endocrin glandes into humans).
The victims.. are just normal people...
The creature into to contest (since we are allowed only one) is the Suicide Model. You can have a taste of that creature only once since it kills you with pleasure.

They are brain stealers becouse they (those creatures) are gettin and messing with your brains by various means: generatins small insetcs, streight perforation (eyes, ears, etc) and trough emitting solvent saliva that inpregnates trough your head skin and goes into your brain. (you must shave for that one ad currently i'm out of stock ;) )

I hope that cleares the matter.
It is a creatre you see there - even if it was made from a human.
Or.. do mutated people don;t become creatures?
If that's the case.. the one you see.. is a mutated.. umm... Rovmanian (that's not a human :p )

Does it pass?
COME ON... i'll make you a discount... >:D

i have a whole collony - they are multiplying themselfs now on theyr own.. it's FASCINATING.....

[Fozzybar]

aaaahhh....ok now i got it :)

then again...you say brain stealers are the "mutated" creatures...this means they look different between each...so we don't have actually a unique creature called brain stealer more a variety of totally different looking individuals...you're moving on the edge Oblio i tell you :)

[Mike Corriero]

The tentacle model oceania ( use of a porno image) is what threw me for a loop. I was like.. is he joking around or being serious?

I think it would just be easiest if you posted the Main Image your submitting seperately next time and then the subsidiary seperate images below, and make clear which ONE is the one to be submitted. ;)

[PolinaH]

wow I wish I found out about this thread sooner. I guess I'll have to wait till next weeks COW

WOW great work guys =)

[Legato]

yeah, the nakkid chicks threw me for a loop as well... but honestly, i think a beautiful woman would be the ideal candidate for this week's COW... other than the whole "not human shaped" rule... :P

[Xpose]

I should have mine done by tonight. I'm digging all the entries.

[Legato]

A very small insect, dozens will latch itself upon a victim's head behind the ear where it's easiest to enter underneath the skull.. it will use its 4 serrated blade-like appendages to burrow through far enough to be able to use its proboscis to worm through to brain cells and suck them in much like a snake devours a mouse..
i donno man... those eyes... are just creepy O_o

[Xpose]

I wanted to do more touch up work on it but I don't have enough time....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/xpose/drawings/santhor.jpg

Santhor: Built like a tank but with a weak digestive system the Santhor is not to be taken lightly. They grab it's prey's head with it's mandible and uses it razor sharp tounge as a saw cutting off the top of the skull. From there it sucks the brain tissue from the corpse. The Brain is the only substance of food that is not contaminated by parasites on the creatures planet. Don't be surprised to see the Santhor in an almost erect stance. They do this so that they can gaze over the lands looking for a suitable animal to debrain.

[Legato]

Flow Bug

aka

"Brain bug"
"Crimson collar"
"Blade bug"

http://incolor.inetnebr.com/legato/Digital%20Art/Brain%20Eater%20Final%20Flat.jpg
Male Flow Bug (artist's conception) *note the addition of Martian parasites. scaring on the chest armor and partially fossilized parasites seem to suggest that even on mars, lesser creatures will always capitalize on the stronger ones

Origin

Fossilized husks of these bugs were found on the mars expedition of 2156. While originally drilling for frozen ice, the discovery of a large male 2 meters in length greatly excited the scientific world. Having been only the 23rd discovery of life was reason enough, but a closer examination revealed that the bone-like exoskeleton was naturally resistant radiation that otherwise killed off DNA of all previous animal finds.

The decision to clone and breed this creature was met with some angry sentiment. but went ahead on April 14th 2157.

Many of the early "batches" failed and died due to the lack of knowledge surrounding what the creature needed to survive. Through essentially trial and error it was found out two things:

1) The creature needed an atmospheric pressure of at LEAST 1atm (further evidence that Mars once had an atmospheric pressure of greater than 1atm, and estimated to be as high as 3atm) like bugs on earth, the Flow Bug doesn't have lungs, and takes in air and circulates it by compressing his body in waves, starting at the tail end and working all the way up to it's neck. This wave effect creates a suction that systematically sucks air into pours along its body. This function fulfills both inhaling and exhaling and is performed at all times including sleep (much like a shark needing to swim at all times) this unique trait also gave the creature it's name as the Flow Bug obviously in regards to its flow like breathing motions.

2) When the creatures hatch out of their protective cases, they are genderless. All newly born lack the tail pinchers and thus gave the scientists a run for a while. At first they were fed only pure nutrients, but all seemed to die after a month regardless of diet. Only after they were allowed to eat living pray (small mice) did any live past the first month. Much to the amazement of the researchers, the bugs instinctively ate the brain of their prey first, and than finished the rest. Seemingly at random, some of the larvae would develop a larger left 'arm' and blade and the dual scythes on its back. it was brought to the attention of the group by a casual onlooker the ratio between male and female mice and male and female flow bugs.
The Flow Bugs are unique in that their gender is unknown until they eat their first meal. When the pituitary gland is digested, the high levels of either estrogen or testosterone determine the sex of the bug for the rest of its life. This tactic seems to naturally create a greater number of female bugs and a smaller number of male bugs based on the stereotypically weaker nature of most female creatures. This secures a large breeding population and ensures the survival of the species. While the Flow Bug continues to eat the brains of it's victims their importance is only that of boosting the nutrients of the bug, and studies done only show a 10% stunting of growth compared to bugs that have free reign over any part of their victim.

Hunting Tactics

The first and foremost noticeable part of the Flow Bug is it's forward blade arms. Often compared to a praying mantis's arms in reverse these are the primary defense and offense of the creature. The blades are always growing and do not shed when the Flow Bug molts. Female Flow Bug's arms are symmetrical, while male's arms are asymmetrical (mainly to explain why the pictures arm is huge as all hell, and to lessen the focus on my lack of drawing ability). The male's larger blade is often explained as aiding it in battles for domination.
With most Flow Bugs only reaching 5-6 feet in length, they are fairly fragile considering their prey is often larger than they themselves. To combat the need to bring down large game, they have been equipped with a special ability. At the base of each blade is a gland that secretes a powerful anticoagulant (much like leeches) and an equally powerful neuro-stimulant. When the blades are swept in an arc, the venom in large concentrations runs down the leading edge of the blade via centrifugal force. This coats the leading and cutting edge of the blade with venom. Once stricken the prey is allowed to escape as not to hurt the Flow Bug. With gaping wounds that won't stop bleeding and a almost seizing body, the pray doesn't get far before it collapses due to loss of blood. This provides a convenient way of not only protecting itself from fighting but also following its prey as it escapes. The unique nature of the venom delivery system is often considered superior to serpents and other venomous animals, as it doesn't rely on tubes and fragile teeth.

Lacking a lower mandible the creature tends to be very messy, and thus often gets the name "crimson collar" due to large amounts of blood covering its neck.

The spines on its body are highly attuned to EM fields. Much like a shark the Flow Bug can track pray simply by the electrical field it puts off. Due to the limitations of air exchange, the range of sense is much shorter but allows fairly competent hunting ability in the complete darkness of Mars's night. A seemingly larger factor they play is tracking the freshly stricken prey by sensing the massive amounts of electrical activity put off by the spasming victim.

Differences between the Mar's breed and the Earth breed

While currently in its 13th year in captive breeding programs, sizes found on mars have not even been remotely reached. it is commonly believed that this is due to the lack of atmospheric pressure and that larger bugs are quite literally suffocating on the lack of forced air. The largest and heartiest specimens are all located at or near sea level, and often start stunting growth at only 3 months. When properly fed, the growth rate is explosive. Attempts to breed in special pressure chambers have been unsuccessful as no live pray is equally adapted. The need for live pray over any type of substitute still baffles scientists who have tried everything from synthetic testosterone to chemically altered meals that match living creatures nutrients exactly.

While prehistoric Martian climate is unknown when kept in a purely temperate climate year-round the Flow Bug demonstrates yearly breeding cycles common to mammals. Unlike earth's bugs which live a year, breed and die, the Flow Bug is sexually active yearly and only dies due to exhaustion, combat or otherwise (this is largely speculation, as they have not been observed in their natural habitat) while there have been many scares due to limited amounts of zoo escapes, earth's seasonal climate changes spell disaster for would-be escapees and none have known to lived past a few months. Therefore, all zoo exhibits must keep a fairly constant temperature.

While a certain constant temperature isn't needed, the temperature DOES need to be consistent. Rapid changes in season spell the end for Flow Bugs, but they are quite capable of living between 65 degrees to 150 degrees F (18 to 67 degrees C). usually a compromise of 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) is used and this provides the most common coloration of the dark brown with orange stripes. As the temperature lowers, the color overall color get darker, and vice versa on the opposite end of the spectrum. (Its to be noted that two Flow Bugs have been born as albino, leading researchers to question the reason such an odd genetic abnormality appears on two different planets)

Breeding, and Birthing

While female Flow Bugs don't grow as big as their male counterparts, the size difference isn't that large. Mainly the addition of the male's rear claws and large forward arm are what give the appearance of dominance. The large rear hooks have only been seen used in courtship rituals and fighting for dominance. Its as almost as if the bug doesn't know they are there until those 2 instances which is well enough for any would-be prey.

Upon fertilization and conception the young form hard outer husks and grow in mass under the female's belly (think kind of like... the new, crappy "lost in space")

Captive larvae are proportionate to their mother's size, but preserved specimens on Mars have been as large as 1 foot long. Upon hatching they are completely autonomous and are one of the few species that don't attack each other. In addition unlike many insects, it appears as if the mother gives her young a "grace period" and while cannibalism is common among adults that are strapped for food, the young TEND to be safe.

***End all that back history stuff***

Anyway, I am glad I got into this! I really had a blast brainstorming back history and all sorts of things that make this little guy unique. As state above the sketch was done in sketchbook pro, and all coloring was done in PS7. This was my first fully colored digital piece that used layering effectively. While all of my other digital pieces were lame, this has been a revolutionary jump for me. Other than the blades I am pretty happy with this piece as of now... but in a few days I will undoubtedly start finding stuff I dislike. Technically I should have seen and changed the left blade way sooner, but as it is, and with my layering, it would have been too much work imo to change it, and besides, asymmetrical critters are always cool!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Hopefully my back-story will help my chances against superior art :P

[Helzon]

:up:
Hey red I think my mojo's been wearing off again...
>:D (j/k)

Legato: Kudos to you for the time and effort on the backstory!!

[Fozzybar]

FROM OUTER SPACE

This gigantic creatures live in a far far far....faaaaaar away galaxy...they travel the galaxies for food...for this species food means intelligence...their senses locate emotions like "love", "hate", "fear" etc...emotions which tell them "there is intelligent life"...

After locating a planet with intelligent life, they swarm out to invade with billions of individuals...floating very high in the atmosphere they "suck" intelligence out of the brains...a planet like our earth would be exhausted in a few days...wherever the "Brain Stealers" invade there is only simple life afterwards...all intelligence is gone...and humans for example would walk like braindeads through their cities not understanding what they are supposed to do with all the technology...they are reduced to their instincts...

Only hope for mankind would be the next generation which is up on their own to understand what their ancestors built up and what to use it for...


http://www.kidomatix.com/ca/cow/cow_020_brainstealer_fozzybar.jpg

[Mike Corriero]

fozzy, cool topic.. probably should have had the ships attacking one of the creatures, or one ship crashing like the guy already lost his intelligence and the knowledge of how to fly the jet..

[Odds]

someone should really design a marijuana-leaf creature.. :^^:

[Fozzybar]

fozzy, cool topic.. probably should have had the ships attacking one of the creatures, or one ship crashing like the guy already lost his intelligence and the knowledge of how to fly the jet..

Oh yes, great idea Mike...well, the ships i added at last, so i was more like trying to finally finish the piece than thinking of a very nice way of implementing the ships into the concept as you did...this will be a reminder for me, when working on details again...thanx!

[Mike Corriero]

Oh yes, great idea Mike...well, the ships i added at last, so i was more like trying to finally finish the piece than thinking of a very nice way of implementing the ships into the concept as you did...this will be a reminder for me, when working on details again...thanx!

Do it.. Do it now.. lol

add like 3 or 4 ships in the foreground crashing into each other with a few small explosions. If you do that, ill vote for your piece, because I think it would add a lot to the concept, and I thought your "idea" and description was by far the most interesting out of all the concepts submitted so far.

[tagHeuer]

http://eliheuer.com/2d/conceptart/BrainStealer.jpg

Brain Stealer: The brain stealer is an obsessive collector. He lives in a cave deep below suburbia where he has stockpiled millions of human brains. He has organized them into piles alphabetically depending on the last name of the human it was stolen from, keeping these piles orderly is his one true love and he spends countless hours checking to make sure all the right brains are in the correct piles. Monsters travel from all over the underworld to view his collection. Rumor has it that when all the tourists are gone for the day he curls up into a ball and rolls down each pile screaming “ I feel so alive”

[Qitsune]

I'm surprised we haven't seen a tv-mimic yet. Nothing steals more brains than tv....

[Fozzybar]

Do it.. Do it now.. lol

add like 3 or 4 ships in the foreground crashing into each other with a few small explosions. If you do that, ill vote for your piece, because I think it would add a lot to the concept, and I thought your "idea" and description was by far the most interesting out of all the concepts submitted so far.

hmmm....lemme see, maybe i will touch up again tomorrow when i am at work...the psd is at my workstation :)

[Floris Didden]

It looks like this is gonna be another last minute submission for me. Laying the last hand on mine now. I'll post it either tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Cool stuff so far, with fozzy as my fav, one of the more original concepts. I agree with mike, crashing planes would give it a bit more pow.

[OxCreative]

Here's my entry :^^;: :

http://www.j2xa.com/COW/BrainStealer.JPG


Brainstealer
This small parasitic creature is an unbelievable survivor. It lives on the scalp of its host (usually human) and feeds on their blood. However, it releases chemical into the bloodstream of its host causing an alteration in behaviour (Therefore getting its name - Brain Stealer).

The chemicals, which cause the host to eat and rest excessively, also numb the scalp to prevent the creature being scratched into oblivion by their host.

[DaRobertz]

Hi guys, here's my entry for this weeks COW.

Actually my first entry (have entered before, but spend to less time on the entry so it wasn't taken to the poll, I hope this one makes it through :rendered: ). I hope you'll like the concept.

XC-652 also know as "The Brain Stealer's" Brain Stealer
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/DaRobertz/cow20.jpg

It's the year 2005. After the Typhoon Katrina the world was again struck by a disaster. At this point in time, Evil Genius Fozzybar von Lichtenstein challenged his fellow members of the secret underground organisation CA to create a new type of creature, a so called "Brain Stealer". Not long after, the world was introduced to a new line of species, all specialised in stealing brains. In order to fight this new found thread, a group of brave scientists was given the task to create a weapon to fight back. After a long time of experiments on all sort of creatures (Elephants, Camels, Spiders etc.), specimen XC-652 was born. XC-652 is specialized in fighting the brain stealers on their own ground by stealing their brains. Using the shiny orb (yes folks, its really, really shiny) attached to it's tail (in which infact a small part of the brain can be found), it detects high amounts of brain activity to locate possible brain stealers (eating brains makes you smarter, so brain stealers have larger amount of brain activity than normal organismes). Upon locating a brain stealer, it uses it's spear like tentacles to capture it and after that it sucks the brain using it's evolved nose/mouth. Thanks XC-652, the people of earth can rest assure, XC-652 will take care of the brain stealers....

So, that's that...Oh yeah....

Sorry guys, your all disqualified. Since XC-652 ate the brains of your entry's, there technically dead and according to rule 765.3 of "The Great Book of COW", dead creature can't enter the contest.

Better luck next time :bashful:

Robert

[Plagu£]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/kdingman/mantis-5.jpg

Brain Stealer- This insect like creature lives where ever mass amount of people can be found. Primarily a nomadic beast it lives in constant search of new food sources. Despite its massive size (standing nearly 9 1/2 ft) its diet consists of only human brains. The Brain Stealer is adequetly addapted for aquiring and extracting the brain. It is equiped with four appendiges, two of which house circular saw blades. The other two arms are equiped with massive glowing blades made of a bone like material. Below the stomach of the Brain Stealer is a pouch used for storing severed heads and brains untill ripened to its likeing. The way the brains stealer goes about killing its prey (the human) is realy quite brutal. It waits and ambushed an unsuspecting group of humans, decapitating as many as possible with its saw apendeges. Then it picks through the remains collecting only the heads and storing them in its pouch. The brain stealer is primarily nocturnal and has evolved a nightvison, which gives it its luminecent features mostly during an attack.

[arteric]

Begin Datastream:
Message// Priority 6
From// Battleclass Starship SOLSTICE
To// Station 4-0-1
Attn// Captain McGee
RE// Lost 13 Infantry Support Suits
Begin Message:

Hell Bill, this is your good buddy Captain Olster en route to the Orion front. Cargo: 3,547 Infantry Support Suits. It was 3,560.

We picked up an unwelcome passenger on our refueling stop in the Balastan System. The caretaker crew has been spotting small rodent-like creatures scavenging throughout the lower levels... hard to miss with their giant glowing red eyes. I’ve never seen anything like them, and the 3 that have been captured have given me the downright creeps. I had them destroyed immediately, damn the science unit and their requests for dissection. The filters never picked these creatures up when they somehow came on board... either we’ve got a bug in the system or they just aren’t a registered life form.

Unfortunately, these stow-a-ways have found a new food supply. A few of our more sick-minded crew have nicknamed these nastys “Brain Stealers” for reasons I figure you’ve all ready guessed, and that I am at a loss as how to report back to the Home Unit.

With their immensely powerful fore-limbs and razor sharp claws, these “Brain Stealers” (and that is the LAST time I will call them that, damn caretakers and their sick jokes) have crawled their way into the infantry storage chambers and popped open some containment helmets like soup cans. I’ve lost 13 soldiers this way, good boys too, damn it! These kids never even got a chance to fight, but died while in storage like some rubbish in a dumpster that a rodent has decided to dive into. I’ll tell you, I am trying like mad to get these things off my ship before I loose more of these soldiers... I have no idea how I am going to write to their mothers back home.

“Sorry, your boy will not be coming home to be reimplanted. He was killed, not honorably on the field of battle, but in a cargo hold by some hungry red-eyed vermin that decided his brain looked like a RTE ration. Please contact Marine Central and they will help in the preparations to cremate your son’s body-in-waiting.”

No, that just doesn’t cut it, and these kids deserved better. What am I going to do Bill? In the meantime, put a quarantine on the Balastan Refueling Station.... or better yet, bomb the damn thing into dust, would ya?

/// end of message ///
End Datastream:

http://www.pepperink.com/Art_Images_Large/Brain_Stealer.jpg

[I.was.ink]

http://www.visiblesurface.com/iwasink/sketch/Brain-Stealer.jpg

Brain Stealer

This mosquito like creature will attack its victims at night when they are sleeping and unaware of their surroundings. It will latch on with it's thin, yet bone like limbs, to strike into the human's head and begin to consume. It's motivation for attack is not to instantly kill its prey, but to slowly drain their brain while they lie still therefore killing them with a slow and painless death. With every new brain he eats, this creature's sack(attached to his back) grows in size and provides him with more limbs to destroy and eat his prey at a faster rate.

-ink

[I.was.ink]

My entry isn't completely finished as I wanted it to be, but I'm submitting it where I have it at now to make it in time.
FOZZY: I hope its finished enough to be accepted into the voting. If you think it's not and it shouldnt be, then I understand.

Cool COW's everyone. :)
-ink

[redehlert]

My Fetch program is funked up right now. I've sent you an email with my file attached to use as temp placement. I'll post my final from another station in the am. Sorry about that. My entry blows it anywho, but what du hell, right?
Thanks,
Dave

[Floris Didden]

Well well, just before the deadline again, but not as tight as last time. Hope you like.

http://student-kmt.hku.nl/~floris1/art/cow20final.jpg
C.o.W. #20: The Brainusereptor
The Brainusereptor calls the colonised world of Ezuzo Secundus it's home. The creature is insect like, sporting 6 limbs total, 2 stemming from the lower region of it's carapace which serve as legs when standing upright, and 4 more limbs on the upper half of the body, portruding from a spot right next to the large head, which are used for walking and interacting with it's environment, as seen on figure #1.

Before the arival of settlers on Ezuzo Secundus the Brainusereptor hunted small game rodent like creatures. With the arival of the colonisers however, this all changed. In good human fashion the face of Ezuzo Secundus was quickly pockmarked with thousands of stinking factorys belching out black fumes and toxic wastefluids. Most of the natural foodsources of the Brainusereptor did not survive this attack, leaving the Brainusereptor to either die out or look for alternatives.

So it came to pass that the settlers on Ezuzo Secundus only became aware of the existence of the Brainusereptor when they started venturing forth into the factorys where they started stealing human brains from the thinking-machines (a marvelous invention where a human brain of a deceased person is kept in a semi-dead state so the computer can use the recources in the brain for it's operations, greatly enhancing the problem solving capability of said computer). Thus they were named "Brainusereptor", a quasi-latin name hinting at it's occupation of a brain (brainus) thief (ereptor).

Figure #1 shows a foto of a particulary sneaky Brainusereptor beeing caught redhanded trying to steal one of our most prized brains from the great library.

[0kelvin]

Brain Stealer: The brain stealer is an obsessive collector. He lives in a cave deep below suburbia where he has stockpiled millions of human brains. He has organized them into piles alphabetically depending on the last name of the human it was stolen from, keeping these piles orderly is his one true love and he spends countless hours checking to make sure all the right brains are in the correct piles. Monsters travel from all over the underworld to view his collection. Rumor has it that when all the tourists are gone for the day he curls up into a ball and rolls down each pile screaming “ I feel so alive”

Oh dammit ass crap hell! The obsessive brain collector sitting on a pile of brains and examining one in his hands was the exact same concept I was working on! The deadline's already passed and now I don't even have an idea! Yowzers.



0kelvin