Wolverine and Frank Miller Inspired This 100% Rotten Tomatoes Series

However, Adult Swim’s *Primal* represents a significant change for creator Genndy Tartakovsky. Unlike the joke-filled humor of his previous work, *Primal* presents a brutal and mostly silent prehistoric world, focusing on the story of a caveman named Spear and his dinosaur friend. After years of acknowledging the influence of classic *Looney Tunes* cartoons, Tartakovsky recently shared that his other major inspirations for *Primal* were superhero comics, particularly the *Wolverine* series and the work of Frank Miller.

Genndy Tartakovsky Reveals Wolverine Inspiration Behind Primal at NYCC

“Primal is the Closest Thing to My Heart”

He used to go to comic book conventions and watch Frank Miller draw. Seeing Miller’s skill, he thought, ‘I could never do that.’ As a fourteen-year-old, and someone who didn’t give up easily, it just seemed impossible to reach that level. He couldn’t imagine ever being able to draw like him. He admits he was only able to draw *Scooby-Doo* decently. That’s why *Primal* feels so personal to him – it’s a way for him to finally express everything he’d been working towards.

It’s easy to see the similarities between Primal’s Spear and the X-Men’s Wolverine. Both characters are known for flying into rages, being incredibly violent, and yet, surprisingly, having good hearts. Spear displays many of Wolverine’s traits—his fierce combat style, remarkable ability to survive, and a strong sense of morality all strongly resemble Logan.

Primal’s Spear is More Like Wolverine Than You Realize

Tartakovsky pointed out the visual similarities between his depictions of Wolverine and Spear, specifically referencing the influential comic book artist Frank Miller, along with Jack Kirby, John Byrne, and Walt Simonson – creators whose work he greatly admired. He explained that these artists all shared a knack for strong character designs and expressive faces. *Primal*, he said, draws inspiration from many sources, but through enough iteration and originality, it ultimately develops its own unique style.

The comics *Wolverine*, *Daredevil*, and *The Dark Knight Returns*, along with the *Primal* animated series, all make striking use of carefully designed shadows and outlines. Both *Primal* and Frank Miller’s work are visually powerful, building a sense of intense mood – whether it’s during action or moments of sadness.

Adult Swim’s Best Animated Series Combines Comic Book and Traditional Cartoon Influence

Though *Primal* is different from Genndy Tartakovsky’s other projects, his signature animation style – characterized by exaggerated stretching and squashing – is still visible in the Adult Swim series, even with its focus on superheroes. He recently explained at New York Comic Con how this style subtly appears throughout the show.

Nic Guastella asked how the animation technique of ‘squash and stretch’ is used in the visually-driven show *Primal*, which relies less on dialogue. He pointed out that audiences easily notice this technique in comedic animation, but wondered how it’s applied in *Primal* in more subtle ways that viewers might not consciously recognize.

Genndy Tartakovsky notes that classic animation has a lot of subtle detail that’s often overlooked. While modern animation might focus on exaggerated expressions and movements, the older style really excelled at unique and individual character posing. For example, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck each have a very distinct way of standing and holding themselves, and that attention to detail is something he considers a key foundation for good animation.

Even during fast-paced action, the show clearly shows what each character is thinking and feeling through small details in how they stand and move. This style comes from the creator’s background in comics. The way the main character, Spear, holds himself – inspired by characters like Wolverine and the work of artist Frank Miller – makes him instantly recognizable and powerful. By blending cartoonish body shapes with dramatic superhero poses, *Primal* develops a truly distinctive look.

He emphasized that the raw, energetic style of *Primal* is a tribute to older cartoons, much like his previous work. He explained that classic cartoonists preferred to *show* action rather than *tell* about it, a principle that also made *Samurai Jack* successful. He sees *Primal* as a natural extension of this approach.

Genndy Tartakovsky on Whether Visual Storytelling is a Lost Art

“You Have to Be Very Patient and Confident”

When asked if he considers himself a leader in visual storytelling, especially as many shows now focus on dialogue, Tartakovsky gave a realistic answer. He acknowledged a growing trend—especially in popular adult animation—but doesn’t believe this shift is complete just yet.

He believes that dialogue remains essential in storytelling. Creating visual narratives, he notes, requires patience and a strong vision. Tartakovsky isn’t trying to revolutionize animation; he prefers to focus on his strengths and continually improve. It’s a modest attitude for someone who has significantly expanded the boundaries of animation and earned numerous Emmy Awards. His show, *Primal*, is a blend of influences – from classic legends to the work of artists like Frank Miller and Jack Kirby, and the raw energy of characters like Wolverine. Tartakovsky pays tribute to those who inspired him while maintaining his unique style.

A young artist, initially intimidated by the work of Frank Miller, discovered his unique style by embracing unexpected influences. He blended silly cartoon characters, eccentric scientists, comedic moments, and action-packed sword fights, ultimately creating a series that pays tribute to both classic comic book heroes and animation pioneers. *Primal* demonstrates that true originality often comes from transforming limitations into strengths – doing what you *can* to express what feels impossible.

This new series offers a fresh take with each episode telling its own complete story. The initial trailer shows a shocking return – Spear, a character who died in Season 2, is brought back as a zombie, hinting at a grittier and more intense direction for the show. Creator Genndy Tartakovsky explained that after spending 20 episodes developing the characters, he questioned whether killing them off was the right decision, as audiences had grown to care for them.

The new season hits Adult Swim in January 2026.

2025-10-18 23:41