A study of Galhound

    This page can be thought of as almost an art history lesson for one of Shirow Masamune's works.  The works of "Galhound" have found their place in the collections of many who appreciate Shirow's endeavors.  Here we offer something that may have, before now gone undetected and/or previously unmentioned.  It is hoped that some light can be shed on some of the creative history of this popular work.

Work 20020707

    If studied closely, the dark skinned protagonist  (foreground) is wearing an ID badge (stolen?) that bears a closer resemblance to the heroine of the story Cyril Brooklyn.  However, the badge shows a different name "Facelia Heath".  This raises an interesting question which relates directly to the creative process of the Galhound story.  The same dark skinned  female and the blonde (background) are wearing suits very similar to what Cyril Brooklyn is wearing in work 20021014. 

Works 20020108 & 20021117

        To continue on the speculation that Cyril Brooklyn's original name was "Facelia Heath",  the first Gun & Action poster to show Cyril's name (in English) was work 20021117.  20021117 is arguably a redone version of work 20020108.  In the earlier piece, "Facelia" looks to be ever-so slightly older compared to Cyril (the eyes are drawn a little smaller).  As a footnote, the detail image of 20020108 is also the picture used on the ID badge shown in work 20020707.

20020108	20021117

Work 20020614

   Work 20020614 was used in two projects.  Initially, for the 2003 calendar "Thrilling" and is then also used in the UPPERS Gun & Action poster III.  Work 20020614 is the first actual illustration done for the "Galhound" story.  What makes this piece interesting is that the work used in the "Thrilling" calendar bears the title "Sleuth Hound".  However, when the piece was included in the Gun & Action poster, the title was removed in favor of the running title "Galhound".  Ergo, the original concept was a story called "Sleuth Hound" and starred a character named Facila Heath.  Again, this is only a theory and Shirow alone probably knows the truth of the matter.