White Witch Diversity, Part 1

Artwork by Emma Allen

Once again it’s time to present some notable and unusual depictions of the White Witch that I’ve discovered over the past year. Like this one, above, that’s suitable for a professionally published children’s book. The artist gave her no iris or pupils, which makes for a scary touch. Edmund looks very small and seems to be pleading for his life. In the background, a few gray statues are scattered, their eyes covered as if they’ve sighted Medusa (though the witch’s magic works by wand and not her eyes, or lack of eyes.)

Concept art by Bosmat Agayoff

White Witch thumbnails with sneering expressions. I particularly like #4.

Figures by David Paul, part of a diorama in Leicester’s Town Hall Square at Christmas in 2010

The classic scene from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe where the witch meets Edmund and asks “What are you?” Warm tones are used instead of the usual cool ones, which makes it different. Note the odd face in the tree like a Greek mask of Tragedy. A frozen or petrified dryad perhaps? It’s slightly clumsy, but memorable.

Artwork by Inna Kapustenko

A stylized White Witch whose costume is heavily feathered. She’s got gray hair not black and gray eyes with a hypnotic stare.

An AI White Witch modeled after the Tilda Swinton depiction. She looks older, harsher, and more psychologically brittle here. Most AI versions say nothing new about the witch’s character, but this one does.

Artwork by Arbetta@deviantart

This is actually a Snow Queen, but she’d make a fine haughty witch.

The witch menacing Edmund in this watercolor version. I like witches that have the gold crown as is stated in the book, but I’ll allow other versions if the artwork is fetching enough. After all both the Disney and the BBC movies didn’t give the witch a gold crown.

Artwork by Ben Doublett

The witch is captured just as she bites into the silver apple that makes her immortal. Note her angry, defiant expression!

This is a fashion shoot, not a Narnia one, but she sure looks like a spooky White Witch! Just color her crown gold, please.

Narnia 1979 (Part 1)

Storyboards from the TV special

There’s been only one animated version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and it was made by Bill Melendez of all people — who owned the same animation studio that made most of the Charlie Brown specials broadcast on American TV during the 1970s. If you were a child then, you probably have some familiarity with them, as the Peanuts gang pre-empted regular programming. I would never had guessed that until researching the cartoon’s history. I had always assumed the production company was Rankin-Bass. But in hindsight it’s easy to see the similarities. Both the Peanuts specials and the animated LWW had the same minimalistic character design, stiff and a little jerky in motion, but balanced by well-chosen voice actors and effective music.  Many Narnia fans continue to have a soft spot for the Melendez version to this day.

Unlike the Narnia movies, the 1979 version was more faithful to the book (no pun intended) with a few  differences, the major one being the modern (1970s) setting for the framing story, where the lack of parental supervision for the kids was blamed on mom and dad being on an archaeological expedition. Which wasn’t such a big change that you’d think it was; after all, in the original book WWII is never mentioned again after the first chapter. But it did have a big effect stylistically. It was and still is jarring to see the kids in bell bottom pants, turtleneck sweaters, and Lucy in Cindy Brady ponytails. Fans have described it was both charming and embarrassing to watch. (It’s available in its entirety on YouTube.)

Mr. Tumnus: His ancestors came to Narnia on a Yellow Submarine?

Certain of the other characters had a 1970s, or late 1960s, vibe to them as well, especially Mr. Tumnus, who could have walked out of a Schoolhouse Rock episode of the time. So could Edmund, who is depicted with a chubby build, tousled blonde hair and round glasses, perhaps to suggest he is the “imperfect” one who betrays the others. Or, like Piggy in The Lord of the Flies, to denote a sacrifice.

Aslan was fine. The special being animated meant he could be more active in ways that were impossible in the movies, even with all their CGI.

Welsh music composer Michael J. Lewis did the soundtrack for the film for which he won an Emmy Award. Still living, he later released a series of albums of Welsh music which seems like the “right” soundtrack that the books might have had. Hmm, well I’ll guess I’ll have to rewatch it now.

The show was broadcast on CBS in 1979 over two nights: April 1 and 2. It won two Emmy Awards. In subsequent years it was released on VHS and later DVD with The Childrens Television Workshop (the same company that made Sesame Street) involved with the release.

As to why this particular version of LWW was made at that particular time? Well, it seems that the rights to create a television production were given by C. S. Lewis himself to the Episcopal Radio TV Foundation in the mid-1950s. Despite his grumping that it could never be adapted to film.

Last year I came across an assortment of press releases and other written material for this special, and I’ll be posting them here.

The following press release details Kraft’s (of Kraft macaroni and cheese fame) involvement in the project, for which is was the underwriter. The letters are hand-typed; this was before word processor days.

 

Jumpin’ Jack Tash

Here’s some more depictions I found of Narnia’s favorite baddie, Tash!

The illustration above, by Trenton Long, adheres both to the book and Pauline Baynes’ iconic illustration. Tall, skinny, with man-snatching Bandersnatch claws, plus that pectoral collar and scraggly loincloth. The head is more pterosaur-like than avian, but his expression says he’s full of evil business.

This Tash has the head of a … Canadian Goose? And he’s in Native American garb. Granted, maybe he’s not a real Tash, but he sure has the malice and energy of one.

A somber Tash with human hands walks through a silent forest.

Artwork by Alejindio

A simple yet effective cartoon Tash with red glowing eyes.

Tash from a book cover. In fact, he’s the STAR of the book cover, not sissy Jewel the unicorn or the Doorframe of the Apocalypse ASlan creates as the world is ending. He has a writhing Rishda firmly in his grasp.

Art by Joanna Simon

Tash’s head in detail. Looks a bit like a Skeksis, no? But since the Dark Crystal came much later than The Last Battle, it’s likely Jim Henson cribbed from C. S. Lewis’s description, not the other way around.

A hairy Tash without his usual ceremonial wardrobe. He’s shadowy so you can see through him.

Artwork by Joanna Simon

Another Tash that adheres closely to Baynes’ version.

Art by Julianna Mateja

Concept art for a Tash who has a toucan’s beak, or maybe a flamingo’s beak, in Polish. In the largest sketch he looks like he’s taking a dump in a  sack, but I think the yellowish cloud was meant to depict his foul odor, which, if you’ve read The Last Battle closely, almost made Jill faint.

Art by Tomato Bird

 

A linocut Tash with eyes on his wings.

 

Worldbuilding Wednesday 6/3/26: What’s New in Narniaworld for 2026 (Narnia LXXV)

What new things have been planned for Narniaworld for the Summer of 2026?

First of all, the Fire Festival! Based on Edinburgh’s world-famous solstice celebration, this event is for one night only, the shortest one of the year in fact. A parade, stilt-walkers, dancers, acrobats, fire jugglers and the like will entertain guests from sunset into the wee hours of the night, culminating with the marriage of the White Lady and the Green Man! Aslan, Bacchus, and maenads, nymphs and dryads will make appearances as well. All family-friendly and free with admission to the park. Tickets for this event are selling out fast so be sure to get yours now!

Difficulties with the current economy have meant the park could not add new attractions as quickly as was thought. A mermaid show planned to open this year has been delayed, as well as the water park renovation. Admissions costs have also increased as has the price of food, sad to say. But return visitors will still find new things to entertain them.

The Tisroc’s Baths have a new addition, a special section for small children (with parents of course.)

There’s a new addition to the roaming performers entertaining the campgrounds at night: Queen Prunaprismia, who will give hilarious lessons on proper etiquette at court.

A new shop has opened: The Well-stocked Wardrobe.  This store sells clothing items, everything from Narniaworld rain ponchos for inclement weather days to (fake of course!) fur coats, English wool sweaters, dryad scarves, adventuring buskins, and royal crowns. It’s located inside the Queen Charlotte Hotel.

 

Previous Narniaworld posts:

Narniaworld, Part 1 (Food)

Narniaworld, Part 2 (Rides)

Narniaworld, Part 3 (Shows and events)

Narniaworld, Part 4 (Shopping)

Narniaworld, Part 5 (Guest Services)

Narniaworld Extra Credit (AI generations of the park)

What’s New in Narniaworld for 2025

Narniaworld Water Park 

 

Summer of Narnia 2026

Stained glass window depicting Charles Williams (at top) Owen Barfield (right), C. S. Lewis (bottom), and J. R. R. Tolkien (left.) All were members of The Inklings. 

The Summer of Narnia begins yet again. This year, there’s plenty of excitement as Greta Garwig’s Magician’s Nephew movie continues to film and interest in Narnia is again beginning to crest.

Above is a stained glass designed by Marc Burckhardt depicted the Inklings’ best known members. Williams and Barfield are less known than the two writers, but perhaps they shouldn’t be. They likely had a huge unsaid influence on both men.

 

Speaking of stained glass, to the left is a window from St. George’s Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio. It depicts Lewis with a rocket ship, imp, and lion, representing his Planets Trilogy, Screwtape Letters, and Narnia series, respectively.

You can see all the windows, some of which depict modern figures such as Lewis, here.

BTW, the shield the lion is holding is that of Oxford University, where Lewis once taught.

 

Worldbuilding Wednesday 5/26/26: Magic of the Five Senses (The Box of Breath Weaponry)

A box designed for adventuring (AI art)

I’m giving this magic item of the Taste School its own entry, because frankly it’s such a neat concept.

One of best-known enchanted items native to the Five Senses magic system, The Box of Breath Weaponry  comes in many sizes and shapes. Basically, it’s a lidded or latched container, of any shape, divided into at least four, and often as many as twelve, partitions. Each partition is magicked to keep a certain food fresh and intact and dweomers it with powerful properties.  For when chewed by the case’s owner, the tidbits enable them to use different kinds of breath weapons.

Some of the foods, and the effects of their consumption, are thus.

Banana peel: Tripping and falling gas

Chicken: Fear gas

Chili pepper: Fire

Cookie and milk / Chamomile herbs: Sleeping gas

Dried peas: Fog cloud

Garlic: Repulsion gas

Honey: A swarm of angry bees

Ice cube: Cold / Blizzard cloud

Salt / Pretzels: Makes victims very thirsty

Mushrooms: Invisible cloud that causes hallucinations

Olive pits: Choking gas

Limberger cheese: Stinking gas

Onion:  Tear gas

Vinegar: Acid cloud

Chocolate covered cherries: Opponents develop a deep affection towards the user, in effect “falling in love” with them

Black pepper: Gas that causes foes to sneeze

Squid: A dense, black cloud forms which is impossible to see through

Wine: Opponents become very drunk

Rock candy: Turns opponents to stone

Breath mints: Magically refreshes the user’s breath after using all the different breath weapons.

There are many more foods and effects, of course, depending on the box’s creator. The magic is native to the box, so the compartments must contain whatever food it was created to hold.

The box can be made of any material and contain any food (AI art)

Except where noted, gaseous weapons are invisible and take effect 4′ from the user, coalescing into a 10′ x 10′ x 10′ cloud, while the cold and fire ones form a cone.

The appearance of the box depends on its daily use. It may be small and plebian, designed for travel, or the size of a briefcase and ornately decorated. Most boxes contain only one use of each food, but depending on the mage who made it, there could be up to four. Those unfamiliar with the item often assume it’s a scribe’s workbox or cosmetic case.

Some boxes can be real luxury items (AI art)

Only a mage of the School of Taste is able to restock and re-magic a depleted box.

Worldbuilding Wednesday 5/20/26: Magic of the Five Senses (The School of Taste)

Instruction in the School of Taste (AI art)

At any Five Senses university, the School of Taste is the largest and most profitable, a cash cow, one might say, to support the other four.

It is also the school with the most non-mage students. Aspiring chef apprentices as well as seasoned masters from all over the world enroll to develop and train their taste buds. A fair amount of herbalists and pharmacists are students too, along with agriculture specialists who cultivate new crops and livestock, and vintners and sommeliers round out the enrollment.

Unlike the other schools, the School of Taste has a two-year curriculum. The first year concentrates on the basics. Each type of taste — sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and umami — receives its own class, as well as one on heat (chilis and the like) and one on texture. The anatomy of the mouth and tongue comprises another course, and the act of digestion, one more. This first year is useful enough on its own, but students have the option to continue their schooling with a second year where they apply their new found skills in an actual cooking school. First year graduates are known as Culinarists, second year ones, Cuisinists.

Two of the delightful dishes created by graduates of the School of Taste.

Students who opt for a magical path must pass both years before learning Taste magic, making this one of the more difficult and time-consuming schools of magic. Graduates are known as Gustamancers and are comparatively rare in Five Senses magic, yet are highly employable by houses of royalty and wealthy aristocrats who seek to outdo each other with lavish banquets. Many Gustomancers also go into business for themselves, often specializing in potion creation and sellers of fancy foodstuffs.

It’s common for a Gustomancer to take on Aromamancer certification as well.

Would-be Gustomancers learn the following:

  • Enhancing / changing one’s own sense of taste
  • Enhancing / changing other beings’ sense of taste
  • Creating false tastes, taste illusions, or adding taste to existing illusions
  • Endowing flavors with magical qualities
  • Using the unique tastes of food or other items as spell components
  • Creating magic items that employ the sense of taste, food most importantly, but potions and medicines as well
  • Magical means of preserving food
  • Magic involving the tongue, mouth, and digestive system

Gustomancers are often derided for being useless or weak in adventuring situations, but the truth is they have plenty of offensive spells that target the mouth, bowels, and stomach at their disposal. Learning other magic is possible using spells modified to include elements of taste, such as a Summon Fire Elemental spell that  uses five  different kinds of rare chili peppers. As with the other sense schools, schooling for the mage must be taken in order and uninterrupted over the term or it is considered invalid.

The School of Taste contains both classrooms and kitchen facilities and is likely to consume a large part of whatever spices, meat, and produce come into its locale. In the basement area ice rooms and pantries, and there is a library of cookbooks, culinary histories, and cooking techniques. Guest lecturers from other lands and races are common.

The crest for this school is a stylized mouth and tongue (similar to the Rolling Stones logo.)

 

(c) 2026 Cobalt Jade

Ringo!

Found on Reddit — AI art

An AI creation, of course. Notice that Ringo doesn’t look much like Ringo. But delightful nonetheless.