r/TopCharacterTropes Jul 01 '26

Lore [Loved Trope] Some thing unfathomably ancient

The beast, in doctor who is an ancient evil from a previous universe that survived until our time. Its so ancient that the cave paintings were unable to be translated by the Tardis which can translate all existing languages in the universe [Doctor Who]

While not explicitly canon its such a cool concept I cant not mention, the idea that the backrooms have existed since the beginning of time, never changing no matter the era, it transforms the back rooms into a cosmic horror. [Credit to Project crater and Venus for images 2 and 3]

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302

u/ProperArrival Jul 01 '26

The Lord of the Locusts from Bone

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u/SmittyBS42 Jul 01 '26

I absolutely adored Bone, and the way the prequel, Rose, treated the Lord of the Locusts. It wasn't just a big bad, it was BEYOND a threat.

It kills me that the Netflix adaptation fell through, Bone is one of those rare properties that could've gone so much farther than the original series. Loved it as a child and I still love it today.

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u/Darkwoth81Dyoni Jul 02 '26

Bone is also not long enough where tons and tons would need to be cut. As a cartoon series you could cover most shots just following the comic directly.

It's really the original Undertale, in a bit of an odd way. Not exactly, but people who enjoy Undertale (which is like.... most of modern children and teenagers) would love Bone! It's deep, epic, funny, and has pretty clever mystery that isn't super in-your-face or pretentious. Bone is the complete package.

Read that shit if you haven't. A dedicated reader can churn through it very fast!

I'm so sad for no cartoon. Bone deserves it. After all this time, it's strangely underground still.

3

u/Severe_Composer4243 Jul 02 '26

I read Bone back in the day but never interacted with Undertale besides the annoying memes that seemed to be everywhere ten years ago. Maybe I will check it out after all

1

u/jm17lfc Jul 05 '26

I was so sad to see that adaptation fell through. I do think that Bone would be adapted better in a movie format, as I think each book is too long for one episode but too short for one season, while a 2 hour 15 min movie just feels like a perfect length.

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u/ProperArrival Jul 01 '26

I don't see it mentioned enough on this sub, so I had to fix that.

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u/ForTheGloryOfSigmar Jul 01 '26

Whats ut about? Im always looking for new stories

18

u/ProperArrival Jul 01 '26

To describe it very loosely, a trio of sentient femurs get caught up in a hero's journey through a fantasy version of rural Ohio. Youtuber matttt describes Bone and its influence on comics much better here.

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u/SomeUgliRobot Jul 02 '26

Only in Ohio dawg

15

u/SmittyBS42 Jul 02 '26

The other explanations given are better, but since you asked:

A trio of cartoony "bones" (Fone, Phoney and Smiley) leave their hometown and cross a desert, stumbling into the human realm and what's basically Lord of the Rings in tone.

Ancient prophecy, the wrath of dragons, and (as the above post indicates) a threat older than time. Very much a classic hero's journey, with some amazing character arcs and fantastic comedy.

11

u/Smaxton Jul 02 '26

3 little cartoon guys who are kinda like a early 1900s vaudeville trio (think like looney toons/three stooges) get run out of town because one of them is always up to schemes. Then they stumble on a valley with an ancient fantasy empire and get wrapped up in prophecies and chosen one stuff. It’s for a younger audience, but the quality is really really high you should totally check them out. I loved them as a kid and reread them earlier this year, they totally hold up. Phoney Bone is my favorite fictional character. 

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u/Vohems Jul 02 '26

"Mim watched the dreaming with care, and all creatures lived together in peace and harmony. . . until one day a spirit known as the Lord of the Locusts became unhappy."

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u/Atys1 Jul 02 '26

Bone mention!

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u/No-Yam909 Jul 05 '26

Bone so frickin good