Gorillaz announce new cartoon member, The Evangelist

January 11th, 2011

Back in November, Gorillaz hosted a contest with Internet Explorer 9 where fans were asked to design a new member for the cartoon band named “The Evangelist.”

According to the band, more than 5,000 “amazing drawings” and 175,000 votes were received, with Gorillaz animator Jamie Hewlett deciding on the winner. The lucky illustrator is named jirouta and he will receive a framed, signed print of his artwork redrawn by Hewlett.

To see both jirouta’s original sketch and Hewlett’s full drawing, click here.

And in case you’re wondering about who exactly this “Evangelist” is, Gorillaz have provided a little description:

“The Evangelist” is the opposite of “The Boogieman”; the light to his awful shade. “The Boogieman” has appeared in several images from the Gorillaz world, and now featured in several videos. “The Boogieman” is believed to a dark and hideous figure, composed of all the evil in the world, all wrapped up inside his black swirling cloak. He has a gas mask for a face. He may have reappeared throughout history, an ominous figure accompanying the re-emergence of Murdoc Niccals through all of time.

“The Boogieman” ate the soul of the Policeman in the ‘STYLO’ video, appears to gas 2D to bring him to the Plastic Beach island in a Gorillaz ident and most recently was seen dragging the manatee down in the ‘On Melancholy Hill’ video. Who or what The Boogieman is largely still unknown but it looks like he’s here to collect on Murdoc’s long outstanding debts, perhaps to drag him down for good.

“The Evangelist” is a similar entity, but the flip-side of “The Boogieman”. He/she may even be revealed as “The Boogieman’s” avenger. His/her outer appearance is yet to be defined. Many rumours fly around of his/her description. Some say that he/she is dressed head to toe in white rhinestoned-leather. Some say he/she rides a glowing white Unicorn. Some say the Unicorn likes other Unicorns….One report has stated that the Evangelist looks like a knackered cowboy on a drunken horse”.

Tags: Gorillaz