Marvel Studios surprised everyone with its first special presentation – Werewolf at night. It introduced fans to an unknown corner of the Marvel world – monsters and their hunters. The special was directed and composed by Michael Giacchino and was written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron. It features Gael Garcia Bernal like Jack Russell / Night Werewolf, Laura Donnelly like Elsa Bloodstone, and Harriet Sansom Harris like Verussa Bloodstone in important roles. The special received widespread praise for its practical effects and noir cinematography that paid homage to retro Hollywood.
The series follows a group of fierce hunters who are called to the Bloodstone Mansion when its owner Ulysses Bloodstone dies. The competition begins between hunters to slay a monster and prove their worth to the Bloodstone family legacy – a Bloodstone. A magic stone and powerful enough to weaken any type of monster and give longevity and strength to its owner. So who are these hunters exactly? Let’s find out.
Azarel
Azarel
interpreted by Eugenie Bondurant, Azarel is remembered for his character design, especially the outfit. He carries an looming presence throughout the special and enters all the action as the film reaches its climax. Azarel looks pretty sharp in his amazing white outfit. Verussa Bloodstone states that Azarel has killed 37 monsters in his lifetime, making him one of the notorious hunters in the room. Unfortunately, Azarel doesn’t do much more than look good and die trying.
Jovan
Joshua Jovan
Kirk Thatcher stars as the fierce Joshua Jovan. He often brags about his 57 confirmed monster kills. Jovan is probably the only hunter in the lot who approaches Jack de Gael Garcia in appreciation, when Jack joins them. He has a big commanding personality and possesses a bit of sports humor. Jovan is probably the only one with the maximum opportunity for action as he never wastes a second attacking his fellow hunters as soon as they all enter the “garden maze” for the hunt. Jovan has an interesting fight streak with Elsa Bloodstone, but unfortunately he becomes the first Man-Thing victim in the MCU.
lion
lion
by Leonard Nam Liorn didn’t have a big role as Kirk’s Joshua in the events of Marvel’s Special. However, he came across as the coolest of them all, and as Verussa mentioned, Liorn had 43 confirmed monster kills up his sleeve before joining them. Lionn has remained quiet throughout the series, making him a more curious character. Once in the “garden labyrinth”, he decides to hide behind the morgue door and wait for his prey. As soon as Elsa gets near the door, Liorn attacks her with his native dart handgun. However, Liorn does not die unless he shows his incredible skill in combat with Elsa Bloodstone, but eventually Elsa manages to cut off his hands and kill him with her own weapon.
Barasso
Barasso
Played by Daniel J. Watts, Barasso is another silent monster hunter in the mix like Liorn. Despite having limited screen time and dialogue, Barasso seemed like the most charming of the lot. He manages to survive the longest of all hunters until he succumbs to the clutches of Werewolf at night. Throughout his screen time, he mostly stands with his demeanor. Not much can be said about the character except that he is said to have slain 26 confirmed monsters in his life up to his arrival at Bloodstone Manor.
Elsa Bloodstone
Elsa Bloodstone
The only one important enough for the future of the MCU, Elsa Bloodstone (played brilliantly by Laura Donnelly), is the only person who shares history (and blood) with the Bloodstone family. Elsa is the daughter of the deceased Ulysses Bloodstone and stepdaughter of Verussa Bloodstone. She portrays a strong personality and some killer moves in her action skills. Elsa (with no confirmed monster kills) enters the hunting arena with the other skilled hunters to prove her worth. She can easily compete with Black Widow in hand-to-hand combat.
Charming, sexy and beautiful, she is reminiscent of Krysten Ritter Jessica Jones. Elsa has a long history in Marvel comics and had her first appearance in Bloodstone #1 (2001). She also has a brother named Callus Bloodstone, who may appear later in the MCU. She befriends Jack Russel (Night Werewolf) and Ted (Man-Thing), and succeeds in his quest to obtain the Bloodstone by the end of the special. MCU surely has big future plans for the character, and we’re not complaining!
