As a mainstay of modern pop culture, Pokémon has seen endless fan art, in every style and medium imaginable. However, it seems new interpretations of the much-loved pocket monsters are still appearing.
One of these is an index of the first generation of Pokémon that expertly mimics the style of illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, created by artist DobieDraws and available to purchase on Etsy.
The 32-page booklet not only contains gorgeously rendered illustrations of Pokémon looking like the fantastical beasts of medieval writings, but expansive text in classical Latin to describe each one -- scholars of the language can check the accuracy of the translation, and may find a few humorous Easter eggs. All writing appears in distinguished calligraphy, and the pages have an aged effect to complete the illusion.
Although each Pokémon shown in the preview images is recognizable, the art appears to reflect painstaking research on medieval art, with visual references to different creatures that might have appeared in real manuscripts. Gyarados plays the part of a classic sea serpent, while Mewtwo's supreme power is represented with a Christ-like halo.
The description of the item reads, "Codex Pokemonus is a 32-page Pokemon illuminated manuscript, featuring illustrations of the original Generation 1 Pokemon in the style of illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages."
Codex Pokemonus can be purchased on Etsy for $22.99. Prints of some illustrations from the booklet are also available in DobieDraws' shop.