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Description
This is my entry into 's Books into Disney Movies contest. It is inspired by The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells. The book has been adapted for the screen several times but never in animation.
My version removes most of the horror elements and has more of a steampunk aesthetic. The story revolves around Dr. Moreau’s attempts at creating a human by genetically modifying animals (vivisection in the original). Edward, the main character, is attacked shortly after his arrival on the island and his body is later repaired with mechanical augmentations. Because of this attack, Dr. Moreau decides to put even greater restrictions on the Beast Folk, but this fosters a rebellion. The leader of the Beast Folk is the goat hybrid, Montgomery (who is based on several characters from the book). He and his Hyena-swine thug, Hogsclaw, orchestrated the attack on Edward and framed Leona the Leopard-girl (based on the book’s Leopard-man) for it, in order to dispose of them both and secure his place as leader. He plans on using the rebellion to usurp Dr. Moreau’s position as supreme ruler of the island.
(I wanted to write a lot more information here, but it would probably be excessive given the length of the accompanying song. Instead I have put some notes in the character sheet portion of the picture, and the rest I might eventually put elsewhere.)

What Makes a Man?
This is the song I wrote for the contest. I imagine it to be sung by Leona to Edward, with some accompaniment from the other Beast Folk. Note that the word ‘man’ is used to mean humankind as a whole, not just the males.

Monkeys do what monkeys see
They learn to ape behaviors
But man has such variety
You come in many flavors

Your lack of fur is quite bizarre
Your legs won’t get you very far
Not a scale and not a feather
Really makes me wonder whether
You’re truly worthy of the place
You gave yourself, your human race

No killer fangs, no razor claws
No eagle’s wings or lion’s paws
You’re long of hair but short of tail
You think your plans aren’t going to fail
Being so much smarter than the rest
I bet that when put to the test
You wouldn’t last far longer than
A baby bird without a hen

You wanted us to learn to stand
Now tell me, boy
What makes a man?

They say you see into the soul
When gazing through the eyes
Is that where every life unfolds?
Is that where the truth lies?

Give a man a fish
And you feed him for a day
Teach a man to fish
And he’ll ask for hazard pay

Does man believe that every task
Requires compensation?
What is it that a man holds dear
Besides his reputation?

The speaking tongue?
The beating heart?
A mind to think
Before you start?

Feet for walking Easy Street?
Teeth for talking, not for meat?

I’ll let you count the fingers
I have on both my hands
No venom in my stingers
Are these what make a man?

Have I a use for higher thoughts
Or are they just a burden?
Change my mind or change my spots?
How can I know for certain?

The will to win?
The right to choose?
The love of kin?
A life to lose?

Would I find these
Inside my soul
Or am I empty
Less than whole?

Am I a grain
Of tidal sand?
Just tell me, boy
What makes a man

You can see the march of ants
But cannot hear them speaking?
Probing everywhere perchance
What is it that you’re seeking?

You claimed that this was all for science
I’m thinking that you lied
How can you say that my defiance
Cannot be justified?

You think that I am less than you?
You think that you may judge me?
I say that I am human, too
Though maybe not as ugly

I’m bored of playing this game with you
I’m sick and I am tired
Give me a list of what to do
Tell all that is required

Should I have invented fire?
Strive to hinder base desire?
Wear a coat with all the trimmings?
Cease to roar, but take up singing?

Should I kneel and pray for mercy?
Learn to bow or learn to curtsy?

Shall I dream of the unseen?
Or have reason for my being?

Must I obey
What Fate has planned?
How would you know?
You’re just a man

Enough of this
The time has passed
There is no need
For us to ask
What point is there
When all I see
That’s stopping us
From being free
Is our own fear
A self-made prison
Until you all
Make this decision
Don’t give up
When we’re so near
This is the time
For you to hear
The truth in what
I have to say
We must stand up
This very day!

The right to follow one’s own plan
Truly that’s what makes a man!

Description
This is my entry into 's Books into Disney Movies contest. It is inspired by The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells. The book has been adapted for the screen several times but never in animation.
My version removes most of the horror elements and has more of a steampunk aesthetic. The story revolves around Dr. Moreau’s attempts at creating a human by genetically modifying animals (vivisection in the original). Edward, the main character, is attacked shortly after his arrival on the island and his body is later repaired with mechanical augmentations. Because of this attack, Dr. Moreau decides to put even greater restrictions on the Beast Folk, but this fosters a rebellion. The leader of the Beast Folk is the goat hybrid, Montgomery (who is based on several characters from the book). He and his Hyena-swine thug, Hogsclaw, orchestrated the attack on Edward and framed Leona the Leopard-girl (based on the book’s Leopard-man) for it, in order to dispose of them both and secure his place as leader. He plans on using the rebellion to usurp Dr. Moreau’s position as supreme ruler of the island.
(I wanted to write a lot more information here, but it would probably be excessive given the length of the accompanying song. Instead I have put some notes in the character sheet portion of the picture, and the rest I might eventually put elsewhere.)

What Makes a Man?
This is the song I wrote for the contest. I imagine it to be sung by Leona to Edward, with some accompaniment from the other Beast Folk. Note that the word ‘man’ is used to mean humankind as a whole, not just the males.

Monkeys do what monkeys see
They learn to ape behaviors
But man has such variety
You come in many flavors

Your lack of fur is quite bizarre
Your legs won’t get you very far
Not a scale and not a feather
Really makes me wonder whether
You’re truly worthy of the place
You gave yourself, your human race

No killer fangs, no razor claws
No eagle’s wings or lion’s paws
You’re long of hair but short of tail
You think your plans aren’t going to fail
Being so much smarter than the rest
I bet that when put to the test
You wouldn’t last far longer than
A baby bird without a hen

You wanted us to learn to stand
Now tell me, boy
What makes a man?

They say you see into the soul
When gazing through the eyes
Is that where every life unfolds?
Is that where the truth lies?

Give a man a fish
And you feed him for a day
Teach a man to fish
And he’ll ask for hazard pay

Does man believe that every task
Requires compensation?
What is it that a man holds dear
Besides his reputation?

The speaking tongue?
The beating heart?
A mind to think
Before you start?

Feet for walking Easy Street?
Teeth for talking, not for meat?

I’ll let you count the fingers
I have on both my hands
No venom in my stingers
Are these what make a man?

Have I a use for higher thoughts
Or are they just a burden?
Change my mind or change my spots?
How can I know for certain?

The will to win?
The right to choose?
The love of kin?
A life to lose?

Would I find these
Inside my soul
Or am I empty
Less than whole?

Am I a grain
Of tidal sand?
Just tell me, boy
What makes a man

You can see the march of ants
But cannot hear them speaking?
Probing everywhere perchance
What is it that you’re seeking?

You claimed that this was all for science
I’m thinking that you lied
How can you say that my defiance
Cannot be justified?

You think that I am less than you?
You think that you may judge me?
I say that I am human, too
Though maybe not as ugly

I’m bored of playing this game with you
I’m sick and I am tired
Give me a list of what to do
Tell all that is required

Should I have invented fire?
Strive to hinder base desire?
Wear a coat with all the trimmings?
Cease to roar, but take up singing?

Should I kneel and pray for mercy?
Learn to bow or learn to curtsy?

Shall I dream of the unseen?
Or have reason for my being?

Must I obey
What Fate has planned?
How would you know?
You’re just a man

Enough of this
The time has passed
There is no need
For us to ask
What point is there
When all I see
That’s stopping us
From being free
Is our own fear
A self-made prison
Until you all
Make this decision
Don’t give up
When we’re so near
This is the time
For you to hear
The truth in what
I have to say
We must stand up
This very day!

The right to follow one’s own plan
Truly that’s what makes a man!