Introducing JoJo Stands Inspired by Classic Literature

If I had to create JoJo's Bizarre Adventure stands based on character designs and themes from classic novels, my choices might surprise you. Here are some creative interpretations:

Illustration: A Stand Based on "The Picture of Dorian Grey"

One of the most obvious ideas that came to mind was a bound stand based on The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde. Here’s a concept for the stand:

「Landslide」

Namesake: Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

Appearance: When its ability isn’t activated, it appears as a portrait of the user as they would appear after a reset. This default portrait varies based on the time since it was reset and the actions the user has taken.

Ability: Landslide stores the user's age and injuries instead of them affecting the user. These stored traits manifest as extra details on the portrait, such as a scar on the arm after the user has healed from a cut. Breaking Landslide causes all the stored traits to transfer to the user, but the portrait will be completely fixed once the transfer is complete, with updates to the user's new appearance ready to store again.

Landslide also catalogues sins and vices symbolically. For example, excessive lust or cheating could be depicted via love bites. In excess, Landslide will “leak,” causing those in its vicinity to grow more morally corrupt with a tendency toward the stored sins. This corruption can be reverted by breaking Landslide.

Shapeshifting: "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde"

Another notable idea stems from The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The inspiration here is the nature of Jekyll and Hyde’s relationship.

「The Stranger」

Namesake: The Stranger by David McWilliams

Appearance: When the ability isn’t activated, it appears as a black cloak. However, when merged, it physically changes the user’s body to appear and sound like a completely different person. The user’s height, hair color, voice, and everything else can change. The longer and more frequently the Stranger and its user are merged, the harder it is to split.

Counting Dreams: "The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf"

Lastly, two stands both based on The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina. Both focus on key parts of the story: Ashala herself and The Machine.

「Mr Sandman」

Namesake: Mr Sandman by Pat Ballard, commonly known as sung by The Chordettes

Appearance: Serpentine humanoid with opalescent scales and wearing white robes. It appears as a creature that becomes less tangible as the user wakes, eventually fading completely away.

Ability: Activates when the user is asleep and dreaming. As the user wakes, Mr Sandman becomes less tangible until it fully fades away. In the “dreamscape,” Mr Sandman copies the user's actions. The user's dreams are based on what Mr Sandman sees and experiences, with the user in place of Mr Sandman. Sensations Mr Sandman experiences are reflected on the user but are reduced. For example, if Mr Sandman is punched in the face, the user flinches in their sleep and may start to stir.

「Rage Against the Machine」

Namesake: American rock band Rage Against the Machine

Appearance: RATM itself is a set of rounded, faded red metal collars with a small light on the front that changes color. The collars symbolize the stand's ability to control and access memories. The collars come with a gargantuan robotic dog wearing the same collar, known as Rover.

Ability: Wearing a collar forces the victim into unconsciousness. In the “dreamscape,” the victim is hunted by a massive robotic dog. Being in close proximity to the dog allows it to access the victim's memories. The closer the dog is, the more detailed the memories it can access. Victims can release themselves by breaking or removing the collar from the dog. The user can deactivate a victim's collar in the real world by pressing in the light, but this removes the collar.

During this whole process, the user can also access the memories the dog has when they wear the collar. They can release themselves at any time, and the dog is not hostile to them.