An April Fool’s Confession

Posted on by scott

Well, yes, last week’s Goliath art reveal was a bit of an April Fool’s Day joke from me and Keith, as many of you realized/suspected/hoped.

The comment thread of that post is excellent reading, however, because your myriad theories are awesome and amusing. (Two hundred, eleven comments and counting!) Many of you wondered if this illustration was photoshopped from lots of real Goliath art, but I shall not answer that question. You’ll have to read the book to see!

Heh.

But I will say that the bride in the image is Lilit, and everyone else is basically who they appear to be, some of your more madcap theories notwithstanding. (I liked the place-switching ones. And sheeze, a LOT of you want to see Alek in a dress.)

Of course, this means that I owe you another piece of art from Goliath. And a REAL one this time.

So here it is, a piece of spot art from Chapter 23, which I aver to be entirely non-bogus and non-photoshopped. (And you still trust me now, right? RIGHT?)

Edwardian loris is Edwardian. Heh, heh.

UPDATE
The forum appears to have been fixed. Let me know if there are any more problems.

The meetup next weekend is still on!

126 thoughts on “An April Fool’s Confession”

  2. Oh, this is almost worse, trying to figure out how much was real and how much was fake and how much was photoshopped.

    This was by far my favorite April Fool’s Day joke though, even if we all knew it was a joke. Delightfully cruel and clever – just my style!

    All I have to say about the new art is…MUSTACHE. *strokes imaginary mustache*

    EPIC.

  3. Damn, now I’m even more excited to read Goliath! And Bovril is so cute with that mustache!!

    For all of those giddy to see Alek in a dress, I requested art from the awesome McL_Jessie on deviantart, and she drew the most wonderful thing: http://fav.me/d3cz8cf

    Seriously guys, check it out 😀

  5. *headdesk* Why are you so mean? XD I took time out of not doing my math homework but thinking about doing it to post that last comment. My non-photoshopped, blurry outline theory still stands, simply because I hate to be wrong e.e Still so, so very angry XD I was hoping that last would be a real picture, because that would be just so unbelievably epic. This one is just as entertaining, though, so redeemed.

    You should also be proud to know that I tried to read my six year old sister Leviathan today. It didn’t work out very well because I had to explain the entire concept of World War I to her, and then the concept of war, and then the fact that Alek wasn’t real, and then the fact that…well you get the point.

    @ Brita – That is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen.

  6. By the way Scott, ‘I LOT’ of us want to see Alek in a dress? I shouldn’t be criticizing the author here, but typos make the world go round~

  8. @Julia- Kind of off topic, but are you the same Julia who writes the marvelous Levianthan fanfiction on fanfiction.net (aka Julia456)

    If you are, you’re awesome 😀

  9. @bnt8000 – Ach, unfortunately not. I go under an entirely different pen name. I probably won’t start writing a Leviathan fanfiction until summer at best, and that is if I have the time.

  10. Okay, this does provide some closure. But there is a lot that still doesn’t make sense to me. Why would Lilit want to marry in a Darwinist church? Or are they in a church? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I don’t know anymore. Why is she threatening Deryn /Dylan (???) to marry her? I assume that is what is happening. That seems a little mean, even for her. I mean she is seriously chasing after the poor girl/boy (???). Have some self-respect, girlfriend. Don’t go chasing after ‘MEN’ (???) like that. Deryn clearly doesn’t want to marry her judging by the look on her face. And how did she get out of Instanbul? Did she go chasing after Deryn? Dang, she really is in love with Deryn /Dylan (???), I thought it was a just a crush. Longwinded, yes, I know.

  13. Bah! I had a feeling you’d something like this! Now we have to wait; that’s pure torture!

    I love that classy loris! His moustache is giving Volger’s a run for his money!

  14. OMG! I think I just got Punked. 😛

    Wow, I cannot believe I was wrong. How can this be? I guess I have to return my wedding gift. Anyone want any fabricated lingerie?

    Anyway, while I am healing my pride, I must say that this real picture is cool. Although Bovril, or the other Loris, I must point at that this series ain’t big enough for TWO epic mustaches.

  15. That mustache makes him FAR more dignified. 🙂

    I have to admit I was scared that you wouldn’t tell us if it was a joke or not, and just say “You’ll have to wait for the book to find out!” Thanks for not being that mean. 🙂

    And Scott-la, do I detect a typo? (“And sheeze, I LOT of you want to see Alek in a dress”) “a” lot, possibly? Not that I’m being picky or anything….

  16. HAHAHA Volger inpersonation by the second Loris! Oh I can see it now:
    Alek and Deyrn: *laughing hystaricly*
    Volger: I DO NOT LOOK LIKE THAT!!!
    Dr.Barlow: *stifiling laughter* You do, a bit, sometimes
    Bovril: *giggles*
    Volger: I DO NOT!

  17. I’m fooled!-again!
    But what you two did was an awesome prank =__=
    I really fell for it.
    LOL

  20. I. WAS. WRONG… Shoot. Oh well!!! HA!!!!!!! That loris puts Voger’s mustache to shame… ALMOST… Debate?? I vote LORIS!!! XD

  21. That is awesome! I do wish we could see one of the photoshopped images in its proper place, but this is quite wonderful too. 🙂

  24. I didn’t comment on the other picture, but it was the best April Fools thing I saw.”Oh mon Dieu!” 🙂 I kept coming back here to check if a ‘confession’ would be posted.

  25. *facepalms* I should have know it was fake.
    Is that loris impersonating Volger?? It sure looks like it.
    I mean he’s go Volder’s haughty ‘im to good for the likes of you’ look
    and his got Volger’s ‘Im a rich guy’ stance
    AND his got a blood mustache!!
    …
    you take delight in torturing our imaginations don’t you Scott.

  26. And about the forum thingy. Will you be posting it on this blog after it’s over?? because I won’t be able to see it other wise 🙁

  27. I laughed really hard when I saw this, mostly because that’s Dr. Barlow’s loris impersonating Volger! Right now, I just really want to read the 3 pages surrounding this picture…

  28. Ha! I knew it was fake. But I’m still saying that the bottom part is a dream. And that’s mostly because Barlow and Volger seem a bit out of character. Justing saying. Plus, comment 211 on the last entry, totally me! Woot! Anyway…

    Loving Dr. Barlow’s loris’ (it’s not Bovril because this loris is darker) mustache. So epic. And very perspicacious!

    And Alek in a dress? Yes please! Although I can see putting Deryn in one being a bit more likely, I would love to see at least one of them in a dress.

  29. haha, Bovril must have learned to speak like a Eton lad “You don’t say old boy, what pipping news.”

  31. Haha so much love. You’re a real sneaky-beak, aren’t you, Mr. Westerfeld? =P
    Also, this picture is epic and adorable. If a perspicacious loris was real, I would want one like crazy. Then again, if we were going to play that game, I’d wish that Alek was real so that I could have him…

  32. As much as I love this picture, I’m still SO all over the knife in Lilits bouqet from the other one. I didn’t see many (if any) comments on it and I just… Must mention it!

  33. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

    OMG VOLGER STASH

    …………… DID VOLGER TURN INTO A LORIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

  35. You had me and my friends all excited! I’m actually disappointed that this isn’t real. I have the pic as my background on my computers…

    The Loris with mustache is still, however, a good consolation prize. Count Bovril can out-count Count Volger with his mustache.

  36. Joke or not the wedding mash-up art piece is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

    Or was. Because then you posted a LORIS with a MUSTACHE, and anything with a mustache is boosted up the awesomness scale by about 3.8 billion bits of Mind-Blown.

    Then, just as I’m starting to be able to breathe again I click on the link of @Brita’s request and find the most wonderful piece of artwork ever made by the equally wonderful McL_Jessie. Alek. Dress. Hat. Mind. Does. Not. Compute.

    I have never been this confused. And blissfully happy.

    😉 <– Eye twitch smilie.

  38. I mustache you a question… Do you really expect us to believe you now?! I mean come on!!!!

  40. That loris is so ridiculous that I think you two are pulling another prank. (Which would be pretty funny, actually.)

  41. ok this prank definitely beats tying the sprayer on the kitchen sick closed (really my ma falls for that every year)

    but any who Bovril + mustache= EPIC AWESOMENESS!!! >:D

    PS I still want a poster of the other drawing for my wall. XD

  42. LOL, Yay! I knew it! Awesome Apil Fool’s prank Scott! You must’ve had fun coming up with it. 😀

    I love the Edwardian loris! 😀

  43. Lol! This is hilarious! 🙂

    dude, that is an EPIC monstache… (I prob didn’t spell that right) volger, u better watch out… That loris could hav a better stache than u!

    Nice joke Scott-la!

  44. I didn’t even comment last time on the picture..too many things where happening for my mind to process it all. This is much more manageable and ADORABLE …Still what can it mean? Nevertheless bravo Scott-la y Keith your cleverness did not go unnoticed. I am sad to say that I’ll probably miss meet up.

    And I would like to cast my vote also for Alek in a dress..haha you guys are so funny

  45. Oh thank goodness.
    I was going temporarily insane trying to figure out that picture.

    Although, I’m still not sure what this means…
    Like, why point out that Lilit is Lilit if it’s fake anyways?!

    I. Need. Goliath.

  46. EPIC moustache. Great joke though, and even if no parts of it are in the book, it’s still an awesome picture.

  47. THAT LORIS IS SO AWEPIC!!! I’m totally impressed by the mindblowingness of this whole scenario. I can’t decide if the ‘stache is a clip/stick on or not…. hmm.

  48. @ Gaia (comment #164 on the 2nd piece of art) I laughed soo hard! Your captions are super cool.

  49. I thought it was a prank for a bit.
    Bovril has been crossed with Volger! hehe…
    I can picture Volger walking into the room and seeing Bovril with the moustache and imitating him…
    Volger:Oh,my.
    Bovril:I love Dr.Barlow!
    Volger(turns into a tomato face):Umm…how did you do that?
    Bovril:A,B,C…

  50. OKay, at first I was extremely furious with you Scott, but now after reading a few comments, they have calmed me down. And I would like to say that that pic’s really funny, and I don’t blame you for not telling us if those some of those pics in there aren’t real (it keeps the mystique!) Thank you 😀

  51. oh and I also totally got excited and printed that fake picture (and the other one before to top that) and coloured them…with colouring pencils, but the professional kind, so I was really dissapoint :\

  52. Okay. That’s it. I GIVE UP trying to predict what’s going to happen in Goliath.

    And you’re on shaky grounds as far as ‘trust’ goes, Mr. Westerfeld.

  53. I knew it was too epic to be true! Let me guess Scott, you sat there all weekend eating your exotic macaroons and watched the comments flood in from your desperate fans. It must be fun to do that. I have read everyone of the comments, and you must have been wildly entertained with our theories.
    I will pray that it IS a bunch of illustrations mashed together from the book though, because they are amazing, especially the person in the walker, whom I’m assuming is Alek. If not, at least we have a mustached loris to enjoy.

  54. So… The wedding thingy is not true then? Or part of it isn’t…? GAH I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS RIGHT NOWWWW D;;;

  56. Aw, I kinda wish that Deryn and Lilit somehow got into a wedding-esque situation.

    And pleaaaaaase let there be Varlow.
    Also: Moustache loris is beautiful.

  58. So we have to wait until September to find out who was right? You evil, evil author. Good job owning up though; pretty sure we all would have died if you’d made us wait to read the real book, and then you’d have the deaths of several hundred obsessive Leviathan… -eers on your hands.

    … Dr. Barlow’s loris has a miniature walrus moustache…

    That’s almost as awesome as it having a tiny umbrella. Of course, that joke came about after all the art was done, so I forgive you and Keith.

    Edwardian loris indeed.

  60. LOL, I think it was actually just me who *wanted* to see Alek in the wedding dress, but as long as Deryn was the one gallantly sweeping him off his feet, I’m sure most of your readers wouldn’t be opposed. 😉 Love those two~~

    Also, epic mustaches make my day!

  61. OH MY GOODNESS BOVRIL STOLE VOLGER’S MUSTACHE!!!!!! WE ALL KNEW IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN!!!! SOMEDAY!!!!!

  62. YESSS hahahaha it is Lilit…LOL I knew she couldn’t just disappear at the end of Behemoth like that…OMJ the return of Lilit just makes me wayyyyy more excited for Goliath…

  63. Awwwwwww cute! I love it.
    I feel like an idiot for believeing the april fools joke, (NOTHING can be trusted on april fools day) but nonetheless, whether it was real or not, It still made me happy, satisfied probably for all etenity 😀

  64. WOW a joke!? i thought it might have been… but i didnt think you guys would do that!! haha(: HAHA love the mustache!!!! Volger was the first thing i thought of!!

  65. AAAGH! No! I So badly wanted that to be real, but oh well. If it is pieces of art from Goliath together, it’ll still be interesting to see what from.
    And oh wow loris with a mustache that is freaking cute!!!!
    I want a loris, I want it to have mustache!

  66. I have to admit, I am sort of disappointed that that picture isn’t real. That is a really cool image. But now that I look back at it, a lot of things in it don’t add up.

    I wasn’t expecting Lilit to come back. In fact, knowing that the picture WAS a prank actually raises more questions in mind.

    Although the Loris picture is cool as well. It is very interesting that the lady boffin’s Loris is impersonating Volger. Very perspicacious indeed. 😉

    ‘I lot’, ‘A lot’, ‘W lot’, doesn’t matter, I much rather see Deryn in a dress anyway. 😀

  67. That’s…..disapointing…….the picture called for such an interesting scenario…..I’m a little depressed to be honest! ^^;

    Anyways….Bovril with a moustache, eh? That probably beat’s my friend Mario’s moustache! (but not really)

    And I think from here on out I’m taking everything you post about Goliath on here with a grain of salt.

    Just sos ya know.

  68. But I STILL NEED A POSTER OF THAT FOR MY WALL! Please Keith, make it available on your website?

  69. Excuse me, but what’s this whole Varlow thing? Wouldn’t it be Volglow or Barlger, or something?

    Also, I draw mustashes on all the people anyway, ‘cept for Volger, of course. Kieth just saved me some effort. Thanks!

    Comment 29 was great…

    Also, Cy, I think I agree with you…

  73. Rugged, self-assured, adult. These are the words that describe the loris who wears a mustache. Yes, it says to the world, “I’m a loris of action! Ah, but action tempered with maturity! Like a…a fireman! Or somebody’s dad!”

    Nice pic, Scott. 😀

  75. Who wouldn’t want to see Alek in a dress?

    …What? What!?

    *hem* But I hold that it is two pieces shopped together… The wedding scene strikes me as too perfectly random even for you to think up outside of context. Also I want Volger’s facepalm to be canon. My spellcheck denies the words Volger and facepalm. Eat Add to Dictionary, beeyotch! Gah! That’s not a word either! Neither is gah! Stop that!

    But I digress. If there’s anything better than a perspicacious loris (and few things fit into that category), it is an especially perspicacious loris with a mustache.

  78. OMG LARRY. (Apparently that’s what the fans like to call him.) That’s extremely awesome.

    … It is Larry, right? I hope so.

    Ummm… Just a little PS. The forum’s still broke. Fix please? 🙂

  79. There only two explanations: one, it’s Volger’s fabricated son or someone turned Volger into an animal. Either way it is just as confusing as the one before.

  80. that loris has a mustache… should i be concerned? I think it stole Volgers mustache, and it’s drinking tea! what the heck i don’t understand.

  82. Screw seeing Alek in a dress!!! I want to see Deryn in one! Else I might actually and absolutely forget she a barking girl.

  85. in my short time of being Bovril I have come to apreciate the finer things in life- like mustaches.

  86. and Scottsters, I honestly don’t mind that you tricked us. This is goin to be the best wedding since Casse and Prims!!!!!!!!!!!

  87. heheheh….very nice, Mr.Westerfeld (I feel as if calling you Scott would make me look weird). You almost had me there for a moment, what with Alek’s look of death…and Volger’s look of disgust.Sigh….my life as a steampunk nerd just got interesting.:)

    Anywhoos, just found out that I have to reread Leviathan for a science project (what it has to do with our science curriculum I shall never fully understand). Now, the only issue is the collage I have to make that will be my grade…hmm..may have to make a movie…

    Whoa, just spilled WAY too much of my thoughts out there. Sorry! Remember: Towel Day is May 25! (and if you don’t know where your towel is, look it up on Wikipedia. Luv that site.)

    I Lost The Game! 😀

  88. Wait wait wait….ALEK in a dress?? ARGH!!!!!

    Why would you do that? Alek in a kilt I can see….but a dress?!

  89. If the photoshopped picture’s components weren’t in the book, he’d tell us, since there woundn’t be a reason not to.

  90. Something tells me that Japan’s gonna get a shock almost bigger than that earthquake (which will happen about…*tries to actually think*97 years after Alek gets together w/Deryn, or they don’t…
    But hey, my name here is Miss Deryn Ferdinand. What can be expected?
    A lot.
    And if anyone got offended by my ‘Japan earthquake comment’ I apologize.

  91. I don’t care if that pic was (somewhat) faked, it makes me giggle with awkwardness every time.

    OMG IT’S A MOUSTACHE. Needs a monocle, though. He and gentlemanly Smugleaf would be a most excellent combination.

  92. Who gave the loris a mustache? Come on ‘fess up! Whoever did deserves all the gold dropped out the window by Alek. Is this Volger’s pet? Oh my, this must be him trying to prove that he likes beasties now. He’s trying to impress Dr. Barlow!?!? Anyways I would appreciate if you would realease the mustached Loris to pet stores.

  93. P.S. I would loooovvvve(emphasis on love) to see Alek in a dress because we see Deryn in boy’s clothes all the time.

  95. Yes, a monocle would complete it, wouldn’t it? The spice on top, as Alek put it. I’m taking that completly out of context, though. He said that, at the end of Behemoth, you know, to Volger. A little joke. Ha ha. Ha…ha…ha. Ha.

    Ha.

  97. I want a perspicacious loris with a mustache and a monocle. He should also have a pocket watch. And maybe a top hat. And cane. 🙂

  98. Scott I Mustache you a question!
    no not really, but i wanted to make at least one really bad mustache pun…
    Anyway I was really disappointed that the other picture was fake I was really looking forward to Volger crying. But now i guess he’s got a reason to right? With the Loris stealing his mustache and all.

  99. You know, I think Scott-la should, instead of more pictures, which are great, maybe release chapter número ono, complete with illustrations, next or something. I’d love to read a bit of Goliath before September, cuz I love spoiling things for myself.

    Wouldn’t ‘y’all?

  100. And as long as I’m suggesting ideas, I think Scott-la should also release another edition of the Leviathan series, you know, with a forward and a tassled place marker and maybe the lyrics of a song at the begining. I’m thinking Adam Raised a Cain by Bruce Springsteen. It fits, at least with Alek’s character. Sort of. It’s a badass song, at least.

    “Lost but not forgotten, from the dark heart of a dream, Adam raised a Cain.”

  101. @The Joker-la
    Even an excerpt would be amazing. I’m dying for something new haha. I started reading these books about a month ago and I’ve already read them both three times…

  102. Actually, I don’t think the picture was photoshopped or anything. It was just ridiculous, cuz if you check out Keith’s website, the “photoshopped” pic’s there on sale and it looks pretty official. I just think the picture was ridiculous….but it could be totally possible.

  103. New idea: It’s a marriage proposal. From Volger to Barlow! He gets the loris, gives it a mustache, and teaches it to say,”Will you marry me Nora Barlow?” She better say yes if my idea is correct.

  104. Yeah, Hannah, Volger’s TOTALLY that kind of person. Have you even read the books?!

    BARLOW might have done it; in fact, I’m SURE she did it. She’d totally do something like that.

  107. Oh, that was cruel. That was really, really CRUEL. I had a feeling that was a April Fool’s Joke, but still….that was cruel.

    But, cuteness trumps all. I *temporarily* forgive you.

  108. @Jessica

    It is Barlow’s loris. If you look at the illustrations from Behemoth, her loris is darker than Borvil and Borvil has darker stripes running up his side.

  111. Perhaps the loris is trying to communicate to tell alek that “dylan” is actually a woman. Not sure what this has to do with th plot…. BUT the loris is still freakin adorable, wish i had one.

    WAIT!!!!!!! I got this! People say that after a while pets and owners tend to start to look a like (my sister told me i look like my fish). So the loris is with volger to much and they’re starting to look alike!

  112. @ Alice, I once had a pet Russell Crowe and he started to look like my ass. So I put him up for adoption in LA and look where he’s gotten now: starring in crappy movies and acting like crap.

  114. Looking back at the fake picture, real or not it would make a great movie poster. Hint, hint, Mr. Westefeld. 😉

  117. NO FREAKING WAY! when i saw the loris i instantly thought that volger had been turned into a loris! hahaha but of course thats impossible right? please say im right!

  119. that was also not a funny april fools joke i was really worried! i don’t want Deryn to end up with Lilit she needs to be with ALEK!!! ALEK I SAY!! my so called “friend” on the other hand keeps torturing me with that picture saying its going to happen and i know it but i don’t because she will marry ALEK!!

    P.S. Dr. Barlow should end up with Volger ;D

  120. guys freaking out about lilit and deryn:

    doesn’t lilt realize that deryn is a girl cuz right before she jumps off a cliff she says, “Mr sharp”. i may be looking too far into it but thats what i thought.

  121. Yes! YES! *Hi-fives Jamie*

    I KNEW someone out there thought the same!

    ….Actually, I think Lilt knew about Deryn…and for some reason, I had a dream that Lilt and NEWKIRK ended up togeather. Ugh…creepy..

    Anywayz, I hope Amazon will allow me to peek into the book before it gets released….and I hope Skyward Sword gets released around the same time. That way, I have something to do while I think about the ending…

  122. Dear Livy,
    What’s so wrong with Lilit and Deryn? I think it’s cute.
    Love,
    Your “friend”

  124. I agree with Dar. I want to see Alek in a Dress!!!!!

  126. im so excited for Goliath!! I loved the books so much i read them each in one day… i wish i dragged it out longer.. if only..

    love the pic!!

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