The Homunculus creature, in the comic, looked like a werewolf. The original design of the creature, by Spanish effects artist Poli Cantero, was a snake-like creature with a muscular neck and a cobra-esque hood. Director Brian Yuzna liked the design, but when it came time to build the full-scale puppet, Yuzna didn't like it. He then turned to Japanese surrealist Screaming Mad George to design and construct the monster.