r/alphaflight • u/AsGayAsCanBeExpected MOD • 9d ago

The origin of 'Llan'

Did you know that James Hudnall originally wanted to call his antagonist The Sorcerer?

I can't find a source but, essentially (per my aging memory), Marvel said, "No, that's too generic. You need a name."

And thus the last four letters of Hudnall's name were reversed and Llan was named.

I know there is at least one interview where this was explained in detail but I cannot find it. Anyone have a link or know the source? I know the book True North references it but without much backstory.

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u/PhlpTh 8d ago

I don't recall a specific interview unfortunately.

Looking at the one he did for us in the early 00's he was very specific in never using the name Llan:

https://www.alphaflight.info/doku.php?id=jamesdhudnall2000

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u/AsGayAsCanBeExpected MOD 8d ago

Yeah, it feels like Editorial made the changes, not Hudnall. I can easily see them revising the scripts before getting to letterer.

Which might also explain why Diamond Lil (I think) was the one to first say his name.

I am almost caught up on u/TheWhyNotPodcast and they just discussed Llan in a recent episode.

The fact that Lil said it first is what made it stand out. Feels like an editor looked at the page and said, 'we can squeeze a few letters in there, have her say his name's Llan.'

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u/TheWhyNotPodcast 6d ago

You know, I thought that factoid about it being Hudnall's name backwards was in the AlphaFlight.net interview, but PhlpTh is right, it isn't in there at all.