Tim Burton's concept sketches of the Horned King as a gruff patchwork creature whose horns resemble branches.
The same version of the King playing with handpuppets.
More sketches of same, also a slightly different bearded version.
Same bearded Tim Burton character.
Concept art of Milt Kahl for the King.
Different views of the same design.
The same King acting dramatically, using a scepter.
In an early concept painting by Melvin Shaw, the Horned King (in his book design of a muscular warlord with a helmet) witnesses some magical event.
Concept painting by Melvin Shaw of a closely book-based version of the climax, wherein the King dies as his true name is spoken.
Mevin Shaw's concept art of the King leading a raid on a village, on horseback.
Melvin Shaw's Horned King (close to final design) orders Hen Wen to use her Gift.
Mevin Shaw artwork: Taran is brought before the King.
Shaw's King on his throne, ordering Taran to make Hen Wen find the Cauldron.
Melvin Shaw concept sketch of an alternate demise for the King: the Cauldron-Born turn on him instead of dying off.
A sinister picture of a horse-riding Horned King, possibly Melvin Shaw.
A painting based on that same sketch.
A sketch fo a physically foreboding King on horseback, by Andreas Deja.
A slightly different death for the King, engulfed by the Cauldron's fume rather than disintegrated by its power.
The flesh-and-blood, abrasive, larger-than-life version of the Horned King of Vance Gerry; he seems the same species as the Hunter.
Sketches of the King by Andreas Deja; similar to the final design, but less undead and more monstrous still.
A surprisingly muscular version of that same design, also by Deja (resembling Chernabog).
Entire concept sheet of Horned King concept art by Andreas Deja; in keeping with Deja's consistent design of the King as still a very lively character showing emotion through grand, theatrical gestures.
Later Deja art, more in keeping with the King's final design as an undead, skeletal being. He still possesses the body language of Deja's earlier concepts, however.
Final model sheet of the King, now fully a skeletal humanoid, by Andreas Deja.
Concept art of the King's rotitng face by Mike Ploog, more gruesome but similar in spirit to the final character.