If you've been spending time with Dispatch and feeling that Malevola's practically humming with early 1990s supermodel energy, it turns out you're absolutely right.
Talking to IGN, Adhoc art director Derek Stratton explained how a '90s Pepsi advert starring supermodel Cindy Crawford was the inspiration for the "sexy demon lady" voiced by former IGN host, Alanah Pearce.
The iconic 1992 Pepsi commercial features Cindy Crawford in a white tank top and denim shorts, popping open a can of Pepsi by her red Lamborghini at a gas station as two awestruck young boys look on. It was a huge hit for Pepsi, and went on to cement its place in pop culture history.
"Malevola, so she represents 'sexy demon lady,'" Stratton said in the video interview, below. "There was a commercial — it was a Pepsi commercial. Out comes Cindy Crawford in a white bodysuit and cut-off jean shorts, and high heels — everybody lost their mind. And that's what Malevola was based off of."
That's not all, though. While Crawford inspired Malevola's signature look, inspiration for her ripped body came from someone else: influencer LeanBeefPatty.
"She is Cindy Crawford from that commercial meets that sort of, like, hot rod demon lady, and the body type of LeanBeefPatty, who is an influencer who's ripped," Stratton explained.
As one fan lamented, responding to the story on YouTube: "Bro combined Karlach, Patty and Cindy Crawford, and didn’t give us an option to romance her?" They then appended a crying face emoji.
Dispatch — hailing from AdHoc Studio, which was founded by several former Telltale Games devs — is a superhero workplace comedy where choices matter. You manage a dysfunctional team of misfit heroes and strategize who to send to emergencies around the city, all while balancing office politics, personal relationships, and your own quest to become a hero.
It stars a solid mix of traditional Hollywood actors and video game- and streaming-adjacent talent including Aaron Paul and Laura Bailey, as well as Jeffrey Wright, Erin Yvette, Jacksepticeye, Moistcr1tikal, Alanah Pearce, Travis Willingham, Joel Haver, Lance Cantstopolis, Matthew Mercer, and Thot Squad.
IGN's Dispatch review returned a 9/10. We said: "Dispatch is a sharp-witted workplace comedy that charms with its smart dialogue choices, great writing, and lovably aggravating cast."
And we're not the only ones who had a good time with Dispatch — it's been nominated for Best Debut Indie Game at next month's The Game Awards.
Photo by Pepsi/Getty Images.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
