Scorpion Men - Pop Culture [toys]

"Scorponok" from the Beast Wars/ Transformers series

Monster in my Pocket figure (taken almost directly from the stone tablet depiction)

Umibozu - Pop Culture

If anyone can help identify these, especially the first one (probably from a film?) let me know-

Cetus/ Ketos/ Κῆτος

Clash of the Titans also is famous for it's "Kraken." In the Perseus myth, this monster is actually referred to as Cetus [from the Greek "Ketos"] and was slain by Perseus in order to save his future wife, Andromeda.* Naturally, the myth is outlined on Wikipedia.

Below are the depictions of the Cetus/ Kraken from COT. Tomorrow I'll post some ancient art and fine art interpretations of the beast.

*[I'll post depictions of actual Krakens later - FTR, Krakens are usually depicted in art as giant Octopi and are more of a Norwegian/ Icelandic origin.]

"Kraken" [Cetus] - COT Remake - 2010

The "Kraken" [Cetus] - Clash of the Titans - 1981

Medusa in Pop Culture [Film/ Video Games]

Clash of the Titans (1981), which interpretated many aspects of the Perseus myth loosely, redefined the image of Medusa as much more monstrous (to having a serpent-like body along with the traditional snake hair). You can see Clash's influence on many modern pop-culture depictions of Medusa - including the video games (Castlevania, Monster Party, God of War) - below.

Perseus holding Medusa's Head - Clash of the Titans (1981)

Head of Medusa - Clash of the Titans - 1981

Medusa in her lair - Clash of the Titans - 1981

Medusa from the COT Remake - 2010

Super Castlevania [SNES] - Boss Battle

Monster Party [NES] - Boss Battle

God of War Concept Art [PS2]

God of War Concept Art [PS2]

God of War Concept Art [PS2] - *Possibly Stheno, one of the other 2 Gorgons

Medusa in Pop Culture [Toys]

I've got enough pop culture content on Medusa to last several posts and am still accumulating stuff. So here's a few examples of toy "Medusas."

The Monster in my Pocket Medusas are some of my favorite childhood toys. A product line of Matchbox in the early 1990s, Monster in my Pocket (MIMP) released series of small, colored rubber characters of monsters from all over the world. They got a bid of a bad rap because some of their "monsters" were actually religious idols (like Ganesha, ooops) but the little figures still hold a dear place in my heart* (and I've learned to sort out the true "monsters" from the others.)

I've also included a vinyl plush toy and a character from the Spawn series, both of which take a very liberal interpretation of "Medusa" to create some pretty cool stuff.

Monster in My Pocket - Medusas - 1990s [approx 1" tall]

Spawn - "Medusa"

Vinyl Toy by Esctoy

*I think I'll do a post exclusively on MIMP at some point in the future.