31 Days of Monsters: Day Twenty-seven — The Devil

I don't believe in actual physical incarnations of evil like The Devil, but if he did exist, I imagine he'd be pretty unassuming, and not the cloven-hooved image we usually expect. Also, he would have the easiest job in the world. He's always pictured tempting people into sinning, or tricking them into giving up their souls, but in reality, I don't think he'd have to work very hard at either of those pursuits.

31 Days of Monsters: Day Twenty-six — The Nucklavee

A Nucklavee was one of the most horrible goblins of Orcadian folklore. A Nuckalvee appears as a strange melding of a horse and rider, with flipper-like feet, long clawed arms, and a gigantic lolling head on it's more human half. It would haunt lonely roads and tear unwary travelers to shreds and feast on their remains. A Nucklavee could only be outrun if its intended victim could manage to cross a freshwater stream. It is believed that the smoke that resulted from burning seaweed to create soda ash could drive a Nucklavee into a murderous rampage.

31 Days of Monsters: Day Twenty-four — The Cyclops

Like a lot of people my age, the cyclops from "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad" was my first introduction to Ray Harryhausen's art. If you haven't seen that movie, you need to go out right now and watch them. Seriously. go right now. I mean it. I can't even understand how you are  at a site that would feature a series of drawings called 31 Days of Monsters without having ever seen Harryhausen's films. How did you get here?
I was fortunate enough to shake hands with Ray Harryhausen at a special event in honor of his 80th birthday. I wouldn't say I actually met him since I couldn't remember my name at the time, and all I really said was, "Thanks Mr. Harryhausen ... I mean ... THANKS!"
I don't geek out much, but when I do, it's about the big names, and my geekery is a real stunner.
As a special feature, here's the trailer to "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad."

31 Days of Monsters: Day Eighteen — Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga is a dangerous and wily witch in Russian mythology. She rides through the sky in an ancient wooden mortar, pushing herself along with a pestle, and brushing away all traces of her path with a broom. She is believed to steal and eat babies and lives in a strange hut that sits on top of an enormous chicken leg. Her house is guarded by the skulls of her victims, but despite her nasty ways, at times she can be very helpful to the right people. It's best to have a safe escape plan if you encounter her however, because Baba Yaga's moods can change quickly, and you never, ever want to find yourself on her bad side.
Thanks to Rich for mentioning Baba Yaga.

31 Days of Monsters: Day Eleven — A couple of Kobolds

What can I say about Kobolds? They are small, rough, unsavory beasties. Best to steer clear of them.

31 Days of Monsters: Day Six — Troll

Trolls come from Scandinavia and make their homes in lonely mountain areas, deep caverns and isolated caves. They are fairly stupid creatures, unhelpful, and often violent. They are usually satisfied with poaching sheep, goats and the occasional cow from rural farms, but occasionally, trolls have been known to kill and eat humans who come too near their homes.

31 Days of Monsters: Day Five — Werewolf

In folklore, werewolves weren't always the tragic figures they are now. In the old days people, usually witches and warlocks, chose to become werewolves, by taking part in dark rituals involving animal skins and special ointments made from human fat and herbs.
Today however, most people know werewolves from the movies, where we get the standard mythology — full moon, silver bullets, etc.
To me, werewolves will always be cooler than vampires, which will become apparent when I cover them in an upcoming post.

31 Days of Monsters: Day Four — The Kraken

I have no idea why the Kraken was in "Clash of the Titans." The Kraken comes from Northern European mythology, not Greek. Although most often portrayed as a giant squid or octopus in modern times, was originally Kraken was largely undescribed. What descriptions there were said the Kraken was large enough to be mistaken for an island, and it's main method of destroying a vessel by creating a whirlpool when it submerged that would drag ships below the surface.

Mister millipede

"I wasn't always this long," he said. "But every year, I grow another segment, and my beginning grows farther and farther from my end."
He glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting to see someone he knew in the trees.
"Sometimes," he said, "I catch glimpses of my beginning as I wander, and I remember, for a moment, what it was like to be a child."