David J. Hardie takes you on an exciting visual journey of Cryptids and Creatures from Appalachia. Each beast is vividly brought to life with dynamic and vivid color and detail—leaping off the page at you!

This encyclopedic collection covers it all. You’ll learn about West Virginia’s infamous MOTHMAN, the grotesque GRAFTON MONSTER and the mysterious BRAXXIE. You’ll get to hang out with the big guy himself—Sasquatch—and a half dozen of his closest relatives including the SHEEPSQUATCH and Ohio GRASSMAN.

Learn about the sinister SNALLYGASTER and his mortal nemesis, the wolfish DWAYYO! Other legends making an appearance are the nasty DOGMAN, the wild GOATMAN, and the insatiable WENDIGO. You’ll even be introduced to some fo the lesser known critters such as the viscous SNARLY YOW, the green-thumber VEGETABLE MAN, and the utterly miserable SQUONK.

      The best compendium of supernatural beings from West Virginia and surrounding states I’ve ever seen. Hardie’s artistic vision is out-of-this-world stunning!      Erin Turner, author of Monsters and Ghosts of West Virginia.

David Hardie brings excitement the cryptid art world with a perspective like no other. His work is both creative and informative for anyone interested in all things related to cryptozoology.   Jeff Wamsley-founder of the Mothman Museum

Introduction

“What’s a Mothman?”

I remember asking that exact question over a decade ago at the Steel City Con where I was selling my shirts.  I had a very eclectic sampling of subject matter on my shirts. My most popular was a quirky “I BELIEVE” Bigfoot T-shirt. Customers would tell me all sorts of Bigfoot stories, as well as ask me to draw other cryptids that I had never heard of. The name that people kept uttering was “Mothman.”

After studying the Mothman, I thought I could make that guy look pretty cool.  I set out to draw a hyper detailed, imposing Mothman with large sprawling wings and claws that were reaching out to grab you.  Once I put that image on a shirt people kept asking for other creatures like the Flatwoods Monster, the Sheepsquatch and Pennsylvania’s saddest mascot—the Squonk!

After much success with various cryptid renditions on shirts, Jeff Wamsley of the Mothman Museum said to me, “have you ever thought about putting your drawings together in a book?”  When I told him that it was my lifelong dream to become a published author he said, “let me introduce you to my publisher” and before I knew it this book was becoming a reality.

I had always been drawn to monsters.  In my early years I remember going to the library and checking books out about Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.  I loved comic books my entire life and even at a very young age I knew that cryptids were the creatures that had inspired many of the heroes and villains of the silver age of Marvel and DC comics.

My goal with this book was to try to bring the varied eyewitness accounts to life with a comic book spirit.  I wanted these creatures to jump off the page.  I sought to accentuate the coolest elements of each beast to kick start your imagination with all the possibilities as to their true origins.

A few ground rules to fully enjoy and appreciate this book:
This is meant to be a fun and entertaining book for all ages.  I am not a cryptozoologist.  My goal is to present the coolest rendition of each creature that I can.

I understand that the word “cryptid” carries various connotations.  I use the word as an umbrella term for undiscovered animals—as well as supernatural entities that appear the be “creaturely.”

I am not endorsing these creatures as “good.”  Think of this book as a potential rogue’s gallery or bestiary of various creatures that probably don’t like human beings much. The reality is that we don’t have concrete evidence proving what they are.  In various accounts they have been vicious and even deadly.  If you ever encounter a cryptid, my suggestion is not to try and befriend it—but do get us a non-blurry picture or video please.

I was an adult before I realized that I loved growing up in Appalachia.  This book is a love letter to the strange and odd world of Appalachian cryptids.  I love all the stories that people have shared with me.  The deep dive that I have done into the sightings, legends and folklore has done nothing but deepen my love for them.

I personally believe that some of these cryptids are real.  There are probably handfuls that are misidentified bears, and others that are folkloric amalgamations.  However, I firmly believe that there is an unseen realm, that Genesis 6 changes everything and that those in power are most assuredly lying to us.  My guess at this juncture is that some Sasquatches are interdimensional elemental fae creatures of some kind…or they are an undiscovered ancient primate that has become really good at avoiding people.

I hope you enjoy the illustrations and descriptions and that all of this makes you more curious about the cryptids and creatures of Appalachia!

David J Hardie