Chinook by George M Hosier II - Chimeras

Ancient mythology tells us that chimeras once stalked the earth. Well, maybe not stalked, but kind of wriggled and flew and galumphed all at the same time. Evidently these chimeras were hybrid monsters made of the parts of multiple creatures—sort of like my brother’s car. Homer described, "a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire".

The reports of weird hodge-podge animals aren’t restricted to the ravings of one old blind Greek poet. These critters pop up all over the ancient art and literature of Greece, Rome, Japan, Persia, India, China, Egypt the Etruscans, etc. Fascinatingly, chimeras still seem to have a loyal fan base as evidenced by the creatures inhabiting such media as The Island, Blade Runner, Spy Kids 2, Lord of the Rings, and Rudy Giuliani’s campaign ads.

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