Cthulhu
Overview
Cthulhu is a fictional cosmic entity created by writer H.P. Lovecraft and first introduced in the short story "The Call of Cthulhu", published in the American pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1928. Considered a Great Old One within the pantheon of Lovecraftian cosmic entities, the creature has since been featured in numerous popular culture references.
Description
Lovecraft describes Cthulhu as "A monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind." Cthulhu has been described in appearance as resembling an octopus, a dragon, and a caricature of human form. The size of Cthulhu is described as being mountainous.
Mythos
Cthulhu is one of the central entities in the Lovecraft Mythos, a shared fictional universe, based on the work of American writer H. P. Lovecraft. The term was coined by August Derleth, a contemporary correspondent and protégé of Lovecraft, to identify the settings, tropes, and lore that were employed by Lovecraft and his literary successors.
Cultural Impact
Cthulhu's influence in popular culture is extensive, with references in the work of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and many others. The creature is a popular figure in music, literature, film, and video games.