Horror films have certainly changed over the years, getting gorier and bloodier, but it doesn’t mean that appreciation for the classics is waning. The Creature from the Black Lagoon turns 65 next year and yet Gill-man (or The Creature) is quite common in tattooing, alongside his horror brothers and sisters. What’s also interesting is that this classic movie character is often tattooed in the classic, traditional style.
Everything in art can be compared to an existing piece of work and it is in the differences that artwork is considered different and unique within itself.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon was inspired by the myth of half-fish, half-human creatures living in the Amazon river. Some six decades later, Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water was partially inspired by this classic monster horror film.
It is also within this time-frame that tattooing has evolved – neo trad, blackwork, and new school tattoo styles have all been influenced by the original modern tattooing style.
Being influenced and inspired by existing things like tattoos you find online is acceptable, but always remember that tattoo copying/stealing is black and white – just like The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Like so many films of the past, a remake has been stuck in developmental hell for decades. While Hollywood takes it’s time to make a definitive decision, go on and enjoy these The Creature from the Black Lagoon tattoos.