Pop Cryptid sightings – the Cryptid Cup and Abominable Ball

There is NO DOUBT that cryptids are mainstream. They are equated with mystery, monsters, places, and fun. They are utilized for tourism and commerce as related merchandising has exploded. Thanks to sympathetic and empathetic views of “the other” (who does not conform to natural or social norms), we have created a new social space for cryptids to flourish. With cosplay options, you can even BECOME the cryptid.

This week I found a few items of note in the Pop Goes the Cryptid model. It’s a continuation of the Pop Cryptid Spectator series that I did last year.

The Cryptid Cup

Two NHL teams vie for the unofficial “Cryptid Cup” each time they play. The New Jersey Devils and the Seattle Kraken are both named after popular cryptids. Inside the Rink called the December 2024 matchup between the NJ Devils and Seattle Kraken the first edition “Cryptid Cup”. But that was wrong, it existed at least in 2023 when the fictional cup was devised by the teams’ social media promoters. Since then, the cup has been passed between the teams depending on who wins. Each year, when the teams face each other (twice a year), the “Cryptid Cup” comes up. This framing tends to enhance the legends attached to the names of each team, as if they need that.

Many sports teams are names after cryptid legends. The NJ Devils are one of the oldest to have adopted their local cryptid.

I have a hang up with the Kraken, though. First, the lore does not easily condense into the idea of a giant cephalopod. It’s much more complex than that. It’s unfortunate that the legend has been oversimplified to the point of losing most of its charm, but that’s typical with commodification and marketing. Second, they have a crappy logo. They could do so much better! Then again, neither team has capitalized on the ability to create an awesome logo. And their poor mascots! The promotional departments for these teams need to earn their pay and churn out some better monster merch.

What happens when some other NHL team nabs a cryptid name? We almost had the Utah Yeti! It’s just a matter of time.

The Abominable Ball

Beginning with town festivals, cryptids are used as themes for many town events now. Now, here is a copyable concept – the cryptid ball. Dress up like your favorite cryptid and dance ’til you’re dead. The Abominable Ball Cryptid Dance is coming up in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The event features East Coast synth musicians and some themed drinks, Yeti or Not and a Mothman Mocktail. One of the organizers said, “I love the idea of yetis, abominable snowmen. I think cryptids were a fun one, especially being here in the Appalachian Mountains.” And he noted he was going to dress up in a home-made Wendigo costume.

Yikes, that’s a bit too much egregious cultural appropriation. It’s not cool to pretend to be a cannibalistic supernatural monster that represents starvation and death in another culture that you are totally unfamiliar with. That’s always a problem with creatures from native lore that have been commodified. Also, the idea that cryptids are special to Appalachia is also messed up. Birthed from the manufactured “Spooky Appalachia” modern creepypasta trend (the promoted concept that the forests of the mountainous eastern US are enchanted, haunted, and dangerous), it’s unfortunate that the new lore is weak and contrived. Oh well, that is also part of the Pop Cryptid model – when things get popular, they just aren’t the same quality as the original; they are designed to be marketable and consumable.

The bottom line is that cryptids as a concept is untethered from the mid 20th century idea of cryptids as a zoological phenomenon. They are 100% cultural – like all monsters.

Cavetown Cryptid

Here is a new video by the band Cavetown embracing cryptid queerness – a very modern take on cryptids.

Send Pop Cryptid tips via emails to popcryptid(at)proton(dot)me.