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Creepy Artistic Renditions of Pop Culture Icons (20 Photos)

You'll want to look away but you won't be able to...

Elana
  • Published in Weird
Creepy Artistic Renditions of Pop Culture Icons (20 Photos)

When a pop culture icon becomes so ingrained in modern society that they almost feel real it's hard not to imagine what they would actually, truly be like. Up until now, we've had only our own imagination and devices to entertain those thoughts but today that changes. 

Australian-based digital artist Wil Hughes is using the animation skill she's been studying at Brisbane's Griffith University to bring icons to the realistic forefront of our imagination and somehow these characters we've grown fond of have turned from whimsical to horrifying with Wil's unique style of digital art.

The creations that Hughes has brought to life are creepy and disturbing, to say the least, but they've garnished him quite the fan base of loyal followers who find his quirky and unusual art to be irresistible, original, and mind-blowing. 

Have a look for yourself but enter at your own risk... you don't get to blame us for losing sleep when beloved characters like Spongebob become permanently horrifying in your mind.

1. Waldo

The eerie reflection of the world around him in his glasses gives 'ol Wally an unsettling atmosphere about him.1. WaldoWil Hughes

2. Squidward

If ever a more realistic and believable image of Squidward could exist... Hughes has nailed it.2. SquidwardWil Hughes

3. Hades

Based off the Disney version from Hercules this Hades by Hughes is definitely what nightmares are made of.3. HadesWil Hughes

4. Ronald McDonald

Clowns were created to be creepy if you ask me but seeing a childhood hero look like the very thing all nightmares are made of is enough to ruin innocence permanently.4. Ronald McDonaldWil Hughes

5. Krusty the Klown

The Simpsons brought us many unique characters but one of the best was surely Krusty the Klown. This realistic rendition by Hughes is insanely unsettling.5. Krusty the KlownWil Hughes

6. Mike Wazowski

Suddenly "Googly Bear" is a horrible nickname for the beloved Monster. In the Monsters, Inc movie Mike wanted so badly to be horrifying and it turns out all he needed was Wil Hughes and his magic artistic touch!6. Mike WazowskiWil Hughes

7. Grim

The Grim Reaper from Cartoon Network sure was fun, but Hughes made sure he went back to terrifying us with his artistic rendition of the unusual character.7. GrimWil Hughes

8. Rick Sanchez

Rick and Morty has one of the biggest modern fan bases for adult-themed cartoons right now and even with it's dark undertones Hughes still managed to take Rick's character up a creepy notch.8. Rick SanchezWil Hughes

9. Sheldon/Plankton

If Plankton looked this evil in the Nickelodeon series we're convinced that he would have dominated the under-sea world in no time.9. Sheldon/PlanktonWil Hughes

10. TROLOLOL

The icon of today's teenagers is as eerie as the message boards he originated on.10. TROLOLOLWil Hughes

11. Spongebob

Pineapples? More like he lives in a nightmare deep inside my mind.11. SpongebobWil Hughes

12. Homer Simpson

We've all wondered what the Simpson clan would look like in real life and somehow we are regretting our innocent wonders.12. Homer SimpsonWil Hughes

13. Pepe

Hughes can even turn a rare Pepe into a nightmare.13. PepeWil Hughes

14. Pickle Rick

Honestly, we didn't expect Hughes to cover this version of Rick from Rick and Morty but suddenly we stopped laughing and instead we are quivering in fear.14. Pickle RickWil Hughes

15. Stimpy

One of our beloved chilhood cartoon heroes is now going to be lurking in the corners of our darkest, deepest thoughts...15. StimpyWil Hughes

16. Salad Fingers

Who knew Wil could turn a creepy character into something even creepier?16. Salad FingersWil Hughes

17. Nigel Thornbery

This smashing rendition just has creepy undertones that we cannot find ourselves able to look away from.17. Nigel ThornberyWil Hughes

18. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Hughes turned the chaotic Courage into a roadkill inspired creep.18. Courage the Cowardly DogWil Hughes

19. Scary Terry

The Freddy Krueger inspired character from Rick and Morty is absolutely petrifying thanks to Wil Hughes and his art.19. Scary TerryWil Hughes

20. Arnold

Puberty was definitely not a friend to Football Head.20. ArnoldWil Hughes
Elana