| Hydra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Appeared in | Series 1 2006 Series The Video Game (Stage 3, Area 1) |
| Number | 2 |
| Point Value | 25 |
Hydra is monster #2 from the Series 1 figures, and was remade as monster #13 in the 2006 relaunch series.
Monster information
Hydra comes is available in original green and purple colours, as well as all four neon colours and a rarer premium orange edition. There is one centered head, while four others sprout out on each of it's sides. The Hydra also has wings, although the myth has never hinted towards the creature flying.
In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was an ancient nameless serpent-like chthonic water beast that possessed numerous heads— the poets mention more heads than the vase-painters could paint— and poisonous breath. The Hydra of Lerna was killed by Heracles as one of his Twelve Labours. Its lair was the lake of Lerna in the Argolid, though archaeology has borne out the myth that the sacred site was older even than the Mycenaean city of Argos, for Lerna was the site of the myth of the Danaids. Beneath the waters was an entrance to the Underworld, and the Hydra was its guardian.
The Hydra was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, noisome offspring of the earth goddess, Gaia. It was said to be the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimera, and Cerberus.
Upon reaching the swamp near Lake Lerna, where the Hydra dwelt, Heracles covered his mouth and nose with a cloth to protect himself from the poisonous fumes and fired flaming arrows into its lair, the spring of Amymone, to draw it out. He then confronted it, wielding a harvesting sickle in some early vase-paintings; Ruck and Staples have pointed out that the chthonic creature's reaction was botanical: upon cutting off each of its heads he found that two grew back, an expression of the hopelessness of such a struggle for any but the hero, Heracles.
Trading card text
Species: Giant Water Serpent
Born: 3000 years ago in Greece
Size: 30 Feet Tall, 20 Feet Long
Habitat: Marshes near the Lake Lerna swamp
The multi-headed Hydra is one of the most invincible monsters of all times. This flying fiend has nine - count 'em - nine dragonlike heads. If one is cut off, two heads will grow in its place. And Hydra's breath is so deadly it makes the Los Angeles smog seem refreshing! A quick huff and a puff by this monster will do more than blow your house down. He can poison waters and turn lush-green fields brown. Since an industrial strength breath mint has not yet been invented for this beast, your best bet is to stay clear of the Lake Lerna swamp to avoid becoming "Hydra Hamburger!"
Trading card front
2006 remake
Hydra was one of the monsters who received a complete make-over for the 2006 remakes. In a much more fearsome stance, the Hydra has lost it's wings, but retains the numerous heads, although it has seven instead of nine. Hydra is monster #13, and is placed in the group, the Ancients. The collectable game card (number 013/230) gives the monster a total points value of 141. The description on the card and website is as follows:
"Hydra is a giant swamp creature with a dragon's body and several serpent's heads. When one head is cut off, two more grow back in its place. All of Hydra's heads must be cut off before he's beaten. The stench from the Hydra's breath is enough to kill man or beast."
In other media
Video game
Hydra appears as an enemy monster in the Monster in My Pocket video game. Found on the Street, Hydras blast the player and swarm around him or her.
Comic book series
The Hydra appeared very briefly in the Monster in My Pocket comic series. It, along with several other monsters, were gathered on Monster Mountain by Warlock and Vampire, but after they were shrunk down, it is unknown who Hydra sided with.
