Rising from the depths of Lake Michigan....this is SOLEM (Single Optic Lake Effect Monster), designed by Chicago-based artist Joey Potts and sculpted by Chris Ryniak for our Lake Monsters series. 

Is it a cat? A dog? An aquatic ape? And what's with the weird genetic mutation that's left his one eye firmly planted in his mouth? Or is he dining on eyeballs? If you were to meet one in person should you run from it, or give it a hug? There's obviously more questions than answers when it comes to this enigmatic creature!

We first debuted SOLEM at SDCC last year, but put the project on hiatus to make some improvements. We're back now with this version, nicknamed "Green Apple", for SDCC 2011. This new release was painted by Joe Somers (Squibbles Ink) and Kirby Kerr (hey, that's me!) just in time for a release at our SDCC Booth (#4763) and will be available all days while supplies last. SOLEM stands 5.75 inches tall and will be priced at $60, tax included. 

More images after the jump...

We've got a few more announcements to go, so keep checking back! To view all of our posts about SDCC so far, click here.