# Creepy Childhood Characters Kevin Eslinger Illustrates Sesame Street with a Scary Twist By Carly Foy | Published 2011-06-06 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kevin-eslinger References: [theuniblog.evilspacerobot](http://theuniblog.evilspacerobot.com/?p=5514#more-5514) & [kevineslinger](https://kevineslinger.com/Home_Page.html) Kevin Eslinger's Sesame Street characters are sure to get your mind in a dark space. The prints, which are available for purchase, have a [dark aura](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deddy-bears) about them. Instead of bright cheerful colors like the Cookie Monster and his vibrant blue, Kevin Eslinger has switched out for a darker look. Each character that is re-illustrated has managed to look eerie and dull in the eyes. With the darkness of the color palette and technique used, Kevin Eslinger's characters are sure to be a bit harrowing to the viewers of his work. His illustrations, though, are brilliantly executed. Each character looks almost exact, aside from the darker personality. Kevin Eslinger's Sesame Street characters are a unique way of expressing admiration for the [iconic children characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sesame-workshop). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Dark Childhood Characters:** Opportunity for toy companies to create a new line of more scary and mysterious characters for children's toys and media. - **Gritty Nostalgia:** Opportunity for new media and entertainment companies to create more mature versions of classic children's shows and franchises. - **Psychedelic Horror:** Opportunity for artists to explore the juxtaposition of bright, trippy colors with disturbing depictions of childhood characters. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art and Design:** Opportunity for artists to explore the darker side of childhood characters in their work. - **Media and Entertainment:** Opportunity to create new and different versions of classic children's brands to appeal to a more mature audience. - **Toys and Gaming:** Opportunity to create new lines of more intense and mysterious toys and games based on familiar childhood characters. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cartoon-Themed Shoe Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reebok-x-sesame-street.md) - [Playful Puppet Baby Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kids-preferred.md) - [Collaboration Kids Show Fashions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kith-x-sesame-street-collection.md) - [Anime Horror-Style Reimaginations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junji-ito-artwork.md) - [Character Crossover Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skullpanda-x-sanrio.md) - [Kid-Friendly Cartoon Bedding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brooklinen-1.md) - [Children's Show Donut Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-x-sesame-street-doughnuts.md) - [Fuzzy Cereal Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/general-mills-x-jim-henson-company.md) - [Witty Toy-Brand Horror Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/horror-poster.md)