Wetiko

2 plate color etching from earlier this fall.

The creature is based on "Wetiko" which was originally the name of a monster that embodied frost and famine, later was used to denote cannibals, and then more recently by Jack D. Forbes in his book to relate imperialism, terrorism, and conquering with cannibalism. Basically they're similar in the way that others are exploited for one's own gain, or profit. Not literally eating them, but in a way it's not that different.

In addition the city on his back is supported by this consumption of everything living (he eats anything he can catch/reach). P.S. That's not supposed to be a good thing.