Probably on topic for the main post:
I actually have a series of short-stories i was writing (x-filesy type about cryptozoology) where the focus of each story was a creature from various mythologies that i would "justify" scientifically.
The first story in the series was based on a cross between the "redcap" from english(?) folklore and the OwlMen that were supposedly seen around an old church in southern England.
Others i had plots for:
Kraken
Ahuizotl
Doppleganger
Sea Serpents
Ghouls
Rusalki
All of them had ties to their mythological roots, but were explained intelligently as a part of their ecology, and were all done with a horror bent.
the main charcters were the same in each story, one of the being the brother of this guy.
(click me)