MARVEL REVIVES CLASSIC MONSTERS IN OCTOBER

[MattBrady]

A Keith Giffen-helmed re-imagining of Marvel’s Howling Commandos aren’t the only monsters Marvel will showcase in October.

Along with the SHIELD-sanctioned monster squad, Marvel will also dip into its pool of classic monsters in October for a series of four one shots:

Devil Dinosaur: Written by Eric Powell and Tom Sneigoski and illustrated by Powell and Mark Farmer

Monsters on the Prowl: Written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Duncan Fegrado.

Fin Fang Four: Written by Roger Langridge and Mick Gray with art by Langridge

Where Monsters Dwell: An anthology, featuring stories by Jeff Parker, Peter David and Keith Giffen and art by Russ Braun, Arnold Pander and Giffen.

All four, as seen here, will have covers by Eric Powell, and all will feature 22 pages (or more) or original art and story, along with a reprint of a classic Marvel monster story.

The four titles come under the purview of editor Mark Paniccia, who filled in a few more of the whys and wherefores.

“The Kirby Monsters seem to have a place in just about every creator and retailers’ hearts,” Paniccia said. “We thought it would be fun to do something that harkened back to those classics. It was important that this project play off its inherent nostalgic quality, so we even changed the trade dress for this.”

The editor also offered a few more tantalizing tidbits…

Monsters on the Prowl: “The Steve Niles/Duncan Fegrado book. The original title was “Good Monsters” and it involves heroes in the Marvel U that you could consider monsters: Hulk, Thing, Beast and Giant Man.

“As for Hulk’s appearance in Devil Dinosaur, ever since Eric did that double page spread of the original Avengers in Avengers Finale, I’ve been hankering for more Powell Hulk. Those beautiful square fingers! So this was a great opportunity to get him to draw two old favorites.”

Running down the list, the solicitation copy for the four issues reads:

MARVEL MONSTERS: DEVIL DINOSAUR
Written by ERIC POWELL AND TOM SNEIGOSKI
Penciled by ERIC POWELL
Inked by MARK FARMER
Cover by ERIC POWELL

Two young Celestials get into a debate about who the superior life form is on prehistoric Earth—the Small Folk or the Killer Folk. But when the ferocity of Devil Dinosaur proves no mach for the savage Killer Folk, a savage from the future is brought back to even the odds. It’s the battle you thought you’d never see: HULK VS DEVIL DINO by the Eisner Award Winner of The Goon, Eric Powell.

Plus THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE HULK NO LIE!
“I Was a Slave of the Living Hulk!” From Journey Into Mystery #62, November 1960 by Jack Kirby/Dick Ayers.

48 PGS/Marvel PSR+ …$3.99

MARVEL MONSTERS: FIN FANG FOUR
Written by ROGER LANGRIDGE & MICK GRAY
Penciled by ROGER LANGRIDGE
Cover by ERIC POWELL

Four giant monsters—incarcerated for years for their crimes against humanity—now find themselves shrunk to human size and working at the home of the very people who captured them: the Fantastic Four! Meet Googam, Son of Goom (and the Baxter Building’s parking lot attendant), Elektro (the robot with a forbidden love), Gorgilla (expert window-washer) and Fin Fang Foom (head chef at a classy Chinese restaurant)! But when Goom’s mad plan to rescue his father goes awry, the quartet must put aside their differences and become—the Fin Fang Four! Join Eisner and Harvey Award nominee Roger Langridge (Fred the Clown, Knuckles the Malevolent Nun) in this wild romp through the Marvel Universe!

Plus: Witness the first appearance of Fin Fang Foom in a classic story by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers from Strange Tales #89, October 1961!

48 PGS./Marvel PSR …$3.99

MARVEL MONSTERS: WHERE MONSTERS DWELL
Written by PETER DAVID, JEFF PARKER AND KEITH GIFFEN
Penciled by ARNOLD PANDER, RUSSELL BRAUN AND KEITH GIFFEN
Cover by ERIC POWELL

Take a time machine back to the age of classic monsters in this incredible special featuring three new tales of magnificent creatures, aliens and beast. Witness the terror of Monstrollo, the horror of Manoo and the fright of Bombu!

Plus a classic tale from the age of monsters, “I Was Trapped By Titano” from Tales to Astonish #10, July 1960 by Jack Kirby/Joe Sinnott

48 PGS./Marvel PSR …$3.99

MARVEL MONSTERS: MONSTERS ON THE PROWL
Written by STEVE NILES
Penciled by DUNCAN FEGRADO
Cover by ERIC POWELL

Brace yourself for the most original, innovative tale you ever--nah, it’s just giant monsters breaking things! It’s the Hulk, the Thing, Giant-Man and the Beast vs. a tidal wave of the most terrible monsters of the Marvel Universe! The Collector has inadvertently unleashed classic creatures Droom, Grogg, Goom, Rombuu, Grattu and more on New York City! Can our heroes save the day and have fun doing it?

Plus: A classic tale from the past, “We Found the Ninth Wonder of the World” from Tales to Astonish #1, January 1959 by Jack Kirby/Chris Rule

48 PGS./Marvel PSR …$3.99

[aphterburn]

Marvel publishing more eccectic material is good for the industry.

[Tom Daylight]

Wow! What an amazing line-up! I will be sure to check this out.

[Rawle Austin]

This looks fantastic! Pure fun with great creators in the mix.

I have to read these.

Growler

[BanMan]

These sound like they should be pretty fun and those Powell covers are sweeeet.

[brucehappy]

How come The Goon is fighting that dinosaur? And where's his hat?! And why is he green??

seriously, Powell's guys always look tough.

[Amoebas]

Maybe, just maybe, Marvel might have something here.

I'm curious to learn more.

[xdemon]

This sounds like so much fun! I am looking forward to reading these.

[Punchy]

Holy Cow!

Marvel is really rocking at the moment, while these aren't likely to sell too well, they look good fun, and hopefully will get other publishers to do some monster comics, getting these fo-sho, and the covers look fantastic.

Not sure about Giant-man being a monster though.

Peter Geddes will be pleased

[Julio Diaz]

See, now THIS looks like some fun comics.

[Ace]

If that Elektro robot has a unrequited crush on Roberta, the FF's robotic secretary, then this is going to be the greatest comic ever.

[Police-dude]

He, I think this is Incredible, I dont know why, but I really like those nostalgic monster things. I am a big fan of al those classic 'black and white' monster movies like Monster of Frankenstein, Mummy, Dracula, Creature of the Black Lagoon and, of course, Werewolf! I bought the Trade of Monster Masterworks a couple of years ago, and have been hoping for some new monster stories, ( in the classic way, though) and now it's finnaly time for it!! Hopefully this will bring the age of classic monsters back to Marvel! WOOHOO

Yes... I am Excited



Yes Batman...What DID you do to Robin?!?!

[stlfan79]

Good idea for Marvel here, loving the Powell covers. i have been yearning for these characters since reading Common Grounds when Troy Hickman and Angel Mediana did a tribute to some of these lovely creations.

[shimra]

Originally posted by aphterburn
Marvel publishing more eccectic material is good for the industry.

Ha! It's kinda pathetic how they are throwing the Hulk and the Fantastic four in to try to get people to buy this stuff that they'd otherwise want nothing to do with.

Anytime Marvel ever considers doing anything original, they're always like "Ok..... how can we work the Hulk into it?"

[kavlock]

This has made my morning. Excellent news. (And the more Eric Powell the better.)

I think these will sell pretty well, actually. So far only very positive comments here... I think people will be interested in these. (Whether these are for you or not, nobody can really legitimately dis this brilliant move.)

[Blind Assassin]

Originally posted by Punchy
Marvel is really rocking at the moment, while these aren't likely to sell too well, they look good fun, and hopefully will get other publishers to do some monster comics, getting these fo-sho, and the covers look fantastic.

I agree with you punchy, that these look like a ball of fun.

I am curious as to why you thing they won't sell too well?

It is good that Marvel is bringing back its Monsters. (Wasn't there a Marvel 'Monsterworks' awhile back? Is that still available for ordering?)

I am a bit disappointed to see that Marvel Super Heroes appear to be involved in some aspect of each story.

I have a fond nostalgia for those silly monster books (how about an Essential Monster volume, Marvel? ) and I hope that we can get to see these monsters run amock.

I am also impressed to see Jeff Parker, Eric Powell, and Steve Niles working on Marvel properties.

One of my favorite times at Marvel was during the Jemas years, when you had indie artists and writers like Peter Bagge, Terri Moore, Mike Allred, and Jim Mahfood working on Marvel stuff.

Make Mine Marvel!!

[SmileOnADog]

At the beginning of the season I thought it was DC that would be getting most of my dough but Marvel is anouncing more and more projects that are whetting my thirst for good comics.

This recognition of Keith Giffen is long overdue.

[WookieLove]

I've become alsomt DC exclusive, but I will definitely buy these; they look sweet!

I almost wish some version of these were sold as the mini $1 books that were in the comic stores this week (which were great, by the way) - these would be perfect to hand out for trick or treat to any kid dressed as a super hero. Plus, they're sugar free!!!

[saiyanspider]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOO


THIS IS AWESOME STUFF!!!!!

[saiyanspider]

Originally posted by SmileOnADog
At the beginning of the season I thought it was DC that would be getting most of my dough but Marvel is anouncing more and more projects that are whetting my thirst for good comics.

This recognition of Keith Giffen is long overdue.

Hell's yeah, The little stuff I have read was good stuff, and the howling commandos looks sweet!

[algertman]

AWESOME!

i'll be getting all of them

[Comic-Reader]

I was interested at first, but it seems the tone of the new stories will be that of the lame Giffen-style humor that I really can't stand. I'd rather see the monsters come back and played straight, so I'll probably pass on these.

Now that Marvel has caught up on their Masterworks hardcovers, I hope they go back and reprint the Monster Masterworks trade and maybe continue that series. I'm not in favor of an Essential collection, as I do feel that color adds to the impact the monsters have and prevents them from looking too similar.

[swol]

I don't know why, but I've always liked these old stories.
Self contained little sci-fi tales with incredible creatures which, by all rights, should not be defeatable.

I'm not sure about these revised, and somewhat silly takes on those stories. A little of the Giffin humor goes a long way with me. Perhaps I'll get the trade when it collects them all together...(You know it's coming).

As far as an all classic monster essential volume...I'd absolutely buy it.

[evilelvis696]

Oh yeah I'm in. Now I have to go and dig out all my old Marvel monster books to hold me over til October.

[Punchy]

Originally posted by Blind Assassin
I am curious as to why you thing they won't sell too well?

1. Monsters aren't really that popular
2. They look to be humorous, older fans often want everything to be played straight (like it was when they were kids )
3. No big name creators, but it could cross-over to the indie audience
4. Standalone. everyone is in crossover mode these days

Although, I'm sure that you can think of double that many reasons for why it will sell well.