What a cool idea…bring back the classic Marvel monsters as a group for the united heroes to defeat. So, Godzilla is probably the most famous giant monster in modern culture. But early Marvel comics from Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby featured a host of ingenious monster creations, who were born as or who could turn into giant monsters. Their varied origins can be attributed to being space aliens, mutates, ancient subterranean dwellers, or experiments that took a wrong turn. Many of these pre-date the famous Fantastic Four #1 (Nov, 1961), in which the Mole-Man invades the surface with the help of his giant monsters. The hero, The Thing, struggled with his self-identity as a monster. In the Marvel Universe, Monster Isle has become the location where unruly giant monsters are sequestered. Groot, from contemporary Guardians of the Galaxy fame, was originally a monster who first appeared in Tales to Astonish #13 (Nov, 1960), but transformed over the decades into his modern character. Fin Fang Foom is a halfway recognizable name from this early era of Marvel history, but many have even more silly names like: Xemmu (1960), Klagg (1961), Rorgg (1961), Googam (1961), Moomba (1961), Zzatak (1961), and Shzzzllzzzthzz (aka Blip) (1961). It’ll be interesting to see if any of the unleashed monsters find a modern footing in the Marvel Universe or they’ll just get knocked out for another handful of decades.
“THE EPIC BATTLE MARVEL FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, DRAWN BY TODAY’S GREATEST ARTISTS!!! It’s all hands on deck with the AVENGERS, CHAMPIONS, GUARDIANS, X-MEN and the INHUMANS as they clash with monstrous threats that threaten to destroy every corner of the Marvel Universe. Who are the LEVIATHONS? Who controls them? How can they be stopped before Earth becomes another tragic, barren world in their wake? Written by powerhouse writer CULLEN BUNN and drawn by Marvel legend STEVE McNIVEN, this issue is the beginning of something big that you just can’t miss!”
