The Universal Monster franchise is not something that I have any experience in. I’ve never see the appeal of all of the Universal Monsters. So going into the new Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives comic book series it is a completely blank slate. The biggest reason I am giving this new comic book series a shot is because of the success Image Comics and Skybound have had with their Energon Universe. That is success that I could see translate to the Universal Monsters. Image Comics and Skybound have put together a great creative team together with Dan Watters, Ram V, and Matthew Roberts. I had the chance to check out an early copy of Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1. Find out how it turned out with our advanced review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Dan Watters and Ram V
Artist: Matthew Roberts
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: D.C. Hopkins
UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON LIVES! #1 SOLICITATION
“Acclaimed creators DAN WATTERS (HOME SICK PILOTS, Lucifer), RAM V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr,_ Batman: Detective Comics_), and MATTHEW ROBERTS (MANIFEST DESTINY) rise from the depths for an all-new epic.
Years after the events of the original film, journalist Kate Marsden hunts for a notorious serial killer in the heart of the Amazon. Hot on the trail of this madman, she soon encounters an unexpected new threat—but is it friend or foe? Or is it simply…THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?” – Image Comics & Skybond
REVIEW
Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1 was not at all I was expecting it to be. I was certainly expecting this reading experience to be going down more of the horror than mystery route. That made what this first issue turned out to be a pleasant surprise in tone and direction to start things off.
What is most enjoyable about Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1 is the direction Dan Watters and Ram V decide on. Rather than having the Creature from the Black Lagoon be the main driving force it is more of a background element to the story. The story was more focused on developing the lead character in Kate Marsden. Through that development you are able to be immersed in the grounded world this story is set in.
Not having Kate hunting down a mysterious creature for their story was also a much better decision. This direction allows Creature from the Black Lagoon to be talked about to be an organic part of the world. The references made to Creature from the Black Lagoon as Kate is searching for leads for her own story to be a way to have the reader more engaged. It certainly gives more of a reason to re-read this issue to see if there were background references being made.
The focus on Kate investigating a shady person with a dark past to be the focus. In the process we see the antagonist of the story being built up. In his own way the person Kate is looking for has his own dangerous legend being shown in the forefront. It all plays well to work in contrast to how Creature from the Black Lagoon is developed in the background.
Matthew Roberts artwork is solid throughout Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1. Roberts drives home the grounded feel of this story. The way Roberts and colorist Dave Stewart design the flashback was well done to make those instances of exposition standout. Though given the setting and things that occur it would’ve made the story stronger if adjustments were made to the lighting for certain settings to not be the same. It doesn’t take away from the moments in those settings but they could’ve been more effective for what they were.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1 delivers an engaging start to a story that will find readers immersed in as soon as they open the comic book. Dan Watters and Ram V develop a story that is naturally developed with each turn of the page. It makes the story be something that you are uncovering alongside the lead character. For fans of the Universal Monsters franchise this is a comic book to make sure not to miss out on.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
Click here to check out Skybound’s preview of Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1.
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