Marvel Monsters - Part 2

As can be seen from my previous post, Atlas comics (pre-Marvel) published a staggering amount of science fiction /horror-based monster characters. Some, like Groot (image above from the "True Believers" facsimile) would be revised in the late 1970’s as an adversary for the Hulk, Avengers etc while others would disappear into comic book oblivion. In the case of Groot he (it?) was of course later revamped as a member of the "Guardians of the Galaxy” and became a major film character before returning to his roots (so to speak) as a comic book hero. Who knows perhaps one day one of the other Marvel/Atlas Monsters below may join Groot as a box office sensation:

"Where Monsters Dwell" #16 (1972) - Featuring Googam son of Goom! - Both Googam and "his old man" Goom have appeared in recent Marvel monster books, and both would be my favourite to be the next Marvel/Disney monster superstar.

"Where Monsters Dwell" #7 (1970) featuring Rommbu.

"Where Monsters Dwell" #5 (1970) featuring Taboo.

"Monsters on the Prowl" #29 (1974) - Featuing the "Monster at my Window"

"Where Monsters Dwell" #27 (1974) - featuring Groog

"Monsters on the Prowl" #15 (1972) - Featuing It!

"Monsters on the Prowl" #11 (1971) - Featuring the living Titan - this monster was originally called the Hulk when he first appeared in "Journey into Mystery" #62 (below).

Above the original splash page from ""Journey into Mystery" #62 (1960) - Image from Marvel Wiki. In later years (the mid-1970s) the character was renamed (again) as "Xemnu the living Titan".

Any finally, from "Where Monsters Dwell" #2 (1970) Sporr!

Marvel Monsters - Part 1

Before Marvel/Atlas comics entered into the superhero arena they produced a plethora of giant monster stories in titles like "Journey into Mystery", "Strange Tales", and "Tales of Suspense". These stories were later reprinted during the early/mid 1970's comic book horror revival in iconic titles including "Monsters on the Prowl, "Where Monsters Dwell" and "Creatures on the Loose". Each of these comics featured formulated but fun tales of amazing monsters like Fing Fang Foom (above from "Monsters on the Prowl" #21) the Chinese Dragon who wakes from his centuries long slumber to rampage through the world. As a 10-13 year old I loved these monsters and stories which still retain a special place in my "comic book world". Below are some of my favourite of these fun Marvel/Atlas monsters, most by team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

"Fear" #3 featuring Zuttak (1971). This was one of the first Marvel monster reprint comics that I purchased as a 10/11 year old. Sadly I lost my original copy but managed to track down a replacement a few years ago.

"Monsters on the Prowl" # 28 (1974) featuring Monsteroso - One thing that confused me when I revisited these comics was that some were from 1974/5 as my memory of reading these tales seemed to come from a few years previous. This was probably due to the fact that many of these tales were first reprinted in the UK in various Alan Class titles and in the Odhams POW!, Smash!,and Wham! comics of the the mid/late 1960's.

"Monsters on the Prowl" # 17 (1972) featuring Colossus - Similar to Fing Fang Foom, Colossus was not restricted to a single tale and appeared in several other stories.

"Where Creatures Roam" #4 (1971)- Featuring Vandoom

Where Creatures Roam" #7 (1971)- Featuring Glop.

"Monsters on the Prowl" #19 (1972) Featuring "The creature from the Black Bog (the cutest looking monster ever ) art by Steve Ditko.

"Where Monsters Dwell #10 (1971) - Featuring Gigantus. Like so many monsters "they walk like a man!!"

Monsters on the Prowl" #20 (1972) Featuring Oog.

Fear # 8 Featuring "It crawls by Night"