The Creature Goes Skybound

That’s Universal Studios’ Creature from the Black Lagoon going Skybound. There’s only one. Though many have riffed on the idea of the “Gill Man” as some refer to him, this is the first official modern continuation of the classic monster movies of the 1950s. It’s also the second Universal Monsters comic book from Skybound. The first, Dracula by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds, reimagines the events of the Bela Lugosi classic through a modern story-telling lens. (It’s excellent.)

The Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! takes a different tack. A continuation/sequel to the first film set years after and ignoring at least The Creature Walks Among Us, this book has an all-star if underrated creative team. Both Dan Watters and Ram V have had growing and deserved success for intricate disturbing stories. And Matthew Roberts recently finished up on one of my favorite (and again, kind of overlooked) series of the past decade: Manifest Destiny.

So I’m in. Of all the monsters, the Creature holds fast as my favorite for the personal reason that it was the first one my son and I watched together. But that’s not why you should check it out when the first issue hits stores in April. You should check it out because this team is good. Skybound has also sent out a sneak of the many variant covers for the first issue. I usually don’t seek a particular variant out, but both the Joëlle Jones and Alex Ross covers got my attention.

From Skybound:

Skybound Entertainment, in partnership with Universal Products & Experiences, has announced Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives!, a new four-issue limited comic book series from acclaimed writers Dan Watters (Home Sick Pilots, Lucifer) and Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Batman: Detective Comics), along with artist Matthew Roberts (Manifest Destiny), and colorist Dave Stewart (UltraMega, Hellboy). Readers can expect to dive headfirst into a world of suspense, intrigue, and terror when this first issue hits comic book shops April 2024.

This collaboration between Skybound and Universal is the latest milestone in a near decade long relationship that encompasses film, video games, and now comic book publishing. Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! is the second Universal Monsters series launch, following James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds’ Dracula,and will be followed by more new limited series pairing the biggest names in comics with pop culture’s most iconic monsters.

In addition to the Creature himself, the series introduces new characters like journalist Kate Marsden and serial killer Darwin Collier, along with a returning character from the film – the mysterious Doctor Edwin Thompson.

“We’re so thrilled to announce our second book in the Universal Monsters line.” Said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “Dan Watters and Ram V are two of the most exciting writers in comics, and to be able to turn them loose with longtime Skybound creators Matthew Roberts and Dave Stewart has been an absolute treat. And while James & Martin’s DRACULA was an adaptation of the original film, CREATURE is a brand-new story featuring beloved Gill-Man. Each book in the Universal Monsters line will feel different from the last, with each creative team bringing their own unique flavor and passion to these iconic horror characters. I can’t wait to share what else we have planned!”

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 he friend or foe? Or is he simply…THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?

Picking up where the original films left off, this new Universal Monsters tale will take readers back to the mysterious Amazonian lagoon where terror lurks beneath its murky waters. This series is perfect for new readers and longtime fans alike.

Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (Lunar Codes Below | SRP: $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

The full list of covers is below:

• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover A by Matthew Roberts (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover C(1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover D (1:25 “Classic Horror” B&W Copy Incentive)by Joshua Middleton (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive)by Joëlle Jones (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive)by Alex Ross (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
• Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover H (Blank Sketch Cover) (Lunar Code Coming Soon)

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