Comic Review: Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (of 4)

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (of 4)
April 24, 2024
Writers: Ram V, Dan Watters
Artists: Matthew Roberts, Dave Stewart
Publisher: Skybound (Image Comics)
Lunar Code: 0224IM219
MINISERIES PREMIERE
A NEW HORROR DREAM TEAM RESURRECTS ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC MONSTERS
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?

This miniseries resurrects one of the most iconic Universal monsters. Acclaimed creators Dan Watters, Ram V, and Matthew Roberts 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?

I have been waiting for this comic book since last year, when I first I heard they were spotlighting the Universal monsters from my childhood. And the Creature is still my favorite monster of all time! (Sorry, C.H.U.D.) Image and Skybound did not disappoint.

I have to begin by applauding the artwork. I’m not a fan of comic art that wants to prove how artsy it is, or overdoes splash pages, or worse of the worst- draws my horror or heroes cartoonish. Roberts creates perfect images that hit the realism and never distract from the story. The creators wisely let their multiple variant covers do their bragging. And they are beautiful. It’s hard not to collect them all. Or pick just one to be my new tramp stamp.

The story flies fast, yet doesn’t skimp on plot or characters. We know all about Kate, the attempted drowning that almost murdered her, and her tortured life every day since. Strung out on amphetamine, she follows her target, the serial killer Collier, into foreign countries and unknown territories. It’s clear her need for revenge and closure override most of her common sense and caution towards danger. With the help of a few locals, she is able to close in, as an interesting subplot is laid out.

But here’s the reason I’m diving into this miniseries. My beloved Creature. Watters and Ram V treat him with respect. When another body is found in the river, Collier’s M.O., the gathering of townspeople explain it was the Creature. Kate dismisses the urban legend. She knows fact from fiction. But, uh, no. She don’t. I love how the old woman explains the Creature is not cruel. It is not a monster. It simply takes people for the river. Most importantly, the Creature does not like to be spoken of. My grandmother was very much the same way.

As any good cliff hanger does, our star makes his appearance in the final pages. It’s done with suspense, with horror, so well you can hear the Creature’s classic theme music. I cannot wait for the next issue and the entire series. But at the same time, it’s kinda like Christmas. The anticipation of opening my next present is a huge part of the fun. 

Definitely five waterlogged sheep!

 

 

 

Reviewed by Olga Dickie (the reviewer's name has been changed to protect the guilty)