Universal Monster Army

https://www.skybound.com/announcements/universal-monsters-dracula/james-tynion-iv-martin-simmonds-universal-monsters-dracula-comic-book-series (https://www.skybound.com/announcements/universal-monsters-dracula/james-tynion-iv-martin-simmonds-universal-monsters-dracula-comic-book-series)

(https://assets.skybound.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/13135609/Dracula_01A_Cover_RGB-1-1.jpg)

And looks like other monster comics to come later.

Quote from: fearliath on July 15, 2023, 08:50:33 AM
And looks like other monster comics to come later.

Where did you see that? Very cool though!

Nevermind, I see articles referring to "multiple limited series comics based on the stable of classic Universal Monsters characters" (https://comicbook.com/comics/news/universal-monsters-comics-announced-by-skybound-entertainment/).

I was literally just wondering why Universal hasn't tried comics for the monsters.
Like, beyond just this stuff, I think it'd be a great way to like do unofficial movie sequels and crossovers between the monsters, while still keeping an old black and white movie style.

Quote from: YoungestMonsterKid on July 22, 2023, 06:59:54 AM
I was literally just wondering why Universal hasn't tried comics for the monsters.

You mean, recently?

It wasn't even sixty years ago when Dell devoted a whole comic series to several of the Universal monsters:

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXUdwU3LVn0/YYBy-hluUZI/AAAAAAAAMRk/WS8UOpVPuN875BuG_bUawbVPBEtblAGqQCNcBGAsYHQ/w436-h640/Dell2.jpg)

;)

Yeah, I'm aware of the Dell stuff. But more recently, yeah.

Also, did Dell do original stories or just adaptations of the movies?

The Dell comics had original stories that varied from the movie plots. My favorite of these is the ending of the CFTBL story. The comics are tricky to find online, I didn't see any of them on Comic Book Plus, or Read Comics Online. Tracking down the actual comics might be a bit daunting too, as the prices have risen rapidly in recent years.

If you haven't given the Dell line a try, you might want to read some of the material that is available like Sea Hunt , Ghosts or their assorted TV and Western titles. They offer a good alternative to the myriad of super hero comics.
RF

I probably should have mentioned in the post above that Dell did do superhero comics using the monsters names as well. Werewolf and Dracula were both short lived series featuring content unrelated to the UM!
RF

Quote from: Rex fury on July 23, 2023, 09:18:10 AM
I probably should have mentioned in the post above that Dell did do superhero comics using the monsters names as well. Werewolf and Dracula were both short lived series featuring content unrelated to the UM!
RF

Yeah, I do know all about that.

With the Dracula series coming to a close, looks like the next one will be Creature from the Black Lagoon. Coming in April: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-comic-1235786821/ (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-comic-1235786821/)

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/comicgeeks/comics/covers/large-9635982.jpg?1705217746)

Quote from: TheMadScientist on January 16, 2024, 10:18:58 PM
. . . looks like the next one will be Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Interesting!

I read, but passed on buying the Dracula comic. I'll definitely be picking up the Creature though as he's my favorite of the monsters.
RF

Just bought Creature #1 (both covers) on eBay.

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/T3gAAOSwiG9lrCag/s-l1600.jpg)

Quote from: Mike Scott on January 20, 2024, 08:16:16 PM
Just bought Creature #1 (both covers) on eBay.

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/T3gAAOSwiG9lrCag/s-l1600.jpg)

That's a pre-order, yes?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 20, 2024, 10:07:35 PM
That's a pre-order, yes?

Says delivery Feb 20 - 27. (No, it doesn't. Says 4/24.)

Quote from: Mike Scott on January 20, 2024, 10:29:57 PM
Says delivery Feb 20 - 27.

The book isn't slated to ship until April. I'm not even sure it has been fully solicited to wholesale as yet, though I did see something about an Ales Ross cover.

Here's a gallery of the six covers being issued for #1, which has an on sale date of 20 April, '24.

https://icv2.com/gallery/56015/6 (https://icv2.com/gallery/56015/6)

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 20, 2024, 10:47:39 PM
Here's a gallery of the six covers being issued for #1

I'm gonna have to stop at two!  :o  And only one each of the 3 other issues.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 20, 2024, 10:33:38 PM
The book isn't slated to ship until April.

Oops! I was looking at the wrong date. It does say 4/24.

I just bought the two cover set from EBay as well. Thanks Mike for pointing out that the comic was available for order. I like these two covers the best out of the six variants. I think the Alex Ross version was issued as one of the UM Creature cards from that collection. Is that correct?
RF

Quote from: Rex fury on January 21, 2024, 10:37:30 AM
I think the Alex Ross version was issued as one of the UM Creature cards from that collection. Is that correct?

Do you mean this set? If so, then no.

https://imageshack.com/i/pnte3wC1j

Quote from: Rex fury on January 21, 2024, 10:37:30 AM
I think the Alex Ross version was issued as one of the UM Creature cards from that collection. Is that correct?
RF

I believe it's the pencil study for the painted print set Ross produced. Those paintings were also used on the steelbook blu-ray releases. If it was released as another product, I'm unfamiliar with it, but would love to know!

You're right! It's not part of that set. I could swear I've seen the image before though? I'm racking my brain to think of where it might have been. If I can't figure it out it looks like I'll be buying a few more Creature 1's 😵‍💫
RF

Here's that steelbook.

[img image=500]https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5940/5940806_so.jpg[/img]

Here's that steelbook.

(https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5940/5940806_so.jpg)

Yes, I think that's it! I'd forgotten all about those Steelbook releases!
RF

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 20, 2024, 10:47:39 PM
Here's a gallery of the six covers being issued for #1, which has an on sale date of 20 April, '24.

https://icv2.com/gallery/56015/6 (https://icv2.com/gallery/56015/6)

This question comes from the perspective of someone who (until yesterday) had never purchased a comic book in his life. I purchased the standard cover of all 4 issues of Dracula and then the  Creature covers A, B & C on eBay yesterday (preorder).

How would I go about purchasing the remaining 3 cover designs for the first Creature  issue? Are they limited and only available certain places? Will they be available closer to the actual release date?

Thank you in advance for any education of my ignorance.

This is the part where I get labeled the "crotchety old purist", I suppose. :angel:

Here goes: I didn't like Dracula :'(, and I don't like the preview pages for Creechie :-\. They don't "fit" the classic flick.

Kudos to all who will purchase and enjoy. The only time I have felt adding to the Universal Monsters Classic Universe actually worked out was the novel "Return of the Wolfman" by Jeff Rovin. If that would've been adapted into a comic, it would've been amazing.

Maybe these things will find their legs. I am dreading their take on the Wolfman. :angel:

Quote from: Anton Phibes on January 23, 2024, 10:01:52 PM
"Return of the Wolfman" by Jeff Rovin. If that would've been adapted into a comic, it would've been amazing.

I very much agree. But I bought these comics all the same. Having no knowledge at all about the storyline of these comics I just hope they aren't weird or pervy.

Congratulations on buying your first comic! Even though the market is stagnant with superheroes there's an incredible array of concepts and content to enjoy if you look a little deeper.

To get the remaining Creature comic covers, I would suggest preordering through your local store or continue to watch Ebay for pre solicitation. Once they're published people start asking higher prices for the covers they think will be in most demand. I really wanted the Spider-Man comic with President Obama on the cover but missed the preorders for it. It took me a whole lot of time to find a reasonable priced copy! A lesson learned the hard way.

As to content, I agree that it's a gamble. The '62 Creature comic ended in a cliffhanger of sorts that was never followed up. One panel in the preview of the new comic led me to believe the creators may have picked up that thread- highly unlikely though. The design for the Creature looks like an actual statue of the "fish man" on display in a hotel in Lima, Peru I mentioned the statue in another thread on this site a couple of years ago, pointing out that the original movie script was based on a real South American legend.

Anyhow I hope you enjoy the comic and perhaps look a little further into the field!
RF

Oh, come on!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225972719267 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/225972719267)

Quote from: fearliath on January 24, 2024, 12:32:30 AM
Having no knowledge at all about the storyline of these comics I just hope they aren't weird or pervy.

Well...

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?

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.

Quote from: Mike Scott on January 24, 2024, 08:05:08 PM
Oh, come on!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225972719267 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/225972719267)

Okay, help me out. Is that one of the 6 covers? Why is it H and why is the image a blank paper? Nothing about comic books seems straightforward to me.

Quote from: fearliath on January 23, 2024, 09:13:30 PM
How would I go about purchasing the remaining 3 cover designs for the first Creature  issue? Are they limited and only available certain places? Will they be available closer to the actual release date?

This gets a little trickier and typically a lot more expensive.

There are eight covers being solicited for issue #1. Most of the alternate covers are "incentive covers", meaning that the retailer is required to order a certain minimum to then be allowed to order the incentive cover. The list down below is taken from Skybound's PR for the comic, with "1:10" meaning the retailer can order 1 copy of the incentive comic with every ten copies of the regular covers ordered, "1:100" meaning 1 incentive copy can be ordered for every 100 copies of the regular covers ordered.

Typically, but not always, the incentive cover comics are published with the same pricing on the front as the regular, non-incentive editions. Don't let that fool you. While a retailer may have only paid $2.50 for that comic, in the case of, say, the 1:100 Alex Ross incentive, they had to spend $250 on regular editions just to be allowed to buy that 1:100, and that's assuming the 1:100 is available to them at "cover" price. Some general incentive covers are sometimes much, much more at wholesale. Because retailers have such a high buy in on incentive covers, incentive comics are often priced AT LEAST as high as the limitation, meaning a 1:10 is $10, a 1:100 is $100. That said, a retailer can charge whatever they want, and a lot of incentive covers are more "valuable" than 'limitation price' right out of the gate, meaning collectors will pay more. It's not unusual to see a 1:100 with this price structure (costing at least $252.50 to order) priced at double the order cost, meaning $500. For this reason, a lot or retailers simply sell the incentive cover copies at auction, or even send them for grading before auction, attempting to squeeze the maximum return on their expenditure.

In my opinion, if you are serious about being willing to spend the kind of money it may take to acquire all eight covers, I would call or visit the largest comic book specially store near you and discuss what you want with them. Having the store order them for you - if they are willing - is likely to be the cheapest and most expeditious way to guaranteeing you get them all. Otherwise it's the aftermarket gamble with eBay and the like. The likely reason you're seeing eBay sellers offer pre-orders now, before the April shipping book has been formally solicited, is because the sellers themselves are attempting to off-set their purchase of the high quantity threshold incentive covers with your advanced money.

Comic Shop Locator is a good resource for finding a store local to you https://www.comicshoplocator.com/StoreLocator (https://www.comicshoplocator.com/StoreLocator), as is just typing "comic shops near me" into the Google search bar with location services enabled.

Hope this helps, please feel free to ask more questions, I used to work in the comic industry and have a lot of arcane / borderline unless knowledge about it, even if i can't always put it into words someone outside the industry will understand.


The covers:

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover A by Matthew Roberts

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover C (1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover D (1:25 "Classic Horror" B&W Copy Incentive) by Joshua Middleton

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Joëlle Jones

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover H (Blank Sketch Cover)


Skybound PR:

https://www.skybound.com/announcements/universal-monsters/dan-watters-ram-v-mathew-roberts-present-universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives
(https://www.skybound.com/announcements/universal-monsters/dan-watters-ram-v-mathew-roberts-present-universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives)

THANK YOU darkmonkeygod!!!

Quote from: fearliath on January 24, 2024, 09:54:56 PM
THANK YOU darkmonkeygod!!!

Happy to assist. Love to know what you decide to do. The collector in me would love to get all the covers of all issues, but my wallet won't allow for that. Plus I have my doubts about the comic being any good, though I'll hold off judging that until I actually see it.

Also, as you may have surmised, the blank cover is called a "sketch cover" and they're sold with the idea that the buyer might take them to a convention and pay an artist to draw on the cover. Blanks are also a way for an artist to make some scratch, buying the blanks, drawing on them, and selling them to collectors.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 24, 2024, 09:43:37 PM
. . . if you are serious about being willing to spend the kind of money it may take to acquire all eight covers . . .

I was thinking no such thing.  ;D

What's the difference between the two Ross covers? (None, at the moment.)

Why would anybody want that blank cover? Is it even a good joke, like the invisible "Invisible Man" carded nothing?

Blanks are for getting Sketches done.  I have a Dracula blank.  You can pay an artist at a con to do a piece on them and have an original cover.  Some are very cool.

The Ross ones are probably the original piece he did for the steel books and a sketch version that shows his rough art.

I wish one of the covers could have used some of Dave Cockrum's Creature art. I know Dave has passed on, but he did some really  cool Creature art back in the day. If I were to purchase a blank cover incentive I'm not sure whom I'd want to illustrate it? Maybe Frank Burner or Mike Ploog?

Dark Monkey, I'm curious what part of the industry you worked in? From your excellent response on the incentive cover market I assume you on the retailer's side? Just wondering?

RF

Quote from: Rex fury on January 25, 2024, 10:42:09 AM
I wish one of the covers could have used some of Dave Cockrum's Creature art. I know Dave has passed on, but he did some really  cool Creature art back in the day. If I were to purchase a blank cover incentive I'm not sure whom I'd want to illustrate it? Maybe Frank Burner or Mike Ploog?

It would be great to finally see that Cockrum cover on a comic. What a shame no publisher ever stepped up and gave his desire to make a Revenge of the Creature comic a go. I would love to see a Burner and a Ploog version of the Gill Man! Though I've found the paper used for sketch covers to be less than artist-friendly. I would much prefer something on illo board that I could hang or store in a portfolio.

Quote
Dark Monkey, I'm curious what part of the industry you worked in? From your excellent response on the incentive cover market I assume you on the retailer's side? Just wondering?

Reader, collector, buyer, retailer, inker, letterer, publishing, editing, marketing, repping, consultant, festival director... the list goes on!  :laugh:

Because you mentioned them, and because they're always fun to see, here are some of the Cockrum Creature pitch pages and the cover were talking about. Not my photos, but you can imagine how much I wish I owned them! If anyone has a photo of the third story page, I would LOVE to see it! The cover was published as a pin up in a Marvel Monster mag, Monster Madness #2, perhaps?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 25, 2024, 06:22:13 PM
It would be great to finally see that Cockrum cover on a comic. What a shame no publisher ever stepped up and gave his desire to make a Revenge of the Creature comic a go. I would love to see a Burner and a Ploog version of the Gill Man! Though I've found the paper used for sketch covers to be less than artist-friendly. I would much prefer something on illo board that I could hang or store in a portfolio.


Reader, collector, buyer, retailer, inker, letterer, publishing, editing, marketing, repping, consultant, festival director... the list goes on!  :laugh:

Because you mentioned them, and because they're always fun to see, here are some of the Cockrum Creature pitch pages and the cover were talking about. Not my photos, but you can imagine how much I wish I owned them! If anyone has a photo of the third story page, I would LOVE to see it! The cover was published as a pin up in a Marvel Monster mag, Monster Madness #2, perhaps?

(https://i.postimg.cc/52SLzCFH/Dave-Cockrum-Revenge-Creature-DC-cover.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZdZcdg8)

(https://i.postimg.cc/TwpDBNNm/Dave-Cockrum-Revenge-Creature-page-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zbYvg7rX)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7LBzsr9w/Dave-Cockrum-Revenge-Creature-page-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xkzq87B4)

(https://i.postimg.cc/s2SXSFLT/Dave-Cockrum-Revenge-Creature-cover-illustration.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5H4bdrbz)

These are lovely Shannon, and they "fit" the classic flicks. Love it!

Thanks for the Cockrum art!  :)  Think I'll make a print of the cover.

Quote from: Anton Phibes on January 25, 2024, 08:20:57 PM

These are lovely Shannon, and they "fit" the classic flicks. Love it!

Dave was a true Monster Kid!

Action Hobbies did a garage kit based on that cover art.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/5442/w0hEkD.jpg)

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 25, 2024, 11:17:24 PM

Dave was a true Monster Kid!

He was a nice fella to talk to as well.

Quote from: Mike Scott on January 26, 2024, 12:11:28 AM
Action Hobbies did a garage kit based on that cover art.

And Dave was the design illustratior behind Aurora's Monsters of the Movies line! How I wish this had become a styrene kit (as well as a comic book, of course).

Quote from: Anton Phibes on January 26, 2024, 12:17:40 AM
He was a nice fella to talk to as well.

That's actually one of my HUGE regrets. At the only show I attended that he was a guest of, I was young and had no idea he was a monster fan, much less a Creature fan, nor that he had designed the MotM model kits. As such I didn't even speak with him. X-Men was all the rage and I didn't care a whit about that. Had I but known!

That faux-cover illo is my #3 most wanted piece of art to this day. I would love to even see and examine the original.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 26, 2024, 10:09:19 PM
That's actually one of my HUGE regrets. At the only show I attended that he was a guest of, I was young and had no idea he was a monster fan, much less a Creature fan, nor that he had designed the MotM model kits. As such I didn't even speak with him. X-Men was all the rage and I didn't care a whit about that. Had I but known!

That faux-cover illo is my #3 most wanted piece of art to this day. I would love to even see and examine the original.

He was at a show I was at. I wanna say it might have been a Wonderfest in KY, but its been so long ago. I was a huge X-Men fan growing up. Nightcrawler was one of my favorites.  So when I found out he was there, I was excited. Then he told me the tale of how he painted the Monsters of the Movies boxes, and told me about kits that didn't happen (Metaluna Mutant) and my young brain exploded. He was super nice, and not at all like today's ego maniacs.

Looks nice on the wall.  :)

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7271/eLDDpI.jpg)

Quote from: Rex fury on July 23, 2023, 09:08:37 AMIf you haven't given the Dell line a try, you might want to read some of the material that is available like Sea Hunt , Ghosts or their assorted TV and Western titles. They offer a good alternative to the myriad of super hero comics.

The Dell funny animal titles such as these continue to be among my favourite alternatives to superheroes:

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/Comics/.highres/AndyPanda52.jpg)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/Comics/.highres/06-07-201165650PM.jpg)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/Comics/.highres/06-07-2011105337PM.jpg)

;)

Quote from: Mike Scott on January 20, 2024, 08:16:16 PMJust bought Creature #1 (both covers) on eBay.

Don't you have even a local comic store let alone hobby shop? How far out into the sticks do you live?

???

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 20, 2024, 10:47:39 PMHere's a gallery of the six covers being issued for #1:

Oh groan! So the multiple cover abuse continues to rear its ugly head.

:o

And some people wonder why I'm all about nothing but vintage.

::)

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 25, 2024, 06:22:13 PMBecause you mentioned them, and because they're always fun to see, here are some of the Cockrum Creature pitch pages and the cover were talking about.... The cover was published as a pin up in a Marvel Monster mag, Monster Madness #2, perhaps?

(https://i.postimg.cc/52SLzCFH/Dave-Cockrum-Revenge-Creature-DC-cover.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZdZcdg8)

Huh?! Including the DC logo?

:o

Quote from: Anton Phibes on January 26, 2024, 11:43:26 PMThen he told me the tale of how he painted the Monsters of the Movies boxes, and told me about kits that didn't happen (Metaluna Mutant) and my young brain exploded.

I still wish Aurora had issued a Metaluna Mutant kit as part of the original 1961-65 series of monster model kits with James Bama box art. I would have been all over that one as a kid!

;D

Quote from: Hepcat on January 29, 2024, 12:21:39 AM
Don't you have even a local comic store let alone hobby shop? How far out into the sticks do you live?

We had one during the boom, but the internet killed it. Nearest one is 40 miles away. I don't need a comic shop. The last comic I bought was the last time one had a Creature on the cover.

Blank covers are always fun, if you plan on having an artist do something with it. There are also a few people that buy them knowing that others will do that, and hope that their blank somehow becomes worth hundreds of dollars due to the fact most blanks get used. They won't ever get anyone rich but these fools don't understand that.

if you google sketch cover you can see the amazing covers that are one off works of art.

Well, I have all four issues now, and I feel like they did old Drac a disservice with such poor artwork. I'm sorry, but I just don't like it. Perhaps my love of the old Tomb of Dracula spoiled it for me, with such beautiful art and wonderful story. I expected more.

The nearest shop to me that has new comics is also about 40 miles away. While I read a large section of the new material, I rarely buy them any longer. Issues of quality, storage space and cover prices all contribute to this.

Older material (1940's -early 1960s) has become increasingly hard to find in even the best brick and mortar stores. I travel frequently and try to visit stores whenever I can. However, if I'm buying Golden Age material it is almost always purchased through EBay. There's  other web sources like HipComic, etc. that have things I'm looking for, but they tend to be overpriced and inadequately graded. At least EBay sellers offer the cliche statement " I an not a professional grader", so you have a chance to decide a grade for yourself.

At one point I purchased a Captain America Comics 26 which turned out to be missing pages. The seller returned my money and apologized for the error. On the other end of the spectrum I bought a Patsy and Heidi comic from another auction site and it too was missing a page. That site gave me a too bad so sad run around!

Recent purchase include a nice run of Durango Kid comics, Challengers of the Unknown 3, and several more obscure books. Without the internet there would be no shop within a 100-200 mile radius that would have copies of these comics.

RF

Quote from: John Pertwee on January 29, 2024, 10:39:10 AM
Well, I have all four issues now, and I feel like they did old Drac a disservice with such poor artwork.

I have to agree. I was shocked by the sub-par illustration work. The entire book looks as if they printed color roughs, particularly when compared to the rather intricate layouts published as back-matter in at least one of the issues I flipped through. It really is astonishing to me that Skybound would lead off their Universal Monsters line with such an amateurish, indecipherable mess, and that Universal would let them.

Quote from: Rex fury on January 29, 2024, 10:49:59 AMOlder material (1940's -early 1960s) has become increasingly hard to find in even the best brick and mortar stores.

Recent purchase include a nice run of Durango Kid comics, Challengers of the Unknown 3, and several more obscure books. Without the internet there would be no shop within a 100-200 mile radius that would have copies of these comics.

And non-Dell 1950's comics are incredibly difficult to find in higher grade.

cl:)

Today I attended a Skybound retailer presentation via zoom focusing on their Universal Monsters lines and can confirm my speculation: the 1/100 incentive cover is a foil cover variant of the 1/75 incentive cover, Alex Ross' pencil illustration. So, to clarify, same image, differing stock for the covers. One will be paper, the rarer version foil.

Also announced is that the upcoming hardcover collection of Dracula has a comic shop exclusive edition with a signed book plate incentive (if a retailer orders a minimum of ten copies, they will receive an author and artist signed bookplate for each copy).

I'm impressed by Skybound's multi-year commitment and push for the Universal Monsters.

I read Dracula. I'll stick to the movie, Shannon. It wasn't my cup of tea. I tried though. I will read the Creature too....but I fear it will be the same reaction from me.

I really wish someone would illustrate Jeff Rovin's Return of the Wolfman novel in toto.  Lawdy that book was good. When I read it, I was totally immersed. Most of today's crowd would consider it "fan service". A term I despise. If it's not being made for fans....who the heck is it for?  >:D

Quote from: Anton Phibes on February 15, 2024, 06:36:26 PM
I read Dracula. I'll stick to the movie, Shannon. It wasn't my cup of tea.

You did better than I. I flipped through Dracula and it just wasn't for me. That said, I've been told it's an interesting read as one piece and I might give the collection a go.

I already find the illustration style of the Creature comic to be more to my interests, and I like the idea that it's a continuation of the story we saw in the film, rather than a retelling or re-imagining. Still, we shall see.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 15, 2024, 06:07:39 PM
I'm impressed by Skybound's multi-year commitment and push for the Universal Monsters.

Any word on what will be after Creature from the Black Lagoon?

Quote from: TheMadScientist on February 15, 2024, 09:39:44 PM
Any word on what will be after Creature from the Black Lagoon?

No info that can be released, but they did reveal there are already plans for well into 2025, with the implication of much more.

I hated the art style they chose for Dracula. I might have enjoyed the story if the visuals had been more in the style of the old Tomb of Dracula comics (my favorite comic series) and not the mess we got instead. I'm sorry, but faces without noses and the like take me out of the story.

I am hopeful for The Creature, but I am worried about the way they will portray The Frankenstein Monster. We already have a Karloff Monster book coming out from Legendary and that might throw this project into the "Later" pile. The Universal Monsters deserve better, IMHO.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 17, 2024, 02:27:19 AM
No info that can be released, but they did reveal there are already plans for well into 2025, with the implication of much more.

Very nice! I'd love if we got a comic series that was a crossover of various monsters interacting together.

Quote from: John Pertwee on February 17, 2024, 09:43:36 AM
I am hopeful for The Creature, but I am worried about the way they will portray The Frankenstein Monster. We already have a Karloff Monster book coming out from Legendary and that might throw this project into the "Later" pile. The Universal Monsters deserve better, IMHO.

ASSUMING Skybound decides to release a Frankenstein's Monster title, I'm GUESSING it's going to have a unique take that impressed me.  ;)

I'm not sure who holds the rights to Abbot and Costello, but I'd love to see an adaptation of "Meets Frankenstein"  in comic forum. The classic stories have been done quite a bit by Dell, DarkHorse, etc. over the years, but "Meets" hasn't. Such a project might be a welcome addition to the comics already published. This avenue might open doors for the "House of.." films to be adapted too. There's a lot of material out there besides just the core stories!

RF

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 17, 2024, 11:31:27 PM
ASSUMING Skybound decides to release a Frankenstein's Monster title, I'm GUESSING it's going to have a unique take that impressed me.  ;)

I don't see them not releasing one, but now that the Karloff likeness comes with the UM license I think the two comics would look very similar. Karloff being the only character that looks like his movie counterpart? It would seem repetitive to me, but we are not the only audience for these comics. They are looking for people that probably won't even know about the other project.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 24, 2024, 10:46:37 PM
Happy to assist. Love to know what you decide to do. The collector in me would love to get all the covers of all issues, but my wallet won't allow for that. Plus I have my doubts about the comic being any good, though I'll hold off judging that until I actually see it.

I ended up preordering all 8 Creature issue 1 covers on eBay. I hope the comic material itself isn't terrible!

Quote from: fearliath on February 18, 2024, 07:00:47 PM
I ended up preordering all 8 Creature issue 1 covers on eBay.

So, did you pay $4.95 for each, or did you have to pay a crazy price for some?

Quote from: Mike Scott on February 18, 2024, 08:15:34 PM
So, did you pay $4.95 for each, or did you have to pay a crazy price for some?

I paid $4.95 for 4 of them; $17 for one of them, $49 for one, $75 for one and $211 for the 1:100 Ross one. Stupid amount of money.

Quote from: fearliath on February 18, 2024, 09:41:37 PM
Stupid amount of money.

$372? Yyyyyyep!  :o

Quote from: fearliath on February 18, 2024, 09:41:37 PMStupid amount of money.

For eight brand new comic books? Yeah, that's a stupid amount of money.

:o

Quote from: Hepcat on February 19, 2024, 11:48:21 AM
For eight brand new comic books? Yeah, that's a stupid amount of money.

Of course, I do it all the time, with toy variations. I bought all 7 varieties of the Funko Hikari Creatures and 20 Creature Reaction figures, though there are several different sculpts in the mix. I've got lots of 2 and 4 of the same thing in different colors. It's collector insanity!  ;D

Quote from: John Pertwee on February 18, 2024, 01:21:03 PM
I don't see them not releasing one, but now that the Karloff likeness comes with the UM license I think the two comics would look very similar. Karloff being the only character that looks like his movie counterpart? It would seem repetitive to me, but we are not the only audience for these comics. They are looking for people that probably won't even know about the other project.

I pre-ordered the Frankenstein graphic novel from Legendary as well. From what I remember based on the sample art I've seen, I believe the design of the Monster is a bit closer to the description in the novel. Specifically, the long hair. They'd certainly be similar, but different enough that I'm fine with doubling up. Especially if the Skybound comic (presumably) has more to do with the Universal movie than the actual novel.

(https://i0.wp.com/bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/frankens.png?fit=1110%2C725&ssl=1)
(https://boundingintocomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023.03.14-07.46-boundingintocomics-6410cf188a1c8.png)

Quote from: fearliath on February 18, 2024, 09:41:37 PM
I paid $4.95 for 4 of them; $17 for one of them, $49 for one, $75 for one and $211 for the 1:100 Ross one. Stupid amount of money.

Cost on the 118 books you could order is roughly $263, but that does provide 110 more comics.

Do plan to order all covers of each issue?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 21, 2024, 03:17:12 AM
Cost on the 118 books you could order is roughly $263, but that does provide 110 more comics.

Do plan to order all covers of each issue?

I don't think so, but  I'm as yet undecided.

This was announced to retailers a bit over a week ago, but I had no idea it would be shipped so soon. I saw this today hanging in a comic shop. The reverse is a Dracula poster, and the whole thing is as big as a one-sheet. Unfortunately, they are promo only and seem to be one per store.

Issue two has six covers, I believe. No blank cover and no 1/100 variant.

https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-2-of-4 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-2-of-4)

You can see the covers and their limitation in various eBay auctions now, but I'll try to post any PR here.

Why is Creature #1 Ross cover both variant F and G and why doesn't it have any text?

They're cheap, so I ordered Creature #2 A&B covers.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 28, 2024, 02:16:38 PM
Issue two has six covers, I believe. No blank cover and no 1/100 variant.

https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-2-of-4 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-2-of-4)

You can see the covers and their limitation in various eBay auctions now, but I'll try to post any PR here.

I went ahead and bought all 6 #2 covers.

Creature Comics covers #1 variants A, B, C and D, E, F&G, H is the blank.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1860/T1ewYZ.jpg)

Creature Comics covers #2 variants A, B, C and D, E, F.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/7498/l91bph.jpg)

Covers E & F are my favorites, but I'm not paying $100-$200 for them.

Quote from: fearliath on February 18, 2024, 09:41:37 PM
I paid $4.95 for 4 of them; $17 for one of them, $49 for one, $75 for one and $211 for the 1:100 Ross one.

When you get those, let us know, or post a photo of the Ross cover(s). Curious if it will have the text on it and what is the difference between the two.

Quote from: Mike Scott on February 28, 2024, 10:35:48 PM
When you get those, let us know, or post a photo of the Ross cover(s). Curious if it will have the text on it and what is the difference between the two.

Unless they lied about it in the meeting...

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 15, 2024, 06:07:39 PM
Today I attended a Skybound retailer presentation via zoom focusing on their Universal Monsters lines and can confirm my speculation: the 1/100 incentive cover is a foil cover variant of the 1/75 incentive cover, Alex Ross' pencil illustration. So, to clarify, same image, differing stock for the covers. One will be paper, the rarer version foil.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 28, 2024, 11:03:09 PM
Unless they lied about it in the meeting...

Missed that part. Does the cover include the title/text?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHhYQDKXEAEwFd0?format=jpg&name=large)

The next series after Creature from the Black Lagoon will be Frankenstein.  Expected to start in August. 

Quote from: Mike Scott on February 29, 2024, 12:34:57 AM
Missed that part. Does the cover include the title/text?

I don't understand your question, Mike.

Quote from: Lazarus on March 01, 2024, 01:06:04 AM
The next series after Creature from the Black Lagoon will be Frankenstein.  Expected to start in August.

Interesting that the cover is orange. The preview they showed was yellow!

Since this is now announced, I think it's fine to clarify what's been mentioned in the PR and in other venues:

"Dr. Henry Frankenstein robs a police officer's grave to find body parts for his new creation, only to discover that the officer's son is still yearning for his dead father."

Walsh stating "This comic is a great companion to the 1931 Universal Monsters Frankenstein film. It adds context and depth and slots perfectly right between the film scenes."

Skybound editorial director Alex Antone: "While each issue stands alone as its own vignette, in a way that only he can, Michael has brilliantly sewn together a brand-new perspective which both lovingly adapts the Universal Pictures film and breathes new life into one of the most important horror stories of all-time."

The series focuses on the story of the parts that make up the whole... the body parts that the Monster is made of!

Clever idea in my estimation, I'm very curious toes how the story plays out.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on March 01, 2024, 01:54:22 AM
I don't understand your question, Mike.

The only picture I've seen is the Ross sketch with no CFTBL title on it. All the others have the title and other text on them. Is that how it will be published?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on March 01, 2024, 02:14:03 AM
Michael has brilliantly sewn together . . .

Get it?  ;D

Quote from: Mike Scott on March 01, 2024, 03:24:02 AM
The only picture I've seen is the Ross sketch with no CFTBL title on it. All the others have the title and other text on them. Is that how it will be published?

Is which how it will be published?

I'm of the mind that what you see is what you'll get.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on March 01, 2024, 09:03:48 PM
I'm of the mind that what you see is what you'll get.

I'd rather get the SteelBook with the finished art.

Quote from: Mike Scott on March 01, 2024, 09:29:10 PM
I'd rather get the SteelBook with the finished art.

Apples and oranges. Why not buy a print?

On the comics, though, I thought you weren't even remotely interested in paying the type of prices the comics command right from the start.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on March 02, 2024, 12:20:02 AM
Apples and oranges.

Maybe Granny Smith's and Red Delicious'.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on March 02, 2024, 12:20:02 AM
Why not buy a print?

No wall space.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on March 02, 2024, 12:20:02 AM
On the comics, though, I thought you weren't even remotely interested in paying the type of prices the comics command right from the start.

Just the A's and B's. Just wanted to know what was up with the Ross cover.

(https://mlpnk72yciwc.i.optimole.com/cqhiHLc.IIZS~2ef73/w:auto/h:auto/q:75/https://bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/um-frankenstein01-covera-rgb-1709148349126.jpg)

Dr. Henry Frankenstein robs a police officer's grave to find body parts for his new creation, only to discover that the officer's son is still yearning for his dead father.

And a little bit familiar to those who read Mel Smith, Paul H Birch and Frank Cirocco's Becoming Frankenstein, published by 10 Ton Press in 2023. But of course, it all goes back to Mary Shelley. It all gets stitched together in the end.

"The story of Dr. Frankenstein and his poor, misunderstood monster is one of the most recognizable and influential horror tales ever told... It's also one of my favorites," said Walsh in a press release. "The original 1931 film from Universal Pictures is a continuing inspiration for my art and storytelling, so, as you can imagine, I was honored to be able to play in that sandbox. Trying to tell an original story while staying true to the canon of that film was an exciting yet daunting prospect. It's been some of the most fun I've had making comic books, and I know that fans of Frankenstein and horror will have a blast experiencing these characters and iconic scenes like never before."

"Michael Walsh's take on Frankenstein feels like a comic book classic in the making," said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. "While each issue stands alone as its own vignette, in a way that only he can, Michael has brilliantly sewn together a brand-new perspective which both lovingly adapts the Universal Pictures film and breathes new life into one of the most important horror stories of all-time."

I was pretty worried about the way this could go, but this seems like an interesting story. I'm in.

I must be trapped in a time capsule of sorts. I just can't seem to view these as "Universal Monsters". If these were branded something different like "Jimmy Joe is drawing Monster Funny books y'all" universe, I would probably read them with a more open mind,lol. ;D ;D :angel:

I don't have an issue with them telling different stories with the Universal Monsters, or taking them in new directions. If they're to forever be limited just to the stories that were told in the 30s-50s, that would be quite restricting imo. This sounds like the type of Frankenstein story that Hammer might have made into a movie.

I pre-ordered the 6 covers of Issue 3 of the Creature comic. I really hope issue 4 doesn't have 10 covers or something insane like that.

Quote from: fearliath on March 17, 2024, 09:27:58 PM
I pre-ordered the 6 covers of Issue 3 of the Creature comic.

You really goin' to town on those!   ;D

Quote from: Mike Scott on March 17, 2024, 09:52:07 PM
You really goin' to town on those!   ;D

I'm in it way too far to back out now.

I just bought the A and B versions, again. E and F are both very nice, but too expensive. I'm saving jpgs of all the covers.

And now there's at least one more cover for issue 1.

IF this is something you want, I highly recommend you sign up via the website to be notified of availability, this being Alex Ross and limited to 1000 incl. signed copies, etc.

https://www.alexrossart.com/products/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-exclusive (https://www.alexrossart.com/products/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-exclusive)

"Introducing an exclusive variant cover featuring the Creature from the Black Lagoon, stunningly rendered by Alex Ross. Part of Alex's homage to the classic Universal Monsters, this piece capturing the eerie allure of the Gill-man like never before.

Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1 features the classic Universal Monsters character from the 1954 film. The Creature, also known as the Gill-man, is an amphibious humanoid discovered in the Amazon River. He becomes hostile when his habitat is disturbed by human intruders.

This variant comic is limited to 1000 copies and will be available in three different versions:

Unsigned Comic ($50)
Signed with a Certificate of Authenticity ($100)
CGC Signature Series 9.8 ($200)"

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 16, 2024, 07:09:02 PMAnd now there's at least one more cover for issue 1.

Plus, a foil variant of the Ross and 2 others. 10 altogether?

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/655/YFeIJD.jpg)

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8586/moCvTg.jpg)

Mike - where did you see that foil variant?

I know of 12 including the Alex Ross cover linked by Darkmonkeygod.

This is one of the others:
https://www.funkytowncomicsvinyl.com/product/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-nimit-malavia-exclusive-cover-presale-4-24/1566?cs=true&cst=popular

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 16, 2024, 07:49:28 PMPlus these. A foil variant of the Ross and 2 others. 10 altogether?

Is the foil variant not cover G, the 1:100 Copy Incentive by Alex Ross?

What are those other two, Mike?

If that is the 1:100 incentive cover, the other two you posted plus the Funky Town Comics & Vinyl Nimit Malavia exclusive cover fearliath posted bring us to 11 variations (excluding the Ross website autographed and graded/certified autograph offerings, since those are simply signed and signed & graded version of his exclusive edition).

Quote from: fearliath on April 16, 2024, 08:45:44 PMMike - where did you see that foil variant?

I know of 12 including the Alex Ross cover linked by Darkmonkeygod.

Which one am I missing, fearliath?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 16, 2024, 10:05:22 PMWhich one am I missing, fearliath?

If the Ross ones you linked to are just signed/graded versions of the regular Ross cover and the foil cover Mike posted is just the 1:100 Ross cover then there would only be 11.

Thus far I have preordered 11 different covers for Issue 1. If there are others that pop up I'd love to know about them.

The other two Mike posted are a Michael Walsh Exclusive cover and a Vincenzo Riccardi exclusive cover.

Quote from: fearliath on April 16, 2024, 10:11:03 PMIf the Ross ones you linked to are just signed/graded versions of the regular Ross cover and the foil cover Mike posted is just the 1:100 Ross cover then there would only be 11.

Thus far I have preordered 11 different covers for Issue 1. If there are others that pop up I'd love to know about them.

The other two Mike posted are a Michael Walsh Exclusive cover and a Vincenzo Riccardi exclusive cover.

Ah, thank you. It's late and I've seemingly suddenly become bad at maths. :o

That said, the link I posted is to an Alex Ross website exclusive, using his finished painting (not the preliminary pencil drawing) and limited to 1000. With that we are up to 12 variations of cover for issue #1:

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover A by Matthew Roberts

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover C (1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover D (1:25 "Classic Horror" B&W Copy Incentive) by Joshua Middleton

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Joëlle Jones

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross pencil version

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross pencil version on foil

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover H (Blank Sketch Cover) 

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Alex Ross Art Website Exclusive Cover (limited to 1000) by Alex Ross painted version

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Encased Comics Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Vincenzo Riccardi

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Funky Town Comics & Vinyl Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Nimit Malavia

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Stadium Comics Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Michael Walsh

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Skottie Young .com Exclusive Cover (limited to 1200) by Skottie Young

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies C2E22024 Exclusive Cover (limited to 500) by Andrew Currey 

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies C2E22024 Exclusive Cover (limited to 500) by Andrew Currey on foil 

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Clayton Crain .com Exclusive (limited to 200) by Clayton Crain

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Adam's Action Figures & Comics C2E22024 Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Tonči Zonjić trade dress

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Adam's Action Figures & Comics C2E22024 Exclusive Cover (limited to 500) by Tonči Zonjić virgin

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Bill Sienkiewicz Art .com Exclusive (limited to 750) by Bill Sienkiewicz



Gotta wonder if there are any more for #1 and what's in waiting for the rest of the series.



Notes:

4/19/24 I'm updating the above list as more editions emerge. ;) Now at 15.

4/28/24 even more covers added. Now we're up to 18 and a fb commenter stated there are 20. Sheesh.

4/29/24 Bill Sienkiewicz Art .Com (https://billsienkiewiczart.com/products/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-exclusive) edition announced, with a 4/30 for sale date. This brings my count to 19.

Quote from: fearliath on April 16, 2024, 08:45:44 PMMike - where did you see that foil variant?

Somebody was selling it on eBay.

Quote from: fearliath on April 16, 2024, 08:45:44 PMThis is one of the others:

I was just about to post that one.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/4413/T66GeN.jpg)

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 16, 2024, 10:56:49 PMGotta wonder if there are any more for #1 and what's in waiting for the rest of the series.

I truly hope there aren't any exclusives for Issues 2-4. It's a bit out of control.

Would you mind providing a similar list of each cover for issues #2 & 3 or directing me to where you got the specifics of each cover (cover four has not been released yet as far as I know)?



[/quote]

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 16, 2024, 10:04:07 PMIs the foil variant not cover G,

Yes.

Quote from: fearliath on April 16, 2024, 11:44:03 PMIt's a bit out of control.

Ya think!  ;D

What about the Dracula and whatever else they're doing? How many covers?

I don't know why the publisher doesn't have all the info/photos on their website.

The Covers Flock Among Us!😱
RF

Quote from: fearliath on April 16, 2024, 11:44:03 PMI truly hope there aren't any exclusives for Issues 2-4. It's a bit out of control.

Would you mind providing a similar list of each cover for issues #2 & 3 or directing me to where you got the specifics of each cover (cover four has not been released yet as far as I know)?

I'm happy to try. As you can tell, I was asleep at the wheel on these exclusives until the Alex Ross Art .Com solicitation popped up. I've been out of "the game" for a while.

Of note, the Michael Walsh Creature cover is the second of, I believe, a planned series of four interconnecting covers, with this Dracula #1 exclusive being the first. Walsh is both writer AND artist on the upcoming Frankenstein series and I'm guessing this cover run will be completed with exclusives for Invisible Man #1 and Frankenstein #1. Walsh's IG (https://www.instagram.com/mister_walsh/p/C5Tg7rxLhTL/).






The Dracula #1 exclusive is available (https://www.encasedcomics.com/products/copy-of-universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-exclusive-by-michael-walsh), should it be of interest, as are the two covers in a bundle (https://www.encasedcomics.com/products/universal-monster-walsh-connecting-cover-bundle-1).

I was wondering why that Creature had bats in it.

I just noticed that Skybound created a banner of all four C covers by DANI. It's cropped a bit, so the entirety of the quadriptych isn't visible, but this is the first I'm seeing of any of the covers for issue 4.

Anyone seeing any retailer exclusives for issues 2, 3 or 4 (along the lines of the four exclusives for #1 I was so recently informed of)?





Annnnnd no sooner did I post the cropped image than I found the full image (though not as large).

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 17, 2024, 12:01:39 AMWhat about the Dracula and whatever else they're doing? How many covers?

I don't know why the publisher doesn't have all the info/photos on their website.

League Of Comics Geeks is pretty good in keeping track of the variant covers:

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/168938/universal-monsters-dracula (https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/168938/universal-monsters-dracula)
https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/173328/universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives (https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/173328/universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives)
https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/174507/universal-monsters-frankenstein (https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/174507/universal-monsters-frankenstein)

There's CFTBL 4C, anyway. And no, I haven't seen any more covers for numbers 2 and 3, beyond the initial six.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/267/MsPbeN.jpg)

The eBay seller I bought the first issue from has sent me a tracking number, so I should be getting those soon. I read that the first 3 issues are being released at the end of this month and the ends of the following two months.

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 18, 2024, 05:18:51 PMThe eBay seller I bought the first issue from has sent me a tracking number, so I should be getting those soon. I read that the first 3 issues are being released at the end of this month and the ends of the following two months.

Street date for #1 is the 24th, but many shops get their books a week in advance.

I have seen another variant cover for Issue 1. It's a Skottie Young LTD variant. Cover looks more like a malnourished, brooding vampire than the Creature but with so many covers I guess you have to go outside the box.

Quote from: fearliath on April 19, 2024, 03:04:37 PMI have seen another variant cover for Issue 1. It's a Skottie Young LTD variant. Cover looks more like a malnourished, brooding vampire than the Creature but with so many covers I guess you have to go outside the box.

Yeah, he's very popular - Scottie that is - in certain circles. Here's the info, which I'm also adding to the list in a previous post. He produced a Dracula (https://skottieyoung.substack.com/p/dracula-1-exclusive) variant as well.

How did you find out about this one, Fearlith? Had I not happened to see the Alex Ross, I wouldn't have known about any of these exclusives and, backtracking, I'm finding more and more Dracula covers that I knew nothing about. Admittedly, while not collecting them, that's the sort of thing I like to know about, collecting the information, if you will.


Available Monday, 21 April 11AM ET; $25 Unsigned, $35 signed with Certificate of Authenticity, $175 GC Signature Series 9.8.

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Skottie Young .com Exclusive Cover (limited to 1200) by Skottie Young

Link to info (https://skottieyoung.substack.com/p/double-feature)

link to webstore (https://skottieyoung.com/collections/exclusive-variant-covers)

Hotlinked image:

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 17, 2024, 12:01:39 AMWhat about the Dracula and whatever else they're doing? How many covers?

Missed this when you posted it. There are quite a few Dracula covers (and multiple printings), I'm attempting to compile a list for posterity.

QuoteI don't know why the publisher doesn't have all the info/photos on their website.

Particularly when dealing with licensed properties, it becomes difficult to coordinate between differing departments and, in the case of these exclusives, they publisher has already sold the books to the retailer selling them to the public and thus doesn't have much incentive to promote them as far as advertising, particularly against the constant demands of the next new thing that requires promotion.

If this isn't the most cover versions a comic ever had, it's gotta be close!  :o

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 19, 2024, 03:47:58 PMIf this isn't the most cover versions a comic ever had, it's gotta be close!  :o

Ohhh, no. Not at all, not even by half. ;D

253 (https://www.zapkapowcomics.com/top-10-most-variant-covers/#google_vignette)

And that doesn't take into account foreign editions.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 19, 2024, 03:34:37 PMHow did you find out about this one, Fearlith?

There was a preorder on ebay for the regular unsigned version.

Quote from: fearliath on April 19, 2024, 04:05:15 PMThere was a preorder on ebay for the regular unsigned version.

Thanks! It's wild and a bit disheartening to me to see how disjointed the marketing of comics has become.

The distributor has posted the six versions of #4 offered to all comic shops at wholesale:

https://www.lunardistribution.com/home/search?term=Universal+Monsters+Black+Lagoon (https://www.lunardistribution.com/home/search?term=Universal+Monsters+Black+Lagoon)

I'll work on a list a bit later.

Here's the best link (https://comicbookrealm.com/series/83024/623824/image-comics-universal-monsters-dracula-issue-1encased/1)  I've as yet found of the various editions of Universal Monsters: Dracula issues 1 through 4.

There is a collected edition in the offing with at least two covers and a signature plate incentive, included in this search of the distributor (https://www.lunardistribution.com/home/search?term=Universal+Monsters%3A+Dracula).

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 19, 2024, 03:51:20 PM253

253 covers of one issue of a comic?!!! That's nuts!

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 19, 2024, 05:46:36 PM253 covers of one issue of a comic?!!! That's nuts!

The "winner" so far! As noted, it's quite an oddity because the majority of those editions were published across an atypical span of time.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 19, 2024, 04:11:43 PMThe distributor has posted the six versions of #4

Thanks! I'm collecting all of the Creature cover images.

The Skottie Young cover is now available for purchase in his webstore (https://skottieyoung.com/collections/exclusive-variant-covers).

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Skottie Young .com Exclusive Cover (limited to 1200) by Skottie Young $25

Unsigned, $35 signed with Certificate of Authenticity, $175 GC Signature Series 9.8.

Got my Creature #1 A&B, today and ordered the A&B for #4, so I'm done. I'm going to wait till I get them all before I read them. Interior art looks great! They show the first six covers on the back cover(s).

Awesome! I'm looking forward to checking the book out as soon as I get home.
RF

I have a question for the more knowledgeable ones here. I received what was purported to be the Issue 1 1:100 incentive cover by Ross. It is supposed to be "foil" cover I believe. This picture Mike posted looked like it would have some reflective coloration in it. This definitely does not. It's gray. Maybe kind of glossy but not really. I do not yet have the 1:75 incentive cover to compare it to.

Are the foil covers supposed to be more reflective/colorful?

I'll see all of mine tomorrow and should be able to compare them, but foil covers are generally a bit shiny / iridescent. That said, the one on eBay with the rainbow coloring is just a photoshop job by the seller to differentiate it from the 1:75 version, not an actual photo.

Is there anything printed on the inside of the front cover?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 22, 2024, 11:28:08 PMThat said, the one on eBay with the rainbow coloring is just a photoshop job by the seller to differentiate it from the 1:75 version, not an actual photo.

Should have known better! I thought they were just using the same photo for both, because they didn't have the real thing to photograph. I'll delete that fake photo.

I wasn't able to make it by the shop today, but I will tomorrow.

Bit of a puff piece, but the first review (http://creature%20from%20the%20black%20lagoon%20lives%20#1) I've seen for Creature.

Using darkmonkeygods list for Issue #1 covers and adding in the info I have for the others I believe this is the current list of all covers I am aware of (note 3 new Issue #1 covers came out today - the Clayton Crain ones sold out in less than a minute other than the $200 CGC Signature Series):

<sup>Issue #1

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover A by Matthew Roberts

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover C (1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover D (1:25 "Classic Horror" B&W Copy Incentive) by Joshua Middleton

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Joëlle Jones

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross pencil version

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross pencil version on foil

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover H (Blank Sketch Cover)

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Second Printing Cover by Francesco Francavilla

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Alex Ross Art Website Exclusive Cover (limited to unknown) by Alex Ross painted version on foil

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Alex Ross Art Website Exclusive Cover (limited to 1000) by Alex Ross painted version

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Encased Comics Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Vincenzo Riccardi

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Funky Town Comics & Vinyl Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Nimit Malavia

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Stadium Comics Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Michael Walsh

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 SkottieYoung .com Exclusive Cover (limited to 1200) by Skottie Young

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies C2E22024 Exclusive (limited to 500) by Andrew Currey

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies C2E22024 Exclusive (limited to 500) by Andrew Currey on foil

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies Dallas Fan Expo 2024 Exclusive (limited to 50) by Andrew Currey 24k gold gild eyes.

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 ClaytonCrain.com Exclusive (limited to 200) by Clayton Crain

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Adam's Action Figures & Comics Exclusive at C2E2 Convention (limited to 750) by Tonči Zonjić Trade Cover

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Adam's Action Figures & Comics Exclusive at C2E2 Convention (limited to 500) by Tonči Zonjić Virgin Cover

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Bill SienkiewiczArt .com Exclusive (limited to 750) by Bill Sienkiewicz

Issue #2

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #2 Cover A by Mathew Roberts

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #2 Cover B by Francis Manapul

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #2 Cover C (1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by Dani

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #2 Cover D (1:25  B&W Classic Horror Copy Incentive) by Francis Manapul

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #2 Cover E (1:50  Incentive) by Stephanie Pepper

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #2 Cover F (1:75  Incentive) by Christian Ward

Issue #3

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Cover A by Mathew Roberts

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Cover B by Totino Tedesco

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Cover C (1:10 Incentive) by Dani

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Cover D (1:25 Incentive B&W Classic Horror) by Totino Tedesco

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Anwita Citriya

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Cover F (1:75 Incentive) by David Talaski

Issue #4

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover A by Matthew Roberts

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover B by Jenny Frison

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover C (1:10 Incentive) by Dani

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover D (1:25 B&W Classic Horror)by  Jenny Frison

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Maria Wolf

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover F (1:75 Incentive) by  Martin Simmonds</sup>

Quote from: fearliath on April 26, 2024, 05:47:48 PMUsing darkmonkeygods list for Issue #1 covers and adding in the info I have for the others I believe this is the current list of all covers I am aware of (note 3 new Issue #1 covers came out today - the Clayton Crain ones sold out in less than a minute other than the $200 CGC Signature Series):

Whaaaaaat?!? Even MORE covers?!? I shouldn't be surprised but... damn.

Picked up my copies of #1 today, I'll get a photo of them up later, but at a glance it's difficult to tell the 1:75 and 1:100 apart.

The Alex Ross Art .com edition went up for sale yesterday and it looks like the $100 and $200 copies have sold out!

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 26, 2024, 06:45:52 PMWhaaaaaat?!? Even MORE covers?!?

This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy!

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/5783/C0mY22.jpg)

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 26, 2024, 06:49:04 PMPicked up my copies of #1 today, I'll get a photo of them up later, but at a glance it's difficult to tell the 1:75 and 1:100 apart.

The Alex Ross Art .com edition went up for sale yesterday and it looks like the $100 and $200 copies have sold out!

I have purchased (or preordered) a copy of every cover that has been released or announced thus far including the unsigned and CGC Signature Series 9.8 of Ross, Skottie Young and Crain. I REALLY want them to stop making alternate covers.

Quote from: fearliath on April 26, 2024, 07:31:35 PMI REALLY want them to stop making alternate covers.

;D

Quote from: fearliath on April 26, 2024, 07:31:35 PMI have purchased (or preordered) a copy of every cover that has been released or announced thus far including the unsigned and CGC Signature Series 9.8 of Ross, Skottie Young and Crain. I REALLY want them to stop making alternate covers.

I hear ya! And I still feel like I'm totally outta the loop with these! How did you find out about these three new variations? And do you know anything about how to acquire the Andrew Currey covers without attending C2E2?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 26, 2024, 07:42:50 PMI hear ya! And I still feel like I'm totally outta the loop with these! How did you find out about these three new variations? And do you know anything about how to acquire the Andrew Currey covers without attending C2E2?

I keep finding them through eBay auctions (presales) and then I go to the original source where possible and buy it for 1/3 the price it is being sold on eBay.

That being said, there is apparently no way to get the Currey covers without being at C2E2. There is someone on ebay who had 5 copies of each (regular and foil) in hand for a reasonable price but I just checked and he sold them all. Others on eBay have them.

I must be the oddball of our club. I didn't like the comic.  :'(

Quote from: fearliath on April 26, 2024, 07:47:31 PMI keep finding them through eBay auctions (presales) and then I go to the original source where possible and buy it for 1/3 the price it is being sold on eBay.

It's so wild to me that there is not a good clearinghouse for information on all editions of this issue.

QuoteThat being said, there is apparently no way to get the Currey covers without being at C2E2. There is someone on ebay who had 5 copies of each (regular and foil) in hand for a reasonable price but I just checked and he sold them all. Others on eBay have them.

What's a good email address for you to receive an invite to whatnot?

Quote from: Anton Phibes on April 26, 2024, 07:59:26 PMI must be the oddball of our club. I didn't like the comic.  :'(

I don't think I will either, to be honest, but I haven't sat down with it yet. That said, the very idea of "True Detective meets the Creature from the Black Lagoon" sounds laughably dumb to me so...

Of course it might turn out to be interesting after all. I'll give it a fair shake, but reading that the writer(s) wanted to introduce "existential dread" and name checked the True Detective television show (specifically only the first season) didn't set much of a bar for me. Were I an editor on it I would quickly say "Try again".

I had mixed reactions to the first issue too. The plot wasn't all that original, but maybe there's more twists and turns coming in the next issues.

My favorite read of this weeks comics was Paperfilms "Fantasima".

RF

Here's the three latest (last?) #1s.

Clayton Crain
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/9811/Gknv4m.jpg)

Andrew Currey and foil var.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/855/Xhf6Od.jpg)

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8665/DnY5ue.jpg)

Don't know what's up with this. Nimit Malavia var. this guy was selling as a set with these 2 others

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/5226/r8NKhj.jpg)

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 27, 2024, 09:26:18 PMDon't know what's up with this. Nimit Malavia var. this guy was selling as a set with these 2 others

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/5226/r8NKhj.jpg)

The first one is this one:

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Funky Town Comics & Vinyl Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Nimit Malavia

Available for purchase directly from Funky Town Comics & Vinyl HERE (https://www.funkytowncomicsvinyl.com/product/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-nimit-malavia-exclusive-cover-presale-4-24/1566?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false).

The other two are new to me, bringing the current yet probably still growing total to, what, 18? That's not much of a surprise to me, but the lack of blanket marketing letting fans know just what's out there remains surprising.

Do you have any further info on those last two, Mike?

Edit: I found 'em. But what a ridiculous pain in the ass Skybound has made this by NOT PUBLICIZING THE DAMNED VARIANTS. 🤬

The other two are "trade" and "virgin" (ugh) editions of a cover by Tonči Zonjić exclusive to Adam's Action Figures & Comics, a store in Rootstown, Ohio that is exhibiting at C2E2 this weekend. They are $9.99, 750 copies and $14.99, 500 copies respectively. Facebook seems to be the place they announced and advertised them, they aren't (yet?) on the stores website. They also have a large poster of the image at their C2E2 booth, but it looks like it's a one off for advertising. Funny enough, I really like this cover a lot.

I get the whole "artistic license/liberty" idea....but is it really so hard to just make The Creature look like....The Creature??? :angel:  :angel:

Quote from: Anton Phibes on April 27, 2024, 10:55:55 PM....but is it really so hard to just make The Creature look like....The Creature???

Ya can't fix perfect!  ;D

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 27, 2024, 10:25:32 PMDo you have any further info on those last two, Mike?

I typed out an answer to that, but must have screwed up posting it.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 27, 2024, 10:25:32 PMThe other two are "trade" and "virgin" (ugh) editions of a cover by Tonči Zonjić exclusive to Adam's Action Figures & Comics

I'll keep my eye out for some better pics. I woder what's next?!

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 28, 2024, 12:30:30 AMI'll keep my eye out for some better pics.

emailed 'em to ya

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 28, 2024, 12:49:25 AMemailed 'em to ya

Thanks!  :)

The Adam's Action Figures & Comics will be available direct from the store after C2E2, fyi.

Here are digital images of their Tonči Zonjić covers, which I like quite a bit:






and photos of the comics themselves (not mine):







and a photo of their C2E2 set up. That is a one off poster, but I would personally love to have this image that large. The post it notes seem to get the limitation incorrect, the cover without the trade dress (no logos etc) is supposedly limited to 500:

Are you attending the show? How is it?
RF

Quote from: Rex fury on April 28, 2024, 02:21:37 PMAre you attending the show? How is it?
RF

Hey Rex, I did not, but I heard a lot of positive feedback about it. It's been an age since I've been in Chicago.

Speaking of the show, Beachside Hobbies has the remaining stock of their covers available on their WEBSITE (https://beachsidehobbies.com/products/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-c2e2-andrew-currey-exclusive-limited-to-500?variant=48521891610936).

Being located in the Pacific Northwest has kept me to shows mainly up and down the West Coast. I've been looking at shows in other parts of the country, and always appreciate hearing what's good and old school on the convention scene.
Thanks for posting the link to Beachside Hobbies, I know a lot of folks are chasing those alternatives covers!
RF

They just keep stacking 'em up. This makes cover 19, by my count, not that I blame 'em. Ole' Gill is a popular character and all. 

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Bill Sienkiewicz Art .com Exclusive (limited to 750) by Bill Sienkiewicz

$30 for the unsigned. A signed with Certificate of Authenticity and a CGC their will be available.

While the website lists it as "sold out" it has in fact yet to be presented for sale and is to be available tomorrow, Tuesday 30 April. As was with the Alex Ross edition, sign up for the "waitlist" on the Sienkiewicz WEBSITE (https://billsienkiewiczart.com/products/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-exclusive).




Anyone recognize that pose? Sienkiewicz is a master illustrator, fantastically adept in a number of mediums and will occasionally reference other works and there's something about this figure that makes me think it's a homage or nod to someone else's work, but i can't bring it to mind. Thoughts?

 

Is that the cover as published?

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 29, 2024, 01:28:21 PMIs that the cover as published?

That's the image from his website. It's an already existing commission piece, so it's possible that's not the actual cover, but I'm thinking it is. Much like the Alex Ross versions, there's no good place for the trade dress.

Quote from: Rex fury on April 29, 2024, 10:00:15 AMBeing located in the Pacific Northwest has kept me to shows mainly up and down the West Coast. I've been looking at shows in other parts of the country, and always appreciate hearing what's good and old school on the convention scene.
RF

Oh, I hear ya. I was based in Portland for about 20 years, and was always flying out or driving up or down for one show or another. I've actually never attended a ReedPop Chicago show, but have attended several of their NYC shows.

As far as a truly comic book focused show, I love HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC, put on these last 44 years by Heroes Aren't Hard To Find shop owner Shelton Drum. The Baltimore Comic-Con in Maryland is a great show, maybe more-so than others if your making such a trek. NYCC is expensive but filled with all the things and, of course, San Diego Comic-Con is the big one. I did twenty of those over my time in the industry, and always as a professional. As amazing of a show as it is, I've always viewed the public's experience as grueling. I have been very curious about the San Diego Comic Fest which, while much smaller, is a comic book show, though tilted toward creators, I believe.

Do you collect comic art? I'm super curious about the comic book art shows that have popped up, and have heard great things about the recent Orlando show and the continuing L.A. and NYC shows.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 01:33:03 PM. . but I'm thinking it is.

It is. Just saw a pic of a slabbed example.

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 29, 2024, 01:39:08 PMIt is. Just saw a pic of a slabbed example.

That's almost assuredly a photoshop job made up for sales.

Looking again, that's 100% photoshop. The image isn't even comic book proportion - it's too thin - plus that's not the title of the comic, etc etc.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 01:43:09 PMThat's almost assuredly a photoshop job made up for sales.

Well, crap!

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 12:49:22 PMAnyone recognize that pose? Sienkiewicz is a master illustrator, fantastically adept in a number of mediums and will occasionally reference other works and there's something about this figure that makes me think it's a homage or nod to someone else's work, but i can't bring it to mind. Thoughts?

My first thought is it looked like something Swamp Thing. Like this:
https://sebastianmeyer.artstation.com/projects/Vd9R4n

Quote from: fearliath on April 29, 2024, 01:59:32 PMMy first thought is it looked like something Swamp Thing.

When I first saw it years ago "Swamp Thing!" popped into my mind, but I'm thinking that's just because the body looks more like Swamp Thing than the Creature. I've just never figured it out.

Are you keeping up with all of these covers, fearliath? I got all of the retailer versions, the editions offered at wholesale, but my wallet isn't fat enough right now for all of the rest of these, nor do I have the patience for it. I did see that, beyond stock held back for sale at this July's San Diego Comic-Con, alexrossart.com announced they have sold out of every tier of their cover. At $50 for an unsigned version, that is the most expensive "retail price" for a unsigned copy of any of these, isn't it?

I have purchased every version of every cover with the exception of the Adams Action Figures & Comics covers (I hope to get those when they go on their website  - I really like that cover) and then this new Bill Sienkiewicz that I hope to get tomorrow.

What does this mean?  "blond a stock held back for sale at this July's San Diego Comic-Con"

Quote from: fearliath on April 29, 2024, 04:10:22 PMI have purchased every version of every cover with the exception of the Adams Action Figures & Comics covers (I hope to get those when they go on their website  - I really like that cover) and then this new Bill Sienkiewicz that I hope to get tomorrow.

Wow, kudos on going all in! I too plan on purchasing the Adams Action Figures & Comics cover. They style or art really appeals to me. Perhaps message the comic chip via their facebook page. I did and Adam thought he'd have them available on Tuesday (tomorrow) and said he would message me.

QuoteWhat does this mean?  "blond a stock held back for sale at this July's San Diego Comic-Con"

Ah, that's me typing without looking at the auto-correct. It should read "BEYOND stock held back...", meaning that they set aside some copies to be sold at the convention. I've corrected it.

Did you ever determine if you got the 1:100 and 1:75? I realize now I forgot to take a photo of them.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 04:20:38 PMWow, kudos on going all in! I too plan on purchasing the Adams Action Figures & Comics cover. They style or art really appeals to me. Perhaps message the comic chip via their facebook page. I did and Adam thought he'd have them available on Tuesday (tomorrow) and said he would message me.

Ah, that's me typing without looking at the auto-correct. It should read "BEYOND stock held back...", meaning that they set aside some copies to be sold at the convention. I've corrected it.

Did you ever determine if you got the 1:100 and 1:75? I realize now I forgot to take a photo of them.

I don't have any social media so I'll have to just pay attention to their website.

I was worried you meant they were holding back additional variant covers to release at SDCC.

The 1:75 and 1:100 are definitely different. Not THAT much different, but there is a difference.

Here's a fun, one-of-a-kind example of the use of Cover H, the Blank Sketch Cover.

Posted by Eric Powell of The Goon (http://www.thegoon.com) fame (who previously illustrated the Creature on the cover of Universal Monsters: Calvacade of Horror, the 2006 trade paperback collecting Dark Horse Comics' Universal Monsters comics), I believe he did this for a fan at C2E2 this past weekend.





Just to be clear, that an ink drawing done directly onto the white cover. You can see why those blank covers have become so popular among the convention going crowd.


And just for fun, here's the original Universal Monsters: Calvacade of Horror cover painting followed by how it appears in print on the actual book. Sadly, I don't own the painting, just an image of it I've kept because I've always liked how wonky it is.

Quote from: fearliath on April 29, 2024, 04:40:53 PMThe 1:75 and 1:100 are definitely different.

Which ones are 1:100 and 1:75? Artist?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 06:05:58 PMHere's a fun, one-of-a-kind example of the use of Cover H, the Blank Sketch Cover.

I saw another one on eBay. Wasn't as nice as this one, though.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 01:35:49 PMOh, I hear ya. I was based in Portland for about 20 years, and was always flying out or driving up or down for one show or another. I've actually never attended a ReedPop Chicago show, but have attended several of their NYC shows.

As far as a truly comic book focused show, I love HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC, put on these last 44 years by Heroes Aren't Hard To Find shop owner Shelton Drum. The Baltimore Comic-Con in Maryland is a great show, maybe more-so than others if your making such a trek. NYCC is expensive but filled with all the things and, of course, San Diego Comic-Con is the big one. I did twenty of those over my time in the industry, and always as a professional. As amazing of a show as it is, I've always viewed the public's experience as grueling. I have been very curious about the San Diego Comic Fest which, while much smaller, is a comic book show, though tilted toward creators, I believe.

Do you collect comic art? I'm super curious about the comic book art shows that have popped up, and have heard great things about the recent Orlando show and the continuing L.A. and NYC shows.
 


Well we undoubtedly crossed paths at some time all those years ago! I attended SDCC back when it was still held at the Coronado. Finally, by 1993, it had evolved a little too much for my tastes. I used to go to all the Portland shows. As I recall a lot of them were sponsored by Richard Finn ( I may be miss-remembering this) and they were fun!

I don't really collect original art, so I'm no help on how those shows are to attend.

Thanks for the suggestions! Heroes Con is on my radar; I may give that show a try. My daughters getting involved with the business through her art school in Cincinnati, so I'm going to help her out at a show there next September.
RF

Quote from: Rex fury on April 29, 2024, 06:48:46 PMWell we undoubtedly crossed paths at some time all those years ago! I attended SDCC back when it was still held at the Coronado. Finally, by 1993, it had evolved a little too much for my tastes. I used to go to all the Portland shows. As I recall a lot of them were sponsored by Richard Finn ( I may be miss-remembering this) and they were fun!

Oh yes, Richard's shows were always fun, and Second Genesis was a cool store. These days Rose City Comic Con (https://rosecitycomiccon.com) is the big Portland show.

QuoteThanks for the suggestions! Heroes Con is on my radar; I may give that show a try. My daughters getting involved with the business through her art school in Cincinnati, so I'm going to help her out at a show there next September.
RF

That's fun! Which school in Cinci?

Quote from: Mike Scott on April 29, 2024, 06:22:12 PMWhich ones are 1:100 and 1:75? Artist?

Those are the Alex Ross pencil covers, one of which is on foil.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 29, 2024, 07:24:47 PMOh yes, Richard's shows were always fun, and Second Genesis was a cool store. These days Rose City Comic Con (https://rosecitycomiccon.com) is the big Portland show.

That's fun! Which school in Cinci?

The Art Academy of Cincinnati
She got a scholarship there!
RF

Hey fearliath,

For some reason I still can't PM you:

I just had a messenger exchange with Adam about publicizing his edition here on the UMA and he told me he would let me know when they're up on his site.

I've been refreshing the Sienkiewicz and checking my email off and on most of the day and haven't seen anything as yet.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on April 30, 2024, 02:55:56 PMHey fearliath,


I've been refreshing the Sienkiewicz and checking my email off and on most of the day and haven't seen anything as yet.

I've been doing the same thing and I have to go to my kids track meet soon so I'll probably miss when it goes live.

Quote from: fearliath on April 30, 2024, 03:04:18 PMI've been doing the same thing and I have to go to my kids track meet soon so I'll probably miss when it goes live.

While popular, Sienkiewicz isn't a super "hot" artist, so hopefully there will be some available. I take it you don't have a smart phone (or don't wanna bury your nose in it while real life happens right in front of you)?

I have a smart phone but I can't monitor it at a track meet. In my office I just have it up on a 3rd monitor.

Well, if the Sienkiewicz cover ever went up for sale, I missed it entirely. The WEBSITE (https://billsienkiewiczart.com/products/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-exclusive) still reads "goes on sale Tuesday 4/30—join the waitlist" but 30 April has come and gone across the globe. Perhaps it has been delayed rather than selling out in the blink of an eye  without notification to the waitlist?

Adam from Adam's Action Figures & Comics (https://www.adamsactionfiguresandcomics.com/shop/) got in touch with me via Facebook Messenger and sent me a PayPal invoice for one each of his exclusive covers, drawn by Tonči Zonjić. I bought both because he was kind enough to make the effort and offer, and I really do love the image and art style. Turns out Zonjić is Croatian and credits fellow Croatian artists Edvin Biuković and Darko Macan - two artists whose work I adore - with his interest in comics and even worked with Macan (Biuković died far too young, sadly).

Anyway, I told Adam I would publicize that he has copies of his exclusive available and he thanked me, but it doesn't look like he's updated his website as yet. Perhaps email him at the email listed on his stores fb page: adamsabol7(*at*)netzero.net

I never saw the Sienkiewicz cover post and I never got an email that my waitlist slot was ready.

Update: I called Adam and sent him my Paypal to purchase both covers.

I wish it wasn't so challenging to get these covers.

Quote from: fearliath on May 01, 2024, 01:09:11 PMI wish it wasn't so challenging to get these covers.

Yeah, while I've admittedly not been as close to the industry in a while, I'm pretty shocked not so much by the hoops people have to jump through for the manufactured scarcity of "exclusives", but by the lack of clear messaging about them. Particularly for a licensed item, as the publisher is ultimately responsible to the licensor for representing them. I've got to wonder if Universal is going to get any complaints from people who aren't as familiar with the ins and outs of collectibles.

I reached out to Bill Sienkiewicz Art asking if their exclusive cover had been released or when it is expected to be released. They responded:

"It has not been released yet."

Quote from: fearliath on May 02, 2024, 01:58:43 PMI reached out to Bill Sienkiewicz Art asking if their exclusive cover had been released or when it is expected to be released. They responded:

"It has not been released yet."

I'm glad they responded to you, as I got ignored!  :o  That said, sure would be nice to know when they plan to release it.

I'm meant to ask, fearliath, when you get all of your various variants, will you take a look at the bar codes? They should be in sequence as covers A - H are, and that might help us puzzle out if there are any more #1s waiting in the wings. Thanks!

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 02, 2024, 03:27:10 PMI'm meant to ask, fearliath, when you get all of your various variants, will you take a look at the bar codes? They should be in sequence as covers A - H are, and that might help us puzzle out if there are any more #1s waiting in the wings. Thanks!

I have a few already so I will try to get to that tonight (I have a baseball game to coach followed by a soccer game).

Quote from: fearliath on May 02, 2024, 03:40:03 PMI have a few already so I will try to get to that tonight (I have a baseball game to coach followed by a soccer game).

No rush!

The Sienkiewicz cover is currently available.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 02, 2024, 03:27:10 PMI'm meant to ask, fearliath, when you get all of your various variants, will you take a look at the bar codes? They should be in sequence as covers A - H are, and that might help us puzzle out if there are any more #1s waiting in the wings. Thanks!

The UPC numbers on Covers A-H start at 00111, 00121, 00131 and so on up to 00191. It's weird in that it skips 00171. It goes Alex Ross 1:75 with a number of 00161, skips 00171 then the Alex Ross foil cover is 00181 and the blank cover is 00191.

On the exclusive covers I have so far it seems to start this type of numbering scheme over again with the Skottie Young cover being the highest number I have so far at 00181.

Quote from: fearliath on May 02, 2024, 10:22:56 PMOn the exclusive covers I have so far it seems to start this type of numbering scheme over again with the Skottie Young cover being the highest number I have so far at 00181.

Did they skip the 00171 number again?

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 03, 2024, 12:10:03 AMDid they skip the 00171 number again?

On covers A through H, yes.

The other covers should have distinct codes. Are the first ten of the UPC the same as on A through H?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 03, 2024, 12:43:50 AMThe other covers should have distinct codes. Are the first ten of the UPC the same as on A through H?

That's what I thought fearliath meant, that they are repeating the same #s again. Maybe I misread it.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 03, 2024, 12:43:50 AMOn covers A through H, yes.

The other covers should have distinct codes. Are the first ten of the UPC the same as on A through H?

The first 10 of the UPC are identical on every cover (A-H and exclusives).

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 03, 2024, 12:10:03 AMDid they skip the 00171 number again?

I haven't received all the exclusive covers yet so I don't know all the numbers. I just know the ones I have follow the same numbering scheme. I do know that on A-H there is a 6 between the first UPC code (first 10 digits) and the second UPC code. On MOST, but not all, of the Exclusives there is a 3 in that spot.
I probably need to get all the exclusives to make more sense of it. When I do I'll give the full UPC readout for all the covers.

Well, I finally sat down with the comic, Creature Lives! #1 and... I found it extremely underwhelming. From the tepid story and its tedious pace (and yet such a short comic!) to the inexplicable redesign of the Creature, it certainly shows that the people behind this are much more fans of themselves than of the Gill Man. I could get into more of a critique of the "story" but... why? What a shame Uni waits 70 years to do something like this, only to have it turn out as this.

And, the art... while I understand that you've absolutely got to stylise the Creature for illustration, in the same way that any real thing with such detail has got to be simplified for an illustrated narrative, who was asleep at Universal when it came time to approve adapting the arguably most lauded monster design there is into the goofy big eyed goblin looking scarecrow chosen for this? I know those jobs tend to be a revolving door of people uneducated in the subject matter but it honestly looks like someone trying to knock off the Creature more than it looks like, you know, the title character. Poor choice, in my experience of it. Once again, what a shame no one in this entire endeavour was smart enough to stick with the actual design of the monster for the interior of the comic. Your mileage, of course, may vary, but I'm disappointed in it.

Oh well. I was probably buying them more for the covers, anyway.  :-\ 

I think the best adaptation of CFTBL came from DarkHorse. While Art Adams art can appear a little cartoonish, the story, look of the monster, and overall package was pretty good.
Back in '62, Dell had a nice new story for the Creature. However other attempts at new material were not so much to my liking. The novel (also from DarkHorse?) from the 90's was okay. This new attempt at an original story has, so far, not been all that original. Maybe it will improve in both story and art as the next couple issues come along...
RF

Thankfully, NOT another cover, but Tonči Zonjić's blog showing his process including a self-rejected design which can all be seen HERE (https://tozo.today/cover-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives/).

He made the right choice.  :)

There's going to be a 2nd printing of issue #1 with a cover by Francesco Francavilla.


Skybound PR (https://www.skybound.com/announcements/universal-monsters/check-out-cover-universal-monsters-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-lives-1-second-printing#:~:text=%231%20Second%20Printing%20(Lunar%20Code,Wednesday%2C%20June%2012%2C%202024.&text=For%20exclusive%20Skybound%20coverage%20and%20rewards%2C%20join%20Skybound%20Insiders%20now.)

A big ole hotlinked image:

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 16, 2024, 12:02:04 AMThere's going to be a 2nd printing of issue #1

Why do they need a second printing? Can't they just do another alt. cover?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 16, 2024, 12:02:04 AMThere's going to be a 2nd printing of issue #1 with a cover by Francesco Francavilla.

Oh come on! I'd mentioned in a prior post that the Issue #1 non-exclusive covers skipped UPC code number 00171 and moved from 00161 to 00181. I wonder if this is 00171?

I have all the Exclusive covers now except Bill Sienkiewicz (hasn't shipped). On the ones I have the UPC numbers are as follows:

Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Encased Comics Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Vincenzo Riccardi – 00111
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Stadium Comics Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Michael Walsh – 00121
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies C2E22024 Exclusive (limited to 500) by Andrew Currey – 00131
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Beachside Hobbies C2E22024 Exclusive (limited to 500) by Andrew Currey on foil – 00131 (same number as non-foil)
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Adam's Action Figures & Comics Exclusive at C2E2 Convention (limited to 750) by Tonči Zonjić Trade Cover – 00141
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Adam's Action Figures & Comics Exclusive at C2E2 Convention (limited to 500) by Tonči Zonjić Virgin Cover – 00151
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Funky Town Comics & Vinyl Exclusive Cover (limited to 750) by Nimit Malavia – 00161
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 ClaytonCrain.com Exclusive (limited to 200) by Clayton Crain – 00171
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 SkottieYoung .com Exclusive Cover (limited to 1200) by Skottie Young – 00181
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Alex Ross Art Website Exclusive Cover (limited to 1000) by Alex Ross painted version – 00191
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Bill SienkiewiczArt .com Exclusive (limited to 750) by Bill Sienkiewicz - Unknown

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 16, 2024, 01:26:52 AMWhy do they need a second printing? Can't they just do another alt. cover?

Hey Mike, I can't tell if you're kidding or not, if so, ignore this, I just didn't get the joke. If not...

This is another alternate cover, but on a second printing of the comic. The PR mentions that the comic, issue 1, has sold out at the "distributor level" meaning there are zero copies available for wholesale purchase. At this stage, a new edition is a second printing, simple as that.

Quote from: fearliath on May 16, 2024, 01:01:01 PMOh come on!

Dracula #1 went into three printings, and that second and third have new covers exclusive to that printing, fair warning. An upside is it's unusual to have an alternate covers on a later printings.  Not unheard of, but usually one per each printing.

Also, I suspect (but have zero actual knowledge) that there's going to be some sort of San Diego Comic-Con edition and have to wonder about New York Comic Con.

Also also, issue 4 is available for pre-order from comic shops.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 16, 2024, 01:08:13 PMHey Mike, I can't tell if you're kidding or not

Not this time.  ;D

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 16, 2024, 01:08:13 PMThis is another alternate cover, but on a second printing of the comic.

I don't get the concept. They printed up a bunch of the guts and different covers and they ran out of the guts, so why not just print some more?

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 16, 2024, 04:29:54 PMNot this time.  ;D

I don't get the concept. They printed up a bunch of the guts and different covers and they ran out of the guts, so why not just print some more?

Probably because dorks like me will but the 2nd printing if it has a different cover...

Quote from: fearliath on May 16, 2024, 04:57:36 PMProbably because dorks like me will but the 2nd printing if it has a different cover...

You already got about 15 to choose from! ;D

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 16, 2024, 04:29:54 PMI don't get the concept. They printed up a bunch of the guts and different covers and they ran out of the guts, so why not just print some more?

They are printing more. It's the very definition of a subsequent printing, in this case the second. What's not to "get"?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 16, 2024, 07:53:14 PMThey are printing more. It's the very definition of a subsequent printing, in this case the second. What's not to "get"?

So, is there any way to tell it's a 2nd printing, just by looking at it? Does it say "second printing" on the cover, or on the credits page?

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 16, 2024, 08:18:52 PMSo, is there any way to tell it's a 2nd printing, just by looking at it? Does it say "second printing" on the cover, or on the credits page?

Mike, did YOU look at it? This is where you've lost me again, unless you're intentionally trolling. The cover I posted is clearly labeled SECOND PRINTING. Not every printing of a comic carries the printing info on the cover, but this one does if the image the publisher released is to be believed.  Unless someone f&*%s up, printing info is typically at least listed in the indicia along with copyright and the like.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 16, 2024, 07:53:14 PMThe cover I posted is clearly labeled SECOND PRINTING.

I didn't catch it.

Kind of confusing, though, since it is the first printing of that cover.

Quote from: Mike Scott on May 16, 2024, 09:21:28 PMI didn't catch it.

Kind of confusing, though, since it is the first printing of that cover.

Dunno how to help you there other than to point out that in the multi-hundred year history of print publishing, it's incredibly common to change the covers of subsequent printings and re-releases. Print, film, video... these days it's far far far less common for a change NOT to be made in presentation, particularly for a "collectible", which comics solidly are.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 17, 2024, 09:34:16 PM. . . less common for a change NOT to be made in presentation, particularly for a "collectible", which comics solidly are.

Yeah, I guess they do those things.

Issue number two is officially released today. Hopefully there aren't any exclusive editions popping up!

Anybody get your Creature #2 issues, yet? I thought they were supposed to come out at the end of last month.

Quote from: Mike Scott on June 11, 2024, 03:13:44 PMAnybody get your Creature #2 issues, yet? I thought they were supposed to come out at the end of last month.

It shipped and was in store on 29 May. Unfortunately is just as dumb if not dumber than issue 1. Such a waste of efforts.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on June 11, 2024, 07:14:32 PMSuch a waste of efforts.

Oh well! They're all already paid for.

I never received the second issue either. I looked for it on Read Comics Online, but the site only had the first issue.

Well there was yet one more exclusive cover for Creature issue #1. It is the Beachside Comics cover from C2E2 but with 24k gold gilded over the eyes of the Creature. Only 50 made. It was supposed to be at C2E2 but wasn't ready so it was sold at the Dallas Fan Expo last week.

Finally got my Creature #2 comics. I had only ordered covers A and B, but he threw in cover C, maybe because delivery was delayed for a few weeks.

I found yet another variant of Issue #1. It is a FOIL version of the Alex Ross website exclusive (not the 1:100 incentive version).  The website exclusive versions have an Alex Ross logo on the back cover (the incentive copies do not). I have absolutely no idea how it exists because it was never sold on his website (I got the version on his website, the 1:100 version and the 1:75 version). This is the exact same as the website exclusive version except it is foil instead of the regular cover.

Direct link to the updated list of all known variants/exclusives of The Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives:
https://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=36523.msg624242#msg624242

Quote from: fearliath on June 26, 2024, 01:19:14 PMDirect link to the updated list of all known variants/exclusives

That text was so tiny. I enlarged it a bit.

Creature #3 A&B came today. One more to go.

Quote from: Mike Scott on July 01, 2024, 03:35:24 PMCreature #3 A&B came today. One more to go.

And then the collected editions...

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on July 01, 2024, 08:27:17 PMAnd then the collected editions...

Which will consist of . . .?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on July 01, 2024, 08:27:17 PMAnd then the collected editions...

What is this referring to?

Quote from: Mike Scott on July 01, 2024, 09:02:57 PMWhich will consist of . . .?

Quote from: fearliath on July 03, 2024, 12:33:54 AMWhat is this referring to?

Like their collected edition of Dracula, I suspect there will be at least two covers for a hardcover book comprised of all four issues of the Creature series, then a softcover even further down the line.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on July 05, 2024, 04:20:56 PMI suspect there will be at least two covers for a hardcover book comprised of all four issues of the Creature series

The only way I would buy it is if it had every cover.

I just read the third issue of Creature and I take back everything I've said so far, but only so I can say with greater emphasis that this is an irredeemably stupid comic. Sub-par art, yes, but an astonishingly moronic story. It's nearly unfathomable to me that this actually exists. No matter how it ends, what a colossal waste of efforts, ink, paper, money, and - most important - what a disservice to the Creature.

Even if the last page of issue three turns out to be the result of the beaten-to-death-if-it-ever-had-life "anoxic brain damage" suffered by the main character, it's as if the writers want to sabotage the very idea of the Creature with their hacked out inanity. Everyone involved in this should be ashamed of themselves, but whomever it was at Uni that approved this should be drummed out of the industry entirely. Perhaps they'd be qualified to deliver groceries, but certainly they're unqualified for brand management and anything involving creativity.

As objects, the comics are neat to have because of their generally well executed covers, but what an inexcusably dumb story.


I know, I know... but what do I really think?  ;D

I have to agree. I wonder if the same folks who approved the Dark Universe had a hand in this. Perhaps they got wind of DC's plan to launch the animated Creature Commandos and thought hey we can have a commando of our own... At least he wasn't wearing a cape!

What really perplexed me was the three pages of positive letters printed in the back. Not one took a shot at critical comment.

RF

Quote from: Rex fury on July 13, 2024, 10:40:53 AMNot one took a shot at critical comment.

Did you think they'd publish the bad reviews?  ;D

Got the last of the Creature comics, today. Still haven't read any.

Quote from: Mike Scott on July 23, 2024, 04:51:14 PMStill haven't read any.

I recommend against.  ;D

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on July 23, 2024, 10:12:22 PMI recommend against.  ;D

I'll just look at the pretty covers.

Quote from: Mike Scott on July 23, 2024, 10:38:58 PMI'll just look at the pretty covers.

Smart move.

The story in the comic played out pretty much as I thought it would and I'll once again and for a final time state just how insipid, uninspired, lazy, and outright dumb I found it. "We're the real monsters, man!" What a sorry joke.

Read Frankenstein today. Huge improvement over the Creature and Dracula series. It does retell the original movie like Dracula but unlike it, it does so from new POVs that are interesting and not boring at all.
The artwork is also stunning and feels like old school Horror posters at times. It also nails the Universal Monsters vibe which was lacking in the previous minis too.

Quote from: MikeSTZillak on August 29, 2024, 11:31:43 AMRead Frankenstein today. Huge improvement over the Creature and Dracula series. It does retell the original movie like Dracula but unlike it, it does so from new POVs that are interesting and not boring at all.
The artwork is also stunning and feels like old school Horror posters at times. It also nails the Universal Monsters vibe which was lacking in the previous minis too.

That's great to hear! It is written and drawn by a much more accomplished creator, Michael Walsh - with art assist in some fashion from Toni Marie Griffen. Michael clearly has a passion for the Monster and, most importantly, gets it in terms of not being the sort of fool to mix peanut butter and sour cream in the fashion the architects of the Creature Lives series did.

I was happy with the new Frankenstein comic. Great new take on the story so far.

So one of the writers for the Creature comic series had an AMA on r/DCComics and was asked a bit about the series: https://old.reddit.com/r/DCcomics/comments/1ff7ya9/im_comics_writer_dan_watters_in_advance_of_my/lmtcsq4/ (https://old.reddit.com/r/DCcomics/comments/1ff7ya9/im_comics_writer_dan_watters_in_advance_of_my/lmtcsq4/)

"Hey, I have a question about the Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives miniseries.

QuoteA while ago, Ram V said that only the first film was considered canon to it ignoring the sequels. My question is that was it a purposefully done retcon for the story or was it a contractual thing from Universal to only use the first film?"

It was for story purposes. The rough outline was in place and approved before I came on board, but setting is important for a story, and the sequels drifted away from the Black Lagoon itself. We wanted to return to the idea of the creature as an ethereal myth-like being, which is really at the heart of the original.

So, are they all done with these, including extra covers?

Quote from: Mike Scott on September 13, 2024, 09:11:40 AMSo, are they all done with these, including extra covers?

These being... UM comics or just Creature or...?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on September 15, 2024, 12:55:14 AMThese being... UM comics or just Creature or...?

Boff

Frank has three more issues to come out and then the hardback complete book will come out for Creature, and we assume the complete Frank story will come out later. As of today, nothing further has been announced.

Quote from: Mike Scott on September 15, 2024, 10:00:39 AMBoff

?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on September 15, 2024, 08:14:40 PM?

Boff of dem.

Quote from: Mike Scott on September 15, 2024, 08:40:06 PMBoff of dem.

Creature is over, Frankenstein is still going.

Next one up will be The Mummy: https://www.slashfilm.com/1736278/the-mummy-skybound-universal-horror-comic-book-revival/ (https://www.slashfilm.com/1736278/the-mummy-skybound-universal-horror-comic-book-revival/)

(https://www.slashfilm.com/img/uploads/embed/it-99bbYP-1733959685.jpg)
(https://www.slashfilm.com/img/uploads/embed/it-taRWEC-1733961443.jpg)
(https://www.slashfilm.com/img/uploads/embed/it-ExSN88-1733961415.jpg)
(https://www.slashfilm.com/img/uploads/embed/it-Wh2d69-1733960965.jpg)

They've announced The Invisible Man will be next after The Mummy. Beginning this August. Looking forward to it! I've been enjoying these comics so far

Been a minute, but I was on a Skybound retailer video call earlier today about the next seven months of the Universal Monsters line and while I can't reveal the titles, there are some fun ones coming up, all without a month or two hiatus in between that we had in the first two years of series. Skybound has also already shipped volume one of a black and white, two volume edition of the original Dracula series and that has been a good seller for them. Expect more along those lines... (glub glub).

I thought they were done with those a long time ago.

Quote from: Mike Scott on November 13, 2025, 08:22:46 PMI thought they were done with those a long time ago.

The line itself? It's actually been a very strong seller. The Invisible Man book in particular has gotten some accolades, but after that abysmal Creature rag, I'm pretty much only going to check out the trades (and even then likely only on loan).

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on November 13, 2025, 10:00:06 PMThe line itself?

Nobody's posted about for a long time, so I thought it was done.

Other then Frankenstein, I haven't been a fan of the series. If it's selling well for Skybound that's great for the industry. I hope the new stuff will continue to be successful and be of more interest to me.

Quote from: Rex fury on November 14, 2025, 10:25:01 AMOther then Frankenstein, I haven't been a fan of the series.

Have you read any of The Invisible Man? It looked interesting to me but, like I say, after Creature... I'm not willing to put any money in.

QuoteIf it's selling well for Skybound that's great for the industry. I hope the new stuff will continue to be successful and be of more interest to me.

Same. And Skybound stated that the books are solid sellers, with the license having been freshly renewed. The  series starting June '26 looked great, with both writing and art that I'll likely find appealing enough to check out monthly. That should be announced early next year.

I just checked out the Invisible Man as suggested by Dark...
I hadn't followed it before, but found the first three issues to be pretty good.
Having read earlier adaptations, such as Supernatural Thrillers, the new version does a nice job with the " expanded storytelling " format that is popular in today's comics. At times, I find this technique a little overused (in hope of hitting a correct page count for the inevitable graphic novel?) However, for this version of the Invisible Man it works nicely.
I'd still like to see some LOCs that offer criticism. Half the fun of reading comics in the 60's and 70's was reading the fan's heartfelt analysis of their favorite books.

Revealed yesterday, the first new Universal Monsters series of 2026 is... Phantom of the Opera. Of particular interest is the use of the Phantom Uni still has under copyright, the '43 Claud Rains vehicle, the only Universal "monster" movie to win any Oscars.

Here's a link to some of the hot goss, including covers. The die-cut mask is a fun one.








And here is a preview of the book (and the reason I will not be buying it):








While the story sounds interesting to me, I could barely parse Simmonds' work on Dracula and can't get over what I consider to be the same muddy, sub-par artwork here. To each their own, of course.

None for me thanks. At least they are keeping some version of the monsters in the public eye. I'm going to bed. :angel:

Sad that they are not using the only great version of The Phantom, but the Temu Phantom that is still under studio control. At least the recent Invincible Czars Chaney Phantom DVD arrived today, so there was some good Phantom news for me today. Sad thing is, as much as I hate the choice and artist on this, I will still buy it.

Artist is obviously influenced by the likes of John J. Muth and Bill Sienkiewicz. I'm sure he has fans, or he wouldn't keep getting work. These just arent my cup of tea. :angel:

Quote from: Anton Phibes on November 18, 2025, 11:06:04 PMArtist is obviously influenced by the likes of John J. Muth and Bill Sienkiewicz.

I don't see any Muth in it at all, the shapes are so unsure. There's a lot of very poor Dave McKean imitation, but who and whatever the influence, it's not influenced Simmonds enough IMHO.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on November 20, 2025, 12:26:03 AMI don't see any Muth in it at all, the shapes are so unsure. There's a lot of very poor Dave McKean imitation, but who and whatever the influence, it's not influenced Simmonds enough IMHO.

Yes, I forgot McKean. The "rush brush" motion effects is very much his signature style.

(https://d29xot63vimef3.cloudfront.net/image/hellblazer/1-1.jpg)

Here is what I mean with Muth. Not as overly defined/tight in some areas, void of extreme detail, but effective and stylized.

oops....image

(https://cafans.b-cdn.net/images/Category_106506/subcat_164729/zCfqgyAc_2202151934391.JPG)