The first time I encountered the Creature From the Black Lagoon, I was in elementary school and wearing 3-D glasses.
For those who grew up in a pre-cable TV and pre-internet age, the Creature may have been the most recognizable of the Universal Monster pantheon, and plenty of “Monster Kids” grew up with the Gill-man haunting their dreams.
Whether it was the catchy film title, the elaborate monster suit, or Julie Adams, the Creature catapulted to fame in the years after the film’s 1950’s release date and remains one of Universal Monster fans most loved characters.
As popular as he has been over the years, there have been very few attempts to bring the denizen of the deep to the four color world. Other than Arthur Adams’ Dark Horse Comics adaptation from the early 1990s, and an even earlier appearance in Dell Comics (1962), the monster has been happy to hide out in that famous lagoon, away from the prying eyes of comic fans and publishers.
Thankfully for Creature fans everywhere, writers Dan Watters and Ram V, artist Matthew Roberts, and colorist Dave Stewart are about to bring the Gill-man back to comics in their brand new Skybound/Image Comics Creature From the Black Lagoon Lives! mini-series.
The first issue of the new series once again begins in South America and starts with some of those previously mentioned watery nightmares, although the source of said nightmares might be surprising to readers. The one having the nightmares is the lead character of the series named Kate, who is both an investigative reporter and a survivor of a different type of “creature”.
The narrative is grounded in Kate’s experiences and Watters and Ram V slowly build the suspense through a series of flashbacks, showcasing a flawed and driven character. Kate is capable, but also damaged, and her pursuit of her story (and revenge) draws the reader into her quest. Any comic or film has to focus more on the humans than the monsters, and readers will get behind Kate as she unknowingly enters an even more dangerous world than she expects.
The writers also do an excellent job with the characters who interact wit Kate, especially with the dialogue that develops between them. One of the best scenes in the story takes place in a morgue where Kate and an unscrupulous coroner exchange quips and sass. The interaction between them seems believable and at the same time highly entertaining, which is the mark of well-written comic dialogue.
The flashbacks to Kate’s conversations and experiences are crafted by Roberts, who changes perspective and moves around the pages with a fluid motion, such as jumping from a close-up of Kate’s face to a swirling fan. The variety of the perspectives gives the comic a cinematic feel, which is perfect for a comic based on a classic film (although the quick jumps resemble films from the 1970s more than ones made during the Creature’s heyday).
The reveal of the Creature is Roberts crowning achievement in the first issue (and I actually missed the panel that reveals the first glimpse of the Creature because he is so well-hidden) and fans get the pay off they seek by the end of the comic (although it is clear that there is much more come).
With a unique framing device, subtle nods to the source material, and a completely unexpected take on the famous Julie Adams/Creature “water dance” scene, this new Skybound/Image series is one to watch out for.
Creature From the Black Lagoon Lives! #1 is currently available for purchase at your local comic shop.
