Man-Thing #1
Writer: R.L. Stine
Artist: German Peralta
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Publisher: Marvel
A review by Greg Brothers
The honest truth of the matter is even though Man-Thing has been around the Marvel Universe since the 1970’s I have never picked up a book by him, nor have I ever even had a passing interest in the character. That changed a little bit when it was announced that R.L. Stine would be writing a limited series featuring the monster from the swamp. Stine, of course, is known for his Goosebumps series of books that are often many kids’ first taste of the mystery/horror genre. I figured if anyone would be able to write a comic book featuring Man-Thing that I would find interesting Stine would be the one.
Like many of the creatures that run around the Marvel Universe, Man-Thing was created by an accident that went horribly wrong. Ted Sallis who was a scientist who was working for the government at the time had created a serum that would create indestructible killers that the government could control. Of course, Sallis starts to have doubts as to if he should give the government this kind of ability. While trying to make sure that the government did not get their hands on it by accident happens and Sallis himself is transformed into Man-Thing. Unfortunately for Sallis, unlike people like Beast and even The Lizard, when he transformed himself he did not keep his brilliant science mind and instead became a raging monster on the inside and the outside. Through the years his intelligence and ability to think has varied depending on the writer and, with this most recent comic, intelligence has returned to pre-accident levels.
Man-Thing #1 starts with Man-Thing trying to strategize and fight against the equally as giant and deadly Silver Centipede. Just as the final blow is levelled against his opponent a director yells cut and we find out that we have been witnessing the final fight scene for the next big monster movie. Unfortunately, even when playing a monster in the movies you must have a certain audience appeal and when you are a big, green, smelly monster who scares children, your Hollywood career won’t last long.
Stine chose to script out the start of Man-Thing #1 as if it was written in the classic style of having a narrator not associated with the story informing the audience what is going on, while the dialogue between characters only enhances the narrative. After the opening scene, it switches back to the more modern dialogue of the characters talking back and forth moving the story forward, but slides back to the narrative to end the story as the action ramps up. While I’m sure this isn’t the first time this has been done in a comic book, for some reason it really stood out to me in this issue.
The move of having Man-Thing start the book in Hollywood is also an interesting one. It creates an environment that we have not seen him in before while also reiterating the idea that Man-Thing cannot change his look and, because of that, is often ostracized and feared. The last few panels of the issue also tell us there is more going on than what is obvious as Man-Thing comes face to face with a new, yet familiar enemy. The good news is that if you’re like me and have very little knowledge of Man-Thing, Stine dedicates a few pages in the middle of the book to give an abbreviated history of the character. The move allows new readers to quickly catch up without having to delve into the deep and convoluted history of the character.
Peralta’s art in Man-Thing #1 is brilliant and done in a way that fits perfectly with the story that Stine is trying to tell. While he is in a big, hulking monster body, the way that he is seen walking down the streets of Hollywood show how uncomfortable and scared Man-Thing is himself. As a crowd forms around him, the way his hands are positioned show the shock that he has in the way people are talking to him, and offering him directions back to the zoo. The action scenes are drawn in a way that shows off the raw strength and ease at which Man-Thing can move heavy objects. Rosenberg’s coloring is based in greens and blues and gives a realistic feel to the characters that are around. The differences between the panels in Hollywood and the swamps are opposites as it drives home the two separate environments.
The Verdict
Wait and See. Man-Thing #1 has some good things going for it as it moves the character to places that we have not seen before. The problem that I have with the issue is that besides a fish out of water story, very little is done to establish anything new here. We have a bit of a cliff hanger as an enemy shows up at the end but it was done so quickly it does little to add to the story. I do think that Stine has a plan and the art is beautiful to look at so I’m willing to wait for issue 2 before making a final decision on Man-Thing #1
