Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1

by Dan Watters, Ram V

Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1

Illustrated by: Matthew Roberts

Cover Art by: Matthew Roberts

Written by: Dan Watters and Ram V.

Release date: April 24th, 2024

Image Comics/Skybound

*Minor Spoilers Ahead

Acclaimed creators DAN WATTERS (HOME SICK PILOTS, Lucifer), RAM V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr,_ Batman: Detective Comics_), and MATTHEW ROBERTS (MANIFEST DESTINY) rise from the depths for an all-new epic. Years after the events of the original film, journalist Kate Marsden hunts for a notorious serial killer in the heart of the Amazon. Hot on the trail of this madman, she soon encounters an unexpected new threat—but is it friend or foe? Or is it simply…THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?

In the realm of comic book revivals, few can claim to have truly captured the essence of their source material while charting new, thrilling territory. “Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1” does just that, and it does so with a flourish that only the combined talents of Dan Watters, Ram V, and Matthew Roberts could muster.

The narrative picks up years after the iconic film left off, with journalist Kate Marsden venturing into the heart of the Amazon. Her mission is to track down a notorious serial killer, but what she finds is something far more complex and chilling. The story is a masterful blend of suspense, action, and the unknown, with the titular Creature making a splash in a way that is both familiar and startlingly new.

Matthew Roberts’ illustrations are a sight to behold, breathing new life into the murky depths of the Black Lagoon. Each panel is meticulously crafted, with a level of detail that invites the reader to linger. The cover art, also by Roberts, is a siren call to fans old and new, promising an adventure that’s as visually stunning as it is narratively compelling.

The synergy between Watters and Ram V is palpable throughout the pages. Their collaboration, which has previously graced titles such as “HOME SICK PILOTS” and “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr,” reaches new heights here. The dialogue crackles with intensity, and the pacing is pitch-perfect, ensuring that the suspense never wanes.

For those who grew up with the Creature as a childhood favorite, this comic book is a love letter to the classic monster, reimagined for a new generation without losing the soul of the original. And with the promise of a “Frankenstein” series on the horizon, it’s clear that the revival of these Universal Monsters is in supremely capable hands.

“Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1” is more than a comic; it’s an experience—a deep dive into nostalgia, reinvention, and the sheer joy of storytelling. Image Comics/Skybound has a hit on its hands, and readers are the lucky recipients of this creative team’s undoubted prowess. If this first issue is any indication, we’re all in for an exhilarating, monstrous ride.

Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 is available on our weekly new comic book wall and can be placed on your pull list.