Kidnapped by a mutilated Darwin Collier, Kate Marsden needs to escape from the serial killer before he transforms her into a similar monster. All the while, Professor Thompson hunts after the beast that scarred him years ago. As Collier comes into conflict with the Gill-man, only one monster can win in this conflict. Dan Watters, Ram V, and Matthew Roberts dive into the heart-pounding finale of Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #4, where no one can be genuinely untouched by the darkness of the Black Lagoon. 

Dan and Ram position Collier and the Gill-man as a mirror of how we define monsters. Collier, a human, willingly crafts his body to appear more monstrous through modification, unlike the Creature, who was born “monstrous.” Even before his transformation, Collier’s murderous nature defined his horror, and he felt the need to portray it physically by copying the Gill-man’s appearance. Although he murders several people, it becomes harder to define the titular creature as a monster due to him killing people invading his land. Still, it never sees it as a glamorous and beautiful action. Collier’s mimicking of the Gill-man represents his shallow views of the creature, where he holds no genuine respect for the majesty of the Gill-man but only appreciates his violence. 

Like previous Universal Monsters stories, the two writers showcase the destructive and tragic nature of humans descending to the depths of darkness. Despite surviving her initial experience of the dark waters, Kate does not experience similar luck in the Black Lagoon a second time. She no longer sees the bright sunshine, but her soul can only drown by what she experienced and chose to do. Kate’s ending feels like a real tragedy with plenty of weight and horror as her desire for revenge leads her to the outcome. If the Gill-man serves as a fictional reflection of our fears, then Kate is a more realistic and human version. Monsters do not lurk in our waters or hunt in our caves, but the dark and horrific nature of humanity lurks in our hearts and minds, waiting to surface.

Matthew’s artwork has proven to be an essential and critical part of the series, as he delivers on the dramatic beats of the final issue. With moments of brutal violence, regret, and horror, he conveys all of it masterfully. With a haunting final page, I felt like the Gill-man was looking directly into my soul. Along with colorist Trish Mulvihill and letterer DC Hopkins, the art of the finale hits a high note. 

Dan, Ram, and Matthew have taken readers to the bottomless pits of the water in Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #4. After touching the waters of the Black Lagoon, one can never be the same again. And much like the original film, the story can only end in a tragedy. Diving into the depths can make it easy to get lost in the darkness. The absolute horror is not what we find in the darkness but in how the darkness shapes us and forces us to lose our humanity.

Story: Dan Watters and Ram V Art: Matthew Roberts 
Color: Trish Mulvihill Letterer: DC Hopkins
Story: 9.4 Art: 9.7 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Read

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review