Tag Archives: creature from the black lagoon

Universal Monsters Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Shows the Darkness Submerged in Humanity

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UNIVERSAL MONSTERS BLACK LAGOON LIVES! #4

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

Universal Monsters Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #3 Shows the Dark Waters of Monstrosity

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UNIVERSAL MONSTERS BLACK LAGOON #3

Still, on the hunt for serial killer Darwin Collier, Kate Marsden cannot feel at peace until she puts the man down. While searching, she runs into Doctor Thompson, Christiano, and the Gill Man, who reside in the Black Lagoon. Yet, she accidentally made contact and an intentional connection with the titular monster while exploring the Amazons. As Collier and the monster close in deeper to the group, Kate will face a true blood and flesh monster. Dan Watters, Ram V, and Matthew Roberts deliver the heart-pounding penultimate issue of Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #3

Building off of the resonant themes from the original film, Dan and Ram push the continuing narrative in exciting and resonant angles that align with what came before, especially with the notion of explorers encroaching onto foreign land to find answers and what makes someone view another being or creature as monstrous. The social and political commentary within the classic Universal Monster films carries over to Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #3. Along with the different perspectives of the characters, it serves as a natural continuation and evolution where it feels modern but never abandons its roots. 

And with its status as a sequel, Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #3 acts in conversation with the original Creature from the Black Lagoon and the original two sequels that followed it. Considering how issue three ends, it becomes apparent that Dan and Ram have fully embraced the trilogy and found the interesting strands that may not have worked in the original sequels but reworked in the comic, especially with The Creature Walks Among Us, where the pair takes inspiration for Collier’s fate. As man and monster became more blurred as the series went on, the pair tasked themselves to push beyond what came before and enter new territory. 

With the hauntingly gorgeous Black Lagoon, Matthew continually delivers incredible work capturing the horrific beauty of the world. Diving into the most explicit horror part of the series, Roberts delivers some excellent body horror mixed with the more suspenseful aspects. His work, along with colorist Trish Mulvihill and letterer DC Hopkins, helps make the book feel akin to a long-lost film sequel and ties it expertly into the iconic world and setting. Even if many decades have passed, the artistic talent makes the book feel like a homecoming to an iconic property.

With one more issue left of this incredible miniseries, Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #3 lives up to the extensive legacy of the original iconic film. As Dan, Ram, and Matthew take the series in fascinating directions, they always retain the core identity of what makes the film work so well. The idea of horror has changed since 1954, but Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! Issue #3 brings a modern and innovative sensibility that forces people to swim in the Black Lagoon to find real monsters.

Story: Dan Watters and Ram V Art: Matthew Roberts 
Color: Trish Mulvihill Letterer: DC Hopkins
Story: 9.4 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Read

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Get a first look at Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4

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Skybound, Image Comics, and Universal Products & Experiences have revealed an impressive slate of variant covers and a first look at interior pages from Universal Monsters: Creature from The Black Lagoon Lives! #4, the epic finale of the four-issue limited comic book series from acclaimed writers Dan Watters and Ram V, along with artist Matthew Roberts, and colorist Trish Mulvihill.  

The final installment of the Universal Monsters phenomenon hits comic book shops July 24, 2024.  

It all ends here. Who will survive the final showdown with the Creature? 

In addition to the main cover by Matthew Roberts, Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 boasts a variant cover lineup from top artists including both an open to order cover and “classic horror” black and white 1:25 incentive variant by Jenny Frison, the continuation of a four-part 1:10 incentive connecting cover series by DANI, a 1:50 incentive variant by Maria Wolf, and a 1:75 incentive variant by Martin Simmonds.  

Picking up where the original films left off, this Universal Monsters tale takes readers back to the mysterious Amazonian lagoon where terror lurks beneath its murky waters. This series is perfect for new readers and longtime fans alike. 

Universal Monsters: Creature from The Black Lagoon Lives! #4

The full list of covers is below:  

  • Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover A by Matthew Roberts (Lunar Code 0524IM374) 
  • Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover B by Jenny Frison (Lunar Code 0524IM375) 
  • Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover C (1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI (Lunar Code 0524IM376) 
  • Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover D (1:25 “Classic Horror” B&W Copy Incentive) by Jenny Frison (Lunar Code 0524IM377)  
  • Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Maria Wolf (Lunar Code 0524IM378) 
  • Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #4 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive) by Martin Simmonds (Lunar Code 0524IM379) 

New Universal Monsters Figures Rise at Toys “R” Us and Comic Shops!

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It’s almost that time of year again. The time when creatures and monsters roam the night, and haunt the aisle of our local toy stores! The newest assortment of Universal Monsters action figures is out now at Toys “R” Us and is coming soon to comic shops and specialty stores, as well as an all-new figure of the greatest monster hunter of all time!

Currently at Toys “R” Us are two brand-new 7-inch-scale action figures: Frankenstein’s Monster as he appears in Son of Frankenstein, and a super-poseable version of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Both feature entirely new sculpts by Jean St. Jean, and both come packaged on a blister card with a small display base. Additionally, the Monster comes with the prosthetic arm of Inspector Krogh.

As a bonus, hanging alongside the Creature and Monster is Diamond Select Toys‘ original take on the famous monster hunter, Van Helsing! Also sculpted by St. Jean, Van Helsing stands around 7 inches tall, and comes armed with an axe, a sword, a crossbow and a rifle, all of which can be carried on his back. It’s the perfect companion figure to your Universal Monsters collection!

If you don’t have a Toys “R” Us near you, sleep with one eye open, because all three figures are also coming to your local comic shop in deluxe Select versions! On September 17th, the Universal Monsters Select editions of the Monster and Creature arrive, and each comes with a larger diorama base. The Monster’s base replicates the laboratory wreckage from the end of the film, and the Creature comes with an undersea rock formation, complete with tropical fish and a human skull!

The Select version of Van Helsing includes a cemetery base, featuring two headstones and a female vampire rising from the grave. All three Select figures come packaged in larger, display-ready Select packaging, which has spine artwork for easy shelf reference.

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Diamond Select Toys Products Announced for Summer/Fall 2014

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If you haven’t seen it yet, Diamond Comic Distributors has released the upcoming items from Diamond Select Toys! Marvel, TMNT, Kill Bill, Batman, Godzilla, Universal Monsters and the films of Kevin Smith all make their debuts this month, with products ranging from figures to banks to silicone trays! You can plan out how you plan on spending your money this summer and fall!

Marvel Minimates Series 57 Guardians of the Galaxy Movie Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys Release! One of the most eagerly anticipated Marvel movies of all time is nearly upon is, and DST is capturing the characters of the film as 2-inch Minimates mini-figures! Featuring nine different characters from Guardians of the Galaxy, this assortment includes four different two-packs: Star-Lord with Ronan, Drax with Groot (and a Rocket Raccoon micro-figure), Gamora with Nova Corps Centurion, and Nebula with Sakaar Soldier. The Gamora and Nebula sets will only be available in comic shops and specialty stores, so don’t miss out! Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum! (Item #APR141985, SRP: $9.99/2-pack)

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Amazing Spider-Man 2 Movie Spider-Man Resin Statue

A Diamond Select Toys Release! New movie, new suit, new statue! Spider-Man and his new movie costume get the full-figure treatment from DST, with this dynamic statue of the Web-slinger atop a New York City rooftop. Despicting SPider-Man in a dynamic battle pose, this statue measures approximately 7 inches tall with its base, and is the ultimate ASM2 collectible! Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item #APR141984, SRP: $125.00)

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TMNT Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vinyl Bust Banks

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Save your money for a rainy day — or your next pizza craving – with this new line of TMNT banks from DST! These bust banks of the four NInja Turtles are based on their most recent cartoon appearances, and each wields his trademark weapons. WIth a coin slot in the back and an access door on the bottom, each bank stands approximately 8 inches tall. Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum!
Donatello Bank (Item #APR141972, SRP: $22.99)
Leonardo Bank (Item #APR141973, SRP: $22.99)
Michelangelo Bank (Item #APR141974, SRP: $22.99)
Raphael Bank (Item #APR141975, SRP: $22.99)

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Jay & Silent Bob 20th Anniversary Select Action Figures

A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s been 20 years since we met Jay & Silent Bob in Clerks, and DST is celebrating the less-than-dynamic duo’s anniversary with their most realistic action figures ever! Based on their appearances in Jay & Silent Bob Strikes Back, these 7-inch scale figures include multiple interchangeable parts, multiple points of articulation, and connecting display bases depicting the interior and exterior of RST Video. Packaged in Select-style display packaging, with spine artwork. Sculpted by Patrick Piggott!
Jay Figure (Item #APR141976, SRP: $24.99)
Silent Bob Figure (Item #APR141977, SRP: $24.99)

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Kill Bill 10th Anniversary Minimates Crazy 88 Box Set

A Diamond Select Toys Release! This line of Minimates is about to get Crazy! Our first set of Minimates based on Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill started the battle at the House of Blue Leaves, and now we’re gonna finish it! This all-new box set includes four different Crazy 88 gang members, each with 14 points of articulation, plus interchangeable heads and hairpieces, to create different fighters from the film’s epic swordfight. Mix and match multiple sets to re-create the carnage! Packaged on a blister card. Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum! (Item #APR141983, SRP: $19.99)

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Batman Classic TV Series Silicone Tray

Bang! Zok! Pow! Add some punch to your punchbowl with this silicone tray inspired by the Batman Classic TV Show! This bright green tray casts up ice, as well as gelatin and chocolate, in the shape of the iconic Batman logo, as well as the show’s famous sound effects. Unless you’re Mr. Freeze, freezing things has never been so fun! Comes packaged in a full-color box. Designed by Art Asylum! (Item #APR141981, SRP: $15.00)

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Godzilla King Ghidorah Vinyl Bust Bank

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Hail to the King! Godzilla has met his match with this vinyl bust bank depicting Ghidorah, the three-headed alien monster, as he appeared in 1991’s Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah. Measuring approximately 8 inches, tall, the bank has a coin slot on its back for inserting your loose change, and an access door underneath. Have him battle your Godzilla bust bank for shelf supremacy! Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item #Item #APR141987, SRP: $22.99)

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Monster Hunter Van Helsing Select Action Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Monsters beware! Diamond Select Toys is unleashing a fearsome foe upon every monster action figure in your collection, and it’s none other than famous monster-hunter Van Helsing! Based on an original design, this 7-inch action figure comes armed to the teeth with stakes, axes and a crossbow, making him more than a match for any and all supernatural creatures. Van Helsing includes a deluxe cemetery base, featuring a female vampire rising from the grave, and comes packaged in Select-style display packaging, with spine artwork. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #APR141978, SRP: $24.99)

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Universal Monsters Select Son of Frankenstein Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! The monster returns! Diamond Select Toys revisits Frankenstein’s Monster with this all-new figure depicting the monster in his outfit from 1939’s Son of Frankenstein. This 7-inch-scale action figure features an all-new sculpt with all-new articulation, and can strike multiple poses on his deluxe display base, featuring equipment from Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. The Monster and his base come packaged in Select-style display packaging, with spine artwork. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #APR141979, SRP: $24.99)

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Universal Monsters Select Creature from the Black Lagoon Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water! Diamond Select Toys revisits the Black Lagoon with this all-new figure depicting the world-famous Creature, first seen in 1954’s Creature from the Black Lagoon. This 7-inch-scale action figure features a new sculpt with over 16 points of articulation, and can strike a wide variety of poses on his deluxe display base, which features a skeleton and an undersea rock formation. The Creature and his base come packaged in Select-style display packaging, with spine artwork. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #APR141980, SRP: $24.99)

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Marvel Select Villain Zombies Magneto Action Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Magneto is back for revenge… and your brains! This all-new action figure of X-Men villain Magneto features decomposing and battle-damaged details, inspired by his zombified appearance in the horror comics of the Marvel Universe. Packaged with a detailed display base, the 7-inch-scale Magneto comes in Select-style display packaging, with spine artwork. Sculpted by Phil Ramirez! (Item #APR141986, SRP: $24.99)

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Mezco Toyz Reveals Summer Exclusive: Creature From the Black Lagoon 9inch Glow In The Dark Variant

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As the world of fandom collectively counts down to the July 18th start of San Diego Comic-Con 2013, Mezco adds fuel to the flames of excitement by revealing the details of one of their Summer Exclusives:

The Creature From the Black Lagoon 9inch Glow-In-The-Dark Variant figure.

Mezco’s award-winning design team journeyed deep into the unexplored depths of the Amazon jungle searching for fossils…instead they discovered The Creature! Mezco Toyz brings to life The Creature, from Universal’s sci-fi, horror gem, The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

This Creature variant is cast in Glow-In-The-Dark material. The phosphorescent properties of this formulation put past glow items to shame. Like the lure of the mysterious deep-sea angler fish, its powerful incandescence pierces the darkness of even the blackest lagoon.

This iconic scaled terror from the deep stands 9″ tall and captures the intricate detail of the pre-historic gill-man; from his mysterious amphibious eyes, to his claw tipped webbed hands. With 11 points of articulation he’ll be able to take out any scientist who dares to come between him and his true love.

The Creature is packaged in a full color, collector friendly window box perfect for display.

This Mezco Summer Exclusive is a Limited Edition of 100 pieces. A limited amount are available online, but don’t delay because once they are gone, they are gone forever!

You can visit Mezco at San Diego Comic Con at booth #3445.

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Halloween Never Ends With New Walking Dead and Universal Monsters Toys from Diamond Select Toys

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Halloween isn’t over for Diamond Select Toys who has lots of new releases this Wednesday.

Universal Monsters Black-and-White Legacy Series 2 Box Set

Between 1923 and 1958, Universal Studios released over 60 different monster movies, all in black-and-white, that gave the film world some of its most iconic characters. In honor of that legacy, this deluxe collectors’ box set presents three of the most famous Universal Monsters — Dracula, Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein — in their original-black and-white appearances! These exclusive 7-inch scale figures will only be available as part of this set, and come in a display-quality window box. Designed and sculpted by Rudy Garcia, Gabriel Marquez and Jean St. Jean!

Walking Dead Zombie Vinyl Bust Bank

Unlike the characters in Robert Kirkman’s ongoing comic series The Walking Dead, our future isn’t threatened by a zombie apocalypse. So why don’t you start saving for it? Put aside money for your zombie-proof dream house in this 8-inch vinyl bank depicting a lurker (or is it a roamer?) from the Walking Dead comic book, via the change slot in his back. Perched atop the book’s now-famous logo, this gruesome character will keep any weak-stomached burglars from plundering your nest egg. Sculpted by Eli Livingston!

Universal Monsters Frankenstein Bust Bank

Spinning out of DST’s successful line of Star Wars bust banks comes the all-new Universal Monsters series! The most famous monster of all, Frankenstein, will kick off this new line of 8-inch vinyl banks, which features highly detailed sculpts and paint. From the front it just looks like a high-quality bust, but turn it around and there’s a slot to keep your change in! Nobody will want to raid your savings when they’re safe inside this resurrected giant! Sculpted by Gabriel Marquez!

Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Bust Bank

The second release in DST’s new line of vinyl banks was a no-brainer. After all, if you were going to make an 8-inch bust featuring highly detailed sculpts and paint, what monster would you want to see done right? The Creature from the Black Lagoon, of course! The scaly mer-monster has never looked better than in this detailed bank, and if you turn him around you can insert your loose change in a slot behind his gills. He’s the next evolution in banks! Sculpted by Bill Mancuso!