Man-Thing is going through some changes.
While Man-Thing certainly has his fans, the real selling point of this new mini-series is not the title character, but the writer. Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine is making his comic book debut here, and he's certainly working in the right corner of the Marvel Universe. Stine shows little difficulty transition into this new medium, though this issue's awkward structure does tend to hold it back.
Basically, Man-Thing #1 suffers from the same problem as DC's current Suicide Squad comic. The decision to include a main story and a backup story of roughly equal length limits what Stine can really accomplish with either. The main tale offers an intriguingly different take on Man-Thing, mainly because of Stine's decision to restore his Ted Ellis persona and make the creature capable of speech again. But between the short length and the decision to devote precious room to recapping Man-Thing's origin, the plot isn't able to progress very far before reaching an abrupt cliffhanger. The same goes for the backup, which starts out well but feels rushed in its final panels.
Still, Stine's general approach to the series is plenty entertaining. There's an intentionally cheesy, B-movie quality to the script. Stine's doesn't aim to scare so much as pay homage to the heyday of the Marvel Monsters era and of EC Comics. The cheesiness is balanced out by a very self-aware quality. It's not every day you see Man-Thing struggling to make it as an actor in Hollywood and rake in some of that sweet, sweet Avengers money. The backup, meanwhile, is a pitch-perfect take on the Twilight Zone format. Again, I only wish Stine had devoted an entire comic to that story rather than cramming it into the back of this issue.
Both artists German Peralta and Daniel Johnson are great fits for Stine's campy approach. Both are able to inject a strong dose of horror into the page without making the book seem too grim or serious. Peralta especially stands out as he renders a vividly detailed Man-Thing, one who stands out like a sore thumb from the sleek, polished LA environment. Johnson's work is a little more frenetic and foreboding, which is perfect for a tale of a man seeking to betray his lover to gain her most prized possession. This issue may serve as a slow start to the series, but an inviting one all the same.
The Verdict
Man-Thing #1 is hardly a flawless debut for the series, as the choppy structure prevents either story in this issue from reaching its full potential. Still, it offers a clever, campy take on the iconic monster hero, and the art in both stories is very easy on the eyes.This promises to be a fun ride for fans of the Marvel Monsters.
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