Thank God for reprints

Marvel has been wonderful enough to reprint most of Jack Kirby's monster stories over the years. That's a blessing because, at this date in time, the original comics have become quite expensive. It's much less challenging to the wallet when a lovely reprint is available for a couple of bills. I had little problem putting together my collection from local stores and eBay auctions.

Although each issue on this site includes detailed information about reprints, I've made a comprehensive list of all Kirby's stories so you can find that information much more easily. Enjoy!

Here's a summary of reprint titles featuring the monsters Kirby created for Atlas/Marvel from 1958 to 1962:

Major Titles

The main titles collecting these stories were published from 1970 to 1975. Even the most expensive early issues can be found in decent condition for under $10. Most are available for $2-$3.

Where Monsters Dwell
1-38 :: Jan 1970 to Oct 1975

This was the first, most famous and the longest running monster reprint series Marvel ever put out. Kirby stories appeared in all but 3 issues: 12, 33 & 37. His covers graced issues 1-3, 5-7, 10, 12 & 21-28. Sometimes the covers were altered to update the clothing styles, change locations or fit the new cover layouts. The stories were simply recolored.

Where Creatures Roam
1-8 :: July 1970 to Sept 1971

This short-lived title featured Kirby in every issue except #2. Kirby covers appeared on 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8. Note that the cover of #5 is from a different comic book than the story inside. Also note that the creature Thorr was renamed in issue #3 to Thorg, obviously in deference the Marvel's famous hero Thor.

Monsters on the Prowl
9-30 :: Feb 1971 to Oct 1974

Chamber of Darkness was renamed Monsters on the Prowl in 1971. This was the longest-running monster reprint series after WMD. Kirby stories were reprinted in every issue! His covers were on 9, 11, 12 & 22-29. A couple of monsters had to be renamed: in issues 11 & 14, The Hulk became The Titan and, in issue 24, Magneto became Magnetor.

SPECIAL NOTE: Chamber of Darkness 4 and 5 contained new Kirby stories! His 7-page story in issue #4 is entitled “The Monster” and his 6-page ghost story in issue #5 is called “And Fear Shall Follow”.

Fear
1-9 :: Nov 1970 to Aug 1972

“Adventures Into Fear” became famous for introducing the Man-Thing to the world starting with issue #10. Before that, it was a monster reprint title simply titled “Fear”. All of the first 9 issues featured Kirby reprints. The first 6 issues were giant-sized comics featuring a number of Kirby stories. Kirby covers graced issues 1, 2, 4 & 5.

Tower of Shadows, then Creatures on the Loose
1-9, then 10-19 :: Sept 1969 to Sept 1972

These titles featured many new stories along with reprints. The important issues for fans of Kirby monsters are 7-14, 16, 17 & 19. Kirby covers graced 7, 11, 12, 13 & 14.

Minor Titles

Although the above titles reprint the bulk of Kirby's pre-hero stories, many have appeared in a number of other comics. Here's some of those issues:

  • Strange Tales Annual 1 from 1962, although very expensive, was the first comic to reprint stories from the monster era. If you can afford it, you can probably also afford the originals.
  • Fantasy Masterpieces 1-11 (1966-67) started as an all monster reprint title then switched to a giant-size format with issue #3 featuring the golden age heroics of Captain America and other early Timely characters. There were still plenty of monster stories included in those issues, including Kirby stories that were never reprinted anywhere else: specifically issues 6, 7, 9 & 10.

    This title was renamed Marvel Super-Heroes with issue 12 and continued to include reprints of pre-hero stories until issue 30. Kirby's Pildorr the Plunderer appeared in #24.
  • Marvel Collectors' Item Classics 22 featured the famous Man in the Ant Hill, a story that introduced Dr. Henry Pym — a.k.a Ant Man, Giant Man and Goliath in the super-hero era.

Several of Kirby's pre-hero stories were reprinted multiple times in various titles throughout the mid-1970s. There wasn't much after that period until the appearance of Monster Masterworks in 1989, a big book that reprinted a dozen of the early monster stories. Following that was the 4-issue mini-series, Monster Menace, in 1993-94. Since that time, I know of nothing available. This unfortunate situation necessitated my creation of Monster Blog to serve as a record and a celebration of these wonderful stories.

............. Philip Parodayco :: 17 February 2004

Also see:

Can A Comment Save the World?!?

Ay Caramba!

Behold the monster site!
Being born 1972 and brought up in Sweden my main comic intake after school was Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and Hulk, but these monsters man, Phew. Blew me right of the map! I do remember Hulk fighting an electrically charged thing who, as I recall, was named Zapp.

Thank you for an excellent site! Keep growing, your work is important.

............. Daniel Andréason :: 22 February 2004

I was wondering if Weird Wonder Tales #19-22 that featured Dr. Druid (previously Dr. Droom) are a straight reprint except for the name change, or are they a reinterpretation/redrawn of the originals that were first run in Amazing Adventure #1-6. Thanks!

............. Ken :: 08 July 2004

Not sure if I included my e-mail address in the last comment about Dr. Druid. Love the web site too!

............. Ken :: 08 July 2004

Ken, the reprints in WWT are pretty much the same as the originals but with Dr. Droom redrawn as Dr. Druid and names changed by relettering (“Zemu” became “Zamu”, “Atlanteans” became “Aquaticans”); otherwise they're the same.

............. John Kaminski :: 09 July 2004

While titles like Creatures on the Loose, Where Monsters Dwell, Weird Wonder Tales, etc. introduced a lot of us the the Marvel Monsters (myself included), having read the originals, it somewhat “irks” me to see these stories re-touched and in some cases butchered (such as the Doctor Droom stories) when reprinted…

In those days, Marvel was very pre-occupied with having everything fit its continuity - even every story reprinted by Marvel had to tie into the singular Marvel universe (thus the Atlanteans become the Aquarians, Thorr becomes Throg, and silly refferences to SHIELD are smattered about… While DC rarely attempted to integrate or update its fantasy stories from Strange Adventures and Mystery In Space into its super-hero continuity (Earth One, if you will) when reprinted in its 70s reprint book: From Beyond the Unknown. Those DC stories existed in their own universe, so also should the Marvel Monster tales.

If Marvel does come out with a true Monster Masterworks edition someday, I would hope that these stories would be from the originals and not the 70s reprints.

I will say that books like Creatures and Where Monsters Dwell, etc had some wonderful cover reproductions/updates by the great Gil Kane… sometimes better than the originals themselves!

............. Bill Cox :: 09 July 2004

Just got my copy of Marvel Visionaries: Jack Kirby, hardback for $29.99. Very inexpensieve for a hardback format. There are about 24 stories in the volume, a couple of stories are brief but most are regular comic book length; from Red Raven, early Cap America, Yellow Claw, a nice Rawhide Kid origin, very short Hulk origin, Sgt.Fury , Galactus, Inhumans, Dr. Droom and of course the Sinnott inked Pildoor, and a lot more stuff to make for much enjoyment. A very nice read since I haven`t seen or read many of these stories in a long time. (I do prefer the harback format to the regular comics. Easy to store, easy to read, eliminates storage boxes, back boards and plastic bags.) This is a mighty fine Kirby book to add to your bookshelf.

............. Stan B. :: 30 October 2004

I was an editor at Marvel in the late 20th Century and put together the MONSTER MENACE and CURSE OF THE WEIRD reprint series. MONSTER MENACE presented those classic Atlas giant monster comics with some new covers and pin-ups by Steve Ditko (including his interpretation of about every Kirby/Ditko monster on the cover of #2). Stan Lee wrote an piece for #1 and Kirby wrote about his recollections of the era (his last new work for Marvel?) for #2. CURSE OF THE WEIRD (also with new Ditko covers) reprinted a pile of pre-Code horror by all kinds of Timely, EC and DC artists working at pre-Marvel. I also did some Dracula vs. Superhero comics that also had some pre-Code horror comics. Now here's the plug: I have multiple copies of some of these books at my website, specifically http://www.comicfix.com/page11.html. Mention monsterblog and I'll give you some sort of monster-related bonus. Obviously I dig monster and horror comics. I also created the MONSTERS ATTACK! magazine, more inspired by the Warren mags which featured new art by EC, Warren and Marvel artists.

............. Mort Todd :: 12 March 2005

If the above link doesn't work, just go to www.comicfix.com and click on “Comics 4 Sale.” Thanks!

............. Mort Todd :: 12 March 2005

Is there any way we as fanatics of these great monster books can lobby marvel into a Monster Master Works. It would really be fantastic to have this stellar material reprinted in books. I like many others out there don't have the patience or cash to deal with the esclating prices of these great stories. I miss these books so bad. Had to sell mine years back to pay bills. How many would it take for Marvel to listen? Bart

............. Bart Powers :: 03 April 2005

Greg Theakston recently revealed that he was working on “Theakstonizing” the first ten issues of Tales To Astonish for Marvel Comics. This would lead one to guess that Marvel plans a Masterworks volume of those issues, possibly by next year! Whoopee!!

............. justin fairfax :: 14 April 2005

Thanks for spreading the word about the Marvel reprints of TTA #1-10. It' been a blast fixing this stuf up, and LOTS of great art, even by the b-stringers. The book is due out late this year.
regards
GReg Theakston

............. Greg Theakston :: 17 August 2005

Phil and John: I'm wondering if you should announce on the main page the four Marvel Monsters one-shots that are coming out in October, with reprints and new stories featuring the Kirby Monsters. See covers and story lines here: http://www.forbidden-planet.co.uk/acatalog/Marvel_Monsters.html

It would be great to see MonsterBlog support Marvel's efforts in using and reprinting these great characters.

............. Neunder :: 20 August 2005

Here's the Marvel.com links for these books:

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/showcomic.htm?id=2552&format=comic

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/showcomic.htm?id=2553&format=comic

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/showcomic.htm?id=2554&format=comic

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/showcomic.htm?id=2555&format=comic

............. Neunder :: 20 August 2005

The fans are singing! Join the choir, oh Jubilant One.






 

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