Monsters 1: The Marvel Monsterbus

As a child of the 1980s, these Stan Lee/Jack Kirby monster comics were first published decades before my birth. But I saw occasional reprints of these stories in monster and horror comics from the 1970s.This type of comics cast a spell on me: yes, the stories were often corny and probably quickly written with occasional plot holes. But they were also highly entertaining within their limits: human characters with clear goals, unusual monsters with inventive backstories -- and usually a twist ending explaining how the monsters are defeated. Miniature morality plays, with exceptional art by Jack Kirby. The sheer exuberance, inventiveness and sense of fun more than compensates for the plot holes and other narrative quirks. It's easy to understand why these monster comics were the bread and butter of Marvel comics for years before the early 1960s superhero boom: Kirby's monster comics were just plain fun to read, and they also linger in the brain of many readers for years afterwords. The appeal of these monsters is shown by the fact that a few of these monsters were revived by other writers in later decades: Groot, Xemnu [originally the Hulk], It! The Living Colossus...This book is a treasure, allowing me to read some of the stories that captured my attention as a child and to also enjoy many more stories that are new to me. The color paper and printing quality are exceptional, and the binding of the hardcover book seems sturdy. Highly recommended for established comic book fans, and worth a look for those newbies who want to know where Groot came from.

We called them 'IND comics', or also 'Monster comics' when they came out. NO ONE called them 'Atlas comics'--Ind was at the top left corner of the cover of the comics, as DC was on DC comics , or Dell on Dell comics--so we called them Ind comics. I started reading/collecting comics in 1956 with Uncle Scrooge 15 (Second Richest Duck, probably the best issue in the run). In those days, my friends and I would usually begin with Dell comics, but soon got Superman--cause ALL the BIG kids bought Superman, my first was Sup 112 (3 men of Steel, 1957) then Batman #110 and 111--in 1959 I started to collect monster comics. I probably have or had about a third of the issues reprinted in this book, and more in volume 2. Krang, Gomdulla, Gagoom, Goom, Metallo, the Genie, Taboo, Colossus, etc. The longer stories were best, cause 2 splash pages-great Kirby artwork. Maybe my favorites back then were 'The Thing called It' and Magneto, the latter because it treated sensitively a big man named Hank Larkin. Zog ( only the cover reproduced as interior was by Paul Reinman) was a lousy issue, it seemed always to be a 'throw in' when friends and I were trading. I always wanted the Sporr issue, a friend had it but would not trade it or even let others read it, so it was nice to see it now, but it was the 'same old same old' formula, setting, etc.Most of us dropped the Ind books after awhile because of the sameness of stories, the convenient appearance of SWAMPS to kill off the monster, etc. Plus, ultimately, they, and especially the back stories, were depressing, so many people were PUNISHED. Men sailing on ships off the edge of a flat world, a man goes into the dinosaur age in his time machine but is stuck there when he realizes he has no electrical outlet to plug his machine into so as to escape, a man doomed to run down a never ending stairway ( to hell) etc. Some might give scary dreams, but mostly they just left you feeling down. But the book is great for its type. Just don't read too many stories at once, not wise.

Just in time for Halloween, a horde of old-fashioned comic book monsters -- and monsters drawn by Jack Kirby, no less!Really, what else has to be said? For those of us who were kids when these stories first appeared (or when they were reprinted later on), we get hundreds of pages of pure fun & charm. The stories read almost like fables, with a moral at the end of most; and if not that, an O. Henry-like twist. These stories aren't sophisticated, edgy, or (allegedly) adult in any way ... and that's what makes them so wonderful. While lost in these pages, you can forget the cares & stresses of the everyday world, and return to a golden-tinged childhood, where even the worst of monsters are defeated by brains, decency, and courage, every time. And sprinkled among them are stories of arrogant men learning painful lessons, told perhaps simply but earnestly, with all the humanism of that time, when the future seemed to promise a better, more caring world. Most joyfully recommended!

This volume collects all of Jack Kirby's artwork for the Pre-Marvel fantasy and science fiction comics from December 1956 through July 1961. The stories by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber are fun, but somewhat silly, as is typical for comics of this era, which were aimed at 7 to 12 year old kids. Many of these tales are fondly remembered by fans who grew up with them in the 50's and 60's or discovered them through reprint titles like "Monsters on the Prowl" in the 70's. We even get to see the origin of Groot, now a member of the surprise hit "Guardians of the Galaxy" films. The artwork is beautifully reproduced on good quality paper, with vibrant colors. Most people will not miss the stories by Paul Reinman and Don Heck that were omitted from this collection. It would be nice to have an omnibus collection of the 5-pagers by Steve Ditko. I have already pre-ordered Monsters Vol. 2. I highly recommend this book.

[Sorry folks, I can't spell to save your life or mine.] as u can see?!this allow me to relive my youth in Marvel Monster comic books, which I had as a kid. (and now it (the comics) all has gone the way of the wind.)now as a old man of 60th, I can re-enjoy them all over again.As 'Stan Lee' would away say in the Comics ......... 'Nuff said!

When I was a kid, my friends collected super hero comics, Spiderman, Batman, Superman...I loved collecting "Where Monsters Dwell", House of Mystery... later Creepy and Eerie, which lead me to underground comic artists like Richard Corben.I have always been a big fan of monsters and aliens, and a huge fan of Jack Kirby!!!So when Marvel and others began to reprint the old comic collections in hardcover editions, I was thrilled!I have other collections in hardcover, but the one I waited for... prayed for.... was this!!!And now it's here, and I am reading through them with great joy!The reprints are beautiful!! Better than the prints I remember! Bold colors! Crisp artwork!!!The stories are not disappointing, but I love the cheesy fifties monster/alien stories!!Thank you Marvel!!!

Loved! Super stacked with classic Marvel monster stories. Hours upon hours of vintage reading pleasure. The artwork of amazing. The colors pop. The book is put together solidly. Pure quality, this thing is gonna last for generations. 100% love it.

Loved seeing all the old creatures from my childhood. Only one things keep me from five-starring them--the absence of Marvel's greatest monster Fin Fang Foom in his return appearance. Vol II of course had him on the cover with original story but not his revival. I had hoped Vol 2 would have have the sequel but wasn't there either. Come on guys, Groot is popular now turned into good tree-creature for the movies but Fin Fang Foom is the best or you wouldn't have put him on cover of Vol. 2. Surely you could have cut one of the mud creature's appearances or the giant turtle. Fin was so popular, he was first Marvel monster to cross over to series arc in "Iron Man" under the bidding of The Mandarin. Is there going to be a Vol. 3?

If you, like me, picked up any of these Marvel monster books or their 70's reprints as they came out, then you know why you're here. Giant goofy monsters being defeated by nerdy scientists. Sure they weren't all nerds, but most of the heroes of these stories weren't getting laid, even after they saved the world. All these Marvel monster stories are repetitious as hell, but I loved them as a kid, and have an abiding affection for them still. Read in small chunks for maximum enjoyment, and grab both volumes while you can, along with the Amazing Fantasy volume. I did, and don't regret it one bit. I do miss my Wife from time to time though,... yeah,... but giant monsters!

Superb collection of some rarely seen 1950's Marvel comics featuring the best artistic talent. Great work from Jack Kirby (The King of Comics) in what would have been the year of his 100th birthday.A large number of 8 page monster/SF stories with twists at the ending. There is also a covers gallery that includes the 1970's reprint books, and some shots of original Jack kirby artwork..If you are a follower of Jack Kirby's work and career. this is a great place to find some harder to find material.All the stories have proper attribution and state which comic they were originally presented.Having opened this book, I immediately ordered volume 2.

In this day and age where Marvel and DC are all over national TV and the big screens, these works of art,genius,go back to a golden age in comics that quite simply belonged to Mr Jack Kirby.These stories are mini films......okay, some predictable (hero wins,the monster gets defeated , boo!) Short, imaginative, addictive, fantastic!The art is simply stunning, as is the overall quality of this fantastic Marvel release.Highly recommended, buy before Groot gets angry!

Great big book of hard to find classics created just before the Marvel Age of Superhero comics.

Excellent.