Comic-Things
Thunderbolts: a Man-Thing Saga
Jeff Parker took over writing
Thunderdolts on issue 138 and used the opportunity to
alter the membership of the team, making
use of Man-Thing. Prior to events in this series our favourite Muck Monster
had been shown being arrested
by H.A.M.M.E.R. in issue 10 of Dark Avengers. Parker decided that
the authorities had realized that Manny is too powerful a creature
to be left out on the loose, so he was drafted into the
Thunderdolts. Man-Thing forfills a lead logistics role, with the
team using his link to the nexus of all realities as a means of transport
to get them where ever they needed to go.
In most issues Man-Thing has played a background role, but Parker portrays him in a rather wistful manner, including echo's from Ted's life and hints of hidden depths, which often give his usually impulsive team members pause for thought. Parker has also been expanding the Man-Thing mythos, setting up in issue #162 a potentially major turning-point for Manny.
Key issues of the series for Man-Thing include:
Thunderbolts #144
Written by Jeff Parker
Penciled by Kev Walker
Cover by Marko Djurdjevic
Heroic Age Variant by Larry Stroman
The Heroic Age Is Here! The new era for Marvel's always-evolving,
always controversial team kicks off here! It's a beginning, a
return, a departure, and an arrival of a new artist (Marvel
Zombies 3 & 4's Kev Walker) all rolled into one in a fresh,
shocking status quo! The most dangerous people on Earth are now
all in one hellish prison, and the only way out is through
rehabilitation and contribution to society via The
Thunderbolts...under the leadership of the steel-hard-skinned
Avenger named Luke Cage! So bring on the first participants:
Juggernaut! Crossbones! Ghost! Moonstone! And...Man-Thing?
Against the sordid recent history of the group as a black ops
kill squad, can Power Man restore the Thunderbolts to their
rightful potential?
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
2010-05
Spotted by P.A Pouliot
Thunderbolts #145
Written by Jeff Parker
Penciled by Kev Walker
Cover by Marko Djurdjevic
The Heroic Age Is Here! Special Post-SIEGE issue that introduces
a brand-new character! When a magical landmark like Asgard
crashes to Earth, the fallout doesn't end just by sweeping up the
wreckage. This historic disaster has unleashed unprecedented
threats, and one of them is pillaging the American Midwest! This
sounds like the perfect mission for Luke Cage's untested team of
incarcerated superhumans-and while the newly assembled
Thunderbolts boast the power of Juggernaut, Ghost, Moonstone,
Crossbones and Man-Thing, are even they ready to handle the girl
known only as Troll?
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
2010-06
Spotted by PTOR
Thunderbolts
#154
Written by Jeff Parker, Penciled by Declan Shalvey, Cover by
Stephanie Hans
Before he was pressed into service for the Thunderbolts, the
mysterious swamp monster of the team knew another life: as
guardian for a force of nature called The Nexus of Realities. An
old friend of the creature does remember this--and breaks the
silent one out of The Raft to return to duty at the borders of
our world. What danger awaits the Man-Thing--and what will The
Thunderbolts say to losing their favorite plant?
32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Shipping March 2011
Spotted by ?
With Man-Thing's upcoming role in Fear Itself:Fearsome Four and mention of Thunderbolts loosing Manny I'd assumed that this issue would be the last of intrest to Man-Thing fans, but Parker wasn't finished with him:
Thunderbolts
#155
Written by Jeff Parker, art by Kev Walker, Jason Gorder, Cover by
Stephanie Hans, Gerald Parel.
The team is back in action after word has come down on high about
a weakness in Thunderbolt's, and they must bolster their ranks to
deal with the imminent magical threats. Luke Cage calls on New
Avenger DOCTOR STRANGE to help find the perfect candidate to fill
the role, but bringing this person in is far from easy--which is
why SATANA will make a fine Thunderbolt. Back at The Raft, the
status quo is changing to an even greater extent without Luke's
knowledge. Get ready for new levels of lightning-like
justice!
32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Shipping March 2011
PTOR tells me that in this issue Satana reveals that Manny has a different "name" - the "Vagornus Koth", and possibly a previously unsuspected purpose.
Thunderbolts
#160
Written by Jeff Parker, Art by Declan Shalvey, Colors by Frank
Martin, Letters by Comicraft - Albert Deschesne, Cover by J.S.
Rossbach.
The Raft prison has been destroyed. Hundreds of the most powerful
criminals in the world are on the loose, and a man who was
already unstoppable now wields godlike power. As if that wasn't
bad enough Man-Thing is acting spooked which seems to please
Satana for some reason, and when they arrive in Manhatten the
stage is set for Fear Itself - Fearsome Four
32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Shipping July 2011
Spotted by P-Tor
Thunderbolts
#162
Writer: Jeff Parker, Penciller: Declan Shalvey, Penciller (cover):
J.S. Rossbach
There's a big battle involving the Thunderbolts. Man-Thing does
his bit by absorbing hoards of demons, growing as he does so into
an excuse for a brilliantly bad Man-Thing pun. Soon after he self
distructs, leaving only "the bulb of his future incarnation".
32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Shipping August 17, 2011
Thunderbolts #169
Can't help wonder just what
Parker has in mind for Man-Thing.
Events since #162 have focused on other team members so we have had
few clues as yet, with preview art from #169 showing Manny still in a
"Bulb-Thing" state.
The issues from this run of Thunderbolts are being released as trade paperbacks, with the following available to date: Cage (144-147), Shadowland (#148-151), Violent Rejection (#152-157), Fear Itself (#158-163), and The Great Escape (#163-168).
Un-named Graphic Novel
Letterer Todd Klein has been saying for several years
on his
site that the long lost Man-Thing graphic novel is in progress:
Not sure what the final title of this will be, it's a script
from the 1990s, I believe, by Steve Gerber, with terrific art by
Kevin Nowlan, who started it a long time ago, and is now finally
wrapping it up. Wild stuff, wonderful art! After some signs
of life this past summer, when I finished the lettering and did
corrections, the project seems to have gone dormant again. Don't
know when it might come out.
Well now folk at Marvel are dropping hints that the book is on its way:
Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso: All I can say is we do have a Man-Thing project coming out soon that is older than some of Marvel's assistant editors and well worth the wait.
Plus in in response to that article a visiter commented that Kevin had finished the art in June.
Reported at comicbookresources.com, spotted by PTOR
Fear Itself:
Fearsome Four #1-4
Fear Itself is the title of the company-wide crossover
event coming to Marvel in 2011, and it as is only fit and
proper Man-Thing gets a starring role in this related miniseries.
Written by Brandon Montclare
Artwork by Michael Kaluta, Ryan Bodenheim, Simon Bisley, and
Henry Flint
Cover by Michael Kaluta
Rated T+...$2.99 On Sale June 2011
"The world is a scary place, especially in the Marvel Universe and most especially during Fear Itself," Fearsome Four writer Brandon Montclare tells Marvel.com. "And Man-Thing, he's drawn to fear like a moth to a flame. So with all the terror out there, Man-Thing is overloaded. He's about to go supernova.
"The Fearsome Four have come together to stop Man-Thing, or die trying. And while doing so they each have to face their own very personal and very unique fears. Howard the Duck, She-Hulk, Nighthawk, and Frankenstein are pretty different; but each in his or her own way is a monster, a freak, a person with a dark side. They're all outsiders, so while some have done the team thing before, there's going to be tension. This story can only happen with these four characters. The Fantastic Four were the world's greatest heroes. The Fearsome Four have an explosive situation to deal with, and whether they'll defuse it or set if off is a big part of the story."
"Man-Thing has recently been much more active with the Marvel heroes," confirms Montclare. "Fearsome Four is an extension of that: the potential consequences of having such a powerful, primal force introduced to the super powered world."
"Cover artist and living legend Michael Wm Kaluta will also be doing the special segment in issue #1. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Just below the icy waterline the one-and-only Simon Bisley is lurking. Down in the depths below also lurks artist Henry Flint of Judge Dredd and Haunted Tank fame. It's a monstrously amazing group of guys that people will never forget."
Spotted by P-Tor
Newsarama has chatted with Montclare about the series:
Man-Thing looks to be at the center of things here, a character most folks thought was a natural fit for Fear Itself given all that "whoever burns at the touch" jazz. How would you characterize his role in the context of the larger Fear Itself conflict?
Montclare: The Fearsome Four have come together to stop Man-Thing. With the events of Fear Itself, Man-Thing is about to explode-literally. Man-Thing isn't evil - in fact he's more mindless than anything else. But in a world completely scared stiff, he's a ticking time bomb. Also coming into play is the less predictable Nexus of All Realities. This is a part of the Man-Thing mythos that started deep in his mossy roots. He's been recently using the NoAR to transport the Thunderbolts to and fro in that book — and in Fearsome Four he'll unfortunately be bringing some alternate reality nightmares into this world.
Nrama: I think it's fair to say that Howard the Duck will be one of the main attractions of Fearsome Four. He has a long history with Man-Thing — is that touched upon in the course of the series?
Montclare: The important heroes have their eyes on the main onslaught in Fear Itself. So the Man-Thing threat might fly under the radar if not for Howard the Duck. Their history is essential to the story. And it's more than just a NYC neighborhood Howard wants to save from inferno. Man-Thing is his friend, and Howard wants to bring him in safe. And if this is the time that Marvel's avatar of fear has to be taken down, Howard wants to be the one to do it.
Fear Itself: Fearsome
Four #2
Written By Brandon Montclare, Penciled By Ryan Bodenheim and
Simon Bisley, Cover By Michael Kaluta.
Fear makes us do terrible things—but it will also make the
Fearsome Four BECOME terrible things! Twisted by their own terror
as well as the reality-warping powers of a fear-drunk Man-Thing,
Marvel's Strangest Heroes transform into horrendous versions of
themselves. Howard the Duck, Nighthawk, Frankenstein, and
She-Hulk mutate from hero to monster freaks—and instead of saving
the city the foursome just might end it. Simon Bisley illustrates
a special in-story Spotlight.
Rated T+...$2.99 On Sale July 2011
Fear Itself: Fearsome
Four #3
Written By Brandon Montclare, Penciled By Ryan Bodenheim and
Flint Henry, cover by Michael Kaluta
What's old is new again! The fan-favorite New Fantastic Four
team-up of Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk and Ghost Rider emerge
from the shadows! Where did these flashes of the super-hero past
come from? Only the Psycho-Man knows! With Man-Thing counting
down to a full-scale meltdown, and ever more frightful characters
converging on the living time bomb, how can the Fearsome Four
stop the madness?? Plus, our guest artist spotlights on this
oddball team continue with Eagle Award winner Henry Flint showing
us just how sensational She-Hulk can be!
Fear Itself: Fearsome
Four #4
Written By Brandon Montclare, Penciled By Michael Kaluta, Ryan
Bodenheim
Rated T+, $2.99, On Sale September 14th 2011
What kind of monster does it take to kill a monster? Man-Thing is
a ticking time-bomb... and the clock just ran out. Ignited by
Fear Itself, the strange creature has lost control of his deadly
powers and the Fearsome Four are forced to face their worst
nightmares made flesh. Sometimes when you stare into the Nexus of
All Realities, The Nexus stares back at you! Why should you fear
Fear Itself? Find out in this incendiary conclusion! Including
our final spotlight scene by Timothy Green II (Iron Fist, Rocket
Raccoon) following Howard the Duck's heroic journey to save a
world he never made!
Montclare Assembles the "Fearsome Four" - Comic Book Resources
Coober Skeber #1
Just found this
Man-Thing/Silver Surfer tale by Brian Ralph while on a random
web search. Seem this Marvel themed anthology from Highwater
books dates from 2000.
Strange Tales II #1
Manny appears on the last page of the 4 page tale "A
Civilized-Thing" and kills a killer bear (who was mistaken as a
WenDigo) in the Canadian Yukon.
Story, art and lettering by Jeff Lemire. -View at marvel.com
Spotted bt P-Tor, who comments Problem is, it has Manny acting with some semblance of intellect; or at least reacting to needs of the imperiled Mountie, saving him from the killer bear and freeing him from a bear-trap.
Hulk #25
Manny is seen on a vid-screen (with the Thunderbolts), as Steve
Rogers and Bruce Banner are showing Red Hulk a bunch of different
scenes, while trying to get him to calm down and join the good
guys.
Spotted by P-Tor
Super
Hero Squad #10
Cover By: Leonel Alexis Castellani
Writer: Todd Dezago
Pencils: Leonel Castellani, Marcelo Dichiara, Inks: Leonel Alexis
Castellani, Art & Comics Int'l
Colored By: Christopher Sotomayor
Lettered By: David L. Sharpe
It's a spooky party down Memory Lane when the SQUADDIES Costume
Up as the Classic Marvel Monsters; Werewolf by Night, Tomb of
Dracula, The Living Mummy, and more! But their party plans go
awry when a mysterious macabre menace shows up! Who could it
be...? Aw, you'll get it when I tell you the title of the story.
It's "Whomsoever Knows Fear...! (There! Ya happy?) Oh, plus,
there's a Halloween Party at the Baxter Building! C'mon...you're
all invited!
Tomb of Terror #1,
Cover By: Travel Foreman
Marvel's most terrifying monsters star in four tales of harrowing
horror! The malformed Man-Thing, temporarily in possession of his
mind, attempts to save a man from certain death at the hands of
racist hunters. All this and much more in this all-new,
all-black-and-white one-shot in the spirit of the Mighty Marvel
Magazines of yore, but ALL-NOW in style!
PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: October 6, 2010
Deathpool: Merc with a Mouth #13
Guillaume reports he has spotted Manny in chapter two of the last
issue of this series, with the artwork of that chapter done by
Kyle Baker.
40 PGS./One-Shot/Rated A ...$3.99
Due July 21, 2010
Spider-Man: Back in Quack #1
This comic, which guest stars Howard the Duck, includes a
tiny-size Man-Thing backup feature by Stuart Moore and Joe
Suitor. 40 PGS./One-Shot/Rated A ...$3.99
Due September 2010
Deadpool Team-Up #894
Writer: Ivan Brandon
Pencils: Sanford Greene
A Dame To Get Killed For. When a widow hires Deadpool to
avenge her husband and kill The Punisher, Wade Wilson follows a
trail that leads him under the city of NY and headfirst into an
army of monsters lead by the animated remains of his prey. What
he finds is that FrankenCastle is already dead... but that
doesn't make him any less deadly. Parental Advisory
IN STORES: April 14, 2010
Man-Thing appears along the "Legion of Monsters" with FrankenCastle (Punisher). He doesn't do anything, but there's a funny scene where Werewolf and Living Mummy are trying to get Manny to understand the humor of "Giant Size Man-Thing".
Spotted by PTOR
Web Of Spider-Man #6
2010-03
Now this looks intresting, as Man-Thing appears and has
flashbacks to an original re-telling of his days as Ted Sallis
which now involve fighting in one of the Iraq wars with Curt
Connors (Lizard), while they fight each other in the present.
Spotted by PTOR
I'm told by muckheads Daryl Young and P-Tor that Man-Thing turns
up in Wolverine: Wendigo #1 (March 2010), in the
form of a reprinted panel from the Marvels, Mutants &
Monsters : Galactus online comic
Doctor Voodoo: Avenger Of The
Supernatural. #4-5
Writer: Rick Remender
Pencils: Marko Djurdjevic, Gabriel Hardman, Jefte Palo.
Inks: Gabriel Hardman/Jefte Palo
Our favourite muck monster makes a cameo appearance in at least
one issue. The first instalment of the series 1 hit the streets
October 09.
Spotted by PTOR
Daryl Young let me know Man-Thing does indeed appear in Doctor Voodoo #4 (March 2010), and while looking for verifcation I found comments regarding an appearance in #5.
Dark Avengers #10
Cover By: Mike Deodato
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mike Deodato
Inks: Mike Deodato
Colored By: Rainier Beredo
Lettered By: VC - Cory Petit
The Story: Oh hey, you know how Norman Osborn was once the Green
Goblin but he got it under control and now he's one of the most
powerful people in the free world? Oh, and you know that whole
thing about him being a ticking time bomb who could snap at any
minute? Yeah... you might want to check this issue out. The smash
hit of the year continues!! Rated T ...$3.99
Price: 3.99
In Stores: October 21, 2009
He's in a fight scene at least...
Spotted by PTOR
Punisher #12
Written by Rick Remender
Penciled by Tony Moore
Cover by Mike Mckone
Franken-Castle, Part 2
The Punisher is dead, so who, or what, is the giant patchwork
monster skulking through the tunnels under New York? And what do
those strange armored Japanese hunters tracking him want?
Criminals are no longer being killed; they are simply vanishing
into thin air. Listen closely, you can hear their pleas far below
the streets. Those forgotten by society have a new protector. The
Legion of Monsters has found a new leader.
32 Pgs./Parental Advisory $2.99
Spotted by Guillaume
Daryl Young tells me that Man-thing appeared in #11 and 13 as well
Deadpool:Merc with a Mouth #6 Written
by Victor Gischler
Penciled by Bong Dazo
Cover by Arthur Suydam
Head Trip, Part 6
Space, the Final Frontier. O-ver-ra-ted. Wade, the severed Zombie
Deadpool head and Dr. Betty find themselves back on good old
Earth, knee-deep in swampy goodness. Seems like Headpool is a
little homesick, and everyone agrees the zombie virus should be
put safely back into its own dimension. All they've got to do is
find that damn dimensional portal. Anyway, you don't think A.I.M,
is gonna give up that easy, do you? No way. Just because their
space station got itself all blown up doesn't mean they're out of
the game. But wait -- who's this surprise guest star? Is it a
MAN? Is it a THING? Well, you see where this is going ... Is this
enough preview copy to get you to buy the damn book'because I can
go on all night?!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory $2.99
Spotted by Guillaume
Wolverine: The Best There Is #3
PTOR noticed that Manny (or at a PART of him) makes a cameo
appearance in this issue: evil mastermind Windsor has several
specimen jars filled with chunks - or whole bodies - of various
"unkillable" characters, one of which holds some familar looking
carrot-like appendages and is labeled "Man-Thing"
Other-Things
That
Seventies Show Punk Chick Season 1 Ep #22
PTOR spotted Man-Thing on the cover of Astonishing Tales #13
in this episode of the retro comedy series - that's so groovy!
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two
Worlds
Man-Thing is to make an appearance as a non-playable character in
this game, set for release in February 2011
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest
Heroes
PTOR spotted a brief cameo appearance of manny in the trailer
for the upcoming
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes animated series