Monsters Unleashed #5 (of 5)

   As we stagger to the finish of the Monsters Unleashed series (which must hold the record for most world-wide property damage in the Marvel Universe), the whole purpose of the series is revealed.

   The event was designed to promote the new series called - who else? - Monsters Unleashed.

   The series has some high points - excellent art by Adam Kubert, the return of monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone, some good supporting efforts by the Inhumans, the Avengers and the Champions, and a few nods to the classic Marvel monsters.

   Otherwise, it ends up being a lot of destruction as evil monsters fight superheroes and good monsters. Face it, there's not a lot of deep thought going on here.

   And all this just to set up a new series with a handful of monsters being led by the new Inhuman Kid Kaiju?

   I'm not sure it was all worth it, but I suppose that'll depend on what happens next.

   So, not a bad series, but not an exceptional one, either.

Grade: B

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Monsters Unleashed #3

   After the first two issues of this "event" book, I was worried - it looked like Monsters Unleashed was just going to be a lot of noise and destruction, but light on the plot.

   Thankfully, this issue manages to combine the monster mayhem with actual character development. We learn about the role a young artist has in the invasion of giant monsters, the monster-hunting Elsa Bloodstone gets some time in the spotlight, some classic monsters take a stand, and the scope of the menace comes into focus.

   Marvel has a long history with monsters, of course - before the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and the rest of the super-heroes took center stage, Marvel turned out truckloads of monster stories in comics like Strange Tales, Tales to Astonish, Amazing Fantasy and Tales of Suspense.

    They were an interesting mix of science fiction and fantasy, mostly straightforward adventures (how can a normal guy save the world?) but bristling with creativity and imagination - and wild names for the monsters.

   Today they're looked at with humor and nostalgia, but there's also a lot of interest in the city-smashing monsters, thanks to movies like Pacific Rim or the ones starring (or bringing back) Godzilla and King Kong.

   And so far, this series is nicely walking the line between respect for those original stories and creations, and building a new story and mythology around the monsters.

   So far, so good!

Grade: A-

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Monsters Unleashed #2

   You have too give credit to the Monsters Unleashed "event."

   It is what it is.

   It makes no pretense of being a big, universe-altering story - one which you can expect to include the death of one or more heroes, or a reorganization of the Marvel Universe.

   Instead, what you get is a big ol' gathering of giant monsters in the style of Marvel's '50s and '60s comics - and gatherings of modern-day heroes fighting to stop them.

   The series doesn't seem to tie into the concept of the "Man of the Wall" - a task once covered by the original Nick Fury, being the guy who used advanced technology to take out those invading monsters back in the day. The last I heard, Winter Soldier had the gig.

   But it does tie into a different monster hunter, who's trying to track down the real source of the monster invasion - and we also check into a team of monsters who may have trouble establishing which side they're one.

   Not a lot of deep thought here, but it's a fun romp so far - what's not to like?

Grade: B+

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Monsters Unleashed #1

    Well, I do like a good monster story - and Marvel specializes in awesome monsters, courtesy of the pre-Silver Age creations of Lee / Kirby / Ditko / Heck (and others) with names like Googam, Zzzax, Groot and Fin Fang Foom.

   (Man, spellcheck hates those names.)

   So Monsters Unleashed (the latest event) brings back those larger than life, city-wrecking creatures - and then some.

   Earth is under attack by an army of strange, gigantic creatures (though surprisingly, they're mostly new to Marvel), and every superhero is called into service to fight the invasion - including a name I haven't heard in quite a while (and I'm happy for the return).

   It seems like a thin concept for an event - and no doubt all the spinoff titles will features different heroes fighting different monsters - but I have to admit, it's fun.

   The art by Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten is terrific, with powerful character and monster designs and striking environments.

   So the jury's still out on this one - it's one part nostalgia and one part disaster flick - but I think I'll be picking up the main event series, at least. But I'll probably pass on the spinoffs.

   But I'll bet the creative teams can't wait to tackle these new and classic monsters.

   And whatever happened to Groot, anyway?

Grade: A-

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