Out of the entire pantheon of Universal Monsters, the freakiest and most frightening could very well be the Gill-Man, otherwise known as the Creature From the Black Lagoon. Even though we haven’t seen a true Gill-Man movie since 1956, the underwater menace lives on in a new limited-run comic series set to begin in April. Get a sneak peek below!
LOS ANGELES 01/16/2024 — Skybound Entertainment, in partnership with Universal Products & Experiences, has announced Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives!, a new four-issue limited comic book series from acclaimed writers Dan Watters (Home Sick Pilots, Lucifer) and Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Batman: Detective Comics), along with artist Matthew Roberts (Manifest Destiny), and colorist Dave Stewart (UltraMega, Hellboy). Readers can expect to dive headfirst into a world of suspense, intrigue, and terror when this first issue hits comic book shops April 2024.
This collaboration between Skybound and Universal is the latest milestone in a near decade long relationship that encompasses film, video games, and now comic book publishing. Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! is the second Universal Monsters series launch, following James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds’ Dracula,and will be followed by more new limited series pairing the biggest names in comics with pop culture’s most iconic monsters.
In addition to the Creature himself, the series introduces new characters like journalist Kate Marsden and serial killer Darwin Collier, along with a returning character from the film – the mysterious Doctor Edwin Thompson.
“We’re so thrilled to announce our second book in the Universal Monsters line,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “Dan Watters and Ram V are two of the most exciting writers in comics, and to be able to turn them loose with longtime Skybound creators Matthew Roberts and Dave Stewart has been an absolute treat. And while James & Martin’s DRACULA was an adaptation of the original film, CREATURE is a brand-new story featuring beloved Gill-Man. Each book in the Universal Monsters line will feel different from the last, with each creative team bringing their own unique flavor and passion to these iconic horror characters. I can’t wait to share what else we have planned!”
Years after the events of the original film, Journalist Kate Marsden hunts for a notorious serial killer in the heart of the Amazon. Hot on the trail of this madman, she soon encounters an unexpected new threat–but is he friend or foe? Or is he simply…THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?
Picking up where the original films left off, this new Universal Monsters tale will take readers back to the mysterious Amazonian lagoon where terror lurks beneath its murky waters. This series is perfect for new readers and longtime fans alike.
Universal Monsters: Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (Lunar Codes Below | SRP: $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
The full list of covers is below:
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover A by Matthew Roberts (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover C (1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover D (1:25 “Classic Horror” B&W Copy Incentive) by Joshua Middleton (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Joëlle Jones (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Alex Ross (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
- Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover H (Blank Sketch Cover) (Lunar Code Coming Soon)
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover A by Matthew Roberts
Universal Monsters:The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover Bby Joshua Middleton
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover C(1:10 Connecting Copy Incentive) by DANI
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover D (1:25 “Classic Horror” B&W Copy Incentive)by Joshua Middleton
Universal Monsters:The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive)by Joëlle Jones
Universal Monsters:The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 Cover F (1:75 Copy Incentive)by Alex Ross
ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Established in 2010, Skybound is a multiplatform content company that works closely with creators and their intellectual properties to create cool stuff and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to fans. Skybound extends their stories across platforms including comics, television, film, video games, tabletop, books, digital content, audio programming, and beyond. The company is home to critically-acclaimed global franchises including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Superfight, and hit new podcast series Impact Winter.
Led by Skybound Entertainment co-founder Robert Kirkman, Skybound Comics is an award-winning line of comics published by Image Comics and promotes a shared vision to collaborate with top and emerging talent across the comics industry. The Skybound line includes acclaimed series such as The Walking Dead, Invincible, Ultramega, Stillwater, Fire Power, and Excellence, while also delivering powerful licensed comics, including a partnership with LEGO Books. It is also home to Skybound Comet, a new line of Young Adult and Middle Grade original graphic novels published by Image Comics, launching in June 2022 with Clementine Book One, by award-winning writer/artist Tillie Walden and set in the world of The Walking Dead. Skybound has seen numerous comics series adapted for the screen, including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur and Outcast, with more projects in development.
For the most up to date information on Skybound, please visit the company on X (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@Skybound Entertainment), Instagram (@skyboundent), and at www.skybound.com.
Dracula© Universal City Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL MONSTERS
During the golden age of Hollywood, Universal Pictures brought legends of the horror genre to life in its classic monster films. The legacies of Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolf Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Phantom of the Opera, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde endure to this day as the original icons whose stories symbolize the misunderstood, the outsider, and the misfit. This Universal Monsters capsule collection is proud to feature the artwork of renowned creature designer and art director Crash McCreery whose vision creates a contemporary spin on these classic characters.
ABOUT DAN WATTERS
Dan Watters is a writer from London, and the co-creator of comic series Home Sick Pilots, Coffin Bound, Limbo, and The Seasons Have Teeth. He has written Sword of Azrael, Arkham City: The Order of the World, and Lucifer at DC Comics, and Cowboy Bebop at Titan Comics.
ABOUT RAM V
Ram V is an award winning author and creator of comics & graphic novels such as Paradiso, These Savage Shores, Grafity’s Wall & Ruin of Thieves. His short stories and comics have appeared in several anthologies. His most recent work includes various titles for DC and Marvel Comics. Conspirator and trouble-maker at White Noise Studio. Ram currently lives in London–dog person, doodles, argumentative melancholic.
ABOUT MATTHEW ROBERTS
Matthew Roberts drew dinosaurs and sharks and pegasuses and super heroes. Then he joined the Air Force and drew a few issues of Battle Pope and retired from the military and drew Manifest Destiny. Matthew doesn’t know what the hell is going on anymore but drawing still seems fun so he’s sticking with that for now.
