Marvel Monsters: Devil Dinosaur #1

Writers: Tom Sniegoski and Eric Powell
Artist: Eric Powell
Colorist: J.D. Mettler
Letterer: Dave Lanphear

In the first of four one-shots revisiting the classic Marvel monsters of the 60’s Devil Dinosaur, and his pal Moon Boy, must face the Incredible Hulk. The Hulk has been displaced from his own timeline and sent into prehistoric era (by one of the meddling cosmic beings known as The Celestials) in order to battle the Devil Dinosaur and restore balance to the path of evolution … or something.

Let’s start by saying that this series of books is most likely not for everyone. If you love Jack Kirby, 60’s style comics and the old-school Marvel monsters … this still might not be for you. The goal here seems to be trying to recapture the same kind of storytelling style employed in the 60’s. Unfortunately it’s nowhere near as masterfully played as it was in those bygone days. I was hoping to see a bit more humor interjected into the book, more of a satirical nod to those crazy old books. Had Eric Powell (creator of Dark Horse’s The Goon) been solo I’m sure that’s what we would have gotten. Instead we get mediocre writer Tom Sniegoski trying to ape the old style and doing a … well, mediocre job at best. There are a few moments of humor but they come off as cheesy more than anything.

The only good part about the book is Powell’s artwork. If you’re a fan of Powell’s work and want to see him draw the Hulk beating the crap out of a giant red dinosaur then this is definitely for you. He draws an incredible (pun intended … groan) Hulk and I would pick up the regular Hulk title in a heartbeat if Powell were to take the reins. But beyond the artwork, unless you’re a fan of Devil Dinosaur (ahem … Drew) there’s really nothing about this book that makes it worth the $4 price tag. Not even the reprint of Journey Into Mystery #62.

Special thanks go out to Jeremy Shorr, owner of Titan Comics for allowing us to use his advance preview books for review purposes.

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