Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween

As a lifelong Marvel enthusiast, I must say that these Man-Thing comics are truly a hidden gem in the vast Marvel universe! Growing up, I remember being fascinated by the swampy creature with a heart of gold, and these stories have only deepened my appreciation for this unique character.


The Man-Thing serves as Marvel Comics’ swamp-dwelling monster. Born from experiments during Marvel’s foray into horror comics in the 70s, he roams his swamplands, sensitively drawn to anyone who approaches, and emanates strong emotions. His tales frequently revolve around voyeurism, as he incinerates anyone with ill intentions who venture into the swamp, since “anything that feels fear is consumed by the Man-Thing’s touch” due to his unique nature. Moreover, he protectively guards the Nexus of all realities, which conveniently lies within his swamplands.

Man-Thing typically plays a supporting role in human-centric thrillers, lingering in the shadows, yet he occasionally ventures from his swampy sanctuary to aid or complicate matters for characters within the Marvel universe. He’s been associated with groups such as the Legion of Monsters, the Howling Commandos, and even roamed with his buddy, Werewolf by Night, much like in the MCU special titled “Werewolf by Night.” However, these comics tend to steer clear of his team-ups or cameo appearances, opting instead for tales that delve deeper into his horror-driven narratives and solo adventures.

10 R. L. Stine’s Man-Thing

The Famous Author Has Man-Thing Take On Show Business

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween

WriterR.L. Stine
ArtistsDaniel Warren Johnson, Christopher Mitten, Kate Niemczyk, German Peralta
Year2017

This brief comic series, penned by renowned horror author R.L. Stine (known for his works like Goosebumps), deviates somewhat from its original source yet maintains an intriguingly unusual and distinctive tone. The storyline focuses on the Man-Thing character as he attempts to assimilate into society.

As a devoted admirer, let me recount the extraordinary tale of when the enigmatic Man-Thamp;#943;, venturing far from his marshy abode for perhaps the initial time, found himself unwittingly thrust into the vibrant world of Tinsel Town. Almost immediately, he was spotted by a prominent talent manager. In the blink of an eye, he became an overnight sensation. Yet, as the glitz and glamour of stardom swirled around him, Man-Thamp;#943; grappled with an internal struggle: should he continue to bask in the limelight or return to his swampy sanctuary to defend it from otherworldly perils?

9 Dead of Night Featuring the Man-Thing

A Brutal Retelling of Man-Thing’s Origin Story

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterRoberto Aguirre-Sacasa
ArtistsKano
Year2008

Few realize that the generally kid-friendly Marvel Comics has a mature counterpart called “Marvel MAX,” which publishes issues with more graphic violence and adult themes. The comic book titled “Dead of Night” is Marvel MAX’s reinterpretation of the classic Man-Thing storyline.

This four-part series continues the storyline of the original, featuring a scientist experimenting with a super-soldier serum in a marshy area. However, when experiments go awry and monstrous creatures emerge, the portrayals are much grimmer and gruesome than previously depicted. Readers seeking a contemporary take on Man-Thing’s origins should begin here.

8 Giant Sized Man-Thing

Longer Tellings of Golden Age Man-Thing Horror

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterSteve Gerber
ArtistsVarious
Year1974-1975

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admire how Marvel ingeniously navigated the restrictive Comics Code Authority by publishing certain titles as “magazines” instead. This simply meant that these comics were larger and more extensive than typical issues, thus allowing them to circumvent some of the censorship guidelines. They affectionately dubbed many of these extended editions as “Giant Sized.

This resulted in what some might deem the most unintentionally hilarious title for a comic series ever created. “_Giant Sized Man-Thing”_ encompasses a six-issue arc, offering traditional pulp stories similar to the original series. These tales frequently incorporate irony and are brief horror narratives set in the swamp, with Man-Thing serving as an observer until he becomes part of the bizarre swamp story himself.

7 Monsters Unleashed

Man-Thing Gets His Own Magazine With Issues #3 & #5

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WritersRoy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Tony Isabella
ArtistsGray Morrow, Vicente Alcázar
Year1974

This Marvel Comics publication featured a single continuous narrative along with a brief secondary tale in each edition. The main focus was on a frightening creature, with individual thrilling episodes dedicated to Frankenstein’s monster, werewolves, and wendigos among others.

In these stories, Man-Thing made several appearances, with issues three and five focusing particularly on the swamp creature. The third tale recounts once more the monster’s origins, while issue five presents a lengthy, classic Man-Thing narrative. Here, we see the swamp creature’s fascination with human feelings, his capacity for empathy, and his terrifying ability to ignite all around him.

6 Savage Tales #1 & Astonishing Tales #12

Man-Thing’s Terrifying Origin Story is Told in Two Anthologies

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterRoy Thomas, Gerry Conway
ArtistsGray Morrow
Year1970, 1971

As a fellow admirer of the enigmatic Man-Thing, I wholeheartedly recommend diving into these two captivating anthology comics for an immersive experience or simply to savor a self-contained story featuring this unique character. These series, each issue brimming with three distinct tales spanning various genres, serve as the perfect starting point for any Man-Thing enthusiast.

In the debut of Savage Tales, you’ll find Conan the Barbarian gracing its pages, but what might not be as familiar is that it also contains a chilling short story introducing Man-Thing, a creature from the swamp. This initial tale of terror with the scientists will carry over to Astonishing Tales #12, where another standalone story about the monster will unfold. While these stories don’t strictly adhere to the same canon as future solo runs for Man-Thing and Conan, they are thought to share a continuity of sorts.

5 Adventures Into Fear

Man-Thing Gets the Spooky Spotlight in Issues #10-19

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterSteve Gerber
ArtistVal Mayerik
Year1970

Instead of the original version, let me rephrase it for you: Adventure Into Fear is a unique take on horror anthology comics, where each issue focuses on just one spine-chilling story. The series spans across 31 issues and can be divided into three distinct segments. Issues 20 through 31 delve into the tale of Morbius, The Living Vampire, while the first nine issues introduce a different terrifying creature in almost every installment.

As a gamer, diving into issues 10-19, you’ll find yourself immersed in a series of Man-Thing stories that perfectly encapsulate the pulp horror genre. These tales revolve around ordinary folks who, one way or another, find themselves in peril or engaging in questionable activities. In the traditional pulp horror setting, these characters would encounter a supernatural retribution with an ironic twist. However, in this case, the balance is maintained by the terrifying Man-Thing. If you’re seeking a quick fix of retro chills or swamp-based terror, these self-contained narratives are just what you need!

4 Infernal Man-Thing

The Late Sequel to the First Solo Series

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterSteve Gerber
ArtistKevin Nowlan
Year2012

As a gamer, I was thrilled when I finally got to conclude Steve Gerber’s original Man-Thing tale, even though others had taken over the character in the meantime. This updated version, released in 2012 following Gerber’s passing, seamlessly continued where issue #22 left off back in 1975. It aligns beautifully with the Golden Age run, keeping the spirit of the story alive.

This offer primarily emphasizes expanding your collection with more Gerber’s Man-Thing issues. However, what truly makes it enticing is the opportunity to delve into pulpier, vintage horror tales from the character’s Golden Age, beautifully reimagined in contemporary art style with striking new illustrations. On a deeper level, this compilation offers an emotional journey not just through its narratives, but also on a meta-level.

3 Fear Itself: Fearsome Four

A Bizarre Team Has to Stop The Man-Thing

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterSteve Gerber
ArtistsRyan Bodenheim, Michael Kaluta
Year2011

Marvel has a knack for grand events, and often during these events, smaller teams and characters also get their own stories that unfold in tandem with the main narrative. This particular tale coincides with the “Fear Itself” Marvel event, as it would have been incongruous not to feature the character whose entire persona revolves around fear, when the theme was terror itself.

In this scenario, Man-Thing stands out as an unusual antagonist, driven by excessive fear, rather than the usual heroic role. The only ones who can either subdue or assist him are an unconventional team consisting of She-Hulk, Howard the Duck, and Frankenstein’s monster.

2 Man-Thing

The Original was run by Writer Steve Gerber

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterSteve Gerber
ArtistsVarious
Years1974-1975

Initiating in 1974, Man-Thing embarked on his initial self-named series, where he carved out his role within the Marvel universe. This series chronicles Man-Thing’s origins, followed by several chilling tales set in a swampy landscape, gradually escalating to conventional superhero adventures as Man-Thing confronts an impressive lineup of formidable adversaries with supernatural powers.

In these initial tales, the complex and compassionate personality of the monster is established, with writer Steve Gerber given the chance to delve more profoundly into his character. For those who wish for an extended encounter with the transformed hero, I recommend persevering through the 22 issues spanning the original series run.

1 Curse of the Man-Thing

A Big Marvel Event Centered on Our Favorite Swamp Superhero

Best Man-Thing Comics For Halloween
WriterSteve Orlando
ArtistsFrancesco Mobili, Marco Failla, Andrea Broccardo
Year2021

In this three-part comic series, Marvel comes as close as it ever has to producing a cinematic-style Man-Thing tale. A pernicious vegetative menace is spreading globally, and for our heroes to even attempt a solution, they must join forces with the enigmatic Man-Thing.

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in these epic tales where every issue is a grand saga centered around a well-known superhero or team. It’s Spider-Man: Man-Thing’s Trouble, X-Men: Man-Thing’s Plight, and the climactic Avengers: Man-Thing’s Standoff. These stories revolve around aiding and amplifying Man-Thing, culminating in an epic finale that fans have longed for, eager to see this enigmatic character shine.

Read More

2024-10-16 11:34