“R.L. Stine in the Marvel Universe – that’s an event in and of itself,”
— Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso.
Long time horror author R.L. Stine has confirmed he will be writing a five-issue minseries of Marvel swamp monster Man-Thing. The series will debut in March 2017. Stine will be joined by the artistic team of German Peralta and Daniel Johnson.
Stine, in an interview with the New York Times, says he drew inspiration from the horror films and genre of the 1950s such as the iconic Tales From The Crypt. The movies and pulp horror fiction of the 1950’s era (The very early Silver Age in comic book world) were something that Stine was a big fan of.
“They were scary, really gruesome, bloody comics and they always had a twist ending,” he said. “I think they’ve been a major influence in everything I’ve done since,” Contrary to his parent’s wishes, of course. He would need to go out to be able to get his horror read fix; “Every Saturday morning, I’d go get a haircut so I could read the comics,”
R.L. Stine is best known for his creation and long time work on the title Goosebumps. He also created Fear Street, Mostly Ghostly and others that featured appearances by creatures of the swamps and lagoons. It was because of this familiarity that Stine chose Man-Thing when Marvel Comics offered him a list of characters from which he could choose for the book.
Man-Thing was created by Gray Morrow, Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway in the early 1970s. Their creation first appeared in the first issue of the Marvel Comics magazine Savage Tales in 1971. Just a couple of years later, in 1974, Man-Thing would get his own ongoing title that ran into 1975 for 22 issues entitled “Man-Thing”. Man-Thing was written by Stephen Gerber and was actually a continuation of a story that began in 1973’s Issue 19 of the title “Fear, also written by Gerber. Traditionally, the character was a slow, lumbering and silent swamp monster.
Stine hopes to add some comedy to the character, something that has not been a part of Man-Thing lore. “He can talk and he’s very sarcastic,” Stine says.
THE MARVEL COMICS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Marvel is thrilled to announce that legendary author R.L. Stine is coming to the publisher this March! As revealed today via The New York Times, the world renowned scribe of the Goosebumps & Fear Street novels will put his iconic stamp on one of Marvel’s most monstrous creations as he writes an all-new MAN-THING series – alongside artist German Peralta (Moon Knight, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and a bevy of comics rising stars!
“R.L. Stine in the Marvel Universe – that’s an event in and of itself,” says Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso. “And is there a Marvel character more perfectly suited to his sensibilities than the monstrous Man-Thing? Stine and artist German Peralta are spinning a tale full of action, horror, humor and heart – one that’s sure to please R.L. Stine fans, Man-Thing fans, and new fans.”
Attempting to recreate the formula that produced Captain America, biochemist Ted Sallis was transformed into the shambling creature known only as MAN-THING! Now, having recently regained his ability to speak, Man-Thing sets out on a journey to leave the swamps once and for all. But when an ancient and mysterious danger threatens reality, he will have to choose between his new life and the place he once called home!
Plus, each issue of MAN-THING will feature a unique, bone-chilling horror short – written by R.L. Stine himself and illustrated by a rotating crew of incomparable artists. In the first issue, prepare for terror on the high seas as Daniel Warren Johnson illustrates a back-up tale that’s sure to leave you seasick!
Join us in 2017 as we take a spine-tingling journey from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the muck and grime of the swamps. Don’t miss the debut of MAN-THING #1 – coming to you this March from R.L. Stine, German Peralta and more!
