17 Monster Comic Book Posts of 2022
A look back at our most popular comics-related monster posts from the past year.
We cover a lot of monster fiction here on Monster Complex—including comic book, plus books, movies, TV, music, games and more. As part of that we have posted lots of stuff about Marvel Comics and the MCU, about magic characters like Sabrina, about adaptations of the Universal Monsters, and more.
As we enter 2023, we’re taking a look at our most popular posts from last year. Below, see a list of comic-book-related articles, including posts about comics as well as adaptations into other media…
17 Monster comic book (and comics-related) posts of 2022
#1 22 Monsters Who Are Marvel Superheroes
Celebrating Marvel Comics’ dual legacies of monsters and superheroes—including (believe it or not) Godzilla! Yes, Toho’s big monster served in the Marvel universe. And while he fought against the likes of The Avengers and the Fantastic Four, he also stepped up to save the world, Marvel-style! Our list also includes info on Werewolf by Night, Frankenstein’s monster, Blade, She-Hulk, Venom and more. Find out more here.
#2 Hellboy Novels and Anthologies In Order
Paranormal investigator Hellboy, created for comic books by writer-artist Mike Mignola, is a half-demon summoned as a baby by Nazis. He was rescued and raised by the founder of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD). They’ve been adapted for several media, including novels and short stories. Find out more here.
#3 She-Hulk on Disney+: 8 Facts You Should Know Before Watching The Series UPDATED
Want to know more about the Green Giantess? The main character from the Disney+ TV show She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has been around more than 40 years—but she’s not as well-known as the Hulk. We dug into her past and shared lots of info about the gamma-irradiated character’s origins and her background from the comics. Find out more here.
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#4 26 Swamp Monsters from Myths, Comics, X-Files, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more
Muck monsters have appeared in several places. In comic books, some types of characters appear at multiple publishers. For example, there are swamp monsters at more than one comic book company—and, as you’ll see in this list, there are other sources involved as well, from mythology and Beowulf, to legendary authors Theodore Sturgeon and R.L. Stine, to classic television shows Kolchak and X-Files…and more! Find out more.
#5 Frankenstein’s Monster: 13 versions—from flipped-out to frightening
The creature from Mary Shelley’s 1800s novel Frankenstein is one of the most recognized icons in storytelling, having spent more than 200 years being adapted into all sorts of media. Find out more here.
Related articles on Monster Complex
#6 Count Dracula: 13 versions—from dizzy to daring
The most famous vampire is one of the most adapted characters in history. The title character from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula—who became known as “Grandpa” on The Munsters—has been popular over time, and has appeared in so many adaptations, riffs, and parodies in all kind of media. More than 200 films have been made that feature Count Dracula, a number that is reportedly only second to films featuring Sherlock Holmes. Click through to see 13 versions of the Count worth paying attention to from a variety of media.
#7 Stan Lee: 13 Notable Cameo Appearances
“Face front, True Believers!” It can be said that without Stan Lee, there would be no Marvel Comics—amazingly, he was responsible for creating or co-creating lots of popular superheroes, including Spider-Man, She-Hulk, the X-Men, the Avengers, and so many more. In the decades since his comics work, part of his impact on the Marvel universe—and, in fact, all of pop culture—included his dozens of cameo appearances in related movies, TV shows, comics and games. To celebrate his 100th birthday on December 28, 2022, Monster Complex has put together a list of our favorite cameos… Read More
#8 ‘ParaNorthern’ Graphic Novel: Endearing misfits seek to save their spooky, supernatural town
Sometimes the most powerful magic comes from our connections to our family and friends. ParaNorthern (HMH Kids/Etch) is a deliciously humorous, cozy and bewitching graphic novel from Stephanie Cooke that will delight readers of all ages. Read More
#9 Remembering Kevin Conroy: 13 Great Batman Performances
With the death of actor Kevin Conroy (1955-2022), the voice of Batman in several media, we present thirteen wonderful Kevin Conroy performances from the world of Batman. First, we have a video where Conroy himself goes through explaining that world. Below that video, we go through a list of some of his great work (also with more videos), including his work on the Batman and Batman Beyond series, guest shots on Superman, his work with the Justice League, and more… Read More
#10 Comics Spotlight: Swamp Thing
Created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, DC Comics’ Swamp Thing made its first appearance in House of Secrets #92 in 1971. However, it’s but one of several “muck monster” characters that have populated comic books over the years—a list which also includes The Heap, Solomon Grundy, Man-Thing, and more. All of them owe a debt to Theodore Sturgeon’s short story “It!”, published in the August 1940 issue of Unknown. A muck-encrusted mockery of a man, the monstrous Swamp Thing can control all plant life, from fungus on stale bread to forests of towering oaks. A living embodiment of the power and terror in our environment, the Swamp Thing protects both humanity and the environment—usually from each other. Read More
#11 Mummy Fiction Books by Anne Rice, Bram Stoker, R.L. Stine, more
“You haven’t found all the answers yet…” In monster fiction, mummies are a big deal. Examples of the undead walking in from ancient times, mummies have become as important to lists of classic monsters as Frankenstein’s Monster or Dracula. While there is no single literary work inventing the mummy—in the same way that specific novels introduced Frankenstein’s Monster and Dracula—the surprising truth is how many examples of mummy stories there are. We’ve got a list of several fiction examples of mummy stories—ranging from to authors like Anne Rice, Bram Stoker, Rick Riordan, Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, R.L. Stine, and more. Find out more here.
#12 Quiz: Batman or Dick Tracy Villain?
Masked vigilante Batman made his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. In the years since, he has fought a growing number of weird villains. Police detective Dick Tracy made his first newspaper appearance October 4, 1931 in the Detroit Mirror. In the years since, he too has fought a growing number of weird villains. Both crime fighters have their distinctive rogues gallery. Can you match the rogue to the hero? Read More
#13 VIPs making horror comics: Creepshow, Bruce Campbell, Owl Goingback
Here are some horror comics you should check out—from award-winning horror author Owl Goingback, noted actor Bruce Campbell, and the makers of a new comic for the classic title Creepshow. Find out more here
#14 Ultraman Coming to Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics and Tsuburaya Productions have partnered to create new Ultraman comic book. At the C2E2 convention, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski revealed story details and cover art for Marvel’s upcoming series The Rise of Ultraman. Read More
#15 Marvel Cries Wolf: 13 Facts About Werewolf by Night
During the day, Jack Russell appears as a man, but when the sun sets and the moon rises, he becomes Werewolf by Night. We share a number of facts about the original comics, plus the process of turning them into a powerful TV special. Click here to find out more
#16 Archie Comics introduces Sabrina’s nemesis
Archie Comics celebrates the 60th anniversary of its main witch, Sabrina Spellman, with an anniversary special issue, as well as a 500-page trade collection featuring classic Sabrina stories. Read More
#17 Morbius: 13 Connections to Marvel Comics
Morbius the Living Vampire first appeared as a villain for Spider-Man, before he became a moody, tragically flawed antihero in his own series and other titles. Read More