Dark Horse Comics has announced Marvel’s Mightiest Monsters, a deluxe hardcover collecting monster stories from the 1950s, before the creation of the Marvel Universe, to more recent times. Editors John Lind and Chris Ryall have assembled stories featuring Groot, Monsteroso, and Xemnu, among others, from classic anthologies including Tales to Astonish, Journey into Mystery, and Strange Tales, by a lineup of creators ranging from Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Larry Lieber, to later artists and writers including Arthur Adams, John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Gil Kane, Eric Powell, Tradd Moore, and the late Sal Buscema (see “R.I.P. Sal Buscema”). Essays by comics historians discuss the origins and continuing influence of the Marvel monsters, and the book also features original artwork by Jack Kirby. The 416-page, 7″ x 10″ hardcover, with a wraparound cover and die-cut belly band, will be released in bookstores and comic shops on October 13, 2026, with an MSRP of $75.00.
“These monster comics predate the creation of the Marvel Universe,” Ryall said in a statement accompanying the announcement, “but in so many ways, these stories by Lee, Kirby, and Ditko helped establish the blueprint of larger-than-life characters brought to stunning visual life by three of the best creators to ever do it.”
Dark Horse announced a licensing deal with Marvel Comics in 2024 (see “Dark Horse and Marvel Sign Multi-Year Licensing Agreement for Broad Range of Art Books”), with Lind as the editor and creative director of the licensed titles.
Source: ICv2
