Where Monsters Dwell #1
Published and © by Marvel, January 1970
Title: “I Brought the Mighty Cyclops Back to Life!”
Synopsis: A young couple runs aground on a deserted island that is home to an ancient, giant cyclops.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Review: As the Bronze Age dawned, Marvel’s four-color line remained in the shadow of the Comics Code. But the publisher still looked to leverage a renewed public interest in horror with this reprint title featuring Jack Kirby’s Atlas-era monster stories. There’s nothing essential in these pages but it’s all good fun.
•••
Title: “Gorgolla! The Living Gargoyle!!”
Synopsis: A student’s summer research project uncovers an alien invasion hiding in plain site as gargoyles.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Review: A slight script with a fun EC-esque twist, and can you ever really go wrong with King Kirby drawing gargoyles?
•••
Title: “I Alone Know the Dread Secret of Gor-Kill, the Lurking Demon!”
Synopsis: When an alien life form mixes with water, it’s up to a village ne’er-do-well to save the world.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Review: This story’s monster isn’t the best, but the poignant, unjust ending makes this tale the strongest of this debut issue.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Cool factor: Kirby monsters!
Not-so-cool factor: Reprint Kirby monsters!
Notable: According to the Grand Comics Database, this issue’s three stories originally appeared in 1960’s Tales of Suspense #10 (“Cyclops”), Strange Tales #74 (“Gorgolla”) and Tales of Suspense #12 (“Gor-Kill”). … While uncredited here, several sources suggest most Atlas-era horror tales were plotted by Stan Lee and scripted by Larry Lieber.
Character quotable: “Your death will be a fitting tribute to our invincibility! Ha! Ha!” – Gorgolla, living gargoyle
Editor’s note: This review was written Oct. 8, 2023.
