THE MONSTER MEN #3

Isle of Terror Part 3″

Writer: Mike Wolfer

Artist: Roy Allan Martinez

Sing and Ju-Long have a discussion on how Ju-Long came to the island. Seems that the German scientist Vogel was working with Von Horn to steal Professor Maxon’s research. He doesn’t know how Arkwright got involved but managed to get a job as his right-hand man. They fight off some of Vogel’s creations and continue on to find Virginia. Virginia meanwhile gets rescued from her Dayak captor by Number Thirteen. Virginia gets reunited with Bulan and a British lieutenant. They also find Sing and Ju-Long. Together they find out that their ship was set on fire by the pirate Muda Saffir. Saffir also has captured Professor Vogel and his notes.

This was an enjoyable issue. We find out some backstory on Professor Vogel and Arkwright. It is tied in from the villain Von Horn from the original novel. They manage to get everyone together only to find the evil pirate has Vogel and his notes. Now they are trapped on the island and Vogel’s experiments may continue somewhere else.

They set it up for another mini-series. I do hope that one gets written. American Mythology has seemed to stop putting out ERB stories. That would be a shame as I really love Wolfer’s writing. Hopefully we will get continuing stories in the ERB universe.

THE MONSTER MEN #2

“Isle of Terror Part 2”

Writer: Mike Wolfer

Artist: Roy Alan Martinez

Townsend, Virginia, Sing and a Lascar are confronted by the creations of Professor Vogel. They run away to their ship which they find now in the hands of the pirate Muda Saffir. They escape back and run into the British soldiers of Arkwright. Meanwhile Vogel finds Number 13 and tells him that Arkwright is evil and they should find Virginia. Virginia gets kidnaped by one of the Dyak pirates as the monster men attack the British. Townsend goes after the kidnapped Virginia with a surviving British soldier. Sing confronts Arkwright’s assistant who we find out is Sing’s grandson.

This was a fast-paced story. It had plenty of action with the Monstermen, pirates and British soldiers. Vogel is concerned about his creations while his creations are struggling with their new freedom. A big reveal is Ju-Long the guy working for Arkwright is Sing’s grandson. A fun story that keeps the spirit of Burrough’s creation and expanding on it in a realistic way.

THE MONSTER MEN #1

“Isle of Terror Part 1”

Writer: Mike Wolfer

Artist: Roy Allan Martinez

Townsend and Virginia interrogate their British soldier prisoner. He is very uncooperative, and they decide to release him after telling him about the experiments. The two then discuss what to do with Number 13 when they find him. The escaped soldier runs into the other experiments in the jungle, and they are hungry. Townsend and Virginia’s party run into a group of Dayaks on their way back to their ship, unaware that pirates have taken it over. A fight starts with them beating the Dayak headhunters. Only now the other experiments arrive and are much impressed with all the fresh meat lying about.

A new installment in the Monster Men series. They gave a good summary of what happened in previous issues to jog the old memory. It has been a while since I read the last series and it did an excellent job. This one was a bit talky but did set up some exciting stuff for the next issue. Quite curious how they deal with these new escaped experiments and the Dayak pirates. Wolfer as always delivers a fun ERB story and show his knowledge and passion for the material.

THE MONSTER MEN #3

“Heart of Wrath Part 3”
Writer: Mike Wolfer
Artist: Roy Allen Martinez

Townsend follows the underground passage on the trail of Virginia. Virginia is at the other side talking to Number 13 who speaks English as well as German. Their conversation is interrupted by a British soldier. He shoots Number 13 who we learn is named Otto. The soldier takes Virginia back to this compound. Townsend comes on the body of Otto and continues on the trail of Virginia. He meets up with her and her captor just outside the compound. He surrenders and they are taken inside. A fight ensues with Townsend going one on one with the mysterious Chinese Ju-jong. Townsend kicks his butt but before Arkwright can have him shot, Otto comes to the rescue. He bursts up from an underground tunnel and tears up the place. Sing Lee arrives to give covering fire to Townsend and Virginia. They escape the compound and decide to leave for home. At the end Arkwright goes into the cellar and finds Dr. Vogel. He also finds that their experiments have escaped. As he leaves we see that behind Vogel’s back are the keys to the cell.

The end of another ERB miniseries. This was good in that it had plenty of action and some good artwork. It really didn’t do much to answer any questions. About the only thing occurring is that the two groups got to meet and find out a little about each other. We still have no idea of what Arkwright’s plan is. Why they are there? Otto or Number 13 seems to have learned German from Dr. Vogel. Vogel also is helping the experiments escape to freedom. Of course I knew that this intricate story wasn’t going to be resolved in three issues. I was right for Island of Terror is the next series in The Monster Men. Looking forward to the next installment sometime in the future.

THE MONSTER MEN #2

“Heart of Wrath Part 2”
Writer: Mike Wolfer
Artist: Roy Allen Martinez

The British soldiers from the other compound come to check out the Maxon compound. One of them is killed and taken away by Number 13. The other soldiers find Sing Lee and think he is a pirate. They blame him for the disappearance of their comrade. Townsend and his Lascars get in a firefight with the soldiers and drive them off. After the battle they notice that Virginia is missing and it looks like she was taken by Number 13 through an underground tunnel. Meanwhile back at the other compound we learn that Dr. Vogel is in the employ of Lt. Arkwright and are continuing Maxon’s experiments. They managed to buy the formula from an old colleague of his. Arkwright wants the subjects to be limited mentally so they don’t get to powerful. Arkwright also believes they are almost to the point of perfecting the method to create men for his purposes. At the end we find out Virginia went willingly with Number 13.

This issue gives us some answers about the other compound. It also gives us more questions on what their end motives are and who is really behind the experiments. Number 13 has managed to get Virginia to come with him as Townsend gets in a fight with the British soldiers of Arkwright. A well done story with a mystery in the jungle and some action. The author left much to be resolved in the conclusion but I feel that he is up to the task.

THE MONSTER MEN #1

“Heart of Wrath Part 1”
Writer: Mike Wolfer
Artist: Roy Allen Martinez

Townsend Harper, Virginia Maxon and Sing have come back to the island where Dr. Maxon conducted his experiments in creating life. They wanted to find out if Number 13 was still alive. They have found out and 13 tried to kidnap Virginia. Now they debate their next moves. Should they leave or stay. If stay should they try to help 13 or is he too far gone and should be killed. A storm is coming so they barricade themselves in the old compound to ride it out. Meanwhile on the other side of the island there is another compound. One with soldiers to guard it and run by a German scientist. It also has monsters kept in the cellar cages. Number 13 comes in at night to feed them but the creatures are loyal to a Lt. Arkwright and threaten to tell of him.

The first in a new series from one of Burrough’s lesser known works. A sort of Island of Dr. Moreau. It starts off introducing the reader to the protagonists and their motives and past history. It introduces Number 13 who eats human body parts and speaks German. It also introduces us to this mysterious compound with a German scientist and English lieutenant. This compound also has hideous creatures and is up to experiments that Dr. Maxon did. Wolfer once again gives us a continuation of a Burrough’s story that feels like he would have written it. The characters are interesting and the setting gives the reader a sense of mystery. Another entry in the Burrough’s universe that I eagerly await more of.

THE MONSTER MEN #1

“Soul of the Beast”
Writer: Mike Wolfer
Artist: Roy Allen Martinez

Townsend Harper Jr. with his fiancee Virginia has come back to the island where Dr. Maxon was conducting his experiments. With Sing and some Lascars the group lands and goes to the abandoned compound. They are there to see if Experiment number 13 is still alive. When Sing substituted Harper for the creature he left it out and the body was gone. Did an animal drag it off or is the creature still alive. Harper, Virginia and Sing check out the laboratory which was inhabited by an orangutan. The guards outside at the front gate are killed by an unknown intruder. Inside the lab Virginia is looking around and opens the curtain. Outside is a figure of a monster. It grabs Virginian and takes her outside. Harper goes after them and fights with the creature. Harper is about to be strangled when Virginia picks up the fallen pistol and points it at the creature. The creature says please no in German then runs away.

So a new addition to the ERB universe. This one was one of the first novels that Burroughs wrote back in 1913. The Monster Men was a sort of homage to The Island of Dr. Moreau. A story of a mad scientist who was trying to create life but ended up with soulless freaks. Number 13 the hero was a man with amnesia who Sing the Chinese servant put in the vat and tried to pass off as a successful experiment. An enjoyable action adventure as all of Burrough’s stories were. This was a standalone book and it is cool to see them resurrecting it. The plot of looking for the real number 13 who was assumed to have died is brilliant. So far this introduction sets up the atmosphere and story. I am looking forward to the upcoming miniseries for this title.