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Tags: ANCIENT HISTORY #14 – A Review of Werewolf By Night #32
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Paint Monk’s Library welcomes you to a regular feature by blogger John Jack. If you want to have a classic comic book reviewed, let him know in the comments section below! This is the 14th installment of “Ancient History.”)
Welcome, one and all, to the classic comic feature from the real life superhero that reads all the comics just to tell what you folks what to read – ME! Now come, True Believers, it’s time for another edition of ANCIENT HISTORY! Do you have a classic comic (pre-1990) that you love and want me to review? Tell me in the comments, or private message me (John Jack) on Facebook!
Today’s installment of Ancient History is none other than the wide-eyed Werewolf by Night! Also featured in this issue is the first appearance of the lunar legend himself, the maniacal menacing Moon Knight! Encased in a suit of pure silver, he’s more than a match for werewolf Jack Russell (ha! even his name is a dog!!)
Specifically, we’re talking about Werewolf By Night #32, the premiere horror event of 1975!
Werewolf By Night was part of a large wave of books that were published after the Comics Code Authority relaxed its standards in 1971. Prior to that werewolves, vampires and zombies were largely forbidden under the CCA. Books like this one can be considered a gateway to amazing characters like the Swamp Thing and Blade (also ongoing at this time in a few series, years away from his first solo book!) It’s interesting that this comic is in color, as many horror comics of the era were published in black and white magazine format.
Our story begins with Moon Knight beating up on the werewolf, who can’t even touch him without pain. The Moon Knight deploys multiple silver-tinged weapons and brings the wolf to his knees. Before Moon Knight has a chance to finish him off, the wolf takes an opportunity to reminisce (a popular bronze age story element) on how he arrived in this predicament.
The night before (last issue, Werewolf By Night #31) the wolf tried to murder a seven year old girl named Buttons, but was stopped by Jack Rusell’s best friend Buck, leaving Buck for dead, torn to pieces in the snow. The wolf ran off and fell asleep under a log and awoke half naked as Jack Russell. The previous issue was actually pretty fantastic. I read a couple of issues previous to this one to have a bit of background (which is highly recommended!)
After Jack woke up, he made his way back to his clothing and waited for Buck to come get him at the agreed upon time and place. Waiting for a few hours, Jack then walks to the highway and hitch-hikes home to find out that Buck was mauled by the werewolf the night before. An emotionally distraught Jack rushes to the hospital to find out that Buck is alive but in a coma thanks to the efforts of the doctors. But there’s a chance Buck will never awaken from his coma (insert dramatic musical buildup here, dun dun DUUUUN!)
The story then turns to a young mercenary named Marc Spector, the story of Moon Knight, who he is and how he came to be…is for you to discover. Read this issue for yourself!
CAPSULE REVIEW: This was a pretty solid book. Admittedly, this is my first issue of Werewolf by Night (well, third since I read the two before for context!) This issue gives you virtually everything you need to know and can be read as a standalone story with few problems. The Moon Knight, despite looking like his modern day counterpart, spouted all kinds of dumb mid-70s street lingo. It was kind of lame and dated.
The “bet you’re wondering how I got here” brand of storytelling is not the strongest approach; it always bothers me when they pull you away from the action to give you lots of background information, especially as much of the said info were things I already I knew from reading the preceding issue. Granted, this issue was at the tail end of the era when they had to assume you had no idea what was going on and had to hold your hand through every storyline.
The art in this issue was pretty cool, with Moon Knight looking good throughout. This series is interesting and I’ll likely be reading more of it in the future.
The creative team for the book is:
A solid issue in a good series. I plan to revisit this issue sometime soon, as such I’ll give it an 8.5 out of 10. This comic is available in collected format in the trade paperback Werewolf by Night: The Complete Collection Vol. 3 or in the Werewolf by Night Omnibus. I found the single issue on eBay for $100-400 (darn low print runs!) with a high graded CGC copy going for $1400.
– John Jack
This story also kicks off the first Moon Knight Epic Collection, as well. Love that Moon Knight. Love this blog, too! I don't get to chime in much, but I read it most every day. Keep on truckin'!
Thank you! I read your site – "Diversions of the Groovy Kind" – as well. If you'd be interested in any cross promotion or simply having me put up a banner for you on PM Library, please let me know. Send me an email at paintingmonk AT gee mail dot com.
Although Don Perlin's art was passable Mike Ploog's in the early issues was outstanding.