THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (A MARVEL MOVIE SPECIAL)
No. 1 (One-shot)
1977 (No month)
Marvel Comics Group
Editor: Roger Slifer
Cover: Gil Kane
Script: Doug Moench
Art: Larry Hama
Inks: Jess Jodloman
Colors: Janice Cohen
Lettering: Irv Watanabe; Jess Jodloman
Pages: 52
Cover price: 50 cents
This is the comic book adaptation of the 1977 film starring Burt Lancaster, Michael York and Barbara Carrera. The good cast is marred by a so-so treatment. The make-up for the various "manimals" by John Chambers and Thomas Burman is overall effective and is one of the saving graces of the movie, along with, of course, the most lovely Ms. Carrera. While Lancaster as Moreau is said to be closer to the character described in H.G. Wells' novel, he just doesn't seem right for the role. I find the Laughton version superior in every respect. So far as the comic goes, Larry Hama's art is good, but it would have been interesting to see someone like Wrightson (if they had him) or Mike Ploog on it. Includes two text articles with photos.
NOTE: This scan is sans ads.
The Invisible Man was a story which opened the mind to dark possibilities. The War of the Worlds was a fantasy about society's fragile nature. But Dr. Moreau remains the most disturbing of his fantasies, the grim character of Moreau and the savage nature of his practices. It's been the source of some really bad movies, a great many good movies and at least one great one.
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