My Rating
“Werewolf By Night”
In the warehouse, from a dark corner lunged the beast. The murderer was not the wolf but a contract killer waiting for his payment. The woman was Jack Russell’s mother, her death came at the hand of Max Grant, the family chauffeur and psychopath. It was Phillip Russell who placed the contract on his wife. The reasoning was simple, money.
What Jack’s stepfather had not planned for was a dark secret passed down from father to son. The Hereditary Curse of the Werewolf flowed in Jack Russell’s veins. Tonight the son of Gregor Russoff would take revenge for his poor mother’s soul. The moon is full, it’s night three, and the beast has left all humanity at the warehouse door.
What secrets will Laura Russell reveal to Jack on her deathbed? Is there another creature stalking the Pacific palisades? Will the Werewolf survive his encounter with a professional killer?
“Introducing… The Girl Called… Venus – Where Gargoyles Dwell!”
Originally printed in Venus No.16 (Timely) 1951
From the lofty towers of Olympus to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, California, there is one gal who can run a successful beauty magazine and fight crime all at the same time. Her name is Venus. Yes, that Venus. The Greek goddess of love for those living in Deadsville. Just don’t tell her publisher Whit Hammond.
In today’s news, a young blond woman filed a police report claiming to have escaped a mass murder scene at the business offices of Corpo Construction. In her own words there were men dressed as Gargoyles attacking everything on the thirteenth floor. What, is that dame off her rocker? The police released a statement to the newspapers that there is no thirteenth floor. It just goes to show you women over-exaggerate everything. Now on with the sports…
Will the love goddess crack the mystery of the thirteenth floor? Who is the mysterious stenographer woman hiding under the desk in suite 1307? Do Gargoyles really have a king? Collect the Spotlight to find out!
Reviewer Notes
Werewolf By Night just happens to be my favorite Marvel horror character, and being lucky enough to get a copy of this rare book, I decided to kick off October 2023 with the first appearance of Jack Russell. There is no denying the coolness of this Lycanthrope, as the character is still being written into stories as of today.
The creative team of Roy Thomas, Jean Thomas, and Gerry Conway really knocked it out of the park with the Jack Russell origins story. Not only is he a troubled teenager with a broken family, Jack is a ticking time bomb and he doesn’t even know it. Thanks papa Gregor for the hereditary curse!
Let’s not forget the awesomeness of Ploog! The man, the myth, the pencils. He was a major talent on so many of the Marvel horror titles back in the 1970s. I just couldn’t imagine Jack Kirby doing the penciling for Werewolf By Night. It would be beyond the scope of reality.
The second story in Spotlight No.02 features a golden age reprint from Timely Comics. I have two questions. Why did Marvel stop using this character? Why do I love this character so much? Carol Danvers be damned, bring on Venus! In the modern world lusting for strong female superheroes, why has no one grabbed this character and ran with it?
Side Note: How do you omit the 13th floor of a building? You can’t physically leave a blank void between floors. The wording in this story is quite comical. Did the editor miss this fopa?
Extra Side Note: I’m not sure if this was done to prevent a copyright lawsuit, or if the writers were sleeping at the wheel, but… They misquoted the famous gypsy poem from Universal Studios movie the Wolfman. I’m not trying to be picky here, however this is an iconic line.
Overall, I loved Marvel Spotlight No.02, so I’m giving it four out of five stars. Did I mention Werewolves are my spirit animal? It’s the truth. If you don’t have this book in your collection please reconsider. For only a few cents a day you too can support a starving Lycanthrope.
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