KC COLUMN: INHUMANS’ BEST FRIEND

KC Carlson

KC Carlson


a KC COLUMN by KC Carlson

Lockjaw didn't make the cover of #45, but here he is on the cover of Fantastic Four #46

Lockjaw didn’t make the cover of #45, but here he is on the cover of Fantastic Four #46


If you like dogs, there’s a weird number of comics out this week starring Man’s Best Friend — not the least of which is the new Lockjaw #1. Lockjaw is the incredibly over-sized canine-looking Inhuman who’s been with the group since their debut way back in Fantastic Four #45 (December 1965). (Although both Medusa (Fantastic Four #36) and Gorgon (Fantastic Four #44) actually appeared earlier.)

The Thing #4

The Thing #4


For many years, in early Marvel continuity, it was thought that Lockjaw was just a dog — a teleporting dog, sure, but still a dog. Then, in a story in The Thing #3 & 4 (1983), it was revealed that Lockjaw was not a dog, but an actual humanoid mutant who evolved into a dog — and could actually speak. Later, in X-Factor #71-72 (1991), it was revealed that the previous Thing story was all just a hoax on Ben perpetrated by Karnak and Gorgon. Oh, those wacky Inhumans!

For the record, and thankfully, Lockjaw has been mostly dog-like — for an Inhuman dog, anyway — ever since.

THEY ALL HAVE AN ITCH THEY JUST GOTTA SCRATCH!

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #1

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #1


Lockjaw’s even starred in his own miniseries before (albeit with some friends!). Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers was a four-issue miniseries in 2009 written by Chris Eliopoulos, drawn by Ig Guara, and with covers by Karl Kerschl and others. The teleporting Lockjaw gathers an all-animal team, including Lockheed the dragon (Kitty Pryde’s friend), Redwing (the Falcon’s friend), Hairball (aka Niels the cat, belonging to Speedball), and an all-new Thor Frog! And that’s just the first issue! When charged with collecting the Infinity Gems, they need even more help — encountering warm fuzzies like Zabu, Ka-Zar’s saber-toothed tiger, to help battle Devil Dinosaur. That’s just a warm-up to battling the killer whale Giganto under the sea!

After they scratched/pawed/clawed/gnawed their way throughout all existence, the Pet Avengers returned (as did creators Chris Eliopoulos and Ig Guara) in 2010’s Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers Unleashed. Besides Frog Thor and the Mighty Thor, there’s actually a foe so large that he won’t even fit on the cover of issue #4!

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers: Unleashed

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers: Unleashed


There are some awesome variant covers for these series by artists including Roger Langridge, Skottie Young, Scott Kurtz, and Takeshi Miyazawa — so if you’re tempted, be sure to track down the collections (available in both hard- and softcover)! In addition to all the cover images, the first series collection even includes the Marvel Pets Handbook, which is chock full of facts, and maybe a little fur.

GOING SOLO?

Lockjaw #1

Lockjaw #1


So, out today, is Lockjaw #1 (of 4). (The actual title may be: Lockjaw: Who’s a Good Boy?) Written by Daniel Kibblesmith (with that name, he was born to write about dogs!), and illustrated by Carlos Villa. Lockjaw teams with D-Man to face down Annihillus, Lord of the Negative Zone!

The cover for the upcoming Lockjaw #3

The cover for the upcoming Lockjaw #3


Among the Marvel personalities Lockjaw encounters while attempting to round-up his brothers and sisters (?!?) are Ka-Zar and Sabu!, Peter Porker, Spider-Ham!, and the Avengers B.C.! (What?!? I hope that doesn’t mean British Columbia!)

For even more Lockjaw, check out his guest appearances in Monsters Unleashed #11 & 12 and recent issues of Black Bolt! He was also helping out Ms. Marvel a few issues back in her series – there’s nothing like a teleporting dog when you need a snack and a caffeine hit from your favorite local coffee spot!

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KC CARLSON SEZ: For more dogs, this week also sees the publication of The Ruff and Ready Show #5 (of 6) and Scooby-Doo Team-Up #35 (guest-starring Yogi Bear, who, for the record, is NOT a dog). Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #28 is also out this week. As regular readers know, Devil often acts more like a dog than a dinosaur… as does Deadpool some days, but maybe not in this week’s Spider-Man Deadpool #28.

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. I’m kinda irritated that I’m having trouble differentiating between dogs and dinosaurs (and Deadpools) this week. I blame the Letter D and urge Sesame Street to put Letter D on Double-Secret Drobation until the real Derpetrator is Dound. Dikes! D’s dre dttacking dhe Dlog! Delp!!!

 

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