Werewolf by Night
The Werewolf by Night is the name applied to two fictional characters who are werewolves appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Werewolf by Night (usually referred to by other characters simply as the Werewolf) first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972).[1]
Publication history[]
Prior to the formation of the Comics Code Authority in 1954, Marvel's predecessor Atlas Comics published a five-page short story titled "Werewolf by Night!" in Marvel Tales #116 (July 1953).[2] With the relaxation of the Comics Code Authority's rules in 1971, it became possible for the first time to publish code-approved comic books with werewolves.[3] The Jack Russel version of Werewolf by Night first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972) and was based on an idea by Roy Thomas.[4] The series name was suggested by Stan Lee and the initial creative team was Gerry Conway and Mike Ploog,[5] who worked from a plot by Roy and Jeanie Thomas for the first issue. Readers have often pointed out that the lead character's name, Jack Russell, is also a breed of dog. Conway has said that while he cannot remember how he came up with the name, it is unlikely that he was making this canine reference consciously, since he did not own a dog and never lived with one growing up.[3] After the test run in Marvel Spotlight #2-4, the character graduated to his own eponymous series in September 1972.[6] Conway described working on the series as "a lot of fun" because the horror genre made a refreshing change from the superhero stories that had been the staple of mainstream comics for years.[3] Werewolf by Night was published for 43 issues and ran through March 1977.[7][8] During the series' run, the editorship could not resist the opportunity to assign one of their most popular writers, Marv Wolfman, to write some stories for the series with a playful note: "At last -- WEREWOLF -- written by a WOLFMAN."[9]
Issue #32 (August 1975) contains the first appearance of the Moon Knight. Jack Russell co-starred with Tigra in Giant-Size Creatures #1 (July 1974), which was the first appearance of Greer Grant Nelson as Tigra instead of as the Cat.[10][11] That series was retitled Giant-Size Werewolf with its second issue.[12] Jack Russell was dormant for most of the 1980s. The character's appearance was radically revamped in Moon Knight #29 (March 1983). He guest-starred in various issues of Spider-Woman, West Coast Avengers, and Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme. The Werewolf by Night was later revived in the pages of Marvel Comics Presents, where he appeared irregularly from 1991-1993. He made regular appearances as a supporting cast member in the pages of Morbius: The Living Vampire from 1993-1995. A letters page in an issue of Morbius mentioned that a Werewolf by Night miniseries by Len Kaminski and James Fry was in the works, but the miniseries was never published. Werewolf by Night vol. 2 ran for six issues in 1998.[13] The series was written by Paul Jenkins and penciled by Leonardo Manco. After the book's cancellation, the story was continued in the pages of Strange Tales, which also featured the Man-Thing. That volume of Strange Tales was canceled after only two issues due to poor sales. In early 2007, Marvel published a one-shot entitled Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night, with art by Greg Land. In January 2009, Jack Russell was featured in the four-issue limited series Dead of Night Featuring Werewolf by Night, from Marvel's mature readers MAX imprint. The series was written by Duane Swierczynski, with art by Mico Suayan.[14] He was featured as a member of Morbius' Midnight Sons in Marvel Zombies 4 in 2009.
A second Werewolf by Night first appeared in the third volume of Werewolf by Night and was created by Taboo of the Black-Eyed Peas, Benjamin Jackendoff, and Scot Eaton.[15]
Fictional character biography[]
Jack Russell[]
This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (September 2015) |
Werewolf by Night | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972) |
Created by | Roy Thomas Jeanie Thomas Gerry Conway Mike Ploog |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Jacob Russoff |
Species | Werewolf |
Team affiliations | Legion of Monsters Midnight Sons Night Shift |
Notable aliases | Jack Russell |
Abilities | In werewolf form: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, reflexes and sense of smell Accelerated healing factor Razor-sharp claws and teeth |
Jake Gomez[]
Werewolf by Night | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Werewolf by Night #1 (October 2020) |
Created by | Taboo Benjamin Jackendoff Scot Eaton |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Jake Gomez |
Species | Werewolf |
Abilities | In werewolf form: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, reflexes and sense of smell Accelerated healing factor Razor-sharp claws and teeth |
Powers and abilities[]
Jack Russell is a descendant of the mystically-altered offshoot of humans known as Lycanthropes. During the night of the full moon and the two nights surrounding it he is forced to mutate into a werewolf, a large, powerful form which is a hybrid of human and wolf, and loses his human intellect. Through a series of events, he is also capable of mutating voluntarily outside of the full moon, at which time he remains in control of himself. As a werewolf, Jack gains the proportionate physical advantages of a nearly 7-foot-tall (2.1 m) wolf. In this form, he possesses superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility and reflexes. He possesses a superhuman sense of smell, which carries over to his human form. He has razor-sharp teeth and claws that are able to rend light metals. The Werewolf is resistant to many forms of conventional injury and very difficult to kill by conventional means. Though he can be severely wounded, he recovers from non-fatal wounds much faster than a human would. He is vulnerable to magical attacks and, like all werewolves, he can be killed by weapons made of silver, due to its inherent mystical "purity".
Jake Gomez has the same transformation abilities like Jack Russell.
Other versions[]
In Marvel's Earth-666, a variation of the Jack Russell version the Werewolf appeared in Supernatural Tourbook and Supernaturals #1-4.
In the Marvel Adventures continuity, Jack Russell's family home is in Queens, New York. This brings him into conflict with Spider-Man after he reluctantly mutates the somewhat-innocent Flash Thompson into a werewolf. Fortunately, Dr. Strange's knowledge of lycanthropy saves Flash.[61]
During "Infinity Wars", when the universe was folded, Jack Russell got fused with Norman Osborn to create the Goblin by Night. Norman Russell was cursed to be the Goblin by Night, killed Ben and May Spector and nearly killed Peter Spector, leaving Peter to become the ArachKnight. During a battle with Peter, Norman got injured and got saved by his son, Harry Russell. While Harry was taking care of his father, Norman lost control and bit Harry, passing the curse on to him. Harry, now as the new Goblin by Night, starts using the glider that Peter built prior to him to becoming the Goblin, leaving Norman free from the curse, being forgiven by Peter and deciding to find a way to cure Harry.[62]
In other media[]
Television[]
- The Jack Russell incarnation of Werewolf by Night appears in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "This Man-Thing, This Monster!", voiced by Rob Paulsen.[citation needed] After his girlfriend, Ellen, is kidnapped by an army of mummies led by N'Kantu, the Living Mummy on Dracula's behalf, the Werewolf by Night joins forces with the Man-Thing and a dimensionally-displaced Iron Man to rescue her. While they succeed in defeating the vampire and the mummies, they learn Ellen had been turned into a vampiress. Taking inspiration from Iron Man, Werewolf by Night, Ellen, and the Man-Thing form the Supernatural Hero Squad to defend their town from future monster attacks.
- The Jack Russell incarnation of Werewolf by Night appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episodes "Blade" and "The Howling Commandos", voiced by Ross Lynch.[63] This version is a member of the Howling Commandos. Werewolf by Night and the Howling Commandos join forces with former member Blade and Spider-Man to retrieve a powerful ankh from Dracula.
- The Jack Russell incarnation of Werewolf by Night appears in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., voiced by Nolan North.[citation needed] This version is a member of the Howling Commandos. In the episode "Hulking Commandos", he and the Howling Commandos are assigned to apprehend the agents of S.M.A.S.H., only to join forces with them to defeat Dormammu.[64] In the episode "Planet Monster: Part 2", the Werewolf by Night joins the Howling Commandos in helping the agents of S.M.A.S.H. and the Avengers combat the Supreme Intelligence's forces.
- The Werewolf by Night's unnamed grandfather appears in "Days of Future Smash, Part 3: Dracula", also voiced by North. While operating in 1890, he helps Frankenstein's Monster, N'Kantu the Living Mummy, and a time-traveling Hulk thwart the Leader and Dracula's plan to blanket the Earth in darkness with their Gamma Furnace.
- A Halloween special based on the Jake Gomez incarnation of Werewolf by Night is in development for Disney+.[65]
Film[]
- A film adaptation of Werewolf by Night, written by Robert Nelson Jacobs, was announced and due to begin filming in 2005. However, no further developments took place since.[66]
Video games[]
- The Jack Russell incarnation of Werewolf by Night makes a cameo appearance in Jill Valentine's ending in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.[citation needed]
- The Jack Russell incarnation of Werewolf by Night appeared as an unlockable playable character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.[citation needed]
- The Jack Russell incarnation of Werewolf by Night appeared as an unlockable playable character in Marvel Avengers Academy. He could be first recruited during the event "Avengers Halloween Event 2017".[citation needed]
Reception[]
The Werewolf by Night was ranked #6 on a listing of Marvel Comics' monster characters in 2015.[67]
Collected editions[]
- Essential Werewolf by Night
- Vol. 1 collects Marvel Spotlight #2-4, Werewolf By Night #1-21, Marvel Team-Up #12, Giant-Size Creatures #1, and The Tomb of Dracula #18, 576 pages, October 2005, ISBN 978-0785118398
- Vol. 2 collects Werewolf By Night #22-43, Giant-Size Werewolf #2-5, and Marvel Premiere #28, 576 pages, November 2007, ISBN 978-0785127253
- Essential The Tomb of Dracula Vol. 1 includes Werewolf by Night #15, 560 pages, 2004, ISBN 978-0785109204
- Essential Monster of Frankenstein includes Giant-Size Werewolf #2, 496 pages, October 2004, ISBN 978-0785116349
- Essential Moon Knight Vol. 1 includes Werewolf by Night #32-33, 560 pages, March 2006, ISBN 978-0785120926
- Werewolf by Night: In the Blood includes Werewolf by Night vol. 2 #1-4 ISBN 978-0785132806
- Werewolf by Night: The Complete Collection
- Vol. 1: Spotlight #2-4, Werewolf by Night #1-15, Marvel Team-Up #12, Tomb of Dracula #18 (October 17, 2017)
- Vol. 2: Werewolf by Night #16-30, Giant-Size Creatures #1, Giant-Size Werewolf #2-4, material from Monsters Unleashed #6-7 (February 13, 2018)
- Vol. 3: Werewolf by Night #31-43, Giant-Size Werewolf #5, Premiere #28, Spider-Woman #6, 19, 32, Marvel Team-Up #93, Ghost Rider #55, Moon Knight #29-30, material from Premiere #59 (May 15, 2018)
References[]
- ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 406. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ "Marvel Tales #116 (July 1953)". Grand Comics Database.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Buttery, Jarrod (April 2014). "Ready for the Spotlight". Back Issue!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (#71): 6–7.
- ^ Brevoort, Tom; DeFalco, Tom; Manning, Matthew K.; Sanderson, Peter; Wiacek, Win (2017). Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 154. ISBN 978-1465455505.
- ^ Sanderson, Peter; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1970s". Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 154. ISBN 978-0756641238.
Roy Thomas came up with the idea for a series called 'I, Werewolf', narrated in the first person by a teenager who transformed into a werewolf. Stan Lee liked the concept but decided to name it 'Werewolf by Night'. The initial creative team on the series was scripter Gerry Conway and artist Mike Ploog.
CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link) - ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 157
- ^ Werewolf by Night at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Overstreet, Robert M. (2019). Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide (49th ed.). Timonium, Maryland: Gemstone Publishing. p. 1149. ISBN 978-1603602334.
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (November 1973). "Comes the Hangman". Werewolf by Night. 1 (11).
- ^ "Giant-Size Creatures #1 (July 1974)". Grand Comics Database.
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 165: "Greer Nelson, the super-hero known as the Cat, was exposed to lethal radiation. To save her life, members of an ancient race called the Cat People transformed her into Tigra the Were-Woman, a catlike being."
- ^ Giant-Size Werewolf at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Werewolf by Night vol. 2 at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Richards, Dave (December 19, 2008). "Swierczynski on Werewolf By Night". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
- ^ "Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and Benjamin Jackendoff Introduce a New Werewolf By Night". Marvel Comics. July 21, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ Thomas, Roy; Thomas, Jean; Conway, Gerry (w), Ploog, Mike (p), Ploog, Mike (i). "First Night" Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972)
- ^ Conway, Gerry (w), Ploog, Mike (p), Ploog, Mike (i). "Werewolf By Night!" Marvel Spotlight #3 (May 1972)
- ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2012). "1970s". Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 69. ISBN 978-0756692360.
Scripter [Len] Wein and plotter [Gerry] Conway teamed up for an issue [of Marvel Team-Up] penciled by Ross Andru that featured Spider-Man facing the threat of Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night.
CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link) - ^ Conway, Gerry; Wein, Len (w), Andru, Ross (p), Perlin, Don (i). "Wolf At Bay" Marvel Team-Up #12 (August 1973)
- ^ Conway, Gerry (w), Sutton, Tom (p), Sutton, Tom (i). "The Sinister Secret Of Sarnak!" Werewolf by Night #10 (October 1973)
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (w), Colan, Gene (p), Palmer, Tom (i). "Enter: Werewolf by Night" The Tomb of Dracula #18 (March 1974)
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (w), Ploog, Mike (p), Chiaramonte, Frank (i). "Death Of A Monster!" Werewolf by Night #15 (March 1974)
- ^ Isabella, Tony (w), Perlin, Don (p), Colletta, Vince (i). "Tigra the Were-Woman!" Giant-Size Creatures #1 (July 1974)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Colletta, Vince (i). "The Frankenstein Monster Meets Werewolf By Night" Giant-Size Werewolf #2 (October 1974)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Trapani, Sal (i). "Castle Curse!" Giant-Size Werewolf #3 (January 1975)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Redondo, Virgil (p), Redondo, Virgil (i). "A Meeting of Blood" Giant-Size Werewolf #4 (April 1975)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Montano, Yong (p), Montano, Yong (i). "The Plunder of Paingloss" Giant-Size Werewolf #5 (July 1975)
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 170: "In August [1975], Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night, encountered a new mysterious enemy called Moon Knight, created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin."
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Perlin, Howie (i). "The Stalker Called Moon Knight" Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Perlin, Howie (i). "Wolf-Beast Vs. Moon Knight" Werewolf by Night #33 (September 1975)
- ^ Mantlo, Bill (w), Robbins, Frank (p), Gan, Steve (i). "There's a Mountain On Sunset Boulevard!" Marvel Premiere #28 (February 1976)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Perlin, Don (i). "And Death Shall Be the Change" Werewolf by Night #41 (November 1976)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Perlin, Don (i). "The Marauder and the Man of Iron" Werewolf by Night #42 (January 1977)
- ^ Moench, Doug (w), Perlin, Don (p), Perlin, Don (i). "Terrible Threat of the Tri-Animan!" Werewolf by Night #43 (March 1977)
- ^ Gruenwald, Mark; Grant, Steven (w), Infantino, Carmine (p), Esposito, Mike (i). "The Beast Within" Spider-Woman #19 (October 1979)
- ^ Fleisher, Michael (w), Leialoha, Steve (p), Mooney, Jim (i). "The Fangs of Werewolf By Night" Spider-Woman #32 (November 1980)
- ^ Grant, Steven (w), Sutton, Tom; Infantino, Carmine (p), Mooney, Jim (i). "Rags to Riches!" Marvel Team-Up #93 (May 1980)
- ^ Engelhart, Steve (w), Milgrom, Al (p), Sinnott, Joe (i). "Ins and Outs!" West Coast Avengers v2, #5 (February 1986)
- ^ Mallonee, Dennis (w), Hoberg, Rick (p), Akin, Ian; Garvey, Brian; (i). "A Renaissance of Magic!" Iron Man #209 (August 1986)
- ^ Gruenwald, Mark (w), Morgan, Tom (p), (i). "Night Shift" Captain America #330 (June 1987)
- ^ (w), (p), (i). "Children of the Beast Chapter 1: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" Marvel Comics Presents #54 (July 1990)
- ^ Kaminski, Len (w), Fry, Jim (p), Joyce, Brad (i). "Children of the Beast Part 2: The Gathering Storm" Marvel Comics Presents #55 (July 1990)
- ^ Kaminski, Len (w), Fry, Jim (p), Joyce, Brad (i). "Children of the Beast Chapter III: Trail of Blood" Marvel Comics Presents #56 (August 1990)
- ^ Kaminski, Len (w), Fry, Jim (p), Joyce, Brad (i). "Children of the Beast Part 4: Leader of the Pack" Marvel Comics Presents #57 (August 1990)
- ^ Kaminski, Len (w), Fry, Jim (p), Joyce, Brad (i). "Children of the Beast Chapter V: Communion" Marvel Comics Presents #58 (September 1990)
- ^ Kaminski, Len (w), Fry, Jim (p), Joyce, Brad (i). "Children of the Beast Part 6: Reborn to Be Wild" Marvel Comics Presents #59 (September 1990)
- ^ (w), (p), (i). "New Blood" Morbius: The Living Vampire #30 (February 1995)
- ^ (w), Deodato, Mike (p), Deodato, Mike (i). "The Gathering" Witches #1 (Early August 2004)
- ^ Carey, Mike (w), Land, Greg (p), (i). "Smalltown Girl: A Werewolf By Night Tale" Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night #1 (April 2007)
- ^ (w), Deodato, Mike (p), Deodato, Mike (i). "In The Company Of Wolves" Moon Knight v6, #20 (September 2008)
- ^ Van Lente, Fred; Walker, Kev (2010). Marvel Zombies 4. Marvel Comics. p. 128. ISBN 978-0785139188.
- ^ Van Lente, Fred; (2010). Amazing Spider-Man #622. Marvel Comics.
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- ^ Remender, Rick; Liu, Marjorie; Way, Daniel (2011). The Punisher: Franken-Castle. Marvel Comics. p. 344. ISBN 978-0785144205.
- ^ David, Peter (w), (p), (i). X-Factor v2, #222 (September 2011)
- ^ David, Peter (w), Lupacchino, Emanuela (p), Ortego, Guillermo (i). X-Factor v2, #223 (October 2011)
- ^ David, Peter (w), Lupacchino, Emanuela (p), Ortego, Guillermo (i). X-Factor v2, #224 (October 2011)
- ^ Duggan, Gerry (w), Hawthorne, Mike (p), Pallot, Terry (i). "Good Help is Hard to Find" Deadpool v4, #17 (October 2016)
- ^ Duggan, Gerry (w), Hawthorne, Mike (p), Pallot, Terry (i). Deadpool v4, #18 (November 2016)
- ^ Werewolf by Night Vol. 3 #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ David, Peter (w), Norton, Mike (p), Lee, Norman (i). "Hair of the Dog That Bit Ya" Marvel Adventures #17 (September 2006)
- ^ Hopeless, Dennis (w), Garza, Alé (p), Garza, Alé (i). Infinity Warps: ArachKnight 1 (December 2018)
- ^ Ferrell, Cody (September 21, 2013). "Terry Crews Is Blade In Ultimate Spider-Man's Halloween Special". Comic Book Therapy. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Hulking Commandos". Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 2. Episode 3. October 19, 2014. Disney XD.
- ^ Shuler, Skyler (August 27, 2021). "Marvel Studios 'Werewolf By Night' Casting a Latino Lead". The Disinsider. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "Werewolf by Night Movie Update". SuperHeroHype.com. November 18, 2005. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
- ^ Buxton, Marc (October 30, 2015). "Marvel's 31 Best Monsters". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018.
Werewolf by Night was part of the Marvel monster surge of the early '70s and remains one of Marvel’s most heroic classic monsters.
External links[]
- Werewolf by Night at Marvel.com
- Werewolf by Night at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
- Werewolf by Night appearances in publication order
- 1972 comics debuts
- Characters created by Gerry Conway
- Characters created by Mike Ploog
- Characters created by Roy Thomas
- Comics about werewolves
- Comics by Doug Moench
- Comics by Gerry Conway
- Comics by Marv Wolfman
- Comics characters introduced in 1972
- Defunct American comics
- Fictional characters with superhuman senses
- Fictional Romanian people
- Fictional werewolves
- Horror comics
- Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
- Marvel Comics superheroes
- Marvel Comics titles
- Midnight Sons