King Kong (comics)
Encyclopedia
King Kong
has been adapted into comic book format a number of times.
) created comic strips for each respective film in their press books. These strips were published by newspapers across the country weeks leading up to each film's release as part of a pre-release publicity compaign. When The Son of Kong strip was published in Mexico, it featured additional artwork not seen in the American strip.
was published in the one shot comic America's Best TV Comics by Marvel Comics
in 1967.
In Japan, the cartoon version of King Kong appeared in a comic strip in issue No. 34 of the Japanese magazine Shonen Magazine
. In this issue published in 1967, Kong battles a living version of the Statue of Liberty
brought about by Dr.Who. This strip was based on the American cartoon series which was animated in Japan by Toei Animation
. Shonen Magazine would publish numerous strips based on the 1960s King Kong cartoon throughout the shows run in that country featuring adaptations of various episodes but also original stories as well. Another comic magazine from Japan had strips based on the series too.
The series was originally called The Gorilla (El Gorilla) before being renamed a few issues later to The Gorilla of the Forest (El Gorilla del la Selva). A few issues later in 1966, it was renamed again to King Kong. At this point the series was now being published by a company called Editorial Orizaba. They continued as the publisher until 1972 when a company called Joma would take over.
The next King Kong comic from Latin America was King Kong in the Microcosmos.
The publisher of the series was Editorial America and it was published around 1978, and lasted roughly 35 issues. This comic was about a group of aliens who lives in the Microcosmos and they are facing a war in their planet. Searching for a warrior to help them in this war, they found a gorilla who was chased by a group of hunters and take him and some of the hunters to their planet in order to win the war. They reduced Kong and the other earthlings and once they were in their planet they reversed the effect and Kong became a huge gorilla who helped them.
, a subsidiary of Western Publishing
, put out an adaptation in 1968, drawn by Alberto Giolitti
with a cover painting by George Wilson (other credits are unknown), while Golden Press also released the comic (with the Whitman logo) as part of a Treasury Edition release. This oversized comic was commissioned by Merian C. Cooper
and was based on the 1932 novelization
by Delos W. Lovelace
, (which Cooper owned the copyright of) rather than the 1933 film. It was reprinted a few times ultimately upon the release of the 1976 remake
, not just in the U.S (by Golden Press), but other countries as well, translated into Dutch, Swedish
, German and Norwegian
editions.
created a character in the pages of Valiant Comics
called Mytek the Mighty. This character was a giant robot ape that was built by a Professor Boyce. He appeared in various issues published by IPC well into the 1970s. When these comic strips were published in France from 1972–1974, the character's name was changed to King Kong the Robot. When the 32 issue comic was reprinted as various collections it was renamed Super King Kong.
of Fantagraphics Books
, produced a six-issue black and white comic book in 1991, adapted and illustrated by Don Simpson
, and authorized by Merian C. Cooper's estate.
It is not, in fact, based on the 1933 film
, but instead on the 1932 novelization
by Delos W. Lovelace
, and thus differs from the movie in numerous places. Notably, the ship is called the Vastator instead of the Venture and the characters of Charlie the Chinese cook and Second Mate Briggs are absent, replaced by a character from Lovelace's novel named Lumpy. The comic also contains several scenes not found in the film including the infamous "spider pit" scenes and extra encounters with dinosaurs by the search party. Other notable changes include the addition of a character totally original to this comic, Denham's assistant Wally, and an extended sequence of several dinosaurs joining Kong in attacking the native village.
was publishing comics based on popular movie monsters such as Alien, Predator
, Gamera
, and Godzilla
. They wanted to base comics on King Kong as well. There were plans on doing a comic adaptation of the 1933 film, as well as pitting King Kong against the Aliens and against the Predators
. Furthermore there were plans on producing a Tarzan vs King Kong (aka Tarzan on Skull Island) story as well. But the problems over the complicated and muddled rights
to the King Kong character killed these plans. Comic book artist and King Kong fan Arthur Adams, lamented years later in a interview published in the book Comics Gone Ape by Michael Eury,
Well we talked about that. The rights were a horrible mess. Dark Horse couldn't find a way to do it. Someone held rights for the music, someone for the movie, someone for the story, and were ready to sue each other whenever anyone wanted to do anything with it.
The above book has various sketches from the planned Tarzan vs King Kong project that never materialized. The most Dark Horse was able to do was feature King Kong in a one page segment in the one shot comic Urban Legends published in 1993 that dispells the dual ending myth from the film King Kong vs Godzilla.
In 2005, Dark Horse Comics
and DH Press
were able to strike a deal with Universal to license and produce tie-in comic books in connection with King Kong. This included King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World a direct comic book adaptation of the 2005 remake
. This adaptation was planned to be a three issue mini-series. While issue No. 1 was published, Dark Horse decided than rather publish issues No. 2 and No. 3 on their own, they would publish them along with issue No. 1 again as a collected Trade Paperback in 2006. They also published a mini-comic called Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World that was shipped with the various toys from the Playmates
toy line based on the film.
They also were able to strike a deal with Joe DeVito
a year earlier, to publish an illustrated novel (in both hardcover and softcover editions with differing cover art) called Kong: King of Skull Island. This story, by Joe DeVito
, was an authorized sequel to the original King Kong story commissioned by Merian C Cooper's estate.
and was published in 2004 by DH Press
, a subsidiary of Dark Horse Comics
. A large-paperback edition was released in 2005. Authorized by the family and estate of Merian C. Cooper
, the book was created & illustrated by Joe DeVito, written by Brad Strickland
with John Michlig, and includes an introduction by Ray Harryhausen
. The novel's story ignores the existence of Son of Kong
(1933) and continues the story of Skull Island with Carl Denham
and Jack Driscoll
in the late 1950s, through the novel's central character, Vincent Denham (Ann Darrow does not appear, but is mentioned several times). The novel also becomes a prequel that reveals the story of the early history of Kong, of Skull Island, and of the natives of the island. On the novel's official website; it has stated that it would become a major motion picture. It does not have a release date yet. A six issue comic adaptation of the novel was published by Markosia
in 2007 that was eventually collected as a trade paperback.
Gaw and the Death Runners
An interesting addition to the main storyline is the appearance of a new type of dinosaur species called the "death runners" by the natives. They are clearly evolved dromaeosaurs with an intelligence that easily surpasses that of the Venatosaurus. they are incredibly intelligent and crafy enough to create complex traps and plan strategies long before hand. they "serve" a gigantic lone dromaeosaur named "Gaw". Gaw was originally the beast that the Skull Islanders appeased with human sacrifices instead of Kong. She is a monstrous raptor-like theropod with some dragon-like features in her face and a flat, almost Godzilla 90's-like snout. One day, she apparently went on a rampage and killed Kong's parents in a brutal fight, leaving him the last of his kind; the two titans grew up with a bitter hatred until Kong killed Gaw in battle and he was then crowned "king" of the island, leading to the sacrifices to him currently.
and DC Comics
. For Marvel, the character Warlock
from The New Mutants turned into Godzilla and then King Kong during a rampage through New York City in Web of Spider-Man Annual No. 2 from 1986. In Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man No. 1 from 1999, Peter Parker is seen watching the film King Kong
at a cinema alongside Quentin Beck
. He would return to watch the film again in issue #3. For DC, he appeared via a poster in 1961's Adventure Comics #289. In that comic's back-up strip called Tales of the Bizarro World, Bizarro encounters Titano
on Earth's prehistoric past. When he returns to his home world, he's inspired to make a TV series based on the character only to be accused of ripping off King Kong. King Kong appeared as a statue in Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane No. 73 in 1967 and as a robot brought to life (among other giant robots in an amusement park created by Toyman
) to fight Superman in Adventures of Superman No. 475 in 1991. In issue No. 226 of Superman in 1970, Clark Kent is seen watching the film King Kong
at a Metropolis
cinema and after being exposed to Red Kryptonite (as Superman) grows into a giant who rampages through the city in a story called When Superman became King Kong!. In issue No. 120 of Weird War Tales from 1983, G.I. Robot
encounters a giant female ape referred to as "Mrs.King Kong" on Dinosaur Island
who saves him and his allies from a Tyrannosaurus
. In 1985's Blue Devil No. 15, Blue Devil battles a giant robot King Kong that malfunctions at the "King Kong Attraction" located at the "Verner Bros" studio in Hollywood. Outside of these major comic book companies, King Kong was featured in various smaller publications as well. He was featured in a spoof story in issue No. 106 of Mad House from Archie Comics
in 1977. He's featured in issue No. 41 of the Elvifrance
comic series Green Series (Serie Verte) in an issue titled The Secret of King Kong. He was also featured in issue No. 6 of the Italian comic series Erotic Comic Selections, and appeared in issue No. 215 of the New Tintin
(Nouveau Tintin) comic in 1979. A comic strip adaptation of the original film appeared in issue No. 887 of the French magazine Pif gadget
in 1986. Outside of these cameos and one shot appearances, King Kong has been spoofed and has influenced other giant apes in comics for many years.
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
has been adapted into comic book format a number of times.
RKO comic strips
In 1933, RKO (who produced King Kong and The Son of KongThe Son of Kong
The Son of Kong is a 1933 American adventure film/monster movie produced by RKO Pictures. Directed by Ernest Schoedsack and featuring special effects by Buzz Gibson and Willis O'Brien, the film starred Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack and Frank Reicher...
) created comic strips for each respective film in their press books. These strips were published by newspapers across the country weeks leading up to each film's release as part of a pre-release publicity compaign. When The Son of Kong strip was published in Mexico, it featured additional artwork not seen in the American strip.
The King Kong Show
A mini story (called Kong Joins the Circus) which was based on the King Kong from The King Kong ShowThe King Kong Show
The King Kong Show is an American/Japanese children's animated television series produced in 1966 by Videocraft of the USA, and Japan's Toei Animation and is the first anime series produced in Japan for an American company...
was published in the one shot comic America's Best TV Comics by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
in 1967.
In Japan, the cartoon version of King Kong appeared in a comic strip in issue No. 34 of the Japanese magazine Shonen Magazine
Weekly Shonen Magazine
, also known as Shōnen Magazine, is a shōnen manga magazine published by Kodansha, first published on 17 March 1959. Despite some unusual censorship policies , it's mainly read by an older audience, with a large portion of its readership falling under the male high school or college...
. In this issue published in 1967, Kong battles a living version of the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
brought about by Dr.Who. This strip was based on the American cartoon series which was animated in Japan by Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
. Shonen Magazine would publish numerous strips based on the 1960s King Kong cartoon throughout the shows run in that country featuring adaptations of various episodes but also original stories as well. Another comic magazine from Japan had strips based on the series too.
1960s/1970s Mexican King Kong Comics
In 1965 a Mexican comic company called Ediciones Mexico published a series based on King Kong. The series was published with fully painted color covers but with sepia and white interior artwork. A new issue was published every Wednesday and the series would run at least 185 issues.The series was originally called The Gorilla (El Gorilla) before being renamed a few issues later to The Gorilla of the Forest (El Gorilla del la Selva). A few issues later in 1966, it was renamed again to King Kong. At this point the series was now being published by a company called Editorial Orizaba. They continued as the publisher until 1972 when a company called Joma would take over.
The next King Kong comic from Latin America was King Kong in the Microcosmos.
The publisher of the series was Editorial America and it was published around 1978, and lasted roughly 35 issues. This comic was about a group of aliens who lives in the Microcosmos and they are facing a war in their planet. Searching for a warrior to help them in this war, they found a gorilla who was chased by a group of hunters and take him and some of the hunters to their planet in order to win the war. They reduced Kong and the other earthlings and once they were in their planet they reversed the effect and Kong became a huge gorilla who helped them.
Gold Key
Gold Key ComicsGold Key Comics
Gold Key Comics was an imprint of Western Publishing created for comic books distributed to newsstands. Also known as Whitman Comics, Gold Key operated from 1962 to 1984.-History:...
, a subsidiary of Western Publishing
Western Publishing
Western Publishing, also known as Western Printing and Lithographing Company was a Racine, Wisconsin firm responsible for publishing the Little Golden Books. Western Publishing also produced children's books and family-related entertainment products as Golden Books Family Entertainment...
, put out an adaptation in 1968, drawn by Alberto Giolitti
Alberto Giolitti
Alberto Giolitti was an Italian-American comic book artist.He was born in Rome, where his family held one of the most famous café, Giolitti, where he also worked for a while. He debuted as artist for Il Vittorioso in the late 1940s...
with a cover painting by George Wilson (other credits are unknown), while Golden Press also released the comic (with the Whitman logo) as part of a Treasury Edition release. This oversized comic was commissioned by Merian C. Cooper
Merian C. Cooper
Merian Caldwell Cooper was an American aviator, United States Air Force and Polish Air Force officer, adventurer, screenwriter, and film director and producer. His most famous film was the 1933 movie King Kong.-Early life:...
and was based on the 1932 novelization
Novelization
A novelization is a novel that is written based on some other media story form rather than as an original work.Novelizations of films usually add background material not found in the original work to flesh out the story, because novels are generally longer than screenplays...
by Delos W. Lovelace
Delos W. Lovelace
Delos Wheeler Lovelace was the author of the original novelisation of the film King Kong .That novel was published in serialized form in Mystery Magazine in 1932 and in book form later that year by Grosset & Dunlap, slightly before the film was released...
, (which Cooper owned the copyright of) rather than the 1933 film. It was reprinted a few times ultimately upon the release of the 1976 remake
King Kong (1976 film)
King Kong is a 1976 American monster movie produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by John Guillermin. It is a remake of the 1933 classic film of the same name, about a giant ape that is captured and imported to New York City for exhibition....
, not just in the U.S (by Golden Press), but other countries as well, translated into Dutch, Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, German and Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
editions.
King Kong The Robot
In 1964, the British comic company IPC MediaIPC Media
IPC Media , a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc., is a consumer magazine and digital publisher in the United Kingdom, with a large portfolio selling over 350 million copies each year.- Origins :...
created a character in the pages of Valiant Comics
Valiant (comic)
Valiant was the title of a British boys adventure comics anthology which ran from 1962 to 1976. It was published by IPC Magazines and was one of their major adventure titles throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.-Publication history:...
called Mytek the Mighty. This character was a giant robot ape that was built by a Professor Boyce. He appeared in various issues published by IPC well into the 1970s. When these comic strips were published in France from 1972–1974, the character's name was changed to King Kong the Robot. When the 32 issue comic was reprinted as various collections it was renamed Super King Kong.
Monster Comics
Monster Comics, an imprintImprint
In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...
of Fantagraphics Books
Fantagraphics Books
Fantagraphics Books is an American publisher of alternative comics, classic comic strip anthologies, magazines, graphic novels, and the adult-oriented Eros Comix imprint...
, produced a six-issue black and white comic book in 1991, adapted and illustrated by Don Simpson
Don Simpson (cartoonist)
Don Simpson is an American freelance cartoonist, comic book artist and illustrator, most noted for creating Bizarre Heroes, Megaton Man, Border Worlds, and the official comic adaption of King Kong....
, and authorized by Merian C. Cooper's estate.
It is not, in fact, based on the 1933 film
King Kong (1933 film)
King Kong is a Pre-Code 1933 fantasy monster adventure film co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and written by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman after a story by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. The film tells of a gigantic island-dwelling apeman creature called Kong who dies in...
, but instead on the 1932 novelization
Novelization
A novelization is a novel that is written based on some other media story form rather than as an original work.Novelizations of films usually add background material not found in the original work to flesh out the story, because novels are generally longer than screenplays...
by Delos W. Lovelace
Delos W. Lovelace
Delos Wheeler Lovelace was the author of the original novelisation of the film King Kong .That novel was published in serialized form in Mystery Magazine in 1932 and in book form later that year by Grosset & Dunlap, slightly before the film was released...
, and thus differs from the movie in numerous places. Notably, the ship is called the Vastator instead of the Venture and the characters of Charlie the Chinese cook and Second Mate Briggs are absent, replaced by a character from Lovelace's novel named Lumpy. The comic also contains several scenes not found in the film including the infamous "spider pit" scenes and extra encounters with dinosaurs by the search party. Other notable changes include the addition of a character totally original to this comic, Denham's assistant Wally, and an extended sequence of several dinosaurs joining Kong in attacking the native village.
Issues
- Part 1: Denham's Quest with cover by Dave StevensDave StevensDave Stevens was an American illustrator and comics artist. He is most famous for creating The Rocketeer comic book and film character, and for his pin-up style "glamour art" illustrations, especially of model Bettie Page...
.- Moviemaker Carl DenhamCarl DenhamCarl Denham is a fictional film director in the films King Kong and Son of Kong , as well as in the 2005 remake of King Kong, and a 2004 illustrated-novel titled Kong: King of Skull Island. The role was played by Robert Armstrong in the 1933 films and by Jack Black in the 2005 remake...
hires a down-on-her-luck woman named Ann Darrow to be the star of his latest picture. During the voyage to their destination aboard the Vastator, Ann falls in love with first mate Jack DriscollJack DriscollJack Driscoll is a fictional character in the King Kong franchise. In the original 1933 film he was the first mate of the ship The Venture, while in its 2005 remake he was a playwright . He was played by Bruce Cabot in the original and by Adrien Brody in the remake...
, and is given as a sacrifice to the god of Skull IslandSkull IslandSkull Island is a fictional island first appearing in the 1933 film King Kong and later appearing in its sequels and in the two remakes. It is the home of the eponymous King Kong and several other species of creatures, mostly prehistoric and in some cases species that should have been extinct long...
, a giant gorilla known as Kong. The cover by Stevens depicts Ann cupped in Kong's palm.
- Moviemaker Carl Denham
- Part 2: Kong's Island! with cover by Mark SchultzMark Schultz (comics)Mark Schultz is an American writer and illustrator of books and comics. His most widely-recognized work is his self-created and owned comic book series, Xenozoic Tales, about a post-apocalyptic world where dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures coexist with humans...
and Tom LuthTom LuthTom Luth is best known for his work as the colorist for the Sergio Aragonés comic series, Groo the Wanderer. Luth's work has also appeared in a number of other comics and national periodicals, such as MAD magazine.-References:****...
.- Driscoll, Denham, and some of the Vastator's crew mount a rescue operation to save Ann. Instead, they find themselves fighting for their lives against Skull Island's population of fierce dinosaurs. The party fights heroically onward. Meanwhile, Kong battles a herd of dinosaurs, and then the search party catches up to him while crossing a log bridge over a chasm. The cover by Schultz and Luth shows Kong shaking the men off the log (even though this does not actually occur until the next issue).
- Part 3: Death in Devil's Chasm! with cover by William StoutWilliam StoutWilliam Stout is an American fantasy artist and illustrator with a specialization in paleontological art. His paintings have been shown in over seventy exhibitions, including twelve one-man shows. He has worked on over thirty feature films, doing everything from storyboard art to production design...
.- Kong shakes most of the sailors off the log bridge and into the chasm, where they are eaten by a swarm of giant spiders. Kong's efforts to catch Driscoll are interrupted when Ann is attacked by a large meat-eating dinosaur, an AllosaurusAllosaurusAllosaurus is a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived 155 to 150 million years ago during the late Jurassic period . The name Allosaurus means "different lizard". It is derived from the Greek /allos and /sauros...
. Kong fights and kills the dinosaur, then picks up Ann and moves on with Driscoll in pursuit. Denham, meanwhile, is sent back for reinforcements. Stout's cover shows Kong battling a TyrannosaurusTyrannosaurusTyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
(when it is clearly an Allosaurus in the actual story).
- Kong shakes most of the sailors off the log bridge and into the chasm, where they are eaten by a swarm of giant spiders. Kong's efforts to catch Driscoll are interrupted when Ann is attacked by a large meat-eating dinosaur, an Allosaurus
- Part 4: Beauty and the Beast! with cover by William Stout.
- Kong fights and kills a giant python en route to his lair atop Skull Mountain, then settles down to begin toying with his new "bride." He strips her of her clothes, leaving only her braBrassiereA brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
and pantiesPantiesPanties are a form of underwear, usually light and snug-fitting, designed to be worn by women or girls in the area directly below the waist. Typical components include an elastic waistband, a crotch panel to cover the genital area , and a pair of leg openings which, like the waistband, are often...
, but is interrupted when a PteranodonPteranodonPteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...
attacks. While Kong is busy with the dinosaur, Driscoll arrives and he and Ann escape together. The cover by Stout shows Kong's battle with the Pteranodon.
- Kong fights and kills a giant python en route to his lair atop Skull Mountain, then settles down to begin toying with his new "bride." He strips her of her clothes, leaving only her bra
- Part 5: The Wrath of Kong with cover by Al WilliamsonAl WilliamsonAlfonso "Al" Williamson was an American cartoonist, comic book artist and illustrator specializing in adventure, Western and science-fiction/fantasy...
, Mark Schultz, and Tom Luth.- Driscoll and Ann return to the native village, and Denham and Captain Englehorn. Denham begins plotting to capture Kong alive, betting that he'll come for Ann. He is proven right, as the giant gorilla, along with a swarm of dinosaurs, attacks the village. Kong and the other prehistoric beasts are brought down with a load of gas bombs, and Denham reveals his intention to take Kong back to New York. Possibly the oddest of all the covers, Williamson, Schultz, and Luth's cover shows Kong fighting with a PlesiosaurusPlesiosaurusPlesiosaurus was a genus of large marine sauropterygian reptile that lived during the early part of the Jurassic Period, and is known by nearly complete skeletons from the Lias of England...
. While this happened in the movie, it not only does not occur in this issue, but is absent from the comic entirely.
- Driscoll and Ann return to the native village, and Denham and Captain Englehorn. Denham begins plotting to capture Kong alive, betting that he'll come for Ann. He is proven right, as the giant gorilla, along with a swarm of dinosaurs, attacks the village. Kong and the other prehistoric beasts are brought down with a load of gas bombs, and Denham reveals his intention to take Kong back to New York. Possibly the oddest of all the covers, Williamson, Schultz, and Luth's cover shows Kong fighting with a Plesiosaurus
- Part 6: The Eighth Wonder of the World with cover by Ken SteacyKen SteacyKen “Value Added” Steacy is a Canadian comics artist and writer best known for his work on the NOW Comics comic book series of Astro Boy and of the Comico comic series of Jonny Quest, as well as his graphic novel collaborations with Harlan Ellison and Dean Motter...
.- Kong is revealed to the public in chains, but soon escapes, recaptures Ann, and runs amok throughout New York. He ultimately climbs to the top of the Empire State BuildingEmpire State BuildingThe Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
where he does battle with a squadron of military biplanes. He loses the battle, and falls to his death from the skyscraper, and Driscoll and Ann are reunited once more. Steacy's cover shows Kong fighting with the biplanes and includes the notation "For ObieWillis O'BrienWillis Harold O'Brien was an Irish American pioneering motion picture special effects artist who perfected and specialized in stop-motion animation. He was affectionately known to his family and close friends as "Obie"....
!"
- Kong is revealed to the public in chains, but soon escapes, recaptures Ann, and runs amok throughout New York. He ultimately climbs to the top of the Empire State Building
Dark Horse Comics
In the 1990s, Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
was publishing comics based on popular movie monsters such as Alien, Predator
Predator (franchise)
The Predator film series is a science fiction horror film franchise. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the series started in 1987 with the film Predator, which led to two sequels and novel, comic book and video game spin-offs....
, Gamera
Gamera
is a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
, and Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
. They wanted to base comics on King Kong as well. There were plans on doing a comic adaptation of the 1933 film, as well as pitting King Kong against the Aliens and against the Predators
Predator (franchise)
The Predator film series is a science fiction horror film franchise. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the series started in 1987 with the film Predator, which led to two sequels and novel, comic book and video game spin-offs....
. Furthermore there were plans on producing a Tarzan vs King Kong (aka Tarzan on Skull Island) story as well. But the problems over the complicated and muddled rights
to the King Kong character killed these plans. Comic book artist and King Kong fan Arthur Adams, lamented years later in a interview published in the book Comics Gone Ape by Michael Eury,
Well we talked about that. The rights were a horrible mess. Dark Horse couldn't find a way to do it. Someone held rights for the music, someone for the movie, someone for the story, and were ready to sue each other whenever anyone wanted to do anything with it.
The above book has various sketches from the planned Tarzan vs King Kong project that never materialized. The most Dark Horse was able to do was feature King Kong in a one page segment in the one shot comic Urban Legends published in 1993 that dispells the dual ending myth from the film King Kong vs Godzilla.
In 2005, Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
and DH Press
DH Press
-Titles:* Aliens* Dracula: Asylum* Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Volume 1 The Lost Memory* Hipira* Kong: King of Skull Island* Predator* Scarface: The Beginning * Vampire Hunter D series-External links:* *...
were able to strike a deal with Universal to license and produce tie-in comic books in connection with King Kong. This included King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World a direct comic book adaptation of the 2005 remake
King Kong (2005 film)
King Kong is a 2005 fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is a remake of the 1933 film of the same name and stars Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Adrien Brody. Andy Serkis, through performance capture, portrays Kong....
. This adaptation was planned to be a three issue mini-series. While issue No. 1 was published, Dark Horse decided than rather publish issues No. 2 and No. 3 on their own, they would publish them along with issue No. 1 again as a collected Trade Paperback in 2006. They also published a mini-comic called Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World that was shipped with the various toys from the Playmates
Playmates Toys
Playmates Toys is a Costa Mesa, California toy manufacturer and a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Playmates Holdings Ltd , which was founded in 1966.-Proprietary brands:*Amazing Dolls*Amazing Pets*Kinder-Garden Babies*R.E.V.s*Waterbabies*WOW Pals...
toy line based on the film.
They also were able to strike a deal with Joe DeVito
Joe DeVito
Joe DeVito is a stand-up comedian and writer living on Long Island, New York.In 2006, he was featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and appeared at the Montreal "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in the New Faces program. In 2007, he was a semifinalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing Season 5...
a year earlier, to publish an illustrated novel (in both hardcover and softcover editions with differing cover art) called Kong: King of Skull Island. This story, by Joe DeVito
Joe DeVito
Joe DeVito is a stand-up comedian and writer living on Long Island, New York.In 2006, he was featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and appeared at the Montreal "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in the New Faces program. In 2007, he was a semifinalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing Season 5...
, was an authorized sequel to the original King Kong story commissioned by Merian C Cooper's estate.
Kong: King of Skull Island
Kong: King of Skull Island is an illustrated novel labeled as an authorized sequel to King Kong (1933)King Kong (1933 film)
King Kong is a Pre-Code 1933 fantasy monster adventure film co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and written by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman after a story by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. The film tells of a gigantic island-dwelling apeman creature called Kong who dies in...
and was published in 2004 by DH Press
DH Press
-Titles:* Aliens* Dracula: Asylum* Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Volume 1 The Lost Memory* Hipira* Kong: King of Skull Island* Predator* Scarface: The Beginning * Vampire Hunter D series-External links:* *...
, a subsidiary of Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
. A large-paperback edition was released in 2005. Authorized by the family and estate of Merian C. Cooper
Merian C. Cooper
Merian Caldwell Cooper was an American aviator, United States Air Force and Polish Air Force officer, adventurer, screenwriter, and film director and producer. His most famous film was the 1933 movie King Kong.-Early life:...
, the book was created & illustrated by Joe DeVito, written by Brad Strickland
Brad Strickland
William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia....
with John Michlig, and includes an introduction by Ray Harryhausen
Ray Harryhausen
Ray Harryhausen is an American film producer and special effects creator...
. The novel's story ignores the existence of Son of Kong
The Son of Kong
The Son of Kong is a 1933 American adventure film/monster movie produced by RKO Pictures. Directed by Ernest Schoedsack and featuring special effects by Buzz Gibson and Willis O'Brien, the film starred Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack and Frank Reicher...
(1933) and continues the story of Skull Island with Carl Denham
Carl Denham
Carl Denham is a fictional film director in the films King Kong and Son of Kong , as well as in the 2005 remake of King Kong, and a 2004 illustrated-novel titled Kong: King of Skull Island. The role was played by Robert Armstrong in the 1933 films and by Jack Black in the 2005 remake...
and Jack Driscoll
Jack Driscoll
Jack Driscoll is a fictional character in the King Kong franchise. In the original 1933 film he was the first mate of the ship The Venture, while in its 2005 remake he was a playwright . He was played by Bruce Cabot in the original and by Adrien Brody in the remake...
in the late 1950s, through the novel's central character, Vincent Denham (Ann Darrow does not appear, but is mentioned several times). The novel also becomes a prequel that reveals the story of the early history of Kong, of Skull Island, and of the natives of the island. On the novel's official website; it has stated that it would become a major motion picture. It does not have a release date yet. A six issue comic adaptation of the novel was published by Markosia
Markosia
-History:Markosia was founded by Harry Markos in 2005. Markos has already published Harry Gallan's The Lexian Chronicles and the initial plan was to produce comic adaptations of books, like The Lexian Chronicles and G.P. Taylor's Shadowmancer. They secured the license to adapt Starship Troopers,...
in 2007 that was eventually collected as a trade paperback.
Gaw and the Death Runners
An interesting addition to the main storyline is the appearance of a new type of dinosaur species called the "death runners" by the natives. They are clearly evolved dromaeosaurs with an intelligence that easily surpasses that of the Venatosaurus. they are incredibly intelligent and crafy enough to create complex traps and plan strategies long before hand. they "serve" a gigantic lone dromaeosaur named "Gaw". Gaw was originally the beast that the Skull Islanders appeased with human sacrifices instead of Kong. She is a monstrous raptor-like theropod with some dragon-like features in her face and a flat, almost Godzilla 90's-like snout. One day, she apparently went on a rampage and killed Kong's parents in a brutal fight, leaving him the last of his kind; the two titans grew up with a bitter hatred until Kong killed Gaw in battle and he was then crowned "king" of the island, leading to the sacrifices to him currently.
Other appearances
King Kong has appeared in other comic publications as well, whether it be cameos or in mini comic strips/adaptations (most of these are foreign publications). He had a couple of cameos in both Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. For Marvel, the character Warlock
Warlock (New Mutants)
Warlock is a fictional character, a cybernetic alien superhero published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in New Mutants vol. 1 #18 , and was created by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz.-Publication history:...
from The New Mutants turned into Godzilla and then King Kong during a rampage through New York City in Web of Spider-Man Annual No. 2 from 1986. In Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man No. 1 from 1999, Peter Parker is seen watching the film King Kong
King Kong (1933 film)
King Kong is a Pre-Code 1933 fantasy monster adventure film co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and written by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman after a story by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. The film tells of a gigantic island-dwelling apeman creature called Kong who dies in...
at a cinema alongside Quentin Beck
Mysterio
Mysterio is the name of three fictional characters, all of which are supervillains and enemies of Spider-Man in the . The original Mysterio was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appears in Amazing Spider-Man #13, although it was later retconned that the aliens seen in Amazing...
. He would return to watch the film again in issue #3. For DC, he appeared via a poster in 1961's Adventure Comics #289. In that comic's back-up strip called Tales of the Bizarro World, Bizarro encounters Titano
Titano
Titano the Super-Ape is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics, primarily as a foe of Superman. He was clearly inspired by King Kong.-Pre-Crisis version:...
on Earth's prehistoric past. When he returns to his home world, he's inspired to make a TV series based on the character only to be accused of ripping off King Kong. King Kong appeared as a statue in Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane No. 73 in 1967 and as a robot brought to life (among other giant robots in an amusement park created by Toyman
Toyman
The Toyman is the name of three comic book supervillains and one adolescent superhero in the DC Comics universe. They mostly appear in Superman stories. The first Toyman appeared in Action Comics #64 . His real name is Winslow Schott.The Toyman uses toy-based or toy-themed devices and gimmicks in...
) to fight Superman in Adventures of Superman No. 475 in 1991. In issue No. 226 of Superman in 1970, Clark Kent is seen watching the film King Kong
King Kong (1933 film)
King Kong is a Pre-Code 1933 fantasy monster adventure film co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and written by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman after a story by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. The film tells of a gigantic island-dwelling apeman creature called Kong who dies in...
at a Metropolis
Metropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
cinema and after being exposed to Red Kryptonite (as Superman) grows into a giant who rampages through the city in a story called When Superman became King Kong!. In issue No. 120 of Weird War Tales from 1983, G.I. Robot
G.I. Robot
G.I. Robot is the name of a series of fictional robots that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics. The very first G.I. Robot, nicknamed Joe, first appeared in Star Spangled War Stories #101 , created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru, with a second one named Mac in Star Spangled War...
encounters a giant female ape referred to as "Mrs.King Kong" on Dinosaur Island
Dinosaur Island
Dinosaur Island is an island that has appeared in various comic book series published by DC Comics. The island is not the same "Dinosaur Island" that appeared in Batman #35...
who saves him and his allies from a Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
. In 1985's Blue Devil No. 15, Blue Devil battles a giant robot King Kong that malfunctions at the "King Kong Attraction" located at the "Verner Bros" studio in Hollywood. Outside of these major comic book companies, King Kong was featured in various smaller publications as well. He was featured in a spoof story in issue No. 106 of Mad House from Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
in 1977. He's featured in issue No. 41 of the Elvifrance
Elvifrance
Elvifrance was a French comic book publisher, specializing in digest-sized publications, often translations from Italian fumetti.Edited by Georges Bielec , it was founded in 1970 and owned by Giorgio Cavedon and Renzo Barbieri of Erregi. It ceased publication in 1992.-External links:*...
comic series Green Series (Serie Verte) in an issue titled The Secret of King Kong. He was also featured in issue No. 6 of the Italian comic series Erotic Comic Selections, and appeared in issue No. 215 of the New Tintin
Tintin
Tintin, Tin-Tin or Tin Tin may refer to:* The Adventures of Tintin , the series of classic comic books created by Belgian artist Hergé...
(Nouveau Tintin) comic in 1979. A comic strip adaptation of the original film appeared in issue No. 887 of the French magazine Pif gadget
Pif gadget
Pif Gadget was a French comic magazine for children that ran from 1969 to 1993 and 2004 to 2009. Its audience peaked in the early 1970s.-History:Created as an outlet of the French Communist Party, it was initially entitled Le Jeune Patriote...
in 1986. Outside of these cameos and one shot appearances, King Kong has been spoofed and has influenced other giant apes in comics for many years.
Publications
These include:- Kong: King of Skull Island (art and script by Joe DeVitoJoe DeVitoJoe DeVito is a stand-up comedian and writer living on Long Island, New York.In 2006, he was featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and appeared at the Montreal "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in the New Faces program. In 2007, he was a semifinalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing Season 5...
with co-writers Brad StricklandBrad StricklandWilliam Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia....
and John Michlig, 160 pages, hardcover, 2004, ISBN 1-59582-006-X) - King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (by Christian Gossett, with art by Dustin Weaver and Dave DormanDave DormanDave Dorman is a science fiction, horror and fantasy illustrator.-Background:Dorman's parents are Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jack N. Dorman and Phyllis Dorman. Both parents are deceased. Dorman is married to award-winning TV/video producer, writer and publicist Denise Dorman of WriteBrain Media...
, 2005, tpb, 96 pages, 2006, ISBN 1-59307-472-7)