Marvel Announces Monsters Unleashed Spinoff Ongoing Series

01/20/2017 09:00 am EST

It seems like the Marvel Universe's current monster problem isn't going to disappear overnight. On Thursday, Marvel Comics announced a new ongoing series spinning out of the Monsters Unleashed event. The announcement comes immediately following the release of Monsters Unleashed #1 into comic stores.

The new ongoing series will also be titled Monsters Unleashed and will be written by the writer of the event series, Cullen Bunn (Deadpool and the Mercs for Money, Uncanny X-Men). Bunn will team with artist David Baldeon to tell the tale of a new team of monstrous characters that will deal with threats too big for even Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Kid Kaiju leads Aegis, Slizzik, Scragg and Mekara and works with the Marvel Universe's premiere monster hunter, Elsa Bloodstone. ComicBook.com stole a moment from Bunn to discuss the ongoing kaiju chaos of Monsters Unleashed.

What is the hook for Monsters Unleashed as an ongoing series? Or the "elevator pitch," if you will?

Cullen Bunn: Gigantic leviathons now roam the Earth, and they pose an incredible threat to the world at large. A group of five powerful monsters stands in defense of the planet. They are potentially the most powerful (and most destructive) group that has ever existed in the Marvel Universe--and an 11-year-old boy is calling the shots.

We don't know much yet about Kid Kaiju's journey through Monster Unleashed. How does he go from apparent catalyst for a disaster to part of a new, presumably heroic team? How does that weigh on him?

CB: Kid Kaiju definitely struggles with the gravity of his abilities. In the miniseries, we discover a cosmic origin and destiny for him. That's a lot to take in for a kid, especially when he has such an awesome (and frightening to the world at large) power. But I don't want this to be a dark book. Kid Kaiju will navigate these uncharted waters and deal with the repercussions of his gifts while embarking on some fun, action-packed adventures.

What can you tell me about this new team's mission statement, purpose, and place in the larger Marvel Universe?

CB: In the first issue of the ongoing, the team's charter is laid out for them pretty clearly (by a representative of Damage Control): They only exist to combat threats of the absolute highest magnitude. They fight giant monsters. That doesn't necessarily sit well with the team, though. The problem there is that if they show up to rescue a kitten from a tree, they might accidentally level a city block. This means that a number of groups around the Marvel Universe are keenly interested in them. S.H.I.E.L.D. Damage Control. The Avengers. And maybe even some villainous groups!

You're working with a lot of new characters in this series. How does that compare to working with established heroes like Deadpool or the X-Men?

CB: I have to approach the book a little differently, yes, because I'm introducing each of these characters and trying to give the reader a taste of their personalities. The "crutch" of an existing character isn't really there. To some degree, though, I have the eyes of Elsa Bloodstone (an existing character who is a big part of the series) and the eyes of Kid Kaiju (who is learning about some of these things right along with the reader) to help with some of the storytelling.

In working with artist David Baldeon on this series, what is the visual tone and style you're going for? How similar or different will it be from the Marvel Unleashed event series?

CB: Each artist who worked on the event series brought their own flair to the monsters. They all love these monsters, and I think it shows on the page. David is just an extension of that in my mind. He really enjoys drawing kaiju and he does a great job bring fun to the page.

It is a crowded comics market out there. What will Monsters Unleashed offer to fans that will make it stand out from the pack?

CB: With this series, we're getting a completely new, completely different kind of super-team. They will be a major part of the Marvel Universe, dealing with dangers that have real stakes for the world. We're going to be delving into some serious Marvel monster mythology here, and building onto it in ways that will stick with Marvel for a long, long time. And I think the event miniseries is a very accessible introduction to Marvel as a whole for readers new and old. That's something I want to chase with the ongoing book, too.

Monsters Unleashed #1 goes on sale

MONSTERS UNLEASHED #1
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Penciled by DAVID BALDEON
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
Variant Cover by TBA
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by TBA

THE FIRST FANTASTIC ISSUE OF MARVEL'S NEWEST HEROES!

From acclaimed writer CULLEN BUNN, known for his work on DEADPOOL, UNCANNY X-MEN and more, comes a high-action sci-fi series centered on a team of monstrous and monstrously massive do-gooders including KID KAIJU, AEGIS, SLIZZIK, SCRAGG, and MEKARA. Now teaming up with vampire-hunter ELSA BLOODSTONE, the series unfolds as the team takes on gargantuan creatures and protects the planet from ruin and disaster. However, can they be accepted by the rest of the Marvel Universe and allowed to help, or will they be deemed dangerous as well?

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