“Darn mosquitoes!”
King Kong #6
FINAL ISSUE
I’m still missing issue #5
Monster Comics (March, 1992)
“King Kong: The Eighth Wonder Of The World” ORIGINAL STORY: Edgar Wallace & Merian C. Cooper ORIGINAL ADAPTATION: Delos W. Lovelace COMIC ADAPTATION/ARTIST: Donald Simpson COVER ARTIST: Ken Steacy DESIGNERS: Jim Blachard & Jason Lutes EDITORS: Gary Groth & Ryder Windham
Having missed issue #5 I don’t know how they got Kong here (although Jack mentions the gas bombs), but this is the part everyone knows. Kong is paraded on stage but when the cameramen start using their flashbulbs and he thinks they’re after Ann, Kong goes nuts and breaks his bonds. Jack and Ann (who are engaged) try to hide in their hotel, but Kong finds them and takes her to the Empire State Building. Lucky for Ann he sets her down just as the biplanes arrive and shoot him down. “Twas Beauty killed the Beast”, end story.
What they got right: Simpson really used his six issues to pace out the story properly, which we don’t see enough of in comic adaptations. While I didn’t feel sorry for Kong (I mentioned in previous reviews that getting me to see Kong as something other than a…well, monster didn’t come out well in this) I at least understood Ann’s feeling on the matter. The characters were all well-written and I liked the art style here, and setting it in the right period was also the right move.
What they got wrong: I really don’t have any complaints.
Recommendation: While still missing an issue I think this is indeed my favorite telling of King Kong. If you can find this comic (it might also be under Fantagraphics for some reason), pick it up. You might like it.
“Yesterday’s” Comic> King Kong #1
“Yesterday’s” Comic> King Kong #2
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