Marvel's Mighty (and Modest) Monsters!

Before Marvel Comics entered the superhero genre with The Fantastic Four in 1961, they published a seemingly endless parade of giant monster stories...featuring hordes of blunt-fingered, gape-mouthed Kirby creatures.

As a founding member of the Fantastic Four, the Thing served as sort of a "bridge" between Marvel's monster-centric past and its superhero future.  You see, not only did the Thing echo the frightening appearance of his sci-fi predecessors, but their affinity for underwear as well!

That's right...you heard me.  Underwear!

Despite their status as giant radiation-spawned behemoths or rampaging alien conquerors, a surprising number of Marvel Monsters demonstrated a remarkable sense of modesty by wearing huge briefs (or boxers) over their unmentionable regions.

Why?  Who knows...I could take the easy route and assume the Comics Code Authority insisted that a monster who walked like a man should also dress like one.  My theory?  Simply this: Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and Stan Lee probably just got a kick out of 200 ft. tall monsters running around in their underwear.

UPDATE:

Thanks to one of my ever-alert readers, it seems I've missed a few proud members of the Modesty Monsters!  Once I found out about Goo-Gam (thanks, Bret!), that quickly lead me to his father GOOM.  While I was chasing down those two guys, Moomba and Zzutak popped up as well!  Here they are...

If anyone else knows of any Underwear Monsters I've missed, leave a comment or shoot me an email! There must be a complete accounting of these unique creatures!

Comments

[felgekarp]

Look for all these stories in a upcoming trade called Marvel Modest Monster Madness.

[Mark Engblom]

I think you're onto something there, felgekarp. I'll split the royalties with you....that is, after Marvel gets their take.

[Hube]

Bravo!! Another CC classic, Mark!

[Mark Engblom]

Thanks, Hube!

[James Meeley]

I'm sorry, but to leave out Groot and Xemnu (aka The Titan) from a list of the classic Marvel Monsters, well, that's just some really slipshod work, Mark. ;)

[Mark Engblom]

Not so fast, James! If Groot or Xemnu wore underwear, I definitely would have included them. But...since they're not part of that exclusive club, I had to leave them out this time around. I'm sure I'll figure out a way to work them into a future post. Heck...October is just around the corner....the perfect time to wax poetically about Marvel Monsters!

[Bret]

What about Goo-Gam?
He wears underwear, and is even in the Fin Fang Four, one seriously awesome comic.

[Mark Engblom]

Hey, thanks Bret! I've already added Goo-Gam, plus his dad and a few other Underwear Monsters!

[Bret]

Excellent.

Have you read Fin Fang Four?
Part of that marvel monster event a coupla years back. Quality stuff.

Got it in a digest with a couple other comics at target including Foom's first appearence. Only five dollars!

[Mark Engblom]

No, I haven't read Fin Fang Four, I'm sad to say. I remember seeing it on the stands and being tempted to pick it up, but I must have been maxing out on my titles at that time. Now that I know there's a digest version at Target, I'll definitely pick it up. Thanks for the tip, Bret!