Tony Black reviews Kong of Skull Island #1…
King Kong, world-famous and original gargantuan simian, is the progenitor of an entire genre, spawning sequels, remakes, and countless other interpretations. You know Kong. You love Kong!
King Kong was created by Merian C. Cooper, and Kong of Skull Island is grounded in artist/author Joe DeVito’s groundbreaking literary property Skull Island. BOOM! is partnering with DeVito Artworks LLC to present this story, exclusively authorized and endorsed by the Cooper family as their official King Kong/Skull Island prequel and sequel origin story.
Two fractured and combative civilizations are forced to band together as they venture onto Skull Island—their new home.
SEE ALSO: Check out a preview of Kong of Skull Island #1
You may be expecting this six-part comic run to tie in with next year’s big budget Kong: Skull Island movie but this connects instead to the original novel by Merian Cooper and aims to sketch in the ancient history of the Kong mythos, with writer James Asmus and artist Carlos Magno taking us back in time to an unspecified era where warring tribes are seeking to find peace and unity on their tropical islands through the breeding and fighting of rival ‘Kongs’. This first issue introduces us to a plethora of characters, places and situations that admittedly to Kong newcomers–such as myself–may be quite difficult to keep track of, pick up and follow, but the issue certainly makes an instinctive impression with some beautiful artwork and solid writing, establishing the world of the Atu and Tagu tribes.
Officially endorsed by the Cooper estate as an official prequel to the events of the novel, Asmus does manage to explore quite a few tribal traditions within this issue, heavily focused around the idea of Gods and sacrifice as you might imagine from such ancient times; the erupting of a volcano is seen as a sign the Gods are displeased, and exacerbates the tribal rivalries and traditions which just about keep the Atu & Tagu from each other’s throats. Several character stories run through the piece, including romance between beauty Utala and Prince K’Reti of the Atu, while Asmus peppers the piece not just with ritual but fascinating backstory about the Kong’s and how for centuries selective breeding has created the beasts, who very much form a key part of their society for sport essentially, while remaining respected and treasured.
By the climax, Skull Island begins to hover into view and after a scene-setting beginning, we are promised some adventure and mystery mixed with mythology, given how supernatural beasts appear to hover around the island itself, a place already peppered with legend. Kong and Skull Island looks gorgeous and while it tries to pack a lot into this opening issue, laying lots of threads on the table, it’s an enjoyable beginning with the promise of an engaging story to come.
Rating: 7/10
Tony Black is a freelance film/TV writer & podcaster & would love you to follow him on Twitter.
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https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 15, 2016. Updated November 14, 2019.
