Monsters Unleashed, vol. 2: Learning Curve

Monsters Unleashed (2017B) #6-12

by Cullen Bunn (Writer), Justin Jordan, Andrea Broccardo (Illustrator)

Kei Kawade thinks he knows what his powers can do, but he has no idea! The next chapter in Kid Kaiju's story begins as he explores the depths of his own abilities! In a secluded realm hidden in Antarctica, a dangerous world that time has forgotten continues to thrive - one where beastly giants still roam the Earth and where the lines of man and monster blur. But when the threats of the Savage Land threaten the safety of the entire planet, can Kei and his monster army - Aegis, Slizzik, Scragg, Hi-Vo and Mekara -protect its borders? Or will he need reinforcements? And when he accidentally summons a Poison Fin Fang Foom from the fearsome Venomverse, what will that mean for his world? And as if all that wasn't enough...here comes a swarm of giant bees! COLLECTING: MONSTERS UNLEASHED 6-12

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes, Graphic Novels, Horror

136 pages, Paperback

Published June 5, 2018

About the author

Cullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.

All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.

And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.

Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.

Reviews

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really started to warm to this series with this volume but by this point I suppose it was too late. The mixture of humor and action was fun, and we started to know the characters a lot better now. The character development of the "monsters" was great, but I think readers had already lost interest. This was an interesting series with a lot of untapped potential, so hopefully we'll be seeing more of the Monsters Unleashed in the future.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong all ages comic for the monster lover.

There is an unanswered question about the origin of the monsters I wish they had gotten to before the series ended.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kid Kaiju is suddenly finding himself being called to from monsters in another dimension and he finds himself drawing them subconsciously. This isn't good. But it does lead him to discover new things about the monsters he works with and realize that they have feelings and thoughts and aren't just pets. Beyond that he's still got a job to do. He and his monsters need to step in for a nuclear reactor emergency, take down an evil monster, find a way to communicate with rampaging giant bees, stop a psycho evil scientist, help out Black Bolt, and while brainstorming better ways to communicate with the kaiju with Moon Girl stop a misguided inhuman.

I really like how this collection gives more depth and character to each of the kaiju (monsters) that Kei works with. There's a lot of growth for the team in this book. I also love how Kei's parents are so involved in his life. No other superhero gets the benefit of two parents fully aware of what's going on in his life and being there to help him work through balancing superheroing and normal life stuff. It's a refreshing change. A very fun superhero series that is "safe" for even down to middle graders. Highly recommended for superhero fans, kaiju fans, and scifi graphic novel lovers.

Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content. (Kid Kaiju's mentor Elsa wear's a slightly busty outfit that also shows a midriff, but it is definitely not as bad as some other female superhero outfits.) There are some monster on monster battles with some monster fatalities. One battle involves some human vs human punches and kicks, but it doesn't look like anyone is too seriously hurt.

[Valerio Pastore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusione della mini con gli episodi da 7 a 12, e cominciamo ad esplorare la natura del potere di kid Kaiju, che forse non è quella che pensavamo, esploriamo il rapporto tra lui ed i 'suoi' mostri... E purtroppo, ci si limita a scalfire la superficie. C'è una potenziale minaccia a malapena menzionata...insomma, proprio quando la serie poteva decollare con tutta la forza della sua potenzialità, tutto chiuso e ciaone! Peccato totale, perché fino all'ultimo è rimasta una serie con il suo bell'equilibrio di dramma e divertimento.

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this is probably the weakest volume in this series. It starts off really strong, but the second is pretty awful. The characterizations become cliched and what started off as exciting kaiju fun, devolves into the kind of awful that you get with bad children’s TV writing. Nothing kills a story like talking down to your audience.

[Isaac Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is much better thane the other two volumes…. Also, we need a team of preteen superheroes like this. I would like to see Kid Kaiju, Moon Girl, and Miss Mecha form a team with other superpowered beings their age. Maybe Spider-Boy and The Thing’s adopted kids Jo and Nicki? DO IT MARVEL!

[Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series. It’s got heart, action and humor in all the right amounts. I wish it was still going on.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cullen Bunn finishes his run with a visit from an alternate Fin Fang Foom. Then a new writer comes on and does what good writers do: develops characters!

The art is fine.