The MCU’s Werewolf By Night Unleashes Bloody Fury in New Red Band Series

Summary

• Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night, returns in a new mature series spinning out of the Blood Hunt event – complete with a new status quo.
• Marvel shared a first look at the new
  Werewolf by Night
  series, by writer Jason Loo and artist Sergio Davila.
• Marvel’s new “Red Band” initiative offers uncensored, bloody Werewolf by Night stories which fans have been craving for over 50 years.

The Werewolf by Night made a huge impression on MCU fans, and now he is cutting loose in a brand-new, red band, ongoing series. Spinning out of the forthcoming Blood Hunt event, Marvel’s new Werewolf by Night marks the return of Jack Russell. In the wake of Blood Hunt, Russell faces a new status quo: now fighting alone, Russell must defeat enemies old and new.

An exclusive first look at Werewolf by Night, including the first issue’s cover by EM Gist, was released on Marvel’s website. The new book, which will be written by Jason Loo and drawn by Sergio Davila, begins with Jack Russell’s life being changed forever. He can no longer trust those closest to him, and there is blood on his hands. Now, Russell must fight for redemption in a quest so bloody and violent, Marvel will be releasing it as part of their new “Red Band” series of books.

These titles, marked clearly for adults, arrive polybagged to keep kids out.

Werewolf by Night Is One of Marvel’s Bloodiest Characters

Jack Russell’s Inner Turmoil Is On Par With The Hulk’s Angst

Speaking with Marvel, writer Jason Loo promised the new Werewolf by Night ongoing would be a “very metal monster comic.” For over 50 years, Jack Russell, the Werewolf, has been roaming the Marvel Universe, searching for inner peace and a cure for the curse that haunts him. A cult favorite character, the Werewolf made the leap to the MCU in 2022’s Werewolf by Night special. Played by Gael Garcia Bernal, the one-shot also introduced monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone, who will factor into the new Werewolf by Night series, and Man-Thing to the MCU.

The Werewolf by Night’s human identity, Jack Russell, shares a name with a dog breed. Writer Gerry Conway, who came up with the name, swears he did not consciously name the character after a dog.

The MCU’s Werewolf by Night special introduced mainstream audiences to Jack Russell, giving them their first look into his dark and violent world. Jack Russell, much like the Hulk, struggles with the monster inside of him. Russell’s internal conflicts have driven the character since his first appearance in 1972’s Marvel Spotlight #2, and they have led him to some horrifying places. In last year’s Moon Knight Annual, Russell had ascended to “King of the Werewolves,” but even then he failed to find the peace that he sought. Now, Blood Hunt has ripped it all away from him.

Censorship, Not Moon Knight or Vampires, Is Werewolf by Night’s Worst Enemy

Marvel’s New Red Band Books Will Finally Allow Him to Cut Loose

The Werewolf’s previous adventures, while disturbing and gruesome, were hampered by the Comics Code Authority or other such self-censorship measures. This meant that the Werewolf could not truly cut loose and show the world what he was capable of, and this carried over to his MCU debut as well. The MCU’sWerewolf by Night was gory, but still held back on showing its protagonist’s propensity to terror and violence. Now, however, with Marvel’s new “Red Band’ publishing initiative, fans will finally get the blood-soaked, adults-only Werewolf by Night stories they have craved.

Source: Marvel

Werewolf by Night #1 is on sale August 14 from Marvel Comics!