Morlock 2001 #1
Published and © by Atlas (Seaboard), February 1975
Title: “The Coming of Morlock!”
Synopsis: In a future dystopia, a scientist grows a plant man to battle government tyranny – but things don’t end well!
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inker: Jack Abel
Review: Morlock 2001 is a strange little comic. It’s like writer Michael Fleisher saddled up to the concept bar one too many times: A little Swamp Thing, a measure of “1984,” mix in some Hulk, season with fungus and betrayal. It’s all a little much, and it never really gels into something compelling. The pencils, by Al Milgrom, are certainly solid and show some real potential. Sadly, Morlock 2001 remains a career highlight, at least as a penciler. (Actually, the highlight was probably his Guardians of the Galaxy work on Marvel Presents, which was quite good!)
Grade: B-
Second opinion: “A rather directionless series that, while enjoyable, didn’t really explore the setting and suffered from the Atlas overdose of gratuitous violence.” – Frank Plowright, FantaCo’s Chronicle’s Series Annual #1, 1983 … “ … a fun, if undemanding, title.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: Let’s go with Al Milgrom’s art. His storytelling here is quite strong.
Not-so-cool factor: The design work: Morlock’s hair. The vaginal plant pods. And that monster – let’s not even talk about that monster.
Character quotable: “I – I am not like other men! Perhaps that is why I have no friends.” – Morlock (think of him as the athlete’s foot of the superhero world)
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Aug. 6, 2009.
