Spoilers for Werewolf By Night!
Marvel Studio's Werewolf By Night surprises fans this Halloween season by diving into the deep end of the horror side of the Marvel Universe. The Halloween Special adapts classic Marvel Comics lore for some characters but still leaves much about Jack Russell a mystery. Comic book fans know there is much to learn ahead in the MCU.
Werewolf By Night shares a lineage with other horror-themed characters from the 1970s, including Moon Knight, that represents a skeleton key to understanding where the MCU is likely headed. With so many supernatural characters and concepts entering live-action for the first time, Werewolf By Night provides a great blueprint for curious MCU fans.
Not The First Werewolf By Night
The Jack Russell Werewolf By Night debuted in the 1970s, but the concept existed long before then. Werewolf By Night first appeared in Marvel Tales #116 in 1953. Writer Stan Lee later reused the title and concept once the Marvel Universe properly got off the ground, something he did routinely with other powerful Marvel alien monsters.
The original Werewolf By Night debuted before the creation of the Comics Code Authority, an organization that regulated what was considered inappropriate themes in children's comics. Once the Code formed, horror comics effectively vanished from the racks.
1970s Revival
The Comics Code Authority relented on some guidelines in 1971, leading to an explosion of horror-themed comic books from all publishers. Marvel swiftly returned to Werewolf By Night, introducing Jack Russell in Marvel Spotlight #2 in 1972. He quickly graduated to his own series later that year.
Unlike the original concept from the 1950s, the comic depicts Russell as a victim himself. He doesn't seek to hurt anyone and when he does, it's usually criminals who try to accost him.
An Inherited Curse
Russell inherited the werewolf curse from his father, a Transylvanian man named Gregory Russoff. Russell transformed into a werewolf on the first full moon after his 18th birthday, altering his life forever. His father inflicted this on Russell after seeking knowledge from the Darkhold.
Marvel Comics fans know The Darkhold holds the key to understanding and using chaos magic, the supernatural power wielded by the Scarlet Witch and other powerful magical beings. Russoff failed in his quest, and his son suffered for it.
Seeking Help From Morbius
The MCU opens up numerous potential connections for Werewolf By Night. The comics hold potential connections to the Sony Marvel Universe as well. Marvel Comics fans know Morbius suffers from his own supernatural powers, and his work to cure himself led Russell to Dr. Michael Morbius for help.
The effort ultimately proved unsuccessful, but the connection between Morbius and Russell led to unexpected alliances in the comics that potentially pay off in live-action. The fact Morbius exists in the Sony Marvel Universe presents some challenges, though.
Fighting Moon Knight
No such challenges exist for Werewolf By Night and Moon Knight. Both characters exist in the MCU now and a crossover is very likely as Moon Knight made his first appearance in Werewolf By Night #32. Moon Knight initially appeared as a villain, hunting Russell on behalf of the mysterious Committee.
The Committee's illegal activities brought them to Russell's attention, leading ultimately to their killing his mother, Laura. While the Committee doesn't appear in the MCU special, aspects of it arguably exist in the franchise already, with several international organizations operating in the shadows.
Joining The Legion Of Monsters
In the MCU special, Werewolf By Night helps Man-Thing escape a cruel hunt orchestrated by the Bloodstone family. The two horror characters don't share a deep connection in the comics, but they did team up in the Legion of Monsters along with Morbius. With two members already working together, this team seems primed for the MCU.
The Legion of Monsters came together in Marvel Premiere #28 in 1975. The three supernatural characters collectively sought the Starseed, a cosmic entity that triggered uncontrollable hunger in them. The Starseed potentially looms in live-action as a cure for these various characters, though it didn't work in the comics.
Going To Monster Metropolis
Elsa Bloodstone and Russell form a strong connection in the MCU Halloween Special. They also share a bond in the comics, stemming from when Werewolf By Night teamed up with a new Legion of Monsters in 2011. This team formed to defend Monster Metropolis from a devastating supernatural virus that threatened to wipe it out.
Monster Metropolis exists beneath New York City and is home to thousands of monsters and other mythological creatures. This fascinating locale likely plays some role in the MCU's future and potentially links up with the Thunderbolts. One comic book storyline features Red Hulk, General 'Thunderbolt' Ross, traveling to the city for help with his own supernatural possession.
Forming The Midnight Suns
Comic book fans likely expect the Midnight Suns, another supernatural team, to form in the MCU in the near future. Werewolf By Night joined the Midnight Sons, a powerhouse team that includes many other characters like Morbius, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, and others, to fight dark threats like Lilith.
The Midnight Sons roster evolved over time but includes characters in the MCU or about to be like Blade and Moon Knight, making a live-action team-up including Werewolf highly likely.
Facing Off Against Dracula
Several horror characters emerged in Marvel Comics in the early 1970s, including Dracula. Werewolf By Night fought the Lord of Vampires in an epic storyline that crossed over between the original Werewolf By Night comic book and Tomb of Dracula. Russell seeks clues to the origin of his curse, leading him to Dracula and a major battle.
Dracula likely appears in the MCU as well, especially with the upcoming Blade movie on the horizon. The Halloween Special hinted at vampires, as have other MCU properties recently.
A Third Werewolf
Russell eventually yields the title to a third Werewolf By Night. Jake Gomez takes over as the titular character in 2020. He became a werewolf as a teenager, also the victim of a curse. Unlike Russell, Gomez's transformations into the werewolf stem from his emotions. This means he can turn at any time.
Russell and Gomez share no direct link in the comics as yet, meaning Gomez may not immediately make it into the MCU as the franchise explores Russell in live-action for the first time.