Monsters Unleashed #1 is the perfect opening salvo to an event that may buck the trend for event haters. It grabs you with its monster madness from the opening page and never lets go. Read Full Review

This comic is balls to the fucking wall right off the gateand it's fucking awesome. We jump right into an action-packed event and itdoesn't slow down at all. We get enough story to keep a clear plot for thestory but the rest is just amazingly drawn action sequences. Usually that doesn'tusually deserve such high praise, but this was so awesome that I thoroughlyenjoyed myself and if we get more of this, this could be the best event Marvelhas put out in recent years. Read Full Review

In addition to dusting off and introducing some new monstrosities to the Marvel Universe, Bunn seems ready to elevate Elsa Bloodstone, the way he did Valkyrie in Fear Itself: The Fearless (and eventually Fearless Defenders). True, giant monsters are a bit out of her usual milieu, but why else would Bunn go to her so early in this adventure? Yes, I did have the benefit of knowing of the announcement of an ongoing before this issue was even twenty-fours old, but Bunn makes it all work in this first issue. Its nice to have a fun Marvel comic event to read. I just hope Monsters Unleashed bucks the trend of disappointing Marvel events, and stays fun throughout its run. Read Full Review

And whatever happened to Groot, anyway? Read Full Review

However, there is that $4.99 price tag on the comic. If it were a dollar cheaper, or printed in a prestige formatting, then I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. The issue does come with more story, which is a plus. However, I'm not a fan of the flimsy, cheap paper Marvel uses for their books. There's also the question of how the tie-ins will effect the story or the progress of the event. However, it'sstill an enjoyable event and I'mexcited to see where the series is going to go next. Read Full Review

Light on story, but plenty of amazing artwork and excellent monster designs, while setting up what's to come from this event. Read Full Review

Monsters Unleashed #1 was a massive undertaking, from character design of hideous monsters to creating a cohesive story to span across different heroes in the Marvel Universe. Bunn and the art team of McNiven, Leisten, Curiel, and Lanham certainly seem up to the challenge to bring a little good old fashioned fun monster fighting back in style. This book is a fun read that really reminds Marvel fans why we love Marvel crossovers, they are not just a ploy from an evil company to sell more comics; they serve a purpose to bring teams together, heal old wounds between heroes, and push character development. This book has the promise to do all of those things and much more. Read Full Review

This was a very entertaining book. For someone with event fatigue I can say this series looks to bucks the usual event trend and give us a good traditional hero versus bad guys to save the world type story. McNiven’s work was fantastic and Bunn delivers a very entertaining read. I’m onboard for this event and very much looking forward to the next chapter. Read Full Review

Monsters Unleashed delivers a different sort of comic book event. Cullen Bunn, Steven McNiven, Jay Leisten, and David Curiel set the stage across Earth in the Marvel Universe when giant monsters begin attacking. The appearances by the different characters show the scope of the threat without cramming the heroes in each others' faces. Marvel superheroes fighting huge beasts isn't something we everyday. The rest of the monster-fighting issues should be a blast as well. This is a good setup and nice hors d'oeuvre for what's coming next. Read Full Review

Though it isn’t exactly as earth-shattering as the monsters that stomp through its pages Monsters Unleashed #1 is still a fun start to what could be the antidote to the recent outbreak of grim and gritty storytelling. Cullen Bunn throws some huge and unexpected foes at the Marvel universe and despite some clunky dialogue, Earth’s protectors come out looking like exactly that. Couple that richly detailed and colored artwork from Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten, and David Curiel and you have a debut that starts this event out on the right gigantic foot. Read Full Review

This is a really strange review for me to write, and I apologize for mostly listing the characters who appear, but that's pretty much what happens. This debut issue is monsters from space causing mayhem followed by groups of heroes being introduced so they can punch those monsters. Fans of "Hey look at the super-cool giant monster getting hit!!" are going to absolutely love this. I'm sure I would have thought this was a LOT cooler 20 years ago. But all was not lost. Cullen Bunn grabbed my attention at the very end with a really intriguing concept that he set up in the last few pages, really sealing the deal on the final page of the issue. This hook, by itself, is going to bring me back for #2. It makes me hopeful that Bunn is going to bring the story up a level from "look at these heroes punching monsters!". By itself, this 1st issue was $4.99 eye candy with a solid closing hook. I didn't feel like I got $4.99 worth of story, but Your Mileage May Vary. This wasn Read Full Review

This issue may not be a very deep read, but it is fun, and the artwork does a lot to elevate it. Read Full Review

Monsters Unleashed is a global event of massive destruction, but it's little more than a slugfest.  It's big monsters fighting it out with big heroes.  I have the same problem with Godzilla comics.  There's little story and a whole lot of devastation.  I'm curious as to how Kei and Elsa's paths will continue, however some of the wind has been taken from their sails with Marvel's recent announcement of a monster-filled ongoing series spinning out of this event.  Knowing that everything will be put back together in some fashion makes the events of this book mean less. Read Full Review

Monsters Unleashed #1 is not a story that's going to get anyone thinking too hard about real-world parallels or blurred lines between good and evil. It's not going to reinvent an entire genre, either. This story caters to the kid in everybody who plays with action figures, imagines giant monsters attacking big cities, and comes up with over-the-top battles full of fiery explosions and crumbling buildings. Anyone's inner child, especially those that pestered their parents for action figures every Christmas, will be thrilled with this story. Read Full Review

This event is a nice change of pace from the heaviness of Civil War II, but it will need a bit more substance to keep up its forward momentum. The good news is that the last few pages indicate more of that is on the way. Read Full Review

While this first issue certainly isn't bad, the package feels unsubstantial and sort of meaningless for the high volume of cash this comic is priced at. Read Full Review

I think the powers at be at Marvel believe that fans will see a bunch of heroes in a thing and support it. Not anymore, guys. There is a potential for fun in this series, but all involved need to show readers exactly the type of roller coaster were being expected to board, and they don't.If youre a fan of McNiven, this book is for you, but theres just not enough here to justify the investment this series will entail. Read Full Review

The monster designs are cool and some of the characters are written well, but maybe the problem lies in the fact that this legitimately is just a set up issue AND is yet another event in what has been an unending slew of them. The book isn't terrible if one has a mind to pick it up, but it isn't great and doesn't wow you either. It's a bookthat feels like a middle of the road book when what Marvel needs now is a big “WOW” book. The pacing in this issue is sorta off in places, but overall it is cohesive and readers will understand it. If you're interested, maybe look for it, but otherwise, this book is safe to ignore really. Read Full Review

Straight To the point.. no chaser

Love me some Elsa Bloodstone... Bloodstone ongoing please!

Score: 7.5

Nice to see Elsa Bloodstone again

Props for McNiven's stellar artwork but I think I already see where the tiny shred of plot in this event is going. This is just going to be a lot of mindless action.

That's 2 for the art and the art alone. There is no real story here as we go from one tedious scene to another of hero groups fighting monsters (and yeah seems Bunn has forgotten that the X-Men are concomitantly fighting the Inhumans, guess they must have taken a break!)
That pretty much sums up the story oh and yeah a twist (if you can call it that) pretty much revealed in the first page and that you'll see a mile and 24 pages away.
Given that you'll have to buy 3000 tie ins to this pointless event (except if you're one of the three people longing for the already-announced Elsa Bloodstone-led Monsters Unleashed ongoing comic this whole event is a marketing ploy for), man just skip this idea-bankrupt event.