By Wayne Lackey

Since making his debut in Marvel Spotlight (Vol. 1) #2 in 1972, Jack Russell’s existence as a werewolf has been pretty much a solo gig, but every now and again he got by with a little help from his friends. The following is a personal hit-list of ten teams and team-ups which our boy Jack belonged to with other heroes, supernatural figures, and general persons of interest, including the issue(s) in which the story occurred.

10. Ghost Rider (Ketch) (Marvel Comics Presents [Vol. 1], #107-112, 1992):

Ghostie and Werewolf pursue, are captured by, escape from, and finally take down a renegade gang of werewolves called the Brain Eaters. GR kills the leader, while Jack pumps the rest of the gang members full of silver bullets to prevent future transformations. One of several collaborations, given their ties to the Midnight Sons.

9. Supernaturals (Supernaturals #1-4, 1998):

This story takes place in an alternate universe where all of the mutant and non-mystical heroes of Earth have vanished. The only thing standing in the way of the Jack O’Lantern’s evil machinations are the Supernaturals! Led by Brother Voodoo, Werewolf, Ghost Rider, Black Cat, Satana, and Gargoyle tackle the likes of the Living Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein, as well as several Atlas-era Marvel Monsters!

8. Tigra (Giant-Size Creatures #1, 1974):

The heroine formerly known as the Cat is transformed by the Cat People into Tigra, the Were-Woman! Seeking to free her people, captured by HYDRA agents just after her transformation, Tigra and the reluctant Werewolf (who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time) fight HYDRA forces. After freeing the Cat People, they get revenge on HYDRA by sealing them in their base and releasing the Black Plague through the air vents! Man, that’s cold…

7. Spider-Woman (Spider-Woman [Vol. 1] #32, 1980):

Werewolf appeared sporadically in Spider-Woman’s series following cancellation of his own title, and has a notable appearance here when he is experimented upon by Dr. Karl Malus. Malus is able to control Werewolf, causing him to attack Spider-Woman. Werewolf eventually overcomes the mind control and turns the tables on Malus. The results of the experimentation prove to be far-reaching though, as his subsequent transformations are more savage and lack the control that Jack had asserted by the end of his own series.

6. Midnight Sons (Midnight Sons Unlimited #5, 1994):

Werewolf was not technically a member of the 1990s version of the Midnight Sons, but was kind of like their mascot (?) and participated in some of their adventures. In this issue, he teamed up with Vengeance and Morbius to become unwitting pawns in a scheme masterminded by Modred to battle Salome. Of course, Modred betrays them in trying to barter with Salome, but they manage to escape anyway. This was a standalone story that stands out to me for the unique gathering of some of my favorite Midnight Sons characters.

5. Night Shift (Captain America [Vol. 1] #330-331, 1987):

First appearance of the Night Shift (Shroud, Werewolf, Dansen Macabre, Brothers Grimm, Tick-Tock, Tatterdemalion, Needle, and Digger) as they pursue Dr. Karl Malus through sewage tunnels. Werewolf is going through one of his more savage phases, and requires Dansen Macabre’s influence to maintain any semblance of control over his bestial urges. Led by the Shroud, the Shift joins Captain America in leading an assault on the Power Broker’s mansion. A strange combination of personalities and abilities, I’d love to see this team written by a top shelf writer!

4. Brother Voodoo (Werewolf by Night [Vol. 1] #39-41, 1976):

Brother Voodoo, Werewolf and Topaz run into Fire-Eyes, Dr. Glitternight and his zombie hordes. During this adventure, they also encounter the Three Who Are All (formerly known as the Five Who Are All – it’s a long story, just read the books!), who bestow upon Jack the ability to keep his intellect and change into his Werewolf form at will. This is the penultimate chapter in the Werewolf by Night series, and it is one of my favorites!

3. Moon Knight (Werewolf by Night [Vol. 1] #32-33, 1975):

The introduction of Moon Knight to the Marvel Universe. Initially an agent of the criminal Committee, Moon Knight fights with and captures Werewolf. As the story progresses, though, ol’ Moony sees the error of his ways and cuts Jack loose to wreak havoc on the Committee for his troubles. Werewolf and Moon Knight would have several adventures together over the years, though not always on the same side; this was just the first of many.

2. Legion of Monsters (Marvel Premiere #28, 1976):

Werewolf, Morbius, Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze), and Man-Thing unleash their monstrous abilities against the reality-manipulating Starseed before he destroys southern California. Unbeknownst to the Legionnaires, Starseed means them no harm but falls before their assault just the same, for reminding them of their monstrous afflictions. The Legion (minus Ghost Rider) is currently guest-starring in The Punisher for the “Frankencastle” arc, with some great art by Tony Moore.

1. Midnight Sons (Marvel Zombies 4 #1-4, 2009):

Werewolf, along with Morbius, Jennifer Kale, Hellstorm, and Man-Thing (with an assist from Portal, Director of A.R.M.O.R.), combat the plague of the Marvel Zombies emerging from the Nexus of All Realities. During the skirmish, we get to see notable Z-listers Black Talon, the Night Shift, and everyone’s favorite living dead guy, Simon Garth (you know, the original Marvel Zombie?), as well as main series villain Parker Robbins, a.k.a. the Hood. I’d love to see more of this team, maybe in a follow-up skirmish with the Hood…!

Spider-Man (Marvel Team-Up [Vol. 1] #93, 1980):

Spider-Man teams up with Werewolf to battle the Tatterdemalion. Spidey definitely needs to wash his spider-suit after this adventure!

Iron Man (Werewolf by Night [Vol. 1] #42-43, 1977):

Werewolf and Iron Man bump into each other (literally) when combating the menace of the Masked Marauder and his robotic Tri-Animan.

Elsa Bloodstone (Marvel Heartbreakers one-shot, 2010):

A flashback reveals that Elsa and Jack had a brief fling; she loved his sense of humor, but… dude, he’s a werewolf! It’d never work!