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Tales to Astonish
Tales to Astonish #30
The Gorilla-Man returns! The former human wishes he could revert back to his former self after being held captive in a zoo.
- GenresComicsComic BookMarvel
26 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2017
12 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,563 books2,348 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 16, 2025
“The Return of the Gorilla-Man” – 2
I have no idea who thought it was a good idea to bring back the scientist who transferred his consciousness into a gorilla back in Tales to Astonish #28, because this follow-up only makes his situation worse. The original ending is retconned, and he no longer regresses to a gorilla’s intelligence. Instead, we get a story where he desperately tries to become human again and convince others of his mental abilities. The ending is even weaker than the first one. I honestly would have preferred to see the opposite perspective: how the gorilla reacted to being trapped in a human body, and how it would have integrated into society. This sequel is just a continuous slide into a bottomless pit.
“The Thing from the Hidden Swamp” – 2
Apparently even in the 1960s people were obsessed with physical appearance and the desperate urge to be beautiful. In this little fable, the protagonist gets help from an alien creature trapped in a swamp, who grants her the beauty she craves in exchange for a small favor. A stronger moral would have been learning to accept oneself, but they clearly picked the easy route. Beyond that, the story doesn’t offer much. The title suggests something terrifying or suspenseful, but the result is the exact opposite.
“What Was the Staggering Secret of the 13th Floor?” – 3
A short yet intriguing story that reflects on fate and the path we are meant to follow while we’re alive. It delivers a few chills and leans into mystery and thriller territory, largely because it raises more questions than it answers, leaving your curiosity hanging in the air.
“Quogg!” – 2
A criminal escapes the authorities and hides in some remote part of Africa, where he encounters a local tribe that forbids him from crossing a fence containing a supposed monster. You can guess exactly what happens and how it ends. Its predictability and lack of original ideas make it a very ordinary story. I also would have preferred a better-developed monster.
I have no idea who thought it was a good idea to bring back the scientist who transferred his consciousness into a gorilla back in Tales to Astonish #28, because this follow-up only makes his situation worse. The original ending is retconned, and he no longer regresses to a gorilla’s intelligence. Instead, we get a story where he desperately tries to become human again and convince others of his mental abilities. The ending is even weaker than the first one. I honestly would have preferred to see the opposite perspective: how the gorilla reacted to being trapped in a human body, and how it would have integrated into society. This sequel is just a continuous slide into a bottomless pit.
“The Thing from the Hidden Swamp” – 2
Apparently even in the 1960s people were obsessed with physical appearance and the desperate urge to be beautiful. In this little fable, the protagonist gets help from an alien creature trapped in a swamp, who grants her the beauty she craves in exchange for a small favor. A stronger moral would have been learning to accept oneself, but they clearly picked the easy route. Beyond that, the story doesn’t offer much. The title suggests something terrifying or suspenseful, but the result is the exact opposite.
“What Was the Staggering Secret of the 13th Floor?” – 3
A short yet intriguing story that reflects on fate and the path we are meant to follow while we’re alive. It delivers a few chills and leans into mystery and thriller territory, largely because it raises more questions than it answers, leaving your curiosity hanging in the air.
“Quogg!” – 2
A criminal escapes the authorities and hides in some remote part of Africa, where he encounters a local tribe that forbids him from crossing a fence containing a supposed monster. You can guess exactly what happens and how it ends. Its predictability and lack of original ideas make it a very ordinary story. I also would have preferred a better-developed monster.
April 10, 2022
Another one between a 2 and a 3, mixed bag of stories as usual. Seemed somewhat fixated on female beauty (or lack thereof) as well in headline story, which isn't great to read, even if was potentially sign of the times.
May 26, 2024
Interesting read and much better than the previous issue.
The Gorilla Man, the Swamp Guy and the Elevator stories were all intriguing and interesting to read with less than expected outcomes.
The short story was a bit meh but still decent enough to pass as a one time read.
The Quogg story was the worst one and had no coherent starting or ending to it.
A decent read if you got some time to kill.
The Gorilla Man, the Swamp Guy and the Elevator stories were all intriguing and interesting to read with less than expected outcomes.
The short story was a bit meh but still decent enough to pass as a one time read.
The Quogg story was the worst one and had no coherent starting or ending to it.
A decent read if you got some time to kill.
January 7, 2026
The 13th floor series was enjoyable--everything else can be skipped.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews