After a quarter-century in the movie wilderness, theToxic Avengeris finally returning to the big screen. Following nearly a decade of development turmoil and two years of post-production distribution challenges,Macon Blair’s rebootof the cult classic franchise is poised to make a comeback in all its notorious glory.
As reported byEntertainment Weekly, the newThe Toxic Avengerfilm is set to premiere in wide release in August 2025, giving fans a few months to anticipate how “the first superhero from New Jersey” will navigate more toxic times.
In the meantime, there isplenty of Toxic Avenger materialfor both new and longtime fans to explore, helping them catch up on or revisit the lore behind the legend. This includesmore than oneToxic Avengercomic book series, which provide both complementary and supplementary perspectives on a hero like no other.
Marvel Was the First Publisher to Translate the Toxic Avenger’s Appeal to Comics
1991’sThe Toxic Avenger#1 by Doug Moench, Rodney Ramos, Val Mayerik, Bob Sharen, and Rick Parker
Lloyd Kaufman and Marc Hertz, the creators ofThe Toxic Avenger, could not have predicted that their film would become a cult classic. As the founders of Troma Entertainment, a studio known for its low-budget comedy-horror films, they were well aware that their B-movies catered to a niche audience. Initially, theToxic Avengermovie was panned by critics and dismissed as unwatchable. However, its relegation to late-night broadcasts and midnight screenings sooncultivated a dedicated fanbase. Embraced as a quintessential example of the “so bad it’s good” genre,The Toxic Avengerhad, by the early 1990s, proven to be a financial success.
Whether driven by a desire to capture the cult appeal ofThe Toxic Avengeror simply to expand its readership, in 1991 Marvel Comics launched a full-fledged comic book series based on the 1984 film. The project was helmed by the experienced team of Doug Moench and Rod Ramos. Naturally, as the house that Spider-Man built - and mindful of its audience -Marvel adapted the film’s ultra-violent, gory tone into a more superhero-oriented narrative,featuring a wisecracking, environmentally-conscious vigilante. As the series' editor, Jim Salicrup, acknowledged in the first issue’s letters page, there were boundaries they couldn’t cross.
While fans of the film may raise an eyebrow at some of the comic’s more sanitized aspects - such as the lack of gratuitous gore - comic readers will find it a solid representation of superhero stories from that era…
While fans of the film may raise an eyebrow at some of the comic’s more sanitized aspects - such as the lack of gratuitous gore - comic readers will find it a solid representation of superhero stories from that era, albeit darker and grittier. The basic plot remains the same: Melvin, a health club janitor, is relentlessly teased and chased by the club’s staff and guests until he is forced to jump out a window. He lands in a vat of toxic waste and, after being struck by lightning (a detail absent from the movie), is transformed into the Toxic Avenger: a monstrous yet good-hearted figure who vows to use his newfound powers to protect the city’s vulnerable.
Devil’s Due Publishing’sThe Toxic AvengerIs the Only Comic eith the Creator’s “Explicit” Approval
Stories Collected in Tradepaperback:Lloyd Kaufman Presents: The Toxic Avenger and Other Tromatic Tales
There’s an old saying: “If you want something done right, you need to do it yourself.” This sentiment likely inspiredTheToxic Avengercreator Lloyd Kaufman to collaborate with Devil’s Due Publishing in producing a comic version ofThe Toxic Avenger -as well asadaptations of other Troma Entertainment films- that faithfully captured the essence of the movies, including the blood, sex, and gore that became hallmarks of Troma productions. As Kaufman explains in the preface to the first part:“Troma films are a lot like comic books come to life.”
To be sure, whileLloyd Kaufman: The Toxic Avenger and Other Tromatic Talesis not solely focused on Melvin’s transformation into a superhero, theToxic Avengerstories featured in this decidedly bizarre Troma film adaptation anthology certainly capture the same over-the-top energy as the films. The sections dedicated to the Toxic Avenger can best be described as continuations of his saga, offering the kind of comic book content that fans of the movie likely hoped the Marvel series would deliver, though they probably knew such a faithful adaptation was impossible. For any interested readers - be warned - this comic is definitely R-rated reading.
Ahoy Comics' Modern Version ofThe Toxic AvengerIs Just in Time for the Film Reboot
2024’sThe Toxic Avenger#1 by Matt Bors and Fred Harper
More recently, between the completion of Blair’s film production and its acquisition of a distribution deal,Ahoy Comics published the latest iteration ofThe Toxic Avengerin comic book form. Written by Matt Bors, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for editorial cartooning, and drawn by Fred Harper, the series, much like the new film, is focused on recapturing the old-school vibe of the original movies, but with a more refined, yet equally humorous, approach. This series will certainly appeal to a broader comic book reading audience.
Why Peter Dinklage’s The Toxic Avenger Movie Has Taken 2 Years To Get A Release Date
Peter Dinklage starred in a reboot of the cult classic The Toxic Avenger way back in 2023, so why is it only just coming out this year?
Unlike other attempts, Ahoy’s comic is not an adaptation of the original franchise. Instead,it is a reimagining ofThe Toxic Avengermovie that, while not entirely cut off from its roots, infuses the story with a modern ambiance for a new audience, which is likely the same goal that Blair had for his film. That said, the comic book series deliberately sheds aspects of the original that appealed to many of its fans, such as its more “offensive” humor. Though new and fresh, it retains the horror, comedy, and superhero elements - thanks to the Marvel series - that have come to be expected of aToxic Avengercomic book.
Check outThe Toxic Avengertitles from Marvel Comics, Devil’s Due Publishing, and Ahoy Comics!
Source:Entertainment Weekly
The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger is directed by Macon Blair and follows downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze, who becomes a superhuman hero after a toxic accident. Armed with a glowing mop, he must save his son and thwart a power-hungry tyrant seeking to exploit toxic superpowers.
