Before Secret Invasion, and before even the Skrulls, there were the shape-changing Dethians. Blogger Brian Hughes spotlights “I Am The Changing Man!”, by Steve Ditko and an unknown writer, which originally appeared in Tales of Suspense #8 — a good two years before the Skrulls would rear their ugly heads in Fantastic Four #2.
In the short story, a green-skinned, purple-clad Dethian infiltrates humanity by assuming the identities of political leaders and an influential journalist. Paranoia reigns!
It all sounds so … familiar.
Related: What’s this? A new Steve Ditko graphic novel?
April 10th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I believe this story was reprinted in the Monster Masterworks trade in ‘89. Which reminds me, I gotta dig that out of my parents’ attic next time I’m down there.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
What’s odd is that Ditko would create Shade the Changing Man for DC years later. The story isn’t the same but the name is.