| Character Name: | Moon-Boy |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Debut: | Devil Dinosaur #1 (April 1978) |
| Creators: | Jack Kirby (writer / artist) |
| Species: | Ape-like humanoid |
| Alliances: | Fallen Angels Circus of Crime |
| Partners: | Devil Dinosaur |
| Powers: | Expertise in survival |
Moon-Boy is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is best known as the constant companion of Devil Dinosaur.
Being primarily a supporting character to Devil Dinosaur, Moon-Boy has yet to be the lead character in a comic book series of his own. His appearances in print have been invariably linked to Devil. Moon-Boy made his debut in Devil Dinosaur #1 (April 1978) and was a continuing character in all nine issues of the series' run.[1] Since the cancellation of the original Devil Dinosaur series, Moon-Boy's appearances have coincided with Devil Dinosaur's various cameo appearances, supporting roles, and one-shot comics.
The team of Devil Dinosaur and Moon-Boy was created by artist Jack Kirby who scripted and penciled all issues of the first Devil Dinosaur series. Kirby's intent was for the duo to be inhabitants of Earth's prehistoric past as evidenced by a title on the cover of Devil Dinosaur #1 which proclaims Moon-Boy to be the "first human". Some later writers of the characters retconned the pair to be mutants from an alien world, while more recent writers have written them as being from Dinosaur World (Earth-78411), a planet located in a parallel universe contained within the Marvel Multiverse.[2]
Moon-Boy was born into a tribe of ape-like humanoids known as the "Small-Folk" in the "Valley of Flame", a region of numerous active volcanoes. Moon-Boy's connection with Devil Dinosaur began as a young boy when he came across a female dinosaur being attacked by a rival tribe known as the "Killer-Folk". The female was killed, as well as two of her three young. The third did not die however, but was transformed when the Killer-Folk attempted to burn him to death with their torches. The fire permanently scorched the young dinosaur's skin bright red. Moon-Boy cared for the orphaned creature after its ordeal and named him "Devil".
Ostracized from his tribe because of his association with Devil, Moon-Boy and his red companion became wanderers.[3] Devil and Moon-Boy's wanderings eventually took them to distant times and worlds. First, they encountered extraterrestrials.[4] Next they encountered Godzilla, who had been transported to Moon-Boy and Devil Dinosaur's alternate Earth.[5] In time, they encountered the Fallen Angels.[6] They traveled to Earth, and temporarily took up residence with the Fallen Angels in New York City.[7] After several trips to the modern era of Earth-616 via magic, time travel, and teleportation by mutants, the pair eventually settle in the Savage Land of Earth-616.[8]
After the Roxxon Energy Corporation invades the Savage Land, Ka-Zar recruits Moon-Boy and Devil Dinosaur to fight them.[9] Later, the Heroes for Hire take Moon-Boy to New York City, place him into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, and separate him from Devil.[10] This leads Stegron to attack S.H.I.E.L.D. bases in an attempt to rescue him. After learning of Stegron's motivations, the heroes return Moon-Boy and Devil Dinosaur to the Savage Land.[11]
Moon-Boy and Devil Dinosaur later confront a group of Killer Folk to reclaim the Nightstone, an artifact which the latter group worshipped and had killed many Small Folk over. However, Moon-Boy is killed while a temporal vortex transports the Killer Folk, Devil Dinosaur, and the Nightstone to New York City.[12] Moon Girl and Devil later use a time machine to save Moon-Boy moments before his death.[13]
Moon-Boy has lifelong experience at foraging and general survival in the wild. He additionally possesses a thick coat of hair that protects him from the elements.
Moon-Boy appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers, voiced again by James Arnold Taylor.[19]