Human-animal interaction in the Marvel Universe is readily apparent within the magical realms of Asgard, the Savageland, Wakanda,  as well as Atlantis.  Furthermore, the Silver Surfer encounters strange alien life during his travels all over the Galaxy.

I wanted to focus on  the Animals in the Marvel Universe because of two primary reasons: 1) My familiarity with it. 2)  A tremendous debt to two Pop Culture Icons. Writer Stan "The Man" Lee and artist supreme Jack "King" Kirby made my childhood full of wonder and adventure. One that saw  junior high and high school aged Kef make countless  trips to my favorite New Orleans'  newsstand  on St. Peter Street, one block from Pennyland for the next issue of Thor, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. 

This was the late 80's, long before Hollywood had the  technology to bring  heroes to life on the big screen. As an adult, I still collect  Silver Age (1960's - 1970's) Thor comicbooks, annuals and special editions. Like millions of young men not only in this country, but all over the world, Marvel characters allowed us to pretend we could lift a schollbus or call lightning with  Mighty Mjolnir! Thor's enchanted hammer - the greatest weapon in the entire Marvel Universe. Regal Odin interacted almost daily with his ravens, who often perched on his shoulder,  as well as his flying eight legged horse. Did I mention his wolf? No animal has a greater link to Marvel's human heroes than the Imhuman's lovable canine, the massive Lockjaw.  He is a lovable, yet useful pet who can transport humans from the Earth to the moon with a mere touch! How is that for practical?