tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31671022152544386102024-03-12T15:34:54.633-07:00Best Horror ComicsDiscovering the best horror comics of all time.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-40559589738638459272016-11-11T12:24:00.001-08:002016-11-11T12:27:59.812-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
"They Hunt Butterflies, Don't They?"</h2>
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Hunt_Butterflies.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUz_RvpYaow/WCYjdwXAzfI/AAAAAAAAANM/-eCyUdq8EREx3FB5q9M1lduM10RQ71BoQCEw/s320/cover_thumb.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Hunt_Butterflies.pdf">http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Hunt_Butterflies.pdf</a></div>
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<br />
It's been awhile.<br />
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Quite honestly, this will likely be my last post on this blog. I've covered what I want to cover, posted what I wanted to post. Highlighted what I felt were some of the greatest horror comics from my youth and spread the love...<br />
<br />
Except for one story, that is.<br />
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Everyone has those certain horror tales which take root in the fertile unconsciousness of childhood to become dark flowers as they grow older, and one of those nasty little seeds for me was the titular story to House of Mystery's issue 220, entitled "They Hunt Butterflies, Don't They?".<br />
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The twist at the end of this one is particularly unsettling and I love it! Keep buying those old comics everyone.<br />
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<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-1364611102188353442013-11-27T21:46:00.001-08:002013-11-27T21:46:30.401-08:00This Is The Diary of Danny Drake<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This Is The Diary of Danny Drake</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.mangaeden.com/en-manga/hellblazer/56/1/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.mangaeden.com/en-manga/hellblazer/56/1/" border="0" height="303" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALKsOuhcqzE/UpbOK7bu0WI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/99JWrFAT0wA/s320/danny_drake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Truly, it should come as no surprise that I am a fan of "Hellblazer"...<br />
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And since this series survived to Issue 300 in tough, comic-book times meant that lots of <i>other</i> people enjoyed the trials and tribulations of John Constantine as well. And why not? This series has some of the best written comic scripts in the past 20 years. To me, Hellblazer validated the comic medium into an adult medium. It was 'For Mature Readers Only' from the very beginning, and not just because of naughty pictures.<br />
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While I've enjoyed certain issues immensely, my <i>favorite</i> Hellblazer of all time has to be issue 56 "<a href="http://www.mangaeden.com/en-manga/hellblazer/56/1/" target="_blank">This Is The Diary of Danny Drake</a>". There have been some amazing story arcs over this remarkable run, but this particular issue always struck a deep chord with me. A simple, done-in-one story of the lengths someone is willing to go to. I liked this frightening story because it reminded me of all those '<i>tragic twist of irony</i>' tales from the comics of old. You make a deal with the Devil, and the Devil bends the rules...<br />
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Garth Ennis takes us to a pretty familiar place... After all, men have been bartering their souls in fiction with the Infernal Realms since the days of Faust. But then he throws in John Constantine... a man who once sold his soul in a very calculated fashion to three Devils just to get out of lung cancer... Cheeky bugger. <br />
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While John Constantine is no hero... he's a <i>saint</i> compared to Danny Drake. In true horrific fashion, Danny Drake shows us how far fear and desperation will take a man. Good stuff, Mr. Ennis. A nice retelling of a classic with a familiar end.<br />
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I'm not a huge fan of David Lloyd's art. Yes, he did "V for Vendetta" and that worked well. But his Chiaroscuro style never seemed right for newsprint and a 4-colour press to me. It's distinctive to be sure, but would be better suited for covers than interiors. To each his own, I suppose. Nonetheless, the story certainly works even if it has more stippling than I'm used to.<br />
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<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-90953733164791276342013-10-20T18:19:00.002-07:002013-10-20T18:28:31.214-07:00Papa Don<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Papa_Don.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8uK5b7-0iI/UmR73o1sZuI/AAAAAAAAALs/_JkGBjZzyTE/s320/cover_blog.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click image to open link. </span></div>
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Over three years ago, way back on <a href="http://besthorrorcomics.blogspot.ca/2010_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">April 25, 2010</a>, I had posted that I had located an old comic story I fondly remembered from my youth entitled "<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Papa_Don.pdf" target="_blank">Papa Don</a>". So, in the spirit of Hallowe'en, I've decided to (<i>finally</i>) upload that story for your enjoyment. Sure, it's no horror classic, but apart from picking up a rare old back-issue copy of SoHH #17, where the heck else would you find it?<br />
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This story was originally printed in October 1979. At that point, the mystery titles from DC had enjoyed a good 10-year run, but the Fall of the House of Mystery was beginning to show as 1980 approached. The DC mystery comics seemed stuck in the past... even trite. The Comics Code was suited for certain plot archetypes - and that shallow well had run dry. Even worse, those comic-buying kids were now looking up at the stars... and buying 'Star Wars' and 'Superman' comics!<br />
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Oh the power of movies... <br />
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But horror comics never truly die... OK, they do, but then they rise from their inky graves and reinvent themselves! So let's hear it for zombies everyone! But let's remember where they came from...edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-47627793513770283712013-04-04T20:51:00.000-07:002013-04-04T20:51:06.665-07:00Consumed By My FanFictionSorry I haven't been posting. I've been writing a <i>massive</i> Bruce Wayne FanFic entitled "<a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9087833/1/Elsewhere" target="_blank">Elsewhere</a>". <br />
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FanFic's give comics a lot of love. They're sort of like those old Marvel "<i>What If?</i>" comics without the pictures. And Jean Grey would burn you to a crisp, Logan... <br />
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<a href="http://aznbadger.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/3864_4_024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://aznbadger.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/3864_4_024.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
Anyways, it's interesting to see different takes and situations on characters we know and love, even if there are no pictures.<br />
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If there are any FanFic readers out there, feel free to check mine out. No slash, honest!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9087833/1/Elsewhere" target="_blank">http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9087833/1/Elsewhere</a><br />
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edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-83945775894103701082013-01-06T09:41:00.003-08:002013-01-06T09:44:38.423-08:00I Made You PieA Christmas Greeting that I'm a little late on...<br />
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This is an Adobe Flash file that I was experimenting with for "scrolling panels". I think comic panels when made dynamic have a lot of potential. This is a simple one panel story that pans downward to the conclusion. Click on the image to jump to the link on then use <b>Click On Image</b> to start.<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pie.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_new"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyEum5nrrYM/UOm11PqinUI/AAAAAAAAALQ/blTln63FToY/s320/pie_th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm lazy and Photoshop-filtered the background. The rest of the amateur artwork and colour-job is mine.<br />
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<u>Warning</u>: There is a little adult humor and blood. edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-68469754324468430662012-12-23T17:23:00.004-08:002012-12-23T17:23:51.723-08:00...And All Through The House...Merry Christmas Johnny Craig...<br />
Wherever you may be.<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/vault_35_craig.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_new"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Dp80toeWTY/UNetkQD6jNI/AAAAAAAAALA/UccsACrSmo8/s400/vault_35_thumb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.comics.org/issue/223250/" target="_blank">Vault of Horror, issue 35</a>edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-65657465065694896372012-12-09T07:23:00.000-08:002012-12-09T07:24:02.143-08:00Karen Berger Leaves The House of MysteryAnother of the seven signs of the comic book apocalypse...<br />
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My favorite editor of <u>all</u> time is <a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/12/grumpy-old-fan-karen-berger-super-editor/" target="_blank">leaving DC comics</a>. For those of you who do not know Karen Berger (and you should), she is/was the executive editor and senior vice president of DC's Vertigo imprint. She also brought Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman to DC and was editor on "The House of Mystery" back in the 'I...Vampire!' days until the end. She has three Eisner awards.<br />
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The very fact that Vertigo is folding is very sad. These were among the best comics available over the past 20 years. With <i>tiny</i> print runs. A lot of printed literature has small print runs these days, replaced by the pixel. That's evolution.<br />
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Whatever her future endeavors, I wish Karen Berger all the best and thank her for her stewardship of the many works which impacted my life.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jUnVRHZdy0/UMSq45I7-jI/AAAAAAAAAKs/aRKuXhrNwhg/s1600/hom303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jUnVRHZdy0/UMSq45I7-jI/AAAAAAAAAKs/aRKuXhrNwhg/s320/hom303.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
How <i>cool</i> is Karen Berger?<br />
<br />
The above page of Karen Berger, Len Wein and Paul Levitz in the House of Mystery's dungeon would have Women's Rights advocates... on edge... as we see a young lady (Karen Berger) in chains with throwing axes embedded into the walls around her. Obviously some sick, fanboy, bondage fantasy... <br />
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Karen Berger <i>scripted</i> that page.<br />
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Looking at it artistically (as you should), it can be interpreted as the editor saying "I live and die by my work." That's Karen Berger everyone.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-59376062740792387472012-12-02T18:02:00.006-08:002012-12-02T20:08:00.497-08:00The Next-To-Best Two Pages In All of ComicsOn the previous post, I speculated that the legendary Alex Toth created two pages (he scripted, drew, inked <i>and</i> lettered those two pages) that were <i>so</i> powerful, they launched a new title into DC's months-old 'mystery' boom for 85 issues. That was 1968 and the title was "The Witching Hour".<br />
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Jump forward to 1984.<br />
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Horror comics are all-but-dead with the last regular issue of <a href="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/5/59600/1118702-321__last_issue____oct_1983_super.jpg" target="_blank">House of Mystery #321</a> having appeared on stands exactly one year earlier in 1983, the last of DC's big mystery line. Charlton Comics canceled its long-running <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostly_Tales" target="_blank">Ghostly Tales</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scary_Tales_%28comics%29" target="_blank">Scary Tales</a> the same month this next comic was published. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Wars" target="_blank">Marvel's Secret Wars</a> plows over the rest of the field to set the new stage for comics, the blockbuster super-hero cross over. Kids just don't like that scary stuff anymore.<br />
<br />
Alan Moore wasn't writing for kids.<br />
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You may think I'm going to showcase the ground-breaking work of Moore et al in the 'Saga of the Swamp Thing' #21, <u>The Anatomy Lesson</u>. This one even made JK Parkin's and Chris Mautner's #1 spot on their <a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/10/six-by-6-by-6-six-comics-that-scared-the-out-of-us/" target="_blank">Six comics that scared the $#!@% out of us</a> list. Fantastic issue and revolutionary treatment of the title character. Launched the horror genre in comics into an entirely new direction.<br />
What's interesting is that the Swamp Thing actually made his debut during the peak of DC's mystery titles in House of Secrets #92. One wonders what would have happened had Alan Moore taken over 'The Witching Hour'?... <br />
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But issue #21 wasn't the one that disturbed me.<br />
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No, that came eight issues later. 'Saga of the Swamp Thing' #29's <u>Love and Death</u> gave me two of the most powerful pages I can think of. Pages 2 and 3 <i>scared</i> me. I wonder how many people noticed that something was <i>missing</i> from the cover of 29 when they bought it? Take a look below and see if you can figure out what's missing:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEF3Zhmj6Ek/ULv1lfTFT0I/AAAAAAAAAKM/iYr3wfhCzto/s1600/sotst29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEF3Zhmj6Ek/ULv1lfTFT0I/AAAAAAAAAKM/iYr3wfhCzto/s320/sotst29.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Did you find it?<br />
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... <br />
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That's right, it's missing the Comics Code Authority. Couldn't get it through the censors. Issue 21 got through, this one did <i>not</i>. DC was forced to put it out <i>without</i> Code approval... and discovered a remarkable thing. It was <i>still</i> carried by vendors. This single issue (in my humble opinion) led to the formation of DC's Vertigo imprint 9 years later, the irrelevance of the Code and the "Suggested For Mature Readers" tag.<br />
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The two pages?<br />
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First of all, I've always liked <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Holland" target="_blank">Abigail Arcane</a>. She was 'Beauty' to Swamp Thing's 'Beast'. She's been cast as the victim on numerous occasions, but she's a pretty remarkable lady. Unlike many characters in comics, she's not motivated by hate, revenge or even a sense of justice. Nope, Abigail is a <u>lover</u>. Despite being the niece of one of the most <i>evil</i> characters in all of comics (and that's saying a lot!), Abby always pushes forward and leads with her heart, for better or worse.<br />
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Can you imagine how I felt, when after turning one <u>single</u> page, I had to bear witness to <i>this</i>?!<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/web_images/abigail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXAanbmz6Nw/ULwD-rfEgVI/AAAAAAAAAKc/aZxksYvuf30/s1600/abigailTh.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/web_images/abigail.jpg" target="_blank">Click image for full 2-page spread.</a></span></div>
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Right away, Moore <i>has</i> you.<br />
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Abby had suffered some immense tragedy that has (<i>quite literally</i>) brought her to her knees. You will read the next 18 pages feeling slightly sick to your stomach until... There's hints, there's foreshadowing, but... When you finally get to the 'big payoff' on the 2-page spread of the third and second last pages, you see why this issue never made it past the censors at the code and never could...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Moore's run on Swamp Thing has been collected numerous times<span style="font-size: x-small;"> in numerous editions. Pick it up.</span></span><br />
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<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-30970588071712665492012-11-25T09:50:00.002-08:002012-11-25T09:50:40.098-08:00The Best Two Pages In ComicsIt's a little known fact that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Toth" target="_blank">Alex Toth</a> is responsible for the best two pages in ALL of comics throughout the <i>entire</i> history of the medium. It's <u>true</u>. It's now on the Internet so it's <i>got</i> to be true. The likes of Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #27 were well-worn paving stones to the path of immortal perpetuity that Toth was able to tread when creating these two pages.<br />
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The two pages in question are pages 3 and 4 of issue #1 of <a href="http://www.comics.org/series/1905/" target="_blank">The Witching Hour</a>. First published in 1969, these two pages were so powerful, they allowed the title to carry on for 85 issues, a full 9 years, based solely on their artistic merit. They set the entire premise for the series in a blaze of atmosphere, character design and conception.<br />
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Even beyond their untimely demise, the characters have inserted themselves in other seminal works of comic canon. (ahem, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_%28Vertigo%29" target="_blank">The Sandman</a>) OK, not Egor, but still...<br />
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So without adieu, I give you the <a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/web_images/witchinghour01.jpg" target="_blank">TWO MOST IMPORTANT PAGES IN ALL OF COMICS</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/web_images/witchinghour01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEmhINcHdhg/ULJXuw-SdfI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/N-8CJVsafMI/s320/witchinghour01th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">That these two pages are the first appearance of Cynthia is merely a happy coincidence. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Honest. <br />And for all the fan artists out there, she has <u>Cat's Eyes</u><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span>edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-72999999764785731992012-10-28T13:05:00.001-07:002012-10-28T13:05:11.054-07:00Two Horrifying Tales About ... HoneyIf I asked you to name two comic stories about HONEY, could you do it?<br />
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You may think of some old Gold Key Whitman 'Winnie The Pooh' comics or 'Yogi Bear' comics from Dell. I'm sure there was lots of honey in those. Maybe even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_West#Comics" target="_blank">Honey West</a> comics if your mind doesn't automatically go to kid comics. Or more than likely, you thought of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_Nut_Cheerios" target="_blank">bee</a> from those Honey Nut Cheerios ads.<br />
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But Horror Comics? <br />
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Well, in the spirit of Hallowe'en, I will give you two. Two very different tales of the horrors of honey from different times and places.<br />
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The first is '<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Almost_Human.pdf" target="_blank">Almost Human</a>' from DC's House of Secrets number 129, published in 1975. As told by Jack Oleck and illustrated by Franc Reyes, this tale explores the nasty ramifications of culture shock when a group of entomologists get mixed up with the mysterious bee people of South America.<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Almost_Human.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_new"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyuS9ECHEvE/UI2M4o-nSHI/AAAAAAAAAJk/JX9VtIftw_I/s320/thumb1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The second tale is from Japan's 'Céléb d'Horreur', <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junji_Ito" target="_blank">Junji Ito</a>. I've featured Mr. Ito's '<a href="http://besthorrorcomics.blogspot.ca/2010/01/uzumaki.html" target="_blank">Uzumaki</a>' in a previous blog. In '<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Splatter_Film.pdf" target="_blank">Splatter Film</a>' (first published 2004-2006), Mr. Ito brings us another honey from South America, so addictive that one taste is not enough, even though your next taste may be your last!<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Splatter_Film.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_new"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-eeVgJhCZk/UI2PZ1WAKhI/AAAAAAAAAJs/eYjQfG6yLts/s320/cover.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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Happy Hallowe'en Everyone!<br />
<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-88276535447028415412012-10-11T20:38:00.002-07:002012-10-11T21:44:46.140-07:00Just MegawattHappened across this web site while looking for some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junji_Ito" target="_blank">Junji Ito</a>.<br />
Great collection of horror manga!<br />
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<a href="http://www.justmegawatt.com/comics/horrorcomics.html">http://www.justmegawatt.com/comics/horrorcomics.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abrj2eI62E4/UHeeNmOTzJI/AAAAAAAAAJU/lWuVZGOr6k8/s1600/junji-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abrj2eI62E4/UHeeNmOTzJI/AAAAAAAAAJU/lWuVZGOr6k8/s320/junji-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-71468608991649181832012-10-10T20:09:00.000-07:002012-10-10T20:09:00.481-07:00Nothing Dies On The Internet... Except Careers<br />
No my friends, comics are not dead.<br />
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Back issues will go online and we <i>will</i> pay for them. Perhaps we'll even pay the original cover price. I would drop 35 cents to read <a href="http://x.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/c/40/4bc37e0597bca/detail.jpg" target="_blank">Daredevil 158</a> online. Fifteen cents for <a href="http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/1/15/House_of_Mystery_v.1_181.jpg" target="_blank">House of Mystery 181</a>, you bet! Or maybe a flat rate of $10 per month. It will happen.<br />
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How will this onslaught of old-time comics change the landscape?<br />
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One big change will be sales stats. Let's say DC puts their old Romance titles online and sales go through the roof. How long will it be before the New 52 includes '<a href="http://www.comicvine.com/falling-in-love/49-1684/" target="_blank">Falling In Love</a>' among its titles? Yes, they <i>used</i> to make comics for girls.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAwXjrxAyCM/UHY00AgQFaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/NyIZcuJfeRI/s1600/Falling_in_Love_Vol_1_99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAwXjrxAyCM/UHY00AgQFaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/NyIZcuJfeRI/s320/Falling_in_Love_Vol_1_99.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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The second change (hopefully) would be education. Favorite artists emerge, lost genres re-appear, and an understanding of the art form blossoms from the shadows of digital media. Comic fans become comic connoisseurs!<br />
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I guess what I'm saying is that there has to be the next BIG thing. What iTunes did for music, what NetFlix did for movies, what Amazon did for books. Right now, old comics pretty much have blogs...edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-76459020659547912532012-10-09T19:23:00.001-07:002012-10-09T20:29:13.413-07:00Nothing Dies On The Internet... Except ProfitsWhen was the last time you purchased a brand new comic?<br />
You know, the kind you hold in your hands.<br />
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How about a physical, music CD?<br />
Was it a new artist or someone you used to listen to marked down?<br />
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The last new comic I bought was <i>Detective Comics</i> #854 after reading <a href="http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=1154" target="_blank">this review</a> on Comic Book Resources in 2009. That was three years ago.* That's not to say I <i>don't</i> buy comics. I've spent hundreds of dollars on comics since 2009. They're all second-hand and usually cost 100 times their cover price from a dealer.<br />
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But what does a multimillion-dollar back-issue industry mean to the publisher?<br />
I'm sure they're glad that people are still buying their comics, and maybe it keeps comic shops (who also sell <i>new</i> comics) in business. Beyond that...<br />
<br />
Let's just say that I'm <i>really</i> glad that Hollywood is making these comic-book movies/television shows and showing $$$ profit. 'Cause I have the feeling that comic-book publishers are getting their teeth kicked in at the P n' L meetings based on comic sales alone. Comics <a href="http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2011.html" target="_blank">still sell</a> (thank God), they're just not as prolific. Explains the $4 price tag.<br />
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But I'm not hear to sound the death knell for the sequential art-form we call comics. One day all those back issues will be readily available. I just keep wondering if Netflix will do the same thing to my local comic shop as it did to Blockbuster...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* You can still buy a near-mint Detective #854 for its cover price by the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> J.H. Williams III is incredible!</span>edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-72066712638646733592012-09-27T12:34:00.001-07:002012-09-28T08:29:08.488-07:00Eufronio Reyes “E.R.” CruzOne of the cool things about the appreciation of art is that it's timeless. We still admire paintings in galleries that are centuries old. For myself, I approach comics from the late 60's and early 70's with a fresh set of eyes and start to recognize some of the truly great works that were available during this time period.<br />
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One of the Filipino artists often overlooked from this period is Eufronio Reyes “E.R.” Cruz. I have already featured Mr. Cruz's stellar artwork in "<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Unexpected175.pdf" target="_blank">The Haunted Mountain</a>" from DC's 'Unexpected' issue 175. However, every time I read one of the tales featuring his work, my admiration only grows. Today, we look at another of Mr. Cruz's offerings, this time from "The Witching Hour", issue 36 entitled "Death Held The Goblet".<br />
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Mr. Cruz's realistic style has always reminded my of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinen_manga" target="_blank">Seinen manga</a> from Japan. Not surprising, considering the proximity of Japan and its influence of Filipino culture throughout the seventies. And <i>yet</i>, Mr. Cruz is a style onto himself, immediately recognizable and distinctive. His style even predates most Seinen manga. His use of various points of artistic view and scenes lend support to <a href="http://www.comicscube.com/2010/08/wally-woods-22-panels-that-always-work.html" target="_blank">Wally Wood's 22 Panels That Always Work</a>. Mr. Cruz knows where to position the camera of the viewer's eye.<br />
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So, without further adieu, let us drink to the tragic tale of Helga the Magnificent only to learn that in the end, '<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/death_held_the_goblet.pdf" target="_blank">Death Held The Goblet</a>'.<br />
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<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/death_held_the_goblet.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_new"><img alt="The Witching Hour 36, E.R. Cruz" border="0" height="193" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSnzEasMVVw/UGSo7W2wH7I/AAAAAAAAAIk/4YY1GLqnDWk/s400/thumb.jpg" title="Death Held The Goblet" width="400" /></a></div>
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Click on image to open pdf.</div>
edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-91864451098169432082012-05-25T19:07:00.001-07:002012-05-25T19:08:28.194-07:00Saying Goodbye to Tony DeZuniga<br />
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For those who may not know DeZuniga's work, do yourself a favor and pick up some early "Weird Western Tales" with Jonah Hex. They're fantastic. But DeZuniga did more than Westerns. He did romance, fantasy, superhero, and horror. And could he ink!<br />
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I was lucky enough to meet Mr. DeZuniga and his wife a couple of years ago and pick up this very affordable Red Sonja original pencil drawing.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjDwvh_9q2w/T8Aw4KCrD9I/AAAAAAAAAIM/NexN6saux1M/s1600/deZuniga_Sonja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjDwvh_9q2w/T8Aw4KCrD9I/AAAAAAAAAIM/NexN6saux1M/s320/deZuniga_Sonja.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Still have to frame that.)</span><br />
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It's hard to measure the impact DeZuniga had a comics. Not only was he a prolific artist in the seventies for both DC and Marvel, he also was the harbinger of the <a href="http://www.alanguilan.com/museum/dezuniga.html" target="_blank">Filipino invasion</a> of artists in the 70's. On his recommendation, Joe Orlando and Carmine Infantino visited the Philippines in 1971 to recruit such talent as Alex Niño, Alfredo Alcala, Nestor Redondo, Fred Carrillo,
Vicatan, Gerry Talaoc and others.<br />
<br />
This influx of artists was immediately evident in the art of comics. Let's compare early horror art to Alex Nino (who we in North America may never have heard of if not for DeZuniga):<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deDnrVwopy0/T8A5oF4LrUI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Nkby4fm7mYs/s1600/HORROR_Comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deDnrVwopy0/T8A5oF4LrUI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Nkby4fm7mYs/s320/HORROR_Comparison.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
Wow. That's why I love 70's comics.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_DeZuniga" target="_blank">Tony DeZuniga</a> passed away on May 11, 2012.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-72751873986343989922012-05-03T19:19:00.002-07:002012-05-03T19:19:48.653-07:00Time To Practice My Inking...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olPJEENKldU/T6M8RpB4N1I/AAAAAAAAAIA/IRgMQ6EYJ4Y/s1600/wrightson_zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olPJEENKldU/T6M8RpB4N1I/AAAAAAAAAIA/IRgMQ6EYJ4Y/s320/wrightson_zombie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Why yes, that <i>is</i> an original Berni Wrightson pencil sketch...<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-43117624737698281412012-04-26T09:48:00.000-07:002012-04-26T09:48:21.547-07:00Sorry for the inactivity.<br />
Working 80 to 100 hours a week doesn't leave much time to post.<br />
I am going to the <a href="http://www.calgaryexpo.com/" target="_blank">Calgary Comic Expo</a> this weekend which will be GREAT.<br />
Looking forward to meeting<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Wrightson" target="_blank"> Berni Wrightson</a> :)<br />
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<br />edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-9302749659936433292012-02-26T20:34:00.004-08:002012-02-26T21:03:29.401-08:00The Horror Host In Comics, Part 1<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Iz3fnx_o5k/T0sIedKdF1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/2_WLySFA4aM/s1600/ghoulunatics_feldstein.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Iz3fnx_o5k/T0sIedKdF1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/2_WLySFA4aM/s320/ghoulunatics_feldstein.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713669871567181650" border="0" /></a><br />Over the next few months, I will be examining the history and role of the horror host in comics. We must begin with the Big 3, the ghoulunatics, The Crypt-Keeper, The Old Witch, and The Vault-Keeper. The first popular iteration of the horror host in comics, these three had simple roles:<br /><br />1. They <span style="font-weight: bold;">branded</span> the title. The Crypt-Keeper opened 'Tales From The Crypt', The Vault-Keeper had the lead in 'The Vault of Horror' and The Old Witch served first course in 'The Haunt of Fear'. A 10-year old could easily identify an EC Horror comic simply by the host (if not the artist).<br /><br />2. They opened the story with the title, usually flavoring the plot with alliteration.<br /><br />3. They closed the story with groan-inducing puns.<br /><br />It's interesting that all three are quite similar in appearance (old with robes) but distinct as well. Almost as if they were part of a ghoulish family of story-tellers. Let's open our examination of the horror host with a little ditty called...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"<a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Who_Doughnut.pdf" target="_new">Who Doughnut?</a>"<br /></div><a href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/Who_Doughnut.pdf" target="_new"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2h33xz1U8s/T0sNlGsFPGI/AAAAAAAAAH4/owdCc85gVrs/s320/voh30_blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713675483351432290" border="0" /></a>edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-37511067891649786562012-02-20T19:41:00.000-08:002012-02-20T20:43:17.033-08:00Horror Hosts In ComicsThe Early Years...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JA61n5Ys0wM/T0MTFq6vb6I/AAAAAAAAAHU/bm25otlneeU/s1600/ghoulunatics.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JA61n5Ys0wM/T0MTFq6vb6I/AAAAAAAAAHU/bm25otlneeU/s320/ghoulunatics.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711429740576862114" border="0" /></a><br />The role of 'horror host' was not an invention of comics...<br /><br />Many ghost stories and tales of the supernatural are told from the point of view of the mournful protagonist, who acts as narrator (<span style="font-style: italic;">e.g.</span> Victor Frankenstein's narrative from Mary Shelley's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein">Frankenstein</a>"). Was this a 'Horror Host'? Not really.<br /><br />Where horror hosts really made their debut were the old radio mysteries such as "radio's outstanding theater of thrills" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspense_%28radio_drama%29"><span style="font-style: italic;">Suspense!</span></a> and "Radio's Top Mystery" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Whistler"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Whistler</span></a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>"I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales, hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes... I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak."</blockquote><br />Radio shows <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> narration. Why not a spooky one to match the tone? These hosts set up the ghastly stories every week with their own unique 'hook'.<br /><br />And I believe that William Gaines and Al Feldstein realized something else...<br />These hosts created a <span style="font-weight: bold;">BRAND</span>.<br /><br />And thus, in <i>Crime Patrol</i> #15 appeared The Crypt Keeper.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGOnXFqENqk/T0MbZE3BsWI/AAAAAAAAAHg/jlEGWbSdIHI/s1600/Crypt_keeper_crime_patrol_15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGOnXFqENqk/T0MbZE3BsWI/AAAAAAAAAHg/jlEGWbSdIHI/s320/Crypt_keeper_crime_patrol_15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711438870051139938" border="0" /></a><br />In the fifties, there were a dearth of weird/mystery/crime comics. Check <a href="http://www.samuelsdesign.com/comics/ahorror_crime.html">this</a> out. Having a spooky narrator present your stories was genius. The average 11-year old might not know '<span style="font-style: italic;">Mysterious Adventures</span>' from '<span style="font-style: italic;">Mystery Tales</span>' but by golly they knew '<span style="font-style: italic;">Tales From The Crypt</span>'.<br /><br />That was the one with <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Crypt Keeper</span>. The old guy who kept cracking nasty puns, injecting humor into a scary story to diffuse the tension... Why, just like you and your friends did. Make fun of it and it's not so scary. Right?<br /><br />And if one horror host worked, why not more? ...<br />And thus 'The Vault Keeper' (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vault_of_Horror_%28comics%29"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Vault of Horror</span></a>) and 'The Old Witch' (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Haunt_of_Fear"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Haunt of Fear</span></a>).<br /><br />These narrators were the <span style="font-style: italic;">brand</span> of their own series. While each series employed different artists, from Ingels to Craig to Davis to Kamen, you had no doubt <span style="font-style: italic;">whose</span> title it really was...<br />It was the Crypt Keeper's, Vault Keeper's or Old Witch's. The artists and writers worked for them to present <span style="font-style: italic;">their</span> tale of the macabre.<br /><br />Oh sure, Al Feldstein, Harvey Kurtzman and Johnny Craig were given <span style="font-style: italic;">occasional</span> credit...edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-87955024300535591962012-02-17T19:36:00.000-08:002012-02-17T19:43:55.839-08:00Great Covers<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZgykVzQwqg/Tz8d-HhrQpI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Xjk2xD7K3Fg/s1600/hom267.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZgykVzQwqg/Tz8d-HhrQpI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Xjk2xD7K3Fg/s320/hom267.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710315805538468498" border="0" /></a><br />One of my favorite 'House of Mystery' covers of all time, issue 267 by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kaluta">Michael Kaluta</a>.<br />As with many great comic covers, the story behind it is a let-down, but hey, still a great cover!<br /><br />It's the menagerie of grotesque heads forming the border that really makes it.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-36441066783545226292012-01-22T16:49:00.000-08:002012-01-22T18:04:13.852-08:00The Splash of SlashIn comics, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics_vocabulary#Splash_page">splash pages</a> are simply full-page panels meant to grab your attention.<br /><br />In horror comics, splash pages usually serve one of two functions:<br />1. They open the story (providing setting and mood)<br />2. They close the story (with the big payoff)<br /><br />We've all seen the big payoff, the twist ending presented in full-page art used effectively in horror comics. Take for example the last page of John Stanley's "<a href="http://stanleystories.blogspot.com/2009/10/tales-from-tomb-1-part-3-padded.html" target="_blank">Crazy Quilt</a>". (If you want to read the entire story on Frank M. Young's 'Stanley Stories' blog, be my guest.)<br /><br />However, we're here to talk about <span style="font-weight: bold;">opening splashes</span>.<br /><br />Most horror comics are 5-8 page one-trick-ponies printed in an anthology. Some use splashes, some don't. An opening splash may follow a one-page prelude, or it may start the tale. Heck, it might even be a 2-page splash and will usually contains the credits. But there is one thing it should always do:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Set the mood and setting.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_THsweBZVw/Txy0t9ttjRI/AAAAAAAAAGk/oWY9U4mcba4/s1600/V-Vam3D-01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_THsweBZVw/Txy0t9ttjRI/AAAAAAAAAGk/oWY9U4mcba4/s320/V-Vam3D-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700629930097610002" border="0" /></a><br />Wally Wood's splash page to '<a href="http://grantbridgestreet.blogspot.com/2011/06/v-vampires-by-harvey-kurtzman-and-wally.html?zx=34af56ec86b39446" target="_blank">V-Vampires!</a>', (a parody of EC Comics from "<span style="font-style: italic;">Mad</span>" issue #3) is AMAZING! It's a shame they didn't leave the original alone. It tells you everything you need to know about the setting, the mood, and grabs your attention... A beautiful, young lady named Godiva walks the fog-shrouded streets of London... <span style="font-style: italic;">alone</span>... at 5 to midnight. The 'Klek klek klek klek klek' of her high heels along the cobble stones gives the panel a sense of motion, urgency... perhaps even a little fear. Yet the 3 silly looking vampire bats flying above and title tell you this is a parody.<br /><br />Jeff Jones' "<a href="http://grantbridgestreet.blogspot.com/2010/04/jeff-jones-axe-to-grind.html"target="_blank">An Axe To Grind</a>" from <span style="font-style: italic;">Vampirella</span> #5 is perfection for an opening splash.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-j7lsMWjzg/Txy5_lXkVpI/AAAAAAAAAGw/nmrXoYmX_TQ/s1600/jeff%2Bjones.%2Ban%2Baxe%2Bto%2Bgrind.%2Bpage.%2B001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-j7lsMWjzg/Txy5_lXkVpI/AAAAAAAAAGw/nmrXoYmX_TQ/s320/jeff%2Bjones.%2Ban%2Baxe%2Bto%2Bgrind.%2Bpage.%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700635730358064786" border="0" /></a><br />The sense of isolation and fear is palpable. We know this girl's alone, in the dark, and in <span style="font-style: italic;">serious</span> trouble. The negative space surrounding the title character is your setting highlighting the mood. In fact, the darkness almost seems to creep up from underneath, as to engulf the girl.<br /><br />On a side note, check out how close <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rf9S3GkkeyI/S9mpXHnPptI/AAAAAAAAaOw/uwa7DBW14pU/s1600/jeff+jones.+an+axe+to+grind.+page.+006.jpg" target="_blank">panel 4 on page 6</a> is to the 'Hh-ere's Johnny!' scene in "<span style="font-style: italic;">The Shining</span>". Stephen King published '<span style="font-style: italic;">The Shining</span>' in 1977. <span style="font-style: italic;">Vampirella</span> #5 is around 1970. Hmmmm... I wonder...<br /><br />And if there was ever a splash that was made for page-turning, go no farther than Johnny Craig's opening to "<a href="http://magicmonkeyboy.blogspot.com/2011/04/dead-ringer-by-johnny-craig.html"target="_blank">Dead -Ringer</a>" from Crime Suspenstories #2.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7urHPCbg1k/Txy9i4gdNEI/AAAAAAAAAG8/xGS178Zb4qM/s1600/johnny%2Bcraig.%2Bdead-ringer.%2Bpage.%2B001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7urHPCbg1k/Txy9i4gdNEI/AAAAAAAAAG8/xGS178Zb4qM/s320/johnny%2Bcraig.%2Bdead-ringer.%2Bpage.%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700639635325924418" border="0" /></a><br />Wow.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-38683287797372989392011-10-26T20:31:00.001-07:002011-10-26T20:51:36.788-07:00The Upturned Stone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.besthorrorcomics.com/pdf/the_upturned_stone.pdf" target="_blank"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ROShoyzwXTk/TqjQ0NN43ZI/AAAAAAAAAGI/iNHVFNpWazQ/s320/blog1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668009726365457810" border="0" /></a><br />Couldn't do it...<br /><br />I had all 64 pages of this modern day classic scanned and ready to go online. I knew as soon as I saw those nine pages in Brian Cronin's "<a href="http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/01/the-scariest-comic-books-of-all-time-the-upturned-stone/">The Scariest Comic Books of All Time</a>" on CBR that this was one of the all-time greats. It belongs without a doubt in the Top 10. I bought a copy on eBay the day I saw those nine pages...<br /><br />But it's also creator owned.<br /><br />And we must support creators, especially amazing creators like Scott Hampton.<br />And did you know <a href="http://www.heavymetal.com/shm/product_info.php?cPath=16_49&products_id=3123">Heavy Metal sells back issues</a>?...<br />Eight bucks and shipping. That's what it costs to get your copy.<br />Sixty-four pages for eight bucks and some extra Heavy Metal contributions thrown in.<br /><br />So take a gander and decide if you're willing to spend eight bucks.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-25012713177631302412011-10-21T19:32:00.000-07:002011-10-21T20:14:49.844-07:00The Digital Age - Part 2Or... "<span style="font-weight: bold;">The New Porn Site Paradigm</span>"<br /><br />Perhaps you don't know this, but porn hubs are some of the best categorized and searchable sites on the Internet. You can search by keyword, fetish, file type, duration, rating etc... They link into one another, are optimized for search engines, streamlined for speed and advertise like crazy. Sure there are those annoying popups and java scripts, but don't kid yourself. A lot of programmers have spent a lot of time putting these things together. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What does this have to do with comics?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">There are many parallels:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Free Internet Porn</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span> There is a lot of free porn online.<br />Pretty much all of it is in copyright violation or by amateurs.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Free Internet Comics.</span> There are a lot of scanned comics online.<br />Pretty much all of it is in copyright violation or by amateurs.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Pay Sites. </span> Porn wants your money. Subscribe.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Pay Sites. </span> Comic companies want your money. Subscribe.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Porn Collectors.</span> Some people collect porn. They won't admit it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Comic Collectors.</span> Some people collect comics. They won't admit how much this obsession costs them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Big Business.</span> Porn is a multi-<span style="font-style: italic;">billion</span> dollar industry.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >The Comic Business.</span> Is not.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Back Catalog.</span> Porn's been around for awhile. It has an extensive back catalog to draw from.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Back Catalog.</span> Comics have a back catalog that makes Porn weep with envy.<br /><br /><br />OK. Imagine this:<br /><br />1. Every comic ever published is now online.<br />2. Every online comic is broken down by writer, artist, genre, publication date, key characters etc...<br />3. There all available through one search engine.<br />4. Readers can rate the stories and comment<br /><br />My God! Could you just imagine selecting a genre such as 'Horror' and search by 'Rating'? How about by 'Alex Toth'? Or '1978'?<br /><br />Would you pay $9 a month for this?<br /><br />I would.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-26518045819758028572011-10-15T15:07:00.000-07:002011-10-15T15:45:21.745-07:00The Digital Age of Comics<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6UU27OQKJw/TpoFLEOlBaI/AAAAAAAAAF8/KVa0Fg7gg_A/s1600/Detective_28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6UU27OQKJw/TpoFLEOlBaI/AAAAAAAAAF8/KVa0Fg7gg_A/s320/Detective_28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663845169043408290" border="0" /></a>Back when the iPad was originally released, I did a mock up of the "<a href="http://besthorrorcomics.blogspot.com/2010/01/icomics-card.html">iComics Card</a>".<br /></div>With the recent hoop-la of DC's "52" in September featuring same-time print and digital release, I figure it's time to re-visit this subject. Let's start with the 'Age' of American Comic Books:<br /><br />1. The Golden Age (1935 to 1955) a.k.a <span style="font-style: italic;">The Good Old Days Before The Code</span><br />2. The Silver Age (1956 -1970) a.k.a. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Age of the Code</span><br />3. The Bronze Age (1971 - 1985) a.k.a <span style="font-style: italic;">The Code Relaxes and Contemplates Retirement</span><br />4. The Modern Age (1986 - 2011) a.k.a. <span style="font-style: italic;">Code Breakers and The Direct Distribution System</span><br /><br />And now...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. The Digital Age (2011- ...)</span><br /><br />Oh sure, I'm aware that web comics have been around for a couple of decades now and that smaller companies have sold online versions of their comics <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> DC, but this is something quite revolutionary in comics. One of the big two is releasing their entire line digitally at the same time as the print version. And they're throwing in some back issues too.<br /><br />I still agree with <a href="http://scottmccloud.com/">Scott McCloud</a> (who's been right <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> these years).<br />Web comics <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span> be different from print comics.<br />And isn't this simply DC putting their print comics online?<br />So what's new? Where's the "revolution"?<br /><br />Getting readers to <span style="font-weight: bold;">PAY</span> for a digital comic.<br /><br />If DC is able to establish a viable revenue stream with their digital downloads, this will begin the true age of digital comics. Innovation will come <span style="font-style: italic;">if</span> there's a market. And prices will come down, don't worry.<br /><br />Let's hope.edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167102215254438610.post-30904358122652311502011-10-10T13:54:00.000-07:002011-10-10T13:57:05.872-07:00Brian Cronin's "The Scariest Comic Books of All-Time Archive" on CBRBrian Cronin is taking reader suggestions for CBR's Scariest Comic Book of All Time.<br /><br />I've sent mine!<br /><br /><a href="http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/01/the-scariest-comic-books-of-all-time-archive/">http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/01/the-scariest-comic-books-of-all-time-archive/</a>edtonnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08397076862647005880noreply@blogger.com0