Horror comics of the 1950s

[wayneds]

I own a copy of the book "Horror Comics of The 1950s" (nostalgia press) on the last page of the book is a small b&w drawing of the vault keeper by Johnny Craig,he is reading the book "Seduction of The Innocent" can anyone tell me if this illustration ever appeared in any of the EC comics?
Thank You
Wayne:)

[MDG]

I'm pretty sure it didn't--it's also on the back cover of the '72 EC convention book.

I've also seen a Jack Davis drawing of Bill Gaines burying the three hosts in a graveyard and an Ingels drawing a the Old Witch crying. These may have been done around the same time as gifts to Gaines after the line folded.

MDG

[wayneds]

Thank you MDG
I had a feeling that this image was not published in the 1950s
Wayne

[sand01]

...you may want to check out Amazon - the now have the collected horror comic, The Monster of Frankenstein, by Dick Briefer (23 stories in total) available as a Graphic Novel. This is a 1950's classic - and pre-CCA influence. Some very cool and bloody stuff.

[InfoBroker]

Hmmmmm... this thread slipped past me or I would have replied sooner.

The second story, "Game Washed Out!" appearing within the second to last issue of The Vault of Horror we have this bit of light reading.

http://webpages.charter.net/astrozoid/LiteReading.jpg


This tale was penned by Carl Wessler who wrote several tales at the end of EC's New Trend period, several were commentaries on those leading crusades and chairing commitees that were attacking horror and crime comics.

Perhaps the most biting and best told was the first tale in the final issue of Vault; called "The Prude", which focused on the hypocracy of a small group of narrow minded political leaders from an small town in Early American setting themselves up as guardians,definers, and enforcers of public morals.

http://webpages.charter.net/astrozoid/SinIsSin.jpg
So yea, there was indeed reaction to "Seduction of the Innocent" and the Senate Investigation Committee on Juvenile Deliquency within the pages of EC comics, both editorially and the actual comical pages.

-jb the "ghastly" ib-

[rick]

...you may want to check out Amazon - the now have the collected horror comic, The Monster of Frankenstein, by Dick Briefer (23 stories in total) available as a Graphic Novel. This is a 1950's classic - and pre-CCA influence. Some very cool and bloody stuff.


That is seriously good news.

I can only hope that they have a few from the humor years in it.

[DJ Sloofus]

Yeah, thanks for the tip. I didn't even know this book was planned, let alone already released. Can't wait to pick it up!

[MDG]

Hmmmmm... this thread slipped past me or I would have replied sooner.
I stand corrected--thanks IB.

I also didn't realize that Craig (at least sometimes) drew new VK framing panels for stories by other artists. I thought they were all stats.

MDG

[sand01]

That is seriously good news.

I can only hope that they have a few from the humor years in it.


I think these issues are the horror specific issues only...as I understand it, this is the material Dick Briefer originally wanted to do for Frankenstein...

[MichikoS]

...you may want to check out Amazon - the now have the collected horror comic, The Monster of Frankenstein, by Dick Briefer (23 stories in total) available as a Graphic Novel. This is a 1950's classic - and pre-CCA influence. Some very cool and bloody stuff.I took sand01's recommendation and bought this book. Below is a detailed review for those who are interested. -- Michi

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/monster_of_frankenstein.jpgThis 248-page softcover volume collects issues #18-33 of the Frankenstein comic book, published between 1952 and 1954 by Prize. Script and art are by DICK BRIEFER. 23 stories from sixteen issues are reprinted in black and white. The reproduction is excellent, and the stories are even indexed in a Table of Contents at the front. The book is clearly a labor of love, published by David Jacobs and Idea Men Productions of New Jersey. The book's $20.99 price tag is quite reasonable.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/frankenstein.jpg
Frankenstein was first published as a kid's humor book, beginning in 1945. "Frankenstein, The Merry Monster" was also featured in Prize Comics. You can read a complete humorous Frankenstein story online, from Prize Comics #59, at Pure Excitement Comics's web site:

http://pecomics.tripod.com/23one1.html

An example of Briefer's sly humor can be found on page 5 of the story in which Frankenstein is presented by his vampire pals to the GG&VU (Ghost, Ghoul & Vampire Union) Headquarters, to be inducted, a birthday gift from his ghoulish friends.

He hears a voice, but doesn't see anything; a word balloon appears in a blank panel: "You'll have to pardon me--you know, I haven't been a ghost long, and when I saw this Frankenstein monster outside...he just scared the sheet off of me!! Please, may I get a new one?"

Scared the sheet off me. Ha. Here's a sample cover from the humor run:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/frankenstein_16.jpg

Anyone who's familiar only with the humorous version of Briefer's Frankenstein will be suprised by the horror version reboot, which occurred with issue #18 after a three-year publishing hiatus.

Briefer's horror take is based on the Universal movie version of Frankenstein's origin, not on Mary Shelley's philosophical novel. The monster is entirely mute throughout the various escapades depicted in the stories, but Briefer's extensive use of captions and the generally excellent visual storytelling are quite effective in conveying the lead character's thoughts and moods.

The monster is depicted primarily as an innocent who is exploited, tortured and attacked by both the natural world and by "civilized" society. His violence in response to the depredations he suffers is always a source of catharsis for the reader.

As for the actual horror elements in the stories, they are very mild indeed. Violent actions visited upon others are never graphically depicted. There is actually NO overt violence or gore shown in any of the stories. They are quite tame. The only thing which might suggest the pre-code provenance of the tales is the occasional macabre twist or "shock" ending, along with generous use of the undead.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/frankenstein_25.jpg
There is an excellent foreword by David Jacobs, and two afterwords, one a "personal appreciation" by E.J. Robinson, and the second a short, charming essay recalling her "Grandpa Dick," by Briefer's granddaughter, Alicia Jo Rabins, who plays violin for the young, hip, widely-acclaimed New York-based klezmer/rock band GOLEM (named after the legendary Jewish Frankenstein of Prague).
http://www.golemrocks.com/index.php

My favorite story is "The Monster's Mate," in which a harmless, mentally traumatized and physically scarred giantess from a circus show is viciously attacked by townspeople and left for dead. She is rescued by the monster, who nurses her back to health and enjoys a tragically brief interlude with the mindless, blinded giantess. The townspeople, however, find her while the monster is away, and this time they finish the job, shooting and hacking her to pieces. The monster returns to find his friend murdered, and wreaks terrible vengeance on the mob of townspeople. Briefer deftly brings the story to a close in a few captioned panels: "Like a windmill, like a terrible machine, the monster churns his way through the group of horrified men...some escaped, but in less than a few minutes, those who didn't are left broken and dead at the feet of the giant...then the monster returns to the cave, and emerges with the body of his friend...with his bare hands he digs a grave for her, reverently places her into it, and covers her up...his only friend! Why couldn't those little men let him alone? Why couldn't they let him live in peace with her? No! They had to kill her take her from him. Now those men who remain in the town will pay! Menacingly, the monster heads toward town -- his enemy will pay for this!!"

I highly recommend this quality collection, not just for Briefer's outstanding storytelling, but for the way the stories, taken together, so faithfully reflect the fractured moral and emotional outlook of their times.

[MichikoS]

Enjoy! --Michi

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/prize_65.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/frankenstein_32.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/frankenstein_27.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/frankenstein_23.jpg

[MDG]

There's more online Frankenstein here:
http://www.chancefiveash.com/frankenstein32p11.htm

I'm amazed by the change in tone from the "kiddie" stories to the grim later ones. (Kind've prefigures what happened to Batman.)

MDG

[Jessica Drew]

I checked that link, and...

GOOD GOD! That's utterly repellent...and fantastic! The melting, then the fire dispersal, then that last panel...so shocking and frightening. I MUST have this.

[Josh S]

I saw that Frankenstein book on Amazon while searching for ESSENTIALS, and wondered about it. I'll definately be picking it up now. Thanks for the review, Michi.

[jesterpress]

Ah...EC...classic story of wrong place..wrong time...what do you think the congressional voters would think of the current comic book industry?

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m222/jesterpress/Posterweb.jpg

[sand01]

Just wanted everyone to know that we are not the only ones with an appreciation for Dick Briefer's Monster of Frankenstein Graphic Novel.

I am looking at this month's issue of Rue Morgue, and their are advertisemements for "The Monster of Frankenstein" and a "new" book "Tales of Terror" (personally selected stories by Boris Karloff) by the same company that put together The Monster of Frankenstein.

Both are availible on Amazon.

Since I liked The Monster of Frankenstein, I am going to pick up Tales of Terror.