MURDER, MORPHINE AND ME

We'll linger a little while longer on the narrow line between crime and horror with one of the most notorious pre-Code comic stories ever printed.

"Murder, Morphine and Me", written (probably) and drawn by L.B. Cole appeared in TRUE CRIME COMICS Vol. 1 No. 2, published by the obscure Magazine Village Inc. and it seems to be the only comic title they published. I'm wondering if it's possible it was produced by Cole and then dropped when he went elsewhere to work.

The cover date of May 1947 has come into question and was later determined to be actually published on March 3rd in 1948, making the true cover date May 1948.

What distinguishes this story is its overt brutality, violence and drug theme, hitting all the right buttons for Dr. Fredric Wertham to call it out in "Seduction of the Innocent". It is also infamous for its frightening "injury to the eye" panel which he included in the book. While multiple injury to eye panels appeared during this era, this one has been most often used as a prime example.

Now, let's read Mary Kennedy's confession . . .

CRYPTOLOGY NO. 7 NOW SHIPPING

The latest issue of TwoMorrows Publishing's CRYPTOLOGY is now available for purchase. Issue #7 is a special vampire issue contains lots of articles on the blood-sucking undead. Included are features on DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, Bela Lugosi, an interview with Kate Beckinsale, Hammer's Dracula and more.

Also included are plenty of articles on horror comics, from pre-code to post-code.

A most delectable smorgasbord of retro creep culture, all curated by your fiendly Cryptologist, Peter Normanton.

Order your copy direct HERE.

From the publisher:

NOW BI-MONTHLY! “I’m back again—the Cryptologist, with an issue dedicated to the undead of the vampire ilk. We begin with an insight into the career of Bela Lugosi, with illuminating commentary from those who once knew him. Then feast on the Universal classic Dracula’s Daughter, as a prelude to Blood of Dracula’s Castle. Marv Wolfman discusses his time working on Marvel’s celebrated Tomb of Dracula, with a host of mesmerising artwork from Gene Colan, Tom Palmer and Gil Kane. We delve into comic book vampires, exploring their roots from the latter 19th century. Vampire warrior Kate Beckinsale also gives us a few words on her role in the Underworld franchise. For those of you with a craving for this bloodsucking breed we’ve got vampire toys, vampire films from the 1980s, more from Hammer’s legion of the undead, and our Killer B department drives a stake into The Return of Dracula and Grave of the Vampire. So sink your teeth into this latest juicy morsel, made especially for you retro horror fans by Tim Leese, Mark Voger, Steve & Michael Kronenberg, and editor Peter Normanton!”

WEIRD AND WILD PUNCH COMICS COVERS

From the strangely silly to the slightly sinister, these covers from pre-Code Harry A. Chesler comics incorporate crossovers from several common themes with an emphasis on crime and horror.

Chesler was the first "comic packager", that is, a studio comprised of writers, artists. letterers and colorists who produced comic books for other publishers who didn't want to invest in the expense of hiring their own staff.

Worth noting is that Chesler's PUNCH COMICS was mentioned in Dr. Fredric Wertham's "Seduction of the Innocent".

Here are some examples of the splash pages from PUNCH COMICS #1 (December 1941). They are not horror related, but they'll give you a look at the imaginative ideas that comic book artists would come up with for dramatic scenes.

PUPPET PERIL!

Not used as much as other subject matter in pre-Code horror comics were puppets . . . the evil and murderous kind, of course. This tale, "Puppet Peril" is from WEIRD ADVENTURES #2 (July-August 1951), published by P.L. Publishing. Some claim the company was located in Canada because of the "Printed in Canada" notice on the indicia, but they were actually out of Rockefeller Plaza in New York, where other American comics publishers were based.

Nevertheless, P.L. was one of the most obscure of publishers, preferring non-super hero titles, such as Westerns and romance, and were all published in the last quarter of 1951. WEIRD ADVENTURES began as a crime book, and then for the next (and last) two issues switched to horror, likely in reaction to horror titles gaining popularity.

As far as art credit goes, comics historian Jim Vadeboncoeur, Jr. identifies it as being a collaboration between possibly Lou Morales (because of the initials "LM" hidden on the store sign of the splash page) and Harry Harrison. The Fantagraphics anthology of reprints, "Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s" (September 2010) credits Ernie Bache and and Harry Harrison.

And for all you SOTI fans, included in this story are a couple of hypodermic needle panels.

Sorry to "string you along" -- here's "Puppet Peril" for your weekend dose of illustrated horror!

WATCH OUT FOR THE SWAMP MONSTER!

Jack "Killer" Cabot has broken out of jail just before he's to be executed and escapes into a swamp. He comes upon an old house (of course!) and a man invites him in and tells him that he can change his appearance so the law won't recognize him. Then he proceeds to put the bite on him, after which Cabot changes into an ugly beast. Two prison guards end up tracking him down, but not before Cabot has a little accident.

A so-so story is saved by some marvelous art by Basil Wolverton. The slimy monster seen in the splash panel is replaced by Cabot's "pig/ape" in the rest of the story that appears in Stanley Morse's WEIRD MYSTERIES #5 (June 1953).

BRUCE TIMM'S FIENDISH MONSTERS

Bruce Timm's art is unmistakable and his work has spanned almost four decades. Now, Flesk Publications has collected more than 130 examples of his horror art into one volume titled, FIENDISH MONSTERS: THE HORROR ART OF BRUCE TIMM. Sometimes sexy, sometimes sinister, but always spooky, Timm has elevated the art of cartoon horror to a new level and this book aims to prove it.

From the publisher:

Fiendish Monsters: The Horror Art of Bruce Timm

Enter the dark, gleefully twisted world of B.T. in Fiendish Monsters: The Horror Art of Bruce Timm! 

This frightful collection showcases nearly forty years of the legendary artist’s favorite horror-themed artworks. Featuring more than 130 pieces, this volume opens the vault on Timm’s personal drawings and private experiments created purely for his own amusement. It also showcases rarely seen illustrations and contributions to fanzines, Little Shoppe of Horrors magazine, books, and more.

Guided by Timm’s candid commentary, readers are taken on a tour through his creative process. From rough sketches and preliminaries to fully finished ink and painted works. He reveals alternate designs never before shown, dives into his love of classic horror films and actors from his youth, and discusses how he refined certain pieces to their final, haunting arrangement.

Inside you’ll find rare spot illustrations, unpublished alternate versions, and experimental pieces, some of which pay homage to the artists who shaped his distinctive voice. Timm’s work sits in that irresistible sweet spot between realism and his iconic animated style, capturing everything from monsters to beautiful women with equal passion.

A celebration of one of his favorite genres and the sheer joy of drawing, this book invites you to step inside Bruce Timm’s shadowy playground of macabre moods, and ghastly delight.

• We have a paperback with a bonus print, a hardcover with a bonus print, and a special signed “publisher edition” that comes with a bonus print. 

• We also have signed premium 13 x19” prints.

Sample pages:

ISBN: 9781640410992

# PAGES: 80pg

BINDING: Hard Cover

DIMENSIONS: 9×12

COLOR: Full Color

RETAIL PRICE: $34.95 (Check the publisher's website for a currently discounted price)

Order direct from the publisher HERE.