EERIE NO. 1 COVER RE-CREATION

Nearly a half-century after drawing the cover for Avon's EERIE #1, the first all-original, all-horror comic book in 1947, Bob Fujitani painted a re-creation of his work in 1994.

It is not known if it was a commission or for his own enjoyment, but the result is astounding, especially when one considers the simple line work of the original. The re-creation was painted in oils on a 16" x 20" canvas board. It is currently up for auction. At the time this was written, the current bid, including a buyer's premium, is $408, but is sure to go up from there until the auction closes in mid-January.

[Image Source: Heritage Auctions.]

I wondered how this new image would actually look as the cover for EERIE #1, so I had some fun and took a few minutes to "re-imagine the re-creation".

THE FIRST HORROR COMIC!

Those who have been following my series in NIGHTMARE ABBEY (see sidebar) will know that horror stories started creeping their way into comic books as early as the 1930's. Dick Briefer's FRANKENSTEIN in Prize comics featured the titular character. Gilberton's CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED also adapted Mary Shelley's novel of FRANKENSTEIN. Numerous other comics included a horror-themed story here and there, but it wasn't until 1947 when we'd see the first all-horror comic with all-new stories. Read my article "The Hideous History of American Horror Comics Part II: The Pre-Code Plague" in NIGHTMARE ABBEY #5 for more detailed information.

NOTE: Ads have been removed from this scan.

EERIE COMICS

Vol. 1 No. 1 (One-shot)

January 1947

Avon Comics Inc.

Editor: ?

Cover: Bob Fujitani

Pages: 52

Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS

"The Eyes of the Tiger"

Script: ?

Art: Bob Fujitani

"Dead Man's Tale"

Script: ?

Art: Jon Small; George Roussous

"The Man-Eating Lizard"

Art: Henry Kuttner

Art: Joe Kubert

"The Mystery of Murder Manor"

Script: ?

Art: ?

"The Strange Case of Henpecked Harry"

Script: ?

Art: Fred Kida