Avon was known for their one-shot comics. Instead of choosing continuing series, they published a number of one-off's in both their horror and science-fiction lines. CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD was one of them.
Behind the awkwardly-looking but strikingly colorful cover by Alvin Hollingsworth, the very talented Everett Raymond Kinstler drew one-panel previews on the inside front cover for the stories that appeared in the issue, a device that Avon was known to use. Looking for a suitable creature to depict, in the second panel Kinstler swiped a Gustave Dore etching of "The Gnarled Monster" from "The Legend Of Croquemitaine" to illustrate "The Glistening Death" (reprinted in Skywald's PSYCHO #1, January 1971).
The title story concerns a group of explorers in Yucatan, Mexico who investigate Quetana, the legendary "City of the Dead" and are set upon by zombies. As with many Pre-Code horror comics, the scripter is unknown; Alvin Hollingsworth does the art, including the dramatic splash page.
Taking a page out of EC's book, the story panels in this issue are perpendicular to each other and the circles and distorted panels that had been used from the 1940's were not used. Similarly, Leroy mechanical lettering was used in two of the stories.
And, just what is "The Glistening Death"? You'll have to read it to find out!
NOTE: Ads have been removed from this scan.
CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD
Vol. 1 No. 1 (One-shot)
1952 (no month)
Avon Periodicals Inc.
Editor: Sol Cohen
Cover art: Alvin Hollingsworth (aka A.C. Hollingsworth)
Pages: 36
Cover price: 10 cents
CONTENTS
"The Witch's Come At Midnight!" (inside front cover)
Script: ?
Art: Everett Raymond Kinstler
"City of the Living Dead!"
Script: ?
Art: Alvin Hollingsworth
"The Glistening Death"
Script: ?
Pencils: Norman Nodel
Inks: Vince Alascia
Letters: Leroy lettering
"The Witch's Come At Midnight!"
Script: ?
Pencils: Norman Nodel
Inks: Vince Alascia
"Death Has Many Tongues"
Script: ?
Art: Harry Lazarus
Letters: Leroy lettering
