Sunday, October 7, 2007

The Soul Collectors

Here’s an ACG yarn that starts off with an interesting premise and then takes a bizarre twist, practically turning into a Wolff & Byrd: Couselors of the Macabre case file. (Batton Lash obviously read this as a kid.) Nicely designed ghoulies, but is that supposed to be a happy ending?!

From the Feb 1953 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #40

EXTRA! EXTRA! I spoke to soon! EMAIL FROM BATTON LASH:

Hey, Karswell- Your blog was brought to my attention and I must say two things: One, I love your blog and immediately bookmarked it. It’s right up my alley. And two, I have to say that I have never seen that ACG story “The Soul Collectors” until I read it on your blog! I appreciate your mention of Wolff & Byrd. I agree with you the “happy ending” is questionable. Alanna Wolff wouldn’t have rest until she convinced the judge her man’s soul was unjustly collected! Regardless, I liked the artwork and am curious who the artist is. Anyone know? Keep up the good work and keep digging up those cool gems!
Batton Lash

PS= Anyone wanting to learn more about Wolff & Byrd, can go to http://www.exhibitapress.com and http://www.supernaturallaw.com. Thanks!







at

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous10/07/2007

    Wow.not the best one you've posted,but certainly the most heart-rending,i agree the phrasing of the last scene is creepy,but done better it could have been very touching,and feminists who protested these comics as depicting women as shallow,selfish gold diggers obviously never read this story,though they'd probably then argue it depicted women as not being able to be independent,oh well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mr. Karswell10/07/2007

    It might also depict women as not being very successful lawyers, lose a case = die the next day.

    The main guy sums it up pretty funny in the 2nd panel on page one when he's in the car and talking to himself, "Wonder how it'll be married to a lady lawyer? She'll probably win all the arguments..."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10/07/2007

    What a weird story, and yes very much like Wolff & Byrd which I'm also a huge fan of.....seems like ACG really tried alot of different things with their storytelling, the artwork here is alot of fun too

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous10/07/2007

    THAT ENDING IS HYSTERICAL! I REALLY LIKE THE ART TOO, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ARTIST PETE RISS? HIS STYLE SEEMS VERY FAMILIAR LIKE I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE, MAYBE EVEN HERE ON YOUR BLOG.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous10/08/2007

    CAN'T BELIEVE BATTON LASH EMAILED YOU!! THAT'S AWESOME.....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mr. Karswell10/08/2007

    I was caught quite off guard myself this morning to see a message from him! Very nice guy, and of course a comics legend with a great horror legacy of his own that I highly reccomend to all.

    ReplyDelete