From the March 1952 issue of Marvel Tales #121
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Voice from the Grave
For the last couple posts we’ve had great examples of how violent and excessive pre-code comics could be, so here’s an example of how cold and ruthless they were minus the gore but no less effective, and this time with artwork from Gene Colan to apply just the right amount of icing upon your spine.
From the March 1952 issue of Marvel Tales #121
From the March 1952 issue of Marvel Tales #121
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NICE SUBTLE SUPERNATURAL TWIST AT THE END. YOUR BLOG ALWAYS GAINS A LITTLE BIT OF CLASS WHEN YOU ADD A GENE COLAN STORY TO IT, NOT THAT IT NEEDS CLASS BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
nicely written and beautifully illustrated of course by gene colan.....the guy never fails to deliver the goods
Not as detailed as Colan usually gets,but still far more skilled in composition and contrast values than almost any of his contemporaries(except Bill Everett)and the story is particularly well handled,Hitchcock or Tourneur could have done well with this(and doesn't this remind anyone of a certain CREEPSHOW segment?)certainly one of Atlas's best.
The stark simplicity and anchor in realism here is what really makes this one work, the closing shot and panel where he shoots her in her grave become even more impactful when completely removed from cartoonville.
I find it amazing to view these early Colan horror stories in perspective with his later hero output. I'd pay good money for an all pre code collection of Gene's best work.
>I'd pay good money for an all pre code collection of Gene's best work.
I would too! How about it Marvel, wanna make some pre code horror fans happy with a nice Colan collection?
Great story..i first experienced Colon's work in the Creepy and Eerie magazines and always admired his almost cinematic approach to composition. It was cool seeing one of his earlier efforts.
Be sure to visit (or revisit) my other pre-code Colan story called The Corpses Come Back, archived back in July.
While the denouement of the narrator being one of Ruby's former victims was a foregone conclusion, I didn't expect that he'd be a ghost. The last panel at least doesn't rub it in, which is a welcome touch of subtlety.
What tremendous art. I actually prefer this to Colan's later stuff. Nice understated ending too.
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