From the 1946 Baily Publishing Company one-shot issue of Spook Comics #1
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Obi Makes Jumbee
Here’s a strangely appealing zombie crime tale that looks like nothing else I’ve ever posted on this blog. In fact, if anything it reminds me more of a fun old 1940’s RKO film like Zombies on Broadway (’45) or You’ll Find Out (’40), only in color. Interesting art from Robert Baldwin, does anyone have any info on him? I admire his clean, precision mix of stylized cartooniness and exotic cheesecake. A great story too with a clever “reverse voodoo” angle… wish I had more from this guy.
From the 1946 Baily Publishing Company one-shot issue of Spook Comics #1
From the 1946 Baily Publishing Company one-shot issue of Spook Comics #1
"The Thousand Horned Goat, he comes"... oh, subtle.
ReplyDeleteMort Walker? Charles Schulz?
ReplyDeleteMan. Now Beetle Bailey seems like an even bigger waste of time.
Now that was wild as hell. I loved how Careese's dancing refused the laws of physics (not like that's really out of place in a zombie story) and the more cartoonish artwork made it really...flexible you know?
ReplyDeleteAnd those serpents were phallic at all! Not even a tiny bit suggestive.
WHAT A GREAT STORY AND I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT IT FEELING MORE LIKE AN OLD MOVIE, THE CRIME ELEMENT AND NIGHTCLUB SETTING, THE FUNNY COPS........ HAVING ZOMBIES IS JUST A BONUS ON TOP. VERY COOL, LOVE THE LOOK OF THE ART TOO.
ReplyDeleteTHE DIRTY DRAWINGS BOOK LOOKS VERY COOL TOO, HAVE TO CHECK THAT OUT FOR SURE.
Tell me, Karswell--what's the appropriate voodoo offering to make to a swell gent who posts such spooky goodness every day? Rum, perfume, goat's blood, perhaps something less gauche?
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic; Voodoo-sploitation is one of my fave horror topics. Thanks for sharing, sir!
Hello Karlswell ; Thanks for this last update ,the comic story is great , and I didn't even knew that book existed , but I'll try to get a copy .
ReplyDeleteWould you like to exchange links ?
Best Regards
"Some beliefs are so outre we no longer give them credence!" POETRY! Why don't they write comic copy like that anymore?
ReplyDeleteHoly crap at Caresse's dance! Behold the patented crotch jump! The dance that should not be danced! (Which I always thought was the Lambada, but still...)
So much greatness here--instead of doing CPR on the distressed victim, they pull out the heaters to make sure he STAYS dead! And the patois here is great--"What are you beatin' your gums about?" "Make with the news!" "I'll send you to a nice upholstered rest home!" That's solid, Johnson!
I see what t.x. means about Caresse defying the laws of physics...esp. on pg. 4! Boy, when she gets thrown out of a trance, she REALLY gets thrown!
I love the winged snake (how'd they rig that dingus, anyway?) and the giant timpani she dances on. But choosing between that club and a place named "Batso's Belfrey," I'm not sure which I'd be drinking at!
I do find it strange that they go to such lengths to educate the reader on voodoo lore, but then fail to explain the difference between a "jumbee" and a "zombie," which seems to be significant. Still, how can you fault a girl who spouts lines like "It is my fault that the undead paces the silent streets of the city!" You said a mouthful, sister!
Crazy, daddio! Set 'em up and keep 'em rollin'!
BTW--I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks "The Obi Makes Jumbee" sounds a little dirty and suggestive...
ReplyDeleteBeetle Baily bashing aside, great comments here this morning so far, thanks again to everyone stopping by. And "subtle phallicism" a no-no here? No. No!
ReplyDeleteIncidently, I am excepting voodoo offerings (thanks for asking Kate) FYI: I'm down to 90% free blogger space used up folks, 10% to go and dwindling fast, make your generous donations now to keep THOIA alive! You can contact me via karswell@hotmail.com for more info.
Silvano, consider yourself linked!
>"The Obi Makes Jumbee" sounds a little dirty and suggestive...
It also sounds like something my kid did in his underwear just as the bus was pulling up this morning for his first day of summer school. Oh, the horrors of it all...
great story
ReplyDeletethis issue of spook comics is really rare or do you have one of the many reprint versions?
Thank you Karlswell !
ReplyDeleteBest Regards
I loves me some voodoo stories. That was great.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Dirty Drawings' book is pretty good actually. There's some really funny stuff in it.
I'm not so sure that's she actually dancing in those scenes as having an epiletic fit! Some of those poses are just impossible when you're conscious.
ReplyDeleteCan't say anything about the subtext(it isn't "sub" when it's THIS blatant.)that hasn't been said yet,so i'll just say that i loved the grotesque,crazy Cole-like quality of the art.
ReplyDelete>loved the grotesque,crazy Cole-like quality of the art.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Cole, get ready cuz Monday June 9th I'm starting a 4 day tribute to 'ol Jack himself!
It sort of reminded me of an old movie called "Zombies On Broadway". I have the "Dirty Drawings" book by the way, and enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could be you. What a great blogger. I will be stealing some of your stuff from time to time. Feel free to do the same.
ReplyDeleteDan McFan
http://ismarkevaniermentallyill.blogspot.com/
Loved the art on this one! It's not easy to pull off a "cartoony" style like this.
ReplyDeleteBrian James Riedel
>reminded me of an old movie called "Zombies On Broadway".
ReplyDeleteNow where did I hear that before?
>I will be stealing some of your stuff from time to time. Feel free to do the same.
Thanks Dan, just make sure to give credit to where you stole the goods via link. Cool blog too by the way!