Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Devil, You Say?

And I say “Hell yeah, The Devil!” By now we’ve all noticed that most pre-code Satan stories seem to possess the same old inescapable “sold my soul” angle, but this one has some clever twists of its own (and a great ending), and is probably my favorite story from this issue. Although tomorrow’s “Bayou Bitch” tale is pretty outrageous too, as you shall see…

From the May-June 1954 issue of Black Magic Vol. 4 #6








TOMORROW: Swamp Sluts in Heat!

+++++++++++++++++++++++

The world is on fire, and the Lord wants to give me prizes?


Oh I see, I have to work for the prizes... booooo!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I am going out on a limb and guessing "Bayou Bitch" was not the actual title.

I hope I am wrong.

Anonymous said...

Love the dialogue and narration. It's purple enough to be evocative(the line about going past the bounds of decency)but without becoming silly. I also like how just about no one gets off in these BLACK MAGIC stories, even if they're the good guys(even though they DID kinda deserve it here) they still pay dearly, as was seen in stories where the "villains' only crime was being deformed and even in stories where the bad guy does pay(the Lorelei story)the hero gets maimed or somenthing, really pessimistic stuff(just the way i likes it!).

Marc Burkhardt said...

Definitely one of the better "summon the devil" tales I've seen!

Anonymous said...

THIS WAS GREAT! I LOVE WHEN HE TRYS TO SCARE HIM INTO THINKING HE REALLY DID SUMMON THE DEVIL BY JUST CHANGING HIS HAIRSTYLE INTO SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE FLOCK OF SEAGULLS! VERY COOL ENDING TOO.

LOOKING FORWARD TO TOMORROWS STORY!! THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY WILD ISSUE

blackwalnut2001 said...

So Carl and Sarah expected Daddy to QUIT once he thought he'd raised the devil, without, like, asking him a few questions or something? No wonder they screwed up.

What really intrigues me, though, is the World Is On Fire ad; glad you're including more of these nowadays, K.

Praise the Lord and pass the GABBY HAYES FISHIN' KIT, PAW! I mean, can you just imagine what these "gifts" must have looked like when they came in the mail? How 'bout that "Jet Engine Plane Flies 500 Feet!" Clearly a 10-cent wooden airplane, no? Not to mention the Religious Wall Mount plaques that are supposed to sell themselves. Yeah, you betcha. How many do you think you'd have to pawn off on the neighbors to rate a PRESSURE COOKER? Still, I'd love to see what that Gabby Hayes Fishin' Kit looked like. I can't find one on eBay, CONSARN IT!

Here's a snap of Gabby and his sidekick Roy Rogers, for those who don't know what the hell I'm talking about:

http://1heckofaguy.com/wp-content/photos/Roy-Rogers-and-Gabby-Hayes.jpg

Mr. Karswell said...

I like seeing a giant god hand smashing some drunkard, take that you boozer loser! And take that Crime, and Dope! And Graft (?!) and War. Wait, isn't the reason behind most wars because of God?

Weird, I seriously thought there'd be more comments on this story today... guess people don't appreciate The Devil as much as I do. Or maybe everyone is out today trying to raise money for the white zipper bible...

Emby Quinn said...

I knew in my gut that Carl and Sarah were doomed as soon as they didn't turn in Daddy Dearest for knifing that poor chick. You were right, Karswell, it was a great ending indeed.

And I just sat there staring at the "Serve the Lord and win PRIZES!" ad...I come from the buckle of the Bible Belt, grew up in a conservative Christian family, and I honestly, truly thought I had seen every chintzy, ill-thought-out fundamentalist promotional trick that ever came down the pike. Until now.

Prof. Grewbeard said...

so the sin of Suicide brought on the Devil, eh? guess i won't kill myself after all...

and what happens when you get those plaques on credit and then not sell any? the FUNman gets most UNFUN and sics God's lawyers on your little ass!

Anonymous said...

Nothing beats a good old devil worship story for sure! The ad is hilarious, Jesus freaks use every cheap trick in the book to push their baloney.

Thanks for the notice about Phantom of the Opera tonight too!

Dane said...

You're right, this was twisty and interesting. And hey, good movies tomorrow night! If I get home in time from the concert, anyway.