NEXT: "Do you know what horror--- REAL horror--- means?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Man Germ / The Things!
Jay A. from PA requested some Harvey horror while inquiring about a story he vaguely remembers where "some dude travels through the bloodstream of a giant." I hope The Man Germ fits the bill! Plus-- rounding out the post with a pest infested tale of rampaging insect terror... both stories come from the obnoxious Oct. '52 issue of Chamber of Chills #13.
That first story may be the most psychedelic here to date. Love the kooky low-key ending.
ReplyDeleteThe second suffers from similarities to a million more, although there's a good chance this came first. Raise your hand if you didn't see those senseless murders coming a mile away.
The more I think about it, the more I like that first one.
I like the first one too. All the stupid anatomical issues aside, the realization of the giant's hypovolemic innards was really melty and lava lampy. But that Darcy was some kind of strange dude. Who sees a statue and immediately wants to go climb inside it? (Besides thousands of daily New York tourists, I guess.)
ReplyDeleteI liked the second story's art a lot, too. At times I thought it looked vaguely Alex Tothy. But I'm uncertain those were really ants. What with their cat's eyes and black roachy silhouettes, all semblance to antness seemed to be incidental. Those were some awesome-gruesome panels when they were eating, though.
Karswell, I don't know what it is, but lately I have been really loving your posts (even more than usual)! Great scans, great stories, amazing horror facts and more! I really liked both stories, and I would add that the first story has some similarities to a Bob Powell story Pappy posted a long time back, called "Twice Alive". I recommend folks go and drop by Pappy's and compare the stories, both have a guy running around inside of a giant body. Powell's art is always trippy, too.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the second story, how can ya not love the splash where the bugs are stripping the flesh off his legs as he stands there? Eeew! Cool! These bugs reminded me of the recent Mummy film (the scarabs scene, you know). The fact that the bugs use the murdered mens bones as a bridge to kill the poor sucker -- ha! Silly but great fun!
What a great blog! Thanks!
Boy, and when I hear the name "Harvey," I always think of Casper the Friendly Ghost. In the first one, I glanced at the panel with Darcy climbing into the hole -- at first I wondering what orifice he was entering. Both these stories are pretty strong.
ReplyDeleteKarswell: That first story knocked me out. Fantastic art throughout (particularly the green, bloodshot eyes) and what a great splash - "THE MAN GERM" - What an unforgettable title. Great post! -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteAMAZING DOUBLE HEADER AS ALWAYS!! IS THE MAN GERM ART REALLY BY HOWARD NOSTRAND THOUGH? SOME OF IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE BUT I DONT KNOW
ReplyDeleteThe first one really has a strong moral. The giant living statue led a sedentary lifestyle, leaving him dangerously vulnerable to heart attacks in the form of weird, sadistic explorers who climb into random statues.
ReplyDeleteRemember kids, regular exercise is important!
Also, if you DO climb into giant, living statues, try to do it with ones that have good pores.
obnoxious maybe, entertaining definitely! i needed a good laugh...ha, ha, AIEEEHH!!...
ReplyDeleteThat first story ensures I'm gonna have this stuck in my head all day.
ReplyDelete'I got the Man-Germ by kissing Cole Porter when he had strep-throat'
ReplyDelete~Charles Laughton
Oh, sure... Page 2 panel 6... he entered through the Giant's FOOT... (wink wink nudge nudge)
I think there should be a sequel called The Wheat Germ.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, a good 14 years before Fantastic Voyage.
ReplyDeleteWow, the comments on this post are almost as obnoxious as the stories! Keep 'em coming, you guys 'n gals are the best!
ReplyDeleteGot a damned dose of deadly duplication up next--- don't miss it! Thanks again everyone, and have a great weekend.