Thursday, August 12, 2010
Shadow of Death
A strange and unusually somber sort of ending highlights this nicely done, yet still vicious little vampire tale from the January 1953 issue of Tomb of Terror #7. Plus, an interesting one page text bonus titled "Medical Superstitions" featuring the words: "chopped unborn puppies." You definitely don't want to miss out on that!
Well, this awesome tale certainly had its zoology ducks in a row. Take that middle panel at the top of page two. Bats, who spend most of their lives hanging upside down from a branch or cave wall, who even eat and drink in this inverted position, must flip over and grab their perch with their little hooky thumbs whenever they wish to pee. Not everybody knows that about bats, and this story gets that completely right.
ReplyDeleteI am also proud of the way it scrambles up its vampirism and lycanthropy folklore--monsters should never have to languish in neatly delineated little envelopes.
Cool story Karswell, with some really raw, but interesting artwork. I love the fingernails on that opening splash half-page, and the overall wolfmanish look to a vampire. Thanks for posting this one!
ReplyDeletebest,
r/e
VERY COOL STORY EVEN THOUGH THE VAMPIRE SEEMS TO BE MODELED AFTER THE OLD WEREWOLF OF LONDON.
ReplyDeleteAND THOSE CHOPPED UNBORN PUPPYS REALLY MADE MY DAY!!! HEE
Great story indeed. Is it just me or did anyone else get a homoerotic vibe from it? I mean, just look at the way Walter is eyeing Paul while he's lifting weights. Dr. Wertham would have hated this story.
ReplyDeletewell, that put me off my White Castles...
ReplyDelete>monsters should never have to languish in neatly delineated little envelopes.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Now where's Blacula when we need him?
>wolfmanish look to a vampire.
You, Mr C and ALL CAPS all hit on this illustrative point, the "Werewolf of London" look is a very nice and most welcome touch for sure.
>did anyone else get a homoerotic vibe from it?
Oooo yeah, I had to totally loosen my ascot while reading this one ;)
>well, that put me off my White Castles...
Do they have white castles in Transylvania?
Thanks for the comments! More Tomb of Terror coming up, Scary Sci-fi Sunday is next!