Like a savage fiend lurking in the shadows, we pounce upon Werewolf Wednesday a day early cuz, meh-- why not-- Tuesday's are beastly boring, so let's give it a little bite, shall we? From the May 1953 issue of Mysteries #1.
HAUNTED LOVE HARDCOVER VOL. 1 IN STORES FEBRUARY 7th!
Hm. Half Hammond family undying curse, half ghost story. And I swear I remember another werewolf tale in which a man has moved a castle to the new world; a motif which is not, I suspect, altogether uncommon fodder for paranormal revenge tales published between the world wars. There were certainly many treasured buildings (mostly monasteries) that were relocated to the states by industry barons around the turn of the century.
Toothy Tuesday? I approve! Any day can be a full moon!
PS, I meant to make note of all those phallic candles, too. Man alive, that was certainly some kind of Elizabethan debauchery hut right there. And is that Ingrid Bergman I see? I think I hear my bodice ripping as I transform....
I can't take the witch wolf seriously, it's just too goofy!
One thing I liked about this tale is the red herring Scooby Doo ending. It's a bit unfair as there's no indication the witch wolf does exist, but it does give us the Scooby Doo guy in a mask, and then rips that away with the real witch wolf.
Really enjoyed this one. It could have been used as the basis for an Italian Gothic a decade after it was published or even an early 70's Paul Naschy film.
That flashback was actually pretty involving and the story seemed like a two-for-one. I particularly liked the little bit with the Executioner having a few pints with his cronies -- and he keeps his mask on! He probably doesn't turn his back on his pals, either.
Got to love that splash page for the title with the witch wolf serving up Henry's head.
This one starts off like an episode of Scooby Doo but then brings in the actual witch wolf at the end which lifts the tale a bit from being "It was only some madman in a costume." I do love the backstory on the witch wolf herself, and that one description in particular is terrific: "Something round and wet lands with a slushy sound, like a dreadful rubber ball and rolls to the feet of the screaming man.."
Wow, that's whole a lot of story for the premise. I, too, like the panel with the executioner out for a pint, obviously ingnoring the 'No Shirt.No Face.No Service' sign. Witch wolf - what a great concept. Hopefully other mags followed suit with ghoul ghosts or vampire mummies.
Hm. Half Hammond family undying curse, half ghost story. And I swear I remember another werewolf tale in which a man has moved a castle to the new world; a motif which is not, I suspect, altogether uncommon fodder for paranormal revenge tales published between the world wars. There were certainly many treasured buildings (mostly monasteries) that were relocated to the states by industry barons around the turn of the century.
ReplyDeleteToothy Tuesday? I approve! Any day can be a full moon!
PS, I meant to make note of all those phallic candles, too. Man alive, that was certainly some kind of Elizabethan debauchery hut right there. And is that Ingrid Bergman I see? I think I hear my bodice ripping as I transform....
ReplyDeleteI can't take the witch wolf seriously, it's just too goofy!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I liked about this tale is the red herring Scooby Doo ending. It's a bit unfair as there's no indication the witch wolf does exist, but it does give us the Scooby Doo guy in a mask, and then rips that away with the real witch wolf.
Show don't tell rule break: The rolling head.
Really enjoyed this one. It could have been used as the basis for an Italian Gothic a decade after it was published or even an early 70's Paul Naschy film.
ReplyDeleteThat flashback was actually pretty involving and the story seemed like a two-for-one. I particularly liked the little bit with the Executioner having a few pints with his cronies -- and he keeps his mask on! He probably doesn't turn his back on his pals, either.
Thanks for posting!
Got to love that splash page for the title with the witch wolf serving up Henry's head.
ReplyDeleteThis one starts off like an episode of Scooby Doo but then brings in the actual witch wolf at the end which lifts the tale a bit from being "It was only some madman in a costume."
I do love the backstory on the witch wolf herself, and that one description in particular is terrific: "Something round and wet lands with a slushy sound, like a dreadful rubber ball and rolls to the feet of the screaming man.."
Wow, that's whole a lot of story for the premise.
ReplyDeleteI, too, like the panel with the executioner out for a pint, obviously ingnoring the 'No Shirt.No Face.No Service' sign.
Witch wolf - what a great concept. Hopefully other mags followed suit with ghoul ghosts or vampire mummies.
I'll howl up some more werewolves later this moonth, thanks for the comments, fiends!! ;)
ReplyDelete