As mentioned above, I'll have a couple more spooky tales (plus a few monstery extras) from this collection coming up next, so just like old Wulf Saverre-- stay tombed!
Saturday, July 6, 2019
The Strange Old House By the Churchyard
I finally got my hands on a copy of The Valiant Book of Mystery & Magic from 1976. This 143 page hardcover from England is packed with color and black 'n white tales of the supernatural, featuring a frightfully fun and very atmospheric mix of creepy comic strips, monster trivia, and terrifying text stories, and all very nicely illustrated too! A majority of the book is comprised of stories about "The Spellbinder", a 400 year old sorcerer (that's him on the front cover below) who is accidentally revived in the 70's by his groovy modern ancestor (that's him in the last scan reading the book-- and more on those somewhat silly tales later down the road), but for now I thought I'd showcase some of the more serious stand alone horror tales contained herein, starting with a trip down to the strange old house by the churchyard...
As mentioned above, I'll have a couple more spooky tales (plus a few monstery extras) from this collection coming up next, so just like old Wulf Saverre-- stay tombed!
As mentioned above, I'll have a couple more spooky tales (plus a few monstery extras) from this collection coming up next, so just like old Wulf Saverre-- stay tombed!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDark Lord Below is that story well illustrated. The depths of the blacks, the staging, the evil house. Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love how evil Savierre is drawn, hunched over, scowling and screaming.
I'm going to disagree a bit with @mesteire. This seems to be another take on the "college kids go one by one into the house, hear screams and they disappear." In that urban legend, all the action takes place "off panel." For sure there are restrictions in what you can show, but at the same time I think the story works much better with it happening in your imagination. I suspect this was more intentional than by law, and if by law, well, then it was a lucky break.
Bottom panel of page 2 is incredible.
I'm looking forward to more from this mag.
Saverre should have known better than to try to use demonic forces in or around a church, abandoned or not.
ReplyDelete@Mestiere: I think Judge Dredd blew that apart....
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve commented on this post twice now, Mestiere, and I still have no idea what you actually thought of the story
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the special spectral cover. I bought a lot of Savage Swords and used Eeries and Creepys, so I've always enjoyed black and white comics when done as well as this one. I have to agree with Mr. B. that that is one spectacular Church/graveyard. Nice mysterious plot. Evil is somehow involved. Where is this going? Thank you Mr. K. That was fun!
ReplyDeleteI agree, super artwork and tightly written... I'll have a double header of more mystery and magic from this one for you in the next post as well-- thanks for the comments and see ya in a few!
ReplyDeleteIt's really neat to see something like this, with art and stories by people I've never heard of (though this still happens often enough to me, even reading domestic stuff). Very fine moody, brushy artwork here. Eric Bradbury seems to have been just superb at textures and knowing just how far to take the cartooning. I dig the B-roll stuff Brian's talking about for sure--this guy gives excellent haunted landscaping--but I especially love the sixth panel on page two. What a maniac! And every panel on page three throbs with character and energy.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing more, too.