Saturday, December 21, 2019
The Killer in the Snow
It's the first day of winter 2019 finally (even though it's felt like winter here in the midwest since October), so let's turn the temps down even further and make it extra chilly with a tale from the March 1953 issue of The Purple Claw #2. We've had snow monsters, snow maidens, and even snow madness here at THOIA over the years, but I do believe this is the first time we've had an actual killer snow man. And wow, this is also the first Purple Claw story I've posted in over 10 years! I guess if you're new to this blog and unfamiliar with the eerie exploits of Dr. Jonathan Weir, (aka The Purple Claw) check the archives / sidebar tags for lots more!
So, everybody died but the protagonist? Thanks, protagonist, for saving… uh, yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little surprising to see Don THREATEN Dr. Weir, then cut out with Preta, instead of trying to make him the next victim. Yes, it's a way of getting them down that slope for the big scene with Peter, but it's still original.
ReplyDeleteI got lost in this one pretty fast, a lot of characters, all kind of interchangeable, doing the 10 little Indians routine.
ReplyDeleteAnd the purple claw is useless! He barely even considers saving them and then kind of "well I should oh, wait, the snowman got them, well, time to melt it with my indeterminate powers!" Man, 40s superheroes -- in 1953! Stan couldn't come along and save this genre fast enough!
I really like the art! I'm not super sold on the snowman but he's good enough. I like the woman frozen to death and the action on the last page is pretty good.
I'm being picky about this one but enjoyed reading it. I just want to make sure that even when I or maybe others get picky, we always, always appreciate this blog. I love all the work you do -- you've been entertaining me for over a decade!
I liked the rosy cheeks of winter. Thank you Mr.K. for posting this strange tale that is without much explanation of the snowman. I certainly felt a Scooby Doo ending coming, then it turned out supernatural. Merry Christmas if things get too busy to post 'til after. Happy holidays to all!
ReplyDeleteTwo comments stood out:
ReplyDeleteI'm being picky about this one but enjoyed reading it. I just want to make sure that even when I or maybe others get picky, we always, always appreciate this blog.
Same! I still feel a little bad about a comment I left years ago that seemed to strike a nerve. I love being able to decide for myself whether something is dopey, and in a good or bad way, rather than having someone else censor for me on the basis of "meh."
I certainly felt a Scooby Doo ending coming, then it turned out supernatural.
Also same, up until multiple real murders were established. I don't think there was ever a Scooby-Doo caper with an actual serial killer, bad fan fiction aside.
I like how the frozen to death woman moved her hand and head between panels.
ReplyDeleteI really like the art here, too. Especially the fashion design and interior decorating. The artist definitely has a keen eye for a fresh, modern look. I guess an awful lot of these graphics guys came out of the commercial market. It's no surprise that these characters look like they stepped out of a catalogue. I'm more used to seeing that in romance comics than the paranormal procedurals, though.
ReplyDeleteBoth the howling wind panels are excellent. Comics doing what comics do best.