Classic cover by Steve Ditko
Sunday, January 19, 2020
You Know Too Much!
Another attack on the American family tale, courtesy of the July 1954 issue of Strange Suspense Stories #19 (see previous post too.) And yes, at some point along the way here you'll probably see where it's all going, but that's not enough for this story, giving you one final chilling thing to think about as you lay there dying and completely helpless to do anything about it. And that my friends, is REAL HORROR.
Classic cover by Steve Ditko
Classic cover by Steve Ditko
Why the ending might have been a bit obvious, I enjoyed it. Normally these tales go down the alley where the guy is not the real killer -- but he was, he just ran into his exact duplicate in what was a pretty convenient chance, but then it's a horror comic and that's expected to make the story work.
ReplyDeleteThe pacing is good, the knife attack on page 3 is kinetic, and I like our Baron Van Strucker like killer. The ending is chilling -- especially as the guy originally went there to make sure his family was safe. Oops!
There is a bit of weird anatomy in this one, the woman on the splash is pretty weird!
I saw the credits for this one.... Dick Giordano, before he became the famous editor at DC Comics... always loved that classic advertising style in his work. I have one of his how to draw books....
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr.K. that is a great splash. The title seems like a shout. I liked the splash girl. I enjoyed the constant perspective changes. The last panel seemed truly horrific to me.
ReplyDeleteI like the giant knife getting all stabby in the splash.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Johnny Craig might of been an influence here.
I agree with Mr. Barnes that the page three knife attack is excellent--and I'll go one step further and include every other panel on that page in that. The whole story is good, but that page is the aesthetic star here (in my humble O). Well, unless you count the last panel on the page before. I can't believe that hasn't been already memed to death over at Tumblr. It should be spliced into every romance funnybook. It's certainly one the top five all-time trousers frames, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteJust when you think you've seen the twist coming and the whole story is neatly wrapped up, the homicidal psychiatrist reveals his intentions for our hapless protagonist's family. A truly chilling finale to a very well written and drawn story. Thanks for posting this Karswell.
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