Saturday, June 13, 2020
The Beast from the Bog!
Keeping this tribute a bit light with a fun little sci-fi horror story written by Dennis O'Neil from the June 1970 issue of Chamber of Darkness #5. Some of you may find it cheesy, but I remember reading it sometime in the mid 70's when I was around 7 and thinking it was pretty neat. R.I.P. Dennis O'Neil.
This story is cute if anything. We have some awesome protagonists who, while a bit scared of the unknown, aren't afraid to help out a clearly friendly alien. After all, when you're that old, what have you got to lose or be afraid of anymore? I love how once Chalo starts up a conversation, they just go along with it as if he was an old friend. Got to say though, one thousand years stuck in a swamp is a terrible vacation. I also like that Chalo is a friendly alien and rewards the couple with youth. That's a pretty nice reward if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteI think there was another variation of this story--also from one of the Marvel comics--can't recall the title of it or the title of the series--but it also involved an elderly couple helping out a swamp monster from another planet and being rewarded with youth in return.I like this one better though.
This is pretty neat. It has the feel of one of Kirby's monster stories from the sixties--and it's easy enough to imagine Jack's art here (especially after seeing his kick-ass cover for this issue). It's kooky, hopeful, exposition-based sci-fi at its most entertaining! Rest in peace, Dennis O'Neil.
ReplyDeleteI liked the story a lot. Definitely far better than the default "evil alien invader" trope from the time. But, man, Horace was a cheerful got, wasn't he? "All our lives have been dead ends, Martha, one vast endless swamp!" Bleurrrrrgh.
ReplyDeleteLoved it! ♥
ReplyDeleteCheery little story, I've seen the title story somewhere (possible on this blog, maybe in the back of a 70s Marvel giant size) but I haven't seen that Craig story, I'd be interested in seeing that one.
ReplyDeleteCertainly a very post-code Kirby-ish monster. I don't recognize the artist, but GCD says Trimpe was involved and I can kind of see that.
I love the two splashes in this one.
A great story. I genuinely feared for the elderly couple when I first saw the creatures hand come out of the swamp and I was pleasantly surprised by the creature rewarding them with renewed youth and a chance to start afresh.
ReplyDeleteI quite like this one! I know it's a bit at odds with the general theme here, but I'm a sucker for happy outcomes.
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