We at THOIA believe in maintaining the old time "Ghost Story for Christmas" tradition. And by the looks of it, it is indeed now that time of year again to unleash another moldy spirit to do its terror filled holiday thing upon you! And who out there in Golden Age land weaves a weirder yarn than 1950's Stan Lee? And who draws 'em better than big bad Bill Everett? And let's make it even more relevant to Mr. Karswell's own passion for antique xmas presents as we pack our bags for Scotland whilst cracking open the August 1953 issue of Menace #6 --with gasp-inducing cover illustration by Everett as well!
Happy Horrordays, everyone!
The narrator constantly breaking the fourth wall to chat with Hans Stueben is fun. Love the little bit where we get to hear the rest of the radio announcement that Hans didn't stick around for about the ghost. Also love the dripping, almost formless face of the ghost. Yet, Hans can't use the same loophole as the ghost to free himself from haunting the castle for the rest of his undead life?
ReplyDeleteDigging the skillful way the gloomy mood here is encouraged by the spot use of black and white in Graymoor Castle. And speaking of skillful: It's really something to become so attracted to the crude strengths of weird precode B-listers before turning the corner and running into Everett again. The man illustrated with all the sophistication and internal consistency possible in the world. This stuff's almost too polished and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd so's the storytelling. I love how much air Stan gives to the character building, but ultimately extraneous, opening scene with the kid. What an excellent three pages.
Merry Holidays.
What's worn under a molten faced Scottish spirit's kilt?
ReplyDeleteNothing, it's all in verra verra good condeeshon.
Out of everything that came out of pre-code Atlas horror, Menace stood above them all. The first 7 or 8 (can't remember without looking through them) where Stan was running the show is the best pre-code Atlas put out.
ReplyDeleteEverything in each of those stories drips with Stan's wit and with that wit comes a really good eye for either comedic or "get what he deserves" endings, and that only works with a really good setup. The extra time spent with the ash tray really drive the story.
And, of course, some people have a problem with Stan but the one thing you have to agree is he knew a great artist when he saw it and knew exactly how to use them to their full potential. The dripping, heavy black outlined ghost is a wonderful image. The imposing black and whites. The simple ghost dialog. It's all ... menacing.
Happy Holidays my pals!
Is Hans counting on the kid to be uninformed in more ways than one, or is "16th Century ashtray" a small slip-up by the writer? Or were there actually ashtrays (of some kind, I mean) that early?
ReplyDeleteThat line about Hans worrying that he's "going soft" sounds like it's meant to mislead you a little, as if they want you to think he might have some "Scrooge" kind of moment eventually.
The 16th century ashtray was probably Hans Stueben taking advantage of the kid, though per Wikipedia smoking did reach Europe in the sixteenth century. Who says comic books aren't educational?
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