Horror Hero Monday once again, and this time it's a trio of 'em all coming together into one big Prize (Comics) fight to the finish: Dr. Devil, Bulldog Denny Dunsan, and Dick Briefer's immortally iconic, Frankenstein! This post also fulfills Todd's request for "more Briefer", which always sounds good in my book! This is a mega fun monster mash throw-down though, and a gruesome great glimpse into how Briefer could illustrate. I especially love all of the dynamic drawings of Frankie's big 'ol horrific hands... from the July 1942 issue of Prize Comics #22. Things are sure getting hotter 'round here as we approach Walpurgisnacht, eh!
Another costumed "devil" (He seems to be a real devil, of some kind, but I don't know enough about the character.) This one has a horned hat, a disappearing cape, and footy pjs, and, judging by the last page, absolutely no junk. No wonder he's mad at the world!
ReplyDeleteCan I say that Bulldog is really, really over confident? He just charges Frakenstein, a monster twice his size and probably 3 times his weight, that already beat the stuffings out of him once, and was only saved by super villain stupidity. I appreciate the bravado from my super heroes but that's a bit much!
Some great art here -- the swipe on page 3 feels like it has real weight and Dr. Devil's "well that didn't go right" face on last page, panel 1 is really good!
What a great piece. This is the best work I’ve seen by Dick Briefer. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow. By the time this was published, Briefer had been working in comics for six years already and it really shows. I love every bit of his stuff, but some of the early Frankenstein stories (as with his Hunchback of Notre Dame strips in the thirties) can feel a little rigid and immature. The whole industry was still working out the kinks, and so was Dick Briefer. I'm used to thinking that the postwar Frankenstein series, the funny ones, were where the man's staggering ability really blossomed. But nope. Here we are in forty-two and the man is already on fire.
ReplyDeleteI think every single thing about page two--and especially the top half--is just astonishing work. It's groovy and organic, with clean self-assured ink lines and a crafty signature style that still feels fresh today (reminding me of Paul Pope or Tradd Moore). The last panel of page four knocks my socks off. Also the fight on six and seven. Elsewhere I'm reading Go Nagai's Violence Jack and it's got nothing on this.
I am always in the mood for more Briefer. Thanks Todd! Thanks Karswell!
I've seen many panels of these comics before, but I never noticed how his appearance seems very loosely based on the famous 1910 FRANKENSTEIN by Thomas Edison.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite incarnation of the Frankenstein character was the last one where it was really serious and a more full and careful art style. Some of these stories are so amazing and the art is so good.
ReplyDeleteThis stage isn't my favourite. Interesting that it's someone's favourite. We all see and prefer different styles. No right or wrong here even though I personally see the last phase the best.
he did a tryout for a comic strip too... twice. It would be nice to see all of those pages.