Thursday, March 18, 2010

Bride for the Dead

I've questioned A.C. Hollingsworth's talents a few times over the years here at THOIA, and only just recently learned that he is actually a very good artist, especially when it comes to some jungle girl stories I've seen posted elsewhere on the web. Unfortunantly, my opinion of his work in pre-code horror stands firm: sloppy, flimsy, silly, goofy, wonky, rushed---all fair enough words to describe someone who, despite what I think, still manages to produce a final piece of eerie Golden Age entertainment worth posting.

From the February 1952 issue of Mysterious Adventures #6







NEXT: Lou Cameron!

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous3/18/2010

    Not the greatest piece here by a long shot, but I rather like the way the ghost in the top right panel of the third scan is rendered.

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  2. Anonymous3/18/2010

    THE ART IS HIT OR MISS FOR SURE BUT THERE ARE SOME COOL MOMENTS, ESPECIALLY THE LAST PAGE AS HE CHOPS AWAY AT THE CORPSE IN THE COFFIN WITH AN AX......... YIKES!!!!

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  3. Howdy,

    Hollingsworth is perhaps a bit too light for any serious horror story, but love those eyes on the dame.

    Look forward to the Lou Cameron next.

    If you could, dig up some more Bill Benulis for us in the future. That guy was awesome!

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  4. goblin3/18/2010

    I rather liked the story, especially for its bleak ending (I almost expected Albert would somehow manage to save the day at the last moment), but I do agree about the art. It looks like as if Mr. Hollingsworth didn't feel at all like drawing this comic.

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  5. >as if Mr. Hollingsworth didn't feel at all like drawing this comic.

    That's how I've always felt about his stuff, especially when you see how good he can be at times... maybe he just wasn't interested in horror as much as his jungle tales or something.

    A much better artist coming up next here at THOIA, but possibly working on a slightly "off" day as well--- Lou Cameron fans get ready.
    And I'll see what else I have on Bill Benulis too! Thanks for the comments!

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  6. I'm a Hollingsworth fan. When he was on, he was killer. When he was off, he still had a great eye for "camera" set-ups and page layout.

    OK, maybe being immersed in Eerie Pubs for so long has made me feeble-minded, but I like ol' AC's atuff!

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  7. great story. again with those super bright colors. very creepy!!!

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  8. Anonymous3/18/2010

    I see what you mean, some of the art is almost laughable. It does have it's moments though imagine this in the hands of someone like Johnny Craig instead.

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  9. . . . my opinion of his work in pre-code horror stands firm: sloppy, flimsy, silly, goofy, wonky, rushed . . ."

    for heaven's sake, Karswell, don't sugar coat it like that - say it straight! :-)

    I don't know the artist's work well enough to agree or disagree, but this story has its moments. I may be slipping down into the same slimy, Eerie Pub pit as Mr. Mike, though. -- Mykal

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