Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Faces of Death

For the next few posts we'll be looking at the May 1953 issue of Beware #15 in its entirety. It's actually issue #3, but apparently back in the day publishers like Trojan purposefully "jump-numbered" their comics in hopes of appearing as if they'd been around longer. Beware was a notorious series, singled-out in SOTI as a prime example responsible for desensitizing children with graphic images of brutality. Among the scuzzy artwork, and ham-fisted writing, this issue certainly has it's moments...
























Another "face of death" made a rare appearence this year, terrorizing unsuspecting trick 'r treaters and stealing not only their souls, but also their candy! The hunt for Karswell continues...

7 comments:

Trevor M said...

That is one particularly disgusting image at the end. Really dark story here. And look at those poor trick 'r treaters in the pictures below with Baron Semedi's brother! I am profoundly disturbed and desensitized by this post.

Keir said...

What a dreadful story! Every page is laughable, from the plot to the dialogue. This must be the first story I've read where the victim chases after the dead, corners a horde of them, and then threatens them with nothing more than his taunts!

Anonymous said...

For once I( think the protagonist (Niles) got the short end of the stick/shafted (if that's not too strong language for this company!)/a raw deal! Sure; he drew these people's faces (and, legally committed a cross-sides of the grave invasion of privacy; Shoulda got releases, Niles! Probably LOTS of lawyers on their side of the grave!) But he *did* claim that he was *compelled* to draw them and that at least 1 or 2 seemed to *almost draw themselves*! Seems the dead need to "clean house" before they go after the living!

DBurch7670

Frank Forte said...

Pretty Friggin' cool!

Psychonator said...

That cover art is AWESOME! The art and story for "Faces of Death" is awesomely bad! Love it!

I can't express how much I love this site. Thanks for bringing us these gems!

Mr. Karswell said...

Glad everyone is love / hating this one... there's much more to love / hate from this issue coming right up!

Mr. Cavin said...

I thought the story was great, disturbing and maybe a little sad. Somehow it didn't feel like the same old rehashed thing, either. I also founds things I liked about the art, but that was admittedly a little more difficult. I like all the panels with jagged lightning along the top, though. Like they've all been dropped and cracked open.