Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Jeb's Bloody Ghost
Yet another Eerie Pub remake / redraw of a classic precode horror tale, and from the same issue of Terrors of Dracula that we've been creepin' through all this month (see our previous posts) --now, where as most of you have been pleased with the updated artwork we've presented thus far, I am fairly certain this time you'll be less than enthusiastic-- though revamping anything originally illustrated by the vastly superior hand of Jack Cole is likely to never stand a chance of being on par, even from someone as interestingly talented as Marchionne. After you read today's post, click HERE to see the original Jack Cole version, "Hangman's Horror" which first appeared in the January 1953 issue of Web of Evil #2 --and more recently reprinted in our Jack Cole's Deadly Horror collection, as well as Haunted Horror #3, (IDW / Yoe Books.)
Interesting use of a photonegative effect on Jeb's ghost.
ReplyDeleteComparing Jack Cole's version with this version is a bit like comparing the movie Dracula starring Bela Lugosi with the movie Dracula starring Christopher Lee. Lugosi as Dracula can never be topped, never be equaled, but Lee's version is worthy of respect and repeated viewings.
ReplyDeleteAs brandiweed mentioned, drawing the ghost as a negative was an interesting touch, as if in life Daws was a peaceful man but once executed he became the opposite, an avenging spirit seeking bloody revenge.
I will give points to this new version since it was drawn in black and white, horror just seems to be that much more menacing when shown in blacks and greys.
Unless I'm missing something, is there a way to set things up so you can click from enlargement to enlargement without having to go back to the main page?
ReplyDeleteNot a huge deal, but it breaks the flow of the stories a tad as it is (imo).
Well I certainly think the original is superior, if for no other reason than Cole's marvelous splash (and, not for nothing, the excellent color work--I don't know who gets the credit for that). Frankly, I think the original is probably superior to most stories because of that page. Still, I don't want to dismiss Marchionne's work. I'm not all that happy with this gray-washed decade in general, but the guy is such an amazing draftsman that I can't help but think I'd choose my faves the other way if he were compared to anyone but Cole. I certainly think his is the best work we've seen from this excellent issue of Terrors of Dracula.
ReplyDeleteI think the beat of savage justice would make a great tattoo, by the way. Maybe a nice, full-size upper chest piece? The U could be shaped like a horseshoe.
This was in the first Eerie Publishing comic I ever had, Witches Tales 12 / 71, which it took me forever to find again. That issue is full of unsettling stories, the most unusual being a story called simply "DEADMAN."
ReplyDeleteOK, I'll be devil's advocate here -- there's a lot that I think elevates the Eerie one a bit.
ReplyDeleteI think, by nature of it being B&W, the shadows are done better (deeper) and the fog is better rendered. This isn't skill of the artist (both have obvious skill) but the medium. The change in shading gives a much better feel for a all-encompassing fog than the wisps in the original.
I think the horse murder is better from that angle, and the use of negative space is superb.
Can't argue the splash, Cole's version is vastly superior there.
There's some lighting (again, the dark shadows) on some of the victims, especially page 5 and 7, that are great.
So I'll go toss-up! Both are great, is the bottom line.
It's good that this is a "fun" horror story about a frame-up, but with just the right amount of social comment also.
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