Ahhh, it's that time of year again already when everyone starts getting sick and infecting everything around them. Flu, strep, and crummy Covid (yes, it's still around and still very real) everywhere, so what's a fella supposed to do? That's right, grab your very best mannequin girlfriend and run for the hills! This is a real oddball Atlas entry from the Feb '53 issue of Uncanny Tales #5, --and one that Mr. Karswell can completely identify with!-- and according to the Atlas Tales page, "inspired by the Albert Camus novel, "The Plague" from 1947.
I really appreciate how a horror story can take the "love conquers all" and make it so absolutely dark. People dying in agony everywhere but this guy -- who the story does NOT treat well -- love this mannequin so much that it gains the ability to infect and kill others!
ReplyDeleteSure, did the guys who stole her deserve it? Probably? But I bet they spread it to other people who didn't!
And, we get a "happy ending?" Yeesh!
I love the title font, the coloring is crisp, last panel on page 4 is a great image, art, staging, coloring.
Now excuse me while I get ready for bikini season.
That was a strange one.
ReplyDeleteThe style of art varies from tale to tale, but WHO DID THIS? This is one of the best artists displayed…. Did they continue when Atlas became Marvel?
ReplyDeleteArtist is Jim Mooney. All artists are always tagged on these posts when available, and I always provide a link in my intros which will take you to the Grand Comics Database for all other info regarding the issue. And yes, Jim did indeed have quite a career: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Mooney
ReplyDeleteOh middle Europe, you and your plagues.
ReplyDeleteI really dig that last panel on page one. That guy is totally ready for Halloween. I definitely like the art here, but it made me laugh a bit that Jarick looks so much like a Mario Bro. What a sad sequel to Donkey Kong: Pauline safely rescued, but petrified after waves of PTSD and simian Stockholm syndrome, only to confront an inescapable bubonic level boss and kick it in some Slavic pit.
The Russ Heath cover on this ish is a wonderful example of subordinating anatomic accuracy to emotional effect. I love it!