from Creepy No. 59, January 1974
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Bless Us Father by Richard Corben
'Bless Us, Father' by Richard Corben
from Creepy No. 59, January 1974
This nasty little subversion of the Christmas theme features a cleaver-wielding maniac in a Santa Suit ..... !
from Creepy No. 59, January 1974
Saturday, December 22, 2012
'Heavy Metal' magazine, December, 1982
December, 1982, and 'Maneater' by Hall and Oates in in heavy rotation on MTV and on the FM radio stations.
Montxo Algora provides both the front and back covers for this month's issue of Heavy Metal.
This issue is actually rather good, one of the better ones for the year. There are ongoing installments of Kaulta's 'Starstruck', Pisu and Manara's 'The Ape', Duillet's 'Yragael', Fernandez's 'Zora', Jones and Wrightson's 'Freak Show', and Corben's 'Den II'.
In the Dossier, we have capsule reviews of the year's LPs; groups like Saxon, Girlschool, U. S. metal, and Shooting Star have, sadly, disappeared from the musical consciousness in the intervening 30 years.
Billy Idol sulks for the camera; an article about sensory deprivation tanks represents a late follow-up to the theme of the 1981 movie 'Altered States'; and we're given reviews of a large number (of what turned out to be entirely forgettable) fantasy novels.
Higher-end advertisers still elude HM; this issues features a full-pager from a mail-order Head Shop. Back in December '82, the idea of pot being legalized in Washington state - or in any state - seemed very, very, far off....
Moebius ably represents with a nice little four-page entry, 'The Emerald Lake', which I've posted below. It's all about Brazil and emeralds.
December, 1982, and 'Maneater' by Hall and Oates in in heavy rotation on MTV and on the FM radio stations.
Montxo Algora provides both the front and back covers for this month's issue of Heavy Metal.
This issue is actually rather good, one of the better ones for the year. There are ongoing installments of Kaulta's 'Starstruck', Pisu and Manara's 'The Ape', Duillet's 'Yragael', Fernandez's 'Zora', Jones and Wrightson's 'Freak Show', and Corben's 'Den II'.
In the Dossier, we have capsule reviews of the year's LPs; groups like Saxon, Girlschool, U. S. metal, and Shooting Star have, sadly, disappeared from the musical consciousness in the intervening 30 years.
Billy Idol sulks for the camera; an article about sensory deprivation tanks represents a late follow-up to the theme of the 1981 movie 'Altered States'; and we're given reviews of a large number (of what turned out to be entirely forgettable) fantasy novels.
Higher-end advertisers still elude HM; this issues features a full-pager from a mail-order Head Shop. Back in December '82, the idea of pot being legalized in Washington state - or in any state - seemed very, very, far off....
Moebius ably represents with a nice little four-page entry, 'The Emerald Lake', which I've posted below. It's all about Brazil and emeralds.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Book Review: 'The Ice Schooner' by Michael Moorcock
3 / 5 Stars
‘The Ice Schooner’ was first published as a serial in SF Impulse magazine in the UK in 1966, with its first book printing in 1969. This Dell paperback edition (267 pp) was published in October, 1978, and contains revised material. The cover illustration is by Boris Vallejo.
'Schooner' is set on a future earth where the Ice Ages have returned, and much of the planet is overlaid with glaciers. Civilization endures, albeit at a medieval level of technology. Eight cities of modest construction and size still exist in what used to be North America.
Commerce revolves around the hunting of terrestrial 'ice' whales, creatures whose flippers have evolved to propel them on the surface of the endless ice; ships set on skis, the ‘ice schooners’ of the book’s title, pursue the migrating herds.
Moorcock’s protagonist is Konrad Arflane, a former whaler captain who finds himself, in the novel’s opening pages, reduced in rank and economic standing.
Arflane is a more fully-fleshed character than the usual fantasy / adventure hero, being a moody, manic-depressive personality; appropriate traits for an individual of Scandinavian descent.
When Arflane rescues a man left to die alone on the ice, it is none other than Pyotr Rorsefne, the magnate of a wealthy shipping firm in the city of Friesgalt. This act brings Arflane into the circle of the Rorsefne family, and a dying man’s commission: captain the ship Ice Spirit across thousands of miles of poorly mapped ice, to discover if the mythic city of New York still exists, and whether the Ice Mother, the deity of this new Ice Age, resides there.
Most of ‘Schooner’ is taken up with the quest of the Ice Spirit to find the fabled city of New York, and the various adventures and mishaps that befall the good ship and crew.
Not unexpectedly with a Moorcock novel, ‘Schooner’ is infused with ambiguity, and departs from the self-confident tone of the traditional fantasy hero narrative. Konrad Arflane is not an invincible leader who strides victoriously through every test, but rather, a troubled man who lacks the imagination to recognize that change is coming to his world.
The descriptions of the hunting and the slaughter of the ice whales are graphic, and carry a note of moral unease. The success of the mission, and the survival of all its crew, is by no means assured; treacherous terrain, sedition, and vengeful ice barbarians all will test Arflane’s ability to bring the Ice Spirit to its destination.
‘The Ice Schooner’ is one of Moorcock’s better adventure novels, and is well worth picking up.
3 / 5 Stars
‘The Ice Schooner’ was first published as a serial in SF Impulse magazine in the UK in 1966, with its first book printing in 1969. This Dell paperback edition (267 pp) was published in October, 1978, and contains revised material. The cover illustration is by Boris Vallejo.
'Schooner' is set on a future earth where the Ice Ages have returned, and much of the planet is overlaid with glaciers. Civilization endures, albeit at a medieval level of technology. Eight cities of modest construction and size still exist in what used to be North America.
Commerce revolves around the hunting of terrestrial 'ice' whales, creatures whose flippers have evolved to propel them on the surface of the endless ice; ships set on skis, the ‘ice schooners’ of the book’s title, pursue the migrating herds.
Moorcock’s protagonist is Konrad Arflane, a former whaler captain who finds himself, in the novel’s opening pages, reduced in rank and economic standing.
Arflane is a more fully-fleshed character than the usual fantasy / adventure hero, being a moody, manic-depressive personality; appropriate traits for an individual of Scandinavian descent.
When Arflane rescues a man left to die alone on the ice, it is none other than Pyotr Rorsefne, the magnate of a wealthy shipping firm in the city of Friesgalt. This act brings Arflane into the circle of the Rorsefne family, and a dying man’s commission: captain the ship Ice Spirit across thousands of miles of poorly mapped ice, to discover if the mythic city of New York still exists, and whether the Ice Mother, the deity of this new Ice Age, resides there.
Most of ‘Schooner’ is taken up with the quest of the Ice Spirit to find the fabled city of New York, and the various adventures and mishaps that befall the good ship and crew.
Not unexpectedly with a Moorcock novel, ‘Schooner’ is infused with ambiguity, and departs from the self-confident tone of the traditional fantasy hero narrative. Konrad Arflane is not an invincible leader who strides victoriously through every test, but rather, a troubled man who lacks the imagination to recognize that change is coming to his world.
The descriptions of the hunting and the slaughter of the ice whales are graphic, and carry a note of moral unease. The success of the mission, and the survival of all its crew, is by no means assured; treacherous terrain, sedition, and vengeful ice barbarians all will test Arflane’s ability to bring the Ice Spirit to its destination.
‘The Ice Schooner’ is one of Moorcock’s better adventure novels, and is well worth picking up.
Monday, December 17, 2012
'The Sword of Solomon Kane'
Marvel comics, 1985 - 1986
Starting with issue 1 in September, 1985, and going on to issue 6 in July, 1986, Marvel re-launched the ‘Solomon Kane’ franchise as limited-series, four-color comic book with Code approval.
It’s not clear if ‘The Sword of Solomon Kane’ was a carefully considered, deliberate decision by the management, or a last-minute effort to get some books printed before Marvel’s rights to the franchise lapsed.
The miniseries used both REH's original Kane stories, and material created for the miniseries by the Marvel editorial staff.
Even given Marvel’s use of cheaper, plastic printing plates in their 80s comics, the artwork and color reproductions in these issues are quite crude.
Indeed, it’s markedly inferior to the artwork in the black and white Curtis magazine incarnations of Solomon Kane in the 1970s (as a backup feature in ‘The Savage Sword of Conan’, etc.).
Mignola’s penciling for issue 4 is probably the best this particular series offered, followed by Blevin’s work in issue 2.
(Note, the b & w comics from the Curtis magazines are reprinted in another Dark Horse volume, ‘The Saga of Solomon Kane’.)
Marvel comics, 1985 - 1986
Starting with issue 1 in September, 1985, and going on to issue 6 in July, 1986, Marvel re-launched the ‘Solomon Kane’ franchise as limited-series, four-color comic book with Code approval.
It’s not clear if ‘The Sword of Solomon Kane’ was a carefully considered, deliberate decision by the management, or a last-minute effort to get some books printed before Marvel’s rights to the franchise lapsed.
The miniseries used both REH's original Kane stories, and material created for the miniseries by the Marvel editorial staff.
Issue 1 was ‘Red Shadows’, issue 2 an original werewolf tale
titled ‘And Faith, Undying’, issue 3 ‘Blades of the Brotherhood', issue 4 ‘The Prophet’
(featuring artwork by Mike Mignola), issue 5 ‘Hills of the Dead, and issue 6 ‘Wings
in the Night’.
For most of these issues Ralph Macchio provided the scripting, with Brett
Blevins and Al Williamson providing the art.Even given Marvel’s use of cheaper, plastic printing plates in their 80s comics, the artwork and color reproductions in these issues are quite crude.
Indeed, it’s markedly inferior to the artwork in the black and white Curtis magazine incarnations of Solomon Kane in the 1970s (as a backup feature in ‘The Savage Sword of Conan’, etc.).
Mignola’s penciling for issue 4 is probably the best this particular series offered, followed by Blevin’s work in issue 2.
Hardcore REH and Solomon Kane fans may want to pick up this
miniseries if the opportunity presents itself. All six issues appear on online auction websites for affordable prices.
As well, all six issues were reprinted in 2009 in Dark Horse’s
trade paperback compilation of the Marvel comic - book Kane adventures of the
70s and 80s, ‘The Chronicles of Solomon Kane’.(Note, the b & w comics from the Curtis magazines are reprinted in another Dark Horse volume, ‘The Saga of Solomon Kane’.)
Friday, December 14, 2012
'A Christmas Romance' by Jean-Michel Nicollet
'A Christmas Romance' by Jean-Michel Nicollet
from Metal Hurlant No. 24, December, 1977
_024_00.jpg)
This is a special Christmas issue: Perversions du Pere Noel ('Perversions of Santa Claus (Father Christmas)'.
It's a French thing, I guess....
_024_30.jpg)
This issue features another fine contribution from Jean-Michel Nicollet, titled 'A Christmas Romance'. Only three pages in length, but warped genius in every panel.....
(My translation is paraphrased)
_024_31.jpg)
_024_32.jpg)
_024_33.jpg)
from Metal Hurlant No. 24, December, 1977
_024_00.jpg)
It's a French thing, I guess....
_024_30.jpg)
This issue features another fine contribution from Jean-Michel Nicollet, titled 'A Christmas Romance'. Only three pages in length, but warped genius in every panel.....
(My translation is paraphrased)
_024_31.jpg)
December 1999, and this is the End....
_024_32.jpg)
and a few days later....
"I'm hungry all the time"
".....not
even a rat !"
"I'm hungry.....thirsty..."
"Say, you know what day it is ?
....by my watch, it's December 25! It's a funny name ?
....Hey, I'll give a gift for you, Tourme !"
....by my watch, it's December 25! It's a funny name ?
....Hey, I'll give a gift for you, Tourme !"
_024_33.jpg)
He grabbed his telescopic machete that he
always carried with him....
"It
was good, my love ?"
"Mmmmmmm !"
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Book Review: Bloodworm
Book Review: 'Bloodworm' by John Halkin
3 / 5 Stars
‘Bloodworm’ (251 pp) was published by Guild Press in 1988. The covert artwork is uncredited.
Author John Halkin published several other ‘creature’ novels in the 80s, including ‘Slither’ (1980), ‘Slime’ (1984) and ‘Squelch’ (1985).
With the type of novel that ‘Bloodworm’ represents, Halkin knew he was not being asked to deliver a moody tome, preoccupied with psychological horror and existential malaise. Rather, his readers wanted gruesome monster action, without any ancillary crap. And that’s what 'Bloodworm' delivers.
Set in a rundown London neighborhood, in the cheerless days of early Spring, within the first few pages of the novel a wino (er, excuse me, Homeless Person) becomes fodder for vicious, flesh-eating beetles.
In short order the beetles get to work on other victims, and the body count rises.
Guy Archer, a former British Army officer, is one of the lucky few to survive an encounter with the beetles. As the infestation grows, Archer, and the public health workers and police officers who call on his expertise, make a disturbing discovery: in some instances, wormlike creatures the size of cobras are appearing alongside the beetles.
These worms fasten their sucker-like mouths on hapless victims and drain their blood. As they feed, the loathesome worms turn pink….then red….hence the term ‘bloodworms’.
Before the authorities can quite grasp the nature of the menace, the beetles and their bloodworm allies begin an inexorable spread throughout the city…..and London comes to know the meaning of true horror…
'Bloodworm' is a well-written book; Halkin adopts the spare, uncontrived prose style of James Herbert. The dialogue is believable, and authentic to the novel's London locale. Extended internal monologues, angst-filled musings on the Horror Of It All, and multi-page flashbacks don’t make an appearance. Instead, we get a fast-moving narrative devoid of filler.
The rationale underpinning the appearance of the ravenous insect life is more than a little contrived, but Halkin understands that, like the Sci-Fi channel’s ‘monster movie of the week’, entertainment is key with something like 'Bloodworm'.
In my opinion, this makes 'Bloodworm' markedly superior to such dire 80s horror clunkers as Ramsey Campbell’s ‘The Parasite’, or Peter Straub’s ‘Koko’.
If you’re a fan of the schlock ‘creature’ novels released in the 1980s by Shawn Hutson (‘Slugs’), Guy Smith (‘Killer Crabs’), and of course Herbert’s novels, than 'Bloodworm' is just right for you.
‘Bloodworm’ (251 pp) was published by Guild Press in 1988. The covert artwork is uncredited.
Author John Halkin published several other ‘creature’ novels in the 80s, including ‘Slither’ (1980), ‘Slime’ (1984) and ‘Squelch’ (1985).
With the type of novel that ‘Bloodworm’ represents, Halkin knew he was not being asked to deliver a moody tome, preoccupied with psychological horror and existential malaise. Rather, his readers wanted gruesome monster action, without any ancillary crap. And that’s what 'Bloodworm' delivers.
Set in a rundown London neighborhood, in the cheerless days of early Spring, within the first few pages of the novel a wino (er, excuse me, Homeless Person) becomes fodder for vicious, flesh-eating beetles.
In short order the beetles get to work on other victims, and the body count rises.
Guy Archer, a former British Army officer, is one of the lucky few to survive an encounter with the beetles. As the infestation grows, Archer, and the public health workers and police officers who call on his expertise, make a disturbing discovery: in some instances, wormlike creatures the size of cobras are appearing alongside the beetles.
These worms fasten their sucker-like mouths on hapless victims and drain their blood. As they feed, the loathesome worms turn pink….then red….hence the term ‘bloodworms’.
Before the authorities can quite grasp the nature of the menace, the beetles and their bloodworm allies begin an inexorable spread throughout the city…..and London comes to know the meaning of true horror…
'Bloodworm' is a well-written book; Halkin adopts the spare, uncontrived prose style of James Herbert. The dialogue is believable, and authentic to the novel's London locale. Extended internal monologues, angst-filled musings on the Horror Of It All, and multi-page flashbacks don’t make an appearance. Instead, we get a fast-moving narrative devoid of filler.
The rationale underpinning the appearance of the ravenous insect life is more than a little contrived, but Halkin understands that, like the Sci-Fi channel’s ‘monster movie of the week’, entertainment is key with something like 'Bloodworm'.
In my opinion, this makes 'Bloodworm' markedly superior to such dire 80s horror clunkers as Ramsey Campbell’s ‘The Parasite’, or Peter Straub’s ‘Koko’.
If you’re a fan of the schlock ‘creature’ novels released in the 1980s by Shawn Hutson (‘Slugs’), Guy Smith (‘Killer Crabs’), and of course Herbert’s novels, than 'Bloodworm' is just right for you.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
'Heavy Metal' magazine December 1978
December, 1978, and on the FM radio stations, Al Stewart's 'Time Passages' is getting heavy airplay.
The latest issue of Heavy Metal magazine is on the stands at Gordon's Cigar store. In this, the era before video games and computers and cable TV with more than 15 channels, Heavy Metal is a welcome piece of escapism from the early darkness and cold weather that accompanies December's advent in the Rust Belt.
The front cover is 'The Second Experiment' by Peter A. Jones, and the back cover, 'In Dolly's Dreams', is by William M. Kaluta.
Looking through its pages, I see new installments of Bilal's 'Exterminator 17', Morrrow's 'Orion', Corben's 'New Tales of the Arabian Nights', more of Moebius's 'Airtight Garage', and McKie's 'So Beautiful and So Dangerous'. All vintage HM goodness.
However, the outstanding comic in the December issue is Paul Kirchner's 'Tarot'.
Featuring Kirchner's meticulously detailed artwork, an offbeat plot, a surprise ending, and employing just 6 dialogue balloons, even the heaviest of stoners among the HM readership could groove on this gem.......
December, 1978, and on the FM radio stations, Al Stewart's 'Time Passages' is getting heavy airplay.
The latest issue of Heavy Metal magazine is on the stands at Gordon's Cigar store. In this, the era before video games and computers and cable TV with more than 15 channels, Heavy Metal is a welcome piece of escapism from the early darkness and cold weather that accompanies December's advent in the Rust Belt.
The front cover is 'The Second Experiment' by Peter A. Jones, and the back cover, 'In Dolly's Dreams', is by William M. Kaluta.
Looking through its pages, I see new installments of Bilal's 'Exterminator 17', Morrrow's 'Orion', Corben's 'New Tales of the Arabian Nights', more of Moebius's 'Airtight Garage', and McKie's 'So Beautiful and So Dangerous'. All vintage HM goodness.
However, the outstanding comic in the December issue is Paul Kirchner's 'Tarot'.
Featuring Kirchner's meticulously detailed artwork, an offbeat plot, a surprise ending, and employing just 6 dialogue balloons, even the heaviest of stoners among the HM readership could groove on this gem.......
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