"Terror of the Dead" & "Xebico"

Lets slip this issue into the body bag with two, final stories (one of them a text story with a tantalizing illustration).

"Terror of the Dead" features the artwork of Cirilo Muñoz (thanks for the artist ID, Mike! - see comments)

I found this desperate story of a ham-fisted, claim-jumping archeologist very refreshing. Archaeologists have danced nimbly and skillfully for years around the "glorified grave-robbers" stigma. Instead of trying to duck such ugly talk, eager Harlan embraces it with both red hands. Good on you, professor! Download THIS POST!

Let’s throw in a text story to round off this issue. The authors and artists for these Eerie Pub text stories are lost to the halls of time.

Like many Eerie Pub text stories, “Xebico” has a distinctly Lovecraftian flavor. It also has an illustration of an exposed, female breast complete with areola.

So, how many of you want to join me on a search for the mystery of Xebico? I smell hit TV series. Next up, we will resurrect another issue of Terror Tales with stories “The Bloody Ax” and “The Glass Corpse.”

THE WEIRD WORLD OF EERIE PUBLICATIONS!

The Weird World of Eerie Publications
By Mike Howlett
Introduction by Stephen R. Bissette
Hardcover: 340 pages
Feral House (November 30, 2010)

Buy this book, you scurrilous dogs! Here's the LINK!

Why, you ask? You ungrateful scum. After all I've done for you, you dare to question my edict? What? I really haven't done that much for you? Oh. Well, in that case, here are a few good reasons why I recommend this book so highly.

First: It's big and beautiful. In the old days, we'd call this a coffee table book. It's 340 pages long, printed on hard, slick paper; and bound to last as least as long the Gutenberg Bible. Hey, looks matter, as does quality. This isn't some cheapie paperback with a split spine waiting to happen.

Second: The content is incredible. For the Eerie Pub junkie, this isn't some lame hit of methadone. Kids, this is the straight H without a trace of powdered milk! Within you will find the frantic, slavering-for-bucks history of Eerie Publications under the stewardship of Myron Fass, who published magazines like a rabid squirrel burying nuts (some of my favorite titles published by the House of Fass include Gasm, Quick, and Dave Clark 5 Vs. the Beatles). Particularly pleasing was the chapter entitled "Cutting Corners and Pasting Them" in which author Howlett discusses in hair-raising detail the down and dirty concessions Eerie Pub made to any semblance of publishing standards, cobbling together art and art by-products without shame or mercy.

Third: This book is a first-class research tool. It contains an exhaustive story index, much biographical data on the nefarious, gun-totting Mr. Fass; as well as one chapter I simply thank my maker for entitled, "Brought To You By," which is devoted to the artists of Eerie Pub. As one who has Googled his fingers down to stumps looking for info about Oscar Fraga, Antonio Reynoso, Cirilo Munoz, or any of the other ghost-like images that poured black ink on pulp paper for EP, I can tell you it's a thankless, goddamned task. Honestly, I've counted myself lucky to find some limp-dick paragraph on Lambiek. Well, I now have a ready reference! I mean, they're all here! Alberto Macagno; Ruben Marchionne; Mandrafina; Romero - and many more! God loves you, Mr. Howlett!

Fourth: There's a cover gallery!

Fifth: There's a cover gallery!

In summation, all Eerie Pub fans owe Mr. Howlett a pat on the back for this beauty. Hell's bells, there's even a new story by Eerie Pub God, Dick Ayers. No kidding, I bought two. Here's that link again: LINK!

"The Walking Dead" & "Demons and Vampires"

Let's continue to excavate the ruins of Terror Tales Vol. 4 No. 6, October 1872. Our two stories today feature original art from two Eerie Pub. stalwarts: Walter Casadei and (one of my favorites) Larry Woromay. Our first story has some very sweet background work by Casadei. Again, like in so many Eerie Pub. stories, the afterlife seems a fair sight more civil than this mortal coil; full as it is with cruel street rats, squalid poverty, and early death.

Novelist, Thomas Wolfe, tried to tell us that a return to "home" was impossible, yet our protagonist in "The Walking Dead" must be taught the hard way. Still, Paul Reynard does discover one helpful, old friend in the slums of Paris. Download THIS POST!

"Demons and Vampires" has some great monster work from Larry Woromay. We live in a sick and cynical time, and I am as guilty as the next desperate, giggling voyeur. After reading this story, I couldn't help but imagine the monster number of hits the little film near the end of this tale would receive on YouTube.

See what I mean about YouTube hits? How many "friends" (a generic term in this age referring to a subscriber, thumbnail, or avatar) would you share that bloody, little clip with, you sick puppy? Next up, "Terror of the Dead" and a couple of text stories: "Xebico" and "Locked In time."

"The Strange Escape" & "The Vampire Witch"

Here come two more slices of nightmare life from Terror Tales Vol. 4 No. 6 to keep you ammused into the wee small hours after midnight.

First up is an educational fable about fate called "The Strange Escape;" which features some of the best Eerie Pub. art from Cirilo Munoz I have seen.

"Fate," wrote Euripides bluntly, "is stronger than anything I have known." Indeed, and if you ever find yourself escaping prison (and don't imagine it can't happen), you will be best served to remember the ancient playwright's words - particularly if your escape route bisects a graveyard full of robed men. Simply amazing inking here by Mr. Munoz. Download THIS POST!

Our second story, "The Vampire Witch," features a feckless hero - one of those men born to be abused by women. Hell's bells, even a witch can't resist laying into poor Hector with a good, swift kick in the nuts upon meeting him (I'm a witch, stupid!). Oscar Fraga supplies the art in this one. I love that last panel of this story. Want a good laugh? Play out in your mind the scene following as the guard attempts to administer the jury's sentence.

Today's theme dealt with the way the harsh, iron grip of fate rests so heavily upon the soft flesh of us mortals; gripping our wrists and ankles like shackles until death offers our only egress. Next post: "The Walking Dead" & "Demons and Vampires" from this same issue. Until then, spend pleasant hours plotting the horrible downfall of anyone you even suspect has ever wronged you.