I’ve read several of these collections, and I always enjoy them. Basically, they are collections of old horror tales reprinted on the same type of non-gloss pulp paper used in the original publications. All the comics in this collection (there are six yarns in this issue) were all originally published in the 1950’s. Below the title page of each story, the original publication information is displayed.
What I find so interesting about these old comics are the moral issues that they address. Each of them has some issue woven in, and it seems that these were the types of issues that society was facing at the time: infidelity, greed, envy, loneliness, prejudice, etc. And while society is still grappling with these issues today, in the 50’s, society did its best to whitewash over them. But just as the decayed wood eventually starts to show through the white painted picket fence, so these issues began to show themselves in society. So graphic horror became a vehicle for society to safely examine these issues.
Just a quick mention about the writing and the artwork. They are both very much in the 50’s style. The colors and style of many of the drawings reminded me of the old Dick Tracy comics. And the language! I found myself chuckling internally at phrases like “’Good Grief” and “Great Scott.” But that is part of the nostalgia.
Hope you are enjoying the Halloween season! Cheers.
“just as the decayed wood eventually starts to show through the white painted picket fence, so these issues began to show themselves in society.”
Great image! 🙂
LOL – thanks! Came up with that one all on my own 😉
Sometimes I wish I could transport myself back to say, the 1950s, even tho I was born in 62. Then I think… would I really want to contend with all those backward, racist and sexist attitudes? I guess we’re where we should be… here and now. 🙂