Jayman Posted Saturday at 05:56 PM Share Posted Saturday at 05:56 PM Creepy 45: From the Warren Magazines Index: Cover: Enrich Torres (May 1972) 1) Creepy’s Loathsome Lore: The Chiklil Tablets! [Bill DuBay] 1p [frontis] 2) Creepy Comments/The Story Behind ‘The Men Who Called Him Monster!’ [J. R. Cochran & Don McGregor] 1p [text articles on the letters’ page] 3) What Rough Beast [Jan Strnad/Frank Brunner] 8p 4) Targos [Jack Katz/Jack Katz & Nebot] 10p 5) And Horror Crawls…From Out Of The Sea! [Kevin Pagan/Tom Sutton] 8p 6) For The Sake Of Your Children! [Ed Fedory/Jaime Brocal] 11p 7) Dungeons Of The Soul [T. Casey Brennan/Felix Mas] 8p 8) Creepy’s Fan Club: Jose Bea Profile/Remember Yesterday/The Cold Earth/Hybrid Of Hell/The Viewer/Out Of The Sea/The Gift/Stare [J. R. Cochran, Tony Boatright, Edgar Dejesus, Randy Williams, Jerome Herskovits, Kevin Schaffer, Barry Aydelotte & Jerry Bradman/Jose Bea, R. Taylor & Surn Iil Oh] 2p [text article/stories] 9) The Picture Of Death [Jose Bea] 11p Notes: Editor: J. R. Cochran. A short article entitled ‘Creepy Comments’ appeared on the letters’ page, as did the official beginning of ‘The Story Behind…’ series. A ‘Little Orphan Annie’ strip from Dec. 1971, featuring a Prof. Creepy (who looked nothing like Warren’s Uncle Creepy) is reprinted on the letters’ page. Future artist R. G. Taylor could be the R. Taylor featured on the fan page. A pretty good issue with nice work from Frank Brunner and Tom Sutton, and interesting stories from Jan Strnad, Jack Katz, Ed Fedory & Kevin Pagan. Best story though is Jose Bea’s ‘The Picture Of Death.’ ————————————————— A very creepy cover that I’m not sure the red border hinders or helps the painting. Already read this one last night and will have some thoughts to share soon. Always liked Jose Bea’s art. Nice learning more about him now. Stevemmg, OtherEric, This is Who We Are and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirbyJack Posted Saturday at 10:01 PM Share Posted Saturday at 10:01 PM I had never photographed these before. OtherEric, Jayman and This is Who We Are 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted Sunday at 12:18 AM Share Posted Sunday at 12:18 AM On 6/22/2024 at 6:01 PM, KirbyJack said: I had never photographed these before. Ah…Hemmm! Good Sir, this is the Warren Reading Club. Please kindly submit your reviews of these excellent issues… Artifiction, The Lions Den and OtherEric 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirbyJack Posted Sunday at 02:55 AM Share Posted Sunday at 02:55 AM On 6/22/2024 at 7:18 PM, Jayman said: Ah…Hemmm! Good Sir, this is the Warren Reading Club. Please kindly submit your reviews of these excellent issues… A thousand apologies. I read these a very long time ago, and have forgotten. I will bump them towards the top of my pile, but obviously not to the very top (legal reasons): it’ll be a bit. OtherEric and Jayman 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KirbyJack Posted Sunday at 02:31 PM Popular Post Share Posted Sunday at 02:31 PM I found a minute to read one! As war is my favorite EC genre, I started with Blazing Combat #4, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Overall, I felt the stories were more historical and less personal than Kurtzman's stuff, but excellent. Archie Goodwin is sorely missed. Colan's first story had ups (page 6 bottom left panel) and downs (page 5's weird m-14/m-16 combination rifle). "Combat Suspenstories"! The George Evans 2 pager was cool, and I learned why the French Open is played at a place called Roland Garros. Love Alex Toth, and while "The Edge" isn't his best work, it's damned good. Russ Heath can really draw. His attention to detail is stunning: Harvey must have made a lasting impression. Wood's "ME-262" good story, great ending! The Severin story reminded me most of his old EC stuff. Maybe the most personal of the mag. "Thermopylae". Fun bookend treatment, good guys win then lose, Reed Crandall; what's not to love? Torres' made great use of the B&W format in "Night Drop!", and Goodwin's script matched it to the grim end. All in all, I really dug this read, and now I'll certainly be hunting for the other issues. Oh, and Warren had a lot of nerve pushing subscriptions in the last issue! Did they send the suckers that signed up a Creepy, at least? Jayman, OtherEric, Ken Aldred and 2 others 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted Sunday at 03:07 PM Share Posted Sunday at 03:07 PM @KirbyJack, there was no intended pressure to review. However, it was the purpose of this thread to revisit these issues and enjoy/dislike/discuss these mags. I’m very glad you enjoyed your read! KirbyJack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirbyJack Posted Sunday at 03:19 PM Share Posted Sunday at 03:19 PM Hey, rules is rules. I’m grateful to have been prodded into rereading! I peeked at eBay to get a sense of prices for 1-3, and it looks like I’ll be seeking a cheaper way to own them. Does the ‘78 thickbook reprint everything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted Sunday at 03:27 PM Share Posted Sunday at 03:27 PM On 6/23/2024 at 11:19 AM, KirbyJack said: Hey, rules is rules. I’m grateful to have been prodded into rereading! I peeked at eBay to get a sense of prices for 1-3, and it looks like I’ll be seeking a cheaper way to own them. Does the ‘78 thickbook reprint everything? You mean this one? I believe it does, but not 100% certain it has the letter and/or ad pages included as I don’t own all the originals myself and can’t compare. OtherEric, The Lions Den and KirbyJack 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirbyJack Posted Sunday at 04:00 PM Share Posted Sunday at 04:00 PM That’s the one. I think that’s my target. I should probably find out what it’s called, tho. I don’t imagine “thickbook” will get me where I want to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevemmg Posted Sunday at 05:47 PM Share Posted Sunday at 05:47 PM While it’s not always consistent, it’s generally referred to as the Blazing Combat Anthology. It has all of the stories, without any ads, etc. The four covers are at the rear of the book in full color. KirbyJack, Jayman and The Lions Den 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted Sunday at 10:53 PM Share Posted Sunday at 10:53 PM On 6/23/2024 at 10:31 AM, KirbyJack said: Russ Heath can really draw. His attention to detail is stunning: Harvey must have made a lasting impression. He allegedly used himself as a physical reference for every character in this story. Still one of the best things he ever did, IMHO... KirbyJack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Aldred Posted Sunday at 11:14 PM Share Posted Sunday at 11:14 PM Fantagraphics also did a very nice Blazing Combat hardcover back in the mid 2000s, which I have a copy of. KirbyJack and The Lions Den 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Aldred Posted Sunday at 11:21 PM Share Posted Sunday at 11:21 PM On 6/18/2024 at 1:48 PM, Jayman said: Mine too! One of the best things about it was how the ending was not grim, but almost promised hope for a continued existence no matter how small he got. Would have been great if they ever followed it up with his adventures in a sub atomic universe. Hence why this story reminded me of the movie. On 6/18/2024 at 3:12 PM, The Lions Den said: A great ending which almost didn't happen due to a difference of opinion. And Richard Matheson's first screenplay, as I recall... For me, one of the best closing monologues in movie history. Jayman and The Lions Den 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted Sunday at 11:53 PM Share Posted Sunday at 11:53 PM (edited) On 6/23/2024 at 7:21 PM, Ken Aldred said: For me, one of the best closing monologues in movie history. “I was continuing to shrink, to become… What? The infinitesimal? What was I? Still a human being? Or was I the man of the future? If there were other bursts of radiation, other clouds drifting across seas and continents, would other beings follow me into this vast new world? So close, the infinitesimal and the infinite. But suddenly I knew they were really the two ends of the same concept. The unbelievably small and the unbelievably vast eventually meet, like the closing of a gigantic circle. I looked up, as if somehow I would grasp the heavens, the universe, worlds beyond number. God’s silver tapestry spread across the night. And in that moment I knew the answer to the riddle of the infinite. I had thought in terms of Man’s own limited dimension. I had presumed upon Nature. That existence begins and ends is Man’s conception, not Nature’s. And I felt my body dwindling, melting, becoming nothing. My fears melted away and in their place came acceptance. All this vast majesty of creation, it had to mean something. And then I meant something too. Yes, smaller than the smallest, I meant something too. To God, there is no zero.” ”I still exist!” Edited Monday at 12:02 AM by Jayman Missed “I still exist!” KirbyJack, The Lions Den and Ken Aldred 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted Monday at 11:21 AM Share Posted Monday at 11:21 AM On 6/23/2024 at 7:53 PM, Jayman said: “I was continuing to shrink, to become… What? The infinitesimal? What was I? Still a human being? Or was I the man of the future? If there were other bursts of radiation, other clouds drifting across seas and continents, would other beings follow me into this vast new world? So close, the infinitesimal and the infinite. But suddenly I knew they were really the two ends of the same concept. The unbelievably small and the unbelievably vast eventually meet, like the closing of a gigantic circle. I looked up, as if somehow I would grasp the heavens, the universe, worlds beyond number. God’s silver tapestry spread across the night. And in that moment I knew the answer to the riddle of the infinite. I had thought in terms of Man’s own limited dimension. I had presumed upon Nature. That existence begins and ends is Man’s conception, not Nature’s. And I felt my body dwindling, melting, becoming nothing. My fears melted away and in their place came acceptance. All this vast majesty of creation, it had to mean something. And then I meant something too. Yes, smaller than the smallest, I meant something too. To God, there is no zero.” ”I still exist!” Hope springs eternal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoggyNelson Posted Monday at 10:04 PM Share Posted Monday at 10:04 PM On 6/22/2024 at 1:56 PM, Jayman said: Creepy 45: From the Warren Magazines Index: Cover: Enrich Torres (May 1972) 1) Creepy’s Loathsome Lore: The Chiklil Tablets! [Bill DuBay] 1p [frontis] 2) Creepy Comments/The Story Behind ‘The Men Who Called Him Monster!’ [J. R. Cochran & Don McGregor] 1p [text articles on the letters’ page] 3) What Rough Beast [Jan Strnad/Frank Brunner] 8p 4) Targos [Jack Katz/Jack Katz & Nebot] 10p 5) And Horror Crawls…From Out Of The Sea! [Kevin Pagan/Tom Sutton] 8p 6) For The Sake Of Your Children! [Ed Fedory/Jaime Brocal] 11p 7) Dungeons Of The Soul [T. Casey Brennan/Felix Mas] 8p 8) Creepy’s Fan Club: Jose Bea Profile/Remember Yesterday/The Cold Earth/Hybrid Of Hell/The Viewer/Out Of The Sea/The Gift/Stare [J. R. Cochran, Tony Boatright, Edgar Dejesus, Randy Williams, Jerome Herskovits, Kevin Schaffer, Barry Aydelotte & Jerry Bradman/Jose Bea, R. Taylor & Surn Iil Oh] 2p [text article/stories] 9) The Picture Of Death [Jose Bea] 11p Notes: Editor: J. R. Cochran. A short article entitled ‘Creepy Comments’ appeared on the letters’ page, as did the official beginning of ‘The Story Behind…’ series. A ‘Little Orphan Annie’ strip from Dec. 1971, featuring a Prof. Creepy (who looked nothing like Warren’s Uncle Creepy) is reprinted on the letters’ page. Future artist R. G. Taylor could be the R. Taylor featured on the fan page. A pretty good issue with nice work from Frank Brunner and Tom Sutton, and interesting stories from Jan Strnad, Jack Katz, Ed Fedory & Kevin Pagan. Best story though is Jose Bea’s ‘The Picture Of Death.’ ————————————————— A very creepy cover that I’m not sure the red border hinders or helps the painting. Already read this one last night and will have some thoughts to share soon. Always liked Jose Bea’s art. Nice learning more about him now. Never saw#45 before an it’s 😎 Jayman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted Tuesday at 02:59 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 02:59 AM (edited) Creepy 45 thoughts: Cover: I’m leaning towards liking the red around this one. Enrich paints a ghoulish figure and the red border enhances the blood around the mouth IMO. Creepy’s Loathsome Lore: The Chiklil Tablets! The Chiklil tablets sound like something ripped from Erich von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods. I searched the internet for any reference and found none, excluding a link to the Warren Reading Club! I’m assuming this Loathsome Lore was fabricated for this issue. 1 What Rough Beast: The title is from a line of Yeat’s poem “The Second Coming”. This was an Antichrist type of tale with some nice art by Brunner. A little lofty in its approach with an ending that was just so-so to me. 2 Targos: They tried to squeeze an epic story into a ten page slot with this one. I do find myself liking Nebot’s clean line style but the story was a bit on the over ambitious side. This I think would have worked better as a serial such as Dax the Warrior over in Eerie. Such as it was, it felt rushed to an un-climatic ending. 3 And Horror Crawls…From Out Of The Sea!: An interesting sci-fi tale with similar aspects to “The Thing” (Carpenter version). Perfect tale for Sutton’s style. 4 For The Sake Of Your Children!: I read this one twice as I was sure I missed something. Still not sure I understand “the children” reference. The Vampire’s or the villagers? Then there’s the fact that children were murdered and both times the suspects denied the accusations saying it was a mistake! I did like Brocal’s art on this and it did end in a very chilling scene. Still not sure how Uncle Creepy ended up with the three gals at the closing though… 5 Dungeons Of The Soul: Nice art and story for this one. Not really a horror story but more fantasy/romance. Being old-school myself, it reminded me of that Star Trek episode where Kirk’s good and evil personalities get split, The Enemy Within. I liked it. 6 The Picture Of Death: Good story but was very reminiscent of one from Rod Serling’s Night Gallery. I think Creepy is doing a fairly good job of pairing up writer and artist to date. Bea does double duty on this one and his art works wonderful for his story. There were more winners than losers in this issue for me with Targos being my least favorite. Edited Tuesday at 03:06 AM by Jayman Artifiction, This is Who We Are and OtherEric 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
