Who was the master of the bizarre/macabre in the GA/PCH eras? Let's go for a walk on the dark side ... 2 2

[kent allard]

Over in the Recent Pre-Code Purchases thread, @Jayman posted a great comparison of two Bailey covers

(Don't know how to cross-thread post so including raw links too, since I'm not sure if the images come through with the tipped in link)

 

 

https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/29148-recent-pre-code-purchases/?do=findComment&comment=13305735

 

The covers are even more striking when one considers that the RL #6 cover was published Aug 1954 and the WM #12 cover was published Sept 1954.  Bailey knew exactly what he was doing here and was one seriously demented dude or had an extremely sick sense of humor

However, as @Jayman pointed out, Lou Morales had some chops too

https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/29148-recent-pre-code-purchases/?do=findComment&comment=13307998

 

Bailey's covers for WM were outstanding, but I don't want to limit this to covers.  As @Robot Man pointed out  ...

 

It's all fair game and there's a lot out there.

Share what you know and let's all take a walk on the dark side

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:04 PM by kent allard
comment re cover dates got left out

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:46 AM, kent allard said:

Over in the Recent Pre-Code Purchases thread, @Jayman posted a great comparison of two Bailey covers

(Don't know how to cross-thread post so including raw links too, since I'm not sure if the images come through with the tipped in link)

 

Looks like none of the images came through with the link.  If someone can educate me, I'd appreciate it and I'll edit the post.

I am NOT including any examples of my own - I'm leaving that up to you all

[buttock]

Hard to beat Bill Everett.  

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 9:04 AM, buttock said:

Hard to beat Bill Everett.  

Prove it

No pictures, it didn't happen.

Edited Tuesday at 04:09 PM by kent allard
add quote

[Robot Man]

I would have to put in a strong vote for Matt Fox as "master of the bizarre"...

[Robot Man]

Or possibly Basil Wolverton...

[kent allard]

Ah @Robot Man, excellent!  I figured with your extensive PCH collection you'd turn up some good stuff.

Matt Fox certainly has some bizarre covers.  His work reminds me of Hannes Bok.  I especially like the Chilling Tales #11, though I personally was after dark/morbid rather than 'just' bizarre, which Bailey nails.  Perhaps I should change the title to reflect that.

I think pulps should be out of scope for this thread, but here are a few delicious ones I just scored in the MCS Prime auction.  Did Matt Fox do anything that was *not* bizarre?

   

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 2:09 PM, Robot Man said:

Or possibly Basil Wolverton...

 

Wolverton is not just bizarre, but can be downright creepy.  Also a master of his craft.  He kept up with this weird stuff for DECADES (remember Plop for DC in the 70's?)

Here's where he delivers the PCH goods ...

Got other examples?

 

[MrBedrock]

Graham Ingels, and specifically the cover of HOF 18 with its depiction of Ed Gein-like human skin draped over ghouls and gnomes, Dr. Moreau rebuilt animals, and the Old Witch presiding over everything...

 

[C. Spaulding]

More crime than horror but horrific nonetheless - Charles Biro has always stood out to me for having some of the most imaginative and violent covers.

[comicjack]

On 10/15/2024 at 7:51 PM, C. Spaulding said:

More crime than horror but horrific nonetheless - Charles Biro has always stood out to me for having some of the most imaginative and violent covers.

Biro had such a sick mind to come up with the covers he did and that is one 

[ThothAmon]

All great choices but Wolverton takes the prize for me. 
 

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 5:03 PM, comicjack said:

Biro had such a sick mind to come up with the covers he did and that is one 

Whoa!  I haven't seen that one before.  He had another one quite similar involving a stove (can't recall the issue right now), and the infamous human ironing board cover, but here her hair is actually on fire.  Pretty graphic.

I would agree, Biro was willing to push the envelope and be controversial in his work ('here's a piece of candy little girl') but he didn't go macabre the way Bailey and Wolverton did.

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 4:36 PM, MrBedrock said:

Graham Ingels, and specifically the cover of HOF 18 with its depiction of Ed Gein-like human skin draped over ghouls and gnomes, Dr. Moreau rebuilt animals, and the Old Witch presiding over everything...

 

Ghastly indeed!

Another master practicing his craft.  (Beautiful copy by the way .  Thanks for sharing it!)

[Jayman]

Here’s a point or two for Baily…

Edited Wednesday at 01:37 AM by Jayman

[Jayman]

Bill Everett delivered some bizarre fare too!

[C. Spaulding]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:59 PM, kent allard said:

Whoa!  I haven't seen that one before.  He had another one quite similar involving a stove (can't recall the issue right now), and the infamous human ironing board cover, but here her hair is actually on fire.  Pretty graphic.

I would agree, Biro was willing to push the envelope and be controversial in his work ('here's a piece of candy little girl') but he didn't go macabre the way Bailey and Wolverton did.

Did Biro do an ironing cover as well or were you thinking of this one by Dan Barry? Either way it gave me a reason to post this 

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 6:43 PM, Jayman said:

Bill Everett delivered some bizarre fare too!

 

 

I've been waiting to see some choice morsels from Everett.  I dig the chick leaning against the tree with her arms folded.  A bit of levity 

My problem with Everett is he seems too narrow - to me his oeuvre is just a lot of skeletons or body parts whereas Bailey and Wolverton really let it rip.

[kent allard]

On 10/15/2024 at 6:52 PM, C. Spaulding said:

Did Biro do an ironing cover as well or were you thinking of this one by Dan Barry? Either way it gave me a reason to post this 

 

My mistake, you are correct - but it could have been Biro    (Ah, it's so nice that people are posting these beautiful copies of these books )

Edited Wednesday at 02:03 AM by kent allard
props for the cover

[C. Spaulding]

Bailey had a unique style when drawing faces that really stood out (at least to me). The eyes, the blank stares… Even on a romance cover he couldn’t keep the creepiness from sneaking in.