Eerie
Encyclopedia
Eerie was an American magazine of horror
comics introduced in 1966 by Warren Publishing
. Like Mad
, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority
. Each issue's stories were introduced by the host character, Cousin Eerie. Its sister publications were Creepy
and Vampirella
.
. With a logo by Ben Oda
, it was created overnight by editor Archie Goodwin
and letterer Gaspar Saladino
to establish publisher Jim Warren's ownership of the title when it was discovered that a rival publisher would be using the name. Warren explained, "We launched Eerie because we thought Creepy
ought to have an adversary. The Laurel and Hardy syndrome always appealed to me. Creepy and Eerie are like Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre."
Official distribution began with the second issue (March, 1966), priced at 35 cents. Behind the Frank Frazetta
cover were graphic horror tales edited by Goodwin and hosted by the lumpish Cousin Eerie, a curious character created by Jack Davis. With scripts by Goodwin, E. Nelson Bridwell and Larry Ivie, the second issue featured art by Gene Colan
, Johnny Craig (as Jay Taycee), Reed Crandall
, Jerry Grandenetti
(uncredited), Gray Morrow
, Joe Orlando
, John Severin
, Angelo Torres
and Alex Toth
. Other artists during this era included Wally Wood
, Al Williamson
, Neal Adams
, Dan Adkins
, and Steve Ditko
. Eerie was published on a bi-monthly basis.
magazine. Some of Eeries original artists including Frazetta, Crandall and Wood would return, as would Goodwin, as Associate Editor for issues 29 through 33.
started appearing in Eerie and other Warren magazines, reaching a dominant presence in the 1970s. These artists included Esteban Maroto
, Jaime Brocal
, Rafael Aura Leon
, Martin Salvador, Luis Garcia
, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Bea
, Isidro Mones
, Sanjulián
and Enrich Torres. Additional artists from S.I.'s Valencia Studio joined Warren in 1974 including José Ortiz, Luis Bermejo
, and Leopold Sanchez. Towards the end of Dubay's time as editor, artists from Eeries first golden era including Alex Toth
and John Severin
returned. Notable writers during Dubay's era as editor included Gerry Boudreau, Budd Lewis, Jim Stenstrum, Steve Skeates
and Doug Moench
.
Dubay would resign after issue 72 and was replaced by Louise Jones
, his former assistant. Jones would edit the magazine until issue 110 in April 1980. Former DC Comics
publisher Carmine Infantino
would also join Warren shortly after she became editor. Much like the wave of Spanish artists that dominated the magazine throughout the mid-1970s, a number of artists from the Philippines would join Warren during Jones's period as editor including Alex Niño
, Alfredo Alcala
and Rudy Nebres and would remain at Eerie until its end in 1983. "The Rook
", a super hero who first appeared in issue 82 in March 1977, would appear in nearly every issue of the magazine over the next two years and would eventually be given his own magazine. While he had resigned as editor, Dubay remained with Warren and became their dominant writer during this period. Other dominant writers during this period included Bruce Jones
, Bob Toomey and Roger McKenzie.
In 1983, Harris Publications
acquired Warren's assets, including Eerie, Creepy
, and Vampirella
. Harris published a single issue of Creepy (#146), but legal murkiness prevented him from publishing further issues or any issues of Eerie. In 2000, after a protracted legal dispute with Harris, Jim Warren and Warren Publishing finally regained sole ownership of all rights to his two iconic and flagship comic book franchises Creepy and Eerie.
Shortly after that rights acquisition deal, in June 2007, New Comic Company LLC principals Dan Braun, Craig Haffner, Josh Braun, and Rick Brookwell completed a partnership agreement with Dark Horse Comics
and its CEO Mike Richardson
to republish in archival hardcover form all 285 total issues of the original Creepy and Eerie. The first archival volume Creepy release date was August 2008, the second December 2008, with additional releases planned every four months. The first archival volume Eerie release date was March, 15, 2009, with additional releases every four months. In addition, Dark Horse and New Comic Company launched the new Creepy comic magazine in June 2009.
Feature film, television and Internet project developments are underway.
Dax the Warrior - Art and writing by Esteban Maroto. Twelve parts in total, which appeared in issues 39-52. This series was a reprinting of Maroto's Manly, which originally appeared in Spain. It featured the often downbeat adventures of Dax, a powerful warrior. During his travels Dax would encounter many sorcerers, witches, beasts and even Death itself. Ten out of twelve parts were reprinted in issue 59, and were heavily rewritten by writer Budd Lewis, who renamed the serial Dax the Damned.
The Mummy Walks - Art by Jaime Brocal, and written by Steve Skeates. Six parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-54. It starred Jerome Curry, a "warped and lowly man" in turn of the century Boston who was able to use the body of an Egyptian mummy using an amulet. The entire series was reprinted in issue 78.
Curse of the Werewolf - Originally written by Al Milgrom, with art by Bill Dubay and Rich Buckler
. After the first two parts, the artists were replaced by artist Martin Salvador. Milgrom would eventually be replaced as writer by Steve Skeates. This series had seven parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-56. This series and "The Mummy Walks" were combined for a three part series titled And the Mummies Walk in issues 61-63, with art by Joaquin Blazquez.
Dracula - Art by Tom Sutton, and written by Bill Dubay. This series featured a Dracula character that had originally been developed in Vampirella. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 46-48. An additional 3 part series starring Dracula would appear in Vampirella in issues 39-41.
Dr. Archaeus - Art by Isidro Mones, and written by Gerry Boudreau. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 54-61. This series revolved around a man who had been sentenced to death, but survived his hanging and sought revenge on the jury, killing them in a manner inspired by the 12 days of Christmas.
Hunter - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Rich Margopoulos, Budd Lewis and Bill Dubay. Six parts in total, appearing in issues 52-57. Set in a near-future world devastated by nuclear war, it features Damien Hunter, a half man, half demon who seeks to destroy all the demons on Earth, including his father Oephal. The entire series would be reprinted in issue 69. Although Hunter died in the final part, a sequel featuring a new character titled Hunter II appeared in issues 67, 68, 70-72, and 101. A "Hunter III" spoof appeared in #87.
Schreck - Art by Vicente Alcazar and Neal Adams (first appearance only), and written by Doug Moench. Four parts in total, appearing in issues 53-55. Radiation from nuclear testing causes mutations to occur to many people on Earth, turning them into bloodthirsty zombies. Inspired by the movie The Omega Man
. The title character would later re-appear in the later "Hunter" series toward its end.
Child - Art by Richard Corben, and written by Greg Potter and Budd Lewis (last part only). A retelling of the Frankenstein story, with the monster being a child-like creature. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 57-60.
The Spook - Originally written by Doug Moench, with art by Esteban Maroto. They would be replaced by writer Budd Lewis and artist Leopold Sanchez after the first few stories. This series explored slavery and race relations in the Old South by charting the adventures of a proud black zombie in the 1800s. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 57-66. A spinoff story titled 'Papa Voodoo' appeared in issue 67.
Night of the Jackass - Art by José Ortiz, and written by Bruce Bezaire. Four parts in total, in issues 60-65. The story features a drug, Hyde 25(m), which causes anyone who uses it to become a powerful monster, but brings death after 24 hours. All four parts would be reprinted in issue 115.
Exterminator One - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Bill Dubay. Three parts in total, in issues 60-64. Features a cyborg assassin known as Exterminator One. Two additional stories in the Exterminator series that featured other characters appeared in issues 58 and 61, and an Exterminator would also appear in the "Hunter II" series.
Apocalypse - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. Four parts in total, in issues 61-65. Features the four horsemen of the Apocalypse - War, Famine, Plague and Death.
Coffin - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. In the Old West, Coffin is a well-meaning "dude" from back East who mistakenly attacks a Native American village. Coffin received false information that the tribe attacked a stagecoach he was on. After being captured, he is staked to the ground and horrifically mutilated. He is then cursed by the last remaining Native American to live forever, and spends the remainder of the series trying to redeem himself and find a way to die. Four parts in total, in issues 61, 67, 68 and 70.
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
comics introduced in 1966 by Warren Publishing
Warren Publishing
Warren Publishing was an American magazine company founded by James Warren, who published his first magazines in 1957 and continued in the business for decades...
. Like Mad
Mad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority
Comics Code Authority
The Comics Code Authority was a body created as part of the Comics Magazine Association of America, as a tool for the comics-publishing industry to self-regulate the content of comic books in the United States. Member publishers submitted comic books to the CCA, which screened them for adherence to...
. Each issue's stories were introduced by the host character, Cousin Eerie. Its sister publications were Creepy
Creepy
Creepy was an American horror-comics magazine launched by Warren Publishing in 1964. Like Mad, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority. The anthology magazine was initially published quarterly but...
and Vampirella
Vampirella
Vampirella is a fictional character, a comic book vampire heroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and costume designer Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 . Writer-editor Archie Goodwin later developed the character from horror-story hostess, in...
.
Founding and first Golden Age
The first issue, in early 1966, had only a small limited 200-issue run of an "ashcan" editionAshcan copy
An ashcan copy is a term that originated in the Golden Age of Comic Books, meant to describe a publication produced solely for legal purposes , and not normally intended for distribution.-Origins:...
. With a logo by Ben Oda
Ben Oda
Ben Oda was a Japanese-American comic strip and comic book letterer. He fought in World War II as a paratrooper and later provided lettering for many leading comic strips, including Apartment 3-G, Big Ben Bolt, Dondi, The Dropouts, Flash Gordon, Little Orphan Annie, Mary Perkins, On Stage, The...
, it was created overnight by editor Archie Goodwin
Archie Goodwin (comics)
Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work...
and letterer Gaspar Saladino
Gaspar Saladino
Gaspar Saladino is an award-winning letterer and logo designer who worked for over 50 years in the comic book industry, mostly for DC Comics. He has over 3,000 credits on the Grand Comics Database. Eventually Saladino went by one name, "Gaspar," which he wrote in his trademark calligraphy...
to establish publisher Jim Warren's ownership of the title when it was discovered that a rival publisher would be using the name. Warren explained, "We launched Eerie because we thought Creepy
Creepy
Creepy was an American horror-comics magazine launched by Warren Publishing in 1964. Like Mad, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority. The anthology magazine was initially published quarterly but...
ought to have an adversary. The Laurel and Hardy syndrome always appealed to me. Creepy and Eerie are like Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre."
Official distribution began with the second issue (March, 1966), priced at 35 cents. Behind the Frank Frazetta
Frank Frazetta
Frank Frazetta was an American fantasy and science fiction artist, noted for work in comic books, paperback book covers, paintings, posters, LP record album covers and other media...
cover were graphic horror tales edited by Goodwin and hosted by the lumpish Cousin Eerie, a curious character created by Jack Davis. With scripts by Goodwin, E. Nelson Bridwell and Larry Ivie, the second issue featured art by Gene Colan
Gene Colan
Eugene Jules "Gene" Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series, Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series...
, Johnny Craig (as Jay Taycee), Reed Crandall
Reed Crandall
Reed Crandall was an American illustrator and penciller of comic books and magazines. He was best known for the Quality Comics character Blackhawk and for stories in the critically acclaimed EC Comics of the 1950s.Crandall was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2009.-Early...
, Jerry Grandenetti
Jerry Grandenetti
Charles J. "Jerry" Grandenetti was an American comic book artist and advertising art director, best known for his work with writer-artist Will Eisner on the celebrated comics feature "The Spirit", and for his decade-and-a-half run on many DC Comics war series...
(uncredited), Gray Morrow
Gray Morrow
Dwight Graydon "Gray" Morrow was an American illustrator of paperback books and comics.-Biography:Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Morrow is best known as art director of Spider-Man between 1967 and 1970 and as illustrator of the syndicated Tarzan, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant comic...
, Joe Orlando
Joe Orlando
Joseph Orlando was a prolific illustrator, writer, editor and cartoonist during a lengthy career spanning six decades...
, John Severin
John Severin
John Powers Severin is an American comic book artist noted for his distinctive work with EC Comics, primarily on the war comics Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat; for Marvel Comics, primarily on its war and Western comics; and for the satiric magazine Cracked...
, Angelo Torres
Angelo Torres
Angelo Torres is an American cartoonist and caricaturist whose work has appeared in many comic books, as well as a long-running regular slot in Mad magazine, typically film or television parodies.-Biography:...
and Alex Toth
Alex Toth
Alexander Toth was an American professional cartoonist active from the 1940s through the 1980s. Toth's work began in the American comic book industry, but is known for his animation designs for Hanna-Barbera throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His work included Super Friends, Space Ghost, The...
. Other artists during this era included Wally Wood
Wally Wood
Wallace Allan Wood was an American comic book writer, artist and independent publisher, best known for his work in EC Comics and Mad. He was one of Mads founding cartoonists in 1952. Although much of his early professional artwork is signed Wallace Wood, he became known as Wally Wood, a name he...
, Al Williamson
Al Williamson
Alfonso "Al" Williamson was an American cartoonist, comic book artist and illustrator specializing in adventure, Western and science-fiction/fantasy...
, Neal Adams
Neal Adams
Neal Adams is an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who...
, Dan Adkins
Dan Adkins
Dan Adkins is an American illustrator who worked mainly for comic books and science-fiction magazines.-Early life and career:...
, and Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko
Stephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
. Eerie was published on a bi-monthly basis.
The Dark Age
Goodwin would eventually resign as the editor of Eerie after issue 11 in September 1967. Due to a lack of funds, the majority of the magazine's well known artists departed, and Warren was forced to rely on reprints, which would be prevalent in the magazine until issue 26 in March 1970. Editors during this period included Bill Parente and publisher Jim Warren himself. Things would pick up starting in 1969 with the premiere of VampirellaVampirella
Vampirella is a fictional character, a comic book vampire heroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and costume designer Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 . Writer-editor Archie Goodwin later developed the character from horror-story hostess, in...
magazine. Some of Eeries original artists including Frazetta, Crandall and Wood would return, as would Goodwin, as Associate Editor for issues 29 through 33.
Second Golden Age
A variety of editors would continue to manage Eerie after Goodwin's second departure including Billy Graham and J.R. Cochran. William Dubay, who first joined Warren as an artist in 1970, would become editor of the magazine for issues 43 through 72. During this period the frequency of Eerie and Warren's other magazines was upped to nine issues per year. Color stories would begin appearing in Eerie starting with issue 54 in February 1974. Another major development occurred in late 1971 when artists from the Barcelona Studio of Spanish agency Selecciones IllustradaSelecciones Illustrada
Selecciones Ilustradas is a Spanish art agency founded by Josep Toutain.-Warren Publishing:Selecciones Ilustradas is probably most well known in America due to its connections with Warren Publishing, where S.I.'s artists drew hundreds of stories between 1971 through 1983. The deal with Warren and...
started appearing in Eerie and other Warren magazines, reaching a dominant presence in the 1970s. These artists included Esteban Maroto
Esteban Maroto
- Career :Born in Madrid, he began his career in the 1960s with series like Cinco por infinito, published in English by Continuity Comics as "Zero Patrol" ....
, Jaime Brocal
Jaime Brocal Remohi
Jaime Brocal Remohi is a Spanish comic book artist, born in 1936.- Career :Born in Valencia, Spain, Brocal began his comic career at the age of 20, working of various adventure comics including Leslie Chartiers' The Saint and an adaption of Jules Verne's "From Earth to Moon"...
, Rafael Aura Leon
Rafael Aura León
- Career :The artist was known primarily as Auraleón, which is how he signed his work. Auraleón's career began in 1959 when he joined the Spanish agency Selecciones Illustrada, drawing the comic strip Flash for Space Ace and Lone Star...
, Martin Salvador, Luis Garcia
Luis García Mozos
-Career:More widely known in English as just Luis García, he was born in Puertollano, Spain in 1946. García began his career drawing European romance comics for Fleetway. In the 1960s, he joined the well known Spanish agency Selecciones Illustradas. In 1971 García joined Warren Publishing, where...
, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Bea
Jose Bea
Jose Bea is a Spanish comic book artist, born in 1942.-Career:Jose Bea started his comic book career in the late 1950s when he worked for Fleetway in Britain. He also worked on Miller's TV Heroes during this period. In the early 1960s he worked on Space Ace for Atlas, as well as Lone Star...
, Isidro Mones
Isidro Mones
- Career :Isidro Mones was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1947. Mones started his career as an artist doing children's books, covers and trading cards. He joined the agency Selecciones Illustrada in the early 1970s and started drawing for Warren Publishing in 1973. He was miscredited as 'Munes' in...
, Sanjulián
Sanjulián
Manuel Pérez Clemente is a Spanish painter, most notable for his magazine and novel covers. He was born 24 June 1941 in Barcelona, and studied at Belles Arts of Sant Jordi....
and Enrich Torres. Additional artists from S.I.'s Valencia Studio joined Warren in 1974 including José Ortiz, Luis Bermejo
Luis Bermejo
Luis Bermejo , is a Spanish illustrator and comics artist known for his work published in Spain, Italy, Great Britain, and the United States...
, and Leopold Sanchez. Towards the end of Dubay's time as editor, artists from Eeries first golden era including Alex Toth
Alex Toth
Alexander Toth was an American professional cartoonist active from the 1940s through the 1980s. Toth's work began in the American comic book industry, but is known for his animation designs for Hanna-Barbera throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His work included Super Friends, Space Ghost, The...
and John Severin
John Severin
John Powers Severin is an American comic book artist noted for his distinctive work with EC Comics, primarily on the war comics Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat; for Marvel Comics, primarily on its war and Western comics; and for the satiric magazine Cracked...
returned. Notable writers during Dubay's era as editor included Gerry Boudreau, Budd Lewis, Jim Stenstrum, Steve Skeates
Steve Skeates
Steve Skeates is an American comic book creator known for his work on books such as Spectre, Hawk and Dove, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Aquaman, and Namor the Sub-Mariner.-Career:...
and Doug Moench
Doug Moench
Douglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
.
Dubay would resign after issue 72 and was replaced by Louise Jones
Louise Simonson
Louise Simonson, born Mary Louise Alexander , is an American comic book writer and editor. She is best known for her work on comic book titles such as Power Pack, X-Factor, New Mutants, Superman: The Man of Steel, and Steel...
, his former assistant. Jones would edit the magazine until issue 110 in April 1980. Former DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
publisher Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York is an American comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age of Comic Books...
would also join Warren shortly after she became editor. Much like the wave of Spanish artists that dominated the magazine throughout the mid-1970s, a number of artists from the Philippines would join Warren during Jones's period as editor including Alex Niño
Alex Niño
Alex Niño is a Filipino comic book artist best known for his work for the American publishers DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and Warren Publishing, and in Heavy Metal magazine.-Early life and career:...
, Alfredo Alcala
Alfredo Alcala
Alfredo P. Alcala was a Filipino comic book artist, born in Talisay, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Alcala was an established illustrator whose works appeared in the Alcala Komix Magazine. His 1963 creation Voltar introduced him to an international audience, particularly in the United...
and Rudy Nebres and would remain at Eerie until its end in 1983. "The Rook
The Rook
The Rook is a fictional, time-traveling comic book character whose adventures were chronicled in 1970s issues of Warren Publishing's Eerie magazine and then in his own 1980s title, The Rook Magazine...
", a super hero who first appeared in issue 82 in March 1977, would appear in nearly every issue of the magazine over the next two years and would eventually be given his own magazine. While he had resigned as editor, Dubay remained with Warren and became their dominant writer during this period. Other dominant writers during this period included Bruce Jones
Bruce Jones (comics)
Bruce Jones, whose pen names include Philip Roland and Bruce Elliot, is an American comic book writer, novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter whose work included writing Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk from 2001-2005.-Early career:...
, Bob Toomey and Roger McKenzie.
Cancellation and legal battles
After Louise Jones resigned as editor following issue #110, Dubay returned to edit the magazine using the alias "Will Richardson" until issue 120. After Dubay's departure various editors including Chris Adames, Timothy Moriarty held the position. Reprints would once again start predominantly appearing in the magazine, with many reprint issues being dedicated to a single artist. Eeries last issue published would be issue #139 in February 1983 when Warren went bankrupt.In 1983, Harris Publications
Harris Publications
Harris Publications Inc. is an American consumer-magazine publisher in New York City, New York, that publishes over 75 titles, including Juicy, XXL, King, Dog News, 0-60, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Small Business Opportunities, Men's Workout, Exercise & Health, Celebrity Hairstyles, and...
acquired Warren's assets, including Eerie, Creepy
Creepy
Creepy was an American horror-comics magazine launched by Warren Publishing in 1964. Like Mad, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority. The anthology magazine was initially published quarterly but...
, and Vampirella
Vampirella
Vampirella is a fictional character, a comic book vampire heroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and costume designer Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 . Writer-editor Archie Goodwin later developed the character from horror-story hostess, in...
. Harris published a single issue of Creepy (#146), but legal murkiness prevented him from publishing further issues or any issues of Eerie. In 2000, after a protracted legal dispute with Harris, Jim Warren and Warren Publishing finally regained sole ownership of all rights to his two iconic and flagship comic book franchises Creepy and Eerie.
Collected editions
In February 2007, a new player appeared on the scene: New Comic Company, LLC, which after seven years of effort, completed a total rights acquisition from Warren and his entity for all rights in perpetuity to Creepy and Eerie. Terms of the deal were never disclosed, although it has been rumored it was a complete buyout and all copyright renewals and trademarks have been re-established in the name of New Comic Company LLC.Shortly after that rights acquisition deal, in June 2007, New Comic Company LLC principals Dan Braun, Craig Haffner, Josh Braun, and Rick Brookwell completed a partnership agreement with Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
and its CEO Mike Richardson
Mike Richardson (publisher)
Mike Richardson is an American writer, film producer and the founder of Dark Horse Comics, a comic book publication company based in Milwaukie, Oregon.-Career:...
to republish in archival hardcover form all 285 total issues of the original Creepy and Eerie. The first archival volume Creepy release date was August 2008, the second December 2008, with additional releases planned every four months. The first archival volume Eerie release date was March, 15, 2009, with additional releases every four months. In addition, Dark Horse and New Comic Company launched the new Creepy comic magazine in June 2009.
Feature film, television and Internet project developments are underway.
Recurring characters and series
Unlike its companion magazine, Creepy, which relied on stand alone anthology stories, Eerie would eventually become dominated by continuing series. This started with issue 39 in April 1972 with the series 'Dax the Warrior', which would run for 12 issues. By issue 48 in June 1973 most if not all of each issue contained continuing series. Initially the serials in Eerie were based on famous horror characters including Dracula, the Werewolf and the Mummy. Eventually they were replaced with original characters. Issue 130 was devoted to a huge crossover story with most of the series characters, along with Vampirella. Some of the recurring characters and series that appeared in Eerie include the following:Dax the Warrior - Art and writing by Esteban Maroto. Twelve parts in total, which appeared in issues 39-52. This series was a reprinting of Maroto's Manly, which originally appeared in Spain. It featured the often downbeat adventures of Dax, a powerful warrior. During his travels Dax would encounter many sorcerers, witches, beasts and even Death itself. Ten out of twelve parts were reprinted in issue 59, and were heavily rewritten by writer Budd Lewis, who renamed the serial Dax the Damned.
The Mummy Walks - Art by Jaime Brocal, and written by Steve Skeates. Six parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-54. It starred Jerome Curry, a "warped and lowly man" in turn of the century Boston who was able to use the body of an Egyptian mummy using an amulet. The entire series was reprinted in issue 78.
Curse of the Werewolf - Originally written by Al Milgrom, with art by Bill Dubay and Rich Buckler
Rich Buckler
Rich Buckler is an American comic book artist and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four in the mid-1970s and, with writer Doug Moench, co-creating the character Deathlok in Astonishing Tales #25...
. After the first two parts, the artists were replaced by artist Martin Salvador. Milgrom would eventually be replaced as writer by Steve Skeates. This series had seven parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-56. This series and "The Mummy Walks" were combined for a three part series titled And the Mummies Walk in issues 61-63, with art by Joaquin Blazquez.
Dracula - Art by Tom Sutton, and written by Bill Dubay. This series featured a Dracula character that had originally been developed in Vampirella. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 46-48. An additional 3 part series starring Dracula would appear in Vampirella in issues 39-41.
Dr. Archaeus - Art by Isidro Mones, and written by Gerry Boudreau. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 54-61. This series revolved around a man who had been sentenced to death, but survived his hanging and sought revenge on the jury, killing them in a manner inspired by the 12 days of Christmas.
Hunter - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Rich Margopoulos, Budd Lewis and Bill Dubay. Six parts in total, appearing in issues 52-57. Set in a near-future world devastated by nuclear war, it features Damien Hunter, a half man, half demon who seeks to destroy all the demons on Earth, including his father Oephal. The entire series would be reprinted in issue 69. Although Hunter died in the final part, a sequel featuring a new character titled Hunter II appeared in issues 67, 68, 70-72, and 101. A "Hunter III" spoof appeared in #87.
Schreck - Art by Vicente Alcazar and Neal Adams (first appearance only), and written by Doug Moench. Four parts in total, appearing in issues 53-55. Radiation from nuclear testing causes mutations to occur to many people on Earth, turning them into bloodthirsty zombies. Inspired by the movie The Omega Man
The Omega Man
The Omega Man is a 1971 American science fiction film directed by Boris Sagal and starring Charlton Heston. It is based on the novel I Am Legend by American writer Richard Matheson...
. The title character would later re-appear in the later "Hunter" series toward its end.
Child - Art by Richard Corben, and written by Greg Potter and Budd Lewis (last part only). A retelling of the Frankenstein story, with the monster being a child-like creature. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 57-60.
The Spook - Originally written by Doug Moench, with art by Esteban Maroto. They would be replaced by writer Budd Lewis and artist Leopold Sanchez after the first few stories. This series explored slavery and race relations in the Old South by charting the adventures of a proud black zombie in the 1800s. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 57-66. A spinoff story titled 'Papa Voodoo' appeared in issue 67.
Night of the Jackass - Art by José Ortiz, and written by Bruce Bezaire. Four parts in total, in issues 60-65. The story features a drug, Hyde 25(m), which causes anyone who uses it to become a powerful monster, but brings death after 24 hours. All four parts would be reprinted in issue 115.
Exterminator One - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Bill Dubay. Three parts in total, in issues 60-64. Features a cyborg assassin known as Exterminator One. Two additional stories in the Exterminator series that featured other characters appeared in issues 58 and 61, and an Exterminator would also appear in the "Hunter II" series.
Apocalypse - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. Four parts in total, in issues 61-65. Features the four horsemen of the Apocalypse - War, Famine, Plague and Death.
Coffin - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. In the Old West, Coffin is a well-meaning "dude" from back East who mistakenly attacks a Native American village. Coffin received false information that the tribe attacked a stagecoach he was on. After being captured, he is staked to the ground and horrifically mutilated. He is then cursed by the last remaining Native American to live forever, and spends the remainder of the series trying to redeem himself and find a way to die. Four parts in total, in issues 61, 67, 68 and 70.
External links
- An Eerie Tale
- Arndt, Richard J. "The Warren Magazines: Interviews" (requires scrolling down). February 3, 2010 update with nine interviews. Accessed 22 September 2010. WebCitation archive.
- Arndt, Richard J. "The Warren Magazines" (includes annotated checklist), EnjolrasWorld.com, July 3, 2005. WebCitation archive.
- The Warren Companion, published by TwoMorrows Publishing