By Berni Wrightson & various (Mother of Pearl)
ISBN: 0-937848-00-X
I was reviewing the first Un-Men collection (Get Your Freak On!- ISBN: 978-1-84576-748-8) when I decided to simultaneously – and gratuitously – revisit the classic Swamp Thing: it’s odd how your day will take you because I then thought about the rarer stuff that Wrightson did when he was just breaking into the business…
Towards the end of the turbulent 1960s a lot of fresh talent was trying to break into the comics industry in America. Moreover at that time a number of publishers were experimenting with cheaper black and white magazines rather than four-colour comic books. Companies like Warren, Skywald and a small host of imitators were hiring kids who then honed their craft in public.
Some of those neophytes, Bruce Jones, Mike Kaluta and Jeff Jones, as well as Wrightson, all got a chance to grow, and more importantly, by actually drawing pastiches of the EC Comics they had revelled in as youngsters – a market that the comics mainstream scorned. At least at that moment in time…
Culled from various sources this book reprints a number of those fledgling horror, Sci Fi and fantasy tales, showing the sheer skill and virtuosity of the artist. With occasional scripts from Terry Bisson, Dick Kenson, Virgil North and David Izzo, these are primarily self-penned as well as illustrated novelettes. Mother Toad, The Task, the assorted adventures of Limstrel, The Game That Plays You, A Case of Conscience, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Stake Out, The Reaper of Love, Out on a Limb, Conjure Woman, Maudlin Love Comix, Nosferatu, Ghastly Horror Comix, and a delightful untitled pantomimic horror spoof all conclusively display the astounding talent of the young Wrightson, and most importantly his devilishly wicked sense of humour.
Also included is an incredible 17 page portfolio section which even has a selection from his seminal Frankenstein adaptation. Simply as a casual read this would be a fine book to own, but as a chronology of the development of one of the industry’s finest talents it is indispensable. Someone, somewhere take note and republish this book!
© 1966-1980 Berni Wrightson. Introduction © 1977, 1980 Bruce Jones. All Rights Reserved.