• 19Sep 09

  CREEPSHOW: For the treat that is Halloween

  Only the most crossed eyed horror fan has not heard or experienced the phenomenon of the classic E.C. horror stories. Drawn by comic legends such as Jack Davis and Graham Ingles and written by Gaines and Feldstein, to name but a few, these books showcased tales of freaks, monsters and revenge served squishy. The books included the legendary Tales from the Crypt and the Haunt of Fear, and carried on a tradition of horror that entertained young ones and intimidated wary parents. Hosted by the likes of the Crypt Keeper and the Old Hag, these stories were horrific, atmospheric and fun. The tales always dealt out suffering to the guilty and was loaded with social commentary. It was unsurprising the outrageousness had a short ride. With the "Seduction of the Innocent" published in 1953, Dr.Wertham's puritanical assault on these type of books, with the E.C.'s as the focus, were portrayed as degenerate fodder that would corrupt youth to acts of murder and delinquency. The EC comics faded into history as the Comic Code appeared, only retaining a Mad market share, but the "damage" had been done. Many a child was inspired by the tales presented in the horrific comics, and some of these corrupted youths grew to adulthood to become horror-meisters of their own right. Stephen King and George Romero came from the generation that was present in the stores when the classic comics were originally released. The mutual product of their fond memories was the Laurel production of Creepshow. The entertaining horror film had a campy E.C. style that emulated the look and feel of the books. With stellar work by Tom Savini, tongue in cheek writing by King, and stylish direction by Romero; the film is one of the best examples of the anthology terror tale format, right up there with Dead of Night. A little known graphic novel was released at the same time as the film. Rare and little seen, it stands as a beautiful piece of cross merchandising that every fan of horror and art should seek out and enjoy.

  

  Written by King and illustrated by the legend, Berni Wrightson; the Creepshow comic book retains the reverence to the E.C.'s and keeps the concept closer to the source. The cover is even done by E.C. stalwart Jack Kamen. This is not the comic that makes varied appearances throughout the film. This work is a graphic novel of high quality. Published right alongside the film in 1982 by Plume Books, the tales from the film are faithfully retold in the graphic novel format. Father's Day, The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill, The Crate, Something to Tide You Over and They're Creeping Up On You are all included with all the glee and sarcasm that is evident in the film. The filler story from the film of the boy who ends up being a real pain in his father's neck is absent from the novel, a type of tactic that E.C. never really employed. Present is a horror host who only creeps in momentarily but becomes the rotting host of the whole recollection. With pathetic puns and awful alliteration, the Creep hams his/her/it's way through the book with a nod to all that is E.C. While having a generally darker tone to it, the book is noble in its homage and King presents his take on the typical Tales from the Crypt type stories of zombies, adultery and southern stupidity. Berni Wrightson had been illustrating horror for years when he got the gig to compose the Creepshow book. He was certainly not a rookie in the realm of horror anthologies. He had done many a splash page for mags such as House of Mystery and the Witching Hour, and put together his own sets such as Badtime Stories. While his masterpiece that would become Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus was still 1 year from being published, his work in Creepshow is both competent and theatrical. The panel showing Billie the casty nunt, get her face chomped off is the stuff of horror legend, and seeing Jordil Verril portrayed as a square-jawed farm boy as opposed to the soft, and amateur King is far easily digestible. Cinematic in the portrayal, each panel contain the Wrightson technique and attention to detail and control. More graphic than the E.C. originals, the spirit of those books is still firmly present. The colors, which are done by Michelle Wrightson, retain the garish qualities present in the cheap old school comics this film/book pays respect too. As a complete package, the graphic novel of Creepshow is loaded with adulation, creativity and respect.
  With the crapfest Creepshow 3 recently released by the same company that puked out the crappy Day of the Dead 2: Contagion; it does a fan good to get to the root of the franchise. The graphic novel acts as King and Wrightson's vision of E.C. naughtiness; reassessed, repackaged and thrown out under the radar for the grue of heart to uncover. Re-issued by Plume in 1990, used copies can be found on Amazon for under $40. In a day when good compilations are rare and nearly impossible to find of this quality, this is a work of all that is creepy, spooky and just plain gross. This book is the product of two artists intent on sharing their perspective of glossed up pop references, heartfelt homage and biting social revenge vibes...This is one book not to be passed up this Halloween season.
  
  

  • Posted Sep 19, 2009 8:19 pm GMT
  • 1 Comment
  • Tag
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Tweet
• 3Nov 08

  Bring on the Recession, Bring on the Games!

  During the Great Depression, people needed to escape. They really couldn't go anywhere, be it they were piss poor, so they scraped together some change and went to the movies.

  (of note...this is my LINK HEAVY blog)

  I really can't say if that statement is true, as I wasn't even a twinkle of a twinkle of my grandpappy's baby eye. What I can say is I have heard about the success of the Marx Bros. and the Universal Monster craze...all products of the dust bowl times.

  
  
  
  
  This article has gots it...

  I see the interest in videogames all around me. A DS hovers by, through a window i see some COD 4 rock'in...I can hear the twangs of Guitar Hero mingling with sounds of the city. People need to fill their time and distract themselves from the sucky, economic situation.What better way to spend the wallowing days than blasting some baddies and eating something greasy(...because greasy things are cheap...no?). It doesn't cost an arm and a leg, especially with the bargin bin deals and discount titles. Time will tell how sales hold up for games through X-Mas, but at the rate things are going, such as the Wii sales , it looks as though the gaming industry may be able to weather the economic storm. Of course there are layoffs and cutbacks, but it seems the tech industry is something that has gained some strong roots. The industry is just over 30 years old, but it has grown and evolved into one of the major entertainment sectors in the world today. The video-gaming industry has arguably bested the movie theatres in terms of revenue. Games are a way of life, and an occupier of time. The satisfaction derived from a great game-on experience, acts like a drug. Gamers want more! They will steal from their momma to get's some! Recessesion be damned! Gamers will always find the scratch to get the game. I think the act of gaming on is firmly entrenched in the hearts of gamers, and they are willing to scrape the piggy-bank to get an escapist game-on experience in the security of their homes. At least in the privacy of their own home, joystick in hand, they can selfishly feel sorry for themselves because they have no money. Gaming-On is here to stay!!!

  • Posted Nov 3, 2008 10:18 am GMT
  • 1 Comment
  • Tag
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Tweet
• 5Sep 08

  Game-On Lesson 3

  Girlfriends and Gaming

  

  First things first....be prepared for the fact that after my lesson, your g-friend will be hogging the system endlessly. There is no half-way for women....it is all or nothin'!

  Step 1: Place an Ikea catalogue on the gaming system itself. This will ease her transition to acknowledging the existence of the mass of game-on hardware that exists within your living environment. Her joy at snagging the Ikea (latest edition of course) mag will overwhelm the shocking reality of revealing the game system lounging underneath. This reward-shock tactic will ease her into acceptance.

  Step 2: Be sure the system is tip-top clean. Women hate to fondle filthy things. An option would be to give the system a light spray with rose oil or some other fragrant scent. This will lure her to want to make contact with the game system.

  Step 3: Start her out with a real funnsy. You know...Something like, You Don't Know Jack(one NOT 2) or Guitar Hero. Don't be dumping the Halo's or Disgaea's on her too early. These type of hard-core games can have a long term detrimental effect on your g-friends mind. First Impressions are huge and if she is exposed to the hardcore too early, she will reinforce the cliches in her mind that all games are violent and masturbatory male fantasies manifest. Ease her into gaming, make her feel the fun. They like feeling....most of the time.

  Step 4: Make it a super-fun experience. Maybe feed her some Gin(or black-cherry soda pop....if so inclined) and nice lil' snacks. Make it into a pleasant experience for both of you. This will leave the good first-impression that will stay with her. Throw some romance into the mix. If playing a Wii or a more active game like Rock Band, be sure to give her the 'ole bump rub. You know the move....you gently bump up against her and make a smooth transition to a rub on her side, back, shoulder, arm....where ever. All this bonding while she is gaming will make her want to game-on more.

  You must be consistent in the fun-factor, and hold off on dragging her through hardcore games. A woman watching you try to level up to 9999, will only make her resent the system and cut you off! Women love attention, and if you are focused on a game while not paying mind to her, she will rebel. Show her the good time gaming together can be, and she will want to share that with you on a regular basis.

  I believe you can follow these steps to gaming bliss, but like I mentioned...be aware that you may release a gaming oni. She may take to the whole game-on ness like a louse to a hippie. You are opening up a Pandora's Box, so try to instill in her mind the game fun through co operative play. This will steer her away from becoming a game junkie. If she does become an addict, there is only one joystick in the pad that will get any play.

  • Posted Sep 5, 2008 10:32 am GMT
  • Category: Relationships
  • 0 Comments
  • Tag
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Tweet

See Previous Blog Posts »