Tag: Tales from the Crypt

Paper Cuts: Tribute to Berni Wrightson

Post author By Ryan Mount
Post date April 23, 2017
No Comments on Paper Cuts: Tribute to Berni Wrightson

Papercuts: Bernie Wrightson Tribute

By Ryan “HB” Mount

Recently comics and especially horror comics lost one of the all-time greats in Bernie Wrightson. If you ever read an old issue of Creepy or Eerie, or an older issue of Tales of the Crypt, you would have seen Bernie Wrightson’s work. He and writer Len Wein also created Swamp Thing in the pages of DC Comics’ House of Secrets.

He had an incredible nearly 50-year long career in comics spanning from the late 1960’s until just this past year.

We decided to do some back-bin issue diving and celebrate and review some of Wrightson’s work.

Frankenstein Alive, Alive! #1 (IDW)

Wrightson published the definitive comics adaptation of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein back in 1983 for Marvel Comics. This series, which began publishing in 2012, was billed as the sequel to Frankenstein.

Very often when sequels are so announced to classic years later, they tend to fall flat or feel uninspired. Once you open to the first page of this book, this is one of those rare cases of being able to go home again.

While the story was well written by Steve Niles, the true masterwork is Wrightston’s beautiful and haunting black and white art work. The art in here was meant to be looked and pondered over as each page is filled with incredible detail. Although, there is plenty of black ink on the page, there are enough pencil lines showing through that make this book pop as much as any colored book on the stand of today.

The series only lasted 3 issues until Wrightston fell too ill to continue work on it. It is hard to know the future of this without him, but these three issues are worth the read and should be added to any horror, Frankenstein, or even comics fan and collector.

Ratings: 5 out of 5

Bernie Wrightson: Master of the Macabre! #1 (Pacific Comics)

A perfect horror anthology. One tale of Frankenstein. One of a lake monster and the monster of a man who hunts him. And a rendering of an Edgar Allen Poe’s Black Cat.

While these are all tales of horror, Wrightston again shows that his style can fit into anything from 1890’s horror to “modern times.” There is not a single wasted or rushed space in every panel. While the coloring does seem to date the book a little, the artwork still really shines through the 1980’s coloring techniques.

Ratings: 5 out of 5

The Masterworks Series of Great Comic Book Artists: Berni Wrightson #3 (DC)

Out of all the Berni Wrightson books reviewed, this is the only one that seemed like a slight misstep.

While the artwork remained top notch, the writing of each story was bogged down in an overabundance of text boxes. It a progressive build on text as well as each tale went on. The first tale of the sculptor and his wife sits next to any great stories, but then once the next two stories got rolling, they had so much text on the page that it took away from even the brilliant artwork.

Ratings: 2.5 out of 5

Quick Cuts:

The Weird #1 (DC) – The title says it all. Ratings: 3.5 out of 5

Batman: The Cult Book One: Ordeal (DC) – An off the beaten path tale for Batman. One of the scariest Joker renderings ever. Ratings: 3 out of 5

Tales From the Crypt #2 (Super Genuis/Papercutz) –There is one Wrightson reprint and one lost tale. Two other short stories, one great, one not so much. The Wrightston work alone is worth picking this up. Ratings: 3.5 out of 5

Bernie Wrightson: Master of the Macabre #2 (Pacific Comics) – Another classic. Features a HP Lovecraft tale. Ratings: 4 out of 5

Bernie Wrightson: Master of the Macabre #3 (Pacific Comics) – Monsters under the bed. Monsters on space planets. And a cautionary and creepy tale made for the Twilight Zone. Ratings: 4 out of 5

Thank you for those who stuck with the column while I had to take a small break. We are back with a regular schedule.

If you like what you read, please like and share this post. If you have a favorite Berni Wrightson work, make sure to tweet @hebruise and tell us all about it! When I am not writing for horror-writers.com you can also find some work I do over at twoheadednerd.com

Tags Batman: The Cult, Berni Wrightston, Frankenstein, Frankenstein Alive Alive, Macabre, Master of the Macabre, Starlin, Tales from the Crypt, The Weird

Archives Posts Renfield's Re-Collections

Renfield’s Re-Collections part 5 (Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Surf The Web!)

Post author By Renfield Rasputin
Post date May 20, 2014

Hell-come to another chapter in Renfield’s Re-Collections. The only site on the ‘ole interweb that gives you an education at the same time as providing you with the coolest horror collectibles that would make you wanna slap yo momma! You crazy young kids just can’t get enough of this crap can you? I understand, it’s just like how I can’t get enough crap in my horror collectible collection. Well this week I’m coming back at ya at full Gothspeed! So crank up the Rot ‘N Roll music that your parents love hate and fasten your seat belts for this trip down this memory from hell! I’ve been in the shopping mood as of late and I’ve listed a few extra items for ya this week.

As always, Horror-Writers.net nor I have anything to do with the sellers of these items nor do we make any money off of the sale or profit of these items. Unfortunately.

Psychomania on VHS

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Psychomania-1971-cult-classic-motorcycle-movie-VHS-/360279712805?pt=VHS&hash=item53e2582425#ht_701wt_955

First off, it was released in 1973, not 1971. Secondly it was released in the US under the title of “The Death Riders”. This fucked up British B-movie is about a satanic youth biker gang (called the Living Dead) on some pieces of shit bikes that look like the Honda Rebel and a Triumph had a bastard baby, that commits suicide so that they can come back to life (no zombie make up here) because they find the power of Satan through a mystical pet frog. (I said it was fucked up!) I remember walking into the living room when I was about five and caught a glimpse of this flick as my grandparents (of all people) were watching it. I guess I walked in at the wrong time (or right time depending on how you take it) and saw the image of one of the bikers committing suicide by taking a swan dive off a freeway overpass. That screwed me up for weeks. The music was cheesy, (it was 1973), and the cinematography is…well it was 1973. But the thing that will stick with you is the badass skull helmets! It’s dumb fun and I’ve seen worse…But still, a fucking frog?

Don’t spend more than $5 on a copy, I don’t care if it is comes with a magical frog!

Return of the Living Dead TarMan Figure

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RETURN-OF-THE-LVING-DEAD-TARMAN-FIGURE-RARE-George-A-Romero-zombie-horror-/161079857862?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item25811b92c6#ht_559wt_955

Was this the first time we heard a zombie actually say something other than “ZZZAAAHHHGGHTTTHH!” I remember seeing this thing come out of the barrel and scream “BRRRAAAAIIIINNNSSS” and “MOOORRRE BRRRAAAAIIIINNNSSS” I was out the door! This is a rare figure, (not exactly museum rare) and was released only a couple of years ago so it isn’t exactly vintage. But you have to admit that it is cooler than hell! Amok Time made toys that were focused on the adult crowd and not intended for anyone under 18. This item comes with Trioxin container and bitten brain; it has a beautiful diorama for display (if it were to be opened). Send more paramedics!

A going price is $30 for a mint, carded figure.

Tales from the Crypt Animated Crypt Keeper

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tales-from-the-Crypt-Electric-Chair-Keeper-Prop-Animatronic-Halloween-Horror-/331200114313?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item4d1d10ae89#ht_41wt_1193

Damn, I really wanted one of these back in the late 90’s! I think I might put an offer down so if I find out that any of you dear readers outbid me…Clap and the old bastard shakes in his electric chair while laughing maniacally as the Tesla coils mounted above him light up. This toy was released around the time to celebrate the rerelease of Tales from the Crypt on video. Crypt Keeper shit was everywhere back then. Another toy released by the same maker at the time was a Crypt Keeper Candelabra, but the electric light bulb was a bitch to replace when it went out. This toy was not as popular but it held up longer. If you can find one grab it, because everyone needs a toy that electrocutes an old man chained to a chair.

I’ve seen most of these go for about $25-$30. This one comes with the original box so I would set the price higher.

Friday the 13^th Jason and Victim Spitballs 1989 Entertech

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Rare-Enetertech-Jason-Vorhees-Victim-Spitballs-Horror-Friday-the-13th-MOC-/291136018076?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item43c90f169c#ht_2897wt_955

So I was looking through my collection of stuff the other day and found these. I decided to include them in this Re-Collection because these are just too damn cool! And yes, I did get mine from Kmart as well! I haven’t seen many of these at all since then so they are a hard find. Here’s the deal. Slasher movies are at the top of their game at the time, and everyone from Nintendo to Mattel is trying to cash in on the merchandising. Enter Entertech. A now defunct electric water gun company who wanted a piece of the action, so they acquire the rights to not only Friday the 13^th but Nightmare on Elm Street so that they can make Jason and Victim, as well as Freddy and Victim squirting water balls. Just squeeze ole hockey head while under water and fill, and then squeeze him again to watch him spit water up to 18ft! (I never really measured but I’ll say it was probably true.) I loved the packaging. Here it was in 1989 and the main picture is Jason from part 3 (1982) and the back picture is Zombie Jason from part 7 (1988). Not only was that, but the “blood” across the face of the victim painted in pink rather than red. (Thanks, American Family Association for screwing something else up.)

I would suggest not paying more than $30 for a mint carded find, and $15 for loose.

Vintage Freddy Krueger Glove 1984

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1984-FREDDYS-GLOVE-Nightmare-On-Elm-Street-Halloween-TOY-RARE-/321400017519?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item4ad4ef126f#ht_848wt_955

I have owned several replicas of “the glove” over the years but this is the first and the original still on the card! Many knock-offs have been made over the years but this one actually has the trademark stamped under the metacarpal shield. Again the parent groups had to over emphasize twice, two different ways that the blades were not sharp (see green sticker) as if it wasn’t obvious by the cheap and not-so-shiny plastic color of the blades. It is deemed “horribly” authentic but yet the ball at the end of the cinch wasn’t painted red (said in the most sardonic “gotcha” voice). That same year the first Freddy mask came out made of latex with a foam hat. Only problem was…no one made the sweater at this point. I get that someone would want to be Freddy for Halloween, but did they anyone actually think that they were really just going as a child molesting killer? Your therapist called…he needs you to come in ASAP.

My Pet Monster Plush Toy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-MY-PET-MONSTER-WITH-HANDCUFFS-COMPLETE-/181412226697?pt=Stuffed_Animals_US&hash=item2a3d02e689#ht_23wt_1193

Thank Goth I was too old for this shit when it came out. I thought it was a good idea that they were releasing monster plushes rather than stupid animals for kids to carry around but even still, I would have preferred something like a werewolf or creature to carry around. I mean, if you are going to look like you have problems, make it respectable. This thing was released in 1986 by American Greetings Co. and was targeted to boys as well as girls, but you know who bought it mostly. I thought that the thing looked like a rejected Muppet if you ask me! Complete with handcuffs,…(WTF?) the maker found a way of putting the creature in every household by simultaneously running an animated series on Saturday mornings. The toy was popular for awhile but then retired, only to find it rejuvenated as a talking version 20 years later. Mattel tried to release a competitive version but it was quickly discontinued. Apparently no one wanted to play with a plush Herpes Simplex virus.

Renfield Rasputin knows that he’s a horror celeb when Wednesday 13 impersonates him in his “Get Your Grave On” video.

Tags Crypt Keeper, Freddy Krueger Glove, Friday the 13th, Horror, My Pet Monster, Psychomania, Return of the Living Dead, Tales from the Crypt, Tarman

Archives Posts Renfield's Re-Collections

Renfield’s Re-Collections part 4 (The Threat is real!)

Post author By Renfield Rasputin
Post date April 24, 2014

Greetings and salivations all you bulbous boils and ghastly ghouls!

I want to “Hell-come” you back for another chapter of useless horror information that no one knows better than this grave robber right here! It is starting to cook outside in the Texas heat, so I’ve taken to going inside and online for a little entertainment. Once again like a Bigfoot hunter, I have been searching for the mythical, the strange, and the all elusive horror collectibles that the old innerweb has to offer for sale. So sit back, grab your favorite cool drink, and sink like the Titanic into this week’s lesson of horror collectibles.

As always, Horror Writers and Renfield Rasputin are not associated with the sellers of the featured items and do not retain any interest or profit from the sale of such. Unfortunately…

Antique William Fuld “Talking” Wooden Ouija Board

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-OLD-ANTIQUE-WILLIAM-FULD-WOOD-OUIJA-BOARD-/141237626694?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276#ht_60wt_1121

The concept of Ouija boards goes all the way back to the 1890s when it was developed as a parlor game by a businessman who thought to market it since supernatural gatherings such as séances were all the rage at the time. William Fuld, an employee of the company that first patented the board, is credited for the mass production of the commonly used board that we know of today. He coined the term “Ouija” from a combination of the French and German word for “yes”. He later high jacked the patent, changed the story of the history, claimed he invented the board, and retained the profits. He spent the rest of his days suing for copyright infringements. The joke was on him, when his heirs sold off the board’s trademark to Parker Brothers in 1966, when mass production started and later to toy maker, Hasbro, the maker of the board that you can buy today in Wal-Mart. (Sigh.) There is not a real way of determining whether a board is an actual William Fuld. While many religious groups have protested the manufacturing of the board over the world, it still remains a popular selling toy today. The price for a pre-Parker Brothers board varies on condition.

Tales from the Crypt Comic #46 EC Comics

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TALES-FROM-THE-CRYPT-46-1954-SCARCE-LAST-ISSUE-/380759385040?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item58a70723d0#ht_5317wt_1193

Between Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, and the Haunt of Fear, plus the variety of small publishers that were contributing to childhood “delinquency” in the 1950’s, these are the culprits that lead to the Comic Code of 1954. Passed by councils in Houston (I’m scratching my head right now since this is my hometown) but ruled unconstitutional by councils in L.A. (again scratching my head at that one). The code didn’t allow the words “horror” or “terror”. It also said there is to be no vampires, werewolves, corpses, anything that could be understood as sexual perversion, or anywhere that bad would triumph over evil (Seriously? Did anyone tell Disney about this?) This lead to publishers printing their publications in a larger size format and passing them off as “magazines” (Ah! Loophole! Duh-duh-duuuhhhhnnn!) The code went south in 2001 as led by Marvel, then DC 10 years later, and finally Archie comics just recently (Probably just so Jughead could finally catch a glimpse at Veronica’s boobs in the Riverdale girl’s locker room.) With iconic cover art and stories hosted by the puns-a-plenty Ghoulunatics, the “Crypt Keeper” (a more living version than HBO’s), “The Old Witch”, and “The Vault-Keeper” (each shared hosting duties to their sister titles). Many of the stories were made into the HBO production television series. The series was short lived due to the code but revived again as re-releases in the 90’s. #46 is the last issue to be released. Expect to pay top dollar for any of the original issues despite their condition.

Boglins “Bog O Bones” Halloween Edition Puppet

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bog-O-Bones-Halloween-Boglins-Rare-Vintage-Hand-Puppet-Special-Edition-1987-/181388197192?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a3b943d48#ht_180wt_1193

Oh my Goth! Oh, how I always wanted a Boglin (and still do as I don’t have one yet.) These were latex creature puppet from Mattel that were released in 1987. Due to the popularity of creature films at the time such as Gremlins and Ghoulies, these puppets sold rather well. The child would insert their hand under the tail and control the life-like eyes and mouth. There were three different styles to choose from and you could learn about your little boglin as their taxonomy was written on the back of their “crate”. I have to admit that I’ve never actually seen a Halloween version, only heard of them. Just as the hairy Boglins, ones that came in a toilet container of slime, the weeping pustule Boglins, they are scarce today! Boglins saw a re-release twenty years later but didn’t sell as well. The “creature” fad had left kids and they had moved on to something stupid like transforming enourmous robots or stupid wads of Fur believed to repeat your phrases so something very uncool like that. I know that it is a little odd that a grown man wants to insert his hand up a latex creature’s ass, so don’t judge me! Boglins in good shape complete with their crate will go for about $40.

Frankenstein Cookie Jar Limited edition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frankenstein-Limited-Edition-Gallery-Cookie-Jar-by-Treasure-Craft-/231208439227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d518cdbb#ht_780wt_955

Yeah…I own one; and a Wolfman one as well! Had to throw that in there just to impress all the dead chicks! This jar was released in 1997 to prepare for 65^th the anniversary of Universal Monsters. There was a Dracula, the Mummy (hardest to find), Wolfman, and the Frankenstein one. Each piece was limited to only 1000 pieces. Treasure Craft was a huge company for collectible cookie jars since they had the rights to make such characters as Dennis the Menace, Mickey Mouse, and Kermit the Frog. I’m sorry, I’m trying to figure out how to tie in a Cookie Monster joke here. Cookie…Monster,…as in horror? Get it? See what I did right there? Nevermind, I’ve got nothing. I’ll be standing over there if anyone needs me. Due to such a limited production, each piece can fetch $90 easily.

Well, that is all for this week. Check back with me next week when I go dumpster diving through someone’s casket and critique their cheap costume jewelry, fake mink stows, and faux velvet lining.

Until you call on the dark,

Renfield Rasputin

Renfield Rasputin can’t think of a clever joke this week…So, there’s that.

Follow Renfield on Twitter at @renfieldrasputi (since his whole name doesn’t fit) and watch him drag the horror-writers.net Facebook page into ground since some genius thought it was a good idea for him to run it.

Tags Frankenstein cookie jar, Horror, Ouija, Tales from the Crypt