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22 December 2023
The term "horror" has meant different things in the world of comic books over the years. In the ‘50s, EC Comics published truly horrific stories in such titles as Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror. The stories were so violent, they were targeted as a corrupting force in society, and the Comics Code Authority was created to “save the children.”
In the ‘60s, horror comics were really monster comics. They are known today as “Kirby Monsters”, since artistic trailblazer Jack "King" Kirby created and drew such formidable baddies as Groot the Monster from Planet X, and Grottu, King of the Insects. Big and destructive. "Safe" for kids. Largely forgettable, but nonetheless fun.
The ‘80s gave us Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, among others, which lead to edgier comics such as Hellblazer and Neil Gaiman's Sandman. Those lead to the ‘90s debut of an entire line of mature reader "horror" comics under the Vertigo (DC) banner. Vertigo still functions today as a home for some of those "darker" titles, but has branched off into crime fiction, sci-fi and the bizarre.
So, why did I skip the ‘70s? Well, I was seven-years-old in the mid-seventies, and I was discovering comics for the first time. DC published House of Mystery and Witching Hour. True horror stories in an EC style. To be honest, the covers alone frightened me.
Marvel made monsters into superheroes. Werewolf by Night was about a "good" wolfman. Morbius was a LIVING vampire. Ghost Rider had a flaming skull, but also a really neat-o motorcycle. Even Tomb of Dracula was as much about vampire hunters (like some guy named “Blade”) as old Vlad himself. But, my favorite was the Son of Satan.
Even now I admit to being amazed my mom had no problem with me reading a comic featuring the Devil's pride and joy. Actually, Daimon Hellstrom was not a chip off Lucifer's block. He was a tortured soul who fought his dark side with his trusty trident that shot hellfire. His chest was emblazoned with a pentagram where Superman's "S" usually sits. He even had a cape, fangs, and a spit curl that resembled horns. And no Batmobile for this guy: Daimon could conjure three fiery horses and a chariot that could carry him faster than a bat out of you-know-where.
The Son of Satan. A comic I truly believed would not get me in trouble if I smuggled it into Sunday School. I could always say the Devil made me-- nah.
In the ‘60s, horror comics were really monster comics. They are known today as “Kirby Monsters”, since artistic trailblazer Jack "King" Kirby created and drew such formidable baddies as Groot the Monster from Planet X, and Grottu, King of the Insects. Big and destructive. "Safe" for kids. Largely forgettable, but nonetheless fun.
The ‘80s gave us Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, among others, which lead to edgier comics such as Hellblazer and Neil Gaiman's Sandman. Those lead to the ‘90s debut of an entire line of mature reader "horror" comics under the Vertigo (DC) banner. Vertigo still functions today as a home for some of those "darker" titles, but has branched off into crime fiction, sci-fi and the bizarre.
So, why did I skip the ‘70s? Well, I was seven-years-old in the mid-seventies, and I was discovering comics for the first time. DC published House of Mystery and Witching Hour. True horror stories in an EC style. To be honest, the covers alone frightened me.
Marvel made monsters into superheroes. Werewolf by Night was about a "good" wolfman. Morbius was a LIVING vampire. Ghost Rider had a flaming skull, but also a really neat-o motorcycle. Even Tomb of Dracula was as much about vampire hunters (like some guy named “Blade”) as old Vlad himself. But, my favorite was the Son of Satan.
Even now I admit to being amazed my mom had no problem with me reading a comic featuring the Devil's pride and joy. Actually, Daimon Hellstrom was not a chip off Lucifer's block. He was a tortured soul who fought his dark side with his trusty trident that shot hellfire. His chest was emblazoned with a pentagram where Superman's "S" usually sits. He even had a cape, fangs, and a spit curl that resembled horns. And no Batmobile for this guy: Daimon could conjure three fiery horses and a chariot that could carry him faster than a bat out of you-know-where.
The Son of Satan. A comic I truly believed would not get me in trouble if I smuggled it into Sunday School. I could always say the Devil made me-- nah.
artid
928
Old Image
5_2_longbox.swf
issue
vol 5 - issue 02 (oct 2002)
section
entertainmental