More pre-code comics from PS Publishing

British publisher PS Publishing have produced many hardback collections of various pre-code American horror comics, and here are two new books to add to your collections. 

Pre-Code Classics: Adventures Into Darkness

The covers alone in this baby are worth the price of admission . . . Alex Toth, Jerry Grandenetti plus, for fans of DC’s MY GREATEST ADVENTURE, Ruben Moreira— comics just don’t come no better than this, folks.

                 

Standard Comics did not believe in #1 issues. They were convinced that comics sold better if they appeared to have been around for a while, and therefore they started all their horror titles with #5, each lasting about ten issues of fairly well-done E.C. imitations.

About 'Adventures Into Darkness'

Artists include George Roussos, Alex Toth, Art Saaf, Ruben Moreira, John Celardo, Jack Katz, George Tuska, Ralph Mayo and Charles Sultan.

This first volume features the Standard Comics issues of Adventures Into Darkness, Issues 5-9 August 1952 – April 1953.

Now available for pre-order!

Limited to just 1000 copies and split across two editions, this book is available to order through PS Publishing at this link:

http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-adventures-into-darkness--volume-1-4313-p.asp

Pre-Code Classics: Fantastic Words / Lost Worlds

Marauding winged men, dishy dolls with back-packs and ray guns, blazing interplanetary rocket ships and grumpy flora and fauna - this one has it all! Outer space as it should be, courtesy of the greatest comicbook writers and artists of the 1950’s. Be there or be square space-folks!

Artists include John Celardo, Alex Toth, Murphy Anderson, George Roussos, Art Saaf, Ralph Mayo, Ross Andru, Jon L. Blummer and Mike Peppe.

About Fantastic Worlds / Lost Worlds

This single volume contains FANTASTIC WORLDS - issues #5 - #7 September 1952 to January 1953  and LOST WORLDS - issues #5 - #6 October 1952 to December 1952.

Now available for pre-order!

Limited to just 1000 copies and split across two editions, this book is available to order through PS Publishing at this link:

http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-fantastic-worlds--lost-worlds--volume-1-4310-p.asp

New books from PS Publishing

British publisher PS Publishing continue with their mission to bring obscure (and not so obscure) pre-code 1950s American comics back into print with two new hardback collections. Rather than me waffle on about how good they are, I'm publishing their press release here for you...

A Quick Note From The Top Dawg....

Well, you've heard it before though not from us--but it's official. Less is most assuredly more, certainly when it comes to the new production process on our popular series of reprint comicbook volumes resulting in new paper stock that holds the colour perfectly. IN FACT, We're now able to give you pretty damn near 1950-Newsstand quality--it's like you'd gone along to your local Main Street drugstore and pulled 'em right off of the racks. Excelsior!

Of course, there's one tiny snag in as much that, as a direct result of the shenangigans caused by Brexit (Arghhh--sick of hearing that word!) some of the books have reduced page-counts to 180 but we've sliced those down to £29.99 and £36.99 for the bookshop and slipcased editions respectively. Meanwhile, the larger sizes are staying at £36.99 and £44.99. Add to all of that the fact that, cos we're now dealing with a British printer, the boxes will be shipped to us faster. Yessirree, it's a win/win/win situation, folks. We now have some 40 new titles in the production process not to mention the 100+ titles as back stock on Amazon.com.

Don't I keep TELLING ya we loves ya!?

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into your comic shop, here come those PS guys again with another crazy collection of bygone stories and panels set to blow your mind. This time out they’re hitting you with the full run of WORLDS OF FEAR from the magical days of 1952 and featuring artists and writers such as Sheldon Moldoff, Bernard Baily, Bob Powell, George Evans, Mike Sekowsky, Moe Marcus, Bob McCarty, Harry Harrison and Norman Saunders. Crossing horror and SF has never been more enjoyable. Lock the door, flip the tab on a can of soda and delve into those potato chips. It’s a marriage made in Heaven.

Artists include Sheldon Moldoff, Bernard Baily, Bob Powell, George Evans, Mike Sekowsky, Moe Marcus, Bob McCarty, Harry Harrison and Norman Saunders.

Each volume contains between 5 - 6 issues digitally enhanced and faithfully reproduced.

Volume Two features issues 6-10 from September 1952 – June 1953.

Bookshop ISBN: 978-1-78636-060-1

Slipcase ISBN: 978-1-78636-061-8
Page Count: 180 Pages

Dimensions: 260 x 180mm
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-worlds-of-fear-volume-2-4259-p.asp

I never got to see the Tom Corbett TV show but I picked up a couple or maybe two of the novels plus, of course, the entire run of Dell comicbooks. This is SF as it should be, with ‘space’ substituted for ‘science’. Here we see the wonder and unbelievable expanse of the cosmos that surrounds us, ringed planets and moons, space pirates, lost races, and even a spaceship graveyard, This book is for every boy that lives secretly inside every man who ever marveled at the saucer spaceship in FORBIDDEN PLANET.

If you can buy only one book this month, make it this one.

Artists include Alden McWilliams, John Lehti , Frank Thorne, Marvin Stein and Mort Meskin.

Volume 2 features DELL Tom Corbett, Space Cadet #8 Nov/Jan 1954, #9 Feb/Apr 1954, #10 May/Jul 1954, #11 Sept/Nov 1954. PRIZE Tom Corbett, Space Cadet #v2#1 May/Jun 1955, #v2#2 Jul/Aug 1955, #v2#3 Sept/Oct 1955.

Bookshop ISBN: 978-1-78636-062-5

Slipcase ISBN: 978-1-78636-063-2
Page Count: 252 Pages

Dimensions: 260 x 180mm
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-tom-corbett--space-cadet-volume-2-4256-p.asp

More Fifties horrors from PS Publishing

British company PS Publishing are bringing back more pre-code American horror comics soon with the publication of three hardback volumes of classic terror. The sort of comics that caused anxious parents to get paranoid in the 1950s, thinking they'd corrupt their kids! Now those stories live again in deluxe collections for collectors and historians! Here's the info from their website...

Pre-Code Classics: OUT OF THE SHADOWS Vol.1

Bookshop ISBN: 978-1-78636-071-7
Slipcase ISBN: 978-1-78636-072-4

Page Count: 180 Pages
Dimensions: 260 x 180mm

Bookshop Product information:

Standard Comics did not believe in #1 issues. They were convinced that comics sold better if they appeared to have been around for awhile, and therefore they started all their horror titles with #5. Those titles were The Unseen, Out of the Shadows, and Adventures into Darkness, each lasting about ten issues of fairly well-done E.C. imitations. They also produced a suspense one-shot, Who Is Next? #5, that deserves mention -- it features a town terrorized by a serial killer.

Artists include George Roussos, Alex Toth, Jerry Grandenetti, George Tuska, Art Saaf, Ruben Moreira, Rocco Mastroserio, Ross Andru and Jack Katz.

This first volume features the Standard Comics issues of Out Of The Shadows, Issues 5-9 July 1952 to July 1953.

Pre-Code Classics: NIGHTMARE Vol.1

Bookshop ISBN: 978-1-78636-069-4
Slipcase ISBN: 978-1-78636-070-0

Page Count: 180 Pages
Dimensions: 260 x 180mm

Bookshop Product information:

St. John was a mid-sized comics publisher with a varied list of titles, and in June 1952 they joined the horror binge with two titles, Strange Terrors and Weird Horrors. Strange Terrors ended after seven issues, to be replaced by Nightmare #3, picking up from the Ziff-Davis series. However -- and I can’t explain this, only report it -- they then combined the title Nightmare with the numbering from Weird Horrors, so that Weird Horrors #9 and Nightmare #3 were followed by Nightmare #10. And after Nightmare #13 the title was changed to Amazing Ghost Stories for its final three issues.

Artists include Everett Raymond Kinstler, Joe Kubert, Alex Toth, Murphy Anderson,. Gene Colan, Bernie Krigstein, Matt Baker, George Tuska and Bob Powell

This single volume features the St John issues of Nightmare, Issue #3 October 1953 and Issues 10-13 December 1953 to August 1954.

Pre-Code Classics: STRANGE TERRORS Vol.1

Bookshop ISBN: 978-1-78636-077-9
Slipcase ISBN: 978-1-78636-078-6

Page Count: 180 Pages
Dimensions: 260 x 180mm

Bookshop Product information:

Just when you thought maybe we’d run out of nasty comicbooks here comes Strange Terrors from St. John—issues 1 thru 5, June to December 1952 . . . just cos you knows we loves ya! Artists include Don Perlin, Rafael Astarita, Paul Gattuso, Ralph Mayo, George Meyerriecks, Bob Forgione, Joe Kubert, George Tuska and William Ekgren. They’re all here—witches, vampires, walking corpses, ghosts, ghouls and goblins galore.

Artists include Don Perlin, Rafael Astarita, Paul Gattuso,Mayo, George Meyerriecks, Bob Forgione, Joe Kubert, George Tuska and William Ekgren.

This first volume features the St. John issues of Strange Terrors Volume 1 issues 1 - 5 June 1952 to December 1952.

Order the books directly from the publisher here:

http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/forthcoming-titles-26-c.asp

More pre-code classics

Continuing their series of hardback reprints of collected pre-Comics Code American comics, British publisher PS Publishing are soon to release more new volumes.

Here's the info:

Pre-Code Classics World of Fear Volume 1.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into your comic shop, here come those PS guys again with another crazy collection of bygone stories and panels set to blow your mind. This time out they’re hitting you with the full run of WORLDS OF FEAR from the magical days of 1952 and featuring artists and writers such as Sheldon Moldoff, Bernard Baily, Bob Powell, George Evans, Mike Sekowsky, Moe Marcus, Bob McCarty, Harry Harrison and Norman Saunders. Crossing horror and SF has never been more enjoyable. Lock the door, flip the tab on a can of soda and delve into those potato chips. It’s a marriage made in Heaven.

Artists include Sheldon Moldoff, Bernard Baily, Bob Powell,  George Evans, Mike Sekowsky, Moe Marcus, Bob McCarty, Harry Harrison and Norman Saunders

Each volume contains between 5 - 6 issues digitally enhanced and faithfully reproduced.
Volume One features issues 1-5 from November 1951 – June 1953.


Scheduled for a March release, you can order the book directly from the publisher:
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-worlds-of-fear-volume-1-4190-p.asp

Pre-Code Classics Lars of Mars/Crusader from Mars/Eerie Adventures Volume 1.This one is hard to overplay, comicbook fans in that material like the stuff contained in the handful of issues that made up the full output of Ziff Davis’s LARS OF MARS is tough to beat. No, strike that: it’s impossible to beat! Heck, written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Murphy Anderson and the true forerunner of the Red Planet’s J’onn J’onzz, this is the real McCoy.

Artists include Allen Anderson, Murphy Anderson, Gene Colan, Marvin Stein, Henry Sharp, George Roussos, Mike Becker, Bob Powell and Al Carreno.

Volume 1 features the Ziff Davies issues of  Lars of Mars #10 April/May 1951 & #11 July/August 1951, Crusader from Mars #1 March 1952 & #2 Fall 1952,  Eerie Adventures #1 Winter 1951.

Scheduled for a February release, you can order the book directly from the publisher's website:
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-lars-of-mars--crusader-from-mars--eerie-adventures--volume-1-4187-p.asp

More classic horror comics back in print

British company PS Publishing is adding two new volumes to its wide range of books that reprint American pre-code horror comics. Now in the public domain, the strips that were once accused of corrupting morals (but really didn't) are back on the shelves in limited edition hardback collectors volumes. Here's the PR for the latest editions...

Journey Into Fear - Volume One.

You wanna snapshot of this baby? Check out these two tales.

A woman convinces her lover to kill her rich husband. The lover does so by blowing the husband's head off with a gun. After the wife and her lover get married and cash in on the dead man's insurance, the headless corpse of the husband comes back from the dead looking for a new head (‘Your Head For Mine’ -- like, what would YOU call it?!)

Why hasn’t this stuff been shortlisted for a Pulitzer! And, as if that were not quite enough:

Lorna is trained to hate men. She finds a witchcraft book. She begins a crusade of turning men into worms and squishing them. She accidentally squishes the man she loves. She takes poison, as worms come out of the walls to revenge themselves (‘Crawling Evil’).

(Hey, should I have included spoiler alerts there?) Wonderful!

About Journey Into Fear - Volume One...

Due to be published for April 2016, this first volume brings together May 1951 to May 1952 issues 1-7.

Now available for pre-order!

Limited to just 2000 copies and split across two editions, this book is available to order through http://www.ps-publishing.co.uk

Here’s another forgotten or bypassed old comicbook in the great tradition of the likes of EC Comics and the PS multiple-volume library of Harvey’s horror line-up, featuring a dizzying bevy of gnarled and twisted tales of post-death revenge and retribution. The first seven issues (and more animated corpses than you could shake a stick at) are presented to you for just a tiny fraction of what you would expect to pay for a mint-condition version of just one copy the actual comic . . . and this intoxicating first volume is in hardcover.

Features the artwork of Sheldon Moldoff, George Evans, Bernard Baily, Bob Powell and Leonard Frank.

About This Magazine Is Haunted - Volume One...

Due to be published for April 2016, this first volume brings together October 1951 to October 1952 issues 1-7.

Now available for pre-order!

Limited to just 2000 copies and split across two editions, this book is available to order through http://www.ps-publishing.co.uk

New from PS Artbooks

One of my favourite comic stories of the supernatural is being reprinted in the latest collection from UK publisher PS Artbooks. As I recounted here several years ago (see this old post) the story The Old and The New really left an impression on me when I was a little kid when it was reprinted in British comic Fantastic Tales. Now the story can be seen in its original context (and in its original colour format) as part of Forbidden Worlds Volume 10, available to order here from The Book Palace:
http://bookpalace.com/acatalog/Forbidden_Worlds_10_-_American_Comics_Group_Collected_Works_FW10.html 


Also just available is the third volume of Web of Evil, reprinting classic horror comics of the 1950s:
http://bookpalace.com/acatalog/Pre-Code_Classics_-_Web_of_Evil_vol_3_WOE3.html

Two new classic collections from PS Publishing

British company PS Publishing have announced two new hardcover collections of 1950s American comics. First up is Pre-Code Classics: Ghost volume 1, collecting the first seven issues from 1951 to 1953, complete with ads. 

"This was material that suggested unpleasantness rather than just stepped forward and pulled the old schlock-it-up lever" say the publishers. "Heartily recommended for the more discerning horror comics reader". Limited to just 2000 copies, the book is now available for pre-order for £36.99 here:
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/pre-code-classics-ghost-volume-1-3630-p.asp

Alternatively there's a slipcased edition of just 300 copies available to pre-order for £44.99.

The other title is Roy Thomas Presents Planet Comics volume 11, with 336 pages of pre-code sci-fi, reprinting Planet Comics Nos.48 to 53 from 1947/48. The bookshop edition is limited to 1700 copies at £36.99 or there's a slipcased edition of just 300 copies at £44.99.
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/roy-thomas-presents-planet-comics-volume-11-3633-p.asp 

Comics such as these were once banned and feared due to anti-horror comics hysteria in the 1950s they're now back in print for the collector's market. Check out the many other books available from PS Publishing while you're at it:
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/ps-art-books-24-c.asp

Epilogue: The Last Round-Up

When, in my previous post, I announced that I was ending this blog it took a few people by surprise. Reaction from readers has been very heartening and much appreciated. Although I still don't have the time or inclination to continue with Blimey I've been sufficiently encouraged to return for one last round-up of items that have been published recently, some of which I'd promised to promote a while ago. There's a lot to cover here so relax, have a cuppa, and here we go...

Above is the cover to a brand new comics magazine, Scraps, published by Blasé Books. Edited and designed by my old mentor Mike Higgs (I know, "Not so much of the old", - sorry Mike) who also contributes two strips Kevin and his Comics and The Yesterfiles. The 16 page A4 full colour mag also features two very informative articles by Peter Hansen on British comics and annuals, a Comic ODDments feature, and promotions for books by Blasé and Ugly Duckling Press.

A copy of Scraps No.1 will appear as a free insert in Multiverse magazine soon, or can be picked up in its single magazine format at various comic marts around the country (especially the Birmingham and London ones). However, if you'd like a copy posted to you, you can send a pound coin to cover postage to Blasé Books, Hazelwood, Birchfield Road, Reddich B97 6PU. Alternatively you can pay £1 via PayPal, to blasebooks@aol.com

Another recent debut is Hairy Steve, an all-new 32 page comic book by Jamie Smart and Steve Bright. If you thought you knew what they could accomplish from their contributions to children's comics over the years think again. With Hairy Steve the creators give us a darkly funny adult comic that pulls no punches. A lupine hero! A mad scientist! Zombies! Violence! And more. 

Both creators are highly talented writer/artists in their own right but with Jamie Smart on script and Steve Bright on artwork it's a winning combination that's a must-buy. Hairy Steve was made possible via Indiegogo crowdfunding so those of us who funded it have already received our copies. However if you weren't part of that and you'd still like a copy, a few are still available at a reasonable price. E-mail Jamie at jamiesmart78@gmail.com and he'll sort out a signed copy for you.

Fans of classic British comics will be pleased to hear that Steve Holland has revised and expanded his index for Lion comic into an impressive 262 page A4 softback book. Lion, King of Picture Story Papers is published by Bear Alley Books for £25.99 plus £4 postage. Well worth it for fans of the fondly-remembered weekly, as the book features a 100 page history of the comic, profusely illustrated with sharp, clear samples of strips, behind the scenes photographs of the editorial staff, and the index section itself runs to around 160 pages with details of all the strips in the weekly, annuals, and specials. 

Even if Lion was before your time this is still an absorbing book for anyone with a genuine interest in the history of British comics. It's a great showcase of the outstanding artistic talent that was working in comics back then, with many full page examples of artwork from Joe Colquhoun, Reg Bunn, Leo Baxendale, Don Lawrence and many more. (Many pages are also reproduced smaller than published size, but the reproduction is still clear and legible.) Available here from Bear Alley Books website: 
http://bearalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/lion-king-of-picture-story-papers_3.html

Speaking of classic British comic talent, Terry Bave has published his autobiography as a chunky 298 page volume. Cartoons and Comic Strips takes us on a journey from Terry's early days right up to the present, with many examples of his artwork from over the decades.

Terry's work has always had a gentle fun aspect that has appealed to children over the years. He understands the essentials of comic storytelling, with strips that are always clear to follow, and characters that are engaging. Credit must also go to Shiela Bave of course, Terry's wife, who has worked with Terry on the scripts for practically his entire career.

Copies of Cartoons and Comic Strips can be ordered from Terry's new blog at http://terrybave.blogspot.co.uk or directly from the Lulu website here:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-bave/cartoons-and-comic-strips/paperback/product-20625272.html 

An excellent graphic novel from a mainstream British publisher is The Complete Rainbow Orchid by Gavin Ewing, published by Egmont. This previously appeared as three separate comic albums but now they're collected into this sumptuous 136 page book. 

 
The Rainbow Orchid is a real epic. An old-school quest type of adventure with the heroes traversing the globe. Garen Ewing's artwork is incredibly detailed. He draws in the fine line style inspired by Hergé and Edgar P. Jacobs but brings his own approach to it. The standard is phenomenal. 

There are also bonus features at the back of the book (character designs and suchlike) and nicely designed endpapers showing specially created ephemera that perfectly mimics the early 20th Century era of the story. Let's hear no more complaints about Britain no longer doing all-ages adventure strips. This is one. Right here. And the quality is as high as anything that preceded it. The Complete Rainbow Orchid is a real treat, and a bargain at only £14.99. (ISBN: 978 14052 6385 6)

The third issue of indie comic Savage! Jungle Princess was published by Kult Creations recently. It's another full colour adventure by John Short and Gabrielle Noble featuring dinosaurs, Nazis, and 'saucy' fun. 

You can order the latest issue of Savage, plus back issues and other good stuff from the Kult Creations blog here: http://kultcreations.blogspot.co.uk/

There's a new event for fans of British comics in the shape of Comic Empire coming to the Royal National Hotel on March 3rd, June 2nd, and October 5th. This replaces the dormant ABC Shows at that venue but will feature items to appeal to collectors of British comics, pulps, magazines and ephemera. See the flyer below for more details and keep an eye on the website http://www.londoncomicmart.co.uk/

Jim Alexander has been a professional comics writer for quite a few years now, and he's recently produced his own comics such as Scout One, Gabriel, Good Cop, Bad Cop, and Amongst the Stars. (The latter with artwork by Mike Perkins in issue 1.) Check out Jim's blog for details on how to order your copies:
http://jimalwriter.blogspot.co.uk/

Comic Heroes, the bi-monthly magazine about comics is on its 17th issue now (and some said it wouldn't last). Available from WH Smith, Tesco and other retailers this current edition features a load of excellent features. The history of Iron Man in comics, interviews with Mark Waid, Ramona Fradon, Roy Thomas, Liam Sharp, Andy Diggle, plus Paul Gravett writing about the work of François Schuiten, with reviews and much more. A very solid issue. £7.99.

PS Publishing have released a new batch of books recently in their line of pre-code American comics reprints. There's Phantom Lady, The Heap, Witches Tales Vol.2, and Chamber of Chills Volume 4 (which concludes that particular title, having now reprinted every issue). It's great to see these classic horror comics back in print for those of us who weren't around when they were originally published. 

The nice thing about these 'Harvey Horrors' is that PS reprint the entire comic, adverts and all, which adds to the experience of capturing the times. Five to seven comics appear in each volume, and there's bonus pages of features and scans of original artwork. You can order the books directly from the publisher here:
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/ps-art-books-24-c.asp

Fans of horror comics may also be interested in The Best of From the Tomb, a softback book from Twomorrows Publishing reprinting articles from the UK From the Tomb fanzine, which also includes unseen pages that were scheduled for the unpublished 29th issue. A fascinating look back at the era of pre-code horror and crime comics, plus interviews with Joe Sinnott, Shane Oakley and others.

There's a new issue of CLiNT in newsagents and comic shops right now, with another 100 page helping of over the top action and breakneck entertainment. This issue (No.6 in the second series) features the latest chapters of Hit Girl, The Secret Service, Death Sentence and more. 

Look out for another British adventure comic hitting the shelves of newsagents on March 28th! That's the day when Strip Magazine is scheduled for a relaunch with its second series (numbered 1.2). The line-up of stories looks fantastic, and the big news for fans of classic British comics is that it features the return of 1970s Hotspur superhero King Cobra, revamped for the modern age. More info here: http://stripcomicmagazineuk.blogspot.co.uk/

So, plenty happening print-wise in the UK but if you want to support a digital British comic as well, hop over to Aces Weekly which is now in its third volume. A mere £6.99 ($9.99) gets you access to each seven-issue volume. Yes, only a pound an issue, cheaper than any print comic. I created an all-new Combat Colin strip for issue 1, and will be doing another one soon, exclusive to Aces Weekly. Find out more about the comic and its creators here and subscribe!:
http://www.acesweekly.co.uk

And finally... news about my new blog! Yes, Blimey! is still ending (for the reasons I gave in my previous post) but I'm launching a new blog lewstringercomics. As the name suggests, this one will only focus on my own material. (Which won't take me so long to research for one thing.) It won't be updated as often as this blog was, and the commentary will be shorter, concentrating on showing you samples of my artwork from the past, present and, hopefully, future. I hope you'll all give it a visit and bookmark it. You'll find it here:
http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks again for visiting Blimey! over the last six years and for your kind comments after my previous post. See you over on my new blog!


 

American horror comics back in the UK

British based company PS Publishing have recently launched the latest book in their ongoing line of hardback reprints of 1950s pre-code horror comics. Skeleton Hand collects all six issues of the comic of that name which were originally published by the American Comics Group (ACG) from 1952 to 1953. 

As with the other books from PS Publishing, Skeleton Hand reprints the entire contents of each issue from cover to cover, including all the ads. Each page is scanned from the actual 1950s comics, rather than the restore and recolour method that Marvel use for their archive books. Although the method PS uses means that any original printing flaws are repeated it also means you get a far more authentic facsimile of the genuine article. 

Admittedly a few pages in Skeleton Hand do seem to be a little more low-resolution than others (the reprint of issue 4 for example) but overall I now prefer this more faithful method of reproduction than that used by Marvel. (Although that said, I still respect the amount of hard work that Marvel's team put into restoring artwork for their Masterworks and Omnibus books.) 

Being a reprint of an ACG comic, Skeleton Hand isn't as outrageous or gory as some horror comics of the 1950s. ACG tended to run stories that pitted couples against supernatural forces with good triumphing over evil in the end. By modern standards they seem pretty cheesy, but that's all part of the charm. 

In the back of the book is a nice bonus; a complete facsimile of the only issue published of Clutching Hand from 1954. Although it's also an ACG comic this is far darker in its tone than Skeleton Hand, with shrunken heads, zombies, and considerably less comfortable conclusions to the stories. Great fun!

PS Publishing also recently released Chamber of Chills Volume 3. This is the latest in their Harvey Horrors series, reprinting 1950s comics from the Harvey stable. Whilst the ACG comics featured entertaining supernatural tales, Harvey's material was pure "horror comics", - the stuff that gave parents the jitters and brought about the anti-comics crusade of the time. 

A 'Spider Man' from 10 years before Marvel's superhero.

As with Skeleton Hand, Chamber of Chills also reprints the entire contents of each comic. What's revealing about that is how the ads were often aimed at adults, with adverts for car maintenance, careers in engineering, and women's underwear. Clearly, the horror comics were not being pitched solely at children despite the fears of well-meaning but misguided anti-comics campaigners about stories "warping" young minds. What a shame that the introduction of the Comics Code effectively turned comics into fare that was only appealing to children. Small wonder then that for so many years comics in the USA and UK fell behind those in Europe in appealing to a wider age group. 

If you want to judge for yourselves what those classic horror comics were like, I thoroughly recommend these books. They're not cheap at £29.99 each (or more if you want slipcased editions) but they are limited editions and the printing quality is superb. To order copies, visit the PS Publishing website here:
http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/ps-art-books-24-c.asp

Dare you enter the Chamber of Chills?

As most collectors know, the horror comics of the 1950s caused such moral outrage from soft vicars and parents who'd forgotten what it was like to be a child that they led to book burnings and the genre being neutered. So extreme was the witch hunt that it even became illegal to use the words "horror" or "terror" as part of a comic title in the UK. (The law still stands today, although I don't think it's ever been enforced.) 

In recent months, British publisher PS Publishing has unleashed a line of beautifully produced limited edition hardback books reprinting the classic American horror comics originally published by Harvey Comics in the early 1950s. Each book collects 5 to 7 issues, including all stories, covers and advertisements to give the reader a perfect view of what those comics were like. 

The latest book, Chamber of Chills Volume 3, will be out later this month. Here's the info direct from the publisher....


Harvey Horrors originally published 26 issues of the Chamber Of Chills in the 1950’s. Now for the first time they have been collected together in this exclusive 4 volume set. Each volume contains between 6 – 7 complete issues reprinted for the very first time as a complete collection.

About Chamber Of Chills - Volume Three...
Due to be published August 2012, Volume Three carries on our journey... Featuring a special introduction and a specially commissioned self portrait of British illustrator Les Edwards. Not forgetting the original comics painstakingly restored from original source material! Issues included in this Volume are Issues 14 - 19 from November - September 1953.

Now available for pre-order!
Limited to just 2000 copies and split across three editions, this book is available to order through either harveyhorrors.com or pspublishing.co.uk.

DELUXE TRAYCASE EDITION
26 lettered leatherbound gold foiled traycased deluxe copies exclusively signed by Les Edwards who painted an specially commissioned self portrait which is included as a limited edition print. As an added extra you will also receive a copy of the slipcase edition as part of the package at no extra cost!

SLIPCASE EDITION
300 slipcased copies in full colour slipcase signed by Les Edwards.

BOOKSHOP EDITION
1674 bookshop copies available.