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The term “Horror” has meant different things in the world of
comic books over the years.
In the 1950’s, EC Comics published truly horrific and
graphic 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 1960’s, 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 1980’s 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 1990’s 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 plainly bizarre.
So, why did I skip the 1970’s? Well, I was seven years old in the mid-70’s 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 took a different path and, at the same time, stayed
true to what they did best.
Marvel made monsters into super-heroes.
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
his 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…Nah.
Happy Halloween.
All comments (c)2002 John Steib and may not be reproduced in
whole or in part, without written permission of the author.
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