Vampirella of Draculon Mountain

Last year I had a few requests for more wicked Warren posts, and since nothing specific was mentioned title-wise, I guess that leaves it up to old Mr. Karswell to continue with my-- errr, his own choice process of creepy curation! And okay, since half of the country is currently chilled to the bone under mountains of snow and extremely frigid, icy temps, let's see what happens to one lovely young lady in a similar, shivery predicament-- only trapped with a rather unpleasant fellow, to boot! Beautiful, sketch-style artwork from "Jay Taycee", aka legendary Johnny Craig who also wrote the script, from the April 1966 issue of Creepy #8, and highlighted with a terrific Gray Marrow vampire cover painting! But first up, and since we're stalkin' / talkin' vampires, let's see where it all began with one bloodthirsty lil babe from Planet Draculon-- va-va-va-voom it's awesome Vampirella in her September 1966 debut collector's edition issue appearance via Vampirella #1! Forrest J. Ackerman script. Tom Sutton story art. And freakin' Frank Frazetta cover and ad art, all adding up to one helluva great origin issue, as well as THOIA double fear-ture post! Sink in...

The Convert

I typically like to deliver a little Shaitanic evil during December, aka the holiest of months. So let's kick it off with a devilishly diabolical entry from the October 1978 issue of Charlton's Monster Hunters #16. Interestingly loose illustrations and lay-outs from Enrique Puchades (making his THOIA debut), an artist who felt the need to sign his name on nearly every page --and sometimes even more than once on a single page too?! I also get the feeling we're seeing quite a number of Vampirella swipes every time demonic dame Regina pops into a panel. Okay, initially I thought this was cantankerous old monster huntin' horror host, Colonel Whiteshroud's first appearance on the blog too, but he actually told us a macabre little mermaid tale back in 2014 HERE! Lots more monsters, mummies, maniacs, and merry holiday spirits on the way all this month-- so staay tommbed!

Queen of Horror!

Time to wrap up the month of February 2024, as well as our Vampi Horror Host Fest! And this one is also from another early issue of the great black and white Warren series, the November 1962 issue of Vampirella #2 to be exact! Dick Piscopo's art has both good and not-so-good moments visually, but it's a fun story none the less, taking place on various horror movie sets featuring mummies, vampires, werewolves, and even a Creature from the Black Lagoon type swamp monster! THOIA will return in March for mucho more macabre horror hits-- stay tombed!

The Curse / Purification

If you've somehow never read Wally Wood's "The Curse" which first appeared in the January 1971 issue of Vampirella #9, then you are in for an eye-poppingly visual, horror adventure treat. I had a big intro I was working on for this but then ultimately just deleted it so you can simply take it all in for yourself and instead let the incredible illustrations do the talking. I've also rounded out the post with a funny little 3 page quickie from the April 1972 issue of Vampirella #16, highlighted by even more great cartoony art by Joan Nebot.

Ghoul Girl

In all the years I've been producing this blog, I've posted less than a half dozen stories from Warren's original b/w Vampirella magazine series. I'm not talking about Vampi's own ominous adventures, I'm talking the ones where she horror hosts the various tales of other macabre monsters and murderous mayhem. Maybe we'll finish out the month with a few frightening examples, and let's start it off with this hot lil specimen from the June 1970 issue of Vampirella #5. Yep, this plan also gives me an excellent excuse to post Frazetta covers too! Tough titties from Drakulon to any complainers...