REPRINT HORRORS!

Posted today on FEAR IN FOUR COLORS' companion site, WORLD OF MONSTERS, is Eerie Publications' first issue of TALES FROM THE TOMB. Fans of these lurid and vile things are aware that they were made up of reprints from pre-Code horror comics beginning with the plundering of Robert Farrell's fairly substantial inventory. Behind the revolting covers--many by Golden and Silver Age artist Carl Burgos--were stories that were now in black and white, with splash pages and panels re-worked with more exploitative images. These were often drawn by African-American artist Ezra Jackson who was listed as an art director for the magazine.

Following are examples of how the story art was modified by changing titles (that were sometimes previously reprinted in Farrell's comics) and images to better fit the Eerie way of sensationalizing their aim of disgusting readers.

This story was apparently left intact from the original.

GRUNNNT! URGGGG! BOOGLE!

This is a grisly little tale called "Fiends From the Crypt" from Farrell's FANTASTIC FEARS #8 (July 1953). It concerns a group of creatures called The Green Horde and they don't like being swindled by a greedy thief. The story--by an unknown writer and artist--does not end well.

SMUR-DA!

DON'T BURY ME--I'M NOT DEAD!

Taking a cue from Edgar Allen Poe's "The Premature Burial", the unknown writer of this tale tells the story of an unnamed man who is winged by a passing car and hits his head on a fire hydrant after leering at a girl on the street who shows a little leg when her skirt is blown up in the breeze!

Appearing medically dead but still conscious, his unfaithful wife gives permission for the coroner to have his body donated to "medical science". The slightly-nutty doctor removes the man's heart, after which he is placed in a coffin and buried like any other stiff. The problem is, after all he's gone through, he's still alive!

"Cry From the Coffin" was drawn by the Iger Shop and published in Farrell's STRANGE FANTASY in their October 1953 issue.

On a side note, this title was edited by Ruth Roche, who was one of the very few women of that era to hold such a lofty position. Miss Roche was part-owner of the Iger Shop from 1945 to 1961.

A (PERMANENT) VISIT TO WEREWOLF CASTLE

Here's another story of a doomed couple from Farrell's VOODOO #18 (November-December 1954) with art by the Eiger Shop. This one has an introduction by an old crone that looks suspiciously like another one from a certain Bill Gaines line of horror comics.

WARNING IN THE SAND

Newlyweds Richard and Sylvia Porter find a nice honeymoon spot on the beach. They happen upon an old hag that warns them not to read what she has written in the sand. Sylvia can't help herself and reads what's written in the sand -- the date of her death, and it's tomorrow! Sure enough, she's killed in a car crash and Richard, beside himself with grief, plunges into the sea to drown. But, hey, this is a horror comic and a weird twist of fate ensues.

"Let Me Die Today" appeared in VOODOO #18 (Farrell, November-December 1954) with art by the Iger Shop. One more issue of VOODOO would be published and then it would fold in the wake of the infamous Senate Hearings and subsequent Comics Code Authority.