ERB'S MONSTER MEN BY MAHLON BLAINE

Mahlon Blaine's (b. 1894) illustrations were highly sought after by publishers in the 1920's and 1930's, but like so many other artists he died penniless and in obscurity in 1969.

These pen and ink drawings are from the 1962 Canaveral Press edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "The Monster Men" from my personal collection and are in the order they appear in the book. Oddly, Burroughs fans, after being weaned on J. Allen St. John and other classical-style Burroughs artists, did not respond well to Blaine's work.

See my other posts on Blaine HERE.

THE DECADENT ART OF MAHLON BLAINE GALLERY NO. 1

"Infinitely gracious, radiantly beautiful,

Aphrodite rose from the foam. 

All life loved and laughed, and begot new life in tender play...."

- Mahlon Blaine (Nova Venus, 1938)

Somewhere between the erotic, the pornographic and the intersection of fantasy lies the strange art of Mahlon Blaine. A prolific illustrator of over 2,000 published images, his work spanned the gamut from children's books to sexually-controversial images. He produced covers and illustrations for Edgar Rice Burroughs stories, John Steinbeck's first novel Cup of Gold, Voltaire's Candide, The Adventures of Sinbad, Paul Verlaine's Hashish and Opium, Flaubert's Temptation of St. Anthony and German fantasist, Hanns Henz Ewer's Alraune, among many others.

Mahlon Blaine (1894-1969) is probably best known for his sensational, erotically-charged illustrations and decorations that depict decadent images of diabolism with a generous amount of sexual imagery that oftentimes border on the perverse. Despite his obvious talent, it is just these types of images that probably made him one of the most underrated and underappreciated artists of his time.

Called Blaine's "erotic masterpiece", Nova Venus was published in 1938 in an edition of 300 copies that included 38 original plates showing "naked predatory women with cloven hooves and tails, devils, [and] lots of interesting imagery showing Blaine’s comments on social mores and sex".

Following are sample images from Nova Venus that will provide those unfamiliar with Blaine an idea of his illustration technique and frequent subject matter.

Here is a LINK to an interview with Blaine's biographer, Roland Trenary, at Archive Storycorps.

THE BEASTS OF EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS (PART 2)

It's been 100 years since Edgar Rice Burroughs penned his two enduring classics, A PRINCESS OF MARS and TARZAN OF THE APES. He followed them with dozens of tales of adventure that have never stopped thrilling readers. Lots of his books are available even today. I defy anyone to come up empty handed after visiting any well-stocked new or used bookstore.

Many of his stories featured not only heroic figures such as John Carter and David Innes, but also a generous serving of beasts and monsters, as well. In yesterday's Burroughs' Centennial segment, I posted an article from CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN #5 that listed numerous creatures that Burroughs created to add thrills and chills to his (mostly) excellently-written stories. With exotic names like Banth, Thark, Gantor and Brocol, we are treated to an almost never ending lineup of alien beings, not to mention the earth-bound monsters from prehistory -- and lest we forget -- the giant apes found in the Tarzan novels.

Burroughs also briefly flirted with the Frankenstein legacy in his book, THE MONSTER MEN. Set on a remote island in the Pacific, it tells the tale of Professor Maxon, who creates 13 artificial humans in his scientific quest. The last one, Number 13, is selected to -- in true Frankensteinia form -- wed his daughter!

In today's post I have included two articles featuring the works and creations of Edgar Rice Burroughs in the short-lived run of Larry Ivie's MONSTERS AND HEROES. One of the first "fan" magazines to ever reach newsstand distribution, M&H included sections on monster movies, comic strips such as his Altron-Boy, pulp adventure, and even characters from the radio serials.

It's not many writers -- especially genre writers -- who have a city named after them. Tucked away off busy Ventura Blvd. in California's San Fernando Valley is the quiet little town of Tarzana, where Burroughs spent many years creating his classic adventure yarns. And, on any given day, if you listen close enough, you can almost hear Tarzan calling to Tantor or little Nikima through the Eucalyptus trees.

Each issue of MONSTERS & HEROES featured a book cover from a
selected titled covered in one of the articles.

An early edition of THE MONSTER MEN with
cover art by J. Allen St. John.

This edition featured a cover and interior illistrations
by Mahlon Blaine.



An entry in the Pellucidar series. The Hollow Earth
was home to many 'a prehistoric beast.

A beatuiful rendition of John Carter and Dejah Thoris
by the incomparable Frank Frazetta.