ECHH! FRANKENSTEIN IN THE FUNNY BOOKS

It is said that those things that can be made into parody have a good chance of longevity. No better example can be made than with the Frankenstein monster.

Here he is is in a humorous strip from Marvel's NOT BRAND ECHH (#12, February 1969). The cover is by Marie Severin and the story, "Frankenstein Sicksty-Nine!", is written by Arnold Drake and drawn by Tom Sutton.

SO, YOU WANNA BE A COMIC BOOK ARTIST?

Marvel comics legend Marie Severin (sister of John) used the humorous themes in the NOT BRAND ECHH comics to illustrate a guide on how to be a successful comic book artist. It is, of course, a spoof like most of the other strips in the book.

Just what kind of artist was Marie Severin? One of the greats, according to many. To prove the point, check out the excellent work she did in the illustration of Disney's Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket below.

Auction Description:
Marie Severin Not Brand Echh #11 Complete 2-Page Story Production Stats (Marvel Comics, 1968). Stan Lee had named Marvel's parody book, Not Brand Echh, after a disparaging advertising term, Brand X. Lee referred to rival DC Comics as "Brand Echh." ("Echh" is sound-effects shorthand for a gagging noise.) Hence the title. The magazine concerned itself primarily with affectionate spoofs of Marvel's own characters, but once in a while it would address a broader spectrum of sarcasm -- such as this gem from the excellent Marie Severin. Her satire of her own profession is delightfully edgy. Though designed to serve as art in itself, the story is in fact composed of pasted-up photocopies, printed for high contrast. Each page is signed in the 10" x 15" image area.