PRE-CODE HORROR COMICS ART

Lee Elias is known for illustrating some of the most shocking pre-code horror comics covers ever, most notably the "exploding face" cover of TOMB OF TERROR #15. Other over-the-top covers appeared on the covers of BLACK CAT and CHAMBER OF CHILLS. Elias also contributed stories in a multitude of comics for Fiction House, Hillman, Marvel, DC and even a few for Warren.

Shown here today is a story that he did for Harvey's WITCHES TALES #8 (March 1952). While not as gruesome as some of his covers, it still packs a punch. The original art is followed by the issue that was published. Don't forget to check out the wild story, "Demon Flies." Oh, and Elias did the bondage cover for this, too.

'WITCHES TALES' ORIGINAL COVER ART

This original WITCHES TALES cover art by Lee Elias is augmented with recreations of the title, header and side margins. Elias (1920-1998) was a prolific comic book artist whose covers for Harvey's horror titles have become legendary for their outrageous depictions of terrifying imagery.

Lee Elias Witches Tales #24 Cover Original Art (Harvey, 1954). Even the dead fear... "The Undertaker". Creepy and spooky... just as you like it. This cover has a wonderful use of shadows and lighting to set up a chilling image that makes you surprisingly sympathetic to the corpse! Created in ink over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 10.5" x 15.5". The logo, header, and side margins are all modern recreations. The original art image area measures 10.5" x 10". The "City Morgue" sign is an original hand-lettered paste-up with a touch of glue residue near it. Overall in Very Good condition.

ORIGINAL ART FROM 'WITCHES TALES' NO. 13

 

Morris "Moe" Marcus is one of the many unsung post-World War II comic book artists. He attended Burne Hogarth's Cartoonists and Illustrator's School with the likes of Wally Wood. A group of these gifted artists, along with a young Marie Severin, would spend a few hours at a watering hole on 89th and Amsterdam Avenue, then go to Marcus' large apartment that had been left for him to live in by his parents when they moved out of town. Here everyone would talk art and hone their skills.

One of Marcus' gigs was working for Harvey Comics where he drew stories for WITCHES TALES and CHAMBER OF CHILLS.

Here is the nicely done original art for a story that he did for WITCHES TALES #13 (August 1952) called "The Torture Jar". It is the tale of a hapless spelunker who stumbles upon the "life eating" creature known as the "Bzark" (!).