10/16/2014 - More of Dick Briefer's Frankenstein

Last week I posted three comic stories of Dick Briefer's Frankenstein series of books. The response was pretty positive, so I thought I would post a couple more stories before I bring up a number of other unusual items that feel and look Halloweenish.

First of all, I decide to post the second story from Frankenstein Comics, published by Prize Comics. I really enjoy Briefer's gorgeous macabre style. It brings to mind the wonderful morbid humor of Charles Addams (I will be posting some of those great pieces as well).

Click on the images below to see the larger legible versions of the old comic pages they were printed on.

In the 1950s, a horror boom hits the world of comics (as well as TV). The comics boom was inspired by what are the greatest horror comics ever created: Tales From the Crypt, The Vault of Horror and The Haunt of Fear, all published by EC Comics. Some of the greatest artists who ever worked in the medium did incredible work at the company, including Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Davis, Wally Wood and many more.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures released a package of horror films to television which they titled Shock! Shock had the classic Universal monsters, and the release and first showing of each of each (usually on late night weekend slots) were said to be hugely popular.

As luck would have it, Dick Briefer just happened to be drawing his Frankenstein comic. Given the climate, a decision was made to take the monster away from his humor mode and back into horror. This time, Briefer's monster was drawn in a tight style reminiscent of EC's Johnny Craig. The creature couldn't talk, which made him a very testy beast.

I've decided to post the first story from Frankenstein #18, in which the monster was back... though Briefer added some pathos to the stories, feeling sorry for the creature. This latest take on the monster was also very Karloffian in looks and character.

Like before, click on the images below to see larger ones.

I find it interesting that all 3 versions of Briefer's Frankenstein are uniquely, artistically different and easily identified by eye at a glance. It served to show his talents as an artist and explains why, for example, he was one of Will Eisner's favorite artists ever.

All these comics are believed to be in the public domain. You can read them all now online at Comic Books Plus (http://www.comicbooksplus.com), which is where I got them.

Besides my weekly Creepsville postings, I have loads more fun and oddball stuff to show you. Coming soon: The first and greatest Ghost Rider!

The Laughing Reindeer, Creepsville, Agents of Peril, Monster Patrol, their logos, all related characters, artwork, and text are (c) & TM Franklin J Kurtz. All rights reserved. All other materials are (c) and/or TM the individual creators, unless they are in the public domain.