CREEPY ARCHIVES Vol. 16

CREEPY ARCHIVES Vol. 16

Writer(s): Various

Artist(s): Various

$49.99, Dark Horse Comics, 272 pgs
ISBN 978-1616551049

The 16th volume of this lavish reprint series collects issues 73-77 of the classic horror anthology Creepy. For those not steeped in comics history, Creepy (1964-83) was a black-and-white horror comic published in magazine format. This difference in presentation allowed for content that was, at that time, forbidden by the Comics Code. Creepy was the spiritual inheritor of the legacy of EC Comics, publisher of the infamous 1950s classic Tales from the Crypt: in addition to pushing the envelope of what was then permissible in American comics, Creepy employed a similarly stellar array of artistic talent. In the 1970s, Creepy's artistic roster included European artists whose work made for a striking stylistic complement to the work of veteran American illustrators like John Severin and Alex Toth. This lineup of artistic talent, and the meticulous care taken in presenting their work in these collected editions, make the CREEPY ARCHIVES a true feast for the eyes.

The stories collected in this volume run the gamut from twist-ending horror parables in the classic EC mold to that special brand of surreal, counter-culture science fiction that, pre-Star Wars, almost typified 1970s sci-fi (one issue reprinted in this volume, Creepy #73, is a themed, "all science fiction" issue). The writing, cutting edge in its time, seems a bit obvious and uneven to modern sensibilities. The art is the real star here, though, and it's absolutely gorgeous. Rich black line work, gray washes, a smattering of hand-painted color...the magazines produced by Warren Publishing in that period looked better than anything else on newsstands, and the quality printing and paper stock Dark Horse uses for these archive editions serve as a true showcase for the material.

TIPS FOR LIBRARIANS: At around fifty bucks a pop, these archive editions are pricey. That said, it's unlikely you're paying full retail price, and these are very nice hardcover books. If you've got a patron population with an appetite for horror, Bronze Age comics, or for quality comic book art, this might be worth the purchase. This collection also features a great deal of science fiction material, which broadens the book's reach considerably. 

READERS' ADVISORY NOTES: Readers who appreciate vintage horror comics such as Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror may also appreciate the CREEPY ARCHIVES. Because Creepy wasn't subject to the Comics Code and courted an older audience, the material is less dated than one might expect. The content is adult (see the Content Advisory below), but not excessive; readers of modern horror comics like The Walking Dead will find this is much less extreme.

CONTENT ADVISORY: Horror violence/gore, adult language, adult themes, nudity

Review©2014, C. Michael Hall.