There is no question that James Warren's publishing empire was a huge influence on the 1960's Monster Craze, and his magazine, FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND was a major factor in fueling the fan frenzy. In 1964, Warren struck again with his black and white horror comics magazine, CREEPY. Led by ex-EC comics artists and the skilled writing of Archie Goodwin, its success spawned a companion magazine, EERIE, and later the anti-war book, BLAZING COMBAT, as well as the sexy bloodsucker from Drakulon, VAMPIRELLA. The legacy of these groundbreaking titles still resonate today and are the touchstone for every modern horror comic book that followed.
This article from the November, 1999 issue of COMIC BOOK MARKETPLACE offers a brief history of this pop culture phenomenon.
Recommended further reading: JAMES WARREN: EMPIRE OF THE MONSTERS.
I think I might actually have this issue lurking in my boxes somewhere. I'll have to go spelunking. That bio on Jim Warren was very good indeed.
ReplyDeleteCBM was a nice-looking, slick magazine and brought comic books as close to high art as you could get back then. I purchased it regularly.
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