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Thus far in this series, we’ve learned about the origins of the American horror comic book and the writers and artists who worked behind the scenes creating them. We’ve also learned how they were relentlessly criticized and maligned throughout their short history by parents, teachers and religious organizations until most of them buckled and collapsed under the weight of the onerous restrictions brought about as a result of public outcry.
But, what about the people who were actually involved in printing these vile, salacious and foul things as they were often referred to by their detractors? Many of these individuals got their start publishing pulps, then superhero, Western, humor, crime and romance comics, turning to horror only when it became obvious after watching EC Comics’ now-legendary titles fly off the spinner racks that they were the new four-color cash cow. At their peak, horror comics were an exercise in which every month publishers sought to outdo each other to produce the most grisly, gory and blood-soaked books they could come up with in their unbridled imaginations. And readers loved it.
Publishers were well known to form multiple corporations and tiered companies, with any number of brands and imprints for any number of reasons, including legal protection, taxes and other fees, all with the purpose of maintaining any kind of advantage they could over their rivals.
As a consequence, comic book publishing was an intensely competitive business. For example, the pulp paper that comics were printed on was a coveted commodity and not always easy to acquire, especially during wartime when there were strict allocations. In addition, distribution could be problematic, and the lack of it could make or break a fledgling enterprise. As a result, distributors had the upper hand and often made demands that were viewed as underhanded and predatory.
While most publishers were normal, law-abiding citizens, there were a number of cunning thieves, pornographers, cutthroats and ex-cons who would extort, leverage and resort to other shady methods to get a leg up on their competitors.
Beginning with this installment of Fear in Four Colors we’ll take a closer look at the entrepreneurs who published horror comics during the pre-Code years, a handful that are still around today. Some flourished and some floundered, but at the very least, when the presses were rolling, they provided a steady paycheck to business owners, printers, writers, artists and others during a time when it wasn’t always so easy to make a buck.
From the publisher
- 10th mammoth volume of the critically-acclaimed horror magazine/book.
- Creepy GHOST STORIES & other WEIRD TALES!
- FEAR IN FOUR COLORS (History of American Horror Comics, part 7)
- 12 terrifying tales by today's top writers!
- New HORROR DELVE list: 13 Greatest pre-WWI horror tales
- Another chilling visit to Bone Street!
- Classic horror movie: Corman's THE HAUNTED PALACE
- A new Magnus Supernatural Dog Tale
- INDY (the Horror Husky) TAKES OVER!
- Art by World Fantasy Award-winner Allen Koszowski
- Heavily illustrated: movie stills, comic book covers, cool facts!
- Get it now, fellow fiends!
Order a copy at Amazon HERE.
Visit my Amazon Author Page HERE.
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