Dell Comics chose never to subscribe to the Comics Code Authority so they weren't bound by the specific restrictions that stated: Scenes dealing with, or instruments associated with walking dead, torture, vampires and vampirism, ghouls, cannibalism and werewolfism are prohibited.
In 1966, after a brief flirtation with more classic monsters a year or two earlier, Dell launched Frankenstein, Dracula and "Werewolf" as superheroes! All of the titles were short-lived and DRACULA was revived in reprint just a few years later for another failed try at success.
They aren't great comics by anyone's definition but they offer much fun and nostalgia to anyone who appreciates a comic book that's so bad it's good.
Big fun to read. I really like the Frankenstein book quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteDracula is uneven, and Werewolf is is the weakest, but that's because the art is not well suited to the material.
As you say, big fun.
Rip Off
I remember seeing what must have been a British cardboard covered reprint album of the Frankenstein title back in the late '60s. Someone had it in primary school and I recall reading it during a break one day. Ah, fond memories. Wore a mask, didn't he?
ReplyDeleteThe green face was his real face.
DeleteThe mask was to allow him to disguise himself, much as The Beast did at Marvel, after he mutated into a furry incarnation.
You can read the Silver Age Frankenstein's origin here..
http://heroheroinehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/reading-room-silver-age-frankenstein.html
Thanks Britt. I've added your blog to my blog list.
ReplyDeleteI bought these back in the day.
ReplyDeleteWorse.
Comics.
Ever.