Count Dracula, the Wolfman, and the Frankenstein Monster are the triad of classic terror. These creatures were brought into the modern imagination by Universal Pictures decades ago. The classic images became part of the pop culture of the 30's and 40's when the movie hit the silver screen. Then in the late 50's and early 60's they were rediscovered by a new generation and the legends continued. New and different versions of the classic monster were created by Hammer Studios as well as others. Reimagining these classic monsters became a normal part of the entertainment industry. And it was into this that the late great Neal Adams created his own versions for Power Records in A Story of Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein.
He felt the monsters needed to share a story. They had done from time to time over the decades in various films, but Adams did so with gusto. His monsters were different, his Dracula a blonde nobleman with a mustache, as it had been in the original novel. His Frankensten's Monster was completely redesigned, with vague echoes of the classic make-up but different enough to keep Universal's lawyers from getting interested. And finally, his Wolfman was in fact not even a man.
You can enjoy this wild yarn at this YouTube link. If perchance that link is not active you can enjoy the story in two parts at this link and then this one after that.
And then in the dawn of a new century Adams decided to revive his story and expand and refresh it.
Neal Adams Monsters is a handsome volume from Vanguard Publishing which represents the classic reimagination of the story. A savage tale with twists and turns and constantly shifting situations which command the reader's attention.
The story begins as it does in the old Power Records effort, with the nephew of Victor Frankenstein and his love Erica fleeing for their lives from angry villagers, all too ready to eliminate any trace of the Frankenstein legacy.
He found and compelled to continue his Uncle's work. As we follow along in this beautiful slender volume, it's easy to remember just how important the work of Adams had been to comics and pop culture.
It seems the vintage Power Records have been re-released by Studio Chikara. To check them out go to this link.
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This was reprinted in the UK in black and white in the magazine House of Hammer (#18) a few pages are on my blog somewhere but it looks so much better in colour . That "Monsters" book by Neal is a cracker as well
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun light read. Adams succeeds in adding a few swerves to the classic stories.
DeleteI see that Dracula has pointy ears which was also in the original novel.
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested, the Marsh Family has done another excellent YouTube parody called "Bohemian Trumpsody" (hopefully you know the original song by Queen).
Yep. The original is baked into my DNA. I'll check it out.
DeleteVery nice art. In the old days that early stuff would have scared and exited little kids just wanting more.
ReplyDeleteThrilling is a good word to describe the work of Neal Adams.
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