Benton's Illustrated History and Goosebumps Graphix 2

While films are the more customary subject of the Niche, be they television, indie short films, movies, or the like, our first love is comics. After all, this is the ultimate purpose of the Niche: to be a wellspring of inspiration for the Darkley horror anthology comic that yours truly and lifelong friend Don are shaping together. So it only makes sense that we occassionally dedicate a share of the Niche to the medium of comics. Here are a couple more recent reads that were rather interesting.

HORROR COMICS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

First, a thanks to The Horrors of it All for recommending this read.

Mike Benton's Horror Comics: The Illustrated History begins with the birth of American horror comics, touching on the predecessors that would lead to their creation (namely pulp magazines, horror movies, and mystery radio shows of the 1930s and 40s). Chronicling the rise in the horror comic's popularity, we witness its trials and controversy (much of which is owed to Fredric Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent), ultimately leading to the creation of the Comics Magazine Association of America (CMAA) and its suppression. Still, horror comics would manage to survive underground, like a malnourished ghoul picking at scraps. But as social prejudices ebbed over the years, the genre would rise once more from the grave. Quite appropriate, actually. Leading up to the 1990s with a brief chapter, Benton's book finishes with guidelines for comic care and preservation, as well as a list of notable horror comics spanning over fifty years.

Informative and with artwork on almost every page, Horror Comics: The Illustrated History is a handy guide to those interested in the general history of the genre. I give it four-and-a-half out of five Vault-Keepers.

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GOOSEBUMPS HORROR GRAPHIX 2: TERROR TRIPS

A thanks as well to Rhonny Reaper, whose Goosebumps article reminded me of the children's horror book series and ultimately led to my stumbling upon this read.

Goosebumps Graphix 2: Terror Trips is the second in a compilation of R.L. Stine stories adapted to comics. I have yet to read the first volume yet, namely because I was too eager to read "One Day At Horrorland". Growing up, I wasn't allowed to read the Goosebumps books or watch the inspired television series, but it circulated around elementary school enough to make one a tad envious of those that were. I distinctly remember the cover of One Day At Horrorland, longing in that way kids do for something forbidden to them. So now the time has come to do some serious catching-up for my inner child, and after reading this book I have to say it felt good.

Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother series) illustrates "One Day At Horrorland" in a superbly sketchy and expressive style. Definitely my favorite of the three, I personally would've loved it if the rest of the stories were adapted by her. However, Jamie Tolagson's adaptation of the second story, "A Shocker on Shocker Street", is certainly on the same par, doing a remarkable job on dramatic lighting and shadow play. My only complaint is the last, "Deep Trouble", but that's simply a personal criticism of the artist's style, Amy Kim Ganter. But it is cute, especially her mermaid, so I can't be too harsh on her. I give Goosebumps Graphix 2: Terror Trips four out of five Horrorland horrors.