''Eerie'' was an American magazine of horror comics introduced in 1966 by

Warren Publishing Warren Publishing was an American magazine company founded by James Warren, who published his first magazines in 1957 and continued in the business for decades. Magazines published by Warren include '' After Hours'', '' Creepy'', '' Eerie'', '' F ...

. Like '' Mad'', it was a black-and-white magazine intended for newsstand distribution and did not submit its stories to the comic book industry's voluntary Comics Code Authority. Each issue's stories were introduced by the host character, Cousin Eerie. Its sister publications were '' Creepy'' and ''

Vampirella Vampirella () is a fictional vampire superheroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and comic book artist Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine ''Vampirella'' #1 (Sept. 1969), a sister publication of '' Cre ...

''.

Publication history

The first issue cost 35¢, was published in September 1966 and only had a 200-issue run of an "ashcan" edition. With a logo by Ben Oda, it was created overnight by editor Archie Goodwin and letterer

Gaspar Saladino Gaspar Saladino (September 1, 1927 – August 4, 2016) was an American letterer and logo designer who worked for more than sixty years in the comic book industry, mostly for DC Comics. Eventually Saladino went by one name, "Gaspar," which he wrote ...

to establish publisher Jim Warren's ownership of the title when it was discovered that a rival publisher (later known as Eerie Publications) would be using the name. Warren explained, "We launched ''Eerie'' because we thought '' Creepy'' ought to have an adversary. The

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a duo in t ...

syndrome always appealed to me. ''Creepy'' and ''Eerie'' are like

Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), better known by his stage name Boris Karloff (), was an English actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstein'' (1931) (his 82nd film) established ...

and

Peter Lorre Peter Lorre (; born László Löwenstein, ; June 26, 1904 – March 23, 1964) was a Hungarian and American actor, first in Europe and later in the United States. He began his stage career in Vienna, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before movin ...

." Official distribution began with the second issue, still priced at 35c. Behind the

Frank Frazetta Frank Frazetta (born Frank Frazzetta ; February 9, 1928 – May 10, 2010) was an American fantasy and science fiction artist, noted for comic books, paperback book covers, paintings, posters, LP record album covers, and other media. He i ...

cover were graphic horror tales edited by Goodwin and hosted by the lumpish Cousin Eerie, a curious character created by Jack Davis. With scripts by Goodwin, E. Nelson Bridwell and

Larry Ivie Larry is a masculine given name in English, derived from Lawrence or Laurence. It can be a shortened form of those names. Larry may refer to the following: People Arts and entertainment *Larry D. Alexander, American artist/writer * Larry Boon ...

, the second issue featured art by Gene Colan, Johnny Craig (as Jay Taycee),

Reed Crandall Reed Leonard Crandall (February 22, 1917 – September 13, 1982) Reed Crandall
at ...

Jerry Grandenetti Charles J. "Jerry" Grandenetti (April 15, 1926 – February 19, 2010) was an American comic book artist and advertising art director, best known for his work with writer-artist Will Eisner on the celebrated comics feature "The Spirit", and for his ...

(uncredited),

Gray Morrow Dwight Graydon "Gray" Morrow (March 7, 1934 – November 6, 2001).e., the Gilberton Company, publisher of the ''Classics Illustrated'' comic-book series of literary adaptations], and I was given a script. One thing led to another and I was soo ...

Joe Orlando Joseph Orlando (April 4, 1927 – December 23, 1998) was an Italian American illustrator, writer, editor and cartoonist during a lengthy career spanning six decades. He was the associate publisher of '' Mad'' and the vice president of DC Comics, ...

John Severin John Powers Severin (; December 26, 1921 – February 12, 2012) was an American comics artist noted for his distinctive work with EC Comics, primarily on the war comics ''Two-Fisted Tales'' and ''Frontline Combat''; for Marvel Comics, ...

Angelo Torres Angelo Torres (born April 14, 1932, in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is an American cartoonist and caricaturist whose work has appeared in many noteworthy comic books, as well as a long-running regular illustrator for '' Mad''. EC Comics Torres was f ...

and

Alex Toth Alexander Toth (June 25, 1928 – May 27, 2006) was an American cartoonist active from the 1940s through the 1980s. Toth's work began in the American comic book industry, but he is also known for his animation designs for Hanna-Barbera throughout ...

. Other artists during this era included

Wally Wood Wallace Allan Wood (June 17, 1927 – November 2, 1981) was an American comic book writer, artist and independent publisher, widely known for his work on EC Comics's titles such as '' Weird Science'', '' Weird Fantasy'', and ''MAD Magazine'' fr ...

, Al Williamson,

Neal Adams Neal Adams (June 15, 1941 – April 28, 2022) was an American comic book artist. He was the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates, and was a Creator ownership, creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and re ...

, Dan Adkins, and

Steve Ditko Stephen John Ditko Page contains two reproductions from school yearbooks. A 1943 Garfield Junior High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen Ditko". A 1945 Johnstown High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen J. Ditko" under extracurricular act ...

. ''Eerie'' was published on a bi-monthly basis. Goodwin would eventually resign as the editor of ''Eerie'' after issue 11 in September 1967. Warren was going through a financial crisis at the time, forcing pay cuts for both writers and artists, driving the majority of the magazine's leading artists to leave, and making Warren fill much of their content with Goodwin-era reprints, which would be prevalent in the magazine until issue 26 in March 1970. Editors during this period included Bill Parente and publisher Jim Warren himself. Things would pick up starting in 1969 with the premiere of ''

'' magazine. Some of ''Eerie''s original artists including Frazetta, Crandall and Wood would return, as would Goodwin, as Associate Editor for issues 29 through 33. A variety of editors would continue to manage ''Eerie'' after Goodwin's second departure including Billy Graham and J.R. Cochran. William Dubay, who first joined Warren as an artist in 1970, would become editor of the magazine for issues 43 through 72. During this period the frequency of ''Eerie'' and Warren's other magazines was upped to nine issues per year. Color stories would begin appearing in ''Eerie'' starting with issue 54 in February 1974. In late 1971, artists from the Barcelona Studio of Spanish agency

Selecciones Illustrada Selecciones Ilustradas (sometimes known as ''S.I.'') is a Spanish art agency founded by Josep Toutain. Warren Publishing Selecciones Ilustradas is probably most well known in America due to its connections with Warren Publishing, where S.I.'s artis ...

started appearing in ''Eerie'' and other Warren magazine. These artists included

Esteban Maroto Esteban Maroto (born 1942) is a Spanish comic book artist. Career Born in Madrid, he began his career in the 1960s with series like ''Cinco por infinito'', published in English by Continuity Comics as '' Zero Patrol'' (heavily retouched by e ...

, Jaime Brocal, Rafael Aura Leon, Martin Salvador, Luis Garcia, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Bea, Isidro Mones,

Sanjulián Manuel Pérez Clemente (better known as Sanjulián; born 24 June 1941) is a Spanish painter, most notable for his magazine and novel covers. He was born in Barcelona, and studied at Belles Arts of Sant Jordi. Sanjulián began working for Sel ...

and Enrich Torres. Additional artists from S.I.'s Valencia Studio joined Warren in 1974 including José Ortiz,

Luis Bermejo Luis Bermejo Rojo (12 August 1931 – 12 December 2015) was a Spanish illustrator and comics artist known for his work published in Spain, Italy, Great Britain, and the United States. He has illustrated a number of novels, and worked for a while ...

, and Leopold Sanchez. Towards the end of Dubay's time as editor, artists from ''Eerie''s first golden era including

and

returned. Notable writers during Dubay's era as editor included Gerry Boudreau, Budd Lewis, Jim Stenstrum,

Steve Skeates Steve Skeates (; born 1943) is an American comic book creator known for his work on such titles as ''Aquaman'', '' Hawk and Dove'', ''T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents'', and ''Plop!'' He has also written under the pseudonyms Chester P. Hazel and Warren Savin ...

and

Doug Moench Douglas Moench (; born February 23, 1948) is an American comic book writer notable for his ''Batman'' work and as the creator of Moon Knight, Deathlok, Black Mask, '' Electric Warrior'' and '' Six from Sirius''. He is also known for his critica ...

. Dubay resigned after issue #72 and was replaced by Louise Jones, his former assistant. Jones would edit the magazine until #110 (April 1980). Former

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...

publisher

Carmine Infantino Carmine Michael Infantino (; May 24, 1925 – April 4, 2013) was an American comics artist and editor, primarily for DC Comics, during the late 1950s and early 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comic Books. Among his character creations are ...

would also join Warren shortly after she became editor. Much like the wave of Spanish artists that dominated the magazine throughout the mid-1970s, a number of artists from the Philippines would join Warren during Jones's period as editor including

Alex Niño Alex Niño (born May 1, 1940) is a Filipino comics artist best known for his work for the American publishers DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and Warren Publishing, and in '' Heavy Metal'' magazine. Biography Early life and career Alex Niño was bo ...

Alfredo Alcala Alfredo P. Alcala (August 23, 1925 – April 4, 2000) was a Filipino comics artist, born in Talisay, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Alcala was an established illustrator whose works appeared in the ''Alcala Komix Magazine''. His 1963 cr ...

and

Rudy Nebres Rodolfo D. Nebres (born January 14, 1937) is a Filipino comics artist who has worked mostly as an inker in the American comic book industry. Known for his lush, detailed inklines, Nebres' most prolific period was in the late 1970s and the 1980s. ...

and would remain at ''Eerie'' until its end in 1983. The Rook, an adventurer who first appeared in #82 (March 1977), would appear in nearly every issue of the magazine over the next two years and would eventually be given his own magazine. While he had resigned as editor, Dubay remained with Warren and became their dominant writer during this period. Other dominant writers during this period included Bruce Jones, Bob Toomey and Roger McKenzie.

Cancellation and legal battles

After Louise Jones resigned as editor following issue #110, Dubay returned to edit the magazine using the alias "Will Richardson" until issue 120. After Dubay's departure various editors including Chris Adames, Timothy Moriarty held the position. Reprints would once again start predominantly appearing in the magazine, with many reprint issues being dedicated to a single artist. ''Eerie''s last issue published would be issue #139 in February 1983 when Warren went bankrupt. In 1983,

Harris Publications Harris Publications Inc. was an American special interest media company, operating over 75 brands with print, digital, mobile and live event platforms prior to its sale to Athlon Media in 2016. It produced magazines that educate, entertain, inf ...

acquired Warren's assets, including ''Eerie'', '' Creepy'', and ''

''. Harris published a single issue of ''Creepy'' (#146), but legal murkiness prevented him from publishing further issues or any issues of ''Eerie''. In 2000, after a protracted legal dispute with Harris,"News Watch: Jim Warren Sues Harris Publications" ''The Comics Journal'' #211 (Apr. 1999), p. 8. Jim Warren and Warren Publishing finally regained sole ownership of all rights to his two iconic and flagship comic book franchises ''Creepy'' and ''Eerie''.

Collected editions

In February 2007, New Comic Company, LLC, after seven years of effort, completed a total rights acquisition from Warren and his entity for all rights in perpetuity to ''Creepy'' and ''Eerie''. Terms of the deal were never disclosed, although it has been rumored it was a complete buyout and all copyright renewals and trademarks have been re-established in the name of New Comic Company LLC. Shortly after that rights acquisition deal, in June 2007, New Comic Company LLC principals Dan Braun, Craig Haffner, Josh Braun, and Rick Brookwell completed a partnership agreement with

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops know ...

and its CEO Mike Richardson to republish in archival hardcover form all 285 total issues of the original ''Creepy'' and ''Eerie''. The first archival volume ''Creepy'' release date was August 2008, the second December 2008, with additional releases planned every four months. The first archival volume ''Eerie'' release date was March 15, 2009, with additional releases every four months. In addition, Dark Horse and New Comic Company launched the new ''Creepy'' comic magazine in June 2009.

Recurring characters and series

Unlike its companion magazine, ''Creepy'', which relied on stand alone anthology stories, ''Eerie'' would eventually become dominated by continuing series. This started with #36 with the short-lived feature “Prince Targo of Manaii”, which reappeared only in #37 and #40. A more lasting character debuted in #39 (April 1972) with the series “Dax the Warrior”, which would run for 12 issues. By #48 (June 1973) most if not all of each issue contained continuing series. Initially most of the serials in ''Eerie ''were based on famous horror characters including Dracula, the Werewolf and the Mummy. Eventually they were replaced with original characters. Issue #130 was devoted to a huge crossover story with many of the better-known of the series characters, along with Vampirella. Some of the recurring characters and series that appeared in ''Eerie'' include the following: “Dax the Warrior” - Art and writing by

. Twelve parts in total, which appeared in #39-52. This series was a reprinting of Maroto's “Manly”, which originally appeared in Spain. It featured the often downbeat adventures of Dax, a powerful warrior. During his travels Dax would encounter many sorcerers, witches, beasts and even Death itself. Ten out of twelve parts were reprinted in issue #59, and were heavily rewritten by writer Budd Lewis, who renamed the serial ''Dax the Damned''. “The Mummy Walks” - Art by Jaime Brocal Remohí, and written by

. Six parts in total, which appeared in issues #48-54. It starred Jerome Curry, a "warped and lowly man" in turn of the century Boston who was able to use the body of an Egyptian mummy to destroy his enemies and gain social status through amulet-based thought transference. The entire series was reprinted in issue #78. “Curse of the Werewolf” - Originally written by Al Milgrom, with art by

Bill DuBay William Bryan Dubay (January 11, 1948 – April 15, 2010William Bryan Dubay

Rich Buckler Rich may refer to: Common uses * Rich, an entity possessing wealth * Rich, an intense flavor, color, sound, texture, or feeling ** Rich (wine), a descriptor in wine tasting Places United States * Rich, Mississippi, an unincorporated comm ...

. Arthur Lemming was the title character, a kindly English gentleman whose werewolf curse tears his whole life apart. In successive episodes, Arthur brutally murders his wife, his daughter, a whole camp full of friendly gypsies, and various friends and neighbors, while being hunted by a haughty, self-righteous werewolf-hunter turned magician named Goodman Blacker. After the first two parts, the artists were replaced by artist Martin Salvador. Milgrom would eventually be replaced as writer by Steve Skeates. This series had seven parts in total, which appeared in issues #48-56. This series and "The Mummy Walks" were combined for a three-part series titled “And the Mummies Walk” in issues #61-63, with art by Joaquin Blazquez. “Dracula” - Art by

Tom Sutton Thomas F. Sutton (April 15, 1937 – May 1, 2002) He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school in 1955, and worked on art projects while stationed at Fort Francis E. Warren, near Laramie, Wyoming. Later, stationed at It ...

, and written by Bill DuBay. This series featured a Dracula character that had originally been developed in ''Vampirella'', a relatively conscientious lord of the vampire world who traveled the world seeking to help the needy while researching a cure for his ancient curse. Three parts in total, appearing in issues #46-48. An additional three-part series starring Dracula would appear in ''Vampirella'' in issues #39-41. “Dr. Archaeus” - Art by Isidro Monés, and written by Gerry Boudreau. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues #54-61. This series revolved around a man who had been sentenced to death, but survived his hanging and sought revenge on the jury, killing them in a manner inspired by the 12 days of Christmas. “Hunter” - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Rich Margopoulos, Budd Lewis and Bill DuBay. Six parts in total, appearing in issues #52-57. Set in a near-future world devastated by

nuclear war Nuclear warfare, also known as atomic warfare, is a theoretical military conflict or prepared political strategy that deploys nuclear weaponry. Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction; in contrast to conventional warfare, nuclear wa ...

, it features Damien Hunter, a half man/half demon who seeks to destroy all the demons on Earth, including his father Oephal. As a half-breed consumed by self-loathing, Hunter frequently moralized on racial issues in contemporary America. The entire series would be reprinted in issue #69. Although Hunter died in the final part, a sequel titled “Hunter II”, featuring a new character, appeared in issues #67, #68, #70-72, and #101. A "Hunter III" spoof appeared in #87. A crossover story with Darklon the Mystic appeared in #121. “Schreck” - Art by

Vicente Alcazar Vicente Alcazar (born April 4, 1944) is a Spanish comics artist best known for his work for the American comic-book publishers DC Comics and Marvel Comics, including a 1970s run on the DC Western character Jonah Hex. His name is sometimes mis-c ...

and

(first appearance only), and written by Doug Moench. Four parts in total, appearing in issues #53-55. Radiation from nuclear testing causes mutations to occur to many people on Earth, turning them into bloodthirsty zombies. The title character would later re-appear in the later "Hunter" series toward its end. “Child” - Art by

Richard Corben Richard Corben (October 1, 1940December 2, 2020) was an American illustrator and comic book artist best known for his comics featured in '' Heavy Metal'' magazine, especially the ''Den'' series which was featured in the magazine's first film ada ...

, and written by

Greg Potter Gregory Paul Potter is an American comic book writer best known for co-creating the DC Comics series '' Jemm, Son of Saturn'' with artist Gene Colan. Biography Greg Potter began writing comics stories for Warren Publishing's black-and-white ho ...

and Budd Lewis (last part only). A retelling of the Frankenstein story, with the monster being a childlike creature. Three parts in total, appearing in issues #57-60. “The Spook” - Originally written by

, with art by Esteban Maroto. They would be replaced by writer Budd Lewis and artist Leopold Sanchez after the first few stories. This series explored slavery and race relations in the Old South by charting the adventures of a proud black zombie in the 19th century. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues #57-66. A spinoff story titled 'Papa Voodoo' appeared in issue #67. “Night of the Jackass” - Art by José Ortiz, and written by Bruce Bezaire. Four parts in total, in issues #60-65. The story features a drug, Hyde 25(m), which causes anyone who uses it to become a powerful monster, but brings death after 24 hours. All four parts would be reprinted in issue #115. “Exterminator One” - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Bill DuBay. Three parts in total, in issues #60, #63 and #64. It features a cyborg assassin known as Exterminator One. Two additional stories in the Exterminator series that featured other characters appeared in issues #58 and #61, and an Exterminator would also appear in the "Hunter II" series. “Apocalypse” - Art by José Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. Four parts in total, in issues #61-65. Features the four horsemen of the Apocalypse - War, Famine, Plague and Death. “Coffin” - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. In the Old West, Coffin is a well-meaning "dude" from back East who mistakenly attacks a Native American village. Coffin received false information that the tribe attacked a stagecoach he was on. After being captured, he is staked to the ground and horrifically mutilated. He is then cursed by the last remaining Native American to live forever, and spends the remainder of the series trying to redeem himself and find a way to die. Four parts in total, in issues #61, #67, #68 and #70. “ The Rook” - Art and writing by Bill DuBay. The Rook is scientist Restin Dane, who comes from a family of scientists whose members include the unnamed protagonist of the novel '' The Time Machine'' by H.G. Wells. Dane gains his nickname from the fact that his time machine resembles a giant rook chess piece. Taking to wearing Western-style clothing and a gun belt, he has his first time-travel adventure at the

Alamo The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna reclaimed the Alamo Mission near San An ...

in order to save an ancestor. There he succeeds in rescuing his great-great-grandfather Bishop Dane, who accompanies him on many of his adventures, along with three robots Restin has built. The feature appeared in ''Eerie'' #82-85, #87-96, #98-105, 132, #134 and #136, ''Vampirella'' #70, and ''Warren Comics Presents'' #2, as well as in the 14-issue series ''The Rook''. “Darklon the Mystic” - Story and art by

Jim Starlin James P. Starlin (born October 9, 1949) is an American comics artist and writer. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, he is best known for space opera stories, for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock, an ...

. Not to be confused with the Jim Starlin character

Zyzygy Darklock Syzygy (from Greek Συζυγία "conjunction, yoked together") may refer to: Science * Syzygy (astronomy), a collinear configuration of three celestial bodies * Syzygy (mathematics), linear relation between generators of a module * Syzygy, i ...

. The first story about each character had the same title, "The Price". Darklon appeared in Eerie #79, 80, 84, and 100.

References

External links