eerie

For the record label, see Eerie Materials

Cover painting by Joe Orlando

Eerie was a magazine of horror comics introduced in 1966 by Warren Publishing. Like Mad, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority. Each issue's stories were introduced by the host character, Cousin Eerie. Its sister publications were Creepy and Vampirella.

Founding and Eerie's First Golden Age

The first issue, in early 1966, had only a small limited 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 to establish publisher Jim Warren's ownership of the title. Warren explained, "We launched Eerie because we thought Creepy ought to have an adversary. The Laurel and Hardy syndrome always appealed to me. Creepy and Eerie are like Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre."

Official distribution began with the second issue (March, 1966), priced at 35 cents. Behind the Frank Frazetta 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, the second issue featured art by Gene Colan, Johnny Craig, Reed Crandall, Bill Draut, Jerry Grandenetti, John Severin, Angelo Torres and Alex Toth. Other artists during this era included Wally Wood, Gray Morrow, Al Williamson, Neal Adams, Dan Adkins, and Steve Ditko. Eerie was published on a bi-monthly basis.

The Dark Age

Goodwin would eventually resign as the editor of Eerie after issue 11 in September 1967. Due to a lack of funds, the majority of the magazine's well known artists departed, and Warren was forced to rely on 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 Vampirella 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.

Eerie's Second Golden Age

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. Another major development occurred in late 1971 when artists from the Barcelona Studio of Spanish agency Selecciones Illustrada started appearing in Eerie and other Warren magazines. Artists from Spain would go on to dominate Eerie and the other Warren magazines throughout the 70's. These artists included Esteban Maroto, Jaime Brocal, Rafael Aura Leon, Martin Salvador, Luis Garcia, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Bea, Isidro Mones, Manuel Sanjulian and Enrich Torres. Additional artists from S.I.'s Valencia Studio joined Warren in 1974 including Jose Ortiz, Luis Bermejo, and Leopold Sanchez. Towards the end of Dubay's time as editor, artists from Eerie's first golden era including Alex Toth and John Severin returned. Notable writers during Dubay's era as editor included Gerry Boudreau, Budd Lewis, Jim Stenstrum and Doug Moench.

Dubay would resign after issue 72 and was replaced by Louise Jones, his former assistant. Jones would edit the magazine until issue 110 in April 1980. Former DC Comics publisher Carmine Infantino would also join Warren shortly after she became editor. Much like the wave of Spanish artists that dominated Eerie throughout the mid-1970's, a number of artists from the Phillipines would join Warren during Jones's period as editor including Alex Nino, Alfredo Alcala and Rudy Nebres and would remain at Eerie until its end in 1983. "The Rook", a super hero who first appeared in issue 82 in 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. Another dominant writer during this period was Bruce Jones.

The End of Eerie

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.

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 issue 39 in April 1972 with the series 'Dax the Warrior', which would run for 12 issues. By issue 48 in June 1973 most if not all of each issue contained continuing series. Initially the serials in Eerie were based on famous horror characters including Dracula, the Werewolf and the Mummy. Eventually they were replaced with original characters. Some of the recurring characters and series that appeared in Eerie include the following:

Dax the Warrior - Art and writing by Esteban Maroto. Twelve parts in total, which appeared in issues 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 sorcerors, witches, beasts and even Death itself. Ten out of twelve parts were reprinted in issue 59, and were heavily rewrited by writer Budd Lewis, who renamed the serial Dax the Damned.

The Mummy Walks - Art by Jaime Brocal, and written by Steve Skeates. Six parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-54. It starred Jerome Curry, who was able to use the body of an Egyptian mummy using an amulet. The entire series was reprinted in issue 78.

Curse of the Werewolf - Originally written by Al Milgrom, with art by Bill Dubay and Rich Buckler. 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 61-3, with art by Joaquin Blazquez.

Dracula - Art by Tom Sutton, and written by Bill Dubay. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 46-8. An additional 3 part series starring Dracula would appear in Vampirella in issues 39-41.

Dr. Archaeus - Art by Isidro Mones, 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 52-7. Features Damien Hunter, a half man, half demon who seeks to destroy all the demons on Earth, including his father Oephal. The entire series would be reprinted in issue 69. Although Hunter died in the final part, a sequel featuring a new character titled Hunter II appeared in issues 67-73.

Schreck - Art by Vicente Alcazar and Neal Adams (first appearance only), and written by Doug Moench. Four parts in total, appearing in issues 53-5. Radiation from nucleur testing causes mutations to occur to many people on Earth, turning them into bloodthirsty zombies. Inspired by the movie The Omega Man.

Child - Art by Richard Corben, and written by Greg Potter and Budd Lewis (last part only). Three parts in total, appearing in issues 57-60.

The Spook - Originally written by Doug Moench, with art by Esteban Maroto. They would be replaced by writer Budd Lewis and artist Leopold Sanchez. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 57-66.

Night of the Jackass - Art by Jose 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 60-4. Features a robot assassin known as Exterminator One. Two additional stories in the Exterminator series that featured other characters appeared in issues 58 and 61.

Apocalypse - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. Four parts in total, in issues 61-5. Features the four horsemen of the Apocalypse - War, Famine, Plague and Death.

External links

• An Eerie Tale
• The Warren Magazines
• The Warren Companion, published by TwoMorrows Publishing

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