Naughty comics: Bernie Wrightson & Vaughn Bode - Purple Pictography

In 1971, legendary underground comix artists Vaughn Bode briefly teamed up with then newcomer and future comic book superstar, Bernie Wrightson for a strange collaboration on a series of "adult" themed comic shorts called "Purple Pictography" for the US men’s magazine "Swank" . At the time Bode was very busy on other work and had asked his friend Bernie if he would illustrate some of his stories. The result was a series on beautifully painted strips in a cartoon style by the man that would soon take on the artistic chores on DC's "Swamp Thing" comic. Below are a few of the first pages featuring Bernie’s art in what was one of the most bizarre collaborations in US comics.

Bode had drawn a few of the strips in his own style before he asked Wrightson for his assistance. Together the team produced five 3 page strips before the series ended.

The Bode and Wrightson strips were collected by the Fantagraphics Eros line. Originally the above strip as printed in black and white but the colour version of Bernie's art was printed in this collection.

Below as a special treat is the full 3 pages from the "Monster's Thing" (Frankenstein ) strip. It's strange to think that in 1971 these comics would have been considered pretty risky whereas today they are for the most part (some of Bode's pages are still a bit out there) pretty tame.

Next up the Christmas countdown.

Favourite Comics: Challengers of the Unknown #74 - Neal Adams, George Tuska, Bernie Wrightson

The Challengers of the Unknown (created by Dave Wood and Jack Kirby ) had their own title which ran for an impressive 77 issues (1958-1970) following their test run which began in Showcase# 6 (February 1957). Despite the titles relatively long run this was a comic that I was unaware of and my introduction to the team would have to wait until issue 79, when the title was re-launched as a short lived all-reprint comic in 1973. It wouldn’t be until 1977 when DC rebooted the title under the stewardship of Gerry Conway and hot artist Mike Nasser when I would become a fan of the team. Although this new series did not last long it whetted my appetite for the team and in 1981, I eventually tracked down my first “Challengers” back issue, the above #74 (1970) featuring art by Neal Adams, George Tuska, Bernie Wrightson and Henry Boltinoff !!!! Below are a few pages from this excellent issue.

As can be seen from the above splash page and cover, Deadman guested in issue 74, an occult story drawn half and half by Tuska and Neal Adams who, at that point, was the only artist who got to draw Boston Brand. Although Adams and Tuska's styles would not be considered compatible, as a fan of both artists I loved this issue even although Tuska's pages had a touch of "Scooby Doo" about them compared to Adams realistic style.

As was the norm for many DC titles at this time (1970) most issues feature a one page humour strip by the great Henry Boltinoff.

An to round of this excellent comic, DC added a one page tale by Bernie Wrightson.

Top Tens: The Halloween & horror covers of Bernie Wrightson

I first became aware of Bernie Wrightson (1948 - 2017 ) in the early 1970's , when he and writer Len Wein created comics most famous muck monster, Swamp Thing. Although I came to the Swamp Thing late with my first issue being #8 (Bernie's last issue on the title being #10) I did manage to console myslef by picking up several of his amazing covers and strips in many of DC and Marvel's mystery / horror comics - some of my favourites are noted below.

Cover above taken from the Grand Comics Database (my issues cover is badly damaged)

Bring on the Christmas Back-Ups - Night of the Prowler - by Bernie Wrightson & Len Wein

Well its that time of the year again so what better way to kick-off the festive season than with a look at some of my favourite Christmas themed comics strips. This little 3 page gem comes from the talented duo of Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson from "House of Mystery" #191 (January 1971). “Night of the Prowler” was a pretty innocent, but fun tale written at a time that Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson were creating comic book magic with the Swamp Thing. Enjoy.

Above, the cover to "House of Mystery" #191 by Neal Adams.This issue features some nice art by Bill Draut, Tony DeZuniga and Sergio Aragones.

Page Turners: The "Creepy" art of Bernie Wrightson

Bernie Wrightson was one of the true giants of the comic book genre that sprung from the well of talent that emerged in the late 1960’s - 1970's period. Although he may not have been as active in the world of superheroes, he was undoubtedly the master of horror and mystery comics books at this time producing an amazing output of high quality art and stories for DC's mystery titles where in 1969, he produced his first professional work “ The man who murdered himself” for "House of Mystery" #169. It would only be a couple of years later the Bernie would co-create with Len Wein, arguably comics greatest muck monster "Swamp Thing” in the pages of "House of Secrets" # 92. Although his short run on “Swamp Thing” (#1-10) is rightly considered the pinnacle of his comic book output, his work for Warrens Creepy and Eerie magazines was always extra special. Below (and above from Creepy #62) is a selection of Bernie’s front pieces for "Creepy" magazine that combine horror with a twinge of humour as only a true master of the genre could do.

Although I have a few of the original issues of “Creepy” where these front pieces originally appeared, all these are taken from the excellent "Creepy Archive – Bernie Wrightson” edition from Dark Horse comics.

The Funny side of Horror: The Gourmet - by Berni Wrightson - Plop ! #1

Plop! was sub titled "The Magazine of Weird Humor!" and for good reason it truly was a bizarre anthology comic featuring a heady mix of humour and horror strips. However, the reason that many comic fans of the time may have purchased the first issue was for the story “The Gourmet” written by Steve Skeates with art by the legendary master of the horror genre Berni Wrightson. The strip presented below, tells the tale of Vernon Glute a man who is willing to pay any price for a plate of frog’s legs!

Berni Wrightson would contribute only one other strip to Plop! in issue 5 a six page humour/horror classic tale entitled "Moulded in Evil" written by George Kashidan.

Plop! ran for 24 issues from September 1973 to December 1976 with the first 10 issues being advert free. The covers of most issues featured weird characters (like issue 1 above ) by Basil Wolverton and Wally Wood. Many of the earlier issues featured one page gags and stories illustrated by some of the biggest names in comics including Alex Toth, Wally Wood, Alfredo Alcala and Bill Druat, but the true star of PLOP! was the equally legendary Sergio Aragones.

Plop! was heavily advertised in various DC house ads at the time which featured a series of small adverts by Sergio Aragones each with a silly "plop" theme. These ads were not only humerous but they whetted my appetite to find out just what "Plop!" was. I sadly missed the first issue (only purchasing it around 10 years later) but I did manage to borrow a friends copy and found the mix of humour and horror fun. My first issue was Plop! #2 which is another story for another time.

Above: The first issue featured a collection of Sergio Aragones' fun one panel house ads.