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.

Bring on the back-ups: Creepy 105 – Russ Heath magic

The first time I saw Russ Heath’s art was not on a comic strip, instead it was one of his many commercial advertising jobs where he drew those now famous Roman and Revolutionary War scenes advertising toy soldiers. These full page adverts appeared on the back page of many US comics in the 1960s and early 1970’s but at that time I had no idea who it was that drew these ads until many years later.

Among comic book fans Russ Heath (1926- 2018) was best known for his detailed art on western, adventure and war comics primarily for DC where he co-created with Robert Kanigher, the “Haunted Tank” strip (“GI Combat” issue 87) and drew the underwater adventure comic “Sea Devils” and various mystery comics. However, it was his work on DC's “Our Army at War” where he drew some Sgt Rock stories that I first became aware of his stunning artwork. As good as Heath’s art was on colour comics it was in the black and white field that he seemed to excel producing some of the his and comics best art. One of my favourites of his black and white strips was on the Nicola Cuti written tale “Dime Novel Hero” that appeared in the Warren black and white magazine “Creepy” issue 105 from December 1978. Enjoy the work of a genuine comic book master and one of comics best ever illustrators of werewolves (possibly only bettered by the late great Neal Adams) .

“Creepy” issue 105 from December 1978. – A fantastic issue that not only featured the above strip but also had a wonderfully illustrated John Severin tale “ Visit to a primitive planet” that I may show at some point.