World Famous Comics: The Mammoth Book of Best Horror Comics
The Mammoth Book of Best Horror Comics
From: Running Press Publisher: Running Press Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Running Press Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 448 Publication Date: March 24, 2008
Product Description: Featuring over 60 classics of the 1950's that caused a furor in the US and sparked legislation to crack down on explicit horror, this volume also includes modern contributors.
Terrific value, but mediocre compilation "The Mammoth Book of Horror Comics" overall rates out as a disappointment due to the weakness of its compiled content. It does start off with great intentions though. For starters considering that it is a value purchase it is surprisingly a 'nice' book with a stiff and sturdy soft cover as well as better-then-average paper stock that looks like it will hold up well over time. The books editors also provide a helpful introduction to each of the 50 stories presented within and clocking in at 544 pages no one's gonna complain that you're not getting your money's worth in regards to content.
The problems that I have with this book is 2-fold. First off, was slightly disappointed that this book is entirely in black and white. Eliminating the use of color really gives readers a watered down experience and I would've gladly paid more for this book knowing that the original color palettes have been properly reproduced in this compilation. Secondly the actual material is mostly mediocre filler, especially the first 2/3's of the book that chronicles the 1950's through the 80's. The books best material is found toward the end when they delve into the 1990's and 2000's.
All in all, a fairly decent purchase for the price if you don't mind the B&W reproductions and mostly hum-drum horror vignettes.
Comically Horrible As a large and accessible collection of some of the lesser known comic companies producing tawdry horror comics, this book works well. However, if you're looking for superior art or quality in story-telling, definitely look elsewhere. Simply put, this is cheap and nasty, like many of the stories within.
Animated horror you probably have never seen I am thoroughly enjoying this book. Maybe all of the stories aren't the scariest or best thing you've ever read but this so enjoyable and fun to see how the horror genre of comics have progressed through the decades. Some will knock it because it doesn't have EC or MARVEL or the more "famous" in here but that is exactly why I love it. You won't get a chance to see these anywhere. The others you can see in their own reprints. The price is right, the contents couldn't be better and I have no complaints. Have just ordered a couple others in this same vein and I can't wait for them!
Good collection of scary comics I was very impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of editor Peter Normanton. His background information and comments on the various eras represented, and the specific remarks about individual stories and publishers, were quite helpful.
The small size of the illustrations does make some stories harder to read than others, but overall, it isn't that much of a problem.
My only real complaint, a small one, is that I would like to have seen a lot more of the Fifties and Sixties horror comics than the more modern stories. I woud love to see Normanton put out an entire volume on the notorious Eerie Publications of the Sixties and Seventies. The one story reprinted in this volume, " Fatal Scalpel" from Weird magazine in 1966, still gives me nightmares to this day.
Well worth the investment for any fan of horror comics.
Horror Review Not a bad collection of stories for the price, but not great. Also the cover says over 50 great horror comics which is a lie. there are only 48 stories. Should be 51 according to the cover!! I suggest getting the House of Mystery Showcases first if you have not done so yet!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
