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Here's a book I got via eBay recently, not from the publisher, but it's an interesting tome. The stories are apparently in the public domain, and having just looked at the website, they're 'print-on-demand' and very reasonably priced, overseas postage being a mere $5 - though that makes me wonder how they're wrapped. (Hopefully not in flimsy poly envelopes or they'll most likely get blootered in their journey through the post.)
There's quite a selection, with some being available in softcover and hardback, full colour or b&w (you have a choice), and the quality of the scanned pages will obviously depend on the condition of the originals, but there's some good stuff to be had. Regarding the back cover notes, for 'a collection of six comics, each starring one of the famous monsters from the Universal horror movies', read 'five starring one of... etc.,' though it clarifies the correct number further on.
It also describes itself as a hardback, but it's actually a softcover, and the website only mentions a softcover for this edition, though with other books there's a choice between the two formats. I assume the error could be an oversight, or perhaps it was originally intended to be available in both editions like some of the others. Anyway, if this is the sort of book that rings your bell, tell your fellow Crivvies in our ever-hungry comments section.
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Update: I've since learned the book does exist in hardback, same cover but with a different background colour. Obviously, when they did the paperback, they forgot to change 'hardback' to 'softback' in the cover notes. Although Retro Comic Reprints are, I understand, print-on-demand, I daresay a few are published in advance of being ordered just to have some ready-to-go or perhaps supply to bookstores.
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Below, the hardback edition. Note the Mummy and Wolfman covers have swapped places.
Nice artwork, the kind of book I'd like. Must resist! Not sure why the Wolf man is invisible. One of my earliest memories is watch The Wolfman Lon Chaney film in the 70s while munching Gray's Herbal Tablets. Do you have Herbal Tablets in Scotland? The factory where they make them is only a few miles from me. I used to pass the road on the way to work and the smell of Herbal Tablets was pungent - even in the car! Fortunately I've always loved them.
ReplyDeleteI think he's invisible 'cos he doesn't appear inside, M. Not that version of the Wolfman anyway. Don't think I've heard of Herbal Tablets before - any good?
DeleteAbsolutely superb but full of sugar so I'm trying to cut down. I love anything cough sweet related, I remember buying Sela Cough sweets by the quarter pound when I was at school. I've got a pack of Victory V in my coat pocket at the moment, saw them in Home Bargains last week and hadn't had them for years.
ReplyDeleteGrays Herbal Tablets Large Jar – Teddy Grays https://share.google/B8d2DsKs32I4ArHW7
It's been decades since I had a Victory V, M, so I'll try and remember to look for them next time I'm in Home Bargains.
DeleteThank you for the heads up on this book. My softcover (only option) copy arrived in the mail today. An uneven mix of well printed and faintly printed pages scanned from old copies of the comics. Never the less I look forward to my seven year old grandson reading the Creature from the Black Lagoon story and probably complaining it's not as good as the movie. I however will enjoy reading all the stories.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have the stories, T47, though there's no consistency in the way the margins are cropped. In some pages you can see the off-colour margins, with the staples also (just) visible, and in others, they've been cropped closer to the images. It could certainly be improved, but I suppose it's better than nothing. I actually have a b&w printing of the Frankie story in a UK T&P mag. (It's on the blog somewhere.)
DeleteI was surprised at how good the stories were. They seemed to be written for an older audience than 10 year old comic buyers. Thanks for the heads-up that the reprint was available.
ReplyDeleteNae bother, T47, glad to have been of service. Shame they weren't more like the movies though, story-wise. The Wolf Man's appearance bears no resemblance to the movie version.
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