Number 1088


Them There Those!


I saw the movie Them! on its first release in 1954, and loved it. I watched a DVD of the film this past October. Except for the caricature of star James Whitmore I barely recognize it from this satire of the film for EC's Panic #7. Jack Mendelsohn wrote it. His writing is perfectly complemented by Wallace Wood's excellent artwork.

Number 926


"Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads..."


In Pappy's #871 I posted a classic Wally Wood movie satire from EC Comics' Panic #2, written by Al Feldstein. Here's another from Wood's brush and pen, "20,000 Leaks Under the Sea," a satire of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," a popular 1954 Disney live action movie. I saw the movie on its first release, and have seen it a half dozen times since. I think it's one of the best from that studio, with some great effects and fine casting. I'm especially fond of James Mason's performance as the tormented Captain Nemo...but I digress.

Jack Mendelsohn wrote the parody. Mendelsohn has had several careers, as television and animation writer (Laugh-In and Jay Ward cartoons, for example). He even wrote and drew one of the most creative comic strips ever, "Jackys Diary," which appeared to be drawn by a 6-year-old, and signed "by Jacky Mendelsohn, age 32 1/2."

Mendelsohn's parody of this movie is pretty sharp, and he keeps the jokes coming. And, of course there's the Wallace Wood artwork...what's not to like?

From Panic #11, 1954:

Number 505


"...Behind the Horror Story Comics Books!"


Friday I showed you my favorite Al Feldstein story. EC Comics had a big part in popularizing the forbidden horror comics we all love, and also did their part to bring about the Comics Code and cause the industry to crash and burn.

In 1956 Lunatickle #2 published "The Horrible Comic Story Behind The Horror Story Comic Books!" I think any fan of horror comics would love to know the true story behind Sam Grisly and his ECHH Comics. Even as satire this is probably closer to the truth than what was reported in newspapers at the time, told as it was by ex-EC writer Jack Mendelsohn and drawn by former Harvey Comics horror artist/art director Lee Elias.

Elias drew things like this when he worked on horror comics:

The "Horrible Story" was also reprinted in EC mega-fan Roger Hill's EC Fan-Addict Fanzine #1 from 2004.


Lunatickle was a Mad imitator that lasted two issues.

Elias, who did the cover, was joined by Bob Powell, Joe Kubert, Mike Sekowsky, Andru and Esposito. Unfortunately, that spark of genius that permeated Kurtzman's Mad in 1956 was nowhere present in Lunatickle and probably contributed to its short shelf life.