These reprints of ’60s b&w horror comics magazines Creepy
#6–10 are aimed at the connoisseur. They’re faithful reproductions, to the extent of including each issue’s cover, seven or eight short stories, table of contents, letter column and ads (updated with Web site addresses). Since the glossy stock is much finer than the authentic newsprint, visually, these pages are better than the originals, with moody, dark blacks that punctuate the shock endings. Even if they don’t make sense, the villains get what they deserve, regardless of historical period—Roman, Victorian or contemporary. Some Archives projects run into trouble with color, since it’s cheaper to print without it, but here, there’s no loss to the gorgeous art. Various shading and cross-hatching techniques provide depth to the illustrations of outstanding talents: Gray Morrow, Reed Crandall, Al Williamson, Joe Orlando, Alex Toth, John Severin, Angelo Torres, Gene Colan and Steve Ditko. Combine them with writer/editor Archie Goodwin, one of the best ever in the business, and the result is pulp at its highest level of craft and entertainment. (Dec.)
