For the first time in over fifty years, author Jim Trombetta uncovers a rare visual treasury of some of the most important and neglected stories in American literature-the pre-Code horror comics of the 1950s. Censored out of existence by Congress in an infamous televised US Senate subcommittee hearing investigating juvenile delinquency, these rare comic book images are culled from the author's personal collection. Many of these stories have rarely been seen since they were first issued-now revealed once again in all of their eye-popping inventive outrageousness. The 1950s horror comic was designed to jump out at you-all but literally-from a magazine rack swarming with competitors. The Horror! The Horror! includes over 200 covers and complete stories as they were originally seen, scanned from mint copies in the author's extensive collection. Coupled with commentary and informative text that provides readers with detailed history and complete context for these stories and their creators, Jim Trombetta spins a tale of expressiveness and censorship as scary as the horror stories themselves. David Hajdu's The Ten-Cent Plague (which received rave reviews on NPR, USA Today, The New Yorker, and the New York Times) focuses on the history of these horror comic books, but lacks the visual component. Jim Trombetta, a skilled writer and historian, delves into this subversive genre, looking beyond the familiar E.C. Comics like Tales from the Crypt by MAD publisher William M. Gaines, and highlights the bulk of what was being published at this crucial time in American comic-book history.
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About the Author
Jim Trombetta is a writer and comics collector. He has written for Crawdaddy and The Los Angeles Times, as well as for television, including Miami Vice, The Flash, and Star Trek. He teaches courses in screenwriting and Shakespeare at UCLA.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fantastic book for anyone who's interested in the horror comics of the 1950s which caused outrage of conservative sensibilities of the time. It's a chunky volume with loads of old strips scanned from the original comics in all their full colour glory. Reproduction is excellent. As a special bonus there's even a DVD enclosed in the back of the book which has the 1950s 'Confidential File' anti-comics tv propaganda in full. Recommended!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Amo Ginko
Format:Paperback
This really is a marvellous book - a treasure trove of blood-delivering ghouls, child vampires and jockeys driven insane. The featured artwork is superb, but some of the writing in the original comics is so bad it's funny: "Down the rickety cellar stairs clattered her heels like a berserk woodpecker" being a particular favourite of mine.
They really don't make 'em like that anymore...
They really don't make 'em like that anymore...
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I cant recommend this book highly enough to horror comic fans. Packed with complete stories and comic covers without relying on the EC titles which have had their own history books several times. Also has the DVD disc as a bonus.Well done the publishers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Book, does what it says on the cover
Great book, well illustrated. Superb stories, fantastic reprints of all the best 50's horror covers Witches Tales, Beware, Crypt of Terror, Chamber of Chills... Read more
Published 1 day ago by R HICKMAN
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent book
bought this for my husband for christmas, he loved it didn't put it down till he had read through the whole book, brings back many childhood memories, and sooo glad we didn't buy... Read more
Published 4 months ago by avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Horror! The Horror!
The Horror of it all.. I bought this book as a present for my partner and he loved it. Beautifully presented, artwork excellent, full of wonderful Comic Book covers.
Published 9 months ago by M Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars
PERVERSE PLEASURE FOR NERDS
This book is a very vivid account of 1950s american horror comics, the colours are fantastic, the comic strips are weird and shocking, there are lots of severed heads, zombies,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by volcano island
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great collection of golden era comic books
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Published 10 months ago by C. Aranha
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reprints of rare pre-code Horror for amazing price!
This is a very nice book for the price. There are some great and rare pre-code strips (id guess around 20 or so, roughly 1/3rd of the book), and loads of lurid horror and crime... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bogart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horribly Good
This is stunningly good value, and if you are remotely interested in the bygone age of comic horror,you will not be disappointed. Read more
Published 14 months ago by G. Neil
5.0 out of 5 stars
shaking..
This is super, lovely book, would order again from you, thank you so much, i have trouble writteing 20 words on one item, it is either good or not..change it amazon!!
Published 20 months ago by Bee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Book!
I bought this as a gift for my husband's birthday. He said that it is a Fantastic book. It was great price and was delivered quickly.
Published 23 months ago by Leanne Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Buy!!
I just got this through yesterday, so have only been able to skim through and I have to say well worth it! Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2011 by Anon
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