Book Review: Eerie Archives, Volume 1

Archie Godwin, et.al., Eerie Archives, Volume 1. Milwaukie, OR; Dark Horse Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781506736198.

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: horror, macabre, vintage

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

 

This volume collects the first five issues of Eerie Magazine as published by Warren Publisher. The magazine first appeared in 1962 in part to take advantage of Creepy Magazine's success. With stories by Archie Goodwin, the magazine features art from artists such as Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and Steve Ditko. The volume features a foreword by Forrest J. Ackerman. 

On a bit of trivia note that this is a magazine, not a comic book. As Ackerman explains, "Like Creepy, Eerie was a magazine-format publication and thus avoided having to earn the seal of the Comics Code Authority" (4). That was a savvy choice. Another advantage of the large format, which I highly appreciate, is that it enhances readability. The print and writing are a lot easier to read. In addition, you can appreciate the art and make out the details a lot better with the larger format. 

If you enjoy horror thrillers and the macabre, often with a twist at the end, you'll enjoy these stories. You get stories about monsters, mad scientists, and zombies plus ghosts, crimes, and other mysteries. There is something for just about every reader. Stories are not terribly long, just a few pages each, so you can read one or a few in one sitting. The stories draw you in along with the black and white art. 

I really enjoyed reading these. Granted, not all stories are original; variants of Frankenstein's monster are plentiful, but they are fun to read. There are still plenty of original stories as well. Some of my favorites in this volume include: 

• "Death Plane."
• "Eye of the Beholder."
• "Under the Skin."
• "Hatchet Man." 

I am sure readers will find favorites here as well. These are stories and art that are a pleasure to read. I enjoyed taking my time reading through this volume. 

The publisher of this archives edition has done a great job in terms of format and aesthetic. They even include the magazine's letters to the editor and the old time magazine ads. That just adds to the overall charm. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I will look for the next volume in the series. I highly recommend it for libraries that collect comics and graphic novels. These volumes are a great way to introduce these tales to a new generation of readers. This is one I would personally add to my collection. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

 

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