Reviews

Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s by John Benson, Warren Kremer, Howard Nostrand, Harry Harrison, Tony Mortellaro, Greg Sadowski, Jack Katz, Harry Lazarus, Reed Crandall, Matt Fox, Basil Wolverton, Lou Cameron, Al Avison, L.B. Cole, William Ekgren, Joe Simon, Bob Powell, Rudy Palais, Sid Check, Manny Stallman, Fred Kida, Mike Peppe, Norman Saunders, George Meyerriecks, Lee Elias, Al Williamson, John Giunta, Maurice Whitman, Bernard Baily, George Evans, Ernie Bache, Jack Cole, Iger Studio, Matt Baker, Jack Kirby, Wallace Wood, Edvard Moritz, Joe Kubert, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Frank Frazetta

lattelibrarian's review

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4.0

I'd never read horror comics before, btu dang do I want to read more!  With the usual 1950s flair for style and short-story-esque plotlines, these comics make for a quick and entertaining read that pushes the borders between reality and taboo.  Take, for instance, the corpse who came back to life, or the drowned man walking the streets of New York City for his murderer, or even the mad scientist who has made a wall from flesh.  

What I appreciated about these was the fact that so many people got their just desserts--racist folks, sexist men, manipulators, liars, thieves.  Certainly, it didn't necessarily eradicate all sexist and colonial themes, but dang, it was nice to see attempted murderers and plantation-owners get what was coming to them!  

Overall, I found this collection riveting and ultimately well-put together.  Even better were the forewords and afterwords describing the history of such comics and how they fell into and out of vogue over the years.  Certainly worth reading if you're a classic horror buff!

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jmoriarty's review against another edition

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4.0

I love comics, especially the old, pulpy, horror ones with their weird morality tales and overblown characters. This collection of pre-comic code stories is pure fun.

andymoon's review against another edition

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4.0

Excellent collection of 1950s horror comics, love the art style.

peachani's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

maleficentknits's review

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4.0

Nice collection of 1950s horror comics. Not the best work or stories but definitely a few hidden gems amidst the wide array of stories.

richard's review

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Excellent collection of (non-EC Comics) horror comics from the 1950s.
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