Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Cask of Amontillado ***1000th POST!***

We’re celebrating Edgar Allan Poe’s 200th birthday (Jan 19th) all this week, and here’s another cryptacular classic from the June 1951 issue of Classics Illustrated #84. And not only that, but in my backwards ass ways of addition I thought tomorrow was the 1000th THOIA post, when actually TODAY is! So where's my cake? Don't tell me I gotta rip off someone's head and make my own?

(Thanks again to Todd Hunter for the CI scans.)


















TOMORROW: The Poe Celebration Continues, and Ho. ly. Shit. If I'm counting correctly, THOIA reaches a Milestone…

17 comments:

Mr. Karswell said...

And before anyone else gets a chance to say it, yes, that is indeed The Hamburgler at the top of page 5.

"Robble robble..."

Anonymous said...

I liked this one a lot. The color scheme is a good one. E.C's "Blood Red Wine" is good too, but the over-the-top character designs irk me. This is actually my favorite Poe story, it's SO mean, and who hasn't wanted to wall up a talky drunk once in a while?. Hey! why are their bricks around my computer?.

Anonymous said...

One of those foot-notes should probably have explained the reference to masonry.

Unknown said...

Forgot I sent this! Two things I never noticed before:

1. the color scheme, as noted by Horror Pariah, especially at the bottom of page seven.
2. the explanation of amontillado as Italian; I suppose Italian amontillado would be very rare indeed!

bbjane said...

Great blog ! Another one that I will visit regularly ! Thanks to be a follower of "FEARS"...
Best regards.

Unknown said...

How the hell did I miss the Hamburgler?
This one was beautifully illustrated. As well as being entertaining for all ages, I think that turning stories like this into illustrated form is a great way to introduce youthful readers to the classics.

Dane said...

I agree with Lily - this is beautiful indeed, and this is such a great way to get kids into the classics.

Anonymous said...

THIS IS A POE TALE I'M NOT ALL THAT FAMILIAR WITH BUT I LIKED IT ALOT. AND TO HELL WITH THE KIDS, THOIA OCCASIONALLY INTRODUCES ADULTS TO THE CLASSICS TOO! NOW THE BLACK CAT I KNOW REALLY WELL.........I CAN SEE WHY YOU PAIRED THESE TWO UP TODAY. POE HAD A MORBID FASCINATION WITH PEOPLE GETTING "WALLED UP" DIDNT HE?

sfdoomed said...

This was always one of my favorite Poe stories as a kid. If I remember correctly (it's been years since I've read it), the original tale doesn't reveal Fortunato to be such a douchebag except for mentioning that the narrator had once suffered a great insult. I think this version adds a few extra insults so kids don't feel so sorry for him. What a way to go!

Shawn Dickinson said...

The art in this story makes my panties wet. Great stuff!

8thRay said...

I always loved Poe's use of ironic surnames, such as Fortunato for a guy who's immured in a subterranean chamber; or Prospero for a guy who provokes a visit from the living (?) embodiment of a horrible plague.

Anonymous said...

real good tale today..... love the full page art on 11 and 12, both are cooler than the splash

seems like with all the political hub bub poe got forgotten this week in the media. did anyone else notice mention of his birthday anywhere but here??? weak

Mr. Karswell said...

Thanks for the comments today, glad everyone is hanging out and keeping the Poe Party alive! A few more days to go too, there's lots of stuff still to cover plus the usual bonus thingies. ALSO! The Black Cat is now available over at Killer Kittens here:

http://killer--kittens.blogspot.com/2009/01/black-cat-1963.html

Show Kitty some appreciation and leave a comment, it's hard work preparing these posts ya know!

Tomorrow: more Poe, and a trip to the Catacombs, as THOIA hits it's 1000TH POST! Did I count right?

Dane said...

Happy 1000th post! Your diligence and determination are admirable!

And no need to rip anyone's head off, I'll make you a cake. Sheesh! :)

Pierre Fournier said...

1000 posts... and that's only this week!

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 1000th post. Thank you ever so much for your great site and for the wonderful hours I spent reliving the glory days of comics.

You're doing a great service to cultural history and providing cool entertainment.

Keep up the good work.

TheHolderOfTales said...

Pretty good adaptation, but I still prefer the Creepy version.