In 1969, a feisty new comics magazine emerged to rival the popular horror magazines Creepy and Eerie: Web of Horror. Conceived by a plucky, independent publisher, Web of Horror showcased instant classics of horror and science fiction by such rising stars of comic art as Bernie Wrightson, Michael Kaluta, Bruce Jones, Ralph Reese, Frank Brunner, Roger Brand, and Wayne Howard, as well as seasoned veterans such as Syd Shores and Norman Nodel, illustrating stories written by Otto Binder, Nicola Cuti, and others.
Now, over 50 years later, Fantagraphics presents the complete Web of Horror in one expertly edited and designed volume. In addition to all three published issues, this collection includes over a dozen stories intended for subsequent issues that have been rarely or never-before published, several long thought to be lost and recently unearthed. Among these "lost" stories is Wrightson's "The Monster Jar," lovingly restored by Frederic Manzano.
The Complete Web of Horror also features a wealth of historical and contextual essays, including the Foreword by original Web of Horror editor and science fiction novelist Terry Bisson; an account of the magazine's origin by the late Clark Dimond; the history of the magazine's rise and baffling demise by collection editor Dana Marie Andra; reminiscences by fanzine publishers Robert Lewis and Robert Gerson; and an Afterword by Richard J. Arndt.
Andra, Dana Marie: - Dana Marie Andra has written for RBCC, The Comics Journal, Comic Art, Charlton Spotlight, Alter Ego, Comic Book Marketplace, Fanscene, Filmfax, and other magazines. She's also written comics for Fantagraphics, Caliber, Comico, and Dark Horse, who published the graphic novel she scripted, Freaks' Amour, in 2013, and wrote about Web of Horror for the hardcover edition of The Warren Companion (2001).
Kaluta, Michael: - Michael Kaluta began working in comics doing backup features, but soon graduated to doing covers, frontispieces and stories for DC's mystery magazines, sometimes alternating covers with Bernie Wrightson. After Web of Horror, Kaluta won fame illustrating the first six issues of DC's The Shadow, including collaborating with Wrightson on the third issue. Also, for DC, Kaluta collaborated with Len Wein on an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Carson of Venus, and with Marv Wolfman on Spawn of Frankenstein. His greatest artistic achievement is Starstruck, a humorous space opera done in collaboration with writer Elaine Lee, published in Heavy Metal Magazine, its own stand-alone book for Marvel's Epic line, and continuing today at IDW. Among his recent assignments is a new illustrated edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars for IDW. Kaluta's work has been honored with a Spectrum Grand Master Award, and in 2010, he was voted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame.
Reese, Ralph: - Ralph Reese entered the comics field as a teenager, assisting Wallace Wood in his studio on comic book pages and Topps trading card artwork. Prior to contributing to Web of Horror, Reese was selling covers and interior art to Galaxy Science Fiction, then afterwards went on to do the "One Year Affair" for National Lampoon for several years, which was collected into a 1976 book. Reese spent five years at Continuity Studios in the mid-'70s doing a wide range of assignments, including commercial product artwork and comic strips. In addition to his work on mainstream magazines and comics, Reese also contributed to underground comics such as Drool, Bijou Funnies, Big Apple Comix, and Conspiracy Capers. He also drew the Flash Gordon newspaper strip for several years.
Wrightson, Bernie: - Bernie Wrightson made the jump from prolific fanzine contributor to professional artist, appearing first in DC's House of Mystery and Showcase, where he drew the "Nightmaster" strip, scripted by Denny O'Neil. He collaborated with another Web of Horror contributor, Len Wein, on the creation of Swamp Thing, which, after being published in House of Secrets #92, was spun off into its own series, with Wrightson illustrating the first 10 issues. Wrightson moved on to great success as a comic book artist and illustrator. His illustrated edition of Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein is his magnum opus. Other works include Freak Show (written by fellow Web of Horror alumnus Bruce Jones), Captain Stern (which was adapted in the Heavy Metal Movie), a graphic novel adaptation of Stephen King's film, Creepshow, plus graphic novels and miniseries for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, and other publishers. Among his last comic book work was Frankenstein Alive, Alive!, The Ghoul, and Doc Macabre, written by frequent collaborator, Steve Niles. Wrightson passed away on March 18th, 2017.
