“Edgar Allan Poe’s: The Raven”
The raven knocked, knocked so sternly upon the window for a score. It awakened Dr. Craven from his melancholy state, the sorrow he deplore. Upon investigation, the aves, yes the aves, could speak fluent language, the words did flow. Then it revealed to the good Erasmus, it was no beast, but a fellow magician named Bedlo.
Over the next hour a plot would unfold. A grand master, a brotherhood, and a duel; the raven’s story was told. Erasmus, oh good Erasmus, the form of Bedlo must be restored. So into the crypts they searched, for a father, his hair, the raven implored.
The witching hour has come, with no time to waste. The elixir must churn before it burns, the change will come upon its taste. Then, and only then, can Bedlo return for revenge. Scarabus, he must face.
Reviewer Notes
Was Dell Comics the official king of movie adaptations? They seem to have churned out scores of these throughout the 1950s and 60s. This issue, featuring Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”, is one example of this style of comic book. Being a fan of the original 1963 movie starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and a young Jack Nicholson, when I spotted this relic I purchased it immediately. Am I disappointed in my purchase? Nope.
Writer Don Segall did a wonderful job adapting this from the original movie script. However, be warned, the story has been significantly edited down to fit within the confines of a stand-sized comic book. So, readers who have not seen the classic movie will miss out on a few things. Think of this as more of a Cliff Notes version.
The artwork by Frank Springer was standard fare for the 1960s, but he did an amazing job recreating the likeness of each actor. I would recommend this comic based on nostalgia alone. I give Dell Comics’ “The Raven” a solid three out of five stars.
Tag(s)
[age – middle ages], [bats], [bird – raven], [birds], [castle], [castle – castle of scarabus], [cliffs], [coach (wagon)], [coast], [coast – atlantic coast], [coffin], [country – london], [crypt], [death], [drink – wine], [duel], [duel – wizard duel], [enchantments], [equipment – dr. bedlo’s magic equipment], [estate – craven estate], [grand master], [grave], [grave robber], [hand gestures], [horses], [laboratory – laboratory of dr. erasmus craven], [magical ingredients], [magician], [mind control], [ocean], [ocean – atlantic ocean], [planet – earth], [prisoner], [rivals], [servants], [snakes], [sorcerer], [spell – banishing spell], [spell – conjuring spell], [spell – energy blast], [spell – fireball], [spell – mind-control lance], [spell – transformation spell], [torture], [wizard]
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English (US) · 