DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Polls Archive => Topic started by: PennyDreadful on January 18, 2006, 08:18:55 PM

Title: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: PennyDreadful on January 18, 2006, 08:18:55 PM: There's a Kolchak comic which offers tales based off the orginal Kolchak series. If such a comic book were produced for DS, would you be interested in it? I think something like this by an Indy comic company would be really cool. I wonder why no one has pursued this idea. I know they were going to do one for the abandoned WB series. Since that fell through, how about if they did one based on the classic series? I think that'd be pretty neat.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Barnabas'sBride on January 18, 2006, 08:32:22 PM: I think it would be neat too. It would be cool to see an extension of the original series. I'm sure I would buy them. :)
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 18, 2006, 08:59:38 PM: If a new comic book series based on the original DS was in the mode of the series based on the '91 DS (that comic book series was somewhat flawed storyline wise, but beautifully drawn and still highly enjoyable), then, yes, I would definitely read/buy it. But if it was anything resembling the first comic book series based on the original show (dreadful storylines and ridiculously drawn), then, NO, I would definitely NOT read/buy it! I gave up on that series very soon after they stopped including picture covers and switched to illustrations. So, I suppose my choice would have been maybe - but that's not an option. ;)
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Barnabas'sBride on January 18, 2006, 09:13:26 PM: I don't think you would have to worry about it resembling the original comics. :)

That said, I have the first issues with the photo covers, because I just love the pictures! :P
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: coterie-mc on January 18, 2006, 09:53:50 PM: I would probably read/buy a new DS coimic series, especially if it was based on the original series. the Gold Key photo covers were great, and maybe one or two of the illustrated ones were okay. the cover is what sells...the new Kolchak comics (that i saw) don't draw me in to buying them.

(http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid200/pc467b93176096a10fbb8a3b1da6ee83c/f084dbc0.jpg)
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Jackie on January 19, 2006, 04:59:29 AM: I would like it to be similar to the series but not the same storylines hashed over again. I'd like to see the story continued where it left off, in 1971 when Barnabas, Prof Stokes and Julia returned to the present time. I'd like to see what changes were made if any and a continuation from that point. Make it modern day if need be, just continue the story and not redo them.

Cool comic cover, Coterie!!
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Mark Rainey on January 19, 2006, 05:42:06 AM: Comic artist Todd Tennant actually approached me a while back with an idea to adapt my "unofficial" novel, Dark Shadows: The Labyrinth of Souls as a graphic novel, but due to other commitments that came up, we never managed to get a proposal together to pitch to DCP. It might be nice to try again one of these days, if we can synchronize our schedules.

Todd does primarily monster stories, but he's a big-time DS fan; here's his Web site for samples of his work.

http://americankaiju.kaijuphile.com/main.shtml
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Amy Jennings Fan on January 19, 2006, 07:52:30 PM: Yes. I would like to see the story continued where it left off when Barnabus, Prof. Stokes and julia returned to the present time. I'd like to know what happened to Amy, Chris and Sabrina.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: MagnusTrask on January 19, 2006, 07:57:05 PM: He seems good; a lot of comics artists don't seem to have rendering forms in three dimensions down very well, or don't care. I don't like airbrush though. I like to see how the lines were drawn and the human touch in the shading.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: PennyDreadful on January 20, 2006, 06:38:56 AM: Mark, that would have been awesome! Hope it comes to pass one of these days!

Quote from: Mark Rainey on January 19, 2006, 05:42:06 AM
Comic artist Todd Tennant actually approached me a while back with an idea to adapt my "unofficial" novel, Dark Shadows: The Labyrinth of Souls as a graphic novel
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: arashi on January 22, 2006, 07:01:53 PM: If there was a new comic series, definitely sign me up. Even if they took the original storylines and just followed the original show, it would be pretty damn cool to see it rendered in comic format.

The Dark Shadows newspaper strip series was very well drawn and had original storylines.

The Gold Key comics were hysterical. I have one or two issues with photo covers and a couple with illustrated covers. One of the greatest panels in the series, I kid you not, has Professor Stokes chanting Inna-Gadda-da-Vida to dispel an evil spirit.

The Innovation series (I believe that was the company that put out the Revival comics) was beautiful, I imagine they must have cost a fortune to produce though which may be why the company folded so quickly.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: ClaudeNorth on January 22, 2006, 11:16:16 PM: Quote from: arashi on January 22, 2006, 07:01:53 PM
The Gold Key comics were hysterical. I have one or two issues with photo covers and a couple with illustrated covers. One of the greatest panels in the series, I kid you not, has Professor Stokes chanting Inna-Gadda-da-Vida to dispel an evil spirit.

;D I adore the Gold Key DS comic books! Other great moments include Angelique reciting a spell that includes the line, "When the moon is in the seventh house," Elizabeth referring to Barnabas as, "Barnaby," and the infamous issue in which Roger and Liz are husband and wife. And then there's the story in which Barnabas, to protect his secret, decides to burn down Collinwood and frame an old man for the crime! Plus, I like that the artists often depict Barnabas running around the grounds of Collinwood with his arms flailing about -- so unlike Frid's highly-dignified portrayal.

I never got into the Innovation books, probably because I never could warm up to the cast of the revival series. However, I'd definitely check out a new DS comic book using the likenesses of the original cast.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Gothick on January 23, 2006, 02:35:17 AM: LOL, Claude--didn't Angelique also have an incantation that included "Inna-gadda-da-vida" among the lines? Or was that some other supernatural critter in the zine?

Quentin was drawn to resemble Engelbert Humperdinck (the Tasmanian pop idol), while the "artist" (I use the term loosely) seemed to have confused Julia with Dr. Zira on Planet of the Apes.

G.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: arashi on January 23, 2006, 04:19:59 AM: Quote from: ClaudeNorth on January 22, 2006, 11:16:16 PM
Other great moments include Angelique reciting a spell that includes the line, "When the moon is in the seventh house," Elizabeth referring to Barnabas as, "Barnaby," and the infamous issue in which Roger and Liz are husband and wife.

I have the Elizabeth & Roger married one! One that impressed me a little was the one where Angelique disguised herself as Granny Bumper and used Magic dolls to try and stake Barnabas with a pencil! I thought that was pretty cool (that issue also included 3 inch werewolf Quentin vs. a housecat.) I'd like to see the "When the moon is in the seventh house..." one!
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: ClaudeNorth on January 23, 2006, 04:49:25 AM: Quote from: arashi on January 23, 2006, 04:19:59 AM
One that impressed me a little was the one where Angelique disguised herself as Granny Bumper and used Magic dolls to try and stake Barnabas with a pencil! I thought that was pretty cool (that issue also included 3 inch werewolf Quentin vs. a housecat.) I'd like to see the "When the moon is in the seventh house..." one!

I've always felt that Granny Bumper sounds like the stage name of an elderly stripper...

Actually, that issue stayed with me when a friend and I went to a doll museum in the area. The exhibit rooms were very dark and we were the only ones there, and I got a bit creeped out by the place. <lol>

Quote from: Gothick on January 23, 2006, 02:35:17 AM
Quentin was drawn to resemble Engelbert Humperdinck (the Tasmanian pop idol), while the "artist" (I use the term loosely) seemed to have confused Julia with Dr. Zira on Planet of the Apes.

Now, if I were drawing a DS comic book (which would never happen because I have no talent for drawing), I would play up David Selby's good looks and always portray Julia in as chic a manner as possible.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Sandor on January 23, 2006, 11:47:25 AM: Do the covers of any of the DS comic books feature the actual actors? I'd buy one if the cover was unique - I dropped a few bucks on the first "Afternoon TV" magazine ('68) because it featured Jonathan Frid & Alexandra Moltke on its cover.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Barnabas'sBride on January 23, 2006, 01:28:55 PM: The first seven issues of the original series comics had photo covers of Barnabas. Issue #6 featured David with Barnabas.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Mark Rainey on January 23, 2006, 04:12:40 PM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v665/damnedrodan/ds.jpg)

I used to have this, and several other issues of the Gold Key comic. They're probably either hiding somewhere in my mom's attic with so many other old goodies, or rotting in some landfill. I suspect the latter, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: arashi on January 23, 2006, 08:50:16 PM: Quote from: Sandor on January 23, 2006, 11:47:25 AM
Do the covers of any of the DS comic books feature the actual actors? I'd buy one if the cover was unique - I dropped a few bucks on the first "Afternoon TV" magazine ('68) because it featured Jonathan Frid & Alexandra Moltke on its cover.

Shameless plug! I've got a couple of the comic covers scanned over on my site, you can find 'em here if you're interested. http://www.hollowmoon.net/sites/darknessfalls/collection/comic/index.html
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Midnite on January 23, 2006, 10:17:19 PM: Quote from: arashi on January 23, 2006, 08:50:16 PM
Shameless plug! I've got a couple of the comic covers scanned over on my site, you can find 'em here if you're interested.

Your summaries are so entertaining, arashi! [lghy]

All the best with completing your collection. I'm almost there. But do I ever wish I still had my comics from the mid 50s to early 60s, even though they were mostly hand-me-downs from my brother (Spider-Man and other superheroes) and sister (Archie).
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: arashi on January 23, 2006, 10:37:50 PM: ::laughing:: thanks! I've read over old stuff I've reviewed, etc. and think I usually come across as a total spazmo, but I'm glad people are entertained by it!
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Gothick on January 24, 2006, 12:22:15 AM: Arashi, that site is awesome! Many thanks for the panel from the book, too. What fun! I remember one summer when we stayed at the beach for a couple of weeks, and my treat was to go down to the little store and see whether there was a new issue of that comic book on the racks. I think that was around 1972 or 1973.

It seems funny now, but after the show went off the air, reading those terrible comics was strangely consoling. A lot of the later ones from 1974-75, I never saw, maybe because our town's one comic book store stopped carrying Gold Key's books.

Thanks again,

Steve
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: petofi on January 24, 2006, 01:39:22 AM: Quote from: Gothick on January 24, 2006, 12:22:15 AM
I remember one summer when we stayed at the beach for a couple of weeks, and my treat was to go down to the little store and see whether there was a new issue of that comic book on the racks. I think that was around 1972 or 1973.

It seems funny now, but after the show went off the air, reading those terrible comics was strangely consoling. A lot of the later ones from 1974-75, I never saw, maybe because our town's one comic book store stopped carrying Gold Key's books.

Gothick, I had similar experiences with the good ole Gold Key DS comics as a kid! When I started putting together my current collection (inspired by the video release of the series in '89-'90), among my first acquisitions were the Gold Key comix. I was living in Bangor, Maine (where I grew up) at the time, and had some pretty good contacts in the collectibles biz. My brother buys and sells antiques and collectibles, so I put him on the lookout, as well! I still get a kick out of the cheesiness of those comix, but I'm with you - they were something of a consolation after the original series left the air in '71. [vampy]

I would love to see a new comic based on the old series, cheesy or not! I still remember Joe Certa's improbable drawings of werewolves, and the "Arrooos" and "Snarrrs" that accompanied their appearance. I also recall that Jeff Thompson, a DS fan from way back, created a sort of guide for the comix back in the '80s. In it, he makes the classic description of Joe Certa's version of Quentin as looking as if he were "Englebert Humperdinck after being run over by a steamroller," with sideburns that "curled up at the ends! What great fun! [laughing7]

Petofi
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Misa on January 24, 2006, 01:48:29 AM: I would love to see a quality graphic novel about Dark Shadows with the original cast being well drawn, and with good stories. I think it should continue where the series left off. I would buy it!

Misa
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: MagnusTrask on January 25, 2006, 11:48:49 AM: Still only one no vote! My sordid reputation with the world as Mr. Negative is intact.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Gothick on January 25, 2006, 03:53:10 PM: Petofi, thanks for those memories, and for that hilarious panel! My God, that fellow was a dreadful artist! Quentin looks as if he swiped one of Diana Ross' hairpieces from her Supreme days!

G.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: onyx_treasure on January 25, 2006, 05:21:34 PM: Thank you, petofi. I had never seen any DS comics. The square jaws on Julia and Quentin make them look like super-hero wannabees. I think Quentin looks more like Morgan Collins from PT. Were all the characters given strong chins?
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Gothick on January 25, 2006, 05:26:20 PM: Julia's chin appears to have a Kirk Douglas dent in it, too. Oy.

G.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: petofi on January 25, 2006, 06:09:33 PM: Quote from: onyx_treasure on January 25, 2006, 05:21:34 PM
I had never seen any DS comics. The square jaws on Julia and Quentin make them look like super-hero wannabees. I think Quentin looks more like Morgan Collins from PT. Were all the characters given strong chins?

Many were, yes. At least many of the men under 60 or 70 years old. The older men were often given prominent foreheads, wild beards, etc. Liz was drawn impossibly young, Angelique was, at times, yellow or green!! Early Gold Key comics featured Barnabas with his fangs sticking out even when among those who supposedly were in the dark about his secret. [vampy] The consistency of the art was not very. Barnabas looked exactly like Superman in one issue, then more like a little old man with bug eyes in another. The stable of writers that did the comic didn't bother staying in touch much, and the inconsistancies in the characters and situations throughout the series of comics points this out. A couple of examples of Gold Key art can be found in the multimedia section of JuliaHoffman.com

http://www.juliahoffman.com/main.htm

Perhaps Joe Certa, the artist who drew the DS panels for Gold Key, developed a fetish for strong chins and other prominent features when he was drawing superheroes such as The Martian Manhunter and Rawhide Kid, back in the fabulous fifties! ;D

Petofi
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Raineypark on January 25, 2006, 06:37:17 PM: Dear Goddess......who among us would ever have guessed those were supposed to be Julia and Quentin? The artist should have been sued for misrepresentation.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: MsCriseyde on January 25, 2006, 06:53:32 PM: I think that's one of the scariest things I've ever seen. Julia's hair looks like a failed attempt at a mullet. Quentin's looks like a Ken doll's back when they made them with hair instead of the molded plastic coiffure.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 25, 2006, 11:30:19 PM: Quote from: Raineypark on January 25, 2006, 06:37:17 PM
The artist should have been sued for misrepresentation.

Now you know why I said earlier that they were
Quote from: Mysterious Benefactor on January 18, 2006, 08:59:38 PM
ridiculously drawn

And truthfully, the DS characters were just a part of it - everything about the artwork was just too bizarre for words and misrepresentative of the show. And don't even get me started on how laughable too many of the stories were. ::)
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: PennyDreadful on January 26, 2006, 05:43:10 PM: Yep, those Gold Key comics were generally badly drawn and written. Some of 'em are fun though. I liked the one with the mummy in it. Some of the painted covers were awesome. There's the one with Barnabas & the Golem coming up behind him, which I always thought was really cool. Even though most of these comics were pretty bad quality-wise, some of 'em were fun to read.

A new DS comic would certainly be of a higher caliber story and art-wise. I'd love a continuation of the classic series, with the characters and locales based on the original cast.
Title: Re: Would You Read/Buy a DS Comic Book Series
Post by: Amy Jennings Fan on January 26, 2006, 06:03:23 PM: I think Quentin looks like Englebert Humperdink.