Cryptology #1 (magazine review).
It’s difficult to believe it’s been 6 years since ‘Retro Fan’ came out. ‘Cryptology,’ this time, is also a British-edited magazine by Peter Normanton. I’m pointing that out so we get a different outlook on horror media. The mini-photos at the end of each article show writers without makeup, as in other magazines.
Editor/writer Peter Normanton examines his love of Berni Wrightson’s early art and him doing the frontispieces for Warren Magazines ‘Creepy’ and ‘Eerie’ featuring their hosts.
By far the biggest chunk is devoted to three articles comparing ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘The Munsters’ TV series. I found it odd to cover them together instead of separately. Writer Will Murray looks at their TV series, both starting in September 1964 in the USA. ‘The Addams Family’ TV series had two years of prep, and ‘The Munsters’ about 6 months, using the former as its template. ‘Batman’ and ‘Bewitched’ swept both shows away after two seasons each. During their UK premieres, both shows never faced competition from one another. Oh, there are lots of photos.
Writer Mark Voger examines the merchandise from both series, which is not readily available in the UK. While I recall seeing the Munsters home model kit and cars, I was unaware that there was also one for the Addams home. In the USA, both series merchandise now commands very high prices. Writer Peter Normanton is back looking at their comics, which lasted longer than their TV shows, although I would have thought the repeats helped.
Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’ receives a significant amount of attention. Writer Barry Forshaw looks at the four films, the Corman version being only one of them. Peter Normanton points out there are at least seven comic book versions, including one by Rich Corben. The popularity is largely down to it being a complete short story. You only have to compare it to ‘The Raven,’ which is a poem and depended on scriptwriter Richard Matheson to flesh out.
Of course, there’s a look at the horror comics before the Comic Code Authority, and although I agree they were graphic, I doubt if any kid would want to imitate it. Reflecting on the past, I find myself questioning why no one brought up the idea that children struggling with mental health issues might not possess the necessary literary skills to enjoy reading.
New magazines always take a little time to find their identities. Getting the balance right in the first issue is always going to be interesting.
GF Willmetts
December 2024
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $10.95 (US). ISSN: 2997-4-416X. Direct from them, you can get it for $10.95 (US)).
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_194&products_id=1806
