American Comics Update: Pre-Code Horror Fest: L B Cole Miasma: Blue Bolt Weird Tales #113
*Horror 1940-1959: L B Cole was one of the most famous of Golden/Atomic Age cover artists. He drew in a variety of genres, and was artistic director at Star, illustrating 95% of the company’s covers; his lurid, feverish style, almost hallucinogenic, graced horror, science-fiction, jungle and romance alike. Star took over the venerable title Blue Bolt in 1949 (previously it had been a classic anthology title starring the titular character, with much work by Simon & Kirby, Everett etc, lasting throughout the war years and beyond). By the time we got to the #113, Blue Bolt himself was long gone and the emphasis of the series had changed to horror, according to the zeitgeist of the time. Indeed, the title was rebranded as Ghostly Weird Stories from #120 onwards. Contents here (rather uniquely) comprise four excellent Jay Disbrow originals and a Basil Wolverton reprint from a 1942 Target Comics. But it’s the wonderful L B Cole cover for which this issue is prized, with spectral ghouls surrounding a grave digger. A very respectable mid-grade copy, with edge and corner wear, including a few colour-breaking creases. A solid spine, with just tiny nicks top and bottom, corner blunting and supple creamy pages. Staples are firm if a little rusty with virtually no migration. There are a couple of letters in what looks like wax pencil in the logo and a faint arrival date lower down. High resolution images are available on request.
PICTURED: BLUE BOLT WEIRD TALES #113 VG £500 SOLD