American Update: Pre-Code Horror Fest: Dick Briefer and a Tale of Two Frankensteins
*Horror 1940-1959: Dick Briefer was a talented writer/artist who worked in a variety of fields and media and although most of his work is largely forgotten today, his fame lives on through his series of Frankenstein for Prize Comics, which ran from 1945-1954 (with a gap); the character also appeared by him in the Prize Comics anthology series. Our update this week fully illustrates the difference between the pre and post gap publications. The first 17 issues had a juvenile, spooky humour content, as shown by #4 here. After a three year gap, Briefer revived the series with a more adult, horrific content with #18 (also available here), finishing off in 1954 with #33 (again, available here). Briefer’s sweeping lines and iconic imagery deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
PICTURED: FRANKENSTEIN
#4 FA+ £40 Pre-code. Long spine splits and off both staples at front of comic. Small chips out of front and back covers. Nice pages.
#18 PR £50 Pre-code. 1st adult horror issue. Covers detached and separated; chips out, tears and creases. SOLD
#33 GD/VG £105 Pre-code. Final issue. Small chip out bottom spine; edge wear, minor tears and fine creases. SOLD