Werewolves are scary. REAL Werewolves, not that Twilight garbage. Hundreds of werewolf stories have been told over the years, and the lycanthropic fiends are a key plot point in any monster movie, show, comic book, etc. I could probably spend all month talking about all the different versions of the werewolf tale, but instead I’m going to focus on some of the best cinematic examples of the most popular character in the werewolf mythology. Of course, I can only be talking about the Wolfman.
Tag Archives: Countdown to Halloween
Countdown to Halloween #17: Eric Draven, The Crow
I’m sure nobody is at all surprised that Eric Draven has made it into our Countdown to Halloween. The Crow was a critical success and a fan favorite with a pretty huge cult following. But that isn’t where the story begins. The Crow started life as a comic book created by James O. Barr, and was an even darker and grittier story than the movie.
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Countdown to Halloween #18: The Cryptkeeper
From comic books to television to movies – The Cryptkeeper has been a constant in the genre for over 60 years. Originating in EC’s Crime Patrol #15 in 1949, the Cryptkeeper would become the most famous of EC Comic’s ghoulish trio of hosts (with The Vault-Keeper and The Old Witch) as he would go on to star in their Tales from the Crypt comics for the next few years following his debut. That was until 1954 upon the release of The Seduction of the Innocent. A true study in 1950s paranoia, the book chronicles psychiatrist Fredric Wertham’s assertion that near all delinquent behavior in America could be traced back to the evil that was comic books. The stir caused by this book resulted in the industry’s self-imposed ‘Comics Code Authority‘ which essentially de-toothed comics, turning Batman from a creature of the night into a glorified boy scout, and all but killing EC Comics and their horror themed books.
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Countdown to Halloween #23: Buffy Summers
In the world of film and television, there’s a lot of BS going on in regards to female characters, and usually the term BS implies that you’re dealing with people you’d rather avoid if at all possible. Take one BS-er for example: Bella Swan. Many girls adore her story, torn between the affections of a shirtless stalker like dog boy and the glorious sparkly immortal who broods all day because he is just to deep for words – but those of us with more developed brains tend to hate her lack of gumption. There’s one BS-er though, who has consistently earned our attention and admiration, and that is one Ms. Buffy Summers. Resident of southern California, high school cheerleader, and slayer of vampires – among other things the go bump in the night. The character of Buffy was invented by God’s gift to Hollywood, Joss Whedon. She first appeared in a 1992 movie called Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Kristy Swanson; it was a comedic action film that didn’t really do Buffy the dark justice that Whedon had originally intended for her.
Countdown to Halloween #24: Jack Skellington
So far we’ve had some good characters highlighted in our Countdown to Halloween, and there are plenty more to come, but I think we’ve saved the best for slot #24. He may not be at the top of everyone’s list, but he certainly tops mine. It is none other than the esteemed, Jack Skellington.
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Countdown to Halloween #25: The Tall Man
The Tall Man is one of those characters in the rogues gallery of horror icons who is painfully underrated in comparison to his slasher film brethren. More of the fanfare goes to the Freddy Kruegers and Jason Voorhees’, but The Tall Man stands out from the others, literally and figuratively. While not as immediately visually arresting as any of the more dominant horror franchise characters, The Tall Man’s subtle distinction of being a lanky, tall (duh), creepy looking man in a suit is still unique in all of horror. One could even say his look is partially the inspiration behind the internet phenomenon of Slenderman, whose name and look is very reminiscent of The Tall Man.
Grizzly Bomb 