Hi everyone!

It’s Editorial Assistant Mike Petranek writing about a cool interview with TALES FROM THE CRYPT contributor Arie Kaplan and some more great reviews to share with you! Arie wrote “Jumping the Shark” which was illustrated by Mr. Exes in TALES FROM THE CRYPT graphic novel #4, as well as comicbook #6, serving as the inspiration for one of our most popular covers ever:
Arie recently authored From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, has written for MAD magazine, and recently wrote the Speed Racer comicbook mini-series called Speed Racer:  Chronicles of the Racer. When he recently sat down with Wizard Magazine, Arie had this to say about TALES FROM THE CRYPT:

“I have a whole section on TALES FROM THE CRYPT in “From Krakow to Krypton.  So, while I was writing that book, I was also pitching stories to Jim Salicrup at Papercutz for TALES FROM THE CRYPT and man, it’s such a thrill to be involved with TALES FROM THE CRYPT because I read about the history and you’re following in the footsteps of people like Harvey Kurtzman and Al Feldstein and Bill Gaines-Bill Gaines whose dad created the comics industry. That’s quite a legacy to be a part of, so I feel like I’m the inheritor of that legacy. You look at what these people have done and you just hope you can do it justice.”

Well Arie, you certainly did the legacy of TALES FROM THE CRYPT justice with your great story! Check out the rest of Ari’s Wizard interview!

There’s some other great interviews and articles on Arie out there besides this one. Check out Arie’s interview with Heeb Magazine about From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, his work for Bongo! Comics, TALES FROM THE CRYPT and MAD.  There’s also a five minute video interview with Arie from Newsarama about the above topics and more, info on his recent Archie Comics work, and of course, the official From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books site and Arie’s own website. Enjoy!

Onto other news, TALES FROM THE CRYPT comicbook #11 recently got some favorable reviews online:

“I’ve kept with the book since issue one and it has definitely begun to improve, thanks in large part to darker storylines and better artwork… a fun diversion for $4 bucks… Some excellent, moody artwork and coloring.”

-Marc Pellegrini,

http://pellecreepy.blogspot.com

Thanks, Marc! On the subject of reviews, some of our Classics Illustrated titles have been getting a lot of positive press recently. I thought you readers out there might like to see what I’m talking about. Here’s some of the reviews and links to them!

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED #5: “Hamlet”

“Classic Mandrake with an outstanding script by Grant. I really, really like these Papercutz reprints.”

-Lee Nordling, platinumcomics.com

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED #4: “The Raven and Other Poems”

“Wilson… illustrates (very well, and appropriately) a bunch of Poe poems.”

-Andrew Wheeler, antickmusings.com

“A terrific compendium… It’s a great Poe volume — the themes of unbearable loss and creeping pestilence are all here, so put it on your Halloween shopping list now.”

-Mark London Williams, sfsite.com

“Wilson’s style is perfectly suited to Poe’s turn of phrase, as his artwork moves across the page with the cadence established by the words. But don’t take my word for it. At $9.95 this modern classic is a bargain — so order two copies and donate one to your local library!”

-Leave it to Karen

“NBM [Papercutz parent company], known for its high-quality graphic novels…demonstrates its taste and expertise again with CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED. The Deluxe hardbacks are meant to last, and look good doint it…it’s a joy to see “The Raven,” “The Counquerer Worm,” “Annabel Lee” and other favorites again…Wilson, known primarily for his award-winning New Yorker, Playboy and National Lamppon Cartoons, is also one of a kind - - and a perfect choice for this book. His peculiar and sometimes bizarre scribblings are unsettling, and given the subject matter, welcome.”

-Scripps Howard News Service

“Classics Illustrated….collecting various Edgar Allan Poe Works, illustrated by famed cartoonist Gahan Wilson. From that description alone, you know it’s worth the sawbuck…it’s a joy to see “The Raven,” “The Conquerer Worm,” “Annabel Lee” and other favorites again.”

-Andrew A. Smith, Scripps Howard News Service

Whew! That’s a lot of nice comments for one day. So…what do YOU think of these and other Papercutz titles? What’s your favorite? What’s your least favorite? It’s all open to discussion here. As Jim says, “love it or hate it, we want to hear your thoughts.” Thanks for reading and have a great day!

-Mike the Editorial Assistant

Hello, everyone!
This is editorial assistant Michael Petranek here, writing about the new exciting CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED  volume that just hit stores. “The Raven and Other Poems” by Edgar Allan Poe and  illustrated by Gahan Wilson.  It has already garnered rave reviews and we wanted to share one them with you. But  we’ll save that for the end.  First, here’s a look at the cover:

Pretty cool, huh? I love artist Gahan Wilson’s work– he’s the perfect artist to illustrate Edgar Allan Poe’s dark and chilling poems.

Here’s a tiny bit of info on Poe and Wilson:

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), who lived in Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City, is the father of the American mystery tale. “The Raven,” his most famous poem, has been adapted into everything from a movie starring Vincent Price to an episode of The Simpsons. The Mystery Writers of America have named their highest award, the Edgar, in honor of Poe.

Gahan Wilson is one of the most famous cartoonists alive.  His work has received the World Fantasy Award, the National Cartoonists Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival Award. He grew up in Illinois and lives in New York.

You may have noticed that Edgar Allan Poe was born in 1809. That means we’re celebrating his 200th birthday this year!  And what better way to celebrate, than presenting his most famous poems in this profusely illustrated edition, for the very first time in hardcover.

You can Google Gahan Wilson and Edgar Allan Poe for even more information on these two legendary creators! But to give you an even better idea of what CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED #4 is like, here’s a Poe preview page:

That was just a snippet from “The Sleeper.”

Horror fans love Poe and his work. Here’s what a great website devoted to all things macabre had to say:

“I only wished my old CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED looked this good!…Raven and Other Poems is a tribute to the works of Edgar Allan Poe. All his greatest poems are featured inside this rather attractive edition. The one I reviewed consists of a hardcover bound much like the Dr. Suess books with nice semi gloss stock. If that isn’t enough we have the great illustration work of Gahan Wilson, an all time favorite macabre cartoonist of mine. He has been called on to illustrate each poem with 1 page pieces as accompaniment to Edgar’s works posted throughout. Each illustration contains that Wilson style we have come to love. Humorous, macabre, quirky, detailed and a truly unique style that more than appropriately shares space with Poe’s work…Do yourself a favor and pick up a few [CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED volumes]. This edition is very durable and a prize for collectors” - www.horrornews.net

Very cool! Mania.com says that “this match of Poe and Wilson was made in Heaven. Wilson’s illustrations are just bizarre and innocent enough to appeal to kids while not dulling the edge of Poe’s words…Grade A.” You can read that review by clicking here:

http://www.mania.com/starlog-ceases-publication_article_114372.html.

Another amazing review came from the School Library Journal’s website. The site says that “the illustrations combine pastel hues, ink lines and cross-hatching, and eerie images for a spine-chilling effect.” I couldn’t  agree more! To read the full review and to see what The School Library Journal has to say about some previous CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED titles along with the upcoming Tom Mandrake adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” (Classics Illustrated #5), click here: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6647784.html. This article also has some info on Rick Geary’s “The Invisible Man” (calling it “a gripping version of this pioneering work of science fiction”), and Kyle Baker’s adaptation of “Through the Looking Glass,” which it describes as containing “crisply colored, almost stylized illustrations.” Thanks, School Library Journal! As you know, we here at Papercutz are big fans and supporters of libraries everywhere. If we’re not at the office, you can usually find one of us with our nose buried in a book somewhere.

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED #5: “The Raven and Other Poems” features (aside from “The Raven”) the Poe classics Annabel Lee, Lines on Ale (a personal favorite), The City in the Sea, The Sleeper, Eldorado, Alone, The Haunted Palace, and The Conquerer Worm. I hope you enjoy reading this collection as much as we did putting it together! Let us know what you think. Love it or hate it, we always want to hear from you.  So just leave a comment and sound off!

-Mike