Legend Horror Classics #1

1975. Cover price 25p
52 pages. B&W and color.
Legend Publishing.

Edited by Gent Shaw.

Cover by Kevin O'Neill. Inset photographs of Christopher Lee, Minah Bird, and Udo Kier (uncredited).

Contents:

 2 Crypt Chatter editorial by Gent Shaw; logo illustrated by JP (signed). / Indicia / Dracula Filmography (incomplete).

 3 Dracula (half page) reproduction of Dan Curtis' Dracula film poster. / Dracula w: UNKNOWN; a: Kevin O'Neill.

 6 Portrait Gallery Peter Cushing pin-up; illustrated by Steve Jones.

13 Christopher Lee poster.

19 Hammer Presents Dracula (half page) advertisement for album. / Brian Jepson Comics (quarter page) advertisement. / "Don't just stand there like a human - order now" (half page) advertisement for Planet of the Apes poster.

20 What is a Vampire? excerpts from Encyclopaedia Britannica and Chambers Encyclopaedia; Christopher Lee photograph (uncredited).

Note: Folds out into a single large page.

Alongside a very rough cover by Kevin O'Neill, surely an image he would probably not prefer highlighted, the design of Legend Horror Classics leaves a lot to be desired. A light blue background doesn't scream "horror comic" in the way dark blue, or even black, would have, which isn't assisted by the manner in which photographs have been added to the composition. First impressions of the title aren't helped by the way "Dracula" is written in a curving arc at the bottom - without an outline it blends into the image.

Whatever deficiencies are present, O'Neill's strong, distinctive style carries narratives well even here. With only ten and a half pages to play with, this isn't the most detailed adaptation, but there is enough of the plot intact to enjoy the telling. Dracula could have done with a couple more pages to play with, or for O'Neill pin-ups, but as a glimpse at his style pre-2000 A.D. this is a wonderful publication.

One side-effect of covering this title is that I am now on the lookout for Hammer audio recordings...

I'm not sure who JP is, but the skull illustration is rather effective in blue. The pen-and-ink pointillism of Steve Jones isn't quite as effective, though captures Cushing's likeness well (from a photograph?), and the poster of Christopher Lee is an impressive. Unfortunately, this is one of the titles which, due to its nature, is in a terrible condition - I'm not sure how many times it has been unfolded then refolded, but it has fallen to pieces now. The page numbering may be a tad skewiffy.