"Monsters Unleashed " #4 Wolfman story

Marvel monster magazines were always high on my list of "must buys" whenever and wherever I found them, and they comprise a big part of my monster magazine collection. This time I'm bringing out of the collection cabinet issue #4 of "Monsters Unleashed," published in February, 1974. I was 15 when I bought it, and I remember reading it in the back seat of the car as my mother drove us and my Grandma over to visit a relative.

Since there is a new "Wolfman" remake in the theaters right now (which I haven't seen yet, and will probably wait to get when it comes out on DVD), I thought I'd post this werewolf story to coincide. More of a detective story than a horror tale, with an attempt at the "noir" style (even to the heroine dresing in a trenchcoat and fedora), the hairy one only appears in the end.

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And, the werewolf is killed, as usual, by one that loves him. As a followup there was a one-page article in memory of the greatest werewolf actor, Lon Chaney, Jr.

1972 article on "The Return of Count Yorga"

(Click on images to enlarge.)

The old collection cabinet opens this time to Issue #16 of the venerable newspaper, "The Monster Times," published October of 1972. I was a wee lad of 13 when I bought it on a trip to the drug store while visiting for the weekend at my Grandma's house in Macon, Ga. The article scanned is on "The Return of Count Yorga," which featured poster artwork that was as memorable and eye-catching as it was strange and unconnected to the title character's appearance! Enjoy...

Below, one of the posters for the movie (not in the issue of TMT) depicting the monopedal incarnation of the count. While something like this could be frightening on first sight, being confronted by this bizarre thing wouldn't neccessarily be dangerous unless you panicked and fell down. Standing only about a foot tall with three eyes, two mouths and one foot, a hopping abomination like this could be easily dispatched with a swift punt. Then you could put a trash can over it to hold it til the morning, when you could whack it with a shovel and bury it.

As usual, the Monster Times review was spot-on... the movie was a let-down, never fulfilling the potential that it was set up for. After the enjoyable (if low-budget) first movie, we were ready for a better film, but, except for some bright spots, all we get is a retread that lapses into confusion. I truly did like Quarry's portayal of Yorga; he seemed a perfect gentleman, but there was always a simmering danger lurking under the veneer of politeness. And when the veneer was dropped, you felt truly afraid. But the film is only mildly enjoyable. What it could have been if it had taken Hammer's approach to horror, only taking place in (then) modern-day America!