Creepy's Fan Mail

There was a letter column in Creepy. Here’s some quotes from there:

Creepy #41 (1971); Dear Uncle Creepy Fan Mail (pgs 4-5):

— “In #36 the best new artist is Richard Corben. —
STEPHEN DARNER, Bronx, New York

Creepy #43 (1972); Dear Uncle Creepy (pgs 4-5):

— Richard Corben‘s artwork on “A Tangible Hatred” wasn’t like his old work. For a profile of artist Corben, see CREEPY Fan Club, p. 54.) Let’s have Corben‘s old style back.
GARY KIMBER, Scar., Ont., Can.

(pict) A sequence from the opening page of “A Tangible Hatred” (CREEPY #41). Readers Dave Puckett and Gary Kimber criticized the artwork. The script however was well recieved.

CREEPY #42 was one of the best issues in a long time. “Prelude to Armageddon” was a masterpiece and “A Tangible Hatred” was fantastic!
BRAD NORTHROP, Ann Arbor, Mich.

— “A Tangible Hatred” was lousy. The artwork wasn’t good either.
JEFF ALEXANDER, Cincinnati, Ohio

I find your publications excellent and the quality of both the art and writing most often unusually high. However, I have a complaint to lodge about the story “A Tangible Hatred.” Richard Corben‘s work on this story was not up to the par we’ve come to expect. If not for the talented writing of Don McGregor, “A Tangible Hatred” would have been lost completely. The message of the story was one everyone should take to heart.
DAVE PUCKETT, Dave City, Ky.

— “A Tangible Hatred” was strange —
HECTOROS, Calexico, Calif.

— I especially liked “A Tangible Hatred.” Who knows? We might create “A Tangible Hatred” yet. —
LANNY HARRIS, Hopland, Calif.

— “A Tangible Hatred” rated C for fair but not good. —
GUERRY LEONARD, Decatur, Alabama

Artwise, the final story, “A Tangible Hatred,” in CREEPY #41 was terrific. —
TONY ROBERTSON, Pointe Claire, Quebec

Creepy #43 (1972); Creepy’s Fan Club (pgs 54-55):

Profile: Richard Corben
(pict) Richard Corben at work in his Kansas City, Mo. study.
Artist Richard Corben, whose work appears on the inside front cover of this issue (see “The Golden Sun Disk”, p. 2 -ed.) last illustrated “A Tangible Hatred” in CREEPY #41.
A long time ago, a creature came to earth with a strange intent. The result: Richard Corben, self-styled producer of fantasy movies, cartoon strips and paintings. Attracted to CREEPY magazine, he excitedly sent in samples of his work. The artist was encouraged and he turned to the world of comic book fanzine for experience. The years which followed were filled with getting married and working for an industrial/educational film company. Finally, a strip and cover were accepted by Warren publishing. With payment for his efforts, the cartoonist then demonstrated that a fool and his money are soon parted by publishing his own fanzine, FANTAGOR. Corben is now content to let publishers do the publishing while he concentrates on art, stories and films. Deep in the cavernous reaches of what passes for a mind, lurks a nagging thought, “Will I lose as much money, as fast, producing a film short as I lost with FANTAGOR?” After some thought, he finds that he can probably lose a bit more money and a lot faster in movies so he is currently planning his first production.
(pict) A sample of Corben’s work from “The Pest” which appeared in EERIE #33.

Creepy #56 (1973); Dear Uncle Creepy (pgs 4-5):Readers rave over full-color comics! “Corben is a genius!”

— I see you’ve again obatined the services of Richard (Gore) Corben. He has, I’m sure, been busy with his own publications but I’m very glad to see him back at Warren. His art style was perfectly suited for “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip,” undeniably the best. —
PHIL WATKINS III, Indialantic, Florida

(pict) Readers “Click-Flipped” over Richard Corben’s mind-bogging artistry on “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” on CREEPY #54.

Doug Moench’s “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” was a real masterpiece. The guy has got to be a genius. This story was at the same time funny, thoughful, and delightfully repulsive. Rich Corben‘s always excellent artwork blended beautifully with the story. All in all, this story was a real mind-boggler. —
DAVID CROWLER, Rockville, Md.

— Richard Corben‘s work is always welcome treat and the “Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” was no exception. Some really fabulous art in the inimitable Corben style. The story, like most Corben pieces, was really WEIRD! I got the impression that I was standing outside a padded cell listening to an inmate describe how he was going to get revenge on all the people who put him away. The situations as described by the psycho could not normally happen, and the uselessness of the “powerful” Click-Lick device leads me to come from a demented mind. —
CARL GAFFORD, Brooklyn, N.Y.

— I was repulsed, however, by “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip.” It’s a shame that such low-class horror appeared in an otherwise high-class magazine. I suppose one has to expect an occasional loser alongside the many excellent stories.
DAVID PHILLIPS, Malibu, California

Richard Corben‘s artistic telling of “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” was really unbelievable, perhaps the greatest stuff he’s ever done. —
TIM LYNCH, Wapping, Conn.

— Richard Corben‘s art on “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” was too incredible for words. Corben is without a doubt one of your all-time greatest artists. —
DAVE KOPECKI, Kinnelon, N.J.

Give Corben some more stories while you’re at it. His art for Warren is so superior to his work in the underground that I’ve just got to see more of it. —
DAN SUTHERLAN, Muskegan, Mich.

Creepy #57 (1973); Dear Uncle Creepy (pgs 4-5):Richard Corben draws readers’ raves.

Wow! I knew Doug Moench was an excellent writer but I had never dreamed he could turn out a story like “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” in CREEPY #54. I was laughing for hours! I never expected you guys would ever print such a hysterically freaked-out story. It was totally unlike any other tale I ever read. I think Moench deserves a Warren award for this one.
ALICE FIELDER, San Francisco, Calif.

“The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” was amusing and cleverly written, easily deserving of its leadoff position in CREEPY #54. In much the same manner as in the silent film, “Cabinet of Dr. Calagari,” the story in interpereted through a psychotic mind. The telling of this tale through the subjecttive point of view was ingenious, though at times a trifle difficult to follow. I’m eagerly awaiting much more of Moench’s work if he can continue to produce top-notch stories like this one.
LAURENCE McCALLUM, Chicago, Ill.

— My favourite story of the issue [CREEPY #54] was the Doug Moench/Richard Corben collaboration, “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip.” Everyone can see from this masterpiece where Mr. Corben got the nickname “Gore.” I sincerely hope that Corben becomes a regular contributor to the Warren line. No one else comes anywhere near his bizarre style. —
RICK MORGAN, Pooletown, N.C.

What can I say about CREEPY #54 except “Gore.” Richard “Gore” Corben is utterly fantastic! A dog being buried by a bone? Strange! I’m really glad to see Corben returning to your magazine. —
STEVEN JOHN, Wichita, Kansas

(pict [two frames from “Lycanklutz” in CREEPY#56]) Warren’s new full-color supplement was highly praised, though reader Richard Clark wisely pointed out that “Black & White is frequently more effective on horror stories.”

I just had to write and tell you that I’ve never read any other story that could compare with “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” in CREEPY #54. The entire story seemed like an insane spoof of all horror magazines and their stories.
“The Slipped Mickey” was dynamite, fast moving and to the point. Every page was a mind-bending delight. The entire concept was so totally refreshing that I hope you’ll consider doing more stories in the same bewildering vein. Doug Moench’s script was made truly alive by the simply fantastic artistry of Richard Corben.
My only regret is that the story wasn’t in color, like the sample panels gracing your front cover.
NELSON BROSKEY, Denver, Colo.

— The lead story in CREEPY #54, “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip,” was without doubt the worst story I’ve ever read. The story was totally nonsensical, having nothing to it at all. It simply wasn’t the kind of story one expects to find in as fine a magazine as CREEPY. —
M. MARTIN, Sebastopol, Calif.

— I’m afraid that “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” failed to impress me. Richard Corben‘s artwork was decent but the story was absolutely terrible. Doug Moench must have thought he was writing for “Mad Magazine.” In all honesty, Unk, it simply did not belong in CREEPY.
See you next issue, and please, no more stories like “Click-Flip.” With the exception of this one story, the issue was excellent. —
GREG SISK, Morgan Hill, Calif.

(pict) You either loved it or you hated it but you sure weren’t indiffenet. While many readers thought “The Slipped Mickey Click-Flip” was the greatest story to come along in years, other’s claimed it should never have seen print at all.

— The great artistry of Reed Crandall and Richard Corben really made the issue [CREEPY #54]. I usually prefer the cover to pertain to one story only, rather than being split into five scenes as it was this time around. However, I can accept it this issue since it marked the debut of interior color in CREEPY.
— Corben has done some great color in underground comix such as “Weird Fantasies #1,” and I’m sure Crandall’s work would adapt well to color as well.
RICHARD CLARK, Pekin, Ind.

[…and Uncle Creepy answers to Richard Clark]Rich Corben‘s super-colored art appeared in our last issue, Richard. He’s here again this issue. And if we have our say, you can expect to see Richard “Gore” Corben in every issue of CREEPY!

Creepy #60 (1974); Dear Uncle Creepy (pgs 4-5):

— CREEPY #58 — Rich Corben gets worse every time I see his work! The best tory he’s ever done for you was “The Pest” in EERIE #33. From that point on, it’s been all down hill.
Doug Moench had a good script, but alas, Corben goofed it up! —
THOMAS NYZIO, Pawtucket, R.I.

(pict) Corben’s werewolf prepares to tackle a bunch of ‘toughs’ in “Change …Into Something Comfortable” from CREEPY #58.

Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! As much as I like Richard Corben‘s artwork, I must insist that you stop letting him do every color story in CREEPY and VAMPIRELLA.
So far, he’s done the color stories in CREEPY #56, 57, and 59, and in VAMPIRELLA #30. Don’t you think that’s enough?? —
Sure, Corben‘s great! But enough is enough! —
FRANK DAWSON, Pittsburgh, Pa.

— CREEPY #58 — The story “Change …Into Something Comfortable” was a magnificent story. Doug Moench is my favourite writer, and Rich Corben‘s artwork was simply incredible. This one should have been done as a color supplement. —
RALPH JOHNSON, Long Island City. N.Y.

— Ever since Frank Frazetta left the Warren staff, the only really great artist you’ve brought in is Rich Corben. The only problem with him is that you’re giving him lousy stories! —
RICH CANAVAN, Lynbrook, N.Y.

— CREEPY #60 — It’s easy to say which was my least favourite story, and that was “Bless Us Father.” The message of the story was just a little too garbled for my taste. But even it was entertaining. —
FRANK JENSEN, Fairfax, Va.

— CREEPY #58 — The first story “Change …Into Something Comfortable” was great, art-wise. The script was just ‘blah’. Also, I know that Doug Moench can do much better than he did with the script. But you’ve got to keep Rich Corben in CREEPY! —
KEVIN JOHNSON, Little Rock, Ark.

I just got my copy of CREEPY #58, and was fascinated by the story “Change …Into Something Comfortable.” I’m really looking forward to “Terror Tomb.” But when are you going to print it? BRIAN MALIA, Dudley, Mass.

[…and Uncle Creepy answers to Brian Malia]We’ve been saving “Terror Tomb” for a very SPECIAL issue, Brian. You’ll be seeing it SOON!

I liked “Lycanklutz” in CREEPY #56 and “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Noise” in issue #57, but where was the color section in #58? —
BILLY WOMACK, Dallas, Texas

Creepy #60 (1974); Presenting The 1973 Warren Awards (pgs 58-59):

The Warren Awards are an annual presentation — CREEPY, EERIE and VAMPIRELLA. — We sent you into freaky acidian worlds of color with Richard Corben. —

BEST ARTIST/WRITER OF THE YEAR 1973: Richard Corben

(pict) Portrait (non Corben)

Richard Corben returned to the Warren magazines this year, after an all too long absence. He started off by thrilling us with “Mickey Click Flip.” And from there jumped to writing, drawing and coloring “Lycanklutz” …unanimously chosen best story written by an artist.

(pict) “Lycanklutz”: Reason why Rich Corben is Best Writer/Artist.

SPECIAL AWARD FOR ALL-AROUND EXCELLENCE: Richard Corben

Rich Corben is one hell of a talent. But to Warren Publishing he’s much more than that. He’s a guy you can rely on. Rich pours his heart into his work. He constantly gives more than 100% of himself. Rich, we thank you …for your talent, drive, and friendship.

(pict [a frame from “The Low Spark of High Heeled Noise!” in CREEPY #57]) What’s said about a super-talent who gives all? Rich Corben!

Creepy’s Fan Mail

Creepy’s Fan Club / Dear Uncle Creepy Fan Mail