Drive-In Book Review: The Weird World of Eerie Publications

If you grew up in the 1960s or 70s, you might recall the many black and white comic magazines that flooded newstands.

Most of the titles were horror-focused. Warren Publishing delivered quality publications with great artwork including "Creepy" and "Eerie." Marvel offered supernatural fare such as "Dracula Lives," "Tales of the Zombie" and "Monsters Unleashed."

Also on the stands were a line of magazines from Eerie Publications (not to be confused with the Warren magazine). These black and white comics were extremely gory, excessively violent and mainly comprised of reprinted stories (touched up with additional blood and guts).

As a kid, I only owned one or two of these gems. I knew they were inferior to mags from Marvel and Warren but loved them all the same. I can't really explain my soft spot for all things cheapo, but these mags bring back some fond comics memories. I particularly liked their wild-ass covers that featured mummies driving stakes into vampires while werewoves mauled zombies.

Eerie Pubs are gone but not forgotten. Fans can reminisce about these low budget horror mags in the book "The Weird World of Eerie Publications" edited by Mike Howlett.

Howlett does an excellent job detailing the history of these magazines and their publisher Myron Fass, a loose cannon and pistol packing publisher of sleazy mags. Fass was known for recycling artwork, stories, cover paintings and just about anything else to save a buck. His team of artists included Carl Burgos (creator of the original Human Torch for Timely/Marvel Comics) and Dick Ayers (longtime Marvel artist/inker).

This book is for Eerie Pubs purists but newbies to these gory classics should appreciate it. In addition to insight on the line of Eerie Pubs (Weird, Tales from the Tomb, Tales of Voodoo, Horror Tales, Terror Tales, Witches' Tales), Howlett also examines many of yesteryear's black and white mags and pre-comics code horror comics.

Be advised that there is no reprinted material from the Eerie Pubs. I was hoping for at least a few stories. That's my only critique of this this pretty cool book that contains a cool cover gallery and tons of great photos.

For reprints, see the paperback "Zombie Factory" or visit The Dead Demons! The Claw's Eerie Publications Online Archive.

If you're nostalgic for the days of black and white horror books, this volume is for you. It's pretty comprehensive and a fun read. Not as fun as the Eerie Pubs themselves but certainly worth checking out.

DVR DRIVE-IN REVIEW: "ROADIE"

I wanted to see this as a kid but it never arrived my hometown's theater. It's available as part of Comcast's Impact On Demand Package (look under "Free Movies") and is well worth watching for the cast alone.

Travis Redfish (Meatloaf) is a cowboy inventor who sets out to be a beer truck driver. When he meets wannabe groupie Lola (Kaki Hunter), his career shifts focus and he becomes a super roadie. His boss is promoter Mohammed Johnson (Don Cornelius), who represents everybody from Blondie to Hank Williams Jr. to Alice Cooper (all appear and perform in the film).

This movie is all over the place with no real plot. Redfish winds up in a botched drug deal (subbing Tide detergent for coke), uses solar power to fuel a rock fest, leads cops on a car chase in Austin, instigates a brawl at a Hank Jr. show and has frequent "brain freezes" (spouting off random phrases).

It's pretty crazy but fast-paced enough to keep any rock fan entertained. Great performances from Hank, Blondie, Alice and Asleep at the Wheel. Plus, Meatloaf delivers a tour de force performance as Redfish.

Art Carney plays the senior Redfish...also an inventor, and Gailard Sartain plays Travis' buddy (and soon-to-be brother in law) B.B.

It's a perfect Saturday night party flick...best of all it's free with On Demand.

DVR Drive-In Review: "Vice Squad"

I clearly recall Siskel and Ebert bashing this movie as one of the "Dogs of the Week" on the original "Sneak Previews" show.

It ran on cable numerous times, but I always missed it for some reason or other. Now, it's running on IFC of all places, and it's a must-watch if you love those early '80s exploitation movies.

Wings Hauser is out of control as Ramrod, a psycho pimp in L.A. He brutally murders one of his hookers (MTV's Nina Blackwood!) with a wire hanger. Cops enlist the assistance of another hooker Princess (Season Hubley) to bust him. They bungle the arrest, and Ramrod is determined to deliver the same royal hanger treatment to Princess.

The movie is pretty much a non-stop bloody sleazefest with exaggerated depictions of L.A.'s hooker scene, pretty cool car chases, shootouts and brutal murders (off camera).

Look for a cameo from Fred "Rerun" Berry. Also, the theme song "Neon Slime" (performed by Hauser himself) freaking rocks.

Look for it on IFC, and check out this rocking trailer:

DVR Drive-In Review: "Murphy's Law"

My wife said it best when she said, "They dont't make 'em like that anymore."

She is absolutely right! It is pretty much impossible to find an action flick starring a seventysomething tough guy these days.

"Murphy's Law" stars Charles Bronson as Jack Murphy, a burnt out old cop. He wants people to abide  by one rule..."Don't fuck with Jack Murphy!" Unfortunately, several people break that rule...including psycho Joan, a recently released con out for revenge (Carrie Snodgrass).

Murphy's framed for murder and winds up handcuffed to a juvenile delinquent (Kathleen Wilhoite) who calls him every name in the book ( "snot breath," "public hair"). Of course, Bronson goes on a rampage, stealing a helicopter, kicking ass and ultimately coming face to face with nutso Joan.

This isn't Bronson's best, but he makes its watchable. Lots of gunfire, some gratuitous nudity and a profane-laden script. How can it not rule???