Originally Published In Issue 37
Reprinted In Issue 96
First published back in July of 1972, Issue 37 of the ‘Pocket Chiller Library’ comic series was titled ‘The Cry Of The Wolfman’. The comic was later reprinted under the alternative title ‘Man-Beast’ within Issue 96.
During the 1970s the ‘Pocket Chiller Library’ was a pocket-sized mainstream horror comic which ran for a total of 137 issues between 1971 and 1977. Each month, two issues of the comic were published, amounting to a total of twenty-four issues of the comic published each year.
However, it should be noted that issue 83 and then from issue 86 onwards, the publishers started reprinting the earlier stories. Of these reprints, the first 29 reprints (issues 83 and then 86 – 113) retitled the story. As such, there were only ever a total of 84 unique stories within the series, despite there being more titles.
Unfortunately, each issue was undated, making it difficult to be sure of the date for first publication of each issue. However, it is widely understood the comics were monthly publications, with two publications released simultaneously each month, with the original stories running from January 1971. Therefore, the above date of publication is a relatively reasonable assumption.
Additionally, each issue was unfortunately uncredited to either the writer or the comic artist(s).
Beryl Clinton had rented the Crutchley’s farmhouse for three whole months, to have some peace and quiet so she could focus upon writing her next science fiction novel. However, just a week into her stay upon the otherwise isolated common, the silence within the old farmhouse suddenly seemed charged with menace.
A slow, cautious shuffling around the outside walls of the house, coming to a stop at the farmhouse door, had Beryl fearing for her life. Then, pulling back the curtains of the nearest window, she came face-to-face with a monstrous, drooling, thing of terror. Neither man nor beast, but something between the two. An animal-like face peering back at her, thick black coarse hair covering every inch of the beast before her.
The police were soon to arrive at the house. Their investigations revealing man-sized footprints outside, circling the property. Minutes later they pull local vagrant, Old Ben, from the bushes. However, Beryl swears blind the face in the window was that of a beast, and not this crazy old man.
Only later when Beryl instead takes a room at ‘The Bull’ in nearby Lingwall, does she learn of the other strange happenings up on the common. It appears a couple of hikers had recently disappeared from there without a trace. Then, not long after, a local villager had gone for a walk on the common with her fella, only her companion was never seen again. The woman, Maggie Telfer, had been found wandering the wilderness, stark crazy, and only able to speak one word, over and over again… “hair”!
If what Beryl had seen through her window that night was true, and not just a figment of an overactive imagination, and if what had shocked poor Maggie Telfer was the very same creature, then that could only mean one thing. A werewolf!...
Unfortunately, here we have an incredibly uninspired werewolf story which just feels bland and decidedly back-to-basics. Now, I’m not opposed to some classic horror. In fact, the cover lured me into thinking this might be akin to a reworking of a 1940’s classic, perhaps with a psychedelic 60’s spin on things. The cover art, and indeed the image of the werewolf within the comic, undoubtedly based upon those classic Universal Studios’ image of Lon Chaney as ‘The Wolf Man’ (1941).
Sadly, the story doesn’t offer much in the way of either a classic horror appeal, nor an original or entertaining take upon the age-old werewolf storylines. Instead, we have a couple of characters – Beryl Clinton and the owner of Crutchley’s Farm, a handsome and fearless chap named Harry Lewis – together trying to get to the bottom of the recent disappearances and the murmured potential of a werewolf at large.
Maggie Telfer, the poor lass who lost her mind when her fella went missing out on the common, adds a hint of interest to the otherwise drab plot. She’s bat-shit crazy, only able to say one word – “hair” – over and over again. She’s also got some gruesome secrets buried up on the common, which causes a peak in interest within this otherwise mild and mediocre werewolf story.
Maggie Telfer, the poor lass who lost her mind when her fella went missing out on the common, adds a hint of interest to the otherwise drab plot. She’s bat-shit crazy, only able to say one word – “hair” – over and over again. She’s also got some gruesome secrets buried up on the common, which causes a peak in interest within this otherwise mild and mediocre werewolf story.
Furthermore, the big twist ending is given away about ten frames before it’s revealed. Luckily we have a secondary twist, which is a tad better, but again, dances with predictability like weary old lovers.
The comic’s illustrative artwork on the other hand, is absolutely spot on. Even the camp 1940’s Universal Studios Wolf Man copy is wonderfully depicted whenever he appears, with instantly his recognisable features and bent stance. Honestly, the artwork is probably this particular issue’s one and only saving grace!
Definitely one of the weaker PCL offerings. Shame, as that cover art is great!
The comic book runs for a total of 64 pages.
© DLS Reviews
