Originally Published In Issue 45
Reprinted In Issue 104
First published back in September of 1974, Issue 45 of the ‘Pocket Chiller Library’ comic series was titled ‘Fury’. The comic was later reprinted under the alternative title ‘Fear’ within Issue 104.
During the 1970s the ‘Pocket Chiller Library’ was a pocket-sized mainstream horror comic which ran for 137 issues between 1971 and 1977. From issue 86 onwards the publishers simply started reprinting the earlier stories, the first 28 of these reprints retitling the story. As such, there were only a total of 86 different stories within the series.
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 the original stories running between 1971 and 1977, therefore the above date of publication is a reasonable assumption. Additionally, each issue was uncredited to either the writer or the comic artist(s).
Jake missed his wife, Martha, deeply. Just four months ago, she’d passed away after hitting her head on a unit in their living room. Ever since then, Jake had immersed himself in the supernatural. Desperate to find a way to reconnect with his deceased wife.
Then one evening at the local pub, Jake hears about the reputation the nearby Glade had as a haunt for ghosts around those parts. A place in the old days where folk used to call up the devil. However, for Jake the Glade posed a potential opportunity for being able to finally reach out to Martha. A possibility he knew he had to take.
The next night Jake went to the Glade and spoke the ancient words transcribed within his many books on the occult. Words to call Martha back from the grave. Ancient and powerful words, spoken so the two of them might be together again.
However, something didn’t seem right. After he spoke the words, he felt something brush past him, then a clawing sensation at his throat.
In the days that follow, Jake will grow to regret his actions. He’d wanted to reconnect with Martha, but that was the Martha he remembered. Four months had passed since then. As such, what Jake had unwittingly brought back from the grave was something different. Something terrifying.
But Martha had also taken many secrets to the grave with her. A life of flirtatious betrayal which was now being revealed. Together with his old friend, Barney Coleman, the pair will do whatever they can to correct Jake’s mistake and send Martha back to the grave.
However, the reawakened Martha has other ideas. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…
Oh man, is this a good one! In fact, this is perhaps one of the best PCL comics I’ve read thus far. The vague and somewhat uninspired story name ‘Fury’ or indeed its rename of ‘Fear’, really does not do the story justice at all. Nor does the equally bland cover artwork.
What we have with this story is a tale of deception, betrayal, and a desperate longing to reconnect with ones deceased partner. However, this baseline premise is then warped and distorted, to then have the deceased brought back to torment the distraught Jake, as well as his old friend Barney.
Interwoven in this we have some relatively unsurprising twists of the plot, as well as some very surprising ones! However, it’s with the delivery of a ghastly horror edge to everything where the tale is an absolute triumph from start to finish.
Essentially, Martha is brought back from the grave as a somewhat pissed off supernatural zombie, who’s hellbent on getting what she wants. So, this undead walking corpse torments Jake and Barney, to the point where the pair decide they need to correct Jake’s mistake once and for all.
Of course, being a PCL comic, it’s not that simple, and doesn’t go according to plan. The end result of their efforts is a magnificently dark and horrific finale, with a chilling ending that’ll put a huge grin on any good horror fiends face.
The illustrative artwork that accompanies the story is also top notch. It’s perhaps more detailed and involved than the artwork within many of the other PCL issues, with detailed linework and more of a background setting applied to each frame. This works incredibly well with the story as a whole, setting the scenes and atmosphere well, especially around the Glade, the graveyard, and when good ole Martha decides to rock up for the next round of torment.
This really is a superb PCL comic. Knee deep in over-the-top horror from start to end.
The comic book runs for a total of 64 pages.
© DLS Reviews
