According to many of my friends, this is my best work. I remember distinctly chuckling at the thought when I came up with it, and the drawing sealed the deal. I like the blasé look on Poe’s face, calming scarring children around him with his grim visage. I thought the balloon raven was the perfect button for the gag, too. (I’ve had people point out the rabbit skeleton in the hat as their favorite part, too.)
Of course, this was also one of my first batch, so if it was my best, I peaked a little early. But it still makes me happy when I see it, so there’s something to it. Also, I’m a huge Edgar Allen Poe fan. I remember reading so much of his stuff; getting chills the first time I read “The Mask of the Red Death” and just loving that last line I still remember: “…and the Red Death held dominion over all.” It’s interesting…I don’t consider myself a “dark” person, but I have always had a big old soft spot in my heart for people like Gahan Wilson, Edward Gorey, and Charles Addams. “Lio” by Mark Tatulli is one of my new favorites for the same reasons. What is the allure, do you think? My family has a lot of Irish blood in us, and you should see us at funerals. We’re all about the dark humor. I’m sure it’s partially a coping mechanism, but at the same time, there’s a real joy in the darker side of humor, isn’t there? I find the stuff that makes me laugh most maniacally is the stuff that’s a little more off-center, leaning darker than light.
How about you guys? Have you read some Poe? What do you think? How about Edward Gorey? I can’t wait to show my daughter the “Ghastlycrumb Tinies.” I wonder if she’ll be able to sleep for a week after that?
(Oh, and by the way, clowns are plain creepy. Just sayin’.)
Poe was just before his time… I’m sure there are lots of kids out there these days who would love to have a Goth Clown come to their birthday party and make black raven balloon animals.
Hahaha! The look pn POe’s face int his one is what does it for me
Funny! I just reread the Ghastlycumb tinies for the hundreth time 2 nights ago
It was very hard for me to ever get into anything we read in our English classes, BUT I always loved when we read Edgar Allen Poe. THOSE I remember. The Pit and the Pendulum always sticks in my mind as one of my favorites. Now youv’e made me want to go get a Poe book to read through these again! It’s been so long.
I like it! The dead rabbit is what done it for me, too, officer
Also, even though the panel is b/w, I just KNOW there wouldn’t be any colour on the clown anyway. Black make-up. Black hair. Black. Mind.
Poe was never a very large presence in my life, although I do, of course, know about The Pendulum and The Pit, as it’s referenced persistently in pop culture.
My drug of choice is and was Roald Dahl, who is probably a great admirer of The Poe, as well.
By the way, for some reason the kid facing me on the left reminds me of fat little Augustus… Maybe it’s the bow-tie.
Looking forward to MORE!
-D.
Funny you mention Roald Dahl, Don. After I wrote my comment here I talked to Daniel and I told him that I had been reminded that one of my absolute favorite stories I read in high school was Lamb to the Slaughter. Fortunately, he didn’t seem too alarmed by that
Hehe… Lucky you! Here’s to hoping the local police officers are gullible… And do NOT know the story!
And if they’re really hungry!
This in my fave too, both conceptually and illustration-wise. The use of black makes this drawing, and I know that you were going for a macabre effect with it around Poe and his paraphernalia, but it’ really makes the illustration pop graphically. I think this is why so many people are drawn to it.