Here comes the bride… and boy, is she a beauty! The Golden Age of Horror Comics loved a good wedding. Here are thirteen unlucky nuptials to brighten your Springtime. Of course, the comics borrowed it all from the pages of literature and the Pulps. Washington Irving had a hit with “The Spectre Bridegroom” back in 1819 (and he cribbed it from the Germans) and Seabury Quinn’s only Jules de Grandin novel was The Devil’s Bride (Weird Tales, February-July 1932). The comic writers and artists of ACG, Farrell, Harvey, Pines and Trojan had plenty of material to crib from. You will find ghostly brides, vampires, ghouls and even a were-alligator. Most of the writer are unknown, though we know some of the artists.
Get your rice ready because… here comes the bride!
“The Bride of Anubis” Adventures Into the Unknown #15 (January 1951) All the creators of this comic are unknown. Steve and Gail’s upcoming wedding plans go array when Gail discovers a ring belonging to the Egyptian god Anubis.
“Bride For the Dead” Mysterious Adventures #6 (February 1952) The writer is not known. Gregor Boris comes back from the dead to claim the bride who jilted him.
“Bride of the Beast” Forbidden Worlds #6 (May-June 1952) The writer of this comic is unknown. Bruce and Gail’s trip to the Red Sea is the perfect time to get hitched. Too bad Bruce uses a cursed demon-summoning ring to become engaged!
“The Bride of the Crab” Chamber of Chills #12 (September 1952) Again, writer unknown! Donald is about to marry but his dying father has a terrible secret he must learn first. Borrowing a riff from H. P. Lovecraft, this tale has the doomed family and a surprise for the poor bride!
“Bride of Doom” Forbidden Worlds #10 (October 1952) Yup, here too. Joe and Linda must hurry because their friend Harry has married a woman who refuses to be photographed. What do they see when they finally get a picture? I always enjoy Jay Disbrow’s eccentric artwork.
“Bride of Death” Adventures Into Darkness #7 (December 1952) Yah, I know… unknown writer. A mad scientist of the Frankenstein and Herbert West variety defies those who would stop him and resurrects the beautiful Dolores Maritz. Her reanimated corpse has other ideas. The Jack Katz art in this one is superb.
“Bride of Horror” Ghost Comics #7 (1953) No writer here either. Sheesh! Pam has married Winthrop Marssden, a man suffering from a terrible curse. Only her love can cure him.
“Ghoul’s Bride” Voodoo #6 (February 1953) Writing by…could be anyone. Rita is on death row when a ghoul appears and gives her way to survive death. She becomes a monster that is impervious to all forms of harm except the rope. Too bad she didn’t watch out more carefully.
“The Mummy’s Bride” Beware #4 (July 1953) Yipee! A writer! This comic was written by Jesse Merlan. Professor Bond and his daughter Nancy bring back mummies to their museum. When the mummies rise for a wedding, Nancy is the default bride. Her father saves her by offering the undead their real bride.
“The Spectral Bride” Out of the Night #10 (August-September 1953) was probably written by Richard Hughes. George comes across a woman in a wedding dress on the road. He gives her a lift though he thinks her crazy. There is a car crash and George thinks he has walked away unharmed…
“The Zombi’s Bride” Fantastic Fears #3 (September 1953) Everyone is unknown on this one. General Moreno’s castle is filled with zombies including their evil lord. Only one thing can kill them, silver, and it is up to Gabrielle to deliver it.
“Devil’s Bride” Haunted Thrills #16 (July-August 1954) Again, no credits for this one. Jack needs to work fast or he will lose Liza to her jilted lover, Gregor (a popular name for jilted monster lovers!). Gregor has become a vampire and only good ol’ fashioned magic will capture him for all time.
“Bride of the Swamp” Forbidden Worlds # 33 (September 1954) Our last one is by an unknown author as well. Latham escapes custody to find refuge in the swamp. He shacks up with the beautiful Jenanne but there is only one problem. She is a were-alligator. Romeo and Juliet ending here we come.
All of these comics are available free at DCM.
Some more wedding fun…
Well, here comes the bride! There go the monsters. Next time: Haunted Honeymoon!
