Eerie - Recurring Characters and Series

Recurring Characters and Series

Unlike its companion magazine, Creepy, which relied on stand alone anthology stories, Eerie would eventually become dominated by continuing series. This started with issue 39 in April 1972 with the series 'Dax the Warrior', which would run for 12 issues. By issue 48 in June 1973 most if not all of each issue contained continuing series. Initially the serials in Eerie were based on famous horror characters including Dracula, the Werewolf and the Mummy. Eventually they were replaced with original characters. Issue 130 was devoted to a huge crossover story with most of the series characters, along with Vampirella. Some of the recurring characters and series that appeared in Eerie include the following:

Dax the Warrior - Art and writing by Esteban Maroto. Twelve parts in total, which appeared in issues 39-52. This series was a reprinting of Maroto's Manly, which originally appeared in Spain. It featured the often downbeat adventures of Dax, a powerful warrior. During his travels Dax would encounter many sorcerers, witches, beasts and even Death itself. Ten out of twelve parts were reprinted in issue 59, and were heavily rewritten by writer Budd Lewis, who renamed the serial Dax the Damned.

The Mummy Walks - Art by Jaime Brocal, and written by Steve Skeates. Six parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-54. It starred Jerome Curry, a "warped and lowly man" in turn of the century Boston who was able to use the body of an Egyptian mummy using an amulet. The entire series was reprinted in issue 78.

Curse of the Werewolf - Originally written by Al Milgrom, with art by Bill Dubay and Rich Buckler. After the first two parts, the artists were replaced by artist Martin Salvador. Milgrom would eventually be replaced as writer by Steve Skeates. This series had seven parts in total, which appeared in issues 48-56. This series and "The Mummy Walks" were combined for a three part series titled And the Mummies Walk in issues 61-63, with art by Joaquin Blazquez.

Dracula - Art by Tom Sutton, and written by Bill Dubay. This series featured a Dracula character that had originally been developed in Vampirella. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 46-48. An additional 3 part series starring Dracula would appear in Vampirella in issues 39-41.

Dr. Archaeus - Art by Isidro Mones, and written by Gerry Boudreau. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 54-61. This series revolved around a man who had been sentenced to death, but survived his hanging and sought revenge on the jury, killing them in a manner inspired by the 12 days of Christmas.

Hunter - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Rich Margopoulos, Budd Lewis and Bill Dubay. Six parts in total, appearing in issues 52-57. Set in a near-future world devastated by nuclear war, it features Damien Hunter, a half man, half demon who seeks to destroy all the demons on Earth, including his father Oephal. The entire series would be reprinted in issue 69. Although Hunter died in the final part, a sequel featuring a new character titled Hunter II appeared in issues 67, 68, 70-72, and 101. A "Hunter III" spoof appeared in #87. A crossover story with Darklon the Mystic appeared in #121.

Schreck - Art by Vicente Alcazar and Neal Adams (first appearance only), and written by Doug Moench. Four parts in total, appearing in issues 53-55. Radiation from nuclear testing causes mutations to occur to many people on Earth, turning them into bloodthirsty zombies. Inspired by the movie The Omega Man. The title character would later re-appear in the later "Hunter" series toward its end.

Child - Art by Richard Corben, and written by Greg Potter and Budd Lewis (last part only). A retelling of the Frankenstein story, with the monster being a childlike creature. Three parts in total, appearing in issues 57-60.

The Spook - Originally written by Doug Moench, with art by Esteban Maroto. They would be replaced by writer Budd Lewis and artist Leopold Sanchez after the first few stories. This series explored slavery and race relations in the Old South by charting the adventures of a proud black zombie in the 1800s. Seven parts in total, appearing in issues 57-66. A spinoff story titled 'Papa Voodoo' appeared in issue 67.

Night of the Jackass - Art by José Ortiz, and written by Bruce Bezaire. Four parts in total, in issues 60-65. The story features a drug, Hyde 25(m), which causes anyone who uses it to become a powerful monster, but brings death after 24 hours. All four parts would be reprinted in issue 115.

Exterminator One - Art by Paul Neary, and written by Bill Dubay. Three parts in total, in issues 60,63,64. Features a cyborg assassin known as Exterminator One. Two additional stories in the Exterminator series that featured other characters appeared in issues 58 and 61, and an Exterminator would also appear in the "Hunter II" series.

Apocalypse - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. Four parts in total, in issues 61-65. Features the four horsemen of the Apocalypse - War, Famine, Plague and Death.

Coffin - Art by Jose Ortiz, and written by Budd Lewis. In the Old West, Coffin is a well-meaning "dude" from back East who mistakenly attacks a Native American village. Coffin received false information that the tribe attacked a stagecoach he was on. After being captured, he is staked to the ground and horrifically mutilated. He is then cursed by the last remaining Native American to live forever, and spends the remainder of the series trying to redeem himself and find a way to die. Four parts in total, in issues 61, 67, 68 and 70.

"The Rook" - Art and writing by Bill Dubay. The Rook is scientist Restin Dane, who comes from a family of scientists whose members include the unnamed protagonist of the novel The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. Dane gains his nickname from the fact that his time machine resembles a giant chess rook. Taking to wearing Western-style clothing and a gun belt, he has his first time-travel adventure at the Alamo in order to save an ancestor. There he succeeds in rescuing his great-great-grandfather Bishop Dane, who accompanies him on many of his adventures, along with two robots Restin has built. Eerie issues 82-85, 87-96, 98-105. The Rook issues 1-14. Eerie issues 132, 134, and 136. Vampirella 70. Warren Comics Presents 2.