Chilling Adventures in Sorcery #3
Published and © by Red Circle (Archie), October 1973
Title: “Cat!”
Synopsis: A downtrodden cat burglar’s hope for a final big score goes wrong when his marks turn out to be magicians.
Writer: Gray Morrow
Artist: Morrow
Review: Despite some supernatural or sci-fi elements, this issue’s tales hardly live up to the monster mayhem promised by the cover. Gray Morrow’s rendering is realistic and his page layouts have a nice, organic feel. But, as a writer, Morrow’s prose is overly dense and his stories lack creative spark.
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Title: “Missing Link”
Synopsis: A time-travelling scientist gets stranded in the past – and plays a roll in creating the missing link he was seeking.
Writer: Gray Morrow
Artist: Morrow
Review: There’s not much “chilling” to this sci-fi-flavored tale. Gray Morrow’s script is overly wordy, but his art is quite nice.
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Title: “Immortality Factor”
Synopsis: A man researching his sister’s mysterious death at a sanitarium runs afoul of a devious doctor … and vampires!
Writer: Gray Morrow
Artist: Morrow
Review: The most horrific of this issue’s tales holds form: Above-average art, too many words, not enough originality.
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Title: “Haunted Gallery”
Synopsis: When a trusted lawyer murders an elderly millionaire, the deceased’s niece plots her revenge using seemingly haunted images.
Writer: Gray Morrow
Artist: Morrow
Review: A convoluted plot and silly “shock” ending make this one a stinker. But, again, Gray Morrow delivers nice art.
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Title: “Essays into the Supernatural”
Synopsis: A one-page look at how old, animal-inspired gods became the devils of more modern religions.
Writer: Phil Sueling
Artist: Gray Morrow
Review: With the exception of an inquisitive final panel, this one-pager is more illustrated essay than entertaining story.
Grade (for the entire issue): B-
Cool factor: It certainly looks cool …
Not-so-cool factor: … but Gray Morrow needs a writer (or at least an editor!)
Notable: Also includes a one-page text story titled “A Stab in the Dark.” … First of Archie’s Red Circle line of comics. … The first two issues of this series were titled Chilling Adventures in Sorcery as Told by Sabrina.
Character quotable: “You’re madder than any of your inmates, Dr.” – Arden Miller (who was crazy enough to break into a sanitarium!)
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Oct. 27, 2010.
