Chilling Adventures in Sorcery as Told by Sabrina #1
Published and © by Archie, September 1972
Title: “Behold the Beast”
Synopsis: A four-limbed, hairy boy escapes captivity and a mob before meeting a blind girl he may came to love.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Uncredited
Review: What an odd little comic. The nominal source material for the 2018 Netflix series, this Sabrina-hosted title features tame, EC-esque short stories with art strongly influenced by the Archie house style. Neither scary nor funny, it’s hard to tell who the target audience is supposed to be.
•••
Title: “The Boy Who Cried Vampire”
Synopsis: A young boy is convinced a creepy, old friend of the family is actually a vampire.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Uncredited
Review: This slight tale with its not-so-surprising twist ending is a poor imitation of the EC formula.
•••
Title: “Assignment in Fear”
Synopsis: When a bully keeps picking on a stuttering classmate, their teacher turns to dark magic to deliver a lesson.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Uncredited
Review: This tale of magical retribution and deliverance doesn’t make much sense, but Sabrina is looking sexy as the host.
•••
Title: “Curiosity Kills”
Synopsis: One brother inherits $12 million dollars while the other inherits a small, ornate box – but what’s in the box?
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Uncredited
Review: This simple morality tale is the weakest of the issue’s tales (though it makes more sense than the previous story).
Grade (for the entire issue): B-
Second opinion: “Bizarrely illustrated in the Archie house style.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003 … “Nominee, worst comic of the last 25 years.” – World’s Worst Comics Awards #2, 1991
Cool factor: Despite its weak stories, there’s something undeniably cool about seeing horror stores drawn in the Archie style.
Notable: Also includes a one-pager titled “Quick Justice” and a one-page text feature titled “A Real Hot Talent.”
Character quotable: “If there’s one thing a mob has never been known for – it’s courage.” – Sabrina, the good little horror hostess
Editor’s note: This review was written June 21, 2022.
