75 Years of the Bride of Frankenstein

I use a lot of references to classic horror movies in my work, particularly SCOOBY-DOO. Old horror movies are something I fell in love with as a kid and something that has always inspired me and fuels the work that I do. The reason that I like to reference them in my work is because I love them so much and want to share that love with other people, especially you kids who may never have seen any of these movies.

One of the best, and one of my favorite classic horror movies is BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN which was released to movie theaters on this very day in 1935. Even if you haven't seen it, you probably know what the Bride of Frankenstein looks like, and if not just look at the picture above.

There are lots of great things about this movie, from the acting and direction, the beautiful music, the great characters and story, and the fact that not only is the Frankenstein monster in this one, but he's asked Dr. Frankenstein to create for him a wife. Let's just say that things don't go exactly as planned. This is the first movie to feature TWO monsters in it, even if they don't really fight each other. The Bride is also one of the first female monsters of all time.

The main reason I wanted to mention BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN here, is because of the great sets featured in the movie. The horror movies made at Universal Studios in the 1930s and 1940s are considered classics for many reasons, but one of their most lasting influences is on the look of not only horror movies that have been made since, but other spooky and eerie things like tv shows, the Haunted Mansion at the Disney theme parks, comic books, and cartoons like SCOOBY-DOO.

Take a look at these photos of spooky sets from BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and see if you think that they look a lot like places the Mystery Inc. gang has visited on SCOOBY-DOO. If you want more I recommend you watch some old Universal horror movies like BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, FRANKENSTEIN, and THE WOLF MAN. For some good laughs try ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN.

Car Talk meets Car Chat

This showed up in my mail today from Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the entertaining hosts of NPRs "Car Talk" and inspiration for their counterparts, Tim and Roy, hosts of "Car Chat" (shown below) from SCOOBY-DOO #153, published by DC Comics.

This story was written by me with Matt Jenkins handling the drawing, Rob Clark Jr. doing the lettering, Heroic Age tackling the colors, and Harvey Richards editing the whole thing.

Tom and Ray were delighted by their appearance in Scooby-Doo. I figured that with all of the problems that Freddie has with the Mystery Machine, that he'd not only be a big fan of their call-in car repair radio show, but he'd also be regularly calling in to the show to get their advice. Now you can see the faces of the real men who inspired the story.

New SECRET SATURDAYS Available Today!

CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #47 is out in comic book stores today! It contains two stories starring "The Secret Saturdays." The first one, written by me with artwork by Scott Jeralds, features an investigation into recent attacks by the Thetis Lake Monster. You can get a good look at this man-fish cryptid on the exciting cover by "Secret Saturdays" creator, Jay Stephens.

I was not involved with the second story, but if you are a fan of "The Secret Saturdays" then you should not miss this issue.

SCOOBY-DOO #153 Available Today

Available today is SCOOBY-DOO #153 which features a story I wrote with Matt I. Jenkins handling the drawing, Rob Clark, Jr. on lettering and Heroic Age on colors. This story should appeal to kids and listeners of NPR alike as the Mystery Inc. gang comes to the aid of a thinly disguised pair of brothers who host a popular car repair radio show. SCOOBY-DOO is published by DC Comics.

New Today at a Comic Book Store Near You

If you picked up CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #44 last month, then you've probably been dying to know what happened next to THE SECRET SATURDAYS. Today you can find out! CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #45 goes on sale at a comic book store near you. This issue features the exciting conclusion to "The Lost King of Africa" as the Saturdays fight for their lives against Kasai Rex, a Tyrannosaurus rex-like dinosaur cryptid.

This story was written by me with art by Scott Jeralds and a cover by Jay Stephens.

SUPER HERO SQUAD - "Stranger From A Savage Land" Airs Again Today

My second episode of THE SUPER HERO SQUAD: "Stranger From a Savage Land" will be shown twice today on the Cartoon Network. This episode features Ka-Zar, who travels from the primitive, prehistoric world of the Savage Land to Super Hero City to rescue his pal Zabu, a sabretooth tiger who was brought to the zoo by scientists. Ka-Zar is not the only one interested in Zabu. Dr. Doom sends some of his minions after the sabretooth tiger, and Ka-Zar gets some help from the squaddies and Captain America leading to an action packed showdown.

The episode airs at 8:30 AM (EST) and again at 2:00 PM (EST).

Tomorrow Morning on Cartoon Network...

In case you missed it, "Night in the Sanctorum," the first episode of SUPER HERO SQUAD that I wrote will air again tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM (EST) on Cartoon Network.

In this episode the Squaddies need to find a place to spend the night after Falcon crashes the Hellicarrier. The episode features guest characters Dr. Strange, the Punisher, Baron Mordo and the Enchantress, and a lot of belching.