By Guy N. Smith
1991 Grafton
Paperback, 223 pages
This book is dark. I’ll
admit to having squirmed in my seat a few times. At first, I thought it might go
a little bit like Johnny Craig’s amazing story “Till Death” in EC Comics’ Vault
of Horror #28 (Dec. 1952) which has a somewhat similar set-up but no, GNS takes
things into even darker territory.
Merryn is dying of a brain tumor
at 28 years old. Wanting to get in as much as possible before her end, she
marries her boyfriend Bernie. Together, they face the end with love and
commitment. Bernie knows a white witch who can offer no help but an
ex-colleague of hers gives him a call and offers an ominous chance. Bernie must
take that chance. Enter Richie Howe, another witch. But his magic is far darker
than the white witch’s. His work begins right after Merryn dies.
Careful what you wish for,
Bernie. Richie sure does bring Merryn back, but she isn’t quite the same woman
anymore. She is distant, a little smelly and super horny. If Bernie can’t handle
it, Richie can. In fact, Richie becomes quite close to Merryn, and she is his
showpiece; a “living” example of his power. Richie’s boss is Old Scratch, and
he likes what’s being done but would like a few lives sacrificed in his name as
well. What the hell have you done, Bernie?
Bernie had the best intentions
but what he got back is a cold, uncaring whisp of an undead wife whose only
function seems to be to cause him pain. Merryn is a wonderfully off-putting
character. She’s beautiful but slimy, delicate but hard. She is just a pretty
vessel full of selfish lust and hatred. Bernie holds out romantic hopes, but he
knows it is far too late. GNS plays both sides beautifully. The early pages
shows a devoted couple with heartbreak hanging over them and with limited time.
Their “after” lives are filled with tension, torture, regret and fear and it
all revolves around Richie and his master.
This is absolute top-shelf GNS
in my opinion. He could have played it easy and just schlocked away a good idea
with cheap, gooey scares, but he makes it much more; a tragic relationship
story from hell with enough pathos and both hope and hopelessness mixed in with
the sleazy scenarios and demonic doings to really push this one into greatness.
Luis Rey’s cover is just beautiful, too, giving this one my highest recommendation.
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