If you’ve ever fantasized about an intoxicated Edgar Allan Poe telling you a story, I’ve got a comic series for you to try. Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror is a fun read ala the realms of Drunk History and a touch of the midnight dreary. Each issue features a series of stories, complete with different writing and art styles.
One of the strongest, and the first, in the Season 2 issue #1 is by Dean Motter. This tale is called The Tell-Tale Black Cask of Usher.” If that sounds like a ton of Poe titles mashed together, it’s because it is. The sheer number of references to Edgar Allen Poe stories is mind-boggling. Those who have devoured many a volume of forgotten lore will definitely recognize them, but it’s enjoyable even if one is not familiar with Poe’s writings. The story focuses on a drunk Poe desperate to get revenge on his editor, Griswold, for past misdeeds. An old man advises he has a cask of amontillado. We know where this is going. Keep an eye out for the portraits of horror legends Vincent Price and (what I think is) Conrad Veight in the old man’s hallway.
There are also tales from Mark Russell, Peter Snejbjerg, Paul Cornell, Alisa Kwitney, Dean Motter, Linda Medley, Rick Geary, Steve Yeowell, Hunt Emerson, Peter Snejbjerg, Mauricet, Greg Scott and covers by MAD Magazine artist Richard Williams.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror is now available from Ahoy Comics; perfect for creepy reading season. It’s also great if you just want to see Edgar Allan Poe in a bunch of strange paintings.
