DC Comics published 24 issues of "The New Magazine of Weird Humor!" beginning with Plop! #1 (Sept./Oct. 1973). Because of the series three biblically named hosts (Cain, Abel & Eve; who always tried to one-up each other), Plop! is primarily considered a humor/horror anthology-hybrid. The first nineteen covers were provided by Basil Wolverton and Wally Wood, so you can see how it might earn that attribution.
Mad magazines Sergio Aragones, provided much of the framing sequence artwork and many of the books peculiar humor stories during the run of the series which ended in 1976. Plop! won the 1973 Shazam Award for Best Humor Story for "The Gourmet" in its first issue and a second nomination for another tale from the debut issue. Writer Steve Skeates also won a Best Writer (Humor Division) for his work on the series.
I remember my brother having a few issues of this title when we were kids, but nothing much else. Still, if you need to satisfy a yearning for some macabre humor or just plain weirdness, a back issue of Plop! would fit the bill. I've included a page of Aragones art as an example of what you could find within its covers.
6 comments:
Plop! was alot of fun... I have a few of those cool little square bound paperback size versions too, get them out and re-read 'em all the time.
" I've included a page of Aragones art as an example of what you could find within its covers."
The only art on the page you've posted by Aragones is the top left illo of Hostess Eve. The rest of it is wonderfully illustrated by Alfred P. Alcala, who was a master artist in any genre he was asked to draw.
Great blog.
Vince, you are so right and I knew that, too. [It even says so right on the page. D'uh!]
Don't ask me why I didn't make the correction before posting that, or why I haven't since, Alcala was a terrific artist, so heads up to all of you Alfredo fans AND also to Sergio's supporters. I think that's Aragones "Eve" character there at the top left, but my memory is a little fuzzy - as you've already noticed.
I distinctly remember when the first issue of Plop! came out. My best friend and I were excited by the "coming soon" ads in other comics, and I gave him a quarter to pick up a copy for me since my family was going on vacation when it hit the stands. I was crazy about Wolverton and Wrightson, and the fact that every story seemed to work the word "Plop!" into the ending. And no ads! What a great comic it was.
Thanks for reminiscing here in the Catacombs, 8thray. My brother was the one who usually pulled this type of mag into the house "way back when", but I didn't mind too much, cause then I would get to check it out - for free.
I still own the first 22 issues,after all these years,missing only the final issue,#23. The first 10 are the best,as all were advert-free,and the back cover featured a larger version of the Wolverton weirdo,suitable for framing. I've got my copies bagged backwards to show these off. I also loved the Marvel humor comics from around this time,"ARRGH!",and "Spoof",each running for five issues...
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