Devilina #2
Published and © by Atlas (Seaboard), May 1975
Title: “Curse of the Ra Scarab”
Synopsis: Satan sends Corrupta to Greenwich Village in a sneaky effort to capture his sister Devilina’s soul.
Writer: Ric Estrada
Artist: Estrada
Review: Atlas (Seaboard)’s veers from it’s normal modus operandi here, emulating Warren’s Vampirella instead of Marvel’s four-color comic formula. But the short-lived publisher can’t fully shake its Marvel fixation; Satan’s sister Devilina is a pretty blatant knockoff of the House of Idea’s Satana, Satan’s daughter. C-list stuff at best.
•••
Title: “Vendetta”
Synopsis: A native medicine man becomes a werewolf in order to seek revenge on a particularly vile outlaw.
Writer: John Albano
Artist: Frank Thorne
Review: Rape. Murder. Revenge. This story is rough going down but does feature stylish art by comics veteran Frank Thorne.
•••
Title: “The Devil’s Procuress!”
Synopsis: A young widow makes a deal with dark forces to relive her first year of marriage – at a terrible cost.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Jack Sparling
Review: The 1970’s fixation with the occult and sexual violence was creepy then and all sorts of wrong from today’s vantage.
•••
Title: “The Prophesy”
Synopsis: A fortune teller warns a young man of wolf fangs and a bloody destiny at the next full moon.
Writer: Suso
Artist: Suso
Review: A serviceable horror story featuring striking art from Spanish artist Suso. The best selection from this subpar bunch.
•••
Title: “Night Creature”
Synopsis: An ambitious serf commits murder and sexual assault – but it’s his punishment that makes him a legend.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Leo Summers
Review: Yet more rape? Female agency was a rare concept in ’70s comics, particularly in the “more mature” B&W magazines.
Grade (for the entire issue): C+
Cool factor: Suso’s art looks fantastic in B&W.
Not-so-cool factor: That “sexy” cover is pretty lacking in the sexy department. (Devilina looks like she’s in desperate need of a chiropractic adjustment!)
Notable: Also includes an article about the movie “Flesh Gordon.” … With the exception of “Vendetta” (which is credited in the magazine), credits for this issue are according to the “Atlas/Seaboard Checklist” in Comic Book Artist #16.
Character quotable: “DEATH TO SATAN!” – Devilina, fratricide fan
Editor’s note: This review was written Oct. 27, 2023.
