I've always loved comic books. I've also always loved reading. So when I found a copy of "Comix: A History of Comic Books in America" in the Lutheran High School West library back in 1986, I jumped all over that. But all I remember from that book (and I never even remembered its title) was a single story that they reprinted from Creepy magazine. That story's title was "The Squaw." It was adapted from a Bram Stoker short story by Archie Goodwin and Reed Crandell. It involves a cat, an iron maiden, and righteous retribution. As a 14 year old it stuck with me in a very vivid way.
But as the years have gone by, I had forgotten the book's name and the story's name. Over the last 10 years or so, I would periodically Google "cat," "iron maiden," and "comic" in the hopes that I could find a copy of the story somewhere or at least its name.
Well, today was the day that it all came together (as you can obviously tell). I have been cleaning my library over the last three weeks, and today I brought boxes 9 and 10 to Half Priced Books. (Don't worry, my library is still completely full, I'm just culling all the books that I feel I'll never read again or at all. There's still plenty left in both categories.) While I was waiting to get my $10.25, I was hanging out in their specialized book area, and I saw the "Comix..." book. Nothing about it reminded me of high school, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to flip through it. And, lo and behold, "The Squaw" was reprinted within. Yes, I stood in the bookstore and re-read the story. And it was every bit as creepy as I remembered (pun both intended and unintended). I almost bought the hardcover right then and there, but at 25 bucks, it was just a touch out of my price range. But I do know that it has been reprinted a few times, so now I know what to look for.
I don't know about anybody else, but that's one of the aspects of my life. I like tracking down stories that have affected me throughout my life. It's a reason that I have a number of kids books in my collection. And they're not there for show. I will periodically reread them. The internet (with this previous exception) has been a pretty good tool to track things down. I own pieces of original book art, letters from authors, and various autographs. None of that would be possible without the internet. But sometimes finding something in a bookstore and holding it in your hands is such a treat. The number of books and stories from my childhood that I'm looking for is becoming quite small now. But they still exist, and that makes the hunt that much more fun. But if you have any of "The Monster Series" by Ian Thorne cheap, let me know.
