Creator Credits for Luke Cage season 1

So, this was a pretty good show; a lot less fun than the comics which inspired it, but, y'know, why should comics be fun? It teaches an important lesson: don't use your special gifts, you'll only make things worse. You can find my master list of creator credits here.

Anyway, it's a good time to be George Tuska! 1916-2009. Or Archie Goodwin! 1937-1998. Er... well, I'm sure John Romita is very happy.

George Tuska: co-creator of Luke Cage, born in Georgia as Carl Lucas; Carl's childhood friendship with Willis Stryker; Stryker framing Lucas for a crime, sending Carl to the island Seagate Prison; Carl meeting criminals Shades and Comanche at Seagate and refusing to work with them; Carl being abused by the racist guard Albert Rackham; Carl being subjected to an experimental nutrient bath by Dr. Noah Burstein but being sabotaged by Rackham, causing an accident which grants Carl superhuman strength and unbreakable skin; Carl escaping Seagate, swimming to shore and adopting the name Luke Cage while he goes on the run; Luke wearing a yellow shirt and blue pants; Luke wearing a silver tiara and bracelets; of Cage haunted by the death of Reva Connors; of Luke as a Hero for Hire in Harlem; of Luke's young friend David Griffith (Hero for Hire #1, 1972); of Claire Temple, a physician who falls in love with Luke Cage; of Stryker taking the identity Diamondback and wearing a green outfit over a yellow shirt (Hero for Hire #2, 1972); of Mariah, an African-American woman who becomes a Harlem crimelord and fights Luke Cage (Hero for Hire #5, 1973); of Luke Cage exclaiming "Christmas" as an epithet (Hero for Hire #11, 1973); of Luke Cage being called "Power Man" (Power Man #17, 1974); of Cornell Cottonmouth, a Harlem crimelord who trafficks in narcotics and fights Luke Cage; of Cottonmouth knowing Cage to be innocent of his crimes; Cottonmouth trying to get Cage to work for him (Power Man #19, 1974)

Archie Goodwin: co-creator of Luke Cage, born in Georgia as Carl Lucas; Carl's childhood friendship with Willis Stryker; Stryker framing Lucas for a crime, sending Carl to the island Seagate Prison; Carl meeting criminals Shades and Comanche at Seagate and refusing to work with them; Carl being abused by the racist guard Albert Rackham; Carl being subjected to an experimental nutrient bath by Dr. Noah Burstein but being sabotaged by Rackham, causing an accident which grants Carl superhuman strength and unbreakable skin; Carl escaping Seagate, swimming to shore and adopting the name Luke Cage while he goes on the run; Luke wearing a yellow shirt and blue pants; Luke wearing a silver tiara and bracelets; of Cage haunted by the death of Reva Connors; of Luke as a Hero for Hire in Harlem; of Luke's young friend David Griffith (Hero for Hire #1, 1972); of Claire Temple, a physician who falls in love with Luke Cage; of Stryker taking the identity Diamondback and wearing a green outfit over a yellow shirt (Hero for Hire #2, 1972); of Luke Cage exclaiming "Sweet Sister" as an epithet (Hero for Hire #4, 1972)

John Romita: co-creator of the Kingpin of Crime, a mob boss who organizes the disparate underworld elements under his leadership from the heart of Manhattan (Amazing Spider-Man #50, 1967); of the Punisher, a war veteran who became a vigilante (Amazing Spider-Man #129, 1974); of Luke Cage, born in Georgia as Carl Lucas; Carl's childhood friendship with Willis Stryker; Stryker framing Lucas for a crime, sending Carl to the island Seagate Prison; Carl meeting criminals Shades and Comanche at Seagate and refusing to work with them; Carl being abused by the racist guard Albert Rackham; Carl being subjected to an experimental nutrient bath by Dr. Noah Burstein but being sabotaged by Rackham, causing an accident which grants Carl superhuman strength and unbreakable skin; Carl escaping Seagate, swimming to shore and adopting the name Luke Cage while he goes on the run; Luke wearing a yellow shirt and blue pants; Luke wearing a silver tiara and bracelets; of Cage haunted by the death of Reva Connors; of Luke as a Hero for Hire in Harlem; of Luke's young friend David Griffith (Hero for Hire #1, 1972)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of the prison Ryker's Island (Daredevil #63, 1970); of Turk Barrett, a gangster (Daredevil #69, 1970); of Luke Cage, born in Georgia as Carl Lucas; Carl's childhood friendship with Willis Stryker; Stryker framing Lucas for a crime, sending Carl to the island Seagate Prison; Carl meeting criminals Shades and Comanche at Seagate and refusing to work with them; Carl being abused by the racist guard Albert Rackham; Carl being subjected to an experimental nutrient bath by Dr. Noah Burstein but being sabotaged by Rackham, causing an accident which grants Carl superhuman strength and unbreakable skin; Carl escaping Seagate, swimming to shore and adopting the name Luke Cage while he goes on the run; Luke wearing a yellow shirt and blue pants; Luke wearing a silver tiara and bracelets; of Cage haunted by the death of Reva Connors; of Luke as a Hero for Hire in Harlem; of Luke's young friend David Griffith (Hero for Hire #1, 1972)

Stan Lee: co-creator of the Kingpin of Crime, a mob boss who organizes the disparate underworld elements under his leadership from the heart of Manhattan (Amazing Spider-Man #50, 1967); of the Avengers, a team of super heroes including Thor, Hulk & Iron Man (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America as an Avenger (Avengers #4, 1964); of Matt Murdock, a lawyer who also fights crime as Daredevil by using his superhuman sensory powers (Daredevil #1, 1964); of Killgrave, a man dressed in purple who can control the actions of others through the sound of his voice (Daredevil #4, 1964); of the Hulk, a man who transforms into a monster (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of the Hulk colored green (Incredible Hulk #2, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder, defender of Earth, wields hammer Mjolnir (journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist who becomes Iron Man by wearing a suit of power armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes including Thor, Hulk & Iron Man (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America as an Avenger (Avengers #4, 1964); of Captain America, a patriotic super hero (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of the Hulk, a man who transforms into a monster (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of the Hulk having green skin (Incredible Hulk #2, 1962); of Thor, Asgardian god of thunder who wields the hammer Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist who becomes Iron Man by wearing a suit of power armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Jessica Jones, who has a relationship with Luke Cage; Luke Cage as a bartender with shaved head and goatee (Alias #1, 2001); of Jessica clashing against Killgrave (Alias #24, 2003); of the Night Nurse, a medic who treats superhumans (Daredevil #58, 2004); of Misty Knight and Luke Cage having a romantic relationship (House of M #3, 2005)

Tony Isabella: co-creator of Misty Knight, an African-American detective (Marvel Premiere #21, 1975); of Cornell Cottonmouth, a Harlem crimelord who trafficks in narcotics and fights Luke Cage; of Cottonmouth knowing Cage to be innocent of his crimes; Cottonmouth trying to get Cage to work for him (Power Man #19, 1974)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of Mariah, an African-American woman who becomes a Harlem crimelord and fights Luke Cage (Hero for Hire #5, 1973); of Luke Cage exclaiming "Christmas" as an epithet (Hero for Hire #11, 1973); of Ben Donovan, an African-American lawyer who works for criminals (Hero for Hire #14, 1973)

Chris Claremont: co-creator of Misty Knight's background as a police officer (Iron Fist #1, 1975); of Misty Knight as Rafael Scarfe's partner in the police (Iron Fist #2, 1976); of Misty Knight suffering an injury to her right arm (Iron Fist #3, 1976); of Rafael Scarfe, a police officer (Marvel Premiere #23)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Luke Cage exclaiming "Sweet Christmas" as an epithet (Defenders #24, 1975); of Luke Cage exclaiming "Christmas" as an epithet (Hero for Hire #11, 1973); of Ben Donovan, an African-American lawyer who works for criminals and opposes Luke Cage (Hero for Hire #14, 1973)

John Byrne: co-creator of Misty Knight's background as a police officer (Iron Fist #1, 1975); of Misty Knight as Rafael Scarfe's partner in the police (Iron Fist #2, 1976); of Misty Knight suffering an injury to her right arm (Iron Fist #3, 1976)

Billy Graham: co-creator of Luke Cage exclaiming "Sweet Sister" as an epithet (Hero for Hire #4, 1972); of Ben Donovan, an African-American lawyer who works for criminals and opposes Luke Cage (Hero for Hire #14, 1973)

Michael Gaydos: co-creator of Jessica Jones, who has a relationship with Luke Cage; Luke Cage as a bartender with shave head and goatee (Alias #1, 2001); of Jessica clashing against Killgrave (Alias #24, 2003)

Gene Colan: co-creator of the prison Ryker's Island (Daredevil #63, 1970); of Turk Barrett, a gangster (Daredevil #69, 1970); of Blake Tower, New York district attorney (Daredevil #124, 1975)

Frank Miller: creator of Wilson Fisk's name (Daredevil #170, 1981); of the Hand, a clan of evil ninjas (Daredevil #174, 1981); of Wilson Fisk controlling the police (Daredevil #227, 1986)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of the Punisher, a war veteran who became a vigilante (Amazing Spider-Man #129, 1974); of the Punisher's true name Frank Castle (Marvel Preview #2, 1975)

Len Wein: co-creator of Blake Tower, New York district attorney (Daredevil #124, 1975); of Luke Cage being called "Power Man" (Power Man #17, 1974)

Bill Everett: co-creator of Matt Murdock, a lawyer who also fights crime as Daredevil by using his superhuman sensory powers (Daredevil #1, 1964)

Joe Orlando: co-creator of Killgrave, a man dressed in purple who can control the actions of others through the sound of his voice (Daredevil #4, 1964)

David Michelinie: co-creator of Justin Hammer, a business rival of Tony Stark who manufactures weapons for criminals (Iron Man #120, 1979)

Bob Layton: co-creator of Justin Hammer, a business rival of Tony Stark who manufactures weapons for criminals (Iron Man #120, 1979)

Alex Maleev: co-creator of Night Nurse, a medic who treats wounded super heroes such as Daredevil (Daredevil #58, 2004)

Ross Andru: co-creator of the Punisher, a war veteran who became a vigilante (Amazing Spider-Man #129, 1974)

John Ostrander: co-creator of Luke Cage avoiding profanity because of his upbringing (Heroes for Hire #4, 1997)

Wellington Alves: co-creator of Scarfe becoming a corrupt policeman (Shadowland: Blood on the Streets #4, 2011)

Pasqual Ferry: co-creator of Luke Cage avoiding profanity because of his upbringing (Heroes for Hire #4, 1997)

Antony Johnston: co-creator of Scarfe becoming a corrupt policeman (Shadowland: Blood on the Streets #4, 2011)

Olivier Coipel: co-creator of Misty Knight and Luke Cage having a romantic relationship (House of M #3, 2005)

Arvell Jones: co-creator of Misty Knight, an African-American detective (Marvel Premiere #21, 1975)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, a patriotic super hero (Captain America Comics #1, 1941)

Steve Gerber: co-creator of Luke Cage exclaiming "Sweet Christmas" as an epithet (Defenders #24, 1975)

Kurt Busiek: co-creator of Megan McLaren, a television news broadcaster (Thunderbolts #1, 1997)

Mark Bagley: co-creator of Megan McLaren, a television news broadcaster (Thunderbolts #1, 1997)

Marv Wolfman: co-creator of Blake Tower, New York district attorney (Daredevil #124, 1975)

Tony DeZuniga: co-creator of the Punisher's true name Frank Castle (Marvel Preview #2, 1975)

David Mazzucchelli: co-creator of Wilson Fisk controlling the police (Daredevil #227, 1986)

Pat Broderick: co-creator of Rafael Scarfe, a police officer (Marvel Premiere #23)

Jean Thomas: co-creator of Night Nurse (Night Nurse #1, 1972)

Win Mortimer: co-creator of Night Nurse (Night Nurse #1, 1972)

Creator Credits for Deadpool (2016)

So, this is probably the only time Joe Kelly will be listed as the most influential creator in a Marvel super hero film. More's the pity!

Links to my other lists found here.

Joe Kelly: co-creator of Blind Al, a blind woman who Deadpool abducted and forced to live with him; of Deadpool's belt icon; of the expressive, emotive eyes on Deadpool's mask; of Deadpool's mask folding behind his head; of Deadpool breaking the fourth wall to comment on the storytelling tropes in the adventure he's having; of Deadpool calling himself "Merc with a Mouth"; of the Deadpool logo; of Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Children, a hangout place for various mercenaries where they receive assignments (Deadpool #1, 1997); of Francis, one of the people mutated by the same project as Deadpool (Deadpool #14, 1998); of Ajax, Francis' attempted codename (Deadpool #15, 1998); of Wade Wilson admitting himself to a program which he thought would transform him into a super hero and cure his cancer but was instead subjected to a battery of near-death experiences until he lost his sanity; of Cunningham, one of the test subjects tormented alongside Wade who befriended him; of Wade Wilson taking his codename from the "dead pool" placed on his own life (Deadpool/Death 1998 Annual, 1998)

Stan Lee: co-creator of Spider-Man, who received his powers from a radioactive spider's bite (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of Daredevil (Daredevil #1, 1964); of Nick Fury (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Nick Fury wearing an eye-patch; the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, a mobile headquarters designed like a flying battleship (Strange Tales#135, 1965); of Mutants, a collection of humans with powers who are feared by other humans; the X-Men, a team of mutant heroes based at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in Westchester County; the X-Men's yellow & black uniforms; the Beast, one of the X-Men; Professor Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men (X-Men #1, 1963)

Fabian Niceiza: co-creator of chimichangas as Deadpool's favourite food [or thing to say] (Cable & Deadpool #19, 2005); of Bob, a henchman who befriends Deadpool (Cable & Deadpool #38, 2007); of Weasel, a criminal weapons-maker and best friend of Deadpool; of Deadpool's fast-healing ability (Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1, 1993); of Deadpool, a costumed mercenary in a red & black costume with a motormouth; Deadpool's swords; Cable as Deadpool's adversary (New Mutants #98, 1991); of Deadpool talking to himself (X-Force #4, 1991); of Cable as a time traveler (X-Force #8, 1992); of Vanessa, Deadpool's longtime love interest (X-Force #11, 1992)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of Nick Fury (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Nick Fury wearing an eye-patch; the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, a mobile headquarters designed like a flying battleship (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Mutants, a collection of humans with powers who are feared by other humans; the X-Men, a team of mutant heroes based at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in Westchester County; the X-Men's yellow & black uniforms; the Beast, one of the X-Men; Professor Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men (X-Men #1, 1963)

Ed McGuinness: co-creator of Blind Al, a blind woman who Deadpool abducted and forced to live with him; of Deadpool's belt icon; of the expressive, emotive eyes on Deadpool's mask; of Deadpool's mask folding behind his head; of Deadpool breaking the fourth wall to comment on the storytelling tropes in the adventure he's having; of Deadpool calling himself "Merc with a Mouth"; of the Deadpool logo; of Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Children, a hangout place for various mercenaries where they receive assignments (Deadpool #1, 1997)

Steve Harris: co-creator of Wade Wilson admitting himself to a program which he thought would transform him into a super hero and cure his cancer but was instead subjected to a battery of near-death experiences until he lost his sanity; of Cunningham, one of the test subjects tormented alongside Wade who befriended him; of Wade Wilson taking his codename from the "dead pool" placed on his own life (Deadpool/Death 1998 Annual, 1998)

Rob Liefeld: co-creator of Cable, a militant, hard-nosed mutant soldier (New Mutants #87, 1990); of Deadpool, a costumed mercenary in a red & black costume with a motormouth; Deadpool's swords; Cable as Deadpool's adversary (New Mutants #98, 1991); of Deadpool talking to himself (X-Force #4, 1991); of Cable as a time traveler (X-Force #8, 1992); of Vanessa, Deadpool's longtime love interest (X-Force #11, 1992)

Chris Claremeont: co-creator of Colossus, a Russian X-Man who can transform into organic steel; Wolverine as an X-Man (Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1974); of Xavier's School residing on Graymalkin Lane (Uncanny X-Men #152, 1981); of the Blackbird jet, the X-Men's primary mode of transportation (X-Men #94, 1975)

Len Wein: co-creator of Colossus, a Russian X-Man who can transform into organic steel; Wolverine as an X-Man (Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1974); of Wolverine, a mutant hero (Incredible Hulk #180, 1974); of the Blackbird jet, the X-Men's primary mode of transportation (X-Men #94, 1975)

Dave Cockrum: co-creator of Colossus, a Russian X-Man who can transform into organic steel; Wolverine as an X-Man (Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1974); of the Blackbird jet, the X-Men's primary mode of transportation (X-Men #94, 1975)

Walter McDaniel: co-creator of Francis, one of the people mutated by the same project as Deadpool (Deadpool #14, 1998); of Ajax, Francis' attempted codename (Deadpool #15, 1998)

Paco Medina: co-creator of Deadpool using a pizza delivery service to catch the pizza delivery boy who is his target at the home of a man named Gavin (Deadpool #10, 2008)

Joe Madureira: co-creator of Weasel, a criminal weapons-maker and best friend of Deadpool; of Deadpool's fast-healing ability (Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1, 1993)

Daniel Way: co-creator of Deadpool using a pizza delivery service to catch the pizza delivery boy who is his target at the home of a man named Gavin (Deadpool #10, 2008)

Grant Morrison: co-creator of Negasonic Teenage Warhead, a mutant teenager who is taught by one of the X-Men (New X-Men #115, 2001)

Frank Quitely: co-creator of Negasonic Teenage Warhead, a mutant teenager who is taught by one of the X-Men (New X-Men #115, 2001)

Ian Churchill; co-creator of Wade Wilson, Deadpool's real name; of Deadpool's body ravaged by the effects of cancer; (Deadpool #1, 1994)

Mark Waid; co-creator of Wade Wilson, Deadpool's real name; of Deadpool's body ravaged by the effects of cancer (Deadpool #1, 1994)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Spider-Man, who received his powers from a radioactive spider's bite (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962)

Patrick Zircher: co-creator of chimichangas as Deadpool's favourite food [or thing to say] (Cable & Deadpool #19, 2005)

Shawn Martinbrough: co-creator of Angel Dust, a mutant woman with superhuman strength (Morlocks #1, 2002)

Louise Simonson: co-creator of Cable, a militant, hard-nosed mutant soldier (New Mutants #87, 1990)

Geoff Johns: co-creator of Angel Dust, a mutant woman with superhuman strength (Morlocks #1, 2002)

Reilly Brown: co-creator of Bob, a henchman who befriends Deadpool (Cable & Deadpool #38, 2007)

Mark Pacella: co-creator of Vanessa, Deadpool's longtime love interest (X-Force #11, 1992)

David Brewer: co-creator of Marrow, a mutant with bones growing from her back (Cable #15)

Bob McLeod: co-creator of Xavier's School residing on Graymalkin Lane (Uncanny X-Men #152, 1981)

Jeph Loeb: co-creator of Marrow, a mutant with bones growing from her back (Cable #15)

Mark Millar: co-creator of Nick Fury depicted as Samuel L. Jackson (Ultimates #2, 2002)

Bryan Hitch: co-creator of Nick Fury depicted as Samuel L. Jackson (Ultimates #2, 2002)

Herb Trimpe: co-creator of Wolverine, a mutant hero (Incredible Hulk #180, 1974)

John Romita: co-creator of Wolverine, a mutant hero (Incredible Hulk #180, 1974)

Mike Mignola: co-creator of Cable as a time traveler (X-Force #8, 1992)

Marv Wolfman: co-creator of Blade (Tomb of Dracula #10, 1973)

Gene Colan: co-creator of Blade (Tomb of Dracula #10, 1973)

Bill Everett: co-creator of Daredevil (Daredevil #1, 1964)

Bradbury 31, Day 31: "Skeleton"

Welcome to the final day of a month with Ray Bradbury!

To close my look at adaptation of Bradbury's stories in other mediums than prose, I'm turning to one of his earlier horror stories, "Skeleton" from 1945. It's an odd little tale about a man who is afraid of his own skeleton and fears his very bones are plotting against him. It's kind of wonderful and kind of disgusting. Perhaps the best passage comes from a fat man whom the lead character idolizes:

"'Layer by layer,' said the fat man, 'twenty years, man and boy, I built this.' He held his vast stomach like a globe of the world, teaching his audience its gastronomical geography. 'It was no overnight circus. The tent was not raised before dawn on the wonders installed within. I have cultivated my inner organs as if they were thoroughbred dogs, cats, and other animals. My stomach is a fat pink Persian tom slumbering, rousing at intervals to purr, meow, growl, and cry for chocolate tidbits. I feed it well, it will 'most sit up for me. And, my dear fellow, my intestines are the rarest pure-bred Indian anacondas you ever viewed in the sleekest, coiled, fine and ruddy health. Keep 'em in prime, I do, all my pets. For fear of something? Perhaps.'"

In 1988 The Ray Bradbury Theater presented "Skeleton" as one of their best adaptations with Eugene Levy as the protagonist. Levy truly sells the concept - you believe he would be afraid of his skeleton. And the inexplicable oddness of the story remains faithfully weird with the "jellyfish" done as best as a television budget could permit.

It's a shame EC comics never adapted "Skeleton" - it was very much in their wheelhouse. However, Topps brought it to the comics format in 1994 by John Carnell & Anthony Williams. Again, a very faithful adaptation and the climax depicted just right.

Thank you, dear reader, for indulging me in this personal journey through the stories of Ray Bradbury and their adaptations. Have a very happy Halloween!

Bradbury 31, Day 30: "The Emissary"

"The Emissary" is a Ray Bradbury short story which combines the love he had for learning, knowledge and experiencing life all through his writing with the twisted, weird, supernatural horror he was also known for. First appearing in 1947, it tells of a bed-ridden boy whose dog brings the outside world to him through the scents caught in its fur. The dog even brings a teacher to the boy to expand his comprehension of existence, but the woman dies; then, the dog fetches her once again.

Al Feldstein & Jack Kamen once wrote an unofficial adaptation of this story for EC Comics in 1952 titled "What the Dog Dragged In," back before the authorized versions of Brabdury's stories began appearing in their publications. This version diverges significantly from the text which is kind of a shame as the story already had all the elements for a good EC horror yarn. In 1988 a reasonably faithful version of "The Emissary" appeared on The Ray Bradbury Theater but it kind of fudges the climax - it keeps a consistent tone throughout its retelling and that's kind of a problem when the story as Bradbury told it is wonder and whimsy for the first 75% and horror for the last 25%. Shame.

Tomorrow: I draw Ray Bradbury month to a close!

Bradbury 31, Day 29: "Trapdoor"

Although most of Ray Bradbury's scary stories were written early in his career it wasn't something he ever entirely stepped away from. Take, for instance, the 1985 story "Trapdoor." It's the tale of a woman who suddenly notices a trapdoor in the ceiling of her home and strange noises coming from above. She tries to have the noise dealt with and, obviously, brings about something horrifying.

"Trapdoor" is a very simple horror story and told well. It received a comics adaptation by artist Ross MacDonald for Topps Comics in 1993. MacDonald's thick lines added just enough shadow to the tale, as even brightly-lit rooms carry an underlying menace.

I'll be back with more fire, brimstone and Bradbury tomorrow!

Bradbury 31, Day 28: "The Whole Town's Sleeping"

"The Whole Town's Sleeping" is one of Ray Bradbury's most nightmarish tales. It first appeared in print in 1950 as a short story but was later adapted into his novel Dandelion Wine. However, a few things changed to fit the novel; it's the story of a woman who goes for a walk through a ravine on her way home late at night and she fears a serial killer may be lurking in the shadows. For the novel, Bradbury tacked on a fairly happy ending which is nowhere near as impactful as the original tale.

In 1955, the great radio show Suspense did a masterful job of adapting the story with a very chilling ending. You can hear it for yourself at archive.org here.

In 1984 the radio show Bradbury 13 adapted the story as "The Ravine" but used the version found in Dandelion Wine; you can hear it at Youtube here. A television version debuted on The Ray Bradbury Theater in 1992 as "The Lonely One" but I'm not sure the story works well on television; the bulk of the story goes on inside the mind of the protagonist as all her fears are intensified; the objective lens of a camera can't accurately depict what's going through her mind. A comic book version would be great, but there hasn't been one yet.

More macabre Bradbury tomorrow!

Bradbury 31, Day 27: "The Crowd"

"The Crowd" is one of the short stories Ray Bradbury wrote during his early "weird tales" phase, debuting in 1943. It's the story of how the same people always seem to appear in photographs of accidents and one man's growing belief that this is a supernatural phenomenon.

Throughout this month when comparing adaptations from radio to those of the TV show The Ray Bradbury Theater I've come down hard on the side of radio, finding the TV version inferior. Here's where I reverse that trend! In 1950 Ray Bradbury was hot thanks to the mainstream success of The Martian Chronicles. He had sold original stories such as The Screaming Woman and Riabouchinska to Suspense; now Suspense bought up one of his early tales. The problem was that while Suspense sometimes flirted with the supernatural, they seldom delved into full-on horror; seemingly-supernatural events on that program were frequently debunked by the half-hour's end. Thus, their version of "The Crowd" takes a story of the supernatural and makes it just another crime story. It's okay, but if you like the short story I doubt you'll flip for it; I certainly don't. Make up your own mind: here's a link to the episode at archive.org.

But then in 1985 The Ray Bradbury Theater performed a faithful adaptation, which was always that program's particular strength. It sometimes muffed the endings to Bradbury's tales, but this episode featured good performances and didn't shy from the weirdness of Bradbury's tale; it's one of the good ones.

Another Halloween-ready Bradbury tale tomorrow!