Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Menace #5 Review
    Retro Review

    Retro Review: Menace #5 (April 1953)

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonMay 8, 20224 Mins Read

    Though he became a black-and-white magazine star in the ’70s, Simon Garth’s undead journey actually began twenty years before. Your Major Spoilers Retro Review of Menace #5 awaits!

    MENACE #5

    Writer: Stan Lee
    Penciler: Bill Everett/Dick Ayers/Joe Maneely/George Tuska/Russ Heath
    Inker: Bill Everett/Dick Ayers/Joe Maneely/George Tuska/Russ Heath
    Colorist: Uncredited
    Letterer: Bill Everett
    Editor: Stan Lee
    Publisher: Atlas Comics (Marvel Comics)
    Cover Price: 10 Cents
    Current Near-Mint Pricing: $1,200.00
    Release Date: April 21, 1953

    Previously in Menace: The advent of Warren Publishing’s black-and-white magazines in the 1960s had unexpected effects on the comic book industry as a whole, and Marvel Comics specifically. Since magazine-size books were outside the purview of the Comics Code Authority, they weren’t subject to the same restrictions, leading Magazine Management (which was, in a complex way, sort of Marvel Comics’ weird big brother in the corporate structure of the Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation) to start their own line. Marvel’s characters, including The Punisher, Shang-Chi, and their take on Dracula had their own titles, as did a more unlikely protagonist: Simon Garth, The Zombie. But the Zombie of the titular Tales got his start decades earlier, in the pages of Menace.

    This story’s artist, Bill Everett, had already created Namor the Sub-Mariner during the Golden Age, and was about a decade from co-creating Daredevil when this story was printed. It’s interesting to see his work here, in a state somewhere between the cartoony stylings of Amazing-Man and the intricate work he’d be doing at ’70s Marvel. The cartoony aspects are definitely here in Gyps the gardener, who feels a half-step away from a horrific stereotype in an episode of The Cisco Kid, but then there are visuals like Simon at Mardi Gras.

    The creativity of these layouts is remarkable, especially in a monthly horror anthology of the era, but this story also has some genuine chills, as the Zombie finds a rich young jack-a-dandy in an alleyway and prepares to kill him and take whatever gold he has. (His clothing is oddly Victorian, as are his sideburns, a moment that feels odd in the context of the later revival, which takes place in the 1970s.) Returning to his cruel master empty-handed after the intervention of a policeman, we get a rather graphic torture sequence that should remind readers of the hottest thing in comics circa ’53: EC’s horror titles.

    Gyps (who isn’t actually named in this story, only gaining that designation later) sends him out to get something even more important to him than riches: A beautiful young woman. It’s creepy as all heck, not only in terms of horror but on a purely human, visceral level.

    And then, we get the twist…

    The obedient Zombie sees the young woman and flees, lumbering back into the darkness to his master’s lair, knowing that he’ll be tortured upon his return.

    That is, unless he’s not the only dead man in the room. It’s an ending that perfectly wraps up the premise with a really good twist, The rest of this issue of Menace contains a Joe Maneely-drawn tale whose twist is much sillier, a George Tuska piece with a vicious little ending, and Russ Heath giving us astronauts in an acidic atmosphere. None of these stories quite reach the heights of the lead feature, but all in all, Menace #5 is an issue without any real failures and a lead tale that is a solid home run, rounding out to 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. As someone who loves Tales of the Zombie as much as any issue of Spider-Man or Detective Comics, I will tell you that this one is among the best comic books printed under an Atlas banner.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    MENACE #5

    70%
    70%
    Remarkably Effective

    For a short story in a random horror anthology, it has surprising longevity, and the expert work of Lee and Everett makes for unexpected alchemy. There's a reason it keeps getting revived.

    • Writing
      7
    • Art
      9
    • Coloring
      5
    • User Ratings (0 Votes)
      0
    atlas comics Bill Everett marvel comics Menace Retro Review Review Simon Garth Stan Lee Tales of the Zombie The Zombie
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThe Panic #1 Review
    Next Article Maestro: World War M #3 Review
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    DC Studios Drops 2 Big Trailers! – Did You Hear? week of Friday, May 16th, 2025

    Read More

    Top Five Things That Make You Instantly Happy

    Read More

    Supergirl #1 Review

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    7.0
    May 16, 2025

    Supergirl #1 Review

    6.0
    May 15, 2025

    One World Under Doom #4 Review

    6.7
    May 13, 2025

    Absolute Green Lantern #2 Review

    8.0
    May 11, 2025

    Storm #8 Review

    6.3
    May 11, 2025

    Retro Review: Daredevil #131 (March 1976)

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Luis Dantas on Storm #8 Review
    • Michael Kenchington on PREVIEW: Giant-Size Wacky Races #1
    • derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: To (Almost) Everything, There Is a Season!
    • wiley on COMICS PORTAL: ‘Mouse Guard’ Is Back!
    • Elfo_oscuro on So You Want To Read Comics: Alternate History Edition
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT