Issue(s): Tales of the Zombie #6 (Simon Garth)
Cover Date: Jul 74
Title: "Child of darkness!"
Credits:
Steve Gerber - Writer
Pablo Marcos - Penciler
Pablo Marcos - Inker

Review/plot:
This issue is somewhat unusual in that, in terms of its comics content, instead of the usual array of non-continuity monster stories and reprints, it just has this Zombie story and a Brother Voodoo story (which is covered in a separate entry). In addition to the two comics, there is the usual array of weird text pieces, including a photo feature on the movie called Sugar Hill, which is surely the most awesome movie i have no intention of ever watching.

The Zombie comic begins with a text piece too, and Marvel fans will enjoy that fact that it features an Eric Masterson.

In this story, Masterson is a rationalist who marries a woman named Joan Franklin despite her very different philosophy. No telling whether they had a kid who went on to become an architect and eventually a thunder god.

Before the actual comic portion of the story catches up to them, though, we first have the Zombie attacking a voodoo ceremony because he vaguely remembers that voodoo is what turned him into what he is.

The ceremony was being run by Layla, the "Voodooinee" who was also Simon Garth's secretary before he was zombified (by her!). Layla says that she wants to help Simon and so he starts to obey her.

She walks him through the woods but eventually gets lost and stops for help at a house where Eric Masterson and Joan Franklin now live.

The couple's debates have apparently gotten pretty twisted over the years, and they've been raising a warped son Teddy in complete isolation, and Eric, at least has decided to give Layla to him.

Joan decides that she's had enough, and runs out of the house. She finds Simon Garth, who had been dumbly waiting for Layla to return. Eric hears her scream and comes out to try to kill Garth with an axe. To no avail, of course.

Failing that, Eric sics Teddy on Simon.

It's not really a fight, per se, since the Zombie isn't really interested in fighting despite all of the damage Teddy does to him. The Zombie mainly just endures it while looking for Layla.

But he does toss Teddy off when he interferes too much.

Meanwhile, Layla chops off Eric's head and reveals that Teddy did not attack her.

And that's basically how it ends, with Layla and Simon Garth walking off to continue their quest to help him.

According to a footnote in Daredevil #113, the shack that Eric Masterson and Joan Franklin have been living in is the same one that Ted Sallis once used. That same reference will also say that three people died at the shack in this story, but as far as i can see, only Eric dies here. Joan and Teddy are shown alive as the Zombie and Layla walk away.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Next issue begins "a day and a night" after the end of this issue. This needs to take place before Daredevil #113-115, which references this story.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Essential Tales of the Zombie vol. 1