Posted By Dan Greenfield on Oct 26, 2026 | 2 comments

A MORRISON MONDAYS (early) BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE to comics’ master of the macabre…

By BILL MORRISON

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the birth of late horror comics master, Bernie Wrightson! As a fan and friend of Bernie — who was born Oct. 27, 1948 — I was delighted and honored when a few years ago I was invited to contribute a couple of drawings to a book titled Bernie Wrightson Artbook: A Tribute. The deluxe hardcover publication pays homage to the master comics artist with contributions by more than 180 artists and writers.

My favorite Wrightson story has always been Jenifer, written by Bruce Jones and first published in Warren’s Creepy #63 in 1974. I still remember discovering that story in its initial printing, and being both inspired and horrified. The tale begins with a hunter named Jim who discovers a man in the woods holding an ax over a bound girl in a nightgown. After an unheeded warning to stop what he’s obviously about to do, Jim fires his rifle and kills the man. With his dying breath, the man whispers “Jenifer.”

The girl is revealed to be horribly disfigured and mute, and Jim takes her to the authorities to get her some help. But upon learning that Jenifer will be institutionalized, something mysteriously compels him to take her in, without consulting his wife and children. This is where the real horror begins, and where my telling of the story ends. If you haven’t read it, you need to experience this beautifully illustrated and haunting tale for yourself.

So, my first tribute piece in the book is my depiction of Jenifer, about to meet her fate. Or is it her executioner who is about to meet his? The publishers also offered a limited edition print of this image as one of their Kickstarter incentives.

I was also offered the opportunity to write a remembrance of Bernie for the book, and it accompanies my portrait of Jenifer.

I’ll save my second piece, a nod to Bernie’s more cartoony work, for next year’s Wrightson birthday celebration.

Amazingly, the book is still available from the publishers, Printed in Blood and Monster Forge Productions, in very limited quantities. To any fan of great horror art, I highly recommend this book, which features work by comics luminaries such as Mike Mignola, William Stout, Eric Powell, Steve Rude, Joe Jusko, Bill Sienkiewicz, and many, many more.

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— The Art of the Insanely Popular JACK IN THE BOX/SIMPSONS MUNCHIE MEAL OF HORROR. Click here.

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