ZACH & FRIENDS ~ TV HORROR HOST CHILLER THEATRE SHOCK THEATRE ZACHERLEY ~ BERNIE WRIGHTSON FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER ~ UNIVERSAL MONSTERS ~ CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON ~ HEROES CON 2012

Crushed after the news of Sergio’s cancellation last week, I wondered if it would even be worth the hassle of hectic lines and complete chaos stemming from the Stan Lee appearance at 2012 Heroes Con –but I had no idea what was in stored for me this year! I was having a conversation about the legendary, JACK DAVIS with Bernie Wrightson early Friday morning and was shocked to learn Bernie had never had the honor of meeting Davis and how we both would probably fall to our knees, in respect, in the presence of the artist. Shortly, after personalizing a few of my hardbacks, Bernie told his wife he was stepping out to grab a smoke. I waited patiently in line to see what goodies lurked in his art portfolio this year? As I thumbed through some nice pieces, I stumbled across this! I just stood motionless – I had to show this one to my wife! I quickly grabbed her and hurried back to Bernie’s booth. After seeing the pieces and the look on my face, she said, “Well, that certainly looks like a ROBBIE piece, why don’t you get it?” I had no idea she would even give me the green light as it was actually a bit out of our range. I had always dreamed of purchasing a cemetery scene by Wrightson but never thought it would include “all the RIGHT ingredients.” I used to sit up many weekends with my Dad watching those old horror festivals as a kid and this certainly brings back those memories.

Bernie said he did several versions, tightening up this and that, before arriving at the finalized piece used for the painting. His wife said she couldn’t believe the piece hadn’t been grabbed before now but was very happy it finally found a good home. Good ‘ol BUDD ROOT even asked for a scan to ink – now how cool is that?
The piece was used for the 13th anniversary of Chiller Theatre in honor of THE COOL GHOUL himself, TV HORROR HOST, JOHN ZACHERLEY. Zacherley is best known for his wise cracks for late night SHOCK THEATER during the late fifties! They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Entitled “ZACH & FRIENDS”, the piece features my all-time favorite, THE CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON plus FRANKENSTEIN, VAMPIRE GIRL, WEREWOLF and a crazy ‘ol GHOUL! I actually prefer this version over the finished painting, IMHO.

I do remember Liz Wrightson telling us, “Bernie must really love this piece cause he never signs anything with his full signature anymore.”