In a rather peculiar 1955 episode of Confidential File, horror comic books were put under the microscope to see what havoc they might be wreaking on the minds of children.
Fast forward a few years, and the comic 'Eerie' was scrutinised, leading to some spine-chilling discoveries.
It turned out that 'normal' kids were donning a pair of joke glasses that came free with 'Eerie'. Initially, a harmless gimmick, these Super-Specs soon unveiled something rather sinister. Kids who tried them reported spotting strange figures lurking just at the edges of their vision—dark, shadowy entities that seemed to flit in from another dimension. These enigmatic figures, dubbed 'The Shadow People', were unsettling, shifting around like they were auditioning for a horror film. The children claimed these shadows began whispering to them, issuing commands that led to some truly horrific actions.
Parents and teachers were understandably alarmed as previously well-mannered kids began acting out in ways that would make a horror movie villain proud. Murders and acts of violence erupted amongst these youngsters, all of whom had one thing in common: their possession of the Super-Specs.
Investigations into the comic book revealed it was the only one with nefarious subliminal messages that seemed to hijack the minds of America's youth. While the issues were banned and simply dismissed as entertainment, there are still those who believe something far more sinister was afoot.
Today, old copies of 'Eerie' are like gold dust for collectors, not for their worth but for the chilling tales they hold. In the dusty corners of old attics and basements, a few forgotten pairs of Super-Specs might still be waiting, keen to divulge the ghostly secrets of a bygone era. Was it merely urban legend or was there a cover-up? Who knows—if you stumble across a copy and manage to find some enthusiastic participants, you might just want to conduct your own investigation...
Strange Stage is beyond chuffed to present 'Eerie'.
A multi-phased and entirely modular book test with revelations that’ll send shivers down your spine.
Subliminals
Here's a classic routine: hand the comic to a participant and ask them to flip to any page and pick a word that tickles their fancy. You ask if it’s something that could be illustrated, and they say yes. Now, the second participant, sporting the Super-Specs, taps into the first participant's mind and draws what they’re thinking! Just to be clear, the comic is in their hands, they can flip to any story, and you’ll still manage to duplicate their thought or name it outright. All of this without asking a single question! This clever method, first spotted in 'T.A Waters Mind, Myth and Magick', can be repeated with different outcomes too.
Another presentation involves 'painting it red'—almost literally! The comic has various reveals, showcasing how it influenced young minds back in the 50s!
John Morton's Baby Book Test
With John’s generous permission, the advert pages in the comic can be employed for a twist on his 'Baby Book Test'. Using classic monsters, you can name the creature a participant is thinking of from eight pages of ads, many of which boast multiple ads on each page! Anyone familiar with John’s work knows this method left Penn and Teller scratching their heads, and trust me, the key I’ve implemented here is a piece of cake to learn.
For those not in the know: a participant chooses any advert from the comic—let’s say they fancy some spooky masks, of which there are six. The previous owner of the comic has circled their choice, perhaps daydreaming about it while waiting for their pocket money. The participant calls out the options in any order, focusing on the circled mask, and voila! You know exactly which one they’re thinking of! Is it body language giving it away, mind reading, or some supernatural shenanigans? You decide!
Long Words
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper 'book/comic test' without the long word principle. All the long words in the comic are delightfully macabre. No need for memory work—the crib is cleverly hidden in plain sight.
It’s neatly arranged in alphabetical order on the back cover, which you’ll use to jot down their word, effectively 'Sneak Thief-ing' the information! Speaking of sneaky, the video instructions also cover a nifty Larry Becker principle to glean the first letter without a miss. I’ve even thrown in a few subtleties for those aiming for an immediate 'hit'. And don’t worry—the long words won’t be confused with the 'subliminal' ones.
Crossword Force
I’m rather chuffed with this one! The participant flips to the crossword page, where they’re invited to peruse the clues. While they might know the answers to a few, they pick a monster, and once again, you’ll be able to read their mind and reveal their choice. Just like the subliminals, this can yield different outcomes, so feel free to repeat it! You’ll likely pick this up in under a minute!
The Comics
In collaboration with Haresign Press, we’ve spent hours ensuring the right stock is used to give the comic the best feel and handling.
Performers Edition
This edition is printed on a thicker, more modern 'silk' stock, which, with a bit of ageing, will look like a reprint from the 90s! The video instructions explain how to age your comic, but that’s entirely up to you. It functions exactly like the Collectors Edition and comes with white card glasses only. This version is crafted with the gigging magician in mind, easily rolled up and popped in your back pocket for that authentic vintage look!
