Houdini and The Holy Devil

It's been a minute since we've had a new Houdini graphic novel, but that's what we have here in The Holy Devil by Jason Paulos.

The Holy Devil is an original 136-page full colour graphic novel by Australian creator Jason Paulos. Imagine if Harry Houdini was a Batman/Doctor Strange style crimefighter, as well as a legendary touring magician. Then imagine the epic battle that would result if he was pitted against Grigori Rasputin in the form of a supernatural Lex Luthor inspired sex criminal. Then try and picture it drawn by an artist inspired by the great retro artists of the 70's and 80's with a helping of steampunk in the mix.

You can purchase The Holy Devil at Amazon.com.

Related:

• When Houdini met Batman
• Harry Houdini Vampire Hunter
• Houdini vs. Rasputin by C. Michael Forsyth

Holmes & Houdini: The Curse of Moriarty

The dynamic duo of Holmes & Houdini are back in Holmes & Houdini: The Curse of Moriarty by David Wohl. This is the complete story in a single 48-page graphic novel.

Spencer Holmes and Erica Houdini return for another supernatural case of mayhem. But this time their investigation leads them to Victorian England, where the world’s most famous detective (and Spencer’s ancestor), Sherlock Holmes, was ensnared in a deadly game of his own, against his most malevolent nemesis, Professor James Moriarty. What secrets lie in this dark tale, and what could Moriarty be dabbling in that brings in the famed vampire hunter—Liesel Van Helsing??

Don't miss this centuries-spanning mystery that will change everything we thought we knew about the great detective!

You can purchase Holmes & Houdini: The Curse of Moriarty for the Kindle on Amazon.com. Printed copies can be purchased directly from Zenescope.

Related:

• Meet Holmes & Houdini
• Holmes & Houdini issue 3
• Arthur Moses reprints the first Houdini & Holmes adventure

Holmes & Houdini issue 3

The dynamic duo of Holmes & Houdini wrap things up in issue 3 of Zenescope's series, written by Honor Vincent and illustrated by Oliver Borges.

As Nolen Savoy's apocalyptic plot nears fruition, Spencer Holmes and Erica Houdini must join forces, much like their famous ancestors did once before to save the world. But is it already too late?

You can purchase Holmes & Houdini #3 for the Kindle on Amazon.com. You can also buy directly from Zenescope, which offers printed copies with variant covers. Depicted here is cover B by Igor Vitorino and Ivan Nunes.

Based on the preview pages at the official website, this last issue features an appearance of the real Holmes and Houdini in 1913 (below).

Related:

• Meet Holmes & Houdini
• Holmes & Houdini issue 2
• Arthur Moses reprints the first Houdini & Holmes adventure

Holmes & Houdini Issue 2

The dynamic duo of Holmes & Houdini are back in issue 2 of this three-part series from Zenescope written by Honor Vincent with artwork by Oliver Borges. Girls get it done...again!

The die has been cast, the game is afoot, and this thrilling journey has begun to unfold! 

Spencer Holmes and Erica Houdini’s lives would never have crossed-paths or so they thought. But when a plot that involves the very future of all human life begins to dig its way into the literal minds of all those around them, only Holmes and Houdini will be able to try and find a way to save everything and everyone. 

Don’t miss this exciting and mysterious next chapter of the biggest new series from Zenescope Entertainment!

You can Purchase Holmes & Houdini #2 for the Kindle on Amazon.com. You can also buy directly from Zenescope, which offers printed copies with variant covers (the above is Cover B by Jordi Tarragona and Ivan Nunes).

Issue 3 is due out on March 20.

Related:

• Meet Holmes & Houdini (issue 1)
• Arthur Moses reprints the first Houdini & Holmes adventure
• Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini collected edition

Meet Holmes & Houdini

Zenescope has released the first issue of their new series, Holmes & Houdini, by Honor Vincent, with artwork by Oliver Borges. The characters are descendants of their famous namesakes and part of the female-driven "Grimm Universe." Girls get it done!

Ancient secret societies! Mysterious advanced technology! Bloodlines tied to the end of the world! 

Few names hold such a high prestige and weight as those of Holmes and Houdini—Spencer Holmes and Erica Houdini have known that all too well, as they both have been carrying the burden of their infamous ancestors their whole lives, completely unaware of the other's existence. But when the death of a loved one sets these two on a collision course, they discover that their worlds are much more entwined and extraordinary than they ever imagined. 

Don’t miss the thrilling first issue!

The good folks at Zenescope sent me a review copy, which I greatly enjoyed. It's a good story, the artwork is the type of highly detailed comic art I like, and there are several mentions of (the real) Houdini. This first issue is focused largely on Erica Houdini (aka Erica Weiss), and, yes, she does magic and escapes. In fact, one of the alternate covers features Erica in escape action.

You can Purchase Holmes & Houdini #1 for the Kindle on Amazon.com. You can also buy directly from the publisher Zenescope, which offers printed copies and four variant covers. Issue #2 is due out on February 21.

Related:

• Arthur Moses reprints the first Houdini & Holmes adventure
• Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini collected edition
• Airship 27 releases 'Holmes and Houdini'

Did Houdini ever see the Hollywood(land) sign?

Los Angeles Evening Express, Dec. 8, 1923.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the famous HOLLYWOOD sign. The sign originally read "Hollywoodland" and was made to advertise a housing development. Houdini enjoyed Hollywood and even named it his favorite "holiday resort." But did he ever see this famous landmark himself?

When Houdini made his two films in Hollywood in 1919, The Grim Game and Terror Island, there was yet no sign. But Houdini returned to Los Angeles in April 1923, the very month the Hollywoodland housing development was announced. No one seems to know exactly when construction began on the sign. The first evidence of a completed sign comes in December 1923 via the Houdini-friendly Los Angeles Express (above). The City of Los Angeles officially celebrated the sign's 100th anniversary on Halloween this year.

Nevertheless, the excellent 2011 graphic novel The Edge of the Unknown picks up on the idea that the sign could have been under construction while Houdini was in town. They even feature it on their cover art (right). So here we have Houdini and the Hollywood sign joined in fiction at least.

But there's still one more chance Houdini could have seen the sign. It's not generally known that Houdini returned to Los Angeles for two days in October 1924 to give his spiritualism lecture at the Philharmonic Auditorium downtown. So he might have seen the sign in the distance, especially as he was staying at the new Biltmore Hotel which afforded views of the city. The sign was also illuminated back then, so it would have been even easier to see at night.

If Houdini did see the Hollywoodland sign, what might he have thought about it? Would he have seen it as a blight on his beloved Hollywood, a sign of overdevelopment? Or would he have admired it as a clever advertising scheme worthy of himself...

Bess would have been the Houdini who was most familiar with the Hollywoodland sign as it was very much part of the landscape during her years living in Los Angeles in the 1930s and early '40s. In fact, the sign can be seen from the roof of the Knickerbocker Hotel in a photo from the Final Houdini Seance.

You can enjoy more photos and history at the Hollywood Sign website, and more tales of the Houdinis in Hollywood below.

Houdini sign image created by Tom Interval. Vintage filter by PhotoFunia.

Related:

• Houdini arrives in Los Angeles
• Houdini's madcap Hollywood lunch
• Bessie goes Hollywood

Harry Houdini: La Clef De La Magie

A French graphic novel featuring the exploits of a young Houdini has been released by JUNGLE. This appears to be based on the animated movie released on DVD in 2015. Tesla is involved and this is the first of series.

You can purchase Harry Houdini: La Clef De La Magie at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr and Amazon.com.

Related:

• Animated 'Houdini' released on DVD
• The Chronicles of Young Houdini
• Never too young for Young Houdini

ROUGH RIDERS collected edition released

ROUGH RIDERS: Lock Stock and Barrel, The Complete Collection, collects all three Rough Riders storylines into a single volume. The popular graphic novel series by Adam Glass had Houdini joining forces with the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and Annie Oakley.

Historical fiction at its most exciting!

Led by a young Theodore Roosevelt, a motley crew of soon-to-be American legends must work together to solve a mystery that threatens all of existence.

Harry Houdini - street magician and master of misdirection. Annie Oakley - a washed-up entertainer, eager for a chance to prove herself in a real war. Jack Johnson - an undefeated brawler and the son of ex-slaves, determined to get his shot at the heavyweight championship... When a terrifying alien technology destroys the USS Maine, these unlikely allies set sail for bloody Cuba, into the heart of a brewing conflict, to wage a shadow war against the greatest threat mankind has ever known. Before they were famous, they were... ROUGH RIDERS.

Created and written by Adam Glass with artwork by Patrick Olliffe, this robust hardcover contains the entire series, ROUGH RIDERS (1-7), ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM (1-6) and ROUGH RIDERS: RIDE OR DIE (1-4).

You can buy Rough Riders: Lock Stock and Barrel, The Complete Series at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

Related:

• A Rough Rider in Griffith Park
• The ROUGH RIDERS come to life
• Houdini covers 'Riders on the Storm' #4

Houdini by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi reprinted

A new reprint of Houdini The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes with art by Nick Bertozzi is released today by Disney-Hyperion. This appears to be the same book as the 2008 edition, but with a slightly different cover treatment.

Harry Houdini mesmerized a generation of Americans when he was alive, and continues to do so over ninety years since his death. This is a snapshot of Houdini's life, centering on one of his most famous feats. As Houdini prepares for a death-defying leap into the icy Charles River in Boston, biographer Jason Lutes and artist Nick Bertozzi reveal Houdini's life and influence: from the anti-Semitism Houdini fought all his life, to the adulation of the American public; from his hounding by the press, to his loving relationship with his wife Bess; from his egoism to his insecurity; from his public persona--to the secret behind his most amazing trick! And it's all in graphic form, so it's fresh, original, and unlike anything previously published about this most fascinating of American showmen.

Purchase Houdini The Handcuff King in hardcover and paperback at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Related:

• Artwork from Bertozzi's Houdini: The Handcuff King on display in L.A.
• Houdini: The Handcuff King released (2008)
• Houdini at Comic Con (in 2005)

Houdini joins the 'Boston Metaphysical Society'

Houdini appears as a character in the second issue of Boston Metaphysical Society by Madeleine Holly-Rosing with art by Emily Hu. The book was released on August 28.

This second issue in the 6-issue mini-series continues the story of Samuel Hunter, Caitlin, O'Sullivan and Granville Woods as they battle supernatural forces in late 1800s Boston. Harry Houdini brings Hunter to a secret group of some of the greatest minds of the century, where they are studying the supernatural entity known as "The Shifter". But elsewhere, something is murdering people in the streets! Can the Boston Metaphysical Society stop the slaughter?

Thanks to Arthur Moses for the alert.

Related:

• Real Science Adventures collected edition released
• Houdini, Lovecraft and Tesla in action
• Strange Detective Mysteries

'Before Houdini' art exhibition in Vermont

An exhibition called Before Houdini: The Making of a Graphic Novel beings today in the Jackson Gallery at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, Vermont. The exhibition examines the work of Jeremy Holt and his new graphic novel, Before Houdini. It runs through September 22, 2019.

There will be an opening night reception with artist Jeremy Holt tonight from 5pm-7pm. For more information visit the Town Hall Theater website.

Before Houdini is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Related:

• 'Before Houdini' by Jeremy Holt
• 'After Houdini' released today

'Before Houdini' by Jeremy Holt released

Today sees the release of Before Houdini, a new graphic novel by Jeremy Holt with art by John Lucas. This is a followup to his 2018 book, After Houdini.

The exciting second volume of the After Houdini saga explores the origins of the elusive master of magic, the man who would become…Houdini.

London, 1888. A shadowy killer stalks the streets of London, his appetite for blood unleashed upon the city’s lower classes. To defeat him, MI6 turns to its most top-secret team: four teenage agents with extraordinary gifts—including a young American immigrant with a talent for illusion . . .

After Houdini began the story of Josef Houdini, son of the famous Harry Houdini—brilliant illusionist, acclaimed escape artist, and top-secret covert operative. Now we turn back the clock and meet Ehrich Weiss, a young man whose skill at picking locks is about to land him the adventure of his dreams, and pull him into a war that will affect his life—and his son’s—for years to come. This is the story of Ehrich’s strange beginnings, from before he was a world-famous magician. Before he was a master of espionage. Before he was...Houdini.

A special exhibition called Before Houdini: The Making of a Graphic Novel will be on show August 9 to September 22 at the Jackson Gallery at Town Hall Theater in Vermont. Details here.

Purchase Before Houdini at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

Related:

• 'After Houdini' released today

'The Death Defying' limited graphic novel (2018)

The mighty Arthur Moses alerts us to this limited edition graphic novel, The Death Defying by Gavin Guidry, Marissa Louise, Micah Meyers and Christopher Sebela. It features Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Margery, H.P. Lovecraft, and Aleister Crowley.

It appears this was done as a Kickstarter in 2018. The edition Arthur discovered (right) was limited to 150 copies.

Related:

• Review: Edge of the Unknown
• Houdini meets Aleister Crowley
• "A Houdini for the Millennium"

Two new comic books spy Houdini this week

Two new comic books released this week take Houdini into the realm of master detective and international spy, because we've apparently not had enough of that! The first is a graphic novel called Houdini: International Spy by Philip Landa with art by Marco Cosentino. Here's a taste.

Houdini is enlisted by the US Ambassador to Great Britain to locate a missing American doctor and discovers a plot by a fanatical scientist hell-bent on unleashing a modern-day Black Plague on Vienna.

The book runs 64 (pen and ink) pages. At $12.99 it's a bit pricey for you get, but if you're so inclined, it can be purchased now at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

The next book is called Houdini: Master Detective by Jonathan Kendrick, Jamie Allan Nicklin and Simon Mark Wheeler, with artwork by Rafael Broseta and David Belmonte. Sounds like it could be a sequel to the above (or visa versa).

A mystery criminal is committing a rash of diabolical crimes plaguing the city, so Scotland Yard reaches out to Harry Houdini and his wife, Bess Houdini, are called upon by Scotland Yard to help figure out who the evil perpetrator is. But no sooner are they on the case then the villain kidnaps Bess!

I'm not sure how to buy Houdini: Master Detective online, but according to Previews, it will be in stores on February 27.

While I normally enjoy flights of Houdini fiction like this, I'm starting to wonder if books like these are actually doing harm. By consistently presenting Houdini as some sort of crime fighter, are they slowly undermining the facts of his real life and obscuring his true legacy? Or are they just harmless fun that only enhances his legend?

Related:

• Houdini eComic for iPad and iPhone
• Brad Meltzer is out peddling the myth that Houdini was a spy
• Harry Houdini, crime buster!

The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini comes to life

Here's a terrific photo of Pearls Daily as Minky Woodcock in the Immersive Theater Experience based on Cynthia von Buhler's graphic novel The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini currently playing at Theatre 80 in New York City.

Photo by Cindy Stein.

The play dramatizes the events that lead up to Houdini's death on Halloween; events that largely took place 92 years ago this week (today is punch day). So what a perfect time to see this!

The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini also stars Vincent Cinque as Houdini and Robyn Adele Anderson as Bess. It's written and directed by Cynthia von Buhler and has received a fair share of rave reviews.

For more information and showtimes visit the official website. The play runs until November 10th.

You can see many more photos at Cynthia von Buhler's Facebook page.

Related:

• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini takes the stage
• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini collected hardcover and play
• The beginning of the end

Rough Riders Vol. 3 released today

Today sees the release of the collected edition of Adam Glass's Rough Riders: Ride or Die. This is the third and final (?) installment of the popular series that features Houdini joining forces with the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and Annie Oakley.

It’s 1906 and Theodore Roosevelt is the sitting president when a familiar face from his past asks him once again to call upon the Rough Riders to save the world. But this time it’s not anarchists or aliens―no, it’s something from the great beyond. Something so ancient and inherently evil that the Rough Riders will need to add to their ranks in hopes of defeating it. Will HP Lovecraft be the newest historical figure to have the honor to call themselves a Rough Rider? Or will he be the one who finally brings death to the history's greatest team?

The collected Rough Riders Vol. 3: Ride or Die can be purchased at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

Related:

• Rough Riders: Ride or Die #3 digs Houdini
• Rough Riders Vol. 2 collected edition released
• ROUGH RIDERS collected volume #1

'After Houdini' released today

Today sees the release of After Houdini, a new graphic novel by Jeremy Holt with art by John Lucas. Below is the terrific cover art and plot synopsis.

Harry Houdini, master magician and covert spy for the United States, has been kidnapped. The only man who can save him is his estranged son Josef, who, like his father, knows the power of magic—and how it can be more than just an illusion.

Josef Houdini takes after his father: A gifted escape artist, there’s not a jam he can’t get himself out of. Then again, when your father is one of the greatest illusionists of all time, that comes as no surprise. What does come as a surprise is the fact that Harry Houdini is not only the world’s greatest magician, but also a top-secret operative for the US government during World War I. In rare form he finds himself trapped—stuck on a mission he is unable to escape from. That’s why the government needs his son to fill his shoes and complete the mission—but does Josef have the wherewithal to do it? Or is the possibility of success just an illusion?

Packed with intrigue, suspense, and fantasy, After Houdini is a revisionist look at one of history’s most mysterious figures that is sure to take readers on a journey they’ll never forget.

Purchase After Houdini at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK). Next year will see a follow-up volume, Before Houdini.

Related:

• 'After Houdini' launch party at the Houdini Museum of New York, October 4
• 'After Houdini' coming in 2017

'After Houdini' launch party at the Houdini Museum of New York, October 4

The Houdini Museum of New York will host a launch party for Jeremy Holt's new graphic novel After Houdini on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 6-9PM.

Insight Comics is proud to present the debut of AFTER HOUDINI, hosted by The Houdini Museum of NYC!

Written by Jeremy Holt, art by John Lucas, and colors by Adrian Crossa, Holt will be available for a meet-and-greet to sign copies.

The event is from 6-9PM, food and drinks provided! RSVP on Facebook.

The Houdini Museum of New York is located at 213 West 35th Street, Room 401, New York, New York 10001.

After Houdini will be officially released on October 9th and is available to pre-order at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK). Next year will see a follow-up volume, Before Houdini.

Related:

• After Houdini
• Guest blog: The Houdini Museum of New York, Part I
• Houdini Museum of New York moves to new location

The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini collected hardcover and immersive play

Today sees the release of a collected hardcover edition of Cynthia von Buhler's sexy graphic novel Minky Woodcock, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini. This edition from Titan and Hard Case Crime contains all four individual issues and sports fresh new cover art.

A brand new 1920's mystery thriller with a sinister twist!

Unappreciated at her father's acclaimed detective agency, the fabulous, rabbit-loving Minky Woodcock straps on her gumshoes in order to uncover a magical mystery involving noted author Arthur Conan Doyle and world-famous escape artist, Harry Houdini.

Created by acclaimed artist, author, director and playwright, Cynthia von Buhler (Speakeasy Dollhouse, Evelyn Evelyn), Minky Woodcock is a lusciously rendered 1920s mystery with a sinister twist.

You can purchase the collected Minky Woodcock, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK). It's also available for the Kindle.

The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini will also be presented as an Immersive Theater Experience by Speakeasy Dollhouse, September 26 through November 10 at Theatre 80 in New York City. The play is written and directed by Cynthia von Buhler and stars Pearls Daily as Minky Woodcock (below), Vincent Cinque as Houdini, and Robyn Adele Anderson as Bess.

For more information and to buy tickets visit the official website (all full priced ticket include a signed copy of the hardcover). The show also has a Kickstarter where you can buy advance tickets with special rewards.

Related:

• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini #1
• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini #2
• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini #3
• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini #4

Mystifier, Fourth Quarter 1993

Continuing my look back at the Mystifier, the newsletter of the Houdini Historical Center that ran from 1991-2003.

The Fourth Quarter 1993 Mystifier starts with an article  by Morris N. Young about "Houdini's Journeys into Code-Breaking." Who knew? Says Young:

Early in his career as a magician, Houdini discovered that the secret arts of magic extended into unsuspected fringe realms. When presented with a challenge to decipher a group of scrambled letters, he succeeded in doing so.

By relating his knowledge of cryptography to the performing arts, Houdini was able to fathom methods used in training animals to respond to questions, as well as the mysteries of second sight, mentalism, and alleged communication with the spirit world.

The issue continues with Houdini's own unedited draft of article he wrote for the March 1926 Aeronautic Review called "Flight and Magic." This was provided by collector Manny Weltman. One interesting tidbit is that Houdini says he regrets not leaving his plane in a museum in Australia "for it was the first successful plane to fly there." He also claims to have held the first insurance on an airplane.

An article by Library of Congress curator Joan F. Higbee Ph.D. describes the two major collections housed at the Washington institution; one willed by Houdini himself and the McManus-Young collections donated in 1956.

An update on the museum shop ("Business has been booming!") notes the arrival of a "Special limited edition" of the graphic novel Batman-Houdini: The Devil's Workshop. I'm not sure what made this edition special, but the article states it's a "a one-time printing."

Finally, Sid Radner in his "Backstage" column discusses the 1993 Official Houdini Seance, held that year in Cincinnati at the Union Central Insurance Company--the company that held Houdini's life insurance at the time of his death. The inner circle attendees were: Henry Muller, Moira Thomas, Tom Boldt, Dr. Morris Young, Dr. Bernard Dolenz, Dorothy Young, Ken Klosterman, Marie Blood, and Tom Rozoff. Sid notes that the seance this year received world-wide news coverage via CNN.

The newsletter concludes with Christmas poem reprinted from the Dec. 15, 1923 The Sphinx.

Mystifier
Volume 3, Number 4
Fourth Quarter, 1993
6 pages

Contents:
Houdini's Journey into Code-Breaking
Flight and Magic
Magic at the Library of Congress
New Books at the Museum Shop
Backstage with Sid Radner

PREVIOUS ISSUE | INDEX | NEXT ISSUE

Related:

• Houdini the pioneer aviator
• When Houdini met Batman
• Penn & Teller show us the Library of Congress Houdini Collection