Adapted by Dan Jolley
Art by Tony Harris; Matt Hollingsworth; & Lois Buhalis
Cover Art by Tony Harris
SUMMARY:
This 48-page adaptation of Boris Karloff’s 1932 film is a 1993 collaboration between Dark Horse Comics and Official Universal Studios Monsters. In 1921, at a British archaeological dig outside Cairo, members of the Reed Expedition (Dr. Joseph Whimple; Dr. Frank Muller; and assistant Ralph) breach a ceremonial box kept within the mummy Imhotep’s tomb they have uncovered. They interpret that the box supposedly possesses a mystical curse. While Whimple and Muller argue outside, Ralph encounters a resurrected Imhotep.
In 1932, a follow-up expedition has Whimple’s adult son, Frank, help find an artifact linked to the tomb of Imhotep’s would-be bride: Princess Ankhsenamun. The corpulent Ardeth Bey of Cairo offers to lead the archaeologists to the site where they can excavate her tomb. Once their discovery makes the news, Ankhsenamun’s mummy is moved to a Cairo museum. Bey contemplates how to reunite with his ancient lover.
At his Cairo home, an aged Muller has a lovely British-Egyptian ward, Helen Grosvenor, who is mutually attracted to Frank. Muller and the Whimples encounter Ardeth Bey, at last realizing his horrific true nature. To rescue a mesmerized Helen from Bey’s scheme to reincarnate his fiancée, who dares face the wrath of the Mummy?
REVIEW:
Supported by mostly solid visuals (especially the decrepit Ardeth Bey), this adaptation proves a faithful recreation of Karloff’s horror classic. Much of the credit (including for his cover image) goes to artist Tony Harris, as his work is a convincing argument to view the movie. Though he doesn’t have enough pages to develop the characters (or at least add much depth), writer Dan Jolley smartly leaves enough gaps for readers to make necessary inferences. Good read!
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
