The Danzig/Crystar Connection

Orginally published in the HMS column: Blood Is Not Enough, 2014.

For those who read comic books in the 80s, Marvel Comics was the king of the toy/comic book tie-in. You had Micronauts, Rom, G.I. Joe and Transformers, but there was another unique tie-in that Marvel was contracted out to with an interesting connection to the metal and punk genres.

Remco toys created Crystar the Crystal Warrior from an original idea that Marvel Comics shopped around. The toys were first sold in late 1982 and the comic book series was first published by Marvel in the spring of 1983. The series was written by Jo Duffy with artwork by Ricardo Villamonte. Sadly, it only lasted eleven issues. But this imaginative, fantasy-based concept had a seriously cool toy-line to boost around it.

The connection to metal surrounds issue eight of the series featuring a cover from artist Michael Golden. This cover image depicts Crystar raising his sword against a winged hoard of creatures, while standing atop a demonic skull. That demonic skull has become iconic, after the punk metal band Samhain borrowed the image for their logo. In fact, frontman Glenn Danzig took it one step further when Samhain dissolved and became Danzig; bringing the skull design along for the ride.

Obviously, Glenn Danzig, who also founded the famous punk rock act: The Misfits, is a long-time comic book fan. So the connection makes sense in many ways. But we're curious as to what Michael Golden has to think about this, and if Marvel has any reservations regarding copyright infringement. Ultimately, nothing has ever resulted from the lifting of the image, and Glenn Danzig has gone on to a very successful career in music.

Unfortunately, this wouldn't be Glenn's first time using another artist's work without their permission. In the 90s H.R. Giger sued Danzig over the unlawful use of his artwork on some of their merchandise. Apparently the legal team had a crowd surfer serve Glenn at one of his shows. And it should also be noted that the artwork on the cover of the Misfits single: “Die, Die My Darling” was derived from a 1953 issue of Chamber of Chills.

Crystar may not be associated with the horror genre, but it surely did help Samhain/Danzig become one of the most adoring horror inspired metal bands of all time. And, I mean, would you accuse the guys of plagiarism? Ummmm...no thanks!

Kenneth Gallant, HMS

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