Jonathan Frid 1924-2012

                             "Our Revels Now Are Ended..."

Dark Shadows # 2, August 1969

Like the comic books, music and movies of the 1960s, television was very much a part of my childhood, and Dark Shadows was one show that left a distinct and lasting impression on me. The series had a lot in common with the comic books I absorbed, mainly the serialized adventures of the Marvel heroes. The trials and tribulations of characters such as Peter Parker or Ben Grimm were not very different from the struggles of Barnabas Collins as portrayed by Jonathan Frid,. Like the Marvel heroes, Barnabas was given special "powers" but he didn't want to have them, and didn't revel in his vampire role. To him it was a curse and he only wanted to live like a normal person. These type of characters greatly appealed to me.

Stan Lee acknowledged the popularity of Dark Shadows by referencing Barnabas in Fantastic Four # 94, January 1970. Jack Kirby art-co-plot, Joe Sinnott inks, Sam Rosen lettering. 

The character of Barnabas Collins was never created to be an ongoing part of the gothic soap opera. He was only brought on as a ploy to elevate ratings. It turned out, though, that Frid's portrayal was more popular than producer Dan Curtis could have imagined, and the writers had to find a way to make an amoral killer part of a continuing series. This led to an origin and softening of the character, eventually curing him and turning him into a supernatural Sherlock Holmes and defender of the Collins family.

Photo of Frid filming a scene on the set of Dark Shadows. On the far left is actor John Karlen as Willy Loomis. 

Frid was not your typical leading man. He had a quirky nature that suited the character of a 175 year old vampire set loose in a world he didn't understand. He admitedly had a hard time learning lines, since the five day a week schedule was grueling, and the show was practically live, as it was then costly to reshoot  scenes, but the hesitancy of Frid the actor sometimes worked for the character of Barnabas, who was supposed to be trying to hide his true existence from the world around him. Barnabas was given to soliloquies and introspection, not unlike a number of Marvel heroes. He was a decidedly sympathetic character and was wildly popular for the shows five year period.

One can only imagine the incredulity low-keyed Jonathan Frid experienced when his image was plastered everywhere from magazines like Teen Beat to board games and trading cards!    

The show instilled a sense of imagination in me, with its time traveling (past, present and future) glimpses of parallel worlds, and houses with secret rooms and passageways. Around every corner there existed witches, warlocks, werewolves, mad scientists and ghosts. All in a never never land (or, as Frid often characterized it, "Brigadoon") somewhere in Maine.

Yes, the show could be deadly dull at times and had a number of poor actors and weak storylines, but at its best it featured offbeat characters and atypical situations. It was of its time, and most attempts to replicate its success have failed. The new movie very possibly may have the same problem.* 

**(Time traveling Nick here, from the year 2023. The Dark Shadows movie was indeed both a box office failure and a creative disaster.)

The premiere issue of Dark Shadows recapped the main elements of the series, but afterward the comic veered off in its own direction, utilizing a select few characters and creating its own " parallel time."  Dark Shadows # 1, March 1969. D.J. Arneson script; Joe Certa art; John Duffy lettering.   

For a while even the comic book version of Barnabas was cured! D.J. Arneson script; Joe Certa art; John Duffy letters. Dark Shadows # 5, May 1970

 Dark Shadows was translated to comics in 1969, when Gold Key bought the rights to the series. Since vampires were not allowed in a Comics Code approved  line such as Marvel or DC (even though kids could see vampires on TV every day in Dark Shadows and countless horror movies) Gold Key, which did not carry the Code seal, was able to cash in on the success of the show. Writers included Don Arneson, John Warner, Gerry Boudreau and Arnold Drake, and the book was drawn by veteran Joe Certa. From the late 1940s Certa worked at Lev Gleason, Fawcett, Novelty, with notable runs on The Durango Kid at Magazine Enterprises and at DC on "John Jones, Manhunter from Mars." In later years Certa worked primarily for Gold Key, illustrating many fantasy titles including The Twilight Zone and Ripley's Believe it or Not. Certa illustrated Dark Shadows for the entire 38 issue run. George Wilson painted the majority of covers after the initial use of photos. In 1971 a comic strip version appeared in major markets like the New York Daily News, drawn by Ken Bald, with assistance by talents including Wally Wood.

George Wilson provided many atmospheric painted covers for the Dark Shadows comics. Dark Shadows # 10, August 1971. 

Ken Bald's illustrative style captured the likeness of Jonathan Frid. The Dark Shadows comic strip ran for 52 weeks. The author's name is unfortunately unknown at this time. This example is from April 8, 1971. Ben Oda lettering.    

I had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan Frid at conventions a few times, and he was an affable and charming person, with a great sense of humor. At one con a fan asked where the famous Wolf's Head cane he used on the show came from. He answered "Sam the Umbrella Man on 57th St" very matter of factly, which made the audience laugh. And it was true. The store was still there in the 1980s, and they sold umbrellas and canes of all types, including the "famous" cane. Frid continued to do recitations and even had a website where he wrote about Dark Shadows, acting, his stage career and his current interests. Frid was always on the fringes of celebrity and never quite understood what all the fuss was about. He was a man thrust into the spotlight for a few short years, but was very much a regular guy.   

A lot has changed in the 40 years since Dark Shadows has left the air. Television, movies, music and comics are very different, often slicker and more sophisticated. Still, there was a special feeling in the air that fades with the passing of each individual who brought their own personal stamp to the work they produced.

Dark Shadows #6, August 1970, featuring images of David Henesy as David Collins and Jonathan Frid as Barnabas. A cover certain to frighten a few of their young fans!