'What the Dog Dragged In!'

[cyberghostface]

When I posted the Bradbury story the other day I was asked if EC ever adapted his short story 'The Emissary'. The answer is yes... and no. While they didn't officially adapt it, they did rip it off.

EC would at various points look for 'inspiration' for their stories and they famously cribbed from Ray Bradbury on a number of occasions. Bradbury eventually sent the following note to editor Bill Gaines: "Just a note to remind you of an oversight. You have not as yet sent on the check for $50.00 to cover the use of secondary rights on my two stories ‘The Rocket Man’ and ‘Kaleidoscope.’ . . . I feel this was probably overlooked in the general confusion of office work, and look forward to your payment in the near future.”

Fortunately after this was cleared up Bradbury lent his stories for EC to officially adapt.

This is from The Vault of Horror #22.

The original story 'The Emissary' is about a bedridden young boy and his pet dog. In this version the main character is a blind woman, Betty, who is confined to a wheelchair. 

Betty sends her dog to get her groceries. One day the dog is hit by a car and the driver, Roger, rescues it. He brings the dog back to Betty and the two eventually grow close with one another.

Comments

[blues32]

I was just looking through summaries of Ray Bradbury stories and I saw "What the Dog Dragged In".

She better not complain. She told poor Jerry over and over to get Roger. Well, he did. Pet him and give him a treat! None of this screaming in horror stuff.

[huntleyhaverstock]

This isn't bad, but if you haven't read Bradbury's story -- which indeed gets ripped off almost verbatim in those last few panels' narration -- it is GREAT, and well worth seeking out.

http://www.newforestcentre.info/uploads/7/5/7/2/7572906/the_emissary.pdf

[cyberghostface]

Yeah the original story is great in part because the horror is so unexpected. I remember reading it the first time thinking it was one of his softer stories and going "what the hell" when it ends up with a zombie coming up the stairs.

[huntleyhaverstock]

And thank you very much for ... heh ... digging this up!

[superfangirl1]

Not only is Jerry a very good boy doggy. He is also a wizard, who practice dark magic.

[cainofdreaming]

Always make sure that the dog who nuzzles you is a neck romancer, not a necromancer.

Nice one..

[steverodgers5]

Haha! You definitely win the pun of the day prize!

[starwolf_oakley]

I am starting to wonder if this story was the inspiration for the Forever Knight episode “Blind Faith.” That included a flashback to Nick rescuing Arthur Conan Doyle from a giant vampire dog. (Forever Knight was a weird show!)

[maseiken]

I'm a long-time lurker on SD and I just wanted to reply to one of your EC posts to say: thanks.

Every time they come up I take a look and I love it every time. I didn't read EC comics growing up but I've discovered them as an adult through your posts, and just... it's been super nifty seeing them.

[cyberghostface]

Thanks, happy to hear that. :)

[steverodgers5]

I must admit, of all the senses to lose sight would be the most devastating to me. Being shrouded in darkness would be so desperately lonely as this story demonstrates so well. (Not to mention having her in a wheelchair as well is cruel beyond measure.)

A very powerful and chillingly sad story. (Whether it's this or the original.)