#pop art horror

[invisiblekatanaartwork]

Artist's Blog #146 - Evil Dead II (1987)

Exploring the Cult Classic Appeal of Evil Dead II

With this Evil Dead II blog, I pulled another Blacula and Scream, Blacula Scream – I watched the sequel first then the original. I’ve seen the original many times so, it wasn’t so out of order but for the purposes of blogging, it was. You can read the Blacula and its sequel at the respective linked titles if you’re interested. Really, Evil Dead II was, in my opinion, just a remake of The Evil Dead. With Army of Darkness, this series seemed to take a different turn and Evil Dead II set this up well. The “Evil Dead” movies are certainly cult classics in the horror genre and for good reason. Get out your chainsaws, shotguns, and books bound in human flesh and inked in blood and read my thoughts this week on Evil Dead II from 1987.

Dream Cabin from Evil Dead II – Minus the Demons

I would love to have a cabin like the one in Evil Dead II, without the demons of course. This is seclusion, this is peace. Show me a VRBO like this and I’m booking right away for my next vacation! Buried deep in the TN hills and hidden away even from fans in real life, this spot would be a perfect setup to live your life away from society. It’s all wood, surrounded by forest, has a porch swing, complete with wood wood-burning fireplace, has a tool shed, and so much more. The cabin in Evil Dead II really is my ideal home in so many ways. There are some things it has that make no sense though like running water and power. Living quarters this off the grid typically don’t have running water and/or power so, I struggled to understand this.

Why Evil Dead II Still Creeps Me Out

Despite Evil Dead II basically being a remake of the first movie, I guess to set up the Army of Darkness story, the sequel was as creepy as the original movie. I can’t 100% put my finger on why I find these movies creepy but, I think it has to do with the makeup. According to Cliff Holverson with Evil Dead Archives, Mark Shostrom was responsible for this incredible work. You can read the full interview with him here for more details. Something about the half-gore and white eyes just gets to me. That cellar door on the floor is also a trigger too. I know something is going to happen and I’ve seen The Evil Dead. You know the chain ain’t going to hold, you constantly wonder what’s down there, etc. In real life, the cellar would be useful but, in this series, it bothers me.

Necronomicon Art and Its Iconic Role in Evil Dead II

Being an artist, I pay attention to art – surprise, surprise, right? From what I read, Tom Sullivan created the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis used in Evil Dead II. I didn’t find this directly answered but, I take for granted he did the art inside of it as well. Typically, I don’t really get into dark art, but this work certainly fits the theme and feel of the film. An old friend of mine had a copy of The Evil Dead on DVD that had the coolest case in DVD history. It was a copy of The Evil Dead but, it had a cover on it like the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis complete with the face and all. The cover was made from rubber and felt like human skin to match the legend. Check a copy out on eBay – the link here will help although the item may be sold if you follow it.

The Cheesy, Fun Effects of Evil Dead II

The Evil Dead movies are probably one of the biggest cult series that exists. Fans are really into them. There are not a lot of “yeah, it’s ok” fans. With my recent rewatch, I must say that I see the attraction – fandom is growing on me. Evil Dead II has some of the cheesiest effects ever. It could be the trees, the talking deer head that reminded me of the Big Mouth Billy Bass from the 90s, the obviously fake car driving across the bridge, floating eyeballs, faint ghost images, or excessive blood but, Evil Dead II’s effects are the best and worst I’ve seen. What I like most is that Evil Dead II doesn’t try to make you think they are real. It’s just fun effects that fit perfectly with the movie’s feel. Special effects may be clearly fake but, they are creepy, consistent, and well done.

Nonstop Action and Scares in Evil Dead II

Believe it or not, Evil Dead II is an action-packed movie. It’s not Arnold 1980’s action-packed but, it keeps you watching and on the edge of your seat. Of course, a lot of the on-edge is watching out for the next jump scare. These were commonplace in Evil Dead II and sometimes almost got me while watching on my cell phone. I can only imagine that a theatrical showing would have caused a viewer to jump. At first, Evil Dead II has a consistent pace but once the demon take over stuff starts, it hits the throttle and doesn’t let off. As with The Evil Dead, this one is creepy. While the story is essentially the same, there are new characters and some iconic events in the series occur. Perhaps the most notable is Ash replacing his hand with a chain saw and creating a shoulder sling sawed-off shotgun.

Bruce Campbell’s Ash – Perfectly Fit for Evil Dead II’s Style

Honestly, I really don’t have a lot of bad to say about Evil Dead II. The film is honest. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not and I think as fans that honesty is an attraction. Fans watch for the story, the cheesy effects, and nostalgia at this point. Bruce Campbell was perfect for the role of Ash. His acting, lines, and facial expressions fit the cheesiness of the effects and overall feel of the movie perfectly. In closing, am I correct in thinking that Tom Sullivan did the art inside of the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis? If there’s a super-fan out there that knows something I don’t, please let me know in the comments. I’m curious about this.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this artist’s thoughts on Evil Dead II. I invite you to follow my art journey on social media, visit my website, and consider supporting and buying my work here. If you liked this blog or Evil Dead II, please share. Also, feel free to comment, especially if you are a fan of this one. I am certainly going to watch this one again and will soon watch The Evil Dead and Army of Darkness for the purpose of blogging. I think I’ll go ahead and get The Evil Dead next. Peace. 

[monobmp]

Today's doodles + BillFord I GUESS 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[crimsonkreachr]

[asyayordanova]

[angelangelangelx]

Lunare Designs

[anintroverteddarling]

I was gonna try drawing smth cute but ended up drawing these two again help--

[arthrobug]

Ohmegosh this was so fun but also so harrowing to do in one day lmaooo

Version with borders because dramatism my beloved

I picked angst over domestic fluff for some reason zxcvbnm- I usually like fluffy things HELLA more (give me happy beginnings and ending mfers I'm soft) but I was possessed by this and had to do it

This is specifically fanart for 'Koby's Awful No-Good Very Confusing Day'! Go read it!! Understand my brainrot about this fic and why I have a whole notepad about fanart I'd like to make for it!!!

[cainternn]

suffocating

[melomancy]

Kate Bush’s third studio album, Never for Ever — art by Nick Price, photography by John Carder Bush

[willowitcher]

[ozzyeelz]

A little something for a worldbuilding project :3

[weirdlookindog]

Ryan Heshka (b. 1970) - The Green Sick

[kallousness]

won’t you come to my arms tonight 🎶

[warakami-vaporwave]

VHS Warning

[asyayordanova]

[patchkin]