Frank Thorne recently sent me a copy of his new book The Complete Iron Devil and my eyes are still whirling after reading it. Frank has had a long and illustrious career in illustration, comics, cartooning and a wonderful history with Playboy that started in 1980 when his full-page comic Moonshine McJugs first appeared. The hillbilly comedy focused on the blonde and beautiful Moonshine, and the outrageous sexual antics she got herself into. In 2003, Frank’s talent was once again showcased in the magazine when he started doing full-page color cartoons for us (his latest can be found in the January 2008 issue, on stands now).
The Complete Iron Devil is a deluxe hardcover collection of previously published stories, which originally appeared in single-issue comics during the 90s. It’s the third version of the collection, which has also been published in Spanish and French.
Though I knew to expect the over-the-top sexual scenarios that were common in Moonshine McJugs, this erotic juggernaut is perhaps the most X-rated storyline Frank's ever created.
With more than 150 pages of illustrations, newly colorized in a sepia tone, the fantastical stories transport you into the diabolical worlds of a well-endowed goddess and a modern-day brothel worker. There are some very graphic scenes, so the book is definitely not for everyone.
In a mammoth interview published in the highly recommended issue no. 280 of The Comics Journal, Frank discusses his work for DC Comics, Marvel, Heavy Metal, National Lampoon, High Times and, of course, Playboy. He states that although he feels The Complete Iron Devil is his magnum opus in its genre, Moonshine remains his favorite creation.
Aww, shucks, Frank!
