Horror Hotel 1962

Jack Davis made this promotional poster for "Horror Hotel" using ink and gouache, but the beauty is in the controlled chaos. You can see it in the feverish scribbles and cross-hatching that shape these ghoulish faces. It's like he’s building form not from light and shadow, but from layers of pure, unadulterated dread. I love how the sickly green seeps into every corner, giving the whole thing a kind of radioactive glow. It's not just green; it's the green of bad dreams and things lurking under the bed. Notice the way the lines move. They give the impression of the faces constantly shifting and writhing like they’re barely contained on the surface. There’s something of Basil Wolverton in here, but maybe even more manic. They both knew how to tap into the grotesque, but Davis adds this extra layer of pulp energy. It’s a beautiful reminder that art can be both terrifying and wildly fun, often at the same time.