Alice Cooper: Tales From the Inside

First Comic Published (October 1, 1978)

The Marvel Premiere 50 issue, titled "Alice Cooper: From the Inside," is a notable comic book adaptation tied to Alice Cooper’s 1978 concept album From the Inside. Below a detailed overview based on available information

Publication Date: October 1979 (cover date November 1979, per standard comic industry practice where cover dates are typically one to two months ahead of the actual release). It was published by Marvel Comics as part of their Marvel Premiere anthology series, which showcased different characters or special projects, with this issue being the 50th in the series.

Content: The comic is a 32-page adaptation of Alice Cooper’s From the Inside album, which itself was inspired by Cooper’s experiences in a sanitarium during his 1977–1978 battle with alcoholism. The story follows Alice Cooper (depicted as himself) navigating a surreal, nightmarish mental institution, interacting with eccentric inmates, and confronting personal demons. The narrative mirrors the album’s themes of confinement, madness, and redemption, with each character (e.g., Nurse Rozetta, Millie and Billie) drawn from the album’s songs.

Creative Team:

Writers: Alice Cooper (credited for concept) and Jim Salicrup (script adaptation).

Artists: Pencils by Tom Sutton, with inks by Terry Austin.

Letterer: Tom Orzechowski.

Colorist: Steve Oliff.

Editor: Roger Stern.

The team blended Cooper’s theatrical horror-rock aesthetic with Marvel’s comic storytelling, creating a visually striking and darkly humorous tale.

Significance:

This was a unique crossover between rock music and comics, capitalizing on Cooper’s fame and his reputation as a shock-rock pioneer. The comic served as a promotional tie-in for the From the Inside album, which was co-written with Bernie Taupin (Elton John’s lyricist) and featured songs like “How You Gonna See Me Now” (#12 U.S.).

It’s considered a collector’s item today due to its one-shot nature and the niche appeal of combining Alice Cooper’s persona with Marvel’s brand. Copies in high-grade condition (e.g., NM 9.4) have been valued at around $50–$100 in recent years, per comic price guides like GoCollect.

The comic was part of Marvel’s brief foray into music-related projects, following their 1977 KISS comic (printed with the band’s blood in the ink) and preceding other rock-themed issues.

Format and Availability:

Standard comic book format, full color, priced at 40 cents (typical for 1979).

It included advertisements and a letters page, common for Marvel Premiere issues.

The comic has not been widely reprinted, making original copies the primary way to read it. Digital versions are not officially available on platforms like Marvel Unlimited (as of my last data), but scans may exist on fan sites or secondary markets like eBay.

A related Marvel Music reprint series in the 1990s included other music-themed comics but omitted this issue.

Cultural Context:

Released during a transitional period for Alice Cooper, post his 1970s peak with albums like Billion Dollar Babies (1973) and Welcome to My Nightmare (1975). From the Inside (1978) was a critical success but a commercial underperformer (#60 U.S.), and the comic aimed to boost visibility.

The comic reflects the late-1970s trend of blending pop culture mediums, with rock stars like Cooper, KISS, and The Beatles inspiring comics, films, and TV specials.

Additional Notes:

The comic’s art style leans into Cooper’s horror aesthetic, with exaggerated, grotesque depictions of the sanitarium and its inhabitants, aligning with his stage persona (guillotines, snakes, etc.).

Some fans note minor differences between the comic and album narratives, as the comic condenses the story for the medium, omitting some songs’ details (e.g., “The Quiet Room” is referenced but not fully explored).

No direct sequels or follow-up comics were produced, though Cooper’s image appeared in later music-related media, like album artwork and promotional materials.