What was the source of this disturbing Clowes Eightball comic?

May 14, 2010 8:01 PM

I used to own a Daniel Clowes "Eightball" comic back in the 1990s (I think it was the "Nostalgia"-themed issue, or maybe Eightball 16), where he retold a really creepy Irish folk tale. What book did he use as a reference?

The story was about a girl who could see the spirit world. She saw a frog give birth to an infant, and I think the infant was burnt in a fireplace. She later said hello to a spirit being of some sort, who was surprised. After that her eye was poked out and she could no longer see spirits.

I was wondering if anyone out there is familiar with this issue of Eightball, remembers this story, and can tell me the source of this disturbing folk tale.

If anyone can point me in the direction of similarly disturbing folk tales, it would be great.

posted by KokuRyu to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

I vaguely remember that. I just went through the trade paperback 20th century eightball collection, and it's not in there, so it must just be in the actual comic.
posted by umbú at 8:16 PM on May 14, 2010

I found Eightball #16, and it's not in there either.
posted by umbú at 8:20 PM on May 14, 2010

Damn, wish I had. No idea, and I confess that I'm just commenting so I'll see followups.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:20 PM on May 14, 2010

Best answer: "The Fairy Frog" from Eightball #11
"From "Folktales of Ireland" (University of Chicago Press, 1966) edited and translated by Sean O'Sullivan" reads Clowes' footnote on the first page.
posted by mdrew at 8:21 PM on May 14, 2010 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Eightball #11 has a story called The Fairy Frog in it. You can hear a retelling of the folk tale The Fairy Frog here - it's the last tale. I'm listening right now, and a woman just gave birth to a stillborn baby which was passed from servant to servant until one put it in a fireplace and burned it.
posted by iconomy at 8:22 PM on May 14, 2010 [1 favorite]

Someone just drove his finger into her eye to blind her. Whee!
posted by iconomy at 8:24 PM on May 14, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks! There's a Google Preview (hunh?) of the book, too.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:51 PM on May 14, 2010

Damn, wish I had. No idea, and I confess that I'm just commenting so I'll see followups.

Please don't do this. Fav the question if you want to follow up.
posted by iconomy at 6:43 AM on May 15, 2010

Response by poster: A man may come and remove your favoriting finger.
posted by KokuRyu at 7:45 AM on May 15, 2010

And then poke your eye out with it.
posted by iconomy at 9:30 AM on May 15, 2010