Kees Van Ruyters was an artist who lived in the 15th century. He was known for his horrific depictions of monstrous creatures before his suicide in 1495. Van Ruyters killed himself by thrusting his arms under the wheels of a moving oxcart. This caused him to lose his hands and die from the wounds. Betty Saunders is the world’s foremost expert on Kees Van Ruyters. Betty is hired by the mysterious Ghoul to create new artwork in the horrific style of Van Ruyters, whose artwork is riddled with ghastly creatures. Betty flies to Belgium to work at the Ghoul’s estate. The Ghoul appears to Betty. She recognizes him as a subject in one of Van Ruyter’s paintings. The Ghoul reveals to Betty that he intends for her to paint new material in the style of Van Ruyters so he can create new servants from the art for his evil designs. The ghost of Van Ruyters shows himself to Betty and instructs her to paint a painting of The Ghoul. The Ghoul is destroyed when the painting is revealed to him. Betty Saunders is an accomplished artist and art historian.
Creators/Key Contributors Frank Belknap Long, Max Elkan
First Appearance Adventures into the Unknown #2 (Dec. 1948)
First Publisher American Comics Group / ACG [CB+] [DCM] [GCD]
Appearance List Adventures into the Unknown #2
Sample Read Adventures Into the Unknown [DCM] [CB+]
Description Kees Van Ruyters was an artist who lived in the 15th century. He was known for his horrific depictions of monstrous creatures before his suicide in 1495. Van Ruyters killed himself by thrusting his arms under the wheels of a moving oxcart. This caused him to lose his hands and die from the wounds. Betty Saunders is the world’s foremost expert on Kees Van Ruyters. Betty is hired by the mysterious Ghoul to create new artwork in the horrific style of Van Ruyters, whose artwork is riddled with ghastly creatures. Betty flies to Belgium to work at the Ghoul’s estate. The Ghoul appears to Betty. She recognizes him as a subject in one of Van Ruyter’s paintings. The Ghoul reveals to Betty that he intends for her to paint new material in the style of Van Ruyters so he can create new servants from the art for his evil designs. The ghost of Van Ruyters shows himself to Betty and instructs her to paint a painting of The Ghoul. The Ghoul is destroyed when the painting is revealed to him. Betty Saunders is an accomplished artist and art historian.
