We've all heard stories about so-called "cursed objects"- but do they really exist- after all how on earth can inaminate objects become evil??? I was just looking at the entry on ComicVien for Bloodaxe(full disclosure: I plan to paint him), a Marvel villain who possessed the enchanted axe of Skurge the Executioner which drives its owners over a period of time to commit acts of horrendous bloodshed based on the foul deeds of its previous owner. In reality though I have heard not just of cursed objects but cursed families- pace the Kennedy and Barrymore clans(full disclosure again: Drew Barrymore is my favourite film star) as well as the so-called 20 year jinx for US Presidents( since 1840 every US President elected in a year ending in a "0" has died in office either through natural causes( JohnTyler and FDR) or assassination( Garfield, McKinley, JFK).

Whilst I admit I would certainly not like to own something assocaited with a notorious evil doer( which makes the current craze for so-called serial killer art all the more disturbing) such as Saddam Hussein's toothbrush , Bin Laden's shaving kit or Stalin's pipe, I really have my doubts about such objects although demonologists like the late Ed and Lorraine Warren have amassed an entire warehouse full of them- much like Micki and Ryan in "Triday the 13th:The Series"- objects so charged with Satanic power that simply touching them will cause the demon within to manifest themselves.

So what do YOU think?

Terry