The Forbidden Tomb

On this day of things returning from tombs, let's add another horrifically hopeless tale to the mix about just that, scraping it's weird way up from the bottom of the May 1954 bargain barrel that is Startling Terror Tales #9. Artist unknown (and they probably choose to remain that way), though we have a superbly sinister L. B. Cole cover that thankfully most of these silly Star Publications comic monstrosities seem unnaturally graced with. Happy horror-day, fiends...

The Man in Black

Some people are familiar with the December 1944 issue one-shot of Tally-Ho Comics because of the cool Snowman story inked by Frank Frazetta in one of his earliest comic book gigs. Now what most people are not familiar with though is that there's a real spooky corker of a severed hand ghost story in this issue as well (not illustrated by Frazetta)-- and well, here it is! So sit back by the crackling fire... relax... and try not to focus on the subtle "pat pat" you hear somewhere off in a darkened corner of the room, as tonight's shivery little tale of terror unfolds before you...

The Butcher / The Strangler

--and if you think you need a story about a candlestick maker to round out your trilogy of terror, just click HERE after today's deadly double detective feature! Our first tale fresh off the chopping block is from the August 1952 issue of Suspense Detective #2, with art by Mike Sekowsky, followed by one guaranteed to really choke you up, from the January 1954 issue of Crime Mysteries #11.

Save Me... The Coffin is Closing

Saturday Night Shocker time again, as THOIA presents a frighteningly fun thriller with heavy horror overtones and lots of atmosphere-- from the March 1953 issue of Suspense Detective #5, --the last issue in fact from this doomed, but still decent, short-lived Fawcett series. This is the sort of spooky story that would've made a great Hitchcock Presents or Boris Karloff's Thriller episode.

The Horror of the Hearse

What's that you scream, not enough chemical vat torture stories here at THOIA? Well, let me rectify that NOW. Fans of mysterious detective tales (like Dr. Drew for example) should enjoy this eerie expedition into macabre murder and vengeance, as Kirk of Scotland Yard faces one of his most facelessly evil adversaries! From the Dec '47 issue of Manhunt #3, with perfectly petrifying art by Paul Parker!

Satan's Suit

Remember back in February when I posted that wonderfully weird wedding dress story, (the one soaked in embalming fluid and slowly killing a woman --click HERE for it) --well, today I have the perfect pair-up for that tale, a similarly saturated, morbid match made in Hell-- or let's call it "For the Groom", if you will! From the Dec '51 issue of Black Cat Mystery #32.