Hand

The entire series run of Mister Mystery got off to a great start with this spooky tale of murderous twinsanity--- or is it something else even more sinister? Prepare yourself for 5 fright filled pages of what pre-code horror is all about!

From the September 1951 issue of Mister Mystery #1

The Dead Awaken

From the December 1954 issue of Thrills of Tomorrow #18 (which is actually just a full issue reprint of the ever unobtainable Tomb of Terror #1) comes a ghostly tale of waterlogged love from, quote: "Beyond the depths of where endless agony awaits the evil!”

Is there any other kind?

Vampire, Beware!

As promised, it’s the glorious return of Bill Everett to my blog! And even Sardonic Stan’s somewhat comedic approach to the storytelling here doesn’t dampen Everett’s ability to still deliver the most evil looking blood-suckers ever put into a comic book! ::shiver::

From the October 1952 issue of Suspense #23

The Mummy Lives!

Here’s a cool mummy story with a couple wacky twists, as well as some fabulous art from the ever reliable Tony DiPreta. I’ll quit yappin’ so you can get readin’ now…

From the February 1954 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #24

Your Name Is Frankenstein!

Quick! Take a peek at that opening splash panel below. Did your eyeballs just pop right outta your skull? That’s Joe Maneely folks, and he was without a doubt one of Atlas Comics best, (and Stan the Man wrote the words so you know it doesn’t get much better than this!) To finish off the month of July with a big scream, this is the first post in a 3 day, 3-part Atlas Monster Trilogy… just ahead: mummies and vampires too, so be on the look out!

From the September 1953 issue of Menace #7

Witch’s Wicked Words

I’ve been told that the artist of our next story is not Jack Davis… but it’s so much like Jack Davis it’s scary! What I do know is that we have here a really nifty story, a wild blend of hardboiled gangster violence, time travel, and witch craftiness… it’s definitely one of the more entertaining Ace tales, and the noir-ish tough guy talk is totally hysterical. Mostly, I’m just a sucker for any story that ends with a big smokey “BLAM!”

From the December 1954 issue of Hand of Fate #25

The Howling Hunters

From American Comics Group (ACG) comes a really weird story about a ghost wolf man. It’s a bit longer than most typical pre-code horror stories, though everything else about this one is anything but typical. For one thing the deranged design of the werewolves, and I love the odd angles and great use of mood and shadows too. I have a few more stories from King Ward and hope to post them soon as well.

From the October 1951 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #24

The Face of Death

One of Marvel / Atlas Comics biggest advantages over most of the other pre-code horror publishers was simply by having a writer / illustrator like Bill Everett on their team. A truly amazing talent, he easily revivaled anyone working in the EC bullpen, and secured his place in comic book history by creating the ageless anti-hero Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner. Everett's work in the horror genre is equally brilliant and eerie and unlike anyone else, as in this fine example from the spring 1952 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #4.

Web of the Spider

Hate spiders? You may want to just skip this story if you do. Featuring a fantastic opening splash panel (and a great finale of a girl giggling with sheer horrified madness) makes Web of the Spider one of the better offerings from Harvey Comics. FYI: This will be the first of a few posts featuring stories about people who transform into some-thing other than “human.” Enjoy! And Happy 13th Posting too, you lucky fiends…

From Witches Tales #12 (July 1952.)

No Rest For The Dead

Don’t leave just yet, I told you this was a romance DOUBLE FEATURE and the flames of passion burn uncontrollably down in the embalming chamber of the local funeral parlor. Let’s take a little peek inside and see how things are going with the undertaker and his latest obsession.

From the April 1954 issue of The Unseen #14, there’s--- No Rest For The Dead (as usual.)

Tomb For Two

Alright, since everyone’s gag reflexes are working overtime let’s take a breather for a few posts and settle in with a nice romantic love story double feature… how’s that sound? I’m sure you all could use a happy ending right about now anyway, right? Riiiight. Grab a hanky because this one may just leave a tear in your eye.

From the March 1952 issue of Journey Into Fear #6 comes--- Tomb For Two!

Skin ‘Em Alive!

If rotting demons and quivering brains aren’t sickening enough for you then maybe you’ll find this one “a’peeling.” But try not to laugh too hard when the guy unintentionally talks about how his “old balls were getting a little worn out!”

From the February 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #18 comes--- Skin ‘Em Alive!

The Quivering Brain

Escaping from the cursed, rotting, zombie infested swamp of our last post, and into the quiet, sterile confines of a post-mortem lab, where awaits an even more revoltingly titled tale of terror. From the October 1953 issue of Nightmare #3 comes---

Rotting Demons

A horror story with a repulsive title like this honestly needs no introduction. But here’s one anyway, from Harvey / Home Comics 1952 issue of Black Cat Mystery #36 comes the (gag! choke!) Rotting Demons!

Beneath The Grave

In our previous post of Ghouls Rush In, we saw the Atlas reworking of Henry Kuttner’s uncredited classic The Graveyard Rats, and now it’s Comic Media’s turn to show us their chops of said tale. From the March 1954 issue of Horrific #10, Beneath The Grave is essentially the same story (plus or minus some details) but told here in such a completely different visual manner that, thanks in large part to Palais’s freakish art style, it becomes something much more nightmarish, claustrophobic, and surreal than even the Atlas version.

NOTE: If you enjoy these story comparisons let me know and I’ll bring more up from the vaults for us to analyze in the future. Vote on which one you like better between this one and Ghouls Rush In!

Ghouls Rush In

With it’s strikingly similar plotline to Henry Kuttner’s terrifying 1936 Weird Tales story The Graveyard Rats, our next entry crawls out from the April 1952 issue of Adventures Into Terror #9, courtesy of the ever awesome Dick Ayers (in his Atlas debut even!) The story would obviously work just fine on its own even without the very last panel, but leave it to Dick to go the extra mile for a shiver. And why no credit to Kuttner?

Return of the Ghoul

Here come the ghouls! Superior Comics 1953 issue of Journey Into Fear #15 contains one of my favorite golden age zombie stories. Return of the Ghoul possesses everything I love about pre-code horror all rolled up into one killer package. You get cool art, gruesome ridiculousness, and not one, but a couple bizarre story twists from straight outta left field. Enjoy!

The Corpses Come Back

It’s time for another corpse story before the ghouls rush in and pick us clean. Finally digging into a moldy old Atlas tomb, this tale from the 1953 issue of Adventures Into Terror #25 features some stunningly atmospheric artwork from comic book legend Gene “Tomb of Dracula” Colan. Even in his early days the guy was completely amazing, his illustrious supernatural style most certainly suited for swirling, misty tales of haunted graveyard horror.

Hating Corpse

Sticking with the theme of re-animated corpses from our last post, here’s a real dandy courtesy of Comic Media’s March 1953 issue of Horrific #4, asking one simple little question: After death, how far could you go to quench your unstoppable hate fueled vengeance?

Obviously all the way…

Corpse Convention

Happy Friday the 13th everyone! And in celebration of this day of black cats and broken mirrors I bring to you a terror tale that not only takes place on Friday the 13th, but also in Room 1313 on the 13th floor of a spooky old haunted hotel! Feelin’ lucky? Enjoy your stay, but don’t you dare steal the towels…

From Standard Comics October 1952 issue of Adventures into Darkness #6 comes: CORPSE CONVENTION!

Damned Introduction: The Running Ghost

Welcome kiddies to my bone chilling, cobweb coated, blood splattered blog of horror! This soul searing site is devoted to the finest Pre-Code horror comics ever created. My solemn oath is to supply you with an unhealthy dosage of severed heads and hacked limbs, and as many shambling dead as I can resurrect--- straight from the early 50's Golden Age! Each week I will scan in a couple creepy stories (not complete issues) from my own collection, and post them here for you to devour. My focus will be on lesser publications like Atlas, Ace, Harvey, ACG, Comic Media, St. John, Standard and so on. I'll probably steer clear of the EC titles only because there are plenty of other places on the web devoted to EC as well as affordable reprints at every funny book shack around the world.

All comments and suggestions are welcome, so tell me what you'd like to see and I'll work my old black magic to make this the best Pre-Code horror blog on the web.

Now, without further ado... from Standard Comics 1951 issue of MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #12 comes: THE RUNNING GHOST!