Tag… You’re It!

From the July 1954 issue of Tomb of Terror #16 comes another neat E.C./Wood/Davis-inspired bit of fun from Howard Nostrand. Oddly enough, Overstreet calls this issue a “Special Sci-Fi Issue” when actually only 2 of the four stories are sci-fi (?!) I mean, does this story here seem sci-fi to you? Still, this was a good little yarn for The Tomb to end it’s glorious run with before finally caving in to Comics Code scare tactics and thus becoming “ Thrills of Tomorrow “ for only 4 boring issues full of reprints and weak Kirby Stuntman covers.

Fearless Frankie (ARTIST)

Our second spotlight on modern artists influenced by pre-code horror comics features Canadian creep Rob Sacchetto, (the madman behind Zombie Portraits), who recently completed a "throwback Tales from the Crypt / EC Comics style tale of zombie terror" called Fearless Frankie, where all the action and gruesome horror takes place in the jungles of Viet Nam.

The comic is completely free and viewable online or as a PDF download. (Thanks to Joel Pednaud for the heads up about this.)

Sam Katzman (DVD NEWS)

Pre-code comic horror fans take note: SONY’S latest “ICON OF HORROR” collection brings four great Sam Katzman Sci-Fi / Horror classics from the '50s for the first time to DVD on October 16th. Included in this 2-disc set are: ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU, CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN, THE GIANT CLAW, and THE WEREWOLF!

Priced to chill at $24.95

Murder Mansion

As promised, here’s another Lee Elias illustrated story. With his thick, rich, detailed line work and great sense of color, Lee’s mouth watering nightmare visuals more than make up for the poorly paced, confusing storyline here (in fact don’t read this one, just look at the pretty pictures.) For a truly mind blowing experience, type “ Lee Elias “ into the GCD search engine and just look at all of his Harvey horror covers. Amazing!

From the October 1954 issue of Witches Tales #27

The Seven Skulls of Magondi

Here it is, the final story from Chamber of Chills #6 and it’s a jungle terror doozy! Great inks too from my favorite Harvey cover artist Lee Elias, who also illustrated a mountain of excellent work in not only the golden age but also the silver (including, but definitely not limited to my favorite era run of kooky Green Arrow stories in DC’s World’s Finest!) I’ll post another Elias story next to give you an even nicer taste of his amazing artistic talent in the horror genre.

Atom Age Vampire (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!

Black Knights of Evil!

Enter neophytes (and bow-tie wearin’ sissies named Chauncey), into today’s den of evil! Pull up a necronomicon and prepare for your own hazing slash initiation into the black order of the Riders of the Night! Yes, it’s another tale of terror from the March 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills #6--- ARRGHH!! YIIIII!!

Vault of Horror Vol. 1 HC (NEWS)

Just in time for Halloween, Gemstone Publishing conducts readers of all ages on a tour of one of EC Comics’ creepiest corners with the EC Archives: Vault of Horror Volume 1 HC ($49.95), a new collection culled from one of publisher William Gaines’ most notorious and popular titles.

The 212-page, full-color EC Archives: Vault of Horror Volume 1 HC is scheduled to ship on October 31 and contains the first 6 issues COMPLETE!

Jelly Death

Re-visiting the Dungeon of Doom yesterday only reminded me just how whacked-out and repulsive issue #6 of Chamber of Chills really is. So, bad news for you Harvey haters because for the first time on this blog I’ll be posting the ENTIRE ISSUE over the next few days! Pull out your barf bags my friends, today brings you (gag!) ---Jelly Death!

From the March 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills #6

Dungeon of Doom

If your idea of fun is watching a beautiful, innocent girl’s face melt right off the skull inside a monster’s disintegrating machine then this is the story for you! I really don’t have much else to add today…

From the March 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills #6

William Castle (TRAILERS)

William Castle was one of a handful of great directors who actually made films in the 50's and 60's that were generally both fun and spooky (and felt just like pre-code horror comics come to life!) This great clip presents Castle himself introducing 3 different trailers from some of his best films: The Tingler, House on Haunted Hill, and 13 Ghosts... and all 3 featured wild gimmicks like "Percepto", "Illusion-O", and "Emergo" that audience members would actually see, feel, and experience for real while watching the film!

The Bone Man

An anonymous commenter the other day asked me to post an example of “stupid and derivative” so ask and yee shall receive! It’s not the best worst example I could find, in fact it’s actually a fun little stupid tale of sudden insanity leading to over the top brutality and gory violence. But then again it loses points for not being especially well written, and you can knock off a few more points for Mannie Bank’s somewhat flimsy artwork. It’s definitely inspired in a maniacal sort of way, but it was greasy shock stuff like this that really nailed the coffin lid tightly shut on pre-code horror comics in ‘54.

From the September 1954 one-shot issue of Horror from the Tomb #1

The Unsleeping Dead

Nearly 50 posts and I'm just now getting around to a story from Ace Magazines who published four interesting 50's pre-code horror titles: Baffling Mysteries, Hand of Fate, Web of Mystery and of course The Beyond featuring our creepy tale for today. This is a well written story about a haunted camera that can photograph grisly, unsolved murders from the past. Another first today, I'm finally posting something by golden age fan favorite Lou Cameron who, amongst other things, did some great early work for DC as well.

From the November 1953 issue of The Beyond #23

Head of Horror

The other day we saw the Head of the Medusa--- today it’s the Head of Horror! From the July 1952 issue of Strange Mysteries #6, it’s a spooky tale about an evil severed head! I bet the guy who wrote the movie The Thing That Couldn’t Die (’58) totally worshipped this yarn. Superior Comics cranked out a lot of wild stuff like this but I have noticed from the few I do own that they are usually printed rather piss poorly with colors bleeding everywhere, blacks dropping out, smudges, etc… (as displayed here in my passable scans), but please don't let that detract you from all the decapitated fun!

Last Man On Earth (TRAILER)

Werewolves

Ahhhh, werewolves... who doesn't love them? This is a mean spirited yet fun little story with great art that feels and reads a bit like an early EC story, (courtesy of the ever weak-willed pushover forced to do something he doesn't want to do by his evil, impatient, money grubbin' old lady.) I can forgive the somewhat predictable ending because our happy couple look so wonderfully at peace together in their final panel.

From the April 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #19

Head of the Medusa

Rudy Palais had a unique style as displayed here in one of his better stories. I mean it, his stuff literally squirms and creeps right across the page... I can remember re-reading one of his stories over and over when I was a kid and it just totally freaked me out everytime. I also think that if there was one guy on the entire planet who should've been illustrating H. P. Lovecraft adaptions full-time it should be Palais!

From the October 1952 issue of Tomb of Terror 5

Junk Man's Treasure

Here's a quick little 3-page tale that wastes no time cutting through the fat and getting right to the gruesome business at hand. From the August 1954 issue of Out of the Shadows #14, this was the final issue from this great Standard Comics series, and though the cover art is so ridiculously close to the cover art from Adventures into Weird Worlds #27 (compare for yourself), it remains one of my favorite comics in my collection. I hope to post a few more stories from this one in the coming weeks.

Horror Hotel (TRAILER)

In case you haven't noticed I've added a new feature to my blog (on the right hand side of the page) with "RECCOMENDED" stuff that's non-pre-code related. To me movies and music are as vital as comics so I hope you take the time to view these trailers that I will be posting in hopes that you'll then click the link to the right and view the movie at your leisure. Hell it's FREE and streaming, and if you've never seen it before then what've you got to lose? Plus, Horror Hotel is awesome...

Close Shave

A re-occcuring and identifiable theme in pre-code horror comics was the hen-pecked spouse being constantly abused by their monstrous significant other, who then thankfully turns the tables in the end with their own brand of ironic, twisted vengeance. Our latest post here is no exception to the theme, with clean, consistant art from Atlas favorite Fred Kida, the somewhat comical tone of the early pages helps give the final panel implications a much more grisly impact than usual.

From the April 1953 issue of Spellbound 14

Cast of Characters

Here's a story that's not only entertaining but educational as it shows you the reader how Atlas pre-code writers came up with all their great and "foreboding" ideas! If that's not enough there's also a Stan Lee cameo on the last page (don't blink or you might miss him.)

From the December 1954 issue of Mystery Tales #24

Spook Show Revival (VIDEO)

More spookshow trailer fun from beyond the grave, and from a time in history when theatre owners actually cared about their audience and gave you something different--- real LIVE thrills and chills instead of just the same old boring Hollywood cookie-cutter crap we’re force fed these days. Who wants to see decapitated heads in Hostel 3 when you can have an actual decaptitated head thrown right into your lap instead?

For more info visit www.spookshowrevival.com

Ghouls in the Graveyard

Here’s another shivery fun Atlas horror classic that I love (featuring more sinister purple cloaks!), but truth be told I have no clue who created this or what golden age series it originally appeared in as these scans are from my Crypt of Shadows #11 silver age reprint issue which contains no info to be found anywhere on any of the pages or even online. If anyone has any details PLEASE pass it on to me, thanks!

***UPDATE!*** An anonymous commentor has informed me that this story came from Adventures into Terror #12 and was illustrated by none other than Bernie Krigstein! Thanks Mr. A!

One Head Too Many

Today I’ve got a perfect example of successfully mixing horror and sci-fi together, and naturally this works because of the pairing-up of Stan Lee and Bill Everett. Featuring the weirdest, creepiest, zombiest looking aliens of all time (their spacecraft even looks like it’s from the grave), this excellent story launched the Atlas Menace series off to a great start.

From the March 1953 issue of Menace #1

Creature From the Black Lagoon (NEWS)

For those of you who live in or around St Louis MO, the Tivoli Theatre in the Delmar Loop is showing Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) in 3-D, Friday August 17th, Saturday the 18th, and Sunday the 19th at MIDNIGHT! See one of the absolute finest examples of 50’s Universal monster movie horror as it was meant to be seen--- on the big screen and in 3-D!

Lover Beware

From the comments received on the Joe Sinnott post from a few days ago I decided to toss one of his moody monster tales at you too, this one also containing a similar color scheme like the other (and apparently evil runs rampant in purple cloaks everywhere in the Atlas realm!) I’ll see what else I have from ‘ol Joe for the coming weeks, months etc… but this story here is one of my favorites.

From the June 1953 issue of Spellbound #15

The Cozy Coffin

Here’s another eerie Joe Maneely ghost story about a man who loves to just chill out in the solitary comfort of his own casket--- that is, until he starts looking for some company! The teen numbered run of Suspense issues really chugged along with consistantly great stories and awesome art, the Atlas team at their full-on creative peak during this era. It’s amazing they were able to put out so much quality work while featuring “52 Suspense-Packed Pages” each month ( that number includes unsuspenseful ad pages though.)

From the May 1952 issue of Suspense #18

House of Fear

Hope you’re enjoying our little trip on the Atlas dark ride this week. Here’s another shuddery classic but I’m not sure where this originally appeared as it’s scanned from my December 1973 issue of Marvel’s Dead of Night #1, which contains reprints of all pre-code horror tales, (also see yesterday’s post from the same issue.) If anyone has any clues please forward them to me.

UPDATE! Clemmer Brigus (aka Randy) has informed me that this story is actually called "Step Right Into the…House of Horror" and first appeared in Adventures into Weird Worlds #6. Thanks Randy!

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Alfred Hitchcock born on this day in 1899 - died: 1980. R.I.P.

The Ghost Still Walks

I have a mound of chilling haunted Atlas tales lined up for you for the next few posts or so, and this one from genius Joe Sinnott is as good a place to start as any. FYI: I plan to start utilizing more of my color horror reprints from the 70’s because I’m noticing my lower grade golden era books don’t hold up so well during repeat handling throughout the scanning phase. All stories will be pre-code though, so have no fear my dears.

Originally presented in the May 1952 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #6

My Dolly is the Devil

Last week we had voodoo dolls, today its devil dolls! Originally presented in the November 1950 issue of Black Magic #1, it's an eerie, simple little tale about a possessed doll. I would also like to take a moment to point out that this story saw print 13 years before the airing of a very similarly plotted Twilight Zone TV episode called Living Doll (aka Talking Tina), starring Telly Savalas. This is another topic I would love to expand upon in future posts; TV shows and films that unabashedly borrow or steal directly from pre-code comics. If you know of some yourself please let me know.

Vampira (VIDEO)

Excerpt from the opening sequence of The Vampira Show (1954), edit taken from the only known footage to still exist. For more info on Vampira visit her official website at Vampirasattic.com

Garden of Horror

Here's another good example of Lin Streeter art (it's possible he may have written this story as well), featuring a couple creepy twists and a not so subtle hint of H. P. Lovecraft. I ask you: is there anything more horrifying than plants--- or gardens?! AIEEEEE!!! This post is also in response to the anonymous comment from a few days ago where said person mentioned that some form of vegetation had busted through their window during a storm one night and scared them half to death while they watched a horror movie. Hope this tale "leaves" you as equally unnerved. Get it?

From the October 1953 issue of Adventures Into the Unknown #48

The Black Cat

I felt it appropriate to present this adaption of Poe’s The Black Cat since Turner Classic Movies is airing a bunch of Poe inspired films during their Vincent Price fest this Friday night. But as you will undoubtably notice, each and every page of my scans has a giant rat chew chunk missing from it, (courtesy of this comic book’s previous owner and his obvious inability to store his collection properly!) This defect only slightly affects some of the art panels while the story itself remains completely intact and readable. Someone should have walled up the damn rat with the blasted cat!

From the April 1954 issue of Nightmare #12

Curse of the Demon (NEWS)

Sorry about the last minute update but wanted everyone to know that TCM is airing Jacques Tourneur's 1957 horror classic Curse of the Demon (aka Night of the Demon) starring Dana Andrews tonight! It's one of the greatest films of all time, based on one of the greatest short stories of all time (Casting the Runes) written by one of my favorite authors of all time M. R. James. If you've seen it before you know what I mean, if you haven't then you're in for a real treat!

Go to TCM for the showtime in your area!

Voodoo Dolls

Here’s an obnoxiously deranged little gem from the July 1954 issue of Weird Mysteries #11 , proving: “With great power comes even greater irresponsibility.” Includes a wonderfully catchy little ditty in the final panel that you’ll be singing for days on end!

Nightmare From the Past

Scientists discover a prehistoric giant frozen in a block of ice and accidently thaw him out--- with disasterous results of course! Sounds like something you’ve heard a million times before, right? Wrong. Good lord you don’t know pre-code comics my friend. Read on, cuz this one just gets weirder… and weirder… and weirder… and weirder…

From the 1954 Aug-Sept issue of Out of the Night #16

Tales From the Crypt / Vault of Horror DVD (NEWS)

MGM / FOX has just announced a whole slew of horror titles making their DVD debut on September 11th 2007 as part of their always excellent Midnight Movies line. Among the many great titles set for release including Witchfinder General starring Vincent Price, The Vampire starring John Beal, Witchcraft '64 starring Lon Chaney Jr, and Earth Dies Screaming (just to name a few), of particular note to pre-code comic book horror fans will be the long awaited double feature release of Amicus Studios EC inspired Tales From the Crypt (1972) and Vault of Horror (1973.) Get more info here!

Corpse That Came to Dinner

I could just say the words “Reed Crandell pencils” here and that would probably be enough… but I also must add that this is without a doubt one of the finest examples of a non-EC, pre-code zombie horror story with a twist. You’ll laugh, you’ll barf, and you’ll hide under the covers when you try go to sleep later tonight. NOTE: My copy of this issue is a bit water damaged so the pages are a little wavey... all apologies!

From the July 1953 issue of Out of the Shadows #9

Undertaker

Just a few numbers shy of their last pre-code issue, Harvey Comics proved they still had an ace or two up their spooky sleeves with the April 1954 issue of Witches Tales #24, specifically, Howard Nostrand's subtle yet terrific terror tale quickie Undertaker, and his inventive use of text to enhance the story progression to it’s… final... horrific… conclusion.

Monster Rally (ARTIST)

Bryan Baugh is an illustrator / animator from Thousand Oaks CA who is heavily influenced by pre-code horror comics--- and man does he love to draw monsters! Take a look at his website and you'll see what I mean... you may not have known it but there really are guys working in the industry today who can still capture the frightful fun and spooky spirit of a bygone golden era.

This is a call-out to all artists influenced by pre-code horror comic art: SEND ME YOUR LINK!

The Body Snatchers

Finally, the third story in my Al Luster tribute, come with us as we head out to the graveyard to find us some body! I hope you enjoy this sampling of Luster's work as much as I do. And keep your eyes on this blog in the coming weeks for more examples of Al Luster, as well as more spotlights on other individual artists and writers who made 50’s pre-code horror still so memorable after all these years.

From the October 1953 issue of Adventures into Terror #24

Spook Show Spectacular (VIDEO)

Back in the day, when kids weren't scaring themselves silly reading pre-code horror comics they were usually attending live "in-person" spookshows for a real thrill!

They Dive By Night

The second entry in my tribute to artist Al Luster finds a group of pearl hunters diving deep and finding more terror than treasure! The tropical night setting of this story is excellently handled with the ominous full moon always looming in the background altering all the colors (and silhouettes) of the dark, and I love Luster's big floppy bats fluttering everywhere overhead. The chilling underwater scenes will leave you gasping for air until the very last suffocating panel!

From the April 1953 issue of Mystic #19

Iron Lady

We hear endless praise for greats like Heath, Wolverton, Brodsky, Tuska, Burgos, Baker, etc… and deservedly so. But one name to me seems to continually and unjustly slip through the cracks, and it’s time this error was corrected. Enter: Al Luster, a very unique artist with a slick, dynamic style all his own. His wide range of characters, no matter how dark and diabolical, are just loads of wicked fun. A definitive “Luster” trademark being his villains always tend to have jagged pointy teeth! So here now is the first of 3 stories spotlighting one of my favorite, underrated pre-code artists of the 50’s… (drum roll!) ladies and gentlemen, Al Luster!

From the April 1953 issue of Marvel Tales #113

Vincent Price (NEWS)

One week from today the TCM spotlight shines on horror icon Vincent Price! It's an entire day of Price classics including: The Tingler, The Mad Magician, The Last Man on Earth, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Theatre of Blood and more! But the centerpiece to this fest are 5 incredible Roger Corman films based loosely on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. SEE! House of Usher, The Pit & the Pendulum, Tales of Terror, The Masque of Red Death, and Tomb of Ligeia! Mark your calendars for Fri August 10th now!

Check for times in your area at Turner Classic Movies!

The Girl Who Died Twice!

A haunting ACG story from King Ward that features many of the same kinds of cinematic / atmospheric elements displayed in his other story The Howling Hunters which I posted last month. It's good stuff, I really love the way he draws slinky, evil looking black cats too. The opening splash panel reminds me of film classics like Horror Hotel and Mario Bava's Black Sunday... and speaking of Black Sunday, anyone else notice any eerie similarities between the main character in this story and Scream Queen legend Barbara Steele?

From the July 1952 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #33

The Cannibals

Let’s take a little trip to Africa for our next story, (all expenses paid too), courtesy of Atlas Comics... with Mighty Mac Pakula as our guide through the deepest, blackest heart of jungle horror. If you suddenly hear the distant beating of native drums then you better hang onto your head and run screaming for your life!

From the March 1954 issue of Marvel Tales #121

I Am A Zombie

Another nicely illustrated story from ACG, with their usual weird spin on our favorite subject here--- the unholy living dead! It’s actually refreshing to find a story like this one that comes from the zombie’s point of view instead of typically the victims or "the hero."

From the Dec 1953 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #50