From the November 1952 issue of The Beyond #17
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Mr. Spooky (BONUS STORY)
And speaking of ghost pirates, let’s take a look at this “unusually different, rib tickler.” It’s a kooky little tale from the Spooky Mysteries #1 one-shot released in 1946 by Lev Gleason and Your Guide Publications. Laugh along as you discover a whole new definition for “Seduction of the Innocent.”
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Spooky Mysteries #1 cover
THE COLAN STORY WAS GREAT AND YOUR RIGHT ABOUT THE ENDING, SEEMS LIKE MOST OF THESE PRE CODE STORIES USUALLY AVOID THIS TYPE OF CONCLUSION. COLAN WAS ALWAYS SO CONSISTANT.
ReplyDeleteMR SPOOKY WAS FUNNY, I NEVER HEARD OF THIS COMICBOOK. ITS ALWAYS COOL TO STUMBLE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS
AND DAMN! WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I WAS THE FIRST ONE TO COMMENT HERE?
I found the first story oddly touching, and of course Colan's art is always a joy.
ReplyDeleteAs for Mr. Spooky ... he's a bigger jerk than Woody Woodpecker.
Absolutely first class -- downbeat, serious, moving and genuinely chilling. Superior comic book fare. Really appreciate the great variety of your postings. Thanks Karswell.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Colan! Did he write this story too? Wow.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me a walking, talking skeleton would be worth more in the long run than a chest of gold. Ralph and his pals shoulda left the cursed filthy lucre behind and taken Mr. Bones to Broadway.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the ending was good, but other than that, I wasn't too fond of this story. Stone me if you want, but I thought the art was a bit inconsistent…
ReplyDeleteGene Colan's work has fascinated me since Tomb Of Dracula and Howard The Duck so it's great to see this early example.
ReplyDeletePirates From Hell- is it a horror of reanimated bones & family curses or a mischevious lark? which would you rather believe?
More ACE Horror on the way tomorrow, thansk to everyone who came by today... and I just noticed the coveted #100 spot in my FOLLOWERS gadget is up for grabs! Become a THOIA Milestone NOW!
ReplyDeleteSee ya's in the mourn.
Nice work on Treasure of the Dead! Makes me want to read a Colan story in the Creepy Archives. He was great with wash. The colors on this story really blotted out a lot of fine inking-- reminds me of some of Krigstein's better stuff. Phyllis has a lot more character than the usual 50s glamor dames. Great face and acting! Neat story all around.
ReplyDeletePhyllis looks a lot like Virginia Mayo. Probably just coincidence.
ReplyDeleteThe first panel on page 3; The "S" curve Phyllis makes as she kneels, and her outfit - the sweater, pencil skirt, and pumps - are very reminiscent of the art in the Nancy Drew books of the era. Some styles must be pervasive.
ReplyDeleteYou really didn't see this sophistication and character development much,but when it's done well,it's REALLY done well.Love how it's about two amoral,vile people;one doesn't get the chance to reform,the other does but too late for the hero,but at least Ralph didn't die or do somenthing at the last minute to "deserve" death.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: Colan doesn't show up in Creepy until issue 8, which'll be in vol 2 of the Archives. Looks like I'll have to whip out the original mags or the Harris best ofs.
ReplyDelete>Looks like I'll have to whip out the original mags or the Harris best ofs.
ReplyDeleteLots of pre-code Colan in my archive too. Just use the search engine at the top o'the page.