The Return of the Werewolf

Happy Leap Year... and I hope everyone had a fantastic February. As this month winds down it's time for a very different, gorgeously illustrated kind of werewolf tale today. Notice that the signature in the opening splash panel says “Harold Williams.” GCD lists the actual pencils here came from EC legend Al Williamson using a pseudonym.

From the Feb-March 1951 issue of Out of the Night #1

To see more Al Williamson ACG horror check the Friday, February 29, 2008 post at The Golden Age Comic Book Stories Blog for Demon of Destruction! It's a tremendous story co-created with Frank Frazetta!

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Coming Next in March:

We’re kicking off the new month tomorrow with a full week of blood sucking, stake hating, garlic loathing, mirror rejecting vampire stories! So strap on your crucifixes and say your prayers people because first up comes The King of them all--- DRACULA! It’s an epic, four part, 3 day story you von’t vant to miss!

Tales From the Crypt Vol. 3 (NEWS)

Speaking of Al Williamson, EC Archives: Tales From the Crypt Vol. 3 is coming April 20th. Reprinting issues #13-18, with a forward by comics historian Robert Overstreet. Full color, hardback, 212 pages, $49.99

Picture of Hell

Here’s another fine example of early Joe Kubert horror. I apologize in advance for the state of these scans, this story comes from the one issue in my collection that apparently spent more time underwater than is comic bookily possible. Still, with all of the color smudges and mold stains Kubert’s art is so damn strong it literally bursts right through all the muck like it wasn’t even there. Maybe Joe sold his soul too, eh?

From the October 1952 issue of Strange Terrors #3

Drive-In Double Feature (TRAILERS)

The Velvet Vampire and Scream of the Demon Lover!

House of Death

For the reader who ordered one spurting impaling panel with their haunted house main course today, heavy on the atmosphere but with an extra side of tutti fruitti color scheme. Aaaaiiiiiii!

From the March 1953 issue of Beware Terror Tales #6

Fawcett Horror (ADS)

Here’s a small gallery of cool Fawcett horror comicbook ads, you gotta love how inspired some of the taglines are… “If the dead could be frightened back to life!” and “To pry loose the lid of musty coffins and unleash eerie and terrible beings beyond all imagination!” On a few occasions these comics actually delivered what they promised.

***Tokyo Pop Horror Winner***

Congratulations to Scott Standridge of Little Rock Arkansas, he’s the big winner of our Tokyo Pop Horror Giveaway.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. If you didn’t win don’t fret, I already have another contest / giveaway planned for early next month so come back often and keep trying!

I Have to Kill!

For those of you belly achin’ cuz’a the invisible kiddie tale today, here’s an Atlas classic that’s a little more up to our traditional snuff… uh, stuff.

From the hot July 1952 issue of Spellbound #5

Invisible Man: The Complete Series (DVD NEWS)

A secret laboratory experiment goes awry and turns Dr. Peter Brady into the Invisible Man! When unable to return to a visible state, Brady is enlisted as the ultimate British secret agent. In stores today! MPI HOME VIDEO’S Ultimate Collection includes all 26 remastered episodes from the classic 1958 series.

Click HERE for more info!

A-Haunting We Will Go

After last week's assault of severed shrunken heads, bodies sewn together, and flesh eating graveyard ghouls, how about a fun little story that you can actually read with your kids? Yes, call me a wimpy kook but here’s a harmless adventure about a kid with the one power in the world people of all ages wished they too could possess--- THE POWER OF INVISIBILITY! Oh the things I could do if no one could see me. (NOTE: This power is only equal to the other awesome powers of stopping time, or x-ray vision.)

Invisible Boy one-shot, from the March '53 issue of Approved Comics #2
Cover painting by Norm Saunders

The Strange Case of the Absent Floor

Mr. Door Tree had some really nice wash covers by Jerry Grandenetti on display over at his Golden Age Comic Book Stories blog last Monday, so to compliment those posts I have one of my favorite Grandenetti creations for you today too--- From the Secret Files of Dr. Drew! Presented here in his very first appearance, Dr. Drew became an ongoing staple in Fiction House’s Rangers Comics, starting with issue #47 in 1949, where he subsequently stalked the unknown all the way to issue #60 until 1951.

Originally presented in the June 1949 issue of Ranger Comics #47

Plasma Kreaps (TOYS)

More killer new monster toys for the kid still trapped and screaming inside of you. Mega Brands has a growing variety in their “Plasmaverse” toy line featuring dinosaurs, dragons, and robots… but their newest line called Plasma Kreaps is really freakin’ awesome with a vampire, werewolf, mummy, zombie, and gargoyle. My favorite though is the Harryhausen-esque skeletal, bat-winged Ghoul (pictured below!) The figures come in their own slimy plasma sack and sealed inside an old crate (just like Fluffy from Creepshow!) They’re fun to put together, fully posable and very articulate, and the limbs are even interchangeable with the other figures. I found them at K-Mart for $4.99 each. My kid would probably love ‘em if I ever gave him a chance to play with one.

Click HERE for more info!

Ghost of the Gorgon

My 4 year old son watched Clash of the Titans for the first time a few weeks ago and was unnaturally fascinated by the scene with the gorgon. So fascinated in fact was he that he’s been walking around simply saying the word “gorgon” over and over to the point where if I hear it again I’ll surely turn to stone. Which brings me to today’s beautifully illustrated post from John Bell... the flimsy story doesn't really go anywhere but damn it sure looks nice.

From Ghost Comics #10 (1954)
No GCD entry exists for this issue

Tokyo Pop Horror Giveaway (CONTEST)

I’m giving away extra copies of two illustrated horror books from Tokyo Pop… one is a bizarre manga comedy called Haunted House by Mitsukazu Mihara about a young man trying to live a normal life with his oddball family (they make the Addam’s Family seem like the Waltons), and also The Dark Goodbye Vol. 1 by Frank Marraffino and Drew Rausch, a noir-ish horror mystery, overflowing with tentacled Lovecraft inspiration.

All you have to do is simply email your name and address to karswell@hotmail.com and around midweek I will draw one lucky winner’s name and then announce it on my blog shortly after. Please mention "Tokyo Pop Horror Giveaway" in the email subject line.

Good luck!

Night Gallery (VIDEOS)

NBC.com has launched a Night Gallery website where every Wednesday morning a new classic episode is made available to watch FREE online. For those of you who love the show and all things Rod Serling, it's a neat site with tons of fun extras too. And hopefully other networks will take note and open their vaults to make available more wonderful old TV horror shows for everyone at no extra charge--- just the way I like it!

Click HERE for more info and start watching NOW!

One Must Die!

Axes of Evil coming at you on Double Post Saturday! Atlas of course was never one of the more gory pre-code publishers; but occasionally they unleashed a tale loaded with horrific implications that were far more gruesome than anything their competition relished in actually showing. For example, today’s first and cute little tale about a cute little couple caught up in a not so cute, not so little mess.

Originally presented in the Feb '53 issue of Adventures into Terror #16.

The Spice of Life!

Clearing out my hard drive the other day I discovered this creepy Al Eadeh classic that was submitted to me months ago by Clemmer Brigus! I totally forgot I had it, so here it is… thanks again Clemmer.

From the May 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #11

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Dwight Frye, versatile character actor and originator of several memorable characterizations in the horror film genre including his legendary roles as Renfield in Dracula, Karl in Bride of Frankenstein, and Fritz in Frankenstein, (amongst others), born this day in Salina KS, 1899.

Thanks to Horror Pariah for the last minute update!

Hitchcock Fest on TCM

Tomorrow on TCM, see 6 of Alfred Hitchcock’s most classic movie masterpieces in an all day tribute! Psycho (’60), The Birds (’63), and many more!

Check TCM for more info and showtimes in your area.

Pool of Eternity

The jungle isn't really my favorite horror setting, but add in some head shrinkers and blowgun dart torture and I’m there! This one has some neat twists and a truly horrific ending… plus, the always excellent art from Lou Cameron is just what the (witch)doctor ordered.

From the December 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #5

Ben Chapman R.I.P.

Ben Chapman, the man who played The Gill Man (out of the water) in The Creature from the Black Lagoon, has died. A truly great guy that I had the pleasure of meeting many many times, he will sincerely be missed.

For more info about Ben click HERE.


Thanks to my friend Patrick for the news.

Ghouls Feast at Midnight

I’ve mentioned before how I’m not really the biggest A.C. Hollingsworth fan, and though today’s tale is far from perfect, I do think he somewhat rises above his usual clumbsy perspectives and ill conceived panel compositions with this colorful, ghoulish tale of forbidden graveyard hunger. Bon appetite!

From the December 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #5

Terror of the Ancient Skeleton

So, yesterday’s Mysterious Adventures post was a big hit, and hopefully today’s story (from the same issue) proves just as weird and exciting to everyone. And boys boys boys… maybe today we won’t get so distracted by the mesmerizing attributes of Valerie Leon too, okay?

From the October 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #4

Zuda Comics (NEWS)

DC’s Zuda Comics is an online competition / submission / exhibition site for talented new comic book creators. Enter your own original comics, vote, rate, comment on them… the winners get their very own ongoing series. The HORROR category in particular currently contains some neat entries with tales about Frankenstein, zombies, swamp monsters, werewolves, serial killers and more! Hey, you’ve got to get started somewhere, this could be it! Or just join in the fun and read some decent new web comics.

Click HERE for more info!

If The Coffin Fits… Get In!

Today marks the start of a four day tribute to Mysterious Adventures (The Early Years.) While these certainly are not the best written or best illustrated pre code horror stories of the 50’s (or even from this series), they certainly are some of the most inspired. And all four on display here this week represent a good example of the most intriguing and occasionally most ludicrous ideas I could find. Our first story for example, with its creepy concept of tiny cursed coffins that ominously grow in size to fit their intended occupant, is one of my favorites.

From the October 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #4

German Expressionism Collection (DVD NEWS)

From KINO INTERNATIONAL comes this great DVD collection of four eerie German silent classics, packaged in a new beautiful thin-pak box; includes: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), Warning Shadows (1923), The Hands of Orlac (1924), and Secrets of a Soul (1926.)

Click HERE for more info!

The Waiting Grave

Ahhh, the waiting grave. Reminds me of an analogy, something about “we’ve all got one”, and “they all stink.” The grave I mean, not today’s post.

From the April 1952 issue of Witches Tales #9

Queasy Questions

Someone emailed me on Saturday with a few questions and I thought I’d post them here today for all of you pre-code experts out there to chime in. To be honest, Number One has me seriously drawing a blank… and of course there are multiple opinions for Number Two, seems like it would be more interesting to get an assortment of thoughts.

(Please note that this is NOT A CONTEST.) Here are the questions:

1.) Which comic had a picture of a Beefeater discovering "a bleedin' 'ead"?

2.) What are the goriest pre-code horror comic panels of all time?


(Panel from Greed's Grisly Treasure, from the January 1953 issue of Baffling Mysteries #13. Read the story HERE!)

Thanks to Mike H for the answer to question #1, Roly-Poly Comics #14 from 1945... gor-blimey!

Harvey Horror (ADS)

One of the better dual, full page / color, Harvey ads promoting two of their most popular, and "demon quivering" (?!) pre-code titles of the day.

The Bride of the Crab

Today's mad Moe Marcus tale was also originally on the Valentine theme schedule for last week but got bumped for whatever reason I came up with at the time. I guess maybe because there’s actually not much love in this story, unless of course you’re in love with a talking crab monster. I personally love closing panels with no dialog...

From the September 195 issue of Chamber of Chills #12

Special on Beet Soup

Yuck. With a horrific, flesh crawling title like “Special on Beet Soup” you know you’re in for something obscenely evil and nightmare inducing… yes, Mel Keefer knows what kids fear most.

From the August 1953 issue of Tales of Horror #6

Monsters Magnetic (FUN STUFF)

Speaking of kids, I bought my son a set of these magnets the other day and man he loves them! With mysterious haunted houses and alien planet backgrounds, and over 40 imaginative monster parts, you have everything you need to create scary, funny, and totally crazy monsters! Graced with groovy artwork from Justin Parpan (creator of Gwango’s Lonesome Trail), make your monster kid happy today!

Click HERE for more info!

More cool stuff--- The Mighty Dinosaurs Puzzle! Click HERE!

The Weirdest Suicide Pact…

Here’s a Jack Sparling story that was sort of left over from my week of tragic romance posts. If you think about this one afterwards the logic really falls apart, but it still might send a shiver up your spine none the less.

Also from the August 1953 issue of Tales of Horror #6

Ghoulishly Yours (NEWS)

Word has it that John Landis will direct "Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines," a biopic based on the life of the publisher of EC Comics and Mad Magazine. Landis will develop the project with Joel Eisenberg, who's also penning the screenplay. There’s still very little info as of yet about this but you can read the entire Variety article HERE.

Die, My Darling!

I suppose I could make some micro-penis analogies, or even reference a particular Misfits song here, but neither of those things would really do this bonkers yarn the justice it deserves.

From the March 1952 issue of Journey into Fear #6

Halfway to Hades

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Are you still in the mood for love? Well then you definitely came to the wrong place. In fact, today’s quaint little Valentine (from me to you) has absolutely no love interest plot or boy meets girl interaction whatsoever. So why post it today then you ask? Read on…

From Ghost Comics #10, 1954
Gallery link HERE
(NOTE: there is currently no GCD info available for this issue)

My Bloody Valentine (TRAILER)

I’m surely not the only horror blog posting the My Bloody Valentine movie trailer today, but to completely ignore it altogether would be a serious disservice to this great slasher classic from 1981.

United Forever

And a creepy one page bonus quickie from ACG… what do you think happened?

From the Jan 1954 issue of Forbidden Worlds #25

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Truly awesome actor Oliver Reed, star of such horror classics as Curse of the Werewolf, Paranoiac, The Shuttered Room, The Devils, Burnt Offerings, The Brood, and many many others, born this day in Wimbledon, London, England in 1937.

His Dead Wife

A story like this always makes me wonder what would happen to our world if everyone who was ever wrongly murdered actually could simply come back from the dead for vengence? Not with scientific help mind you, but just plain old unwritten laws of the supernatural. I guess Earth would probably get pretty messy...

From the May 1953 issue of Mystic #20

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X (NEWS)

They Sing! They Dance! They're Teenagers from Outer Space! Take a rebellious gang of juvenile delinquents from outer space, a mysterious femme fatale named Bliss, a shifty show promoter, a dead rock star, and a strange suit with magical powers, and what do you have? That’s right! It’s a new sci-fi comedy musical starring Will Keenan, Reggie Bannister, Kevin McCarthy, De Anna Joy Brooks, and Paul Williams! Currently in production, this tribute to 50’s b-movies looks like a ton of fun.

Visit the official site HERE for all the info, a lengthy trailer, and other related goodies.

Pest Control

We’re almost halfway through our Valentine’s Day Massacre Week and I sincerely hope you’re enjoying these romantic tales of love gone horribly awry. Speaking of, here’s a real charmer from Jack Sparling that could easily find a second home in EC’s CrimeSuspenstories series.

From the February 1954 issue of Black Cat Mystery #48

Psychotronica Cinema (DVD NEWS)

Didn’t get enough weird mermaid action in yesterday’s Monsters of the Deep post? Well today VCI Entertainment releases Volume 3 in their “Psychotronica” double feature series which includes The Mermaids of Tiburon ’62 (in both nude and non-nude versions), and Cry of the Bewitched (aka Yambaó) a rare Mexican/Cuban horror production from 1957. Lovers of obscure cinema should have a field day with this one.

Click HERE for more info!

Monsters of the Deep

This might be the weirdest "love story" you read here all week... it might even be the weirdest one you read in your entire life. Really nice art too, anyone know who's responsible?

From the April 1954 isssue of The Unseen #14

UPDATE: Kenneth Landgraf writes in: "The artist of this story is JOHN CELARDO. I drew comics for Marvel and he inked me a couple of times at DC comics. He drew Tarzan for awhile..."

You can check out more about Kenneth Landgraf at http://www.kenlandgraf.com/
Thanks for writing in Kenneth!










A page from this great story is also currently available for sale on ebay, click HERE!

Death Reaches Out

And here’s a two-page bonus tale of murderous love for you today as well… also from the April 1954 isssue of The Unseen #14

Happy Birthday (NEWS)

Legendary actor, wolfman, mummy, monster, and all-round loveable bad guy and villain, Lon Chaney Jr., born this day in Oklahoma City OK, 1906.

The Subway Horror!

Today, (in observance of goddamn Valentine’s Day this Thursday), we kick off a week long theme of vile love stories as only The Horrors of it All can bring ‘em to you, sweetly packed with hugs and kisses and vicious murders and sea monsters and whatever else I can dig up. So here we go with our first wonderful tale...

From the 1947 & 1951 issues of Eerie #1
And also reprinted in the April – May 1953 issue of Eerie #15

John Alvin (R.I.P.)

Renowned movie poster artist, John Alvin, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 6th, he was 59. A short list of his amazing and memorable poster art and conceptual illustrative work includes: Aliens, Blade Runner, E.T., Gremlins, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Young Frankenstein, and many more…

For a complete list and other details concerning John Alvin please click HERE.

Vampire

Swooping in for the kill today we have two macabre vampire classics from the Atlas vault, and both come from the excellent Marvel Tales series, our first yarn originating in the 100th issue, April 1951.

Terror Tale

And here’s a monstrous Stan Lee / Russ Heath quickie classic… say, am I crazy or has the Atlas Tales info page for this particular issue somehow forgotten to fully list this story?

From the April 1953 issue of Marvel Tales #113

The Zombie Eyes

Time to wind up our look at zombies this week with one final tale of the evil undead, and it’s a real weirdie by ACG artist favorite Lin Streeter.

From the Nov 1951 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #25

The Last Supper

“…for whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh & blood unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul.”

Deaderonomy 6:66

City Of The Living Dead (TRAILER)

Fulci's legendary zombie splatter film, City Of The Living Dead (AKA Gates Of Hell)

The Walking Cadaver

Yesterday we had the walking dead, today it’s the walking cadaver. Not RUNNING mind you, WALKING. I seem to remember back in the old days zombies used to walk, or just sort of stumble around... but nowadays it seems they can run, leap, boo-ga-loo, and sprint like they’re headed for the Olympics. Next they’ll be running for president. Ummm, wait a sec…

From the May 1953 issue of Beware Terror Tales #7

Zombie Outbreak Survival Kit

To combat the growing zombie threat, Zombie Emergency Response Operations (Z.E.R.O.) has assembled this Zombie Outbreak Survival Kit especially for you -- use it to keep your community safe!

Each kit includes:

• approx. 20 ft. of "ZOMBIE OUTBREAK" barrier tape

• 4 warning/hazard signs

• 8 warning/hazard stickers

• 16 trading cards

• 2 toe tags

• instructional poster

• sterile "bite kit"

• glow sticker and lapel button

• BONUS: Target practice CD-ROM w/game and wallpapers!

Click HERE to order yours now… better safe than sorry!

The Walking Dead

Last month we saw Rex Lane tackle a ghostly spirit at an ominous midnight séance (HERE.) But this time around everyone's favorite "solver of the supernatural" faces a trio of vicious zombies in the dead of winter! Yes, it's another spooky entry in this short lived Atlas series from ultra talented George Tuska.

From the August 1953 issue of Young Men #22

(Thanks again to Pmack for the scans!)

Dead Man’s Chest

Nope, it’s not a pirate story. It’s a twisted terror tale from Master Comic’s wildly disturbing Dark Mysteries series, and this one concerns a looney guy with a real problem to get off his chest…

From the September 1952 issue of Dark Mysteries #8

The Mask of Satan (STILLS)

Click HERE for 50+ film stills from the Mario Bava / Barbara Steele horror classic The Mask of Satan (also known as Black Sunday), courtesy of the Nostalgia Party No. 2 site. And then enjoy tons of other great screen captures from every possible film genre and era as well, including horror, foreign, anime, etc... awesome site!

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

George A. Romero, he needs no further introduction, born this day in New York, NY, 1940.

Illustration by Cameron Bennett

The Cursed Casket

Here’s a hot Bob Forgione horror classic to warm up your frigid winter. And don’t you just love stories about careless scientists that almost destroy all of mankind by unleashing an evil ancient fire spirit?

From the October 1953 issue of Forbidden Worlds #22

Robot Monster (TRAILER)

Ready—Action—Camera!

Or is this one called The Men From Mars? Well whatever its called, it’s time for terror from out of this world from the fourth and final story in our 3-day presentation of the August 1953 issue of This Magazine is Haunted #12 in it's entirety. Hope you enjoyed it.

The Wall of Flesh

Got a pulsating Bob Powell classic for you today featuring one of his more grotesque golden age creations. So dust off those barf bags or run screaming for the hills, it’s--- The Wall of Flesh! AIEEEEE!

From the August 1953 issue of This Magazine is Haunted #12

This Magazine is Haunted (AD)

The Store at the Cemetery

Continuing with our look at the August 1953 issue of This Magazine is Haunted #12 , here's a really unusual story with a strange twist and odd atmosphere all it's own.

Horror Contest Winner!

We have a winner! Anthony Turcic of Schenectady NY, a true horror movie master of the highest caliber actually answered 4 out of 6 (no one got #1 or #4), and thus wins the Tales of Horror #12 prize. He's actually the only person who got more than one answer correct too. Wow! I will try to have another contest soon and promise that it won’t be so freakin’ hard next time. Thanks again to everyone who entered, and once again congratulations to our big winner!



And for those of you wondering what movies these scenes were from, here are the answers… check the IMDb links for more info:

1. Murder Mansion (’72) http://imdb.com/title/tt0067396/

2. The Devil Master (’77) http://imdb.com/title/tt0074389/ aka The Demon Lover

3. Three on a Meathook (’72) http://imdb.com/title/tt0069375/

4. Resurrection of Zacherly Wheeler (’71) http://imdb.com/title/tt0067669/

5. Spectre (’77) http://imdb.com/title/tt0076745/

6. Terror (’78) http://imdb.com/title/tt0141897/

The Door

Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve posted an ENTIRE pre-code horror issue, so to kick off the month of February I’m doing just that for the next 3 days. The reality, as some of you know, is that it’s a rare thing indeed to find a single issue containing ALL post-worthy stories from front cover to back. But the August 1953 issue of This Magazine is Haunted #12 nicely fits the bill with a decent mix of weird horror and sci-fi, and some good art and writing too. So sit back and enjoy, our fest begins now… just… beyond… the… door…

Horror From the Stars (NEWS)

Tomb-morrow, February 2nd, TCM is having an all day marathon of great sci-fi/horror classics: Forbidden Planet, Them!, The Time Machine, War of the Worlds and more!

Check TCM for show times in your area!