Happy Walpurgis Night!

Tonight is Walpurgis Night (aka Witches’ Night), and as midnight ominously approaches, the lines between the living and dead get thinner and thinner… until finally evil is unleashed and the forces of darkness are free to roam among us!

It’s gonna be awesome… arrive early, stay late. I’ll bring the Chex Mix and Diet Mountain Dew.

Monster of the Mist

Here is more great art from legendary Jack Cole, this time about a giant bloodthirsty creature on the loose! It’s a wild story to end the month of April with--- enjoy!

From the May 1953 issue of Web of Evil #4

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Coming Next in May! A Full Week of Bill Everett!

Santo y Blue Demon Contra Los Monstruos

Santo y Blue Demon Contra Los Monstruos finally arrived to DVD yesterday, (with Santo y Blue Demon en La Atlantida as a double feature.) If you’ve never seen a Santo film this may or may not be the best one to start with depending how campy you like your camp… but simply put, if you love luchadores fighting monsters as much as we do then Los Monstruos’s got it all:

Frankenstein’s Monster!
Vampires (male and female!)
The Wolfman!
The Mummy!
The Cyclops!
The Hunchback!
Clones!
Zombies!

This release is typically in SPANISH ONLY but seriously, who needs translation from a Santo film anyway? Click HERE for more info! And see the trailer HERE!

The Flayed Hand

The great submissions just keep coming! Today’s post is from the July 1944 issue of Classics Illustrated #21 titled “3 Famous Mysteries” and contains a spine chilling re-telling of Guy De Maupassant’s excellent The Flayed Hand, featuring wonderfully weird art by Allen Simon. Other stories in this issue are the Sherlock Holmes adventure The Sign of 4, and Poe's "tale of ratiocination" The Murders in the Rue Morgue. (FYI: I'll be posting Rue Morgue early next month.)

Thanks to Todd Hunter for the scans!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame ('23)

Set your timers because Victor Hugo’s classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame (’23) starring Lon Chaney is on TCM tomorrow morning bright and early.

For more info and times in your area check the TCM website by clicking HERE!

Carolyn Jones

Happy Birthday Carolyn Jones, probably most famous in her timeless role as Morticia Frump Addams, but also many memorable performances in such classics as House of Wax (’53), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (’56), Color Me Dead (’69), Eaten Alive (’77), and more. Plus countless great TV roles in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ghost Story, Kochak the Night Stalker, etc… and least we forget her as Marsha, Queen of Diamonds on Batman!

Born this day in Amarillo TX, in 1930. R.I.P.

Like a Chicken Without a Head

Originally presented in the June 1953 issue of Uncanny Tales #9 (but scanned from my December 1973 issue of Uncanny Tales #1) comes this great mad doctor tale that, according to the Atlas site, is the second of two stories by Reed Crandall for Timely in 1953 before he joined EC. It’s interesting to compare his style here with the Ken Shannon story I posted last Thursday.

Horror of Mixed Torsos!

This was actually the story I was going to give you yesterday, that is, before the wife and I decided to take the kid to the Ozarks for the weekend. I suppose in light of the situation I should have an evil hillbilly tale for you here instead, but Brian Hirsch has again submitted one of the absolute most demented Dark Mysteries entries ever. Everybody show Brian some lovin’ for these scans! (And I don't mean "hillbilly lovin'!")

From Dark Mysteries #13

Murderer’s Row

It’s the final Saturday in April that means the last of the great Brian Hirsch submissions from The Thing! Anyone know the artist here? Also, as mentioned in yesterday’s comments there will be no new posts this Sunday, but there will be two story posts on Monday to make up for the loss of creepiness, (another story from Brian and the other from lil ‘ol me.) But for now, punch your ticket and enter the weirdest wax museum of them all…

From the Oct / Nov 1952 issue of The Thing #5

Marvel Mummies

Nope, it’s not the return of The Living Mummy from the marvelous 70’s; it’s Marvel Adventures Hulk #13 (in stores this July 9th.) Synopsis: Hulk returns to NYC to find all the superheroes have been transformed into mummies. I’m assuming this is some kind of spoof on the whole current “Marvel Zombies” rage, (which to be quite honest is seriously losing steam what with the incredibly underwhelming last mini-series.) I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised if there are Marvel Werewolves lurking somewhere in the future too.

Click HERE for more info.

R.I.P.

The Horrors of Crime Week continues, and here’s Rex Lane again in his third and final THOIA appearance. Today’s story though is actually his very first appearance in Atlas Comics’ Young Men series, (I sort of posted them in reverse order--ooops.) But whatever, for anyone who’s a character completist you now have them all... you can re-read the other two spook-tacular “Solver of the Supernatural” adventures HERE, and HERE.

From the June 1953 issue of Young Men #21

Mucho thanks to Dave for the great looking scans!

The Corpse Grinders (TRAILER)

WARNING! DO NOT watch this if you’ve just eaten a hamburger!

Come Claim My Corpse

We’ve got corpses set to overload (and extra crispy) this week! Here’s a nifty little 2-page quickie bonus with a super hot ending.

From the November 1952 issue of Black Magic Vol. 2 #12

Corpse That Wouldn’t Sleep

As promised, here’s another creepy chapter in the tough guy annals of my all-time favorite pre-code crime-busting private eye---Ken Shannon! Last month we saw him tackle the Weird Vampire Mob (read it HERE), but this time can he stop a creepy corpse on the prowl before his best girl Friday totally loses her marbles?

From the February 1952 issue of Ken Shannon #3

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And because I’m such a tease, here’s a few of my favorite Ken Shannon splash panels from some of his other various violent escapades. Someday soon I’ll post another one of these in its entirety, because with titles like Mansion of the Mangled Men, or Case of the Butchered Butcher, you know you’re in for 100% pure Ken Shannon ass kickings!

Hand of the Devil

BONUS STORY! Angles O’Day was a screwball dick-for-hire filler character also found in the pages of Ken Shannon. Probably written, and definitely illustrated by the late great Jack Cole, this is, as far as I can tell, the only supernatural-ish adventure that O’Day and his beady-eyed sidekick Shagmore ever encountered as most of the time they took on the usual gangster goon or double crossing client. Fun stuff with tremendous artwork and great writing. More comics should have “filler” like this.

From the February 1953 issue of Ken Shannon #9

I Must Kill!

Today’s insane post comes from the pages of Harvey Comic’s 1940’s Green Hornet series. It’s a truly jaw dropping Bob Fujitani back-up tale featuring a cornball crime fighter (calling himself “The Zebra”), whose typical superhero stylings completely take a backseat to the bone chilling psychotic villain in this piece. This is seriously one of the most disturbing, cold-hearted killers in all of comic book history, so hold onto your hats while reading this one folks--- seriously! It's all so lurid and grimy I didn't even bother to pretty up Brian's scans...

From the September 1945 issue of Green Hornet #26

Want more Zebra action? Try heading over to Pappy’s blog by clicking HERE, (yes, he’s got a Zebra story planned for later today too!) And many thanks again to Brian Hirsch for the scans.

Simone Simon

Happy Birthday Simone Simon, gorgeous star of Val Lewton’s mesmerizing classic shock double header The Cat People (’42), and Curse of the Cat People (’44), The Devil and Daniel Webster, and more… born this day in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France in 1910.

British Horror Quadruple Feature

New from Media Blasters, four chilling 70’s British classics from cult director Pete Walker in one killer quadruple collection! You get Frightmare (’74), House of Whipcord (’74), The Flesh and Blood Show (’72), and Die Screaming Marianne (’71)! RECCOMENDED!

Click HERE for more info!

The Lady Killer Returns

Today’s Lou Cameron classic marks the start of a crime / horror theme I have planned until Friday. We’ll also see the return of Ken Shannon vs. the undead, as well as the third and last Rex Lane “Solver of the Supernatural” story. Plus an exceptionally odd submission that you’d never expect from this blog, but one that fits right in with our other horrifically hardboiled blood curdlers.

From the January 1952 issue of Fight Against Crime #5

Living Dead

Tales about dirty drug pushers and frazzled dope fiends was another grim, exploitable subject for pre-code comics. Today’s post in particular is clever for the time, and quite obvious in its “horrors of drugs” anti-abuse message. But as time has shown it’s unlikely that comic-haters of the era like Wertham would have even taken this kind of illustrated message from a horror mag seriously.

From the February 1954 issue of Mister Mystery #15

Frazetta on Dope

Just Say “No” to Drugs ad (50’s style), featuring art by Frank Frazetta.

From the January 1952 issue of Fight Against Crime #5

Dolls of Doom

Today’s ACG post is a bit reminiscent of the great M. R. James short story classic Casting the Runes, only this time it’s not a parchment curse gone to blazes, but instead a voodoo doll that uniquely unleashes the demonic force of death and destruction. For obvious reasons this tale gets Karswell’s highest “Seal of Approval”, and to those of you who don’t know why, your time allowed is 2 weeks…

From the Jan 1952 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #27

Read Casting the Runes, as well as other M. R. James horror classics online by clicking HERE!

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

For those of you who enjoy stage play productions of classic horror fiction, Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is currently making the theatre rounds, having premiered last January in Tucson AZ. Its part of Hatcher’s excellently produced “Victorian Monsters” trilogy which included spins on Dracula, as well as Sherlock Holmes. And while Dr. Jekyll doesn’t arrive in my hometown of St Louis MO for another whole year (argh!) I still thought I would kindly relay this news in case it comes to your city sooner… or later. And if you see it please let me know what you think!

For a review click HERE. And for those of you in St. Louis check out The Repertory page HERE for more information.

Beyond the Past!

As mentioned in yesterday’s comment section, Brian Hirsch submitted two more stories from Charlton’s great The Thing series, so I thought that for the remaining two Saturdays in April I would designate those days as “Thing Days.” And today’s efficient invocation of evil, though a bit short, still delivers a weird wallop of dreaded Necronomicon horror, (as well as a couple nice leggy lingerie panels!)

From Nov/Dec 1953 issue of The Thing #11

Thanks again to Brian Hirsch for the scans.

Necronomicon

Speak of the Devil! A brand new 884 page, profusely illustrated, leather-bound, hardcover commemorative edition of H. P. Lovecraft's best tales of terror is now available! 36 stories in all, including the complete Cthulhu Mythos cycle the way they were originally published.

Click HERE for more info.

Doom in the Tomb

I've decided to declare today as National Mummy Day! And what better way to celebrate than by violently practicing your very own ancient embalming techniques on someone you don’t love. Need a quick refresher? Maybe this gruesome Joe Maneely tale can help…

From the August 1953 issue of Mystic #22

Mummy Madness (Trailers)

And here’s a whole gaggle of classic mummy trailers for you to make National Mummy Day even more enjoyable, and to help us “wrap up” this never-ending work week--- TGIF already!

Hazel Court (R.I.P.)

More sad news in 2008 as today we learned legendary scream queen actress, Hazel Court, passed away in her home of a heart attack at age 82. Star of many of my all-time favorite horror films like The Raven, The Premature Burial, The Masque of the Red Death, The Curse of Frankenstein, Doctor Blood's Coffin, Devil Girl from Mars, as well as countless great appearances in spooky TV shows like Twilight Zone, Invisible Man, Thriller, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and more. R.I.P.

Read more HERE.

Man-Eater!

I’m not sure but I think this is the first time I’ve posted a shark story. There was of course the one about the barracudas but I’ll have to further check the archives. And of course this Al Eadeh classic is not just about a killer fish either, as you will see…

From the August 1953 issue of Mystic #22

Hanged by the Neck

We started the week off with stories from the great Black Magic series, and now we switch to a tale of staged magic… and yes folks, this one guarantees to leave you hanging!

UPDATE: Kenneth Landgraf writes in: "Steve -Hanged by the NECK is penciled by Reed Crandall- he didn't ink it ... it may be the guy who inked him on some of the Buster Brown comic books he drew. best, KEN"

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

Creepshow Merchandise

Take a look at the cool Creepshow items available over at The House of Mysterious Secrets! Show your creepy pride by wearing THOIA’s favorite pre-code inspired horror film anthology as a shirt! Or buy the amazing soundtrack!

The Faces of Death

Here’s one more spooky tale from Black Magic, this time by Bill Draut, and then tomorrow it’s back to the horror mix with neck breaking hangings, murdering mummies, killer sharks, and maybe a tale from the ‘ol Necronomicon itself! It’s gonna be a wild week of whacked out weirdness so stick around!

From the April 1953 issue of Black Magic #23

Johnny Sokko & His Flying Robot

Spotted this bit of cool info over at the great Omni-Monster blog--- FREE episodes of Johnny Sokko are now available online at HULU.com!

Detour: Lorelei on Highway 52

The request posts are over for the time being, but we’re sticking with Black Magic for a few more days. I particularly like this story as it’s yet another variation on the roadside ghost girl theme I love so much. Practically every little town in America has their own take on this legend / myth, and if anyone would like to share one from their own creepy part of the country I’d love to hear about it.

From the November 1952 issue of Black Magic Vol. 2 #12

The Ghost Girl

Bonus 2-page, Poe-esque quickie from the August 1954 issue of Out of the Shadows #14.

Nasty Little Man!

Here’s one for the guy who wanted to see some “spooky vintage Jack Kirby.” And if you’re like me and think leprechauns aren’t in the least bit spooky then this would be the story to change your opinion as there are a couple panels here in particular that will literally make your skin crawl. I just love when I find a story like this, less than a month after St Patrick’s Day when it would have instead been the perfect post! Drat!

From the November 1952 issue of Black Magic Vol. 2 #12

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Plus! Congrats to Tim Beard of Stevenson Ranch, CA! He's the big winner of our Horror Give-Away #2 this time around. Thanks again to everyone who entered. I've got more contests lined up for next month so keep trying, and remember--- stay creepy!

Hansel and Gretel

Since I’m much too poor to actually own any copies of Charlton’s infamous The Thing series, my pal Brian Hirsch has kindly submitted a great story to fill a request. Someone calling himself “Killer Matt” (I guess that’s his real name) asked to see "something wild” from The Thing. So here you go, killa, THOIA makes wishes come true… even for killers.

From the December 1953 issue of The Thing #11

Thanks again to Brian for the scans!

Richard Matheson Companion

If you’re as obsessed as I am with the writings of this uniquely prolific, multitalented storyteller, then this could very well be the book of the year so far. Click HERE to find out more about this stunning limited edition hardcover collection chock full of Richard Matheson greatness!

The Thing in the Mirror

FYI: The next couple of days will be about filling requests, and thanks to everyone emailing me at karswell@hotmail.com; you guys definitely keep me on my toes with your ideas and generous pay pal dollar donations. Today I have a real rarity from the 1952 one-shot issue of Phantom Witch Doctor #1 (for Andre.) The story is okay I guess, sort of a low rent rip-off of Le Fanu’s Green Tea, but it features some great artwork from Everett Raymond Kinstler.

Horror Give-Away #2 (CONTEST)

It's spring cleaning time around Karswell’s Krypt, and also time for another horror book give-away! To enter simply email your name and address to karswell@hotmail.com. Up for grabs are two fun and eerie graphic novels: I Luv Halloween Vol. 1 by Benjamin Roman and Keith Giffen: Join the misadventures of a group of disturbingly violent trick or treaters as they go about their macabre business on Halloween night. Plus! Houdini: The Man From Beyond by Philips, Haberlin and Monsanto: Houdini escapes from the realm of the dead to prevent the grisly murder of his wife! Can even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle help him? And how does Aleister Crowley fit into all of this?

So enter now! I’ll draw one lucky name on Sunday, April 12th--- make sure to put "Horror Give-Away #2" in the subject. Good luck!

The Beast Within

Some bullies will never understand that a man can only be pushed so far until he finally snaps and then exacts bloody revenge as--- a fuzzy wuzzy teddy bear! Totally true. And if you don’t believe it then please read on, oh disbelievers…

From the November 1953 issue of The Unseen #12

Wolff & Byrd Defend Toxie (NEWS)

In current horror comic news, the great Batton Lash has written in with details that the June issue of Supernatural Law #45 will actually be a crossover with Troma Films biggest star--- The Toxic Avenger! For more info on this and all things Lash-tastic, click HERE!

You can also find out more by visiting Toxie’s own webpage HERE!

Werewolf Valley

We’re stayin’ hairy and scary around here at THOIA for a few more days, though today we switch gears from primates to lupus! And with grate art from Art Gates (get it?) and an unusually high body count for an ACG story, this is definitely one of their better, more action packed werewolf entries. Lord knows they had enough of them!

From the April 1952 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #30

More Werewolves!

BCI / Deimos have announced that the next releases in their Spanish Horrors Collection will be two Paul Naschy classics: Curse of the Devil and Werewolf Shadow (aka Werewolf vs. the Vampire Women.)

Available June 10th for $14.99 each, more info on the bonus features HERE at Fangoria.

The Monkey Glands

We’re still monkeyin’ around here for another day with our ancestors, so grab a couple bananas, hop into your tire swing, and check out this ridiculous mad scientist classic.

From the August 1953 issue of Strange Tales #21

The Ape Man (TRAILER)

Hair Curling! Pulse Jolting!

King Kong 75th Anniversary

Today, one of the greatest films of all time celebrates it’s 75th anniversay--- KING KONG! The much beloved classic went into general release in the US on this date in 1933.

Watch it tonight on TCM... click HERE for more info and show times in your area.

Gorilla Man

To further celebrate Kong’s birthday today we have a strange pre-code man verses gorilla horror adventure from Robert Q. Sale. It’s not a giant ape or anything but the story itself is hugely important in the Atlas / Marvel U as it’s the first official appearance of Ken Hale (aka The Gorilla Man), who would later re-appear in the post code superhero realm and rub hairy elbows with The X-Men, Avengers, the Howling Commandos Unit, and The Agents of Atlas.

From the March 1954 issue of Men’s Adventures #26

For more info about The Gorilla Man and his other incarnations click HERE.

Midnight in the Morgue

Dick Ayers Weekend continues with another super spooky, corpse clogged chiller. This story is a good example of how curiosity is not the only thing that can kill the cat… so can the imagination.

From the March 1954 issue of Men’s Adventures #26

I Crawl Through Graves

Yesterday we prowled by night and buried the living, today we crawl through graves with a creepy Dick Ayers classic!

From the April 1952 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #5

Monster Lore!

The Achilles heel of Hell spawn exposed! Don’t let monsters get you down--- fight back! From the April 1952 issue of Black Cat Mystery #34, helpful “insider” facts for those of you out hunting monsters this weekend.

This Public Service Announcement brought to you by your friends at The Horrors of it All.

I Bury the Living (TRAILER)

Out of a time rotted tomb crawls an unspeakable horror...

Anthony Perkins (NEWS)

To everyone's favorite, and most memorably creepy, loveable mama's boy Psycho, legendary character actor of film and TV--- Happy Birthday Anthony Perkins! Born this day in 1934 in NY, NY.

The Corpse Who Prowled by Night

Today’s the big wrap-up to Web of Evil #15. And before you throw up your hands and shout “Scooby-Doo ending!” you’ll find there’s one additional, clever little twist in this before the horrific conclusion nails the coffin lid down tight with a lasting shivery note. I hope everyone enjoyed seeing this issue in it’s entirety, and remember you can see more complete issues the first week of every month right here at The Horrors of it All! It’s my new thing...

From the June 1954 issue of Web of Evil #15

House of Secrets Vol. 1 (NEWS)

Just announced from DC Comics comes Showcase Presents: House of Secrets Vol. 1! More than 500 pages of supernatural Silver Age horror and mystery tales from issues #81-98 (1969-1972.) This black and white soft cover reprint collection goes on sale July 30 and retails for $16.99, includes art by countless legends of the field: Tuska, Wood, Toth, Baily, Maneely, Sparling, Kaluta, Esposito, Draut, Heck, Adams, Aparo, and more! If that’s not enough this volume also includes the first appearance of Bernie Wrightson’s Swamp Thing! For more info click HERE.

The Demon Coat

The idea of a demon coat sounds about as scary as a pair of demon mittens, but what is actually very scary in this story is the mummy! Will ya look at that thing!! With its grotesque skull face and ancient bandages blowing around madly from some unseen demonic wind, that has to be one of the best illustrated mummies in all of comicdom. Now who the hell is responsible for the big blue diaper on the red demon though? Demon diaper!!!

From the June 1954 issue of Web of Evil #15

13 Ghosts vs. The Tingler

Tomorrow night, Friday April 4th, TCM has a William Castle double feature lined up featuring two of his all-time fright favorites--- 13 Ghosts and The Tingler! Then stick around as a headless ghost terrorizes a small Cornish village in The Mysterious Doctor (’43.)

Click HERE for more info and show times in your area.

And speaking of tinglers, now you too can possess your very own! Inspired by the legendary creature from William Castle's "The Tingler", this life-size replica comes pre-painted, fully assembled and ready to tingle! (NOTE: Tingler does not actually tingle, but for $50 it should!)

Click HERE for more info and to order yours now!

Vampira (NEWS)

The new April 2008 issue of Rue Morgue #77 has a gorgeous cover as well as what they’re calling “The Last Interview” with Maila “Vampira” Nurmi. I haven’t picked it up yet but plan to immediately. Rue Morgue is definitely one of the best horror culture and entertainment magazines on stands these days so check it out.

Click HERE for more info.

Red As a Lobster / Jim Mooney (R.I.P.)

I have a bonus story for you today, paying tribute to the late great Jim Mooney who sadly passed away last weekend at the age of 89. Mooney is best known for his legendary work at Marvel and DC on major superhero titles, but he also delivered a handful of really great pre-code Atlas horror stories as well for titles like Strange Tales, Astonishing, Journey into Mystery and more. R.I.P.

From the March 1953 issue of Adventures into Terror #17

Thanks to Patrick Owsley for bringing this news to my attention.

The Haunted Forest

Ahhh, the glamorous lives of The Debunkers of the Supernatural. Anytime you get a fellow (or two) in a pre-code story with the grand idea of “exposing some truth” you just know it’s going to turn out bad for them. We’re halfway through our look at the June 1954 issue of Web of Evil #15, two down and two to go!

Lon Chaney (NEWS)

A big Happy Birthday salute to Lon Chaney, The Man of a Thousand Faces! Legendary silent screen performer, Quasimodo, Phantom of the Opera, Professor Edward C. Burke of “lost” London After Midnight fame and more, born this day in Colorado Springs CO, 1883.

Watch Phantom of the Opera now by clicking HERE!

Web of Evil

Well, it’s not Cheesaurus Rex. But to anyone who is disappointed to find instead the start of Web of Evil #15 here in it’s entirety this week (4 stories / 4 days) I say “boo hoo.” Or just “boo!” Or April Fool’s Day, or whatever. And as you will see, this is a very good issue; all the stories are spooky and weird and have really great art. Someone at Quality Comics must have really liked the ghost skeleton on the cover too because the damned thing made an almost identical appearance two years earlier on the November 1952 cover of Plastic Man #38. Apparently, “quality” also means resurrecting your own cover creeps!

UPDATE! Found yet another QUALITY cover (Web of Evil #8) with the obvious same ghost skeleton recycled again, this time wearing a hooded cloak though like we wouldn't notice...

The Dreaded Crypts of Horror

April officially kicks off with the first eerie story from Web of Evil #15, about an evil man with a very evil collection. If you’re a fan of Fritz Lang’s awesome film Secret Beyond the Door (’48), then you’ll immediately know where this idea probably sprang from.

From the June 1954 issue of Web of Evil #15