Haunt from the Sea (CONTEST)

It's the last day of September and ::drum roll:: it’s contest time again! And here we have a strange sort of “love story” from the May 1952 issue of Journey into Fear #7. And as you shall see, this one ultimately ends on a weird, perverse bit o’shivery implication... hence the subject for our THOIA contest today (please read the details after the story.)

But first, dive into the sea, and fall in love with the---

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CONTEST TIME!

Did you read today’s story? When you got to the excruciatingly vague narrative in the final panel, did your brain snap? So howz'about you do us all a favor and finish this mother out. In a nutshell, explain to everyone what it is that is “too intricate for mere man to comprehend.” Unless of course you are just a mere man or woman with no comprehension of what could have possibly happened next. And yes dearest contestants, that is my challenge to you.

You have until Friday, October 3rd MIDNIGHT to give us your best answer, it can be posted here on THOIA in the comments section, but please include your name---this is very important! Or be super secretive and email your stunning finale directly to me at karswell@hotmail.com So make it good, make it shocking, make it disturbing, or maybe make it sexy. Whatever you do though please make it interesting because people ::more drum roll:: Dr. Phibes will be judging! And, simply put, he is the most harsh and unruly of all THOIA Judges.

He even has a few words for you now, so listen up, yo:

To all my friends at THOIA:

Karswell has asked me to pass judgment on today's contest. (He also gave me a strange piece of parchment, but I'm not sure what that is about.) Anyway, I'm looking for creativity. Remember, I once killed a man with a unicorn head and a catapult. I want to hear the craziest logic, the most far fetched scenarios. Lay it on thick and heavy, like the makeup I wear to hide my hideous skull face. I look forward to your responses, which I'll have Vulnavia read to me while dancing to my Clockwork Wizards band.

Good Luck.

---Dr. Phibes

PRIZE: The lucky 1st place winner gets a THOIA tee shirt and some extra surprise bonus stuff... and one runner-up will get their bloody paws on something spooky cool too. If you’ve already won a THOIA shirt in the past I’ll give you something else, probably from my DVD or longbox collection. Winners will be announced on Saturday morning, October 4th.

Good luck to all! Now, play dirty…

Port of Terror!

Okay, after yesterday’s somewhat lighthearted spooky cop tale it’s only fair to come back swingin’ with a big 10-page creeper starring one very decapitated fella on a vicious voyage of blood thirsty vengeance. Hang onto your hat-- and whatever you got inside it!

From Fawcett’s 1952 issue of Strange Suspense Stories #3

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Strange Suspense Stories #3 (cover)

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TOMORROW: Bolt your thinking caps back onto your bloody severed neck stumps cuz it’s time for another THOIA CONTEST!!!

The Secret of the Moaning Ghosts

Sergeant Spook originated in the June 1940 issue of Blue Bolt Comics #1, and thus appeared in most issues throughout the entire legendary comic book series run for nearly 10 years. A simple premise: As a policeman killed in action, Sergeant Spook returns from the dead in supernatural form to fight crime. He’s a fun character, kind of like a Copper Topper (hee hee, I made a funnee) and today’s cool juvenile weirdie comes from the Daring Adventures #9 reprint from 1963.

For more Sgt. Spook info click HERE.










Plus, take a look at the two spooky tales Pappy's got cookin' today from Ghost Comics #3, click HERE!

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And for more kool kiddy horror fun this weekend be sure to check out Magic Carpet Burn’s recent posting of Melvin the Monster #10 (aka #1) in it’s entirety starting right HERE.

The Nightmare Monster!

Time for more rousing action and adventure, ripped from the dark 'n spooky annals of Crime Bustin’ Horror Mystery Comics, and who’s the current favorite around THOIA? Why, it’s none other than Lance Storm of course, appearing here for his third fist flyin’ time (also HERE and HERE) …but in today’s yarn he may have just met his match! Eh, probably not. Storm always takes a lickin’, but he sure keeps on tickin’.

From the July 1952 issue of Crime Mysteries #2

Thanks again to Brian Hirsch for the scans! Lance Storm returns next month just in time for Halloween, in: Seance of Horror!

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Vintage Acne Ads

And speaking of licking, meet the man who can tell YOU how to lick pimples! Ewww! Man, even back in the day, comic book publishers were spot-on about the naturally poor hygiene of their socially doomed, cursed clientele.

Witch Woman

From the October 1952 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #13 stalks the final tale in our week-long look at Atlas Comics super fine Journey series, featuring gorgeous art, possibly by the great Carmine Infantino (anyone know for sure?) I challenge you to look at the splash panel and then try not to read this entire tale immediately.

And Happy Friday everyone, I hope you all had a great week… news on this weekend’s posts follows the story.

And whatever you do, don’t miss our Horror Crime Busters weekend starting tomorrow when Lance Storm returns for a no holds barred, knock-down-drag-out against --- The Nightmare Monster! And on Sunday Sergeant Spook finally materializes on the THOIA scene to kick the shit out of some ghosts in the old haunted orphan asylum. Fun stuff for the kooky kiddies currently trapped inside of all of you. See ya!

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Burn, Witch Burn!

It’s that time of year again, when I let out a howl to MGM to get off their asses and finally release Fritz Leiber’s incredible Burn, Witch Burn! (’62) to DVD. Christ, they put it out on vhs in 2000 as part of the “Midnite Movies” line; why not take the next logical step? I’ve been whining for this for years, signed online petitions etc… one of the greatest witchcraft films of all time, also known as Night of the Eagle (and in book form Conjure Wife) this one totally needs a proper DVD release pronto! Show of hands-- who’s with me?

Two Frightened People

A classic John Romita shocker from the Sept ‘53 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #22. All apologies on the late post... my brain just wasn't where it was supposed to be today.

It Floats in Space / Unharmed

Midweek slump got you down? How about a double shot of more Atlas sci-fi horrors from the April ‘54 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #26 then?

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Don’t Kill Me Twice!

Day Two of our Journey into Unknown Worlds Week, featuring a very different kind of horror / sci-fi tale… it’s a wild one for sure, with some interesting twists and super fabulous artwork. Enjoy!

From the Feb ’52 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #9

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A few pre-code reprint collection updates: AC Comics Crypt of Horror #5 should be available in the next week or so (I didn’t see it listed on this week’s Diamond Shipping list though) features around two dozen Golden Age stories reprinted in black and white.

And Olympian Publishing has updated their release date for Chamber of Mystery: Voodoo from "Spring 2008" to "Fall / Winter 2008" while also announcing another future release called Chamber of Mystery: Flying Saucers.

Thanks to Keith Smith for the updates!

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In the Folds of the Flesh (DVD NEWS)

On DVD today! In a genre defined by shocking violence and psychosexual kink, it remains perhaps the most over-the-top giallo in EuroCult history (their words, not mine.) Starlet Pier Angeli, just one year before her tragic death, stars in this ultra-lurid epic packed with decapitations, pet vultures, creepy incest, groovy fashions, cyanide baths, swirly psychedelics, inexplicable plot twists, Nazi death camp flashbacks and more. Fully restored from the original Italian vault elements.

For more info and to order click HERE!

The Undertaker

We kick off our Journey into Unknown Worlds Week today with a ghostly Fred Kida and Hank Chapman collaboration. I love creepy stories about mean undertakers, and this guy is one of the meanest ‘n creepiest. You most certainly know he’s gonna get what’s coming to him.

From the April 1952 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #10

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Marvel Masterworks: Strange Tales Vol. 2

Coming Soon: Marvel Masterworks takes another dip into the bottomless well of pre-code terror and madness from the era when comics were no-holds-barred and horror was king! Collecting STRANGE TALES #11-20, featuring over 270 pages of Bill Everett, Gene Colan, Bernie Krigstein, Jerry Robinson and many, many more… digging up the deepest, darkest tales of suspense and terror found anywhere this side of a mortuary.

Check Marvel.com for more info as it becomes available!

How I Had (and Lost) a Pet Dinosaur

Dick Briefer’s Frankenstein Weekend continues, and today it’s some non-frightening fun for the kiddies, from the Nov-Dec 1946 issue of Frankenstein #5

And be sure to check out Frankensteinia this weekend too for more indepth info about Dick Briefer’s Frankenstein.

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Tonight, catch a rare showing of Carl “Vampyr” Dreyer’s 1919 silent film classic “Leaves from Satan’s Book,” about Lucifer’s banishment from ho-hum Heaven.

Check TCM for more info and show times in your area.

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TOMORROW: It’s time to Journey into Unknown Worlds for a 5-day look at this groundbreaking Golden Age Atlas series. Sinister undertakers, vampires, robots and pure evil from beyond the stars, it all starts tomorrow so don’t miss a single day!

The Monster and the Statue

It’s alive--- again! Yep… been a long long time since Dick Briefer’s Frankenstein stalked the haunted halls of THOIA, so to correct this inexcusable error in terror I’ve dedicated the entire weekend to everyone’s favorite lumbering monstrosity.

From the March 1952 issue of Frankenstein #18

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another Frankenstein tale from the earlier, cartoonier era of Dick Briefer’s entertaining creation. And for more Frankenstein than you could ever possibly handle, always visit Pierre's most brilliant Frankensteinia blog.

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Dig this mind-blowing photo from the Naked Hollywood photo collection by Weegee. And if you love pix like this then do not miss the great posts over at Greenbriar Picture Shows called “The Pair That Curled Your Hair” featuring more Frankenstein / Dracula marquee movie madness!

The Kraken / The Phantom Pirate

Before you blasted landlubbers officially start celebrating “Talk Like a Pirate Day” today (thanks for the reminder Dane), let’s take an excursion into the eerie, murky depths of the November 1953 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #49, and sea what’s up with---

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The Phantom Pirate

It’s also “Read Like a Pirate Day” today so make sure to put on your best Blackbeard or Captain Hook accent while yee dig yer scurvy hooks into this quick ghostly tale from the very depths of Davey Jones Locker!

From the April ‘54 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #18

NEXT: A Dick Briefer Frankenstein Weekend!

Monsters of the Mind

Behind one of the most famous, terrifying, and awesomely painted Norm Saunders comic book covers ever, crawls the misshapen, odious visages, these--- Monsters of the Mind across the inner story pages! Some of you may notice a similar plot here to the Jay Disbrow story I posted last Sunday. And coincidently, it's not a coincidence.

From the Dec '52 issue of Strange Stories from Another World #4.

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Cover Art by Norm Saunders

I Talked With the Dead!

Dr. Terry Thirteen, or Doctor Thirteen (aka Dr. 13), "The Ghost-Breaker" first appeared in DC’s Star Spangled Comics in 1951, and lasted for only nine Golden Age cover story appearances total. But he later returned in the Silver Age to help out his bud the Phantom Stranger in debunking the supernatural (where applicable), plus many other modern day resurrections as well, before finally getting killed off (for additional D13 info please click HERE.)

But for now enjoy today’s atmospheric, landmark, Dr. 13 debut / origin, from the Nov '51 issue of Star Spangled Comics #122.

Want to see more Dr. Thirteen stories? Let me know!

The Ghost (TRAILER)

Horror, sharp as a razor’s edge… (ouch!) Starring Barbara Steele

The Strange Tree

THOIA reader Roger Howell of NY, NY has put in a request for this eerie Manny Stallman classic from the March 1951 issue of Mystic #1. Here you go Roger, hope this yarn chases away the murky, ghostly memory that has been haunting the back of your mind for the last 40 years. Enjoy!

(And once again thanks to Brian Hirsch for the scans!)

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Norman J. Warren Double Feature

Two of my favorite Norman J. Warren films come out today on one DVD from the “Exploitation Cinema” double feature series from Navarre. Terror (’78) and Satan’s Slave (’76) are excellent examples of scary, sexy, and just flat-out bloody good Satanic 70’s cinema from the UK.

Click HERE for more info and to order now.

The Taxi Driver!

Got another wild and wooly weirdie for you today from the Jan/Feb 1953 issue of Mister Mystery #9. Is it just me or does anyone else think that Daniel Clowes must have read this one as a kid? The title lettering, the sweaty close-ups, some of this just has that great Eightball vibe to me. Maybe he was a fan of Tony Mortellaro?

A bonus Mister Mystery tale follows this word from our sponsor...

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Live from the film set of Werewolf Cemetery its Todd, dressed for indie horror film success in his brand new THOIA tee shirt. But watch out Todd, some of those severed wolf head props look a little too real for--- AIEEEE! It’s still alive!!! Run! Run!!! Someone run for help… someone else call the FX and make-up people and tell them they’re no longer needed!! Keep the cameras rolling--- and run!!!

Be sure to get your very own THOIA tee NOW. All sizes back in stock, and only $20.00 each with FREE shipping for US residents And if you’ve already got one and haven’t sent in a photo then what the Hell are you waitin’ for?! Run!!!

The Thin Line!

The Taxi Driver was a bit short, so how about a bonus tale, also from the Jan/Feb 1953 issue of Mister Mystery #9. This one will make you think twice before working for a mad scientist…

The Homecoming

Jay Disbrow was one of a handful of pre-code artist/writers that could take an ordinary horror story idea and really give it that little extra something special... and if you love his stuff then you’ll love this one for sure. It’s a strangely satisfying story full of gasping sudden violence and hideous metamorphosis--- plus a truly exceptional Monster Mosh Pit ending! “Hey Killer! Watch where you’re throwing those hairy elbows! WAKUGA! KIGAH! YAHAW!”

From the September 1954 issue of Ghostly Weird Stories #124

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Plus, a THOIA Bonus Quickie:

The Parchment of Death, also by Jay Disbrow.

Buried Alive

Does the trick of being "buried alive" while relying on someone else to dig you up in the nick of time (you know, before you suffocate to death) ever really work out to anyone’s advantage in pre-code horror comics? Whenever someone in one of these tales comes up with this brilliant plan for whatever purpose, you just know it ain’t gonna turn out pretty… no spoiler there I suppose. And like the Jack Cole post from yesterday (with its own equally ill fated ending), this one also comes from the Feb ‘54 issue of Web of Evil #11

The Monster They Couldn’t Kill

So how do we possibly follow up a great Matt Fox story like the one from yesterday? Howz’about with a tale by the late, great Jack Cole! This weird sci-fi horror yarn is like some crazy version of The Amazing Colossal Man (1957) but dressed in a cheap ass costume from Killers from Space (1954.) And while it’s still a fun, rip-roaring’ Monsterama, it kind of seems like Cole maybe should’ve known better about that “monster” design. Ah, well...

From the February 1954 issue of Web of Evil #11

Killers From Space (1954)

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Matt Maxwell, creator of the wild werewolf western fantasy Murder Moon is back with the latest entry in his great Strangeways series. Strangeways: The Thirsty pits gunfighter against bloodsucker, revolver against nightwalker! And when a vampire gets thirsty enough, they find a way to hunt, even in the daylight! Both original art teams from Murder Moon return, but not exactly in the way you'd expect!

The printed edition should be available early summer of 2009, while an online serialization should start before fall. But for now, click HERE for the new trailer and sample pages!

Witch-Hunt!

Merely saying the magical words: “Matt Fox” is surely enough of an introduction here today, but I’d be a poor blog host if I didn’t also say thanks to Brian Hirsch for once again contributing some great story scans! Okay, this actually is Matt Fox too though, right? Someone at Atlas Tales seems to think so... and I think he's right.

From the May 1953 issue of Strange Tales 18

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Vintage Matt Fox Art Posters (ad)

And how awesome is the word "Spookdracular" ?!

Meet Me in the Cemetery

More tootie-frooti colored Ace horror for you today… this is a fun, though slightly odd and predictable pre-code yarn that sort of reminds me of Hammer’s classic The Reptile (’66.)

From the November 1952 issue of Hand of Fate #14

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PLUS: Bonus Hand of Fate quickie!

Appointment in Hades

Here’s a really great, mean spirited, supernatural weird war style tale from the November 1952 issue of Baffling Mysteries #11. And even though there’s no credit on this story either in the issue itself or on GCD, I’m going to lay good money down that this is Gene Colan. I did this once before on another unaccredited Colan story and got the “Ger Seal of Approval,” so I’m 100% sure I’m right this time as well. And if I’m not I’ll eat my horror hat. Hmmm, that sounds familiar too…

Currently, Gene’s official website does show that he created at least one other known story for Ace’s Baffling Mysteries series, called Flee the Other Self, issue #7 from 1951. But the only other Ace entry I could find listed there was in the August 1951 issue of Web of Mystery #4, called The Haunted Horse. Anyone know about any others?

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Vintage AD

He Who Laughs Last

Is there anything funnier than watching the tables turn on an annoying practical joker? Wait, did I say “funny?” I actually meant frightening. Check this one out…

From the Feb ‘53 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #15

And if you haven’t already, howz'about becoming a 100% PRE-CODER by "following this blog" and adding yourself to the gadget over thar on the righthand sidebar (underneath my profile.) Costs nothing, and you don’t even have to own a blog. So come on, join our gang--- we dare ya!

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Vintage Lucky Skull Ring AD

Made of Eternium “The Eternal Metal.” You wouldn’t know it from this illustration, but apparently “it looks expensive!”

(Thanks to Brian Hirsch for the AD!)

Terror in Town (+ Crazy Blogs!)

Yesterday you saw Carmine Infantino’s The Vampire Maker, a story so weird and wild that Atlas assigned George Tuska to deliver a sequel shocker just two issues later. And believe me peeps; part two is every bit as good as yesterday’s. Enjoy!

From the Feb ‘53 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #15

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RECOMMENDED CRAZY BLOGS!

First: Many of you know Pierre Fournier and his ever stunning Frankensteinia, but did you know he has another blog too? Art, aesthetics, design, and monsters. Perfectly simple. Perfectly monstrous. Perfectly awesome.

Check it out--- MONSTER CRAZY!

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Secondly, ComiCrazys is dedicated to sharing a wide variety of comic and cartoon goodness, recent posts featured Flip the Frog, marvelous Milt Gross scans, a Tom Terrific Wonderbook, great 1930’s Otto Messmer strips, Spumco storyboards, cool inking lessons, some super Yogi Bear Sunday Funnies (example below) and more!

Check it out by clicking HERE!

(ComiCrazys comments are always disabled though for some reason… why?)

The Vampire Maker!

Like yesterdays’ awesome ant invasion classic, THOIA contributor Brian Hirsch holds the horror reigns again today, and this time with the first story from an awesome, rare, 2-part, mad scientist double header. (You’ll have to come back tomorrow / Sunday for the sequel which I’m scanning right now from my own collection.) And I say “rare” because I’m unaware of any other Atlas pre-code horror tale like this that "popularly demanded" a true SEQUEL... but if you know about any others please let us know.

From the Dec ’52 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #13

*And don't forget to return tomorrow for the horrific SEQUEL to today's story, it's--- Terror in Our Town!

UPDATE: In the midst of all his THOIA scan donating and other momentous celebratin', Brian Hirsch writes in with double good news:

"There was a 2 part Atlas story in # 20 & 21 ( or around there ) with a guy time traveling to find the human race changed -- h.g. wells type stuff. By the way EMILY PAIGE HIRSCH was born at 3:12 pm on 9 / 4 / 08 weighing in at a slim, trim, buffed , chiseled & jacked 7 lbs 8oz . Her height -- 19 1/2 inches. Look out world ... "

Thanks Brian--- and congratulations on the new baby, from all of us here at THOIA!

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And speaking of mad scientists--- here’s the maddest of them all! You’ve seen his userpic around these haunted halls here at THOIA for some time now, and you’ve all read his mind bending rants and ravings that make posting stories everyday here such a joy for me. Yes, all the way from one of the most exotic and erotic corners of the world (Viet Nam), and sporting his brand new THOIA shirt (which was mailed to him about 60 years ago) it’s--- Mr. Cavin!

Find out more about his fascinating life and otherworldly travels by clicking HERE!

World War III with the Ants

This incredibly inspired back-up story from the October 1953 issue of Captain Science #6 is one of the finest examples of 50’s pre-code sci-fi horror that I’ve ever posted here at THOIA. It’s a century spanning tale of epic proportions, well written and smart, nicely illustrated and even scary in a creepy Phase IV sort of scientific way.

Hope you enjoy this one, and thanks again to Brian Hirsch for the great scans!

FYI: I have more sci-fi horror lined up for later this month, (heavy on the horror of course.) What's your favorite killer bug movie?

THEM! (trailer)

“…things so horrible… so terrifying… so hideous… there is no word to describe--- THEM!” (Umm, actually the words “Giant Ants” seem like a pretty good fit.)

Night of Horror

I’m a sucker for horrific things that happen in old dark movie theatres. For example, I love the scene in the original The Blob ('58), where the unsuspecting audience is suddenly under attack while watching Daughter of Horror ('55). And the scene from Messiah of Evil ('73), with the lone girl realizing the eerie movie house she’s sitting in has suddenly become populated with the living dead all around her. Today’s post fits in this scheme, and weirds it all up a great big notch or two. I hope you enjoy this final tale from the January 1953 issue of Strange Mysteries #9

Lights… camera… action!








Know any other good movie theatre themed horror scenes? Let's hear 'em!

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Ray Dennis Steckler Night on TCM

Tomorrow night, Friday September 4th, on TCM Underground, catch two Ray Dennis Steckler “classics”, The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (’64) and Rat Pfink A Boo Boo (’66.) Followed by Ed Wood’s just as entertainingly awful Bride of the Monster (’55.)

Check TCM for more info and show times in your area.

Death Thumbs a Ride

Here’s another wonderful example of cold blooded, Grade 'A', ugly ruthlessness for impressionable young kid’s in the 50’s to consume (in the name of entertainment.) Sometimes I think Wertham had a point. Wait. Nahhh.

From the January 1953 issue of Strange Mysteries #9

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Telling Stories: The Comic Art of Frank Frazetta

Frazetta's early, uncollected comic art is now available in a deluxe, full-color, slipcased edition. Fantasy art's most popular painter was also one of the most popular comic book illustrators during the industry's Golden Age. This volume celebrates the rare and largely forgotten stories created five decades ago by this iconic artist.

Click HERE for more info!

Zombie Vengeance

Or: I Don Juan to be a Zombie! I’m very interested in your comments today on this one, I mean, it’s another typically crummy Superior Comic print job, but oh what a glorious tale of the living dead! And I don’t know about you but I get a strong smiley sense of hot “sex-slave” perversion from the closing panels here. Yeah yeah, Fly Boy, we can’t blame you for choosing to stay there with your newfound, robotically obedient, subservient jungle Princess--- and riiiiight, all of your own “free will” …of course.

From the January 1953 issue of Strange Mysteries #9

Halloween is coming…

I’m sure many of you have noticed Halloween goodies appearing in stores already. For horror fiends like us, the mere sight of an all orange and black aisle is like the hypnotic, luring song of the Sirens. And what better way is there to get into the All Hallows spirit than by planning ahead for your costume! Yes, don’t wait until the last minute to start thinking about it, check the ad below for some helpful ideas, and this year, what the hell--- why not become your favorite blogger for Halloween!



Choose #6 “Skeleton” and become just like eerie Fred from Sweet Skulls!

Or choose #5 “Popeye” and give Pappy from Pappy’s Golden Age Comics a run for his spinach!

How about #3 “Tuffy the Cat” and instantly you're purrrfect as Kitty LeClaw from Killer Kittens From Beyond the Grave!

If you pick #12 “Devil” well, let's just say you’ll be right at home here at THOIA.

Yes, for some, October 31st only comes but once a year… but for others, everyday is Halloween!

You Can’t Cheat a Ghost

September is here. Start of a new month and as was used to be the norm we’d kick things off with a full issue. So here comes the January 1953 issue of Strange Mysteries #9 in its entirety for the next four days, overflowing with zombies, skeletons, furry fiends and today’s choice cut o’violent ghost pirates and a bloody good splash.

“Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of died horribly…” ?!!

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And since school officially starts for many of you tomorrow, here’s a “Tacky” Public Service Announcement, from Crown Comics #8 (courtesy of Brian Hirsch!) Stay in school, fools!