Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The Loathsome Lodgers of Nightmare Inn

Time again to “Flash Forward” 20 years in our THOIA Time Machine for more groovy ghoulishness from the 70’s featuring stories created by some of your favorite 50’s pre-code Masters (who were obviously inspired enough to keep at it for a couple more decades!) Today we feature a typically fun Jerry Grandenetti spooker, followed by a haunted 3-page Don Perlin quickie, plus a couple classic horror ads.

From the July-August 1977 issue of The Unexpected #180









Want more Jerry Grandenetti? Click HERE for a creepy pre-code Dr. Drew story from the THOIA archives! And over the next few days you can expect: cannibals, curses, more zombies, plague, and tomorrow Keith Smith returns with an ultra-violent Silver Age Dick Ayers remake vs. the original 50’s version!

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Classic Horror Ads!




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Dark Was the PitFrom the March 1974 issue of Ghosts #24



15 comments:

  1. After Dr. Gorescu, I'm surprised he didn't just tell Kay "whatever" and bend his head back. Vampire, shampire.

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  2. Jerry Grandenetti is one of my favorite artists and Don Perlin is underrated as well. Perlin's Ghost Rider contained some truly creepy moments.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Anonymous1/14/2009

    Agree with Todd, he could arguably have had a relationship with Kay if he became a vampire(or been reduced to a Renfieldian dolt.), or the story could be told from Gorescu and his friend's point of view, revealing them to really be frat-boys...and then have them get their comeuppance from vampire Ben. That would have REALLY been unexpected. As for the art, really liked it. No one draws architecture like Grandenetti. I'm also gonna do a quick casting call on this one; Candace Hilligoss as Kay, and Oliver Reed as Ben(page 7 panel 2.).

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  4. In the pre-Code '50s the final panel would've shown her teeth in his neck, but because of the Code we don't get that. I hate it when I don't see penetration!

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  5. Anonymous1/14/2009

    I'M A BIG FAN OF GRANDENETTI TOO AND GLAD YOU INCLUDED THE DR DREW LINK FOR COMPARISON. THE PERLIN STORY WAS COOL TOO, I'M NOT SUPER FAMILIAR WITH HIS WORK BUT HE SEEMS SOLID.

    THOSE ADS ARE JUST CLASSIC!SHRUNKEN HEADS MADE OUT OF APPLES???

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  6. Actually, you can see the number Kay Donner has written in the frame before the paper close-up - and there's definitely a one at the end - so it's a bit of a cheat. Rip-roaring stuff though!

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  7. But it is nice to see the groovy 1970's stuff from DC here.

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  8. Man, I forgot about those shrunken heads made out of apples! I used to have that kit. And the Aurora models bring back memories of my childhood and my early fascination with horror. I never built one myself, but my brother's friend had a shelf full of 'em.

    Both stories were pretty good today, especially considering when they came out (in the dreaded PG rated DC horror days).

    Great way to start a Wednesday. Thanks Karswell!

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  9. Anonymous1/14/2009

    good stuff maybe you should start another blog just for 70s horror

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  10. niiiiiiiice...

    shrunken heads made from apples? that's the 70s for you!

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  11. I actually had one of those shrunken head kits when I was a kid. I loved it. I made dozens. I think it was Vincent Price on the box that sold me on the idea. Otherwise they would have just been granny apple heads.

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  12. I had the Shrunken Head kit too, in fact I actually still have one of the heads I made. I'll have to dig it out and take a photo for everyone... it's totally digusting now though and all warped and nappy 'n shit. I still had one of the first wave of Creature Aurora kits fully built and painted too. It wasn't mine but my uncle's... he gave it to me in the early 70's but it got crushed in a box on one of my many moves. Very sad day indeed.

    Hope everyone enjoyed the 70's Flash Forward today, next week on Time Machine Day it'll be Bernard Bailey's turn to show us what he had up his flared sleeve.

    Tomorrow: Eyes are gonna fly!

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  13. Anonymous1/14/2009

    Wow, I remember reading both of these stories in the comics when they came out.

    I had the Godzilla, Phantom of the Opera, and Forgotten Prisoner models.

    Love the blog. Thanks a heap, Mr. K!

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  14. How do I love THOIA? Let me count the ways.

    73. Where else could my observation the mad scientist is scarier than the vampire yield more than one reason Ben ought to have hurried along the vampire? "Drain me quick, so I can teach those frat boys a lesson!"

    Thanks, Horror Pariah.

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  15. >How do I love THOIA? Let me count the ways.

    That's the beauty of commenting folks! If more people who visited here actually bothered we'd have lots of great extra stuff to discuss. And remember, I know you lurkers are out there, and I know who you are... Statcounter doesn't lie.

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