Monday, February 16, 2009

A Ghost Story! / Warning Voice!

Here’s a nifty spook castle classic from the February 1953 issue of Black Magic #21 (aka Vol. 3 #3.) This one reminds me of cool Italian horror flicks like The Virgin of Nuremberg and Baron Blood… you seriously can’t beat an old haunted castle with a dungeon full of handy torture devices.









TOMORROW: Things get Horrific!

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Prize Comics Group Ad


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Warning Voice!

And from the same issue, a typically fun 3-page Black Magic filler piece, also by Bob McCarty. I like his style… something in those big eyes is distinctly “McCarty.”



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14 comments:

  1. Anonymous2/16/2009

    While i sincerely doubt that this story was really based in fact, i enjoyed it tremendously. I can definitely see how it can be seen as fact-based, though(given how it ends just like many real-life ghost stories; with no definite answers.). Which is kind of a drag since we actually get to know all of the characters(except for Susan)and want to see how it plays out. But it works.

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  2. Anonymous2/16/2009

    I liked Sir Philip's PJ's.

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  3. The Vicar of VHS2/16/2009

    I enjoyed both the stories here a great deal! The narrative thrust of the Ghost Story was very engaging and really kept you turning the pages...or clicking them, now. And poor Susan! I like the long-shot reveal of her torture on pg. 4--the scene showing her strung up from a distance is somehow more visually effective than a close-up would have been, I think. Plus, that last panel--nice.

    Also, I have to say that the Your Dreams mag sounds like a fantastic idea to me! Do you know if it was ever actually published? I would buy a copy!

    Great stuff, as usual, K!

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  4. AndyDecker2/16/2009

    Great splash page. I liked the story a lot. It had all the right ingredients and a classic unhappy ending.

    Good one.

    I wonder if they truly bought our dreams :-)

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  5. blackwalnut20012/16/2009

    A couple of solid stories here today. Each has a cohesive internal logic, and you'd have no trouble convincing half the population that both of them really were true.

    I was immediately taken with the Your Dreams idea too, Vicar. Turns out it WAS published. Four issues, and the one pictured in the ad is the fourth and last. GCD has the dope here:

    http://comics.org/covers.lasso?SeriesID=13651

    This would no doubt be the rarest of finds. Can't imagine there would have been much of a market for it. Anyone know where a copy might be located? And Kars, would you be interested in posting any of these (assuming they lived up to their fascinating promise, that is)?

    Thanks as always.

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  6. Anonymous2/16/2009

    I AGREE, 2 EXCELLENT TALES TODAY KARSWELL. I REALLY LIKED THE FIRST ONE, VERY ATMOSPHERIC AND TOTALLY FELT LIKE BARON BLOOD WHICH I ACTUALLY JUST WATCHED ABOUT AM ONTH AGO. I'LL HAVE TO CHECK OUT VIRGIN OF NURMBERG. THE OTHER STORY WAS NEAT, REMINDED ME OF A TWILIGHT ZONE EPISODE.

    CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RONDO NOMINATION TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  7. Mr. Karswell2/16/2009

    It's true pre-coders, THOIA has been nominated this year for a Rondo Award in the "Best Horror Blog" catagory. I'll post a little more about this either tomorrow or the next day, but I sincerely hope to get your vote. I work hard on this blog to bring you unique, quality horror entertainment and news EVERY SINGLE DAY. For those interested in finding out more now check out the Rondo site here:

    http://www.rondoaward.com/

    Thanks!

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  8. Mr. Karswell2/16/2009

    >Kars, would you be interested in posting any of these

    I do not have any issues of the Your Dreams series but see them around on ebay alot. Actually, I bet some of this stuff got mixed in DC's Black Magic silver age reprint series because I kind of remember stories based on dreams and whatnot... I'll double check.

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  9. Kitty LeClaw2/16/2009

    I haven't been able to stop purring since I learned of your Rondo nomination. Congratulations, Stephen! If anybody deserves the recognition, it's you, for your tireless efforts on THOIA. You can count on my vote for sure!

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  10. Anonymous2/16/2009

    a great double post today again and hell yeah you got my vote too for sure man

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  11. Anonymous2/17/2009

    great story, reminded me a lot of "Baron Blood" by Mario Bava.

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  12. Cindy M2/17/2009

    I like the large foreground skeletal hand in "A Ghost Story." It really grabs you!

    And you've included another advertisement; those are always a hoot. "Young Brides," huh? I never quite believed in such a thing, especially not after my sister's teenaged marriage nightmare.

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  13. Cindy M2/17/2009

    ...and "Everyone of us lives in two worlds!"

    Yes, I often get that feeling.

    It's rather chagrining.

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  14. Squa Tront2/23/2009

    True story, eh? I wonder if the Mace family could have some connection to the popular chain of UK convenience stores?

    Yes, a very nice splash ...but last page/ first panel: bloke opening iron maiden : "Blimely" ...eh?

    After reading the comments here I think I might just have to check out 'Baron Blood'

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