Mission of Lost Souls

Wrapping up September 2009 with a gorgeously illustrated Ace tale from the November 1954 issue of Web of Mystery #27. Seriously, artistically this one goes well above and beyond the call of duty (of the script) in the detail department, but most Ace stuff from this era was pretty top notch anyway. Okay, see ya'll in October-- tis the season to be screamin'!

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Vintage AD

Dial "C" for Corpse

In our last post we dialed “Z” for Zombie, but today we dial “C”—for Corpse! From the May 1953 issue of Strange Mysteries #11, it’s another bat shit crazy example of Superior Comics brand of sick, sledge hammer style violence, plus another one of their typically wonderful (aka ridiculously stupid ass) trademark endings.

Looking for more death on your dial? Check the THOIA Archives for Dial... City Morgue! And then tune in for the dementedly delightful D-E-V-I-L on Your Dial.

Dial "Z" for Zombie! / Android!

It's Horror vs. Science Fiction Day at THOIA, as John Kaminski submits a wickedly goofy Jim Mooney tale from the May '53 issue of Marvel Tales #114‏, and in return I've posted a S/F tale that he requested from the August '54 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #30. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a couple hundred phone calls to make...

Hands Off! / Drop Dead!

Two eerie Atlas classics for you today from the September 1952 issue of Amazing Detective Cases #14. This was the last issue of this excellent series before it folded permanently, and the Atlas Tales site has alot of question marks about who the actual artists are for both of these stories... what's everyone think? Roussos? Benulis? Abel?

I also want to again thank Jamie Wilson (of the always awesome 10 Cent Dreams blog) for his recent cool posts, but more specifically for nailing the coffin lid on our "Mystery Artist" month. The examples he has revealed on his own blog are proof that it was The Jack Binder Shop responsible for the stories we ran. Check it out by clicking HERE!

Isle of Mad Revenge

A surprisingly gripping, atmospheric "old dark house" entry from Superior Comic's November 1953 issue of Mysteries Weird & Strange #4. Starring Camille Keaton as Gwen, Cheryl Ladd as Kay, Sigourney Weaver as Sandra, and Kevin McCarthy as Richard.

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Vintage AD

Start Screaming it's Murder!

THOIA reader, Mark Borbas emailed me a bunch of great scans last week as we struggled to put a name to the "Mystery Artist" featured. Along the way the name Harry Anderson came up and Mark sent these scans from the July 1952 issue of Wanted #48. Anderson was not who we were looking for, but man this is one crazy "true" crime story, and much too good to not post (especially after a day of riding roller coasters myself!) Thanks again Mark!

Speaking of Orbit's great WANTED series, Mike over at FREEDOM SCHOOL RECORDS posted some awesome pre-code stories (for me!) earlier this month from #13, emphasis on Mort Leav and Maurice Del Bourgo. Check 'em out by clicking HERE!

And thanks again Mike!