Friday, August 20, 2010

All Keyed Up...

Another masterfully illustrated tale by Jack Sparling (with a not so masterfully scripted ending), from the July 1954 issue of Tomb of Terror #16... this unfortunantly was the very last issue from this terrific Harvey series, and "All Keyed Up" greatly benefits from a handful of sexy panels among the marvelously murderous, atmospheric, gold-digging shenanigans.






7 comments:

Mykal Banta said...

Karswell: Sexy panels is right. Wow! My favorite? Green dress walking away on page 2.

It's interesting how Sparling's style changed over the years - seemed to take on a more gritty, loose look. This is just great stuff.

I see what you mean about the ending. "Alright, guys, let's tie this baby up. You get one panel."

Prof. Grewbeard said...

hoarders must die, even if it's only matchbook covers!

Mr. Karswell said...

>favorite? Green dress walking away on page 2.

Awesome panel... my fave is the one right below it which I'd love to paint life-sized on my office wall next to my desk.

For some other great Sparling in the THOIA Archive check out "The Weirdest Suicide Pact of All Times!", "Pest Control!" and a fantastic sci-fi chiller called "THe Harder They Fall" ...or just search by Sparling's name, there's lots more too.

>hoarders must die, even if it's only matchbook covers!

I guess no one in 1954 suspected that even matchbooks would someday be a big time collectable, I have a few in my own colection that are worth a pretty penny... thanks for the comments gents!

Mr. Cavin said...

So wait. Did the matches somehow blow the door open, killing whatsisface? Or did the door itself just knock him off his feet?

I like this type of horror story, where the amorality is not avenged so much as shown to be wayward and fickle in light of a surprise bait-in-switcheroo ending that recasts the all-important necessity of the amoral action as a silly goof. Oops.

I'm seconding Karswell's panel. Hello nurse.

Mr. Karswell said...

>I'm seconding Karswell's panel. Hello nurse.

Haha, nicely put Mr C.

I can't decide if I want to see a 40's film version of this starring Veronica Lake, or a 70's version starring Barbara Bouchet!

Drazen said...

Love that drawing of her at the bottom of page 4 too.

beauty drawings in this.

Easter Bunny said...

I dig these precode horrors!