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.






at

7 comments:

  1. Mykal Banta8/21/2010

    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."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Prof. Grewbeard8/21/2010

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mr. Karswell8/21/2010

    >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!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mr. Cavin8/21/2010

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mr. Karswell8/22/2010

    >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!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Drazen8/22/2010

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

    beauty drawings in this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Easter Bunny8/22/2010

    I dig these precode horrors!

    ReplyDelete