Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Gossips! / Way to a Man's Heart
Ghoul Tales was yet another magazine sized collection of black and white pre-code horror reprints, this time from Stanley Publications. Lasting only 5 issues (November 1970 through July 1971), the two tales presented in this post are both from Ghoul Tales Vol. 1 #4, with the first originally appearing in the pages of Mister Mystery #13, and the second tale originally titled "Mother's Advice" and from Weird Mysteries #7 (thanks to our Anon reader for the confirmation!), both tales are illustrated by Tony Mortellaro. See the gruesome color version of "The Gossips!" in the THOIA Archive HERE!
I love everything about these!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteKarswell: I think that first story may be my favorite ever posted at THOIA, or at least way up there. What amazing artwork! What detail! And that last panel is simply a work of genius!
ReplyDeleteA lot of this art is so much better in black and white; especially that first story. Bad printing and bad coloring did more harm then good. The B&W version is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOne wonders if the artist intentionally made all the heads bigger than they should be? It's an interesting style, and really sells the story.
The second story's creepy narrator is a recurring host in "Weird Mysteries" (a companion Key Publications comic to "Mister Mystery" in the early 1950s) who was occasionally labeled "The Ghoul Teacher."
ReplyDeleteI suspect that the second story is a retitled reprint of "Mother's Advice" from "Weird Mysteries" #7, but don't have a copy of that issue so can't confirm it.
That seemed like a possibility to me too, Drew... if anyone can confirm this I'll update the intro and link it.
ReplyDelete"Diane couldn't understand it. After all, she was a beautiful girl... with plenty to offer..."
ReplyDeleteHubba - hubba! Now I understand that I was titilated by more than just the "horror" at age twelve!
Dale is correct about the origin of the second story. I have the issue. The artist of this story worked into the 1970s as an artist in MARVEL COMICS production department doing occasional ink jobs. His name was something like TONY MORTELLIARO(sp?) DO any art experts remember his correct name?
ReplyDeleteTony Mortellaro, same artist as the first story... his signature is in the splash panel of "The Gossips" too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Drew and Anon!
Thanks so much for these - these stories left such an indelible impression on me when I first read them as a child.
ReplyDeleteI will speak for a minority here, and cry “Ackh! Ackh! Acckkkhhhh!!!!!”
ReplyDeleteAppreciate you posting these reprints. The original stuff is impossible to come by.
ReplyDeleteIn "Mr. Mystery" #14 there is a variation of the second story (as seen in Suarez' TTTTT #7).
A woman cuts out a man's heart and -in the final panel- holds it triumphantly up.
"It belongs to you and no one can steal it away"...
Do not try this at home.