Cat! / Immortality Factor

Another Red Circle Comics Group double feature post today, this time a showcase example of Gray Morrow's talents as both writer and artist... from the stunning cover to all 4 stories in the Oct '73 issue of Chilling Adventures in Sorcery #3 (writer credits for the Essays into the Supernatural one-page bonus go to Phil Sueling), Morrow did pretty much everything else in this issue himself. And it's wonderfully detailed work too, I might add-- the first story "Cat!" stars Barbara Steele, purrfectly cast in the seductive lead, while "Immortality Factory" features photo reference panels of Boris Karloff at his typically sinister, mad doctor best.

The Happy Dead / The Terrible Trident!

Continuing with our look at Red Circle Comic Group's very short lived 70's MADHOUSE horror series, here are two from the Sept '74 issue of Madhouse #95. Starting off with "The Happy Dead" (no nods to The Grateful Dead necessary), this is a hilarious story that Doug Wildey may or may not have used Barbara Steele photos for as reference in a few panels-- but it's most certain that German "El Vampiro" Robles pops in for whatever reason in the middle of page 5! And then, "The Terrible Trident!" picks up where we left off in our last post with yet another devil story, and one very familiar, almost monotonous punchline ending! I was saving this one for Halloween, but here ya go anyway, typically cool art from Vicente Alcazar-- and how about that creepy Gray Morrow cover!

German Robles 

Demon Kiss / The Devil's Matchmaker

Having survived the madhouse that is San Diego Comic Con 2013, I return with a demonic Double Feature, both tales from the November 1974 issue of Red Circle Comics Group MADHOUSE #96, the first story written and illustrated by the great Bruce Jones, (it certainly doesn't  get much better than bikinis and blasphemy for this blogger!), and the second atmospheric story illustrated by Sal Amendola. I'll have more from this scary, short-lived silver age horror series in the next few posts too.

(cover art by
Gray Morrow) 

San Diego Comic Con 2013: HAUNTED HORROR

"Forelock the Warlock" Yoe and "Mr. Karswell" Banes return to SDCC this year, with a few things planned for fans of precode comic book thrills! Join us Saturday, July 20th, 7:30 - 8:30pm for a lively discussion and Q&A session about the comics that gave you night terrors, before the U.S. Senate and Dr. Frederic Wertham shut them down during THEIR OWN reign of terror! Hi-jinx, fun, and thoughtful discourse will abound! (Click HERE for more info.)
And then Sunday, July 21st, 2:00 - 3:00pm at the IDW Publishing booth #2643 (see poster and map below) meet the creative horror host creeps behind the new hit series of 50's precode reprints-- HAUNTED HORROR! Don't miss it, it's gonna be a SCREEEAM!

(click to ENLARGE convention map)

Return of the Dead!

Time for the final remaining tale from the January 1953 issue of Beware! Terror Tales #5 (check the THOIA archives for "The Horror of the 13th Stroke", "The Lonely One!", and "The Ghoul of Eldritch Manor!") See what happens when kooky hoods tangle with a gypsy and the supernatural! Okay, another complete issue down, and just in time as I head out to San Diego Comic Con 2013 this weekend-- stay tuned for info about our panel on Saturday night, as well as the HAUNTED HORROR signing on Sunday at the IDW booth! Hope to see some of you again this year!