The Horrible House!

Atlas had a habit of recycling story titles, like the wonderfully weird 'n creepy Al Eadeh classic also called "The Horrible House" that I posted in the second half of a double feature way back in 2009, CLICK HERE. But this time it's Bill LaCava's turn to show you how horrible a house really can be-- even when you unfortunately have a whole lot in common with its other unlucky inhabitants. I would love to see this as an old-time horror film quickie starring Basil Rathbone!

From the June 1952 issue of Spellbound #4.









And if you can't save your own head-- at least save your hair!

One-Way Ticket

A funny little chiller about awful wedded bliss, (overbearingly pleasant spouses take note!), this time helmed by the masterful hand of all-star Atlas big league hitter, Russ Heath. And like our last post, it too comes from the shockingly spooktacular, June 1952 issue of  Spellbound #4.

The Man Who Loved to Kill

Another tale from the June 1952 issue of Spellbound #4, and with its oddly ingenious mad scientist twist on the Most Dangerous Game theme, today's post will surely leave your hunter heads a'spinning!









Lose unwanted arm, leg, and torso fat-- NOW!

Mad Dog

As if dealing with one deadly pandemic wasn't enough, now THOIA mauls you mercilessly with another eerie epidemic to have a screaming fit over! From the June 1952 issue of Spellbound #4, --I've also made sure that it fits into some sort of Werewolf Wednesday theme as well...

Bring Back My Feet

Three awful ladies down, one to go, courtesy of the October 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #16. Now we all know that there are certainly fates worse than death. But are there feets worse than death? Confucius say "Read on and you will see!" 













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Wilfred Takes A... Wife!

Boy, is it just me, or does the October 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #16 really have it out for the ladies? I mean, 4 out of 5 stories recommend evil for their readers who choose-- umm-- hey, let's just get on with the story today, shall we?











But Can Anyone Learn To Dance --Like A Plant!

Genuine Alligator

If you thought Roger and Karen were a hoot in our last post, wait'll you get a load of Elmer and Bertha in today's story! Another gem from the October '53 issue of Mystery Tales #16, and with art by Myron Fass, this is one 3 page quickie that will surely get your day off with a rousing start *burp!







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There's No Pleasin' Some Gals!

As many of you already know, a sense of hellacious humor was just as much a key at precode Atlas as their marvelous artistry and horror themes. And a tried and true approach to their mixture: characters that are so obnoxiously exaggerated, you can't help but applaud their inevitable rude awakening and / or end demise. A good example of this can be found in the October 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #16.











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The Rat Race

"Oh rats!", said the anti-Atlas oddballs. Yep, it's another riveting tale from the May 1952 issue of Mystery Tales #2, (see the previous post as well.) And some of you proud precoders probably don't even need to look at the signature in the splash panel to know the late great Bill Everett when you see it!











And thanks to the Atlas Tales site for the first page scan of this story, it's unfortunately missing from my tattered old copy. --K

He Went For A Train-Ride

A moody little yarn that looks a lot more scary than it actually is, courtesy of the oddly unique hand of Bernie Krigstein.

From the May 1952 issue of Mystery Tales #2.