Perry Chase.... Press Guardian

Perry Chase, aka The Press Guardian was yet another of the many fun, but largely forgotten 1940's back-up filler hero features from the early days of the ever popular Pep Comics series, via Archie. And while he doesn't really possess any SUPER hero powers, --as we'll be seeing in some of our other featured hero posts all this month, --he is one terrifically tough, masked reporter with those fists, threatening the bad guys with strangulation and torn throats, all the while saving the lovely damsels in distress in his endless pursuit of justice, and truth. The two stories I have for you today are unique to the series, because it appears to be the few horror themed examples of Press G encountering his nemesis "The Claw" in a pair of adventures where old house mad science and subtereanean monsters fit THOIA's bill rather nicely. Not to mention, Mort Meskin's old school art style really lends a wonderfully surreal, eerie quality to the all-out scrappy, beast battle action. Enjoy! From the Nov. / Dec. 1940 issues of Pep Comics #9, and Pep Comics #10. 

Cry from the Coffin

If the cry from under the carpet in our previous post wasn't eerie enough for ya, how about one now from the coffin? Okay, this has got to be one of the most depressing precode horror stories ever published, with a day that starts off in a completely pleasant manner, quickly turning into a terrifying trip to the morgue for an autopsy, --and don’t be late for your own funeral! Better bring the tissues, this poor sap has a super sad tale to tell, and one that he'll be telling forever, and ever, and ever. From the Oct. 1953 issue of Strange Fantasy #8.

Death for Hire / Corpse Under Carpet

Some corpses just ain't havin' it! And here are two chilling examples from the September - October 1952 debut issue of ACG's Skeleton Hand #1. Nice 'n reliably chunky artwork from Jon Blummer highlights the first tale about crackpot criminal kooks overplaying their hand with voodoo, --followed by a one page quickie about a haunted rug! AIEEEEE!! Is there anything more terrifyin'?!! Maybe try the vacuum cleaner next time...

Terror Needs a Stage!

Who's ready for one of the weirdest vampire stories ever posted around here? From the February 1954 issue of Dark Mysteries #16, and illustrated by none other than fearsome THOIA fan fave, Hy Fleishman! Okay, these ain't the greatest scans though, and I apologize, (they look as if they were also colored by a 4 year old with crayons!) Still, this is a wild one that will likely drive a few of you totally ape!

The Werewolf of Wetheridge

Werewolf Wednesdays return! And I'm guessing a few of you may have picked up on my hint about a "super September" in the previous post intro last month, and that's 100% spot on, because we will be looking at Super Hero Horror occasionally this month, just as we've done a few times in the past. Yep, you may hate supes now, but just wait until Mr. Karswell gets done with you! Annnd another few of you may start reading today's post and have a massive wave of deja vu hit ya over the noggin'. That's because this Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl tale from the November 1945 issue of Four Favorites #20 is an almost direct story swipe of the Gail Porter "Werewolf of Woonsocket" yarn that I posted HERE back in January. Don't believe me? Compare 'em! The Gail Porter story may have been published first (and maybe even have a more uniquely illustrated werwolf), but she's definitely no lovely Lightning Girl, who just so happens to also be illustrated by the ever impeccable, THOIA fan fave, Nina Albright. And for another great Lightning duo story located in our archive-- CLICK HERE!

Fifty-Fifty! / Hate!

You can't deny that when we have an Atlas Fest here at THOIA, it's always a damn good time! And because a few of you axed for it, we'll close out the month with another double header (or is that a beheader?!) Bill LaCava proves that hate is stronger than blood, with a very cleaver, errr, a very clever classic from the August 1952 issue of Marvel Tales #108. But first up, a rather dividing tale of divorce and doom from the May 1953 issue of Marvel Tales #114. The Atlas Tales site thinks this is a team-up art attack from Jack Hearne and Bill Savage, and that sounds savagely good to me too-- either way that you slice it! Hope everyone enjoyed this month of Atlas, you can look forward to another mix of macabre stories from some of the other finer precode publishers, and maybe even a surprise or two as we slide into super September already (?!!), inching closer and closer to Halloween!! Stay tombed...