Dark Journey! / The Phantom Bus

POST UPDATE: I had a busy week (actually "traumatizing" might be a better word for it) and forgot that I had planned to make this a "dark journey" double feature, --so here's the other story I absent-mindedly left out: "The Phantom Bus" from the September 1952 issue of The Unseen #6. We repo'd this one in the July 2015 issue of Haunted Horror #18, but it somehow never made its way here to THOIA, despite being one of my George Roussos favorites. I also included a ghostly half-pager from the same issue, which may have already been posted here somewhere over the years, I fergit. And of course, from the July-August 1953 issue of Skeleton Hand #6, comes a creepy tale of witchcraft and time travel gone oh-so horribly wrong. And to be honest, that's exactly the way I like it. I also dig that this one feels more like an ironically humorous Atlas quickie, and less the typical ACG happy ending that we've seen around here so many times before. 

Blood Thirsty

If you were intrigued by the "Do You Dare Read Blood Thirsty?" blurb (see previous post) featured on the cover of the August 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #21, --well now's your chance to take that dreaded dare! Yep, it's time for one more terrorific tale from this gory great issue, and this time around it's Dick Beck's turn to switch off the lights and really get your blood a'pumpin'! AIEEEEEEE!

One Night of Terror

Let's keep the scary science fiction horror shivers a'comin' with a specimen gatherin' metal man menace from the stars, via the December 1954 issue of Web of Evil #21. Cheapo C-3PO creep-ohs from outer space are just the way I like my deadly drive-in droids of doom-- YAAAAA!!!

Partners in Death

Another gruesome gem from the June 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #20, (see our last post too), highlighted by some truly revolting, ultra rotted zombie panels courtesy of the ever-deadly, Dick Beck. Story Comics really amped up the art (and writing) in these final issues of the series run, and were clearly making every attempt possible to give EC a run for their morbid money.

Lair of the Spidery Fiend

As if our last tale wasn't crazy enough, here's another one from the same May 1953 issue of The Beyond #20. Seriously, Lair of the Spidery Fiend packs more into one standard length, 7-page Ace story than most comics these days can muster in a half dozen issues altogether! Some truly bonkers artwork from Dick Beck and George Klein as well! See what you think...

HAUNTED HORROR #22 DOUBLE HEADER: Robot Woman / Chef's Delights

HAUNTED HORROR #22 finally lands in stores this week on Wednesday, June 29th, and it's the first of what will likely not be the last of many a spectacular "guest host" issues. And we are goddamned proud to present Mike "The Howler" Howlett's hosting debut spotlighting a terrifying theme that he is of course the bonafide expert on-- the Eerie Publications and the original 50's precode stories that inspired their 60's / 70's reprints / redraws! Hell, he even wrote some book/s about 'em, see HERE and HERE! Read Mike's intro below to get an idea of what this sickening special issue is all about. Then, to get an even more stomach churning idea, read the crazy stories we've chosen to present to you in their entirety! That's right, while some websites give you one FREE story to check out, THOIA gives you TWO! We'll kick things off with Basil Wolverton's incredible classic, "Robot Woman", followed by a rather gruesome delight that will surely leave you all running for your bloody barf bags!

Bon Appetit!