The Grave Will Not Wait

Like our previous post, today's fateful story is also from the October 1952 issue of The Hand of Fate #12, and it's nicely illustrated by Chic Stone who always seems to totally crush it here at THOIA. So what do you all think? Could you deliver on what 'ol Fate has offered to this poor, doomed idiot? I've also rounded out the post with a graverobbin' one-pager-- a Sy Grudko "True Tales of the Supernatural" quickie from the July 1954 issue of The Beyond #27. One more post to go for the month of July, and FYI: I plan to correct a rather foolish bit of Atlas oversight on my part... I do hope you can forgive me!

Cauldron of Evil

Time for a macabre lil stroll through the ominous 'ol Ozark mountains, where wicked weird witchcraft still runs rampant-- and all just a mere hop, skip, and one jittery jump away from Karswell Manor as well! Ace Mag art pro, Jim McLaughlin, lays the atmosphere on thick as a hick with a tick about to explode on his di-- errrr, okay, --time to lay off the alliteration for awhile, I seriously do believe *gag! From the August 1952 issue of The Hand of Fate #12, plus we have one more from this eerie ish up next too-- so stay tombed!

One Awful Night with a Fiend

There's another random, isolated comic book panel making the Tumblr meme rounds (see the middle image at the top of page 5 below.) A few people wrote in asking what it's from, so here we go with a Mike Sekowsky illustrated tale about a struggling actress trapped in an unholy Hollywood nightmare. For a story packed with grave robbing, black magic, and the resurrection of an evil snuff film maker, you'd think this would all be a bit more unnerving instead of just spooky silly, but it still has its moments. GCD notes that Vince Alascia contributed the inks here as well. From the April 1952 issue of Hand of Fate #10.

Death Was the Bridegroom

The bloodthirsty brides of death continue to invade THOIA this month with another awesome Ace Magazines terror tale, this time fueled by the hand of Ken Rice and from the ominous October 1953 issue of The Hand of Fate #20. There are some really fine, visually frightening moments in this one...

When His Number's Up...

Tempting fate was never so eerie, --well, maybe it has been-- in this surprisingly reckless entry from the December 1954 issue of Hand of Fate #25, art by the ever reliable Louis Zansky.

Shattering the Time Barrier

Some really interesting art and super panels highlight this ghostly shocker from the June 1953 issue of The Hand of Fate #23. Anyone got a clue who the artist is? Even the cool Ace Horror site seems to be stymied. This issue also contains the tremendous Lou Cameron classic "He Who Robs the Dead" which we posted way back in 2008 HERE! Be sure to check it out after today's post too!

Craig Yoe from a Restless Grave CONTEST!

Celebrating the birthday of THOIA friend and Chilling Archives / Haunted Horror co-editor Craig Yoe today with an ACE tale from the February 1952 issue of The Hand of Fate #9. Happy Birthday, chum! FYI: After noticing a slightly familiar hairdo in today's story, I actually toyed with the idea of drawing a colorful forelock and goatee on Amos, the lead character in this tale... unfortunately, I ran out of time due to my new work schedule-- BUT maybe some other talented horror freak out there has the fiery urge to do so! Is it CONTEST TIME?! YES, sirs! Pull a panel or sequence from this story and give Amos the Craig Yoe make-over (if you're not sure what Craig looks like just google him!) Feel free to alter dialogue in the word balloons as well-- top 3 entries get a Haunted Horror package! Hurry, contest ends whenever! The winning pieces will be posted here at THOIA. Email all entries to karswell@hotmail.com --and most importantly, have fun! We have big Yoe Books news coming up too, stay tuned!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
XOXOXOX