This story was one of my first encounters with a Gold Key comic that truly frightened me. I mean, I was just a dopey little kid, but that evil Jack Sparling spirit with those claws and teeth --that nobody but the victim could see-- really did me good for a few sleepless nights. It also kind of reminded me of the Haunting record fiend in the old ads. From the December 1970 issue of Ripley's Believe it or Not #23.
Someone wrote in asking about this one after seeing a random panel floating around Tumblr... and no, this story isn't about Mayberry's most deadly deputy either! Monstery fun art by Golden Age legend, Jack Sparling, who was of course still doing some great work well into the Silver Age. From the August 1970 issue of Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery #31.
We're only a few posts beyond Thanksgiving 2022 and still you're ravenous for more horror, and of course THOIA is happy to continue serving up terrifyingly tasty morsels from the cool long box --and I'm not talking about a refrigerator! Also in honor of Mr. Karswell's recent VAMPIRES Blood Shot One-Shot release of gruesome golden era gems (in stores NOW via Asylum Press!), we have another blood suckin' classic from the November 1973 issue of Secrets of Sinister House #15. And if you're STILL hungry after that, then hurry up and grab yourself a copy of VAMPIRES BSO-S, it comes in a variety of vicious variant cover flavors, most notably Drazen Kozjan's deliciously sexy take on a macabre midnight smorgasbord --see the image at the end of the post! And FYI this cover also comes in a much more revealing "ADULT" version as well! Inquire with the better comic stores in your area, or send Mr. Karswell an email at karswell@hotmail.com for details!
Fans of John Carpenter's unique 80's sci-fi action film, They Live, may find some interestingly familiar plot details about today's post, courtesy of the November 1967 issue of Dell's The Outer Limits #16. And I guess maybe I've already said too much, so without further spoiler ado, let's just let the story do the talking-- as well as the art, because like our previous Outer Limits post, the illustrations here are also by Jack Sparling. Now, who brought the bubble gum?
Surprised myself this week after realizing that in all the years I've been posting stories online here at THOIA, I've yet to post any from Dell's fun 60's comic spin-off of the great television series, The Outer Limits. And this is a unique yarn to correct my oversight with, mainly because it has a little bit of everything: horror, humor, beach babes, a tunnel of love, neat Jack Sparling artwork, and a cool monster that looks a little bit like the Creature from the Black Lagoon! Add one final "last name" ingredient into the mix (spelled correctly on the cover, but not in the story, dagnabbit!) and you have one winner of a fishy tail freak-out. From the April 1967 issue of The Outer Limits #12, and we'll take a look at another great story from this series in our next post as well, stay tombed...
