The Butcher / The Strangler

--and if you think you need a story about a candlestick maker to round out your trilogy of terror, just click HERE after today's deadly double detective feature! Our first tale fresh off the chopping block is from the August 1952 issue of Suspense Detective #2, with art by Mike Sekowsky, followed by one guaranteed to really choke you up, from the January 1954 issue of Crime Mysteries #11.

The Deathlook

Not be confused with the cybernetic sensation, Deathlok (that would be a totally different blog), this is a horrific shrunken head mystery with a really super splash 'n title treatment --and a twist! See if you can figure it out... I bet you can. From the November 1954 issue of Secret Mysteries #16.

Curse of the Jabberwock

Today we have a rollickin', highly atmospheric, old dark house creature feature, with super art by an unknown artist (any guesses?) --from the March 1952 issue of Crime Mysteries #12. I do wish Ribage had allowed said artist at least one more page to help flesh out a few more of the climactic visual details, (so that the out-of-left-field narrative didn't have to do all the talkin'), but still-- fun fun fun-- and that's a great lookin' monster to boot! And before Brian says anything about the girl in the last panel at the bottom of page 3, I have 3 words: Bathed. In. Moonlight.

Out of this World!

After the comics code crushed the crime and horror genres in '54, many publishers simply changed the name of their titles and toned down the ingredients that made them so popular in the first place. Crime Mysteries was one series, blandifying it's name to Secret Mysteries while applying the sad snooze to their content, and thus died after 4 ho-hum issues (one issue simply being a complete reprint of Red Circle Comics #4 from 1945.) I do like this simple, atmospheric tale of magic and the occult from the March 1954 issue of Secret Mysteries #17 though... see what you think. Also, enjoy Mr. C's entry in the Craig Yoe THOIA birthday contest after the story-- great work, Cavin! You won yourself a copy of Haunted Horror #3 (fyi: in stores NOW!)

Séance of Horror!

As some of you know I’m on vacation this weekend. Not really, but it sounds good and gives me (and my scanner) a breather. In the meantime, THOIA’s most popular contributor and longtime chum, Brian Hirsch has submitted some terror treats for you including the long awaited return of fearless criminologist Lance Storm. Okay now, look at and read the splash… anyone else think the title of this story should come AFTER the opening narrative? Ooops.

From the September 1952 issue of Crime Mysteries #3

PS: Has yesterday's cover mystery "monster" indentity been solved? Read the comment from Habakkuk Zylbyrbutz in today's comments and tell us what you think.

Also, GCD currently has no information or even a page for the Crime Mysteries #3 issue… maybe someone out there who works with GCD can use the date info I provided and swipe my cover scan (below) and create a page for it?

UPDATE: Eagle eye reader The Oeconomist spotted the similarities between our Crime Mystery #3 cover and the cover for Spicy Mystery June 1935. Nice work!

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Also, here's a vintage ad about how atrocious a mother’s advice can be... or wait, is this an ad for religion? Whatever it is, and in case you didn’t know, the smartest / fastest way to your new girlfriend’s heart is to take her to church--- not nightclubbing, or fine dining, or hooking up in Clifton Hill. Silly me... I now see the error of my ways.

(Illustrated by an obviously embarrassed Frank Frazetta.)

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PRECINCT 20: DEAD STRANGE

For more terror tinged crime, author A. R.Yngve writes in: “…my "crime horror" short-story collection PRECINCT 20: DEAD STRANGE is available for FREE reading online HERE, and contains many stories where supernatural horror and the macabre clashes with ordinary policemen at a homicide division in an unnamed American city.”

Its cool stuff and note how each story is illustrated with an eerie black and white photo from the Library of Congress archives. Also available is A. R.Yngve's short-story collection THE FACE IN THE DOOR, in paperback from Café Press. Click HERE for more info.

Thanks for writing A.R.!

The Nightmare Monster!

Time for more rousing action and adventure, ripped from the dark 'n spooky annals of Crime Bustin’ Horror Mystery Comics, and who’s the current favorite around THOIA? Why, it’s none other than Lance Storm of course, appearing here for his third fist flyin’ time (also HERE and HERE) …but in today’s yarn he may have just met his match! Eh, probably not. Storm always takes a lickin’, but he sure keeps on tickin’.

From the July 1952 issue of Crime Mysteries #2

Thanks again to Brian Hirsch for the scans! Lance Storm returns next month just in time for Halloween, in: Seance of Horror!

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Vintage Acne Ads
And speaking of licking, meet the man who can tell YOU how to lick pimples! Ewww! Man, even back in the day, comic book publishers were spot-on about the naturally poor hygiene of their socially doomed, cursed clientele.