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!

The Case of the Missing Tombstones!

Well, Tombstone Tuesday just moved to Monday, all apologies folks! My pre-planned schedule has been thrown off since the big 'ol storm that blew through the midwest a few days ago and knocked out our power for a spell. But everything's slowly back to (ab)normal around here, and since nothing else could possibly go wrong (could it?), how about something a bit more fun yet still equally abnormal with a kooky spooky Inspector Klooz case from the Oct. - Nov. '46 issue of Young King Cole V2#2. Fans of silly slapsticky horror, as well as Terrytoon's Heckle & Jeckle will surely enjoy the distinct illustrative stylings of Connie Rasinski / JAC / Jason Comic Art.

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.

Grave Story

I'm sure that many of you consider a cemetery to be a nice, quiet, uneventful place. But today's terror-ific Tom Sutton tale from the February 1973 issue of Midnight Tales #2 tells quite a different, action packed story, indead-- errr, indeed! Not only that, but you're going to hear all about it from a very different perspective too! I've also included a vintage comic book ad page absolutely packed with mail-order magic...

Skin-Deep

A very funny Atlas terror tale from the August 1952 issue of Uncanny Tales #2, with Fred Kida's atmospheric art complimenting Hank Chapman's sardonic script. Yes, to be a mad scientist while your better half only wants to help out and make things... umm, "better." Haha, this is the kind of precode story that inspired me to start this blog over 17 years ago, with humor and horror perfectly balanced into one.

"The Doublecrossing Coffin"

Couldn't resist giving you another sweet taste of Nina Albright art (see previous post), and this time from the Winter 1945 issue of Suspense #10. And while not exactly a full-fledged "horror tale", the shadowy murder sequence on the staircase, and creepy crypt robbin' atmosphere panels certainly make it feel like one, even if our leading lady here qualifies as one of THOIA's "Stupidest Killers" (check the archive!) We also have a GA host making his THOIA debut, and calling himself "Mr. Nobody." He certainly seems to have been the long-coated, hat-headed inspiration for many comic book hosts to come, ie: The Mysterious Traveler, The Phantom Stranger, etc...

Ghoul Girl

In all the years I've been producing this blog, I've posted less than a half dozen stories from Warren's original b/w Vampirella magazine series. I'm not talking about Vampi's own ominous adventures, I'm talking the ones where she horror hosts the various tales of other macabre monsters and murderous mayhem. Maybe we'll finish out the month with a few frightening examples, and let's start it off with this hot lil specimen from the June 1970 issue of Vampirella #5. Yep, this plan also gives me an excellent excuse to post Frazetta covers too! Tough titties from Drakulon to any complainers...