Perry Chase.... Press Guardian

Perry Chase, aka The Press Guardian was yet another of the many fun, but largely forgotten 1940's back-up filler hero features from the early days of the ever popular Pep Comics series, via Archie. And while he doesn't really possess any SUPER hero powers, --as we'll be seeing in some of our other featured hero posts all this month, --he is one terrifically tough, masked reporter with those fists, threatening the bad guys with strangulation and torn throats, all the while saving the lovely damsels in distress in his endless pursuit of justice, and truth. The two stories I have for you today are unique to the series, because it appears to be the few horror themed examples of Press G encountering his nemesis "The Claw" in a pair of adventures where old house mad science and subtereanean monsters fit THOIA's bill rather nicely. Not to mention, Mort Meskin's old school art style really lends a wonderfully surreal, eerie quality to the all-out scrappy, beast battle action. Enjoy! From the Nov. / Dec. 1940 issues of Pep Comics #9, and Pep Comics #10. 

Dr. Nemesis

If you were looking for something different today in the world of Ace Magazines terror, then you definitely came to the right place! SEE! A crazy, throat slashing masked surgeon! Corpse play! Sexy nurses! Suicide! And a plague of Black Death infected rats unleashed! Whoa nelly, it seriously doesn't come more exciting and bonkers than this! Throw in a gloriously gory, and very unique two-page splash panel spread, (art by Bruce Currie) and it all adds up to non-stop, action packed fists o'fun in a hospital of horrors! According to the internet, Dr. James Bradley, aka "Doctor Nemesis" would also later go on to be the co-creator of the Human Torch android! From the June 1942 issue of Lightning Comics V3#1.

"The Demons of Death"

In the comments of our last post of 2024 (HERE!), it sounded to me like Brian was maybe revealing to us his love for devil villains in underpants. So, enter The Deacon and Mickey, an action packed horror crime back-up tale from the December 1943 issue of Cat-Man Comics #22. Yes, I do believe these "Demons of Death" will surely satisfy Brian's fever for the flavor of more rockin' red, hot-pants fashion. For those unaware, Dean Denton, aka "The Deacon" was a former bad guy turned faux holy man crime fighter, making up for his pitiful past by dressing the part, as well as teaming up with sidekick Mickey to battle the denizens of the underworld. There are 32 appearances in all, occasionally dealing with spookier subject matter, thus qualifying The Deac for inclusion here at THOIA. Also, if that pulp perfect splash page doesn't immediately make it worthy, then nothing will. And again-- Happy 2025 to everyone who helps keep this blog chuggin' along with comments and suggestions-- you guys are the best!

The Haunted Castle

Here's another forgotten Golden Age horror hero leftover from a few months back, Yarko the Great Master of Magic battling gangster goons in a haunted castle. As Yarko's descriptive blurb in the splash indicates, he achieved his mighty mystical Eastern powers in sort of the same way that Dr. Strange would a couple of decades later. These are total kiddie matinee adventures with fun low-fi art and a cut-to-the-chase grade school level of writing, but I totally dig on moments where Yarko perplexes guys wearing sheets into really thinking they're skeletal ghosts, or when he actually calls upon true demons from Hell for an awesome assist. From the February 1941 issue of Wonderworld Comics #22.

Man Who Sold His Soul to the Devil

It's Walpurgisnacht, and time for the final 13th post of April 2024! This date also means we are halfway to Halloween Eve, so be sure to click the image at the end of this post for more festive, bitchin' witchery over at AEET HERE! And since we missed Hero Horror Monday yesterday, let's set it all ablaze one more time with our final defender of evil-- the great Ibis the Invincible! It's a scorcher of a tale from the June 1943 issue of Whiz Comics #43, and one loosely based on the literary classic, "The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Stephen Vincent Benet. Hope everyone enjoyed the themes featured here this month, I have a few ideas for May, so stay tombed for tons more, --now, light the midnight fires this evening!

Three Wishes From Dr. Devil

Horror Hero Monday once again, and this time it's a trio of 'em all coming together into one big Prize (Comics) fight to the finish: Dr. Devil, Bulldog Denny Dunsan, and Dick Briefer's immortally iconic, Frankenstein! This post also fulfills Todd's request for "more Briefer", which always sounds good in my book! This is a mega fun monster mash throw-down though, and a gruesome great glimpse into how Briefer could illustrate. I especially love all of the dynamic drawings of Frankie's big 'ol horrific hands... from the July 1942 issue of Prize Comics #22. Things are sure getting hotter 'round here as we approach Walpurgisnacht, eh!