Tokyo Pop Horror Giveaway (CONTEST)

I’m giving away extra copies of two illustrated horror books from Tokyo Pop… one is a bizarre manga comedy called Haunted House by Mitsukazu Mihara about a young man trying to live a normal life with his oddball family (they make the Addam’s Family seem like the Waltons), and also The Dark Goodbye Vol. 1 by Frank Marraffino and Drew Rausch, a noir-ish horror mystery, overflowing with tentacled Lovecraft inspiration.

All you have to do is simply email your name and address to karswell@hotmail.com and around midweek I will draw one lucky winner’s name and then announce it on my blog shortly after. Please mention "Tokyo Pop Horror Giveaway" in the email subject line.

Good luck!

One Must Die!

Axes of Evil coming at you on Double Post Saturday! Atlas of course was never one of the more gory pre-code publishers; but occasionally they unleashed a tale loaded with horrific implications that were far more gruesome than anything their competition relished in actually showing. For example, today’s first and cute little tale about a cute little couple caught up in a not so cute, not so little mess.

Originally presented in the Feb '53 issue of Adventures into Terror #16.

The Spice of Life!

Clearing out my hard drive the other day I discovered this creepy Al Eadeh classic that was submitted to me months ago by Clemmer Brigus! I totally forgot I had it, so here it is… thanks again Clemmer.

From the May 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #11

Pool of Eternity

The jungle isn't really my favorite horror setting, but add in some head shrinkers and blowgun dart torture and I’m there! This one has some neat twists and a truly horrific ending… plus, the always excellent art from Lou Cameron is just what the (witch)doctor ordered.

From the December 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #5

Ben Chapman R.I.P.

Ben Chapman, the man who played The Gill Man (out of the water) in The Creature from the Black Lagoon, has died. A truly great guy that I had the pleasure of meeting many many times, he will sincerely be missed.

For more info about Ben click HERE.


Thanks to my friend Patrick for the news.

Ghouls Feast at Midnight

I’ve mentioned before how I’m not really the biggest A.C. Hollingsworth fan, and though today’s tale is far from perfect, I do think he somewhat rises above his usual clumbsy perspectives and ill conceived panel compositions with this colorful, ghoulish tale of forbidden graveyard hunger. Bon appetite!

From the December 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #5

Terror of the Ancient Skeleton

So, yesterday’s Mysterious Adventures post was a big hit, and hopefully today’s story (from the same issue) proves just as weird and exciting to everyone. And boys boys boys… maybe today we won’t get so distracted by the mesmerizing attributes of Valerie Leon too, okay?

From the October 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #4

If The Coffin Fits… Get In!

Today marks the start of a four day tribute to Mysterious Adventures (The Early Years.) While these certainly are not the best written or best illustrated pre code horror stories of the 50’s (or even from this series), they certainly are some of the most inspired. And all four on display here this week represent a good example of the most intriguing and occasionally most ludicrous ideas I could find. Our first story for example, with its creepy concept of tiny cursed coffins that ominously grow in size to fit their intended occupant, is one of my favorites.

From the October 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #4

The Waiting Grave

Ahhh, the waiting grave. Reminds me of an analogy, something about “we’ve all got one”, and “they all stink.” The grave I mean, not today’s post.

From the April 1952 issue of Witches Tales #9

Queasy Questions

Someone emailed me on Saturday with a few questions and I thought I’d post them here today for all of you pre-code experts out there to chime in. To be honest, Number One has me seriously drawing a blank… and of course there are multiple opinions for Number Two, seems like it would be more interesting to get an assortment of thoughts.

(Please note that this is NOT A CONTEST.) Here are the questions:

1.) Which comic had a picture of a Beefeater discovering "a bleedin' 'ead"?

2.) What are the goriest pre-code horror comic panels of all time?

(Panel from Greed's Grisly Treasure, from the January 1953 issue of Baffling Mysteries #13. Read the story HERE!)

Thanks to Mike H for the answer to question #1, Roly-Poly Comics #14 from 1945... gor-blimey!

Harvey Horror (ADS)

One of the better dual, full page / color, Harvey ads promoting two of their most popular, and "demon quivering" (?!) pre-code titles of the day.

The Bride of the Crab

Today's mad Moe Marcus tale was also originally on the Valentine theme schedule for last week but got bumped for whatever reason I came up with at the time. I guess maybe because there’s actually not much love in this story, unless of course you’re in love with a talking crab monster. I personally love closing panels with no dialog...

From the September 195 issue of Chamber of Chills #12