True Love

Post #2 in our vicious Valentine Special for February 2019-- and it's a rather grim, mummy monstrosity, from the November 1953 issue of Mister Mystery #14, with art by Eugene Hughes. And yes, my MUMMIES book is still available HERE, and like my HAUNTED LOVE collection mentioned in the previous post-- also makes a great VD present! Go-go-go you crazy love birds!

The Dead Lover Returns!

The month of February is a reminder that love is in the scare-- well, "love" as Mr. Karswell defines it-- and as Valentine's Day approaches, so will the loathsome levels of gag inducing, lusty guy / girl story shenanigans that, for example, made my Haunted Love series / book such a chilling thrill (still available HERE --makes the perfect VDAY present too!) So off we go again with a month of gentle, tender, romantic tales of woo and goo and ooooo I think I'm seriously gonna be sick... for scary starters, this one from the May 1952 issue of Worlds of Fear #4, with art by Sheldon Moldoff.

Wrath of Satan

As promised, we now return to our regularly scheduled channel of 100% pure evil. From the November 1952 issue of Weird Terror #2, art by John Belcastro and Joe Galotti.

Ghost of the Town!

In keeping with the kooky horror vibe of our last post, I thought we'd end the month on a somewhat lighter note as well, and then really kick it up into overdrive next month with the gaggy gruesome gores. Who's ready? Now you all know what a sucker I am for haunted house tales, and this one certainly plays by all the books: spooky old house in the neighborhood, chicken pants cutie and a midnight dare, the inevitable pranksters etc... you think you know where this is going, right? Maybe not quite this time, and it's all a ton of fun, plus really lovely artwork that balances cartoony and realism nicely, by artist unknown. So let's see what happens when, despite having a serious case of "The Clanks", Junie Prom takes that dare and enters into a world of the supernatural. PS: I love how the color blotch error in the splash is actually casting a shadowy hint of the darkness that awaits her... enjoy!

From the Fall 1948 issue of Junie Prom #4 

















FYI: On January 12th I slipped on a patch of ice in front of my house and fell down a flight of concrete steps, thus fracturing my arm and shoulder in 4 places. It's been a very rough month for me, and the surgery about killed me worse than the fall, but I've managed to stick with it here at THOIA this month and keep delivering the posts. I certainly don't wanna be a Debbie Downer or anything, but scanning, editing, and writing posts is now very time consuming for me while having to do everything with only one hand and loaded up on painkillers. I am off work now for a few weeks, maybe months, but when I begin the months of physical therapy ahead of me starting in February, it may cut a bit into my allowed blogger time. This is merely a heads up if for some reason there are sudden major delays between posts. I'll do what I can. Thanks again to everyone who continues to visit, enjoy, encourage, and most importantly COMMENT here at THOIA. You guys are the best, and I certainly wouldn't have stuck it out this long without the continued support of you :)

Buried Alive! or, Dig That Crazy Body!

Of all the nutty tales I've posted at this blog over the years, this one from the July 1954 issue of Nuts #3 has got to be the most--well, --nuts! Over the top, super funny writing, and hilarious artwork full of sight gags and Mad For Your Money moments, yes sir, they don't quite make 'em like this anymore. Enjoy! :)

The Witch of Shadow Glen!

Stickin' with the witches for another possessed post, and here's a fine example from the December 1952 - January 1953 issue of Witchcraft #5. And how about that incredible Kelly Freas cover painting? FYI I added another work of jaw dropping art for you at the very end of today's post as well-- enjoy!

Witch's Wish / Trapped from the Grave

Jack Katz pulls out all of the trash splash stops with a wild, witchy tale from the Oct '52 issue of Out of the Shadows #6. Seriously, ain't that a beaut?! And then "hang" around for a chilly little bonus one-pager (from the same issue) to wrap up our sensational summit with the supernatural!