The Monster

Finale tale from the premiere issue of Monster #1 (1953.) There was only this one and an issue #2 before the series was sadly cancelled, a real pity too because it obviously started off pretty damn good. And for those paying extra attention, this concludes another full-issue presentation here at THOIA (see also: "The Philosopher's Stone", "Traitor's House", and "The Mirror.") Beginning next week, we'll start heavily digging into the witchcraft as we inch closer and closer to Halloween!

The Philosopher's Stone (Dr. Drew)

Another phenomenally illustrated tale from Fiction House's Monster #1 (1953), and of course Jerry Grandenetti needs no introduction, but I will say that if you enjoy this entry from the Dr. Drew case files, you may also want to hit up the THOIA Archive afterwards (if you haven't already) and take a look at "The Strange Case of the Absent Floor" as well as "The Witch's Doll."

And don't miss Melvin Monster
over at AEET-- click HERE!!

Traitor's House

Here's a freaky one for you from Fiction House Magazine's Monster #1 (1953.) And as you can see in the bottom righthand corner of the splash, art credits go to Anthony D'Adamo, who manages to pull out a number of wonderfully eerie moments throughout (note: under the art direction of Jerry Iger no less!), most noteably, in the page 5 panel of the guy trapped in the see-thru casket, as well as the insane materialization of evil spirit faces on the final page. I'll have another tale from this issue in our next post too...

The Creature

From the April 1952 issue of The Thing Vol. 1 #2, lurks a weird, colorful creature feature from Albert Tyler and Bob Forgione, a team that paired-up on quite a few of the more wildly memorable moments in pre-code horror history. Thought I already posted this story years ago... but apparently I did not. Or did I?

The Vampire's Coffin! / Johnny's Last Jump!

And finally the two remaining tales from the Sept. '53 issue of Mystery Tales #15 ...one a goofy vampire story from DiPreta (um, how do you close the coffin lid with a 4 foot stake stickin' outta the chest, anyway?!), --and secondly, a harrowing tale of two chums on the run, highlighted by some super fine dialogue, ie: "Head North, Egghead, and don't take your foot off the floorboard!"

Click HERE for some
SPOOKY MAGIC!

The Little Monster / "SHHHH!"

Sounded like some of you wanted to see what the rest of Mystery Tales #15 (September '53) was all about-- so here ya go! Benulis & Abel kick off our October 2011 festivities with some tentacled terror from "The Little Monster", followed by a senses shocking Dick Ayers classic simply titled "SHHHH!" PS: I'll have the last two stories from this issue in our next post later this week.

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