Triple-Header!

If the ancient Egyptian Karnak Curse in our previous post didn't do it for you, then how about a curse from the creepy old Carnoc Castle grotto instead? This story originally appeared here at THOIA in a black and white reprint version way back in 2017 (HERE), --but everyone hated the scan quality so I swore on the blood of thy ancestors that someday I would re-feature the proper, original story from the October 1951 debut issue of This Magazine is Haunted #1. George Evans art definitely deserves to be viewed in this manner, any 'ol way. Annnnd because the story is a whoppin' 13 pages long, I thought, hey, why not make this post even longer with some additional TMIH filler quickies, like even more fun Facts About Witches and Witchcraft (from TMIH #20), as well as a two-page Ditko horror adventure, via TMIH #17. This blog is pretty damned haunted too, you know?

Curse of Karnak

Wow, it's already Mummy Monday again, --time to open up another time-rotted tomb of ancient horrors! And this one is absolutely loaded with eerie Egyptian god freaks, as well as various bad decisions on the parts of our heroes. But it's a fast paced, fun yarn none the less, plus Bob Forgione (again already, too!) adds a healthy dose of cleavage to the chase so that kooky Mr. Karswak doesn't have to! On top of all that, dig the ghastly cover decap design, and rather lovely B/W table of contents page, both courtesy of Lou Morales. From the October - November 1952 issue of The Thing #5.

Stranger in Town

We're celebrating the first day of Spring 2026 here at THOIA, as well as over at AEET, complete with some do (though focusing on don't) tips about how to really bring your plants and garden back to life! Well, maybe not exactly THIS much "back to life", but you all know what I'm talkin' 'bout, right? And when was the last time we saw anything by Reed Crandall around these parts? It's seriously been a long cold, errr, half decade+, for sure! And okay, don't get your hopes too high, cuz this ain't even by him anyway, even though it's credited to him! It's actually, of course, terrifyin' Tom Sutton layin' down his usual brilliant, and ominously organic artwork! Also, that stunning London After Midnight cover painting is by the great Basil Gogos, and not Charles Schulz, or Barry Gibb, --via the awesome April 1969 issue of Creepy #26.

The Iron Man

Iron Man?!! But I thought Kars said we were done with hero stuff for a while! Annnnd indeed we are, as this is not a Marvel post, --but a wild robo Atlas classic from the January 1953 issue of Mystery Tales #7. Carl Burgos even delivers a hairy-scary dash of lycanthropy to the first page, making it eligible for a Werewolf Wednesday post as well! Yes, today's perfect post is all about the fiendish fake-out!

The Terror of Akbar

Every Monday in March is Mummy Madness Day here at THOIA --and this week it's also happenin' at AEET too! Annnnd okay now, a few of you might be familiar with this grisly golden age gem from the February - March 1954 issue of Strange Fantasy #10, --I mean, it was reprinted nearly a half dozen times in the Eerie Pubs, but it also found a new, return-to-color home in Haunted Horror #17 back in 2015! And that's why it was a such a surprise to Mr. Karswell recently when he discovered that it had somehow never been featured here at THOIA-- until NOW, that is!

+++++++++++++++++++++++ MORE HERE!!!

Web of the Spider Woman

Spider Woman?!! But I thought Kars said we were done with hero stuff for a while! Annnnd indeed we are, as this is not a Marvel post, --but a creepy crawly Ace classic from the June 1953 issue of Hand of Fate #18. Artist Bill Molno densely packs every panel perfectly with loads of eerie atmosphere and lush line work, keeping the weird web motif spinning strongly in roof textures, foliage, fabrics, hair, fur --and fear! Artist George Roussos must have really loved that splash panel below, because a few months later he pulled quite a superb swiperoonie of it for the October 1953 cover of Out of the Shadows #10, just sayin'. Oh, and Happy Friday the 13th to each and every one of you today, too!