Tuesday, February 19, 2008

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







18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another big thank you for filling my "Mysterious Adventures" request!

Gonzalo Martinez said...

Hello.
I want to thank you for leaving a comment on my blog http://citasycomics.blogspot.com
Congratulations for your excellent blog. I've been spreading the word about it.
Take a look at the following site devoted to a classic chilean horror character: Dr. Mortis

http://www.mortis.cl

Sorry, it's in spanish. Anyway here you can see some comic book covers and download some classic issues:

http://www.mortis.cl/category/reliquias/

Best.

Gonzalo.

Unknown said...

An almost identical story appeared with nooses instead of coffins.

Mr. Karswell said...

>An almost identical story appeared with nooses instead of coffins.

Interesting, care to elaborate? What issue?

Anonymous said...

VERY COOL POST! I ACTUALLY THINK THE ART IS PRETTY GOOD BUT YOURE RIGHT, THIS SERIES BECAME MUCH MORE SLICK AND EC CLONED IN LATER ISSUES.

Chuck Wells said...

I can see why you like this 'un, Boss karswell.

[And I've gotta add that your recommended movie "Blood From The Mummy's Tomb" certainly has some great visual appeal. That chick has a spectacular rack on her. I don't know if I've seen that flick, but I'm gonna seek it out.]

Mr. Karswell said...

>That chick has a spectacular rack

Valerie Leon, my good man! Valerie Leon!!!! Everything about her is spectacular, from her hair down to her toes.

Anonymous said...

good lord yes. Valerie is delicious!

she was a Bond girl too, no?

the orig. anchor bay dvd edition of Blood from the Mummy's tomb came w/a cool bonus disc of Hammer trailers too. seek brother chuck wells! seek!

Anonymous said...

anyway, all breasts aside, this is a very good example of early precode horror. to me the stories almost seem creepier if the artwork isn't so expertly handled or refined. thanks for sharing karswell, very much looking forward to more mysterious adventures.

now back to the boobies gents

Anonymous said...

Reminds me a lot of Charles Burns' work. I've been meaning to drop by to say "thanks" to these beautiful pages you've been posting! By the way, have you heard much on an upcoming collection entitled, The Mammoth Book of Horror Comics?

Mr. Karswell said...

>have you heard much on an upcoming collection entitled, The Mammoth Book of Horror Comics?

Yes, I did a post about this book a few months ago when it was first announced in PREVIEWS. And then just this month Anti Atlas Guy commented in one of the Feb posts all about it in great detail when he ordered and recieved an import advance copy. Check the Feb archive, right now I can't remember which post was it was though, sorry...

The Vicar of VHS said...

So wait a minute...am I the only one wondering who the hell this "Mike" character is, and where he came from? Or did I miss something?

I always like a good variation on the "time has come/room for one more" angle, though. Nice stuff.

And I guess I'll have to fire up my copy of Boobs from the Mummy's Tomb...I mean, Blood from the Mummy's Boobs...I mean...well, you know what I mean. :)

Mr. Karswell said...

I think the Mike character was just some dude who lived in the cellar of John's apartment. His appearance is totally out of the blue indeed, especially the way he's just suddnely standing there in the shadows all lanky and satany looking. I don't believe he has anything else to do with the real point of the story though.

The Vicar of VHS said...

Is he maybe a recurring character in the magazine's stories? He seems significant, and also seems to be hinting about otherworldly forces and the occult and all...

Anyway, color me intrigued. :)

Mr. Karswell said...

>Is he maybe a recurring character in the magazine's stories?

As far as I can tell no... unless someone else knows something that I don't. It is possible that his role in this story might have been beefier but maybe got edited down (the way scenes in movies get left on the cutting room floor.) He does not appear in any other stories in this issue.

Consider yourself uh, colored.

Anonymous said...

Wow,i can see from the comments this is gonna be a fun week,as i've also wanted to see a few more MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES.and as for my 2 cents on busty Hammer girls,what about Yvonne Romain and Kate O'Mara?Hazel Court too.

Anonymous said...

or caroline munro!!!!!!

Captainadam said...

I agree with the Mike comments. Just some creepy guy hanging out in the basement shadows. And Johnny just days hello like it's no big deal. Beyond random. Plus he has such a boring name... Mike.