Angry spirits from the dead just never rest easy, and two ding-dongs learn about it the hard way from a seriously mad magician! From the Spring 1953 issue of Ghost Comics #6, and highlighted by some really super(natural) moments from artist A. Albert on every single page-- in particular, that maniacally macabre, laughing skeleton near the climax.
There's an interesting moral component to this one -- sure, Dan didn't kill Dodge, but he killed a ton of other people, so he deserves the penalty he's getting. He even confessed to it!
ReplyDeleteThere's a bit of oddness in the script; Zandini was in the wreck of the train but was also "once connected" (i.e., why was he on the train) and had also died 5 years ago. That's quite the magic trick.
I bet the artist at the time loved these stories. So much great art! Train wrecks! Shootings! Ghost clowns! Magicians! Living skeletons! Each page gave some new wonder of delight to draw!
This is a really good one!
There are so many great horror tales to be found throughout THOIA's archives, and there are some that are standouts from the rest (art wise, scare wise, etc.) this tale is one of the standouts.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so unique that makes this so memorable, perhaps it was a variation of a pulp horror tale or old time radio program, but of course the art makes it a real winner.
Thanks as always for the great work you do Karswell.
This art is so interesting looking. Some of it almost feels subtractive, like scratch board. In other places it comes off really "blobby," like the artist was using paint instead of ink. Or something. The splash is super strange, with an unshaded background of artfully wobbly lines, something like the illustrations in a children's picture book. There is definitely something excellent and unique on every page. I love the skeletons tucked here and there, but I am equally in love with the radiating anxiety shapes in panels at the top of three and the bottom of four--and check out the latter: How it syncs-up with Zandini's cape in the adjacent frame. Nice.
ReplyDeleteJustice served, one way or another. The art is suitably creepy. Bet this gave one kid, at least, some spooky vibes.
ReplyDelete