Paralyzed

If you enjoyed the removable mannequin limbs in our previous post, you may get a similarly weird kick out of this gory 'n brutal Goldfarb 'n Baer story as well, --as THOIA's Awful Wedded Bliss 2025 Fest continues! From the December 1953 issue of Mysterious Adventures #17. 

The Manikins of Death!

I'm always surprised to find a precode horror story that hasn't already made its way into the THOIA Archive at this point. Especially considering I collect vintage department store mannequins, and why looky here-- a good one on that exact subject, no less! From the August 1951 issue of Mysterious Adventures #3, and from the glorious 'ol Golden age era of when people apparently had no idea how to even spell the word "mannequin!" I'm sure some of you will find a wee bit of pleasure knowing that Mr. Karswell is seated here at the computer and indeed surrounded by multiple mannequins, blankly staring at me, errr him, as these scans are eerily edited and meticulously put together for todays post... piece by piece... limb by limb... ohh, careful not to slip now!

Slave of the Pharaoh

Let's quickly detour back to the House of Mystery for a macabre Mummy Monday rampagin' murderama, via the November 1980 issue of HoM #286. It's 5 packed pages of creepy crumblin' chaos, plus a joltin' Cain quickie-- not to mention a really great cover from 'ol King Kubert too!

Who Toys with Terror!

Legendary John Severin was mentioned in the comments of a recent post, which got me thinking that it's been a minute since we saw any of his mastery around here. And paired-up with another master, Boris Vallejo, and one of his all-time hottest cover paintings ever, well, I'd say we have ourselves one helluva way to kick off our macabrely weird weekend! Not only that, but how about a peek at the awesome original Boris painting too! Quite a difference in the two, eh? And say, don't forget the model glue now, cuz you'll be sniffin' up a sad storm of Aurora monster kit kiddo memories before it's all over! This is one truly packed, and utterly perfect post... from the March 1975 issue of Weird Tales of the Macabre #2.

"Sheer Fear!"

I remember reading this story when I was a kid and thinking it was really cool, very clever, and super creepy-- see what you guys think! And for obvious reasons, I'm always reminded of it every time I watch Creepshow (1982.) From the April-May 1974 issue of House of Mystery #224, with ghastly art by Gerry Talaoc, and a good script by Sheldon Mayer.

The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall

Last Monday's "True Ghosts of History" bonus at the end of our doomed post HERE was indeed (as Brian Barnes pointed out), based on a a very well documented haunting that took place in the 1830's, though the actual origins of The Brown Lady, aka The Grim Lady story itself goes as far back as the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. (CLICK HERE for more information from the eerie Wikipedia entry.) And alas, the great King Ward version you saw last week was just one of three filler comic book adaptations uniquely rendered over the years and telling the terrifyin' tale of poor Dorothy Walpole's wandering apparition. Our first version below is from DC's "Tales of the Haunted and the Damned!"  a then new series of true stories (concerning cursed castles, haunted houses, and macabre mansions) and originally appeared, in this case, in the Feb. 1974 issue of Ghosts #23. Also included below-- the infamous "real" photo of damned Dorothy descending the 'ol staircase of Raynham Hall, --and finally, another illustrated version, this time as a one-page quickie from the April 1953 issue of Adventures into Darkness #9, though this scan was actually already posted at THOIA way back in 2010 HERE!

"True" Zombies of History: Hugo Ormsbeck / Strange Spirits: Voodoo

Time to put a wrap on our killer King Ward Fest this week with a couple more ACG AdvUnk fillers. And first up, a whoppin' weird 4-page historical account of Hugo Ormsbeck, 13th century oddball alchemist, and magician, who apparently discovered the power of the living dead, --and thusly became a "true" zombie himself! Ward delivers some great panels here, I just wish the coloring was a little more inspired. From the March 1953 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #41, followed by a one page voodoo quickie from the Fall 1948 debut issue of Adventures into the Unknown #1. GCD attributes the art here by Ward as well, but it honestly doesn't look like his work to me... I'm sure you will all let me know your opinions on this matter as well.