The Possessed

If our previous post HERE left you feeling a little repossessed, then maybe it's time to get re-repossessed! And while I'm not exactly sure if what I just said actually makes any sense, I do know this terrifically twisty tale of rotten romance, via the May 1975 issue of Ghostly Haunts #44, is absolutely loads of freak-deaky fun. Winnie the wanton Witch re-materializes once again to host the chillin' chain of horrific events, and ohhh my, how spooky is that superb Sanho Kim cover painting?! Plus: Blondes! Brunettes! A redhead! It's funny! It's frightening, --and every bit exciting! Did I mention that a distant cousin of The Creech even swims by for a creepy cameo? Damn, this crazy story really does have everything..

It Waits in the Tank!

Fish Tank Terror is back (thanks for waiting!) and it's another weird one from the murky depths of the November 1954 issue of Journey into Mystery #19! Vince Colletta adds a good amount of creeping, disembodied eyeball chills throughout, --though if you're like cantankerous 'ol Mr. Karswell, the only thing I want creepin' around in my aquarium is the Penn-Plax Creech aerator from 1971! *glub! glub!

The Passing of Samantha B

Film history has shown us that on this day, April 21st, in 1880, the 6 founding fathers of Antonio Bay, California deliberately wrecked a clipper ship off the coast so that its wealthy, leprosy-afflicted owner could not establish a leper colony nearby. All crew and passengers were killed, and the sunken ship was eventually salvaged of its treasures by the same men responsible for this senseless tragedy. I'm sure many of you that follow this blog know the rest of John Carpenter's classic, gory, ghost story. So as long as we have the SSS collection handy (see our previous post too), let's take a look at a terrific terror tale possessing quite a few similarities, via the July 1969 issue of Strange Suspense Stories #8. Spectral ship, vengeful spirit, a lonely lighthouse, lots of fog, and a care-free couple suddenly caught up in the clutches of a screaming supernatural spook. Joe Gill script, Vince Coletta illustrations, and Jim Aparo cover art, too!

Other Monsters That Fished for Men!

I hope everyone brought their water wings, because things are gonna get seriously wet 'n wild today! And FYI, this double creature feature concept post all started when Mr. Cavin mentioned that back in November of last year his hometown comic book illustrator / hero legend, Murphy Anderson, was being honored with a plaque installed at the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center in North Carolina. You can read more about it HERE! And to celebrate 'ol Murph (RIP), THOIA is also honored to present one of his more dynamite DC monster doozies (story and cover art) from the June 1952 issue of Strange Adventures #21. (NOTE: We'll be taking an additional look at Murphy Anderson over at AEET later this month as well, so don' miss it!) But first up, we're staying in the Silver Age for another scaly screamer from the deep, via Charlton and the June 1962 issue of Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds #30. Highlighted by a lagoonie-esque cover Creech monster by Nicholas and Alascia, though Bill Molno's interpretation for the story itself is quite different. And if that ain't enough "wet ' wild" for ya today, head over to AEET HERE for the absolute cutest sea monster ya ever did see...

Each Night I Drown in the Pool

Something evil is bubblin' down below-- and I'm not talking about your stomach after chowin' on too many White Castle burgers last night! It's a double dose of watery weird doom for you to dive right into today, and Frank Springer again returns to THOIA with a terrific spin on an 'ol resurfacing ancient curse, from the March 1966 issue of Ghost Stories lucky #13. But first up, Karswell fave, Vernon Henkel delivers a deadly deep discovery with every breath youuu take, via the September 1952 issue of Suspense #22. Better call The Police! And just to make things even more fun, I've included a one page tale about another young lady who wants to drown, via the I Forget Where I Found This Thing #-0. Sorry.... anyway, I'm pretty certain that the saucy artwork is by the always great Bill Wenzel, at least!